Transcript Highlights:

• The director of Fish and Game will have said he'll be retired by then as well.
• It implements performance-based funding similar to what we use in the marine law enforcement model.
• Industry was telling us you're not producing the type of employees with the skills we need.
• The base closed? The debate is closed.
• I just want to point out that this is based on market forces.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Senate opened with roll call, prayer, and a tribute from the chaplain to Nampa Mayor Rick Hogaboom, who had died the previous night. The body then approved the journal and moved through routine orders, including committee reports, House messages, and the introduction of several new Senate and House bills. Among the measures introduced or referred were Senate bills on rape penalties, private inspectors, digital identification, medical/veterinary service commitments, small claims court limits, virtual currency kiosk fraud prevention, public outdoor target ranges, election filing procedures, and off-road vehicle funding, along with multiple House appropriations bills and other House measures. Several bills received floor debate and final action. Senate Bill 1299, prohibiting public entities from requiring digital identification and limiting retention/use of digital ID data, passed 35-0 after sponsor testimony emphasizing privacy and voluntary use. Senate Bill 1335, extending service obligations to state-supported veterinary students, passed 33-2. Senate Bill 1330, raising the small claims limit from $5,000 to $15,000, passed 35-0. Senate Bill 1359, the Virtual Currency Kiosk Fraud Prevention Act, drew the most debate over regulation versus consumer protection; supporters cited scam prevention and a cooling-off period, while opponents warned of overregulation and interference with innovation, and it ultimately passed 19-16. The Senate also passed Senate Bill 1348 on public outdoor target ranges, Senate Bill 1376 on election candidacy filing procedures, and Senate Bill 1378 on off-road vehicle account and enforcement funding. In addition, the chamber took up several House appropriations bills: House Bill 868 for PERSI, House Bill 869 for the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired, House Bill 870 for OITS, House Bill 871 for the State Tax Commission, and House Bill 876 for the State Board of Education/higher education budget. These budget bills prompted debate over agency funding, tax administration, cybersecurity, and especially cuts to higher education and career technical education; all of them passed the Senate. House Bill 545 was returned to committee for a reporting error, and the Senate recessed briefly before resuming business with a quorum present.

Transcript Highlights:

• Everybody puts skin in the game, right?
• Skin in the game, right?
• The other game changer here is remote patient monitoring, right?
• I don't believe that it has to be a zero-sum game.
• On the topic, I don't believe that it has to be a zero-sum game.

Summary: The Health Care Budget Subcommittee held a panel discussion on Florida’s cancer research and funding programs, including the Casey DeSantis Cancer Research Program, the Florida Cancer Innovation Fund, the James and Esther King Biomedical Research Program, the Bankhead-Coley Research Program, and Live Like Bella. Dr. Ladapo and leaders from Moffitt, Sylvester/University of Miami, UF Health, and Mayo Clinic described how state funding has helped Florida’s four NCI-designated cancer centers expand research, recruit faculty, increase clinical trials, and build collaborations. They emphasized that the programs are intended to improve cancer care statewide, support innovation, and encourage more institutions to pursue NCI designation. The Governor’s budget recommendation was noted as including additional funding, and members asked about the cost and requirements of becoming NCI-designated and eventually comprehensive. Panelists said NCI designation requires major infrastructure, compliance, research, and training investments, with de novo development estimated at about $1 billion. They described Florida’s collaborative model as unusual nationally, with annual symposia, shared pilot funding, and joint projects across the four centers. Members also asked about rural access, home-based care, and recruitment/retention. Mayo described its “Cancer Care Beyond Walls” home-treatment model and said it could expand to rural counties within months; Moffitt and UF discussed mobile screening, satellite sites, and affiliations with local hospitals and practices. Several members raised concerns about workforce shortages, licensure delays, and the need to reach underserved areas. The discussion also covered outcomes, data reporting, and the broader economic impact of the cancer centers. Panelists cited growth in jobs, federal research funding, and clinical trial enrollment, and highlighted advances in immunotherapy, CAR-T, TIL therapy, carbon ion therapy, AI-driven screening, and the firefighter cancer initiative. They said the Florida Cancer Data System is being expanded to track recurrence and quality-of-life measures. Members also asked about philanthropy, medical tourism, and federal funding risks, including possible indirect cost reductions that could affect research budgets. The meeting ended with general support for continued investment, while some members noted an ongoing policy debate over whether future cancer research dollars should be concentrated in the four NCI centers or spread more broadly across the state.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and parents and others um faith-based and parents and others um faith-based groups<00:09:12.279>
• </c><00:26:14.840><c> T</c><00:26:15.000><c> night</c> skills and social skills but T night skills and
• so the change from changes from base so the change from base<00:42:18.560><c> was</c><00:42:18.640><
• </c> clor yeah that was the change from base clor yeah that was the change from base and<00:42:29.920
• I mean, I looked at the donor base.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Funding was distributed based on enrollment.
• Determination based on what Highlands reports back to us.
• We still see kids escalated into care, not based on medical necessity and not based on best interest
• leadership that was skilled in child welfare.
• If we don't have that basic base of skilled workers, of a skilled workforce, all of the changes that

