Transcript Highlights:

• The landscape of schools, and the means by which they provide education and training, ...of schools,
• Why are all the schools or students enrolled in those schools indiscriminately charged?
• There are so many good schools in your districts. Every district in the state.
• Members, there are so many good schools in your districts, every district in the state.
• schools.

Transcript Highlights:

• We began engaging cities and school districts early to try to prevent disruption before mandatory reporting
• lack of oversight by district administrators and school board members.
• We also issued a report on Western Heights Independent School District, where we found questionable legal
• That school district, I want an audit.
• It kind of is a cheap way to bond things without bonding.

Committee: House A&B General Government Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• A school district budget cap is for school districts only.
• </c><01:18:33.440><c> A</c> is the school district budget cap. A is the school district budget cap.
• ><c> is</c><01:18:35.120><c> for</c><01:18:35.360><c> school</c> school district budget cap is for school
• school district budget cap is for school districts<01:18:36.000><c> only.
• </c><01:22:34.159><c> district</c> local tax cap for our school district local tax cap for our school

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, we have over 400 cities, 67 counties, 67 school districts, a plethora of special districts.
• Chris Doolin, Small School District Council Consortium and Small County Coalition.
• The small school districts are happy. Thank you, Senator Trumbull.
• I think what some people pay in property taxes are not having schools, kids in the school district, the
• I think what some people pay in property taxes are not having schools, kids in the school district, the

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Summary: The Committee on Appropriations took up SJR 2-F, the proposed constitutional amendment on property tax relief, which would reduce assessment growth on non-homestead property, expand homestead exemptions, create a new exemption for new homesteaders, and direct counties, cities, and school districts to use property tax revenues for specified core services. Senator Avila presented the measure as the governor’s plan to provide historic relief and argued that local governments should tighten budgets and prioritize core functions. Senators raised concerns about the lack of fiscal scoring, the breadth and ambiguity of the permitted uses, the effect on special districts and local services, and whether the proposal would shift costs to fees or other taxes. The committee adopted several amendments, including Avila’s amendment clarifying that ad valorem revenues could be used for county and municipal operations and administration and other expenditures not prohibited by law, and Trumbull’s amendment removing school board ad valorem taxes from the proposal. Other amendments failed, including proposals to allow user fees and non-ad valorem assessments, add a sunset, redirect tourism development taxes, narrow the small-business provision, and change the ballot title to reference local service reductions. Grall’s amendment removing the constitutional trust fund requirement was adopted, while the committee also rejected Berman’s title-change amendment and Smith’s sunset and tourism-tax amendments. The committee then returned to the bill as amended for questions, including extended debate over whether the proposal would affect noncitizen residents, the impact on local government finances, and whether local governments would respond with higher fees or special assessments. The meeting ended with the bill still under discussion after the final round of questions, with Avila saying he would continue working with the governor’s office on the language before the next vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Heather Thomasich, she is an instructor, gifted instructor with Francis Held School District, and the
• The first thing we're going to take up is the debate we heard often about school districts in particular
• And if you need to build a new elementary school, I mean, my district is expanding so rapidly because
• We're building a lot of new schools due to, you know, our constituents passing bonds to fund those schools
• And maybe sometimes these weren't in a small district. Maybe it was in a school district.

