Transcript Highlights:

• , public safety, and fiscal responsibility for, for Reflect better what we know today about brain science
• MPOs apply off base, but civilian law enforcement officers can't enforce them.
• The science is unambiguous.
• Those are penalties most often applied in the communities getting hit the hardest.
• I don't mean to be difficult, but I have to be uniform in applying the rules.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 29.240> to The science connecting paraquat to The science connecting paraquat to Parkinson's<00
• But the science goes even further.
• Our folks that apply it would apply it safely.
• And there's would apply it safely.
• So, we'd like to economy can apply.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The science and technology are here today.
• science and technology are here today. science and technology are here today.
• It's amazing what we learn every day through science and in research and being able to apply that to
• what we learn every day through science what we learn every day through science and<00:23:37.200
• <00:29:27.679> to<00:29:27.840> health preparing, and applying to health preparing,

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to<01:59:39.280> other mirror regulations applied to other mirror regulations applied to other
• > creative<02:10:28.000> has the science on natural creative has the science on natural
• <02:49:22.240> please please follow the science please please follow the science please regulate
• first time we're really going to apply first time we're really going to apply it<03:44:55.279>
• >> I mean, I think you've already applied >> I mean, I think you've already applied

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in Political Science degree from Texas A&M's Bush School of Government and Public Service.
• This bill, of course, applies to all universities, all public universities in the state of Texas, but
• Does this apply to LIHTC?” “Right, it does not.” “That’s LIHTC. Right. Does this apply to LIHTC?”
• We’ve just confirmed that this bill does not apply to LIHTC.” “Right. Right, that’s right.
• But Senator Hosea, Senator Menna does not apply to LIHTC. Thank you. That’s good news.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, offered an invocation, approved the previous day’s journal, and received a House message announcing passage of HB 4 on public school accountability and assessment. The chamber also recognized the Doctor of the Day, adopted SR 520 honoring Rosser Coke-Newton Sr. for his biography of former Governor Richard Coke, and adopted SR 518 recognizing Texas Moral Injury Awareness Day, with remarks focused on the impact of moral injury on veterans and first responders. The Senate later adopted SR 395 honoring the ninth class of Governor William P. Clements, Jr. Scholars, and several other resolutions were adopted by voice vote, including college savings awareness recognition and other member-sponsored recognitions. The body then took up several bills and resolutions on the floor. HB 3307, allowing online continuing education for arbitrators in property tax appeals, passed unanimously after suspension of the rules and the three-day rule. HB 913, renaming and reorganizing certain state hospitals, and HB 2970, governing the Gulf Coast Protection District and coastal barrier design, also passed unanimously. HJR 1 and HB 9 advanced a proposed constitutional amendment and statutory change to raise the business personal property tax exemption from $2,500 to $125,000; both measures passed, with HJR 1 receiving one no vote and HB 9 passing unanimously after a clarifying amendment. The Senate also passed HB 1151, which limits child removals and termination of parental rights based solely on parental medical treatment decisions, and HB 116, which revises grounds for involuntary termination of the parent-child relationship by removing the “O grounds” and requiring support from financially able parents whose rights were terminated. HB 1899 lowered the age for pyrotechnic operator licenses and fireworks display permits from 21 to 18. SB 1285, as amended, passed to protect bats by prohibiting entombment while preserving removal options from unoccupied spaces, and SB 2847 passed to promote innovations in core curriculum for faster bachelor’s degrees. On criminal justice, SJR 87, a proposed constitutional amendment requiring denial of bail for certain repeat violent felony offenders, passed after two floor amendments clarifying due process and representation language; Senator Eckhardt spoke against it on final passage, arguing it lacked judicial discretion and a clear-and-convincing standard. SB 3073, requiring magistrates to make written findings in certain criminal proceedings, also passed. Later, SB 128, requiring hospitals to report suspected child abuse-related information to HHSC, advanced on a divided vote, and SB 2619 and SB 2972 passed on public school accountability and expressive activities at public colleges, respectively, with Senator Eckhardt opposing SB 2972 as too restrictive on campus protest rights. The chamber also heard extended debate on HB 21, targeting “traveling” housing finance corporations and their use of tax exemptions for apartment projects, with supporters arguing it curbs abuse of the tax code and critics warning about unintended effects on affordable housing; the discussion continued with questions but no final action shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• We just need to have a stronger focus on the science of reading in K through third grade.
• She's doing science and math already and art, and she's only in first grade.
• It doesn't apply to every school district.
• We have switched to the science of reading.
• They use science-of-reading-based instruction.

