Transcript Highlights:

• So for us, it’s a priority. It’s a non-negotiable. It’s in the budget.
• I mean, it’s just making it a priority, and that’s what I think Dr.
• Truthfully, we have not seen that much reduction in our migrant enrollments.
• of the birth rates, those enrollments will come back to where they were in about two years.
• Kids are leaving private school in order to enroll in public school just to participate in that.

Summary: The committee on Pre-K through 12 Education met to discuss chronic absenteeism, district attendance interventions, and related truancy procedures. Chair Simon reviewed Florida’s attendance laws and escalation process, including school-based interventions, child study team meetings, referrals to the Department of Juvenile Justice, truancy petitions, and possible sanctions for parents and driving privileges. The committee heard first from University of Florida professor Dr. Chris Curran, who presented state and national absenteeism data showing chronic absenteeism has risen sharply since the pandemic, with Florida at about 31.4% in 2023-24. He emphasized that absenteeism has multiple causes, including transportation, mental health, housing instability, safety concerns, and family barriers, and said effective responses include early warning systems, multi-tiered supports, mentoring, and community partnerships rather than relying only on punitive measures. Members questioned Dr. Curran about whether absenteeism is a behavior or barrier issue, whether exclusionary discipline is counted, the need for a uniform definition across districts, and whether more punitive truancy enforcement is effective. He said the issue is usually a mix of barriers and choices, that excused and unexcused absences both matter for chronic absenteeism data, and that root-cause analysis and supportive interventions are generally more productive than punishment alone, though consequences can still play a role. The committee then heard from Collier County Superintendent Leslie Ricciardelli and district staff, who described a highly structured attendance system built around attendance specialists, social workers, mental health staff, home visits, attendance contracts, multilingual outreach, and frequent parent notifications. They said Collier’s chronic absenteeism rate was about 9% in 2023-24 and credited their success to early contact, community partnerships, and a strong district culture around attendance. Volusia County Schools Executive Director Mike McAuliffe described a newer districtwide attendance initiative that uses automated letters, same-day notifications, data dashboards, MTSS tiers, incentives, and community supports such as bikes, washers and dryers, and faith-based partnerships. He reported Volusia reduced chronic absenteeism from 34% in 2023-24 to a projected 29% and said the district is now seeing about 20% in the first quarter of the current year. No formal votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• So it says the number of enrolled non-resident degree-seeking students who are non-citizens, who are
• Just what is operationally, what does that mean for a university doing admissions and enrollment?
• This is based on data from the enrollment of the class of 2009, or 2020-29, excuse me, or 2029.
• This was a priority for them.
• This was a priority for them.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, a moment of silence for former member Chester Clem, the Pledge of Allegiance, and quorum confirmation. Members then adopted the special order report for the day and approved a Rules and Ethics Committee report amending House Rule 15.3 to allow fundraising under certain circumstances during extended or special sessions. The chamber then took up several bills. HB 1405 on a statewide project for missing persons with special needs passed unanimously. CS/CS/CS/SB 290, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services bill, passed 94-10 after debate focused on conservation land surplus procedures and agricultural use of state lands. CS/CS/CS/HB 905, the “Fire Act” on foreign influence, foreign gifts, critical infrastructure, sister city agreements, and related restrictions, passed 80-20 after the House adopted an amendment adding a prohibition on certain surrogacy contracts involving citizens or residents of foreign countries of concern. CS/CS/HB 1197, dealing with information technology procurement and contracting, passed 109-0. HB 1103 on local administration of vessel restrictions passed unanimously. The House also debated CS/CS/CS/HB 399 on land use and development regulations. Supporters said it would limit development fees, standardize compatibility rules, allow manufactured homes in RV parks, and lower voting thresholds for comprehensive plan changes to address housing affordability; opponents argued it would preempt local control, weaken voter-approved urban boundary protections, and risk conservation lands. An amendment to preserve Orange County’s boundary rules failed, while a technical amendment on manufactured homes passed. The bill then passed 71-38. The House also passed several local bills, including measures for the Pace Fire Rescue District, Avalon Beach/Mulat Fire Protection District, East Point Water and Sewer District, Fellsmere Water Control District, and Headwaters Water Control District, with votes ranging from 83-27 to unanimous approval. The transcript also included farewell remarks from Representative Angie Nixon before the House returned to remaining business.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've seen positive results: in just this last year, enrollment in BeWell has broken all records.
• As mentioned previously, during the 2026 open enrollment, 82,403 New Mexicans enrolled in medical coverage
• As the majority leader said, BeWell enrollment is up significantly, while almost every other state has
• Our small business program enrollment has held steady at about 35,000 individuals served among 4,000
• So we don't always know exactly why, but the fact that enrollment has increased year over year tells