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the House Journal for February 10, 2026 by roll call vote, 120-0. Members then used personal privilege and guest introductions to recognize fraternity members, students, advocacy groups, and other visitors. One member delivered remarks honoring Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, and another gave a personal statement about a cousin who died in a domestic violence-related murder-suicide, followed by a moment of silence. The main floor action focused on House Committee Substitute for House Bills 2780 and 2668, a major property tax reform package. The sponsor described the bill as a broad effort to stabilize Missouri’s property tax system after extensive statewide hearings and testimony. The bill and amendments addressed issues including clearer ballot language for tax measures, moving tax-related ballot questions to November general elections, prohibiting “no tax increase” ballot descriptions, standardizing ballot wording, changes to assessed valuation and inspection rules, quarterly tax payment options in some counties, and a fix to a CPI-related provision. Members debated the size and scope of the bill, concerns about local control, election timing, voter fatigue, and possible litigation. Amendments were adopted to narrow the title, add clear ballot language, exempt township counties from the election timing requirement, and remove duplicative language. After the previous question was ordered, the committee substitute as amended was adopted and ordered perfected and printed. The House also perfected House Bill 1917, a Jefferson County-specific water district bill. Supporters said it would allow detachment of a ratepayer from a water district under certain conditions so a large manufacturing project could proceed, describing the district’s demands as obstructive to economic development. The bill passed committee unanimously and was ordered perfected and printed after discussion about the federal loan issue, the district’s refusal to cooperate, and whether the measure should be limited to one district or expanded later. The chamber then moved to announcements, including upcoming committee meetings, a property tax issues presentation by FFA students, birthday wishes, and a recess until 2 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• That unfunded enrollment growth is largely across 26 districts, with six of those districts being in
• Yeah, I think we would have to look at it district by district.
• districts?
• As well as non-SCFF districts.
• the system for those 15 districts.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance held a hearing focused on California Community College budget proposals. Chair Alvarez opened by emphasizing the system’s role in access, transfer, workforce training, and serving more than 2 million students, while also noting persistent challenges in enrollment, persistence, transfer, and graduation. Public commenters and system representatives broadly supported COLA, enrollment growth funding, deferred maintenance, student support block grants, and additional flexibility for districts facing uncertainty. The first major panel covered the student-centered funding formula, COLA, and enrollment growth. The Department of Finance said the Governor proposes a 2.43% COLA ($230.4 million) and 0.5% enrollment growth funding ($30.4 million). The LAO said the COLA was reasonable and recommended funding at least the proposed growth amount, citing uneven enrollment recovery and regional differences. The Chancellor’s Office supported both proposals and asked for additional changes, including using the greater of current-year or three-year average for apportionments and lifting the 10% local enrollment cap, arguing these would better fund growing districts. Members questioned how the formula works, whether SCFF is improving outcomes, and how much additional funding would be needed under different growth scenarios. The committee then reviewed categorical program COLAs, Rising Scholars, career education proposals, IT proposals, and student housing. The Governor proposed a 2.43% COLA for selected categorical programs ($31.9 million). For Rising Scholars, the Governor proposed $30 million ongoing and removal of the cap on participating colleges; the LAO urged waiting for outcome data before doubling funding, while the Chancellor’s Office said the program is serving more students and supports equity for justice-impacted students. On career education, the Governor proposed $50 million for credit for prior learning and $50 million for a career passport; the LAO supported more reporting on credit for prior learning but recommended rejecting the career passport as too undefined, while the Chancellor’s Office supported both. On technology, the Governor proposed $162.5 million for a common cloud data platform and $168 million for a common ERP system; the LAO said both were premature or lacked sufficient planning and recommended rejection, while the Chancellor’s Office argued they would improve real-time data, security, and systemwide efficiency. The committee also heard an update on student housing: the administration said the 2024 shift to a lease-revenue bond model remains in progress for 13 approved projects, with 11 still active, and members asked about withdrawn projects and possible use of any returned funds. No votes were taken, and several items were held open for further discussion and May Revision updates.

Transcript Highlights:

• Also, if you could speak to bonding as well. Oh, bonding, yeah, okay.
• So, there were bonding Ordinances.
• in my rural school district.
• The Otero County Processing Center is in House District 53 in my district.
• district.

Committee: House Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Part of the rule is that we're requiring local administrative units, all 2220 school districts, universities
• So basically, our school districts get funding, and as long as they contribute more of their funding,
• Madam Chair, Representative Duncan, so the contributions that we receive from each of the school districts
• Treasury bonds and? Corporate bonds, or are they just U.S. Treasury bonds per se?
• Well, yours, the schools and school districts, and the employees, correct?

Committee: House Investments & Pensions Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• It also ensures that all parties agree to a bond before a bond is reinstated.
• school campuses.
• So if a school district is at capacity right now, based on a comp plan that restricts new residential
• So if a school district is at capacity right now, based on a comp plan that restricts new residential
• in my Senate district.

Transcript Highlights:

• to the school board, the voters voted down two out of three proposals the district had put on the ballot
• We've found it's particularly with school districts where there's an electronic record that's available
• It could be produced very quickly, and instead the school districts are essentially printing out the
• Very quickly, and instead the school districts are essentially printing out the copies and then either
• Now, I will say that we've gotten more of the complaints from school districts.