Bills: LB878, LB958, LB958A, LB762, LB1187, LB966, LB929, LB962, LB1209, LB937A, LB962A, LB1050, LB1050A, LB965, LB1022, LB753, LB788, LB913, LB1055, LB1195, LB429, LB721, LB722, LB727, LB745, LB749, LB778, LR293, LR296, LR422, LR495, LR496, LR497, LR498, LR499, LR500, LR501, LR502, LR503, LR504

Keywords: paid parental leave, state employees, workplace benefits, family support, economic impact, Medicaid, Medical Assistance Act, home and community-based services waiver, HCBS waiver, waiver participant, assessment tool, clinical interviewing, service tier, retroactive coverage, doula, doula reimbursement, maternal health, prenatal care, pregnancy, birth outcomes

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a professor of ed tech and computer science education, and so one of the things I do is I support
• put the middle school AI Frameworks course, which consists of two semester courses exploring and applying
• We are industry focused, user-inspired research, applied research, and two critical areas: one being
• Because math touches art, touches science, touches reading, touches everything.
• Science touches reading, touches everything. You can explain the entire world with math.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education Pre-K through 12 met to hear a panel discussion on artificial intelligence in K-12 education. Dr. Maya Israel of the University of Florida gave an overview of AI literacy, the benefits of AI for personalized learning and teacher support, and the risks involving data privacy, overreliance, hallucinations, and misuse. She described the Florida K-12 AI Task Force, which published statewide guidance in March and is now providing professional development, case studies, surveys, and resources for teachers and families. She also noted that teacher preparation programs and microcredentials are being developed, but there is not yet a statewide baseline standard for teacher AI training. Superintendents Van Ayers of Hillsborough County and Kevin Hendrick of Pinellas County described district policies and implementation efforts. Hillsborough adopted an AI governance policy, created an implementation guide, and set rules barring generative AI use for students in pre-K through 7th grade while allowing limited, teacher-approved use for older students with district-vetted tools. Pinellas emphasized digital responsibility, parent transparency, data-use agreements, and a governance process for approving tools. Both districts said AI is being used for lesson planning, tutoring, reading-level adjustments, scheduling, and other administrative tasks, but they do not yet have reliable evidence that AI is improving academic performance. They also discussed teacher training, stipends, and certification efforts, including partnerships with universities and vendors such as Microsoft, Google, Magic School, and Gemini. Drew Allen of FSU Inspire offered an industry-focused perspective, arguing that AI is not new but that education must adapt more quickly to industry needs. He described Inspire’s workforce and research mission, its AI and robotics training for teachers, and the need to build teacher comfort and confidence through incentives and applied training. Committee members raised concerns about student dependence on AI, academic integrity, mental health, moral decision-making, data privacy, and whether schools should return to more paper-based testing. The panel generally agreed that AI should be used with strong guardrails, human oversight, and a balance between technology use and traditional learning. No legislation was considered, and the meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, which was adopted without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, with regards to your computer science...
• So I was wondering how you're incorporating AI in this computer science activity.
• And what that did was that someone would apply for a patent of land out in the middle of the frontier
• They would sell lots, and people would move in, and then they'd create a town council and apply to their
• So we applied for two grants and were awarded two grants from the Santa Fe Trail Association in order

Transcript Highlights:

• And for instance, Representative Rizzo, currently with the Bachelor of Science program, there are nine
• I don't know whether that applies to every school, public and private, or just our institutions, but
• And if you're a bachelor's program, you try to fix your program in one year, now this applies to both
• I have a Master of Science in Nursing and a Doctor of Nursing Practice.
• Having said that, We heard a lot of science, we heard a lot of big labels and names, and I don't sell

Summary: The Health Professions and Programs Subcommittee heard and advanced several health care bills. HB 909, joining the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact, was presented with a strike-all amendment and reported favorably as amended by a 13-0 vote. HB 911, the related public records exemption protecting certain biological information, was also adopted and reported favorably as amended by a 14-0 vote. CS for HB 597, allowing schools to procure and administer glucagon for students with diabetes under trained personnel, passed unanimously 14-0 after a technical amendment. HB 519, aligning state law with federal language on controlled substances administered by paramedics, passed as amended 14-0. The committee then took up HB 919 on nursing education programs. Sponsor Rep. Overdorf argued the bill would create accountability for underperforming nursing schools by requiring remediation, tuition refunds in the lowest-performing programs, and public reporting of passage rates. Supporters said it would improve quality and protect students from debt without licensure success, while opponents from private nursing schools warned it could close programs and reduce nurse supply. After extensive debate, the bill was reported favorably 15-0. HB 1553, which would require health care providers to submit identified uterine fibroid data so the Department of Health can implement the research database previously authorized by law, passed unanimously 15-0. The final bill, HB 883, would allow psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners to practice autonomously; supporters said it would expand access to mental health care, especially in rural and underserved areas, while opponents raised concerns about quality and physician oversight. After lengthy testimony and debate, the bill was reported favorably 14-3.