Transcript Highlights:

• are based in police departments as well, some of which come out of 911.
• There's a lack of coordination with the field-based response system.
• But also a strong referral base within the department.
• health skills.
• health skills.

Summary: The Community Safety Committee held an interim work session on crisis response, with members and witnesses discussing how Washington can better integrate 911, 988, mobile crisis, co-response, and alternative response models for behavioral health crises in public spaces. Travis Parker opened with an overview of the Sequential Intercept Model and the crisis care continuum, emphasizing early intervention, 988 access, regional coordination, navigators and peer support, and the need for sustainable braided funding. Several Washington witnesses then described current programs and system gaps, including the growth of co-response teams, the importance of integrating 911 and 988 rather than treating them as competing systems, and the need to reduce unnecessary emergency room use and improve first responder wellness and training. City, fire, and crisis-system representatives described local challenges and reforms. Kim Hendrickson of Poulsbo said most crisis calls still come through 911 and urged better coordination among field-based teams, more behavioral health training for fire/EMS, and more alternatives to ER transport. Laura Pippen, a designated crisis responder, described a strained involuntary treatment system, fewer DCRs statewide, difficulty getting law enforcement support for transports, and limited facility capacity, especially for substance use disorder. Jennifer Stuber and South County Fire’s Keith Sharp highlighted workforce training, a crisis responder certificate program, and first responder wellness efforts. Research witnesses Evan Lauder and James Pine said the evidence is still developing but generally supports on-scene resolution, reduced ED transport and detention in some models, and the importance of clear dispatch protocols, coordination, and ongoing evaluation. Dispatch and program operators then gave examples of how systems are working in practice. Katie Myers of Washington APCO/NENA said 911 remains essential, but needs evidence-based triage protocols, liability protections, and additional funding if it is expected to take on more crisis-response responsibilities. Whatcom County described embedding a “community connector” in the 911 center to coordinate alternative response, while ValleyCom reported that its 988 diversion pilot transferred 2,165 calls with 98% resolved through 988/211 without returning to 911. National examples included Denver’s STAR program, Albuquerque’s Community Safety Department, and Atlanta’s PAD initiative, each showing different ways to route low-acuity or behavioral-health-related calls away from police and toward clinicians, peers, or civilian responders. The session ended with Washington examples continuing, including Whatcom County’s alternative response team, underscoring the committee’s interest in refining and expanding integrated crisis response systems in the next session.

Transcript Highlights:

• The secretary will read the caption. to the use of the Skills Development Fund by certain entities.
• The bill does does this bill I mean based on the way I read it applies to every religion And is that
• Specifically said in this particular fact pattern where the coach is at the game after school praying
• Based on the debate that we had, the back-and-forth with Senator Parker, we heard that...
• You're a doctor, which means your profession is based on science, correct?