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And how we're gonna infill that in some stacked order of priorities.
• We've really made hiring a top priority for the agency and had great success.
• Thirty-eight percent of the increase is related to projected enrollment increases.
• We will do open enrollment as we head into the new year.
• So that was the highest our enrollment had ever been—right over a million Medicaid recipients.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is this a priority bill? Mr. Jones: It is a priority bill.
• It's a priority bill of the Speaker of the Texas House. It is.
• Member: And I was just kind of curious, are you aware of this priority legislation for either the Democrat
• members and people who helped work on this, but especially the Speaker who made this one of his priorities
• So this is a priority for Texans and we want to make sure we're doing right by folks with sickle cell

Transcript Highlights:

• The first three sections amend the post-secondary enrollment options statute, that's PSEO.
• It modifies the definition of enrolling district to refer only to districts and charter schools and allows
• including provisions that make clear in law that charter schools, charter school students, and students enrolled
• This bill reflects one of the number one legislative priorities of the young people we work with across

Bills: HF1306

Keywords: education, school policy, teacher training, student health, emergency response

Transcript Highlights:

• offense or for the subcommittee on County Regional Government, HB 3311 by Swanson relating to the priority
• HB 3397 by Frank relating to the administration of medication by open enrollment charter schools, private
• relating to the posting of annual financial statements and governing body information on an open enrollment
• And open enrollment charter school employees and volunteers for the Committee on Public Education.

Transcript Highlights:

• other topics at the end of our agenda are potential events for this commission, our legislative priorities
• Over 200 now that we have who are doulas enrolled here in the Commonwealth.
• Now I think we have our legislative priorities.
• froze too, but I'm just opening it up for thoughts on how to secure or identify our legislative priorities
• So we'll table that until we have our legislative priorities.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Ellen Story Commission for Postpartum Depression held its spring meeting with a large turnout, beginning with roll call and a review of the agenda. Co-chairs Representative Brandy Fluker-Reid and Senator Liz Miranda highlighted progress from the recently enacted maternal health omnibus law and the Moms Matter Act, including creation of a midwifery board, expansion of out-of-hospital birth options, doula services, lactation support, MassHealth coverage changes, and a trust fund for community-based behavioral health and substance use grants. Members also discussed implementation of the new law, the commission’s annual report, and the need to continue supporting birth centers and perinatal mental health services. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on commission membership and vacancies. Commissioners discussed whether to remain on the body, the need to fill several open seats, and whether the commission’s statutory composition should be updated to better reflect current practice and expertise. Members suggested adding more clinicians working directly with perinatal families, infant mental health experts, and a representative from PSI of Massachusetts, while also noting the value of having regulators and professional society representatives at the table. Several participants said any changes to membership would likely require legislation, and the co-chairs said they would explore options and possibly circulate a flyer or other invitation process for nominations. The commission also discussed meeting structure and future planning. Members generally supported moving to quarterly virtual meetings, with a preference for a 4 p.m. start time, and some suggested one annual in-person gathering. The group agreed to postpone the usual May Advocacy Day because the Great Hall was unavailable and instead aim for a fall event, with volunteers stepping forward to help plan it. Commissioners raised top-of-mind issues including postpartum depression screening reimbursement, care for people after miscarriage or abortion, access for undocumented pregnant people, and the impact of federal cuts. The meeting ended with agreement to crowdsource legislative priorities for the next quarter, consider future presentations from outside organizations, and send updates between meetings, followed by a motion to adjourn that passed unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a Farm Bureau priority, and the reason why a lot of these stations were built around the same
• This is a Farm Bureau<00:41:02.400> uh<00:41:02.560> priority<00:41:03.200> and<
• and the reason why a Bureau uh priority and the reason why a lot<00:41:04.240> of<00:41:04.319
• So, like, someone from Hilo could be enrolled in their Hilo programs, and that the kinds of curriculum
• and I'm frankly not hopeful priority and I'm frankly not hopeful that<01:16:14.159> the<01:16