Bills: HB2070 , HB2129 , HB2227 , HB2439 , HB2667 , HB2745 , HB2773 , HB2825 , HB2873 , HB2876 , HCR2005 , HCR2044 , SB1002 , SB1036 , SB1054 , SB1271 , SB1432 , SB1435 , SB1437 , SB1439 , SCR1022 , SCR1031 , SCR1033

Committees: Senate Government , Senate Senate Government Committee of Reference

Keywords: flood relief, Gila County, emergency funding, public safety, environmental cleanup, municipal libraries, annual reporting, state legislation, transparency, government accountability, chiropractic, chiropractor, chiropractic board, state board of chiropractic examiners, license discipline, unprofessional conduct, patient records, record retention, HIPAA, conflict of interest

Transcript Highlights:

• There are new provisions for tax-exempt entities—state and local governments, nonprofits, school districts
• There are new provisions for tax-exempt entities—state and local governments, nonprofits, school districts
• There are new provisions for tax-exempt entities—state and local governments, nonprofits, school districts
• districts, and nonprofits, on the issuance of municipal bonds.
• But as a firm, we represent municipal entities, school districts of all sizes across the entire country

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• It also ensures that all parties agree to a bond before a bond is reinstated.
• school campuses.
• So if a school district is at capacity right now, based on a comp plan that restricts new residential
• in my Senate district.
• in my Senate district.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and heard several introductions and announcements before moving to a long special-order calendar. Early bills passed included a trust law measure allowing a nonjudicial process for trustee settlement and discharge, a military affairs bill expanding leave protections and retirement eligibility for certain Guard and Coast Guard-related public employees, a penny-rounding bill for cash transactions, a podiatric medicine bill restricting certain cellular/tissue-based products and adding notice and consent requirements, a veterans’ courts bill expanding access to those courts statewide, an RV assessment clarification bill, a military-installation jurisdiction bill giving juveniles on bases access to state juvenile justice resources, an alcohol-tax deduction bill restoring DBPR’s authority to allow deductions for unsellable alcohol, a bail bonds bill revising training, fees, remission timing, and electronic procedures, an eyewear insurance bill updating definitions for modern products, a nursing education fund bill expanding support to health science programs, a recovery residences bill streamlining regulation and background-check rules, a felony battery bill adding resisting an officer with violence as a qualifying prior offense, a child welfare bill extending visitor definitions, making the Step Into Success program permanent, and creating a best-practices repository, and a candidate qualification bill tightening party-affiliation requirements and, via the House version, adding a name-change disclosure provision. Most of these bills were substituted with House companions where applicable and passed on near-unanimous votes, with one recorded dissent on the bail bonds bill. Several measures drew brief debate or explanation. Senator Wright’s military affairs bill was amended to restore two Florida National Guard special project officer positions to retirement eligibility, and Senator Gates’ veterans’ courts bill was described as a way to better address PTSD, brain injury, and substance-abuse-related offenses through problem-solving courts. Senator Trunow’s bail bonds bill prompted questions about charitable bail bonds, with the sponsor saying the current statute would remain in place and that further discussion could occur later. Senator Massullo’s podiatric medicine bill was framed as a bipartisan patient-protection measure, and Senator Leak’s felony battery bill was presented as closing a loophole that allowed repeat violent offenders to avoid enhancement. The chamber also took up a candidate qualification bill that would create an enforceable party-affiliation requirement and, in the House version, restrict recent petition-based name changes for candidates. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to a farewell ceremony for Senator Lori Berman, with family, staff, former colleagues, and guests in attendance. Senators from both parties offered extended remarks praising her leadership, collegiality, policy work, and advocacy on issues including voting rights, women’s rights, Israel and antisemitism, school safety, breast cancer, Everglades restoration, and other constituent services. Berman’s own remarks reflected on her 16 years in the Legislature, her family, and her belief in dignity, respect, and practical problem-solving. The Senate then adopted a motion to spread her remarks upon the journal and recessed before returning to continue the calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thinking particularly of counties and school districts.
• Of course, there are school districts.
• </c><00:25:33.040><c> district</c> get approval from the school district get approval from the school
• </c><00:34:30.840><c> district</c><00:34:31.359><c> and</c> consulted with our school district and consulted
• with our school district and county. county. county.