Transcript Highlights:

• :36.559> committing<00:29:36.880> a doesn't apply to anybody committing a doesn't apply
• 54:40.319> science there's been science time science there's been science time science scientific
• You're asking us to wait for the science You're asking us to wait for the science first<02:56:31.200
• <03:03:58.479> is how so much of it and the science is how so much of it and the science is
• applied to. applied to.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The science doesn't lie.
• I know we're in an age and an era where we question science, but the science and the facts don't lie
• But the science and the facts don't lie on this issue.
• The science doesn't lie.
• I know we're in an age in an era where we question science, but the science and the facts don't lie on

Summary: The House convened for opening-day business, with prayer, a moment of silence for Captain Bill Guston, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum established. The Speaker outlined a budget message emphasizing reduced spending and a proposed permanent 0.75% sales tax cut, and the chamber then received the Governor’s veto message on portions of HB 5001. Members moved to reinstate several vetoed appropriations, including the Florida Senior Veterans and Crisis Fund, Rockledge Advanced Water Treatment Phase 1, the Department of Corrections automated staffing/time management system, and Baldwin sewer and water main work; each reinstatement passed unanimously. The House also adopted a special order calendar and special amendment procedures for the General Appropriations Act and related bills. On the special order calendar, several bills passed unanimously or near-unanimously, including Lucy’s Law on boating safety (CS/CS/CS/HB 289), HB 735 on water access facilities, HB 11 on municipal water and sewer utility rates, CS/CS/HB 85 on hazardous walking conditions, and CS/HB 157 on service of process. These measures focused on boating safety, water infrastructure, utility-rate fairness, school walking safety, and procedural civil-law updates. A major floor debate centered on HB 6017, which would repeal Florida’s “Free Kill Law” limiting wrongful-death damages in medical negligence cases. Supporters described the bill as a long-awaited justice measure for families who lost adult children or unmarried relatives to medical malpractice, while opponents were not recorded in the final vote tally; the bill passed 104-6 after extensive emotional testimony from sponsors and affected families. The chamber also heard a lengthy, highly divided debate on HB 759, which would lower the firearm purchase age from 21 to 18. Supporters argued the current law is inconsistent with adult rights and responsibilities and cited constitutional precedent, while opponents emphasized Parkland, youth gun violence, and public-safety concerns; the transcript ends during continued debate on that bill, with no final vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Applies to bills that enjoy unanimous support. committee and eligible for the Assembly floor consent
• on housing community and development that is out on a roll call and then we have a second motion applies
• a b 1466 is out on a b-roll call thank you I am pleased to present AB 1207. climate policies are science-based
• This bill ensures that California's cap-and-trade program will be informed by the best available science

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, but we would propose up to $13 million that they could apply to either project.
• What was ultimately applied.
• A perfect science.
• that, you know, locally they decided that they wanted to have larger space for things like their science

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> And not necessarily to increase the percentage, but just to apply it statewide. >> Okay.
• <00:08:00.960> it percentage, but just to apply it percentage, but just to apply it statewide
• integrity and the use of best ecosystem integrity and the use of best available<00:10:08.360> science
• in managing aquatic available science in managing aquatic resources. resources. resources.
• <01:27:27.960> to focuses the measure as it applies to focuses the measure as it applies to