Keywords: HCR65, HCR19, Senate resolutions, memorial, community impact, legislative proceedings

Summary: The recent Senate meeting primarily covered two resolutions, HCR65 and HCR19, both of which were passed unanimously with little to no opposition. HCR65 was introduced in memory of Tracy Lee Vincent of Longview, while HCR19 was presented to honor the late Terrell Lynn Roberts of Angleton. The meeting included brief addresses from several senators, who shared personal reflections on the impacts of the individuals being honored and expressed gratitude for their contributions to the community. This collaborative atmosphere showcased the members' capacity for camaraderie and respect, emphasizing the importance of human connection in legislative proceedings.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is based on the fact that light damage is cumulative.
• said, I just want to be a game warden.
• Okay, game on.
• So at this point, Operation Lone Star is no longer using game wardens.
• About this time last year, I believe, is when we pulled game wardens back.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• AI or air-based or ground-based.
• Geospatial AI or air-based or ground-based.
• So trying to get ahead of it is going to be a cat-and-mouse game, but that's part of the game we've signed
• So trying to get ahead of it is it's going to be a cat and mouse game, but that's part of the game we've
• The base option.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> like</c><00:05:09.680><c> project</c> important life skills like project important life skills like
• Um I did photography for the the game.
• isn't just a skill, but a tool for positive change.
• By fostering these skills and succeed.
• , um, it's life skills, it's civic skills,<01:48:49.199><c> and</c><01:48:49.360><c> it</c><01:48:49.520

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What corn-based derivative product qualifies something as a corn chip?
• Uh, Morningside is a faith-based organization, been around for over 60 years.
• We played a game with our children and that's how they learned cash management.
• And that's learning through a game or through experiential, um, you know.
• And I'm gonna get your game.

Bills: HB 2510, HB 3589, HB 4611, HB 4655, HB 4665, HB 4666, HB 4670, HB 4700, HB 4730, HB 4798, HB 4838, HB 5136, HB 5243, HB 5302, HB 5539

Keywords: assisted living, healthcare, licensing, criminal offense, personal assistance, group home, regulation, health and safety, inspections, resident care, criminal background checks, adoption, parental rights, registry, vital statistics, disclosure, counseling, foster care, independent living, financial literacy

Transcript Highlights:

• , ensuring they are equipped with essential operational skills and resources.
• I know they're doing some analysis out there based on some decisions for the decision.
• Base COVID, I think, was one of the factors.
• It's incredibly important to the retention game.
• and hold that type of exquisite skill is critical.

Keywords: NDAA, military recruitment, personnel readiness, testimony, military leaders

Summary: The committee meeting focused on pressing issues related to the U.S. military's recruitment and personnel strategies, especially in light of the upcoming NDAA for fiscal year 2026. Chairperson expressed appreciation for the service of witnesses including senior military leaders from different branches, emphasizing the importance of personnel as the backbone of national defense. Discussions revealed concerns regarding the recent lowering of recruitment standards across military branches, which could potentially affect the quality of service members and long-term military readiness. Witnesses were asked to address the implications of these changes on military health and efficiency.

Transcript Highlights:

• Financial literacy is a life skill.
• What the bill does, it defines personal finance as financial literacy skills necessary to succeed in
• And then some schools, they do implement curriculums based off what they want to teach the kids, but
• And then lastly, we have a lot of talk in the Capitol this year and last year around gaming.
• If you're smart about probability and statistics, you probably don't participate in the gaming industry

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:21:17.680><c> on</c> concrete pedestal with a steel base on concrete pedestal with a steel base
• It took decades with a limited tax base.
• So then we're that much more ahead of the game.
• So, um, I appreciate ahead of the game.
• </c><01:26:27.320><c> on</c> able to match and frankly, based on able to match and frankly, based on

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• His program has had domestic win streaks of 115 games, 98 games, 70, 63, and produced 135 all-Americans
• ,</c><00:17:20.079><c> 98</c> domestic win streaks of 115 games, 98 domestic win streaks of 115 games
• > produced</c><00:17:24.559><c> 135</c> games, 70 63, and produced 135 games, 70 63, and produced 135
• ,</c><00:18:35.120><c> not</c> you look at leadership as a skill, not you look at leadership as a skill
• ,</c><00:18:57.039><c> a</c> that values leadership as a skill, a that values leadership as a skill,