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill also increases the minimum number of programs school districts and the Florida College System
• It was addressed in the first committee stop when we allowed for the school districts to adopt a change
• districts... ...but if publishers impose an additional fee on Florida's school districts for this change
• I believe this is only for district school boards or charter school governing boards.
• to school.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for Deputy Will May of the Walton County Sheriff’s Department, the Pledge of Allegiance, and quorum established. The Rules and Ethics Committee report setting the special order calendar was adopted, and CS for HB 947 was recommitted to the Judiciary Committee. The chamber then took up several special-order bills, mostly reviser and technical measures, including SB 36, SB 42, SB 40, and SB 38, all of which passed unanimously or near-unanimously after brief explanations that they updated or cleaned up Florida statutes. Members also passed HB 513 on electronic transmittal of court orders, requiring clerks to send certain petitions, notices, summonses, and orders within six hours, including Baker Act, Marchman Act, and risk protection orders. HB 615, on electronic delivery of landlord-tenant notices by email when both parties agree in writing, passed after adoption of a tenant-protection amendment offered by Rep. Gottlieb. HB 655 establishing a regulatory framework for pet insurance and wellness programs passed unanimously. HB 1145 on workforce education passed 100-4, expanding CAP grant eligibility to public charter schools for CTE startup/expansion and increasing minimum program offerings tied to a money-back guarantee program. HB 299 on elevator accessibility requirements passed unanimously, and HB 649 on autonomous practice by certified registered nurse anesthetists passed 77-30 after structured debate. The most extensive debate centered on CS for HB 1205, which would significantly revise Florida’s citizen initiative process. The bill would require a $1 million bond after 25% of required signatures are collected, require petition handlers and circulators to be Florida residents and U.S. citizens, impose background checks and training for paid circulators, shorten petition turn-in deadlines to 10 days, increase penalties, add signature revocation notices, require more identifying information on petition forms, and create felony penalties for certain misconduct. Supporters argued the changes were needed to combat fraud and protect petition integrity; opponents said the bill would burden First Amendment activity and make ballot initiatives harder for ordinary Floridians to pursue. Multiple amendments sought to roll back or soften the bill’s requirements, protect personal information, restore longer deadlines, lower validation thresholds, and bar public funds from being used to advocate for or against amendments. Some amendments were adopted, but several key ones failed as debate continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• Pursuant to CAS 45812 sub 1, through their fiscal agents, five school districts, none of which needed
• The school districts were Allen County, Barbourville Independent in Knox County, Hardin County, Madison
• </c> flight school? flight school?
• County Water District. This regional County Water District.
• &gt;&gt; Uh<00:43:22.240><c> bond.</c> &gt;&gt; Uh bond. &gt;&gt; Uh bond.

Summary: The committee first received several information items, including University of Kentucky reports on medical and research equipment purchases, five school districts’ planned bond issues, and a School Facilities Construction Commission list of prior debt issues. Members then heard and approved an appropriation increase for a federally funded University of Kentucky project at the Central Kentucky Regional Airport in Richmond. The project will construct a terminal building and is tied to EKU’s airport operations and planned flight school; members asked about the public funding, the role of EKU, and possible aviation expansion, and the item was approved by roll call. The committee next approved a University of Kentucky lease purchase for an 85,000-square-foot facility at 415 West Sun Street in Morehead for $6.4 million. UK said the property, formerly the Rowan County Board of Education site, is directly across from UK St. Clair and will be used for multiple purposes; members questioned the quarterly payment structure and why the county preferred not to receive the full amount upfront, but the item was approved. The committee then heard three appropriation increases in the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet: a Fish and Wildlife pump project at Ballard Wildlife Management Area and two Lake Barkley State Resort Park repair projects. Finance staff explained the Lake Barkley increases were mainly to cover construction contingencies after bids came in close to available funding, and the committee approved the action items. Janice Thomas then presented four pool projects requiring no action: HVAC upgrades at the Future Farmers of America Leadership Training Center in Hardinsburg, geothermal and HVAC work at the Kentucky School for the Blind, a Brady Hall HVAC project at the Kentucky School for the Blind, and a renovation of Shanti Hall at Kentucky State University for the School of Engineering Technology. Members asked no substantive questions on those items. Finally, Natalie Broner presented a new CHFS lease in Wayne County and a Transportation Cabinet lease modification in Christian County. The Wayne County lease drew the most discussion, with members questioning the rent, the lack of other bids, and whether another county location might be preferable; CHFS said it maintains county-seat offices statewide and that the Wayne County site would replace an existing office. The Christian County item was described as a replacement site for driver licensing services with renovation costs largely absorbed by the lessor. Both lease items were presented for action after the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Protima District in Coleman, and I have one from my district in Pelum.
• The example in my district is there was mail taken.
• Subjected to a no bond.
• Aniah's Law bond hearing where the judge, given the fact pattern, would not have to grant a bond.
• be back in school.

