Transcript Highlights:

• WE HAVE THE LOWEST TUITION IN THE NATION.
• OUR ANNUAL TUITION IS 6,360 AND THE NATIONAL AVERAGE FOR PUBLIC FOUR YEAR UNIVERSITIES IS 11,560.
• AS A RESULT OF LOW TUITION AND GRADUATING STUDENTS IN FOUR YEARS 80 PERCENT OF OUR FLORIDA RESIDENT UNDERGRADUATES

Transcript Highlights:

• have apply that may not have made it in time for the first scholarship payment or who didn't have a tuition
• But we also needed to see an affiliated tuition and fees schedule associated with that students team.
• It might be paying a tuition, making yourself hold for educational expenses.

Transcript Highlights:

• So what this grant program does, it allows for 100% of the tuition and fees and related instruction to
• call our fundable FTE, but allow them to have the coverage of those particular costs associated with tuition
• We know that over the past 11 or 12 years we cannot raise tuition.

Summary: The Higher Education Appropriations Committee met for its first session of the year, took roll, welcomed new member Senator Bracey Davis, and had members briefly describe their backgrounds and interest in higher education. Chair Harrell framed the committee’s focus on maintaining Florida’s top national ranking in higher education and workforce development, with an emphasis on funding decisions tied to student success, workforce needs, and the state college system. Senior Chancellor Kevin O’Farrell presented the Department of Education’s workforce and Florida College System budget requests and data. He described requested increases for adult education, Florida College System program funding, workforce development, and several grant programs, including workforce capitalization, apprenticeship/teacher apprenticeship, Open Door, and CAPE industry certifications. He highlighted record enrollment and completion growth across Florida’s colleges and technical centers, major gains in career dual enrollment, and expansion in programs such as nursing, AI, cybersecurity, welding, HVAC, and manufacturing. Members asked about labor-market demand, the impact of artificial intelligence on future job training, teacher apprenticeship details, mission creep and duplication in CTE programs, student placement and wages after graduation, and articulation between technical college clock hours and college credit. South Florida State College President Fred Hawkins testified about challenges facing a rural college, including low local college-going rates, long travel distances, limited faculty recruitment due to salaries, and the need for more operational funding to expand capacity. He cited strong job placement and licensure outcomes in nursing, dental hygiene, EMT/paramedic, and radiography, and said the college is exploring AI tools to improve student services and reduce staffing pressure. Pinellas Technical College Executive Director Mark Hunter described strong dual enrollment, high job placement, employer partnerships, and a reported 400% return on investment, while also warning that many programs have waiting lists because of staffing and equipment constraints. He explained how technical college coursework is aligned with state college credit through content-based articulation agreements. The committee then opened the floor for public comment, but no additional business was taken up, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, they've been trying to fill it and been unable to at the current classification.
• So this proposal would be to change the classification for this position and provide the funding to do
• <01:02:22.240> So<01:02:22.480> this current uh classification.
• So this current uh classification.
• for this position and classification for this position and provide<01:02:27.200> the<01:02:27.440

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that credit, um, and then there's nonconformity to the section 530 federal rules about employee classifications
• at the state level for businesses that have acted reasonably and in good faith regarding their classification
• 00:32:31.600> their and in good faith regarding their and in good faith regarding their classification
• 32.399> of<00:32:32.600> workers<00:32:33.600> the<00:32:33.720> Safe classification
• of workers the Safe classification of workers the Safe Harbor<00:32:34.279> protects<00:32:34.600

Bills: HF2274, HF1932

Keywords: taxation, income tax, property tax, corporate tax, homestead credit, local government aid, tax credits, economic development, taxpayer assistance, tax credit outreach, tax preparation, free tax help, IRS, Department of Revenue, general fund appropriation, earned income tax credit, child tax credit, volunteer income tax assistance, VITA, low-income taxpayers

Transcript Highlights:

• They and the classification coding system recently changed to a new terminology.
• They and the classification coding system recently changed to a new terminology.
• They and the classification coding system recently changed to a new terminology.
• They and the classification coding system recently changed to a new terminology.
• The classification coding system recently changed to a new terminology.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So for us to break even, we need 3,000 tuition-paying students on campus. We're working on it.
• So for us to break even, we need 3,000 tuition-paying students on campus. We're working on it.
• So for us to break even, we need 3,000 tuition-paying students on campus. We're working on it.
• Even, we need 3,000 tuition-paying students on campus. We're working on it.
• Joe; they pay for the tuition, and upon graduation this student has a job waiting.