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard HB 649, which would create a small boat harbor commercial vessel special fund and raise mortgage fees on commercial vessels to fund harbor improvements. DLNR stood on written testimony in support, while the Ocean Tourism Coalition, Activity and Attractions Association of Hawaii, Calypso Charters, and a local commercial operator all opposed the bill, arguing that the fee increase would burden thin-margin businesses without fixing procurement and staffing problems and that the bill’s fee language and fund allocations were too vague. A DLNR witness also noted a prior bill, HB 2477, had sought to broaden the fee base to more ocean operators statewide rather than increase the percentage. No vote was taken on HB 649 during the portion shown. The committee then heard HB 2599 on aquatic protection, which would prioritize ecosystem integrity and use of best available science in managing aquatic resources and set coral reef resilience goals. DLNR supported the measure, and a testifier from the public urged stronger coral goals for Oahu and a broader framework including water quality, herbivore management, fishery management, enforcement, and coral restoration. There was no opposition or vote shown on HB 2599 before the committee recessed to a joint hearing. In the joint Economic Development and Tourism / Water, Land, Culture, and the Arts hearing, members heard HB 2118 on transferring the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission from DAGS to DBED, HB 2474 on authorizing non-binding international cooperative agreements, HB 1863 on creating an honorary ambassador to Canada, HB 1943 on out-of-state DBED offices and export promotion, and HB 2604 on a performing arts ticket surcharge. Testimony was generally supportive for HB 2118, HB 2474, HB 1863, and HB 1943, with questions focused on agency placement, sister-state relationships, and the rationale for overseas offices. HB 2604 drew opposition from the Tax Foundation and others, who argued the surcharge functioned as a tax and would make arts participation more expensive; the chair recommended deferring it. During decision-making, both committees passed HB 2118, HB 2474, HB 1863, and HB 1943 with amendments, including technical changes and revised effective dates. For HB 2474, the amendments were described as clarifying definitions for sister-state and international cooperative agreements, allowing relationships with national governments, and preserving legislative approval and transparency. HB 1943 was amended to require an office in Laoag City, Philippines, rather than a non-existent DBED Philippines office. HB 2604 was deferred. After the joint session, the Water, Land, Culture, and the Arts committee resumed and heard HB 2395 on permits for taking marine deposits and HB 2361 on administrative support for the Kahului Bay Regional Council, both of which drew only DLNR written testimony and no further action in the excerpt. The committee then began HB 1823 on Coastal Zone Management Act exemptions, with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs testifying first, but the transcript cuts off before further testimony or action.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was extremely difficult, so I applied for anesthesia, surgery, pediatrics, and internal medicine.
• Thank you for your time and consideration. specialty would be I wanted to apply my specialty would be
• I wanted to apply my talent<00:14:22.680> for<00:14:23.160> that<00:14:24.160> and<
• and he said, 'You apply to my program because we look for people with your talents.'
• I applied for 12 family medicine programs, and I got only one interview.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Of that 55,000, 40,000 were individuals who applied for and were eligible for VR services, and 15,470
• If at that point the individual's interested, they then apply for services.
• if it remains in compliance, does not undergo a substantive change, or meets the requirements and applies
• I know now we do have FAFSA and everything seems to be fragmented when we apply for scholarships, but
• It also allows them to build their own resumes to apply for post-secondary opportunities, as well as

Summary: The Higher Education Budget Subcommittee met for an introductory overview of the higher education programs under its jurisdiction. After roll call and member introductions, Chair Busatta outlined that the subcommittee oversees programs in the Department of Education and the State University System, including vocational rehabilitation, blind services, private postsecondary licensure, student financial aid, career and adult education, the Florida College System, and the Board of Governors. The chair and staff also noted that these areas represent roughly $9 billion in current-year funding. Officials from the Department of Education presented on several programs. Vocational Rehabilitation Director Kelly Rogers described services for adults and youth with disabilities, including pre-employment transition services, job coaching, assistive technology, and employer support; she said the program served more than 55,000 people last year, has no wait list, and reported a return of $7.61 to the economy for every $1 invested. Division of Blind Services Director Robert Doyle explained services from birth through older adulthood, including early intervention, school-age support, vocational rehabilitation, independent living, the Business Enterprise Program for blind vendors, and the Braille and Talking Book Library; he said the division serves about 12,000 people annually and also has no wait list, though some community rehab providers may have one. Tiffany Hurst of the Commission for Independent Education described licensure and consumer protection for independent postsecondary institutions, reporting oversight of about 1,100 institutions and 721 non-degree schools, along with enforcement actions against unlicensed operators. Sean Haskin of Student Financial Assistance reviewed 22 scholarship and grant programs totaling about $1 billion for more than 200,000 students, including Bright Futures, Benacquisto, need-based grants, EASE, EASE Plus, veterans’ scholarships, dual enrollment reimbursement, first responder scholarships, and the Ocoee and Rosewood scholarships. Members asked about surplus funds, marketing, Bright Futures eligibility requirements, and whether EASE awards had changed; Haskin said any unused funds are reverted to the Legislature, that the department markets through schools and the Florida Lottery, and that EASE remained at $3,500 per FTE for the last two fiscal years. Several members raised concerns that students and parents may not learn about aid programs early enough, especially in economically disadvantaged communities. Chancellor Kevin O’Farrell then presented on Career and Adult Education, highlighting record participation in career and technical education, adult education, and apprenticeship. He said about 800,000 secondary students and 480,000 postsecondary students are in CTE, adult education serves about 183,000 learners, and apprenticeship/pre-apprenticeship programs include more than 22,000 participants. He also described the workforce development fund, Perkins, WIOA Title II, the Pathways to Career Opportunities Grant, workforce capitalization grants, CAPE performance funding, and the Pipeline nursing initiative, noting strong NCLEX outcomes and expanded outreach through the Get There, Your Way, Future of Work Florida, and Zello platforms. Kathy Hebda began the Florida College System presentation by emphasizing open access, workforce preparation, statewide reach, and strong enrollment and completion growth, including more than 672,000 students, over 131,000 degrees and certificates, and significant dual enrollment savings for students and families.