Bills: HCR1, HCR2, SB2001, SB2002, SB2003, SB2004, SB2005, SB2006, SB2007, SB2008, SB2009, SB2010, SB2011, SB2012, SB2013, SB2014, SB2015, SB2016, SB2017, SB2018, SB2019, SB2020, SB2021, SB2022, SB2023, SB2024, SB2025, SB2026, SB2027, SB2028, SB2029, SB2030, SB2031, SB2032, SB2033, SB2034, SB2035, SB2036, SB2037, SB2038, SB2039, SB2040, SB2041, SB2042, SB2043, SB2044, SB2045, SB2046, SB2047, SB2048, SB2049, SB2050, SB2051, SB2052, SB2053, SB2054, SB2055, SB2056, SB2057, SB2058, SB2059, SB2060, SB2061, SB2062, SB2063, SB2064, SB2065, SB2066, SB2067, SB2068, SB2069, SB2070, SB2071, SB2072, SB2073, SB2074, SB2075, SB2076, SB2077, SB2078, SB2079, SB2080, SB2081, SB2082, SB2083, SB2084, SB2085, SB2086, SB2087, SB2088, SB2089, SB2090, SB2091, SB2092, SB2093, SB2094, SB2095, SB2096, SB2097, SB2098, SB2099, SB2100

Keywords: recess, legislative session, Hawaii State Legislature, 2026, Governor address, joint session, legislature, Hawaii, state of the state, Banyan Drive, Waiakea peninsula, Makaokū, Hilo, Hawaii Island, HCDA, Hawaii Community Development Authority, community development district, redevelopment, urban renewal, blight

Transcript Highlights:

• Option three is the storage VPP, which is a capacity payment based on, and you get paid based on your
• I would say that the constraint would be more on the base, the ratepayer base.
• I would say that the constraint would be more on the base, the ratepayer base.
• I would say that the constraint would be more on the base, the ratepayer base.
• Okay, some people like it to be a game of gotcha, but it's not a game of gotcha.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1786 addresses credentials of value based on wages earned and the exceptional needs of the
• For this reason, Opportunity Austin supports outcomes-based policies to enhance post-secondary success
• The bill would actually help a lot in identifying where our skill gaps are, where our credential skill
• For too many years in this building, Senator Bettencourt, we've talked a good game.
• for medication dosages. and writing skills for detailed reporting.

Bills: SB1998, SB646, SB2786, SB2076, SB2615, SB1961, SB1418, SB2647, SB1322, SB2788

Keywords: pediatrics, medical education, subsidiary, preceptorship, medical training, student programs, mental health, loan repayment, education funding, mental health professionals, healthcare access, Texas Success Initiative, exemption, public officers, employees, higher education, Capitol view, Austin, urban planning, construction

Transcript Highlights:

• So this amount was included in the LFC records based on a similar study that Nevada just went through
• If the program's proving effective, then that gives you a better assurance to build it into the base
• These are jobs that could be skilled trades or they could be a PhD.
• labor, skilled technicians that are a huge part of us building this industry in New Mexico.
• We need to be able to train them for those skills that these companies are going to need. Need.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You need some skin in the game. You need some incentive to do the right thing for some folks.
• You need some skin in the game. You need some incentive to do the right thing for some folks.
• off of poundage, but it's based off horsepower.
• And then what do they do based on that information?
• Well, actually, we based it kind of loosely on Florida.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's the broad base of the bill. I'd be happy to answer any specific questions.
• Are we proportional based on population? Are we proportional based on revenue?
• Are we proportional based on what the city-parish is going to offer?
• We are no longer creating a scratch-off ticket game.
• We decided not to do that based on some of the previous high fiscal notes we received.