Keywords: This meeting is taking place on location at the Kentucky State University Cooperative Extension Building Room 238 using on site equipment., 958, all

Summary: The interim Commission on Race and Access to Opportunity met at Kentucky State University and heard a presentation from President Kofi Aapo and Vice President Michael Dorsy on the university’s role as an HBCU and its current priorities. They emphasized Kentucky State’s impact on Black student outcomes nationally, its focus on workforce development, civic leadership, innovation, and economic mobility, and its efforts to grow enrollment, expand dual-credit partnerships, and launch a prison education program. They also described House Bill 250’s role in prompting program review and the creation or expansion of market-aligned offerings, including manufacturing engineering, agricultural engineering, biological and agricultural engineering, social work, criminal justice, and expanded online programs through “Thoroughbred Global.” A major topic was Kentucky State’s move toward STEM and applied programs. President Aapo said the university is diversifying beyond liberal arts to meet workforce demand and cited plans for a PhD in agroecology, which he said would help farmers adapt to climate conditions and would be federally funded. He also discussed the nursing program as the fastest-growing on campus, partnerships with health systems that pay tuition and guarantee jobs, and the need for a new nursing facility. He said the current nursing space is inadequate and that a new building could double or triple enrollment in the program. He also described a mobile health initiative intended to bring preventive care and health education to underserved areas of the state. Members asked questions about the nursing building, STEM strategy, teacher preparation, dual credit, prison education, and student readiness. Senator Bledsoe asked about the shift toward STEM, and Aapo said the strategy is based on student demand and data from House Bill 250. Senator Berg requested a list of dual-credit partners and encouraged long-term tracking of prison education participants to study outcomes such as recidivism; Aapo said the university has not yet begun that research but intends to. Senator Tidner asked about remedial needs, and Aapo said KSU found more than 100 students with zero GPAs when he arrived and is using co-requisite support and tutoring to address English and math deficiencies. Representative Brown and others highlighted the historical and ongoing value of HBCUs, and no votes or formal actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Second, we need to fix the charter school tuition reimbursement.
• First, we are asking that the state fully fund charter school tuition reimbursement in Boston.
• In the end, student tuition is increased and used in order to fund these projects, projects that these
• No student should have to work several jobs just to barely cover their tuition and at the...
• to learn and work in the conditions that their tuition is meant to repair.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Ways and Means Committee held its final public hearing on the FY26 state budget, with chairs and members emphasizing that public testimony would help shape the budget and asking speakers to keep remarks brief. Committee leaders introduced members, explained the hearing process, and repeatedly thanked residents, students, and advocates for participating. No votes were taken during the hearing. Testimony focused heavily on education funding and the Chapter 70 formula. Students from Amherst, Northampton, Gateway Regional, Chester Elementary, and other districts described budget-driven cuts to electives, special education supports, paraprofessionals, counselors, transportation, and building maintenance. They urged higher Chapter 70 aid, increased minimum aid, rural school aid, and a reopening or restructuring of the funding formula, arguing that current formulas leave many districts unable to meet student needs and force local layoffs and overrides. Other speakers urged funding or protection for a range of programs and facilities, including the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute for homicide survivor services, the Museum of African American History, the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and CART/interpreter services, the Access to Counsel housing legal aid program, the Department of Mental Health and Pocasset Mental Health Center, and Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children. One speaker opposed offshore wind-related spending and urged a reset of the state’s energy approach, while another advocated ending the aircraft sales tax exemption. Committee members responded sympathetically to many speakers, asked a few follow-up questions, and several expressed support for maintaining or expanding the programs discussed.

Transcript Highlights:

• The educator tuition assistance program is a technical change to ensure grantees... entitlement resulting
• The<01:01:08.040> educator<01:01:08.680> tuition<01:01:09.160> assistance<01:01:
• 09.680> program The educator tuition assistance program The educator tuition assistance program
• <01:28:51.400> those greater share of the cost of those greater share of the cost of those tuition
• <01:28:52.080> bills tuition bills tuition bills because<01:28:53.719> cross<01:28:54.080

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I was told that I'm signing an agreement to pay for tuition.
• We didn't really talk about tuition that much. We didn't really go into detail.
• They include anything from relocation agreements and sign-on bonuses to retention bonuses and tuition
• They include anything from relocation agreements and sign-on bonuses to retention bonuses and tuition
• Apprenticeship programs and related to the repayment of tuition for transferable credentials.

Bills: HF3889, HF2567, HF3878

Keywords: workforce development, grant program, employment, economic development, funding, employment contract, labor policy, employee rights, unconscionable provisions, public policy, legal enforcement, airport workers, wage standards, labor rights, minimum wage, economic equity, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, Madam Chair, it's simply to put it in the same category and classification as alcoholic-derived
• beverages, now called Marion's, in Kentucky. it in the same category and it in the same category and classification
• <00:04:28.680> as<00:04:28.840> alcoholic classification as alcoholic classification as