Transcript Highlights:

• campuses like San Diego, San Luis Obispo, and others are turning away thousands of students who are applying
• This is Californians, and they are applying to our campuses and they are not being able to enter those
• I'll speak maybe specifically to Sonoma State, but then also recognize that some of this applies to a
• When I was coming out of college, the Assembly and Senate Fellows programs that I applied to was paying
• in Nursing, an associate degree to Bachelor of Science, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance met to review CSU and State Library budget issues, enrollment trends, the Capital Fellows program, and a Title IX update. Chair David Alvarez opened by stressing that CSU faces serious financial pressure, including a systemwide deficit and proposed cuts that he and several members said were too large and likely to harm access, course offerings, and student services. Public comment focused heavily on the Braille Institute Library, with patrons, staff, veterans, and advocates urging restoration of funding and warning that the proposed cut would severely affect blind and visually impaired Californians across Southern California. Several CSU faculty, staff, and union representatives also opposed the proposed reductions and warned of larger class sizes, fewer sections, and layoffs. On the CSU core operations item, the Department of Finance explained the Governor’s proposal to reduce ongoing General Fund support by about $375 million and defer a 5% base increase, while the LAO said CSU core funding would be roughly flat once tuition and targeted augmentations were considered, but warned that rising costs and prior shortfalls would still force campuses to cut spending. CSU’s Chancellor’s Office said the proposed cut would deepen existing problems, citing prior-year budget gaps, job losses, reduced course sections, and student-service reductions. Members pressed Finance and the LAO on whether cuts could be made more surgically, especially at the Chancellor’s Office or in institutional support rather than in instruction, and the LAO said the Legislature has flexibility to target cuts more specifically. CSU also described ongoing consolidation efforts, including shared services among campuses and the planned Cal Maritime/Cal Poly San Luis Obispo integration, while cautioning that savings are not yet fully known. The committee then discussed CSU enrollment. The LAO recommended holding enrollment targets flat because the budget does not add new funding, while CSU reported strong recent growth, including more California residents, record first-year enrollment, and expanded direct admissions and transfer pathways. Members questioned why some campuses with high demand turn away many applicants while others continue to lose enrollment, and CSU said it is shifting resources from campuses with sustained declines to those with demand, using a 10% below-target threshold. The committee also discussed whether enrollment declines mirror local population trends, how to improve marketing and program alignment, and whether lessons from Cal Poly Humboldt’s conversion could inform other campuses such as Sonoma State. The Capital Fellows item drew a Finance proposal for a salary increase and an LAO counterproposal for a smaller raise plus future COLA language; the committee kept the item open. Finally, CSU reported progress on Title IX compliance, saying it has completed most State Auditor recommendations, expanded civil rights staffing, and increased training, prevention, and case-management efforts, though members asked how proposed budget cuts might affect those services.

Transcript Highlights:

• Schools didn't need to apply for the funding; it was distributed by MDE as part of the entire package
• Schools didn't need to apply for the funding; it was distributed by MDE as part of the entire package
• social studies and in Reading science social studies and even<01:16:11.120> math<01:16:11.880
• <01:18:45.560> and<01:18:45.760> digital of computer science and digital of computer
• uh and languages these students science uh and languages these students as<01:26:24.000> well

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For the state to apply for federal grants, different people, agencies, whatever in the state can apply
• First, Melissa Reflessen, who is at the UNM Health Sciences Library and Informatics Center.
• I'm at the Health Sciences Library and Informatics Center.
• Citizens are using GO Bond-powered technology to apply for jobs.
• Sciences lab, is that would that be a GEO or is that potentially on something else?

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, Central Wyoming College has a program of BAS, Bachelor of Applied Science in Early Childhood and
• Uh, Central Wyoming College has a program of BAS, Bachelor of Applied Science in Early Childhood and
• Uh, Central Wyoming College has a program of BAS, Bachelor of Applied Science in Early Childhood and
• Program of BAS, Bachelor of Applied Science in Early Childhood and Early Childhood Special Education,
• hope you understand that you can't apply hope you understand that you can't apply for<01:44:06.480

Keywords: 916, all