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Higher Education met on February 4 and began with announcements about committee protocol, including posting hearing notices and testimony earlier than required and using written HD1 drafts for more complex amendments. The chair also noted the new AV system and asked speakers to be clear because the microphones are sensitive. The committee then took up several University of Hawaiʻi-related measures, with most testimony coming from UH officials, state agencies, and advocacy groups, and no votes were taken in the portion provided. HB 1596, relating to student basic needs support at the University of Hawaiʻi, drew support from UH, the Oʻahu Youth Action Board, and an individual. UH said it stood on its written testimony and could answer questions. HB 1597, relating to Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias research, received support from UH/JABSOM, the Alzheimer’s Association, the Hawaii Medical Association, and others; the Attorney General’s Office offered a procedural reminder about statewide concern. HB 1970, funding the University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center and the Hawaii Tumor Registry, was supported by UH, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, the Hawaii Medical Association, and others, with testimony emphasizing the registry’s role in cancer surveillance, prevention, and federal funding. The committee also heard HB 1598, creating a Hawaii Climate Institute. UH testified in support, citing worsening drought, heat, sea level rise, and extreme weather, and said the institute would hire climate modelers and faculty across several schools. Members questioned funding, and UH said it would seek state startup money, possible green-fee support, and federal grants, noting recent federal cuts and the need for permanent positions. HB 1989, on water retention, was supported by UH as a study to slow runoff and improve aquifer recharge. HB 1951, on biosecurity, drew support from UH, DLNR, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, students, and other organizations; testimony stressed invasive species threats, the need for biocontrol research and containment capacity, and possible sites for a statewide facility. HB 1952, funding agricultural research station improvements on Kauaʻi, was supported by UH, the Farm Bureau, and others, with testimony noting aging facilities and the need to modernize stations across the islands. Finally, HB 2005, relating to language access, received UH support, with a UH representative noting that credit programs may fit best in a credit-bearing academic program and that Outreach College could be an option for noncredit programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Build Dakota program has helped boost tech... school enrollment in South Dakota to an overall head
• For roughly six years, we haven't seen huge increases in enrollment like we have with the North Star
• I think it's important to note that the North Star Promise Program has driven huge enrollment in our
• The North Star Promise has reversed a decades-long trend of declining enrollment in its first year.
• How does OHE make sure they're enrolled in the right program the whole year?

Bills: HF2634, HF2241, HF2649, HF2520, HF2610

Keywords: North Star Promise, scholarship, higher education, Minnesota Office of Higher Education, in-demand jobs, workforce development, career training, job market, high-demand occupations, high-demand industries, college aid, state financial aid, FAFSA, student eligibility, program of study, degree program, certificate program, community college, university, labor market data

Transcript Highlights:

• Those were a priority under the previous administration.
• They are now not a priority at all under this administration.
• And obviously, there's quite a few other big priorities related to water.
• As we started at the top of this presentation with sort of three main priorities, I think if we don't
• So the current enrollment is for up to three years.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Even among those enrolled, only 42% of adults in the Medicaid expansion population are earning income
• We've made that a very high priority.
• Enrollment processing module and make some additional changes to comply with federal rules around our
• eligibility and enrollment.
• There is a handout on LHS priorities, and this is in no particular order.

Transcript Highlights:

• That correlates to a 55% increase in inmates enrolled in education, a 19% increase in GEDs earned.
• We have kids that are dual enrolled. We have kids that are taking college courses.
• We're fortunate that FLVS has a dual enrollment agreement with Indian River State College, and we can
• now offer dual enrollment to our kids through this model.
• We have kids that are enrolled in welding, we have kids that are enrolled in electrical.