Bills: SB76 , SB35 , SB116 , SB119 , SB118 , SB129 , SB32 , SB31 , SB115 , SB75 , HB27 , HB40

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: jury duty, nursing mothers, exemption, legal rights, parental responsibilities, sexual extortion, criminal law, felony, threat, blackmail, SB116, machine gun conversion devices, switches, pistol conversion device, auto sear, firearm accessories, machine gun, automatic weapon, semiautomatic pistol, gun control

Transcript Highlights:

• I represent the shopping district of Albuquerque. We've got up...
• We have the great bond rating. Well, every single county contributes to that bond rating.
• The bond at issue for Otero County is a revenue bond.
• As I mentioned earlier, when the county published bond documents upon the issuance of these revenue bonds
• I don't want this to hurt my district.

Committee: House House Consumer & Public Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> that are funded through the bonding that are funded through the bonding bill,<00:10:18.320><c> I
• The bonding bill is not dessert. The bonding bill is not dessert. It is the table setting.
• </c> this is my top priority in the district. this is my top priority in the district.
• Um we didn't bond last year and we need<00:14:56.160><c> to</c><00:14:56.320><c> bond.
• </c> larger bonding bill? larger bonding bill?

Transcript Highlights:

• Does that local government debt include school districts, or is it only cities and counties?
• Is that county, and then included in school districts?
• And then also to be able to chart our school districts as we compress rates.
• I have school districts, Madam Chair, you probably do too, that are in the 70s.
• , school districts, the rest of that—that's a bit more of a challenge.

Bills: SB 1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Summary: The committee began with Article I budget items for the Secretary of State. LBB staff outlined recommendations that would reduce the agency’s appropriation by about $40.3 million, including changes to HAVA funding, removal of one-time business system replacement money, and a rider directing the agency to use Fund 5095 first. Secretary Jane Nelson and staff then defended several exceptional items, especially additional staffing for elections and business filings, a new website, digitization of records, cybersecurity tools, and renovation of the James Earl Rudder Building. Members focused heavily on election administration, cross-checking voter rolls, Harris County complaints, call-center response times, and whether online voter registration should be expanded. No votes were taken; the discussion was informational and budget-focused. The committee then heard the Office of the Governor and trustee programs. LBB presented a recommended $2.4 million decrease for the governor’s office proper and a much larger decrease in trustee programs driven by one-time funding and unexpended balances, while still preserving major border security funding and victim assistance funding. Governor’s staff emphasized Texas’ economic growth, the importance of border security, and efforts to seek federal reimbursement for the roughly $11 billion Texas has spent on border operations. Members discussed whether shifting National Guard deployment to federal control could reduce state costs, and they also reviewed the music incubator program, the Governor’s University Research Initiative, and the semiconductor innovation consortium. Staff highlighted a $5 million late-added request for grants to protect nonprofits from violence and terrorism. Again, the exchange was largely explanatory, with no formal action. Finally, the committee took up the Texas Facilities Commission and lease payments for revenue bonds. LBB recommended major reductions overall, including removal of border wall construction funding and capital complex bond funding, but added money for higher utility costs, renovation of the Rudder Building, and additional facilities staff. George Purcell also noted stable maintenance-and-renewal funding and new riders related to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission building, tenant communications, and space utilization. For lease payments, LBB recommended a smaller appropriation tied to revenue-bond costs allocated across agencies. The discussion was informational, with members asking about the Rudder Building renovation, border wall progress, and capital complex construction timelines; no votes were recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm in House District 45.
• We make loans to your communities, either the municipalities or your school districts.
• We made one loan for the Gallup-McKinley School District, and it saved them more than a million dollars
• I include in those charter schools, land-grant Merced's, public improvement districts—those things that
• It is a way for municipalities and school districts to donate towards affordable housing without violating

Committee: House House Rural Development, Land Grants And Cultural Affairs