Transcript Highlights:

• <00:05:05.800> one If I could wave a wand and change one If I could wave a wand and change
• If I could wave a wand and change one thing, I would definitely change a simple thing, as weighted GPA
• If I could change one thing careers.
• Um, and it changes the language.
• <00:18:51.440> It's Um and it changes the language. It's Um and it changes the language.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But our economy is changing. Family dynamics are changing.
• But our economy is changing. Family dynamics are changing.
• But our economy is changing. Family dynamics are changing.
• But our economy is changing. Family dynamics are changing.
• But our economy is changing. Family dynamics are changing.

Bills: HF1124, HF1457, HF1803

Keywords: school calendar, education, school year, Labor Day, state law, school construction, landfill, dump site, closed landfill, contaminated site, pollution control agency, school siting, public school, charter school, environmental health, student safety, brownfield, solid waste, waste disposal site, site contamination

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, the budget impact is zero on this as well as it represents change.
• The budget impact is zero on this as well, as it represents changes to the work program only.
• So some of the increases that we do see are from enrollment increasing, and some of the transfers are
• There are some increases in that, with some of the enrollment increases. Well, you're recognized.
• And so with the advent of the SMNC 3.0, there were some changes, and we made some adjustments to the

Summary: The Legislative Budget Commission met with a quorum present and considered 12 budget amendments, most of which were adopted without opposition. The first amendment transferred $8.2 million in Department of Corrections general revenue authority from salary incentives to contracted services to support the phased demobilization of Florida National Guard troops assisting with correctional staffing. Senator Pizzo questioned the length of the Guard’s deployment and urged a long-term staffing solution, while the department said the Guard presence was being reduced and that about 2,200 employees were in training. The Department of State received an additional $618,391 in federal grant authority for library grants and private cloud costs, and the Department of Transportation’s two amendments were zero-sum work program changes: one realigned funds to production-ready projects and another added three projects over $3 million each to the current-year work program. The commission then approved several Agency for Health Care Administration amendments tied to Medicaid supplemental payment programs. These included funding for the Florida Cancer Hospital Program, indirect medical education payments, disproportionate share hospital payments for the state mental hospitals, the Low-Income Pool program, physician supplemental and public hospital payments, Florida KidCare, and Medicaid services realignment. Members asked about possible federal disallowances in the LIP and physician/public hospital programs, and agency staff said some disallowances were likely but the amount was not yet known. For KidCare and Medicaid, staff explained the changes were based on the December estimating conference, enrollment shifts, and updated actuarial assumptions, including changes to managed care regions and program design. The final amendment restored budget authority for a hospital direct payment program after a prior payment, including a $24.3 million CMS-related amount and $3.2 million in administrative fees, was not processed before fiscal year-end and reverted. Senator Pizzo pressed the agency on how the payment was missed and whether any penalty applied; staff said the invoice was not received and processed in time and that communication issues contributed. After brief debate on each item, the commission adopted all amendments, with one recorded nay on the final item, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, some changes, uh, statutory regulatory changes to the CEP, the Community eligibility provision, or
• If the, if the um federal government changes those rates, that may change the amount of reimbursements
• Anytime we want to change rates, we have to, um.
• Enrollment is basically our number one.
• OK, Medicaid enrollment, um.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, we made some changes to the programs.
• These are things that parents pay for when kids are enrolled full-time in when kids are enrolled full-time
• We are not changing the charge.
• This amendment clarifies that nothing in this bill changes existing Nothing in this bill changes existing
• Second, it changes the process in...

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• WE ALSO NEED TO GET OUR OWN HOUSE IN ORDER, I WORK WITH OUR TEAM TO IDENTIFY GAPS AND IMPLEMENT CHANGES
• IN TERMS OF NEXT STEPS THE AGENCY IS PREPARING FOR THE NEW PROCUREMENT AND WILL BE MAKING CHANGES IN
• I WANT TO SHOW YOU TWO SCREENSHOTS FROM THE PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PORTAL. IT IS REAL.
• THIS IS ANOTHER BIG PAIN POINT WITHIN THE CURRENT LEGACY SYSTEM, SYSTEM CHANGES ESPECIALLY IF CLAIMS
• IN THE RATING CAN CHANGE AND SUBSEQUENT PERIOD.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know that changed from will to may.
• <00:04:38.800> or one of those laws that was changed or one of those laws that was changed
• <00:09:20.240> the and support that it doesn't change the and support that it doesn't change
• <01:10:30.239> in<01:10:30.480> our to increase enrollment in our to increase enrollment
• So there's a lot of things enrolled.