Summary: The committee met to hear an overview of the Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice budget area and then received performance-measure presentations from the Department of Corrections, the Commission on Offender Review, and the Department of Juvenile Justice. Staff reviewed the roughly $7.4 billion criminal justice and judiciary budget, noting major funding areas such as corrections, law enforcement, victim services, courts, and due process, along with recent investments in prison health care, security equipment, fentanyl enforcement, court staffing, and juvenile justice salaries and education programs. Secretary Dixon of the Department of Corrections described staffing and population pressures, including growth in inmate population, overtime-driven deficits, and the opening of additional housing units. He emphasized the department’s use of performance measures and highlighted reforms such as incentivized prisons, administrative management units, reentry planning, faith-based programs, and expanded education and vocational training. Members asked about teacher hiring, public defender pay parity, fentanyl funding, staffing capacity, and the role of the National Guard; Dixon said teacher vacancies had improved, public defenders had received comparable pay increases, fentanyl funding would be addressed further by FDLE, and the Guard had helped stabilize staffing. The Commission on Offender Review reported on parole, conditional release, addiction recovery supervision, and revocations, saying its recidivism/success rates had improved over a three-year measurement period. Senator Rouson pressed the commission on clemency and pardons, saying that work was omitted from the presentation and asking for backlog and case data; the commission said it did not have those figures on hand and would follow up. The committee also discussed a conditional medical release pilot study, and members questioned the report’s conclusion that no suitable elderly inmate population could be identified, asking what criteria were used and whether stakeholders were consulted. Secretary Hall of the Department of Juvenile Justice outlined the agency’s prevention-to-residential continuum and its emphasis on education, data-driven decision-making, and evidence-based programming. He said salary increases had reduced vacancies, juvenile arrests and residential commitments had fallen sharply over time, and tools such as civil citations, risk assessments, and quality-improvement reviews were being used to guide placements and services. Hall also described the department’s use of dashboards, monthly data check-ins, and the dispositional matrix to improve outcomes and reduce recidivism.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're the priority kind of people.
• And the priority kind of people.
• <00:56:31.440> When ...to elevate a community priority.
• It could stem to, community priorities.
• elevate these these community priorities elevate these these community priorities to<01:10:12.960

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• um and the following day the enrollment um and the following day the enrollment dropped<00:37:31.839
• So the department always has a priority.
• the department always has a priority. the department always has a priority.
• Um, and I think there's no doubt that this is a priority for the department.
• there's no doubt that this is a priority there's no doubt that this is a priority for<02:18:13.679

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 2485, which would require cardiovascular screening for student athletes. The Department of Education and Department of Health said they support the bill’s intent but noted that many screenings are already part of existing school-entry and well-child exams. The Attorney General’s office asked for clarifying language on who performs the screenings, where results go, how “positive findings” are defined, how referrals would work, and whether funding would be appropriated if DOE must hire health professionals. The American Heart Association strongly supported the bill, citing the risk of sudden cardiac arrest in young athletes and arguing that sports physicals are an effective opportunity for early detection. No vote was taken, and the committee moved on after testimony. The committee then heard HB 89, concerning a school psychologist working group and possible licensing or credentialing of school psychologists. The Department of Education and Board of Psychology supported the measure. The Hawaii Psychological Association said it supports licensing school psychologists but asked to be included in the working group, arguing it is an important stakeholder. The Hawaii Association of School Psychologists opposed including HPA, saying the issue is between school psychologists and DCCA and that HPA is not part of their organization. Testimony and discussion focused on the long-running disagreement over whether school psychologists should be regulated under the Board of Psychology or another mechanism, and on title protection and scope of practice. No action was reported during this portion. The committee also took up HB 2445, relating to standardized emergency responses for immigration enforcement at or near schools. The Department of Education said it already issued internal law-enforcement guidance and questioned whether the bill was necessary, while also raising concerns about the bill’s 1,000-foot buffer language and the limits of school authority over activity off campus. The Board of Education echoed those concerns and suggested the bill may need clearer definitions. Supporters, including the White Coalition for Immigrant Rights, the Legal Clinic, and an attorney testifying on Know Your Rights training, argued that recent federal changes have increased ICE activity near schools and that a law is needed to ensure clear, public protocols, staff training, and family protections. A student testifier said the measure was a top priority of the state student council. The transcript ends during testimony, with no vote or final committee action shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're also providing $25 million to assist districts that have a decline in student enrollment during
• We're also providing 25 million to assist districts that have a decline in student enrollment during
• There was a significant decrease in student enrollment for school districts over their forecasted and
• to assist the district with the decrease in student enrollment.
• And we were talking about the enrollment stabilization program.