Summary: The committee first took up HB 74, which would create a Louisiana Spectrum Alert for missing persons with autism spectrum disorder. Representative Eccles said the alert would be modeled on Amber and senior alerts and could be absorbed within existing resources. The committee heard emotional support testimony from a parent describing the dangers of elopement and drowning risks for autistic children, and several members voiced support. HB 74 was reported favorably. Members then considered HB 1033 and HB 1034 by Chairman Bacala. HB 1033 expands the statutory definition of critical infrastructure to include additional facilities such as airports, spaceports, aerospace facilities, mass transit, government facilities, military installations, and oil and gas exploration platforms. It drew mostly support from economic development and law enforcement groups, with one opposition card from the Sierra Club, and was reported favorably. HB 1034 authorizes parish presidents, mayors, sheriffs, police chiefs, and chief executive officers to establish temporary protection zones for public safety for up to 72 hours, with a warning before criminal penalties attach. The committee adopted an amendment clarifying that the bill cannot be used in a manner inconsistent with state firearms preemption law, heard concerns from the ACLU about vagueness and possible overreach, and then reported the bill favorably as amended. HB 59, by Representative Marcel, would require East Baton Rouge Parish and its municipalities to fund the 19th Judicial District public defender’s office in a manner parallel to the district attorney funding structure. The bill drew support from the public defender, the district attorney, and the state public defender, but several members raised concerns that the language could create an unfunded mandate or litigation risk for local governments. Despite those concerns, the committee reported HB 59 favorably. HB 175, as amended, redirected $500,000 annually from Louisiana Lottery net proceeds into a Veterans Service Grant Fund administered by a new board in the Department of Veterans Affairs; testimony emphasized support for veterans programs, treatment courts, homelessness services, and community organizations, and the bill was reported favorably as amended. The committee also advanced HB 568, which increases penalties for drug-free school zone violations involving open marijuana use and other drug activity. Supporters said the bill would give law enforcement and prosecutors a clearer tool to address visible drug use near schools and large events, while opponents warned it could over-criminalize marijuana and create proof problems. The committee reported HB 568 favorably. Finally, HB 525, which requires DPS&C to publish certain incarceration data online, was amended to remove parish jail census data after DPS&C said it would not post that portion; the department said it would publish the remaining data and codebook online. The committee then reported HB 525 favorably as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Do they understand they need credentials and skills that they're going to do? For workforce?
• There are various counseling and life skills... It's done in a residential setting.
• They help teach that individual employability skills.
• Our employment specialists really lend to evidence-based research. I know Dr.
• What is your base salary? Mr. Chair, you're recognized. It is $23 an hour for starting.

Summary: The Justice Budget Committee heard detailed presentations from the Department of Juvenile Justice and the Department of Corrections on staffing, services, and budget needs. DJJ Secretary Hall emphasized that the agency’s main public safety strategy is education, along with prevention and recidivism reduction. He described major staffing improvements after pay increases for probation, detention, residential care, and prevention workers, and outlined DJJ’s mental health, aftercare, and education continuum, including the Florida Scholars Academy and Florida Youth College. He said the new statewide education model is showing early gains in progress monitoring, high school graduation, and postsecondary enrollment, while also noting ongoing operational issues such as IT connectivity, rural staffing gaps, and the need for geographic pay adjustments for teachers. He also discussed detention center replacement plans in Hillsborough, Broward, and Palm Beach, and said DJJ would transition the Broward JAC to a security contractor after the sheriff’s office pulls sworn officers from the site. Members asked about campus performance differences, teacher pay, detention education quality, and concerns about the rollout and leadership of the Scholars Academy. Hall said some campuses face rural access and infrastructure problems, but the blended learning model provides continuity when internet or staffing issues arise. He defended the superintendent’s qualifications and said early problems with inappropriate online content were addressed. Representative Porras raised concerns about educational quality and the superintendent’s past disciplinary history, while Representative Barrera urged more mentorship and fatherhood-focused programming in juvenile facilities. DOC Secretary Dixon said the prison system is under pressure from rising inmate populations, staffing shortages, and overtime costs. He argued that the system needs funded posts for every functioning housing unit, noting that the department has added housing units without enough staff and now relies heavily on overtime, mobile officer deployments, and shift conversions to keep facilities operating safely. He highlighted that many officers are new, that outside-hospital transports have risen sharply, and that mental health units require additional staffing. DOC’s mental health chief described a large and growing treatment system with outpatient, inpatient, intensive outpatient, and court-ordered services, saying about a quarter of the prison population has a diagnosed mental illness. Community corrections staff described treatment programs, employment specialists, mobile probation and reentry units, and a new mental health first aid training initiative. Reentry staff reported expanded substance abuse, education, CTE, chaplaincy, and digital learning programs, including Edovo and a forthcoming Work Bay platform. No votes were taken.