Bills: HF3458, HF3777, HF3778, HF3912

Keywords: electric utilities, service areas, Tribal lands, Minnesota statute, energy regulation, utility rates, public utilities, Public Utilities Commission, PUC, ratepayer, consumer protection, affordable energy, energy affordability, ability to pay, just and reasonable rates, rate regulation, electric rates, natural gas rates, energy conservation, renewable energy

Summary: The committee approved the March 5, 2026 minutes and then took up House File 3458, as amended, which would exempt tribes from utility exclusive rights and assigned service areas. The bill’s author and the Upper Sioux community chairman said the measure was prompted by a dispute over a solar project at the tribal casino and argued the issue is really about tribal sovereignty, not solar, citing tribal civil regulatory authority and prior court cases. The amendment A1 was adopted before testimony. Testimony was split. Chairman Kevin Jensel of the Upper Sioux community strongly supported the bill, saying the tribe should not be forced to follow utility service territories and that the state should correct a long-standing omission in law. Derek Mo of the Minnesota Rural Electric Association opposed the bill, warning it would undermine the regulatory compact, reliability, long-term planning, and financing for electric service, especially in tribal areas. Justin Johns of East Central Energy also opposed the bill, but emphasized that many cooperatives have productive tribal partnerships and said his co-op has worked successfully with the Mille Lacs Band on solar, resilience, and workforce efforts; he cautioned that removing service obligations could leave difficult-to-serve areas underinvested. Members discussed whether the Public Utilities Commission process already underway should be allowed to resolve the dispute and whether the bill’s scope could extend beyond the current solar issue. The chair responded that the bill was a legislative approach to a problem that had not been resolved and said the amendment addressed concerns about removing the obligation to serve. A roll call was requested, and the committee voted to re-refer House File 3458, as amended, to the General Register.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know it has changed a bit.
• Statutory changes are temporary and expire on July 1, 2027.
• The 3% employee contribution rate is not changed by this bill.
• The 3% employee contribution rate is not changed by this bill.
• SB 2514 makes various changes to education statutes to conform with the proposed budget.

Summary: The Senate took up the 2026-2027 budget package, beginning with an overview of the $115 billion General Appropriations Bill (SB 2500/HB 500). Appropriations Chair Hooper said the budget is smaller than last year’s, maintains strong reserves, and includes a 3% pay raise for all state employees and 5% raises for state law enforcement, firefighters, correctional officers, and park rangers. Committee chairs then highlighted major spending in their areas, including $34.9 billion for Pre-K-12 education, $11.9 billion for higher education, a $2.1 billion-plus increase in health and human services, $7.9 billion for criminal and civil justice, $16.8 billion for transportation/tourism/economic development, and major environmental and regulatory investments such as Everglades restoration, water quality, and land acquisition. Members asked detailed questions about several items. Topics included the Emergency Management Trust Fund, arts and cultural grants, Florida Forever land acquisition versus conservation easements, teacher salaries and charter school funding, New College funding, ADAP/HIV drug assistance, Medicaid rate reductions for non-critical access hospitals, DOC operational deficits and inmate health/food costs, judicial staffing, and school enrollment supplements. Chairs explained that some reductions reflected shifts in how scholarship and categorical funds are tracked, that the ADAP appropriation would take effect immediately upon enactment but would only cover part of the year, and that hospital reductions were tied to a broader DPP funding increase. Questions also covered lottery staffing, concealed carry licensing workload, and whether vacant positions were being eliminated as part of budget right-sizing. After the budget discussion, the Senate substituted House bills for the Senate budget bills and adopted amendments placing the Senate language onto the House vehicles. The chamber then passed HB 500, HB 503, and HB 5201, and agreed to conference on each. It also passed SB 7028/HB 5205 on retirement, SB 2506 on fuel taxes, SB 2508 on the state agency law enforcement radio system, SB 2510/HB 5401 on court trust funds, SB 2512 on judgeships, SB 2514 on K-12 education, SB 2516 on higher education, and SB 2518 on health, with each bill passing by unanimous or near-unanimous votes and then being sent to conference or requested of the House for concurrence.

Transcript Highlights:

• We need to be able to change the game here. This is... And hypersonic manufacturing.
• We need to be able to change the game here. This is very much a bipartisan issue.
• the change and make the space available center.
• There are two changes proposed to the R&D tax credit in this bill.
• There are two changes proposed to the R&D tax credit in this bill.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And finally, enrollment windows.
• And finally, enrollment windows.
• And finally, enrollment windows.
• changes in what's happening federally. changes in what's happening federally.
• that age doesn't change that situation. that age doesn't change that situation.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:03:08.240> may Uh we did find that this uh change may Uh we did find that this uh change
• Again, hunters are probably learning more about this change.
• They don't have to enroll in that lottery.
• They don't have to enroll in that lottery.
• So, we have to enroll in that lottery.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Our enrollment in our DNP program...
• So, we haven't changed anything.
• And so I'm glad that maybe things will change.
• Our error rates, which change and can change, so the pieces laid out here are just our state match requirement
• So, these proposed SNAP changes are in current law.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was a change of direction after that amendment, correct? Was it done? Who changed it?
• <00:22:58.159> the who changed the who changed the I<00:22:59.240> met<00:22:59.440
• some type of increase in enrollment, substantial increase in enrollment at some point.
• I get it, but you increase your total enrollment, not just your program enrollment.
• Things have changed.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So if it's a 3-quarter change, it's a 9-month, um, kind of push.
• Uh, again, the school buses has been changed from 29.2 to 0.
• Moving on to page 12, this is the summary of changes.
• It's an award language change.
• The enrollment has been taken into a right sizing initiative due to declining enrollment and excess square

Transcript Highlights:

• Benefits before they change. And so schools are really looking at their numbers now.
• The change last year in the 2025-26 budget increased funding for the program by $600 million to change
• Additionally, we recommend that any future rate changes be tied to changes in the programming requirements
• That any future rate changes be tied to changes in the programming requirements because right now we
• And so by providing some targeted assistance, we are able to really change those trajectories.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education heard the Governor’s proposals for universal school meals, the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP), and community schools, with the kitchen infrastructure grants, Tier 2 ELOP funding, and ongoing community schools funding as the main budget issues. For universal meals, the Department of Education and the Department of Finance supported continued investment in school meal infrastructure and explained that federal changes, inflation, and underreporting in meal counts could affect future funding. The LAO recommended rejecting a fourth round of kitchen infrastructure grants, arguing prior rounds are still being spent and that future funding should be tied to clearer goals and data. Several public commenters and school groups supported continued kitchen grants and universal meals, citing supply-chain delays, workforce needs, and benefits such as more freshly prepared meals and higher participation. For ELOP, the administration proposed $4.7 billion ongoing Proposition 98 funding and an additional $62.4 million to set a minimum Tier 2 rate of $1,800 per pupil. The LAO recommended fully fixing the Tier 2 rate at $1,579 and tying future changes to program requirements, while CDE supported the proposal and said the program is improving attendance and academic outcomes. Senators and witnesses discussed whether ELOP should remain a standalone program or be folded into LCFF, with concerns raised about accountability, flexibility, and whether the program should better serve older youth. CDE said new CalPADS reporting and the biennial report will provide more data soon, and public testimony largely supported stabilizing Tier 2 funding while also asking for more support for middle and high school students. For community schools, the Governor proposed $1 billion ongoing Proposition 98 funding to expand the model to thousands more schools and to support existing sites, along with new accountability through annual self-certification and future accreditation. The LAO recommended continuing the current one-time grant approach instead of creating a new ongoing categorical program, warning about reduced flexibility, administrative burden, and the state’s capacity to support a much larger number of grantees. CDE strongly supported the ongoing funding and asked for additional support for county offices and technical assistance. Committee members questioned how accreditation would work for a model meant to be locally tailored, and administration staff said technical assistance would come first, with schools losing eligibility only if they failed to meet standards after support. Public testimony was overwhelmingly supportive of community schools, with parents, students, county offices, and advocacy groups describing gains in attendance, graduation, mental health supports, family engagement, and student belonging, while some commenters urged clearer eligibility rules, stronger reporting, and continued support for related programs such as MTSS and homeless student services.

Transcript Highlights:

• Or lower percent change?
• to make it enrollment-based versus student-based, or just a change in entitlement.
• Multiple titles are being changed.
• What would you like to see change?
• We started enrolling providers in.

Keywords: budget, House Bill 1, public education, healthcare, border security, federal funding, spending limits

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on reviewing the proposed budget for the upcoming biennium, with substantial discussions around House Bill 1 and its implications for public education, healthcare, and border security. The Comptroller presented a revenue overview indicating a total of $194.6 billion available for general purpose spending, which reflects a slight decrease compared to previous years due to fluctuating economic conditions. Members raised questions regarding spending limits and the impact of federal funding on state programs, highlighting concerns about the sustainability of funding in light of potential changes at the federal level.

Transcript Highlights:

• Are there any changes?
• It does not change that bill at all.
• this act actually changes any of that. this act actually changes any of that.
• Signing of enrolled acts.
• Enroll that.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House enrolled act number 33.
• <00:05:44.240> Act I'm about to sign House Enrolled Act I'm about to sign House Enrolled Act
• > 38<00:07:42.400> being House Enrolled Act number 38 being House Enrolled Act number 38
• <00:08:00.000> Act I have so signed House Enrolled Act I have so signed House Enrolled Act
• The signing of enrolled acts. House enrolled act number 41.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, we also have a provider enrollment moratorium, a six-month provider enrollment moratorium for those
• > six-month enrollment moratorium, a six-month enrollment moratorium, a six-month provider<00:
• <00:12:40.880> to community providers are enrolled to community providers are enrolled to
• session, for example, pre-enrollment session, for example, pre-enrollment risk<00:19:34.480>
• We've utilize this this change.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:10:00.399> changing<00:10:00.880> the don't have to keep changing changing the
• And so as current with the federal list, that does change at once they make change.
• And so, as current with the federal list, that does change at once they make change.
• of changes that small changes that bunch of changes that small changes that need<01:13:14.000> to
• <01:58:12.880> the<01:58:13.360> change that they believe do change the change that

Keywords: 1189, house, all