Bills: S1062, S1718, S7038

Keywords: speech education, debate, high school, Florida Debate Initiative, civics, competitive teams, student participation, educational advancement, educator preparation, certification, professional development, temporary certificate, military service, collaboration, teaching effectiveness, education, Florida College System, tuition waivers, vocational rehabilitation, state universities

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education met to consider several education bills and the proposed fiscal year 2026-2027 Department of Education budget. The committee first took up CS/SB 1062 on speech and debate, which would formalize Florida’s Speech and Debate Week, strengthen the partnership between the Department of Education and the Florida Debate Initiative, require annual public reporting, and support statewide speech and debate programming. The bill drew extensive supportive testimony from students, alumni, and advocates who said debate improved civic engagement, literacy, confidence, and school performance, while also noting the need for equitable access and funding for travel and competition. The committee adopted a delete-everything amendment and then reported the bill favorably as amended by a unanimous vote of members present. The committee then heard SB 1718 on educator preparation and certification, which expands access to educator preparation coursework, broadens eligibility for temporary certification for some formerly certified professionals, and allows prior subject-area exam results to satisfy requirements. Public testimony largely supported easing barriers for experienced educators while emphasizing that certification changes are only a partial solution to teacher shortages and should be paired with better pay, retention, and professional respect. The bill was reported favorably. Next, the committee considered SB 7038 on education, which included a wide range of higher education and workforce-related changes, including a tuition waiver for Florida State Guard members, residency clarifications, oversight changes for blind services and vocational rehabilitation providers, licensure updates for private colleges, dual enrollment and assessment revisions, scholarship and funding changes, and reserve-fund requirements. An amendment restored the Classical Learning Test as a qualifying option for a grandparent tuition waiver, adjusted a Pell Grant performance metric, changed accreditation timing, and made other technical revisions. A dental education stakeholder raised concerns that one provision could disrupt long-standing exemptions for dental assisting programs, and the Florida Dental Association said it was working with the sponsor to avoid unintended impacts. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably as amended. The final major item was a high-level review of the proposed pre-K-12 budget, totaling $34.9 billion with local funds. Highlights included $30 billion for public schools and K-12 scholarships, a $50 increase in the base student allocation, a 1.64% increase in total funds per FTE, $4.5 billion for family empowerment scholarships as a separate FEFP categorical, $25 million for districts facing future enrollment declines, $65.3 million to help districts with current-year enrollment losses, $432.8 million for VPK, and $30.4 million for regional education consortia. Senators asked about reductions or flat funding in some allocations, teacher pay, declining enrollment support, Schools of Hope funding, and support for non-teaching school staff. Public testimony on the budget focused heavily on concerns about charter and voucher funding, especially the $6 million for Schools of Hope, with speakers urging more investment in traditional public schools, teacher compensation, and school infrastructure. The committee concluded the meeting by adjournment after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is our overall North Star. or priorities that we try to think through under whatever the requirements
• And so we have far more districts that are experiencing declining enrollment. environments today than
• And then there's a portion of the school finance and a system that funded based on enrollment.
• So, some of our school finance system in Texas is. enrollment based but the bulk of our school finance
• There is a continuous enrollment requirement in Senate Bill 2, so like if a student enrolled, the payments

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• On page three, section four, titled re-enrollment, is also from the Swedzinski bill, 2882.
• Subdivision two directs that the Department of Education is to encourage re-enrollment and, in fact,
• These all relate to the post-secondary enrollment options program, or PSO program.
• <00:18:34.240> options post-secondary enrollment options post-secondary enrollment options
• <00:20:01.880> districts charter schools are enrolling districts charter schools are enrolling

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the outset we'd like to thank you for the invitation today to come and discuss the legislative priorities
• the outset we'd like to thank you for the invitation today to come and discuss the legislative priorities
• We currently have roughly 30 agencies ready to begin the accreditation process and will soon be enrolling
• <00:25:30.000> those and will soon be enrolling those and will soon be enrolling those agencies
• <00:26:21.919> to along with our legislative priorities to along with our legislative priorities

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the law enforcement retirement plan and full-time and temporary wildland firefighter employees to enroll
• the law enforcement retirement plan and full-time and temporary wildland firefighter employees to enroll
• Full-time and temporary wildland firefighter employees to enroll in the Wyoming National Guard Firefighter
• So, we reached out to the districts, got their two highest priorities. trying to keep it revenue neutral
• from each of the highest priorities from each of the districts.<00:16:03.120> So, districts.

Bills: SF0052

Keywords: wildlife management, environmental restoration, funding, invasive species, aquatic ecosystems, native fish, habitat conservation, 916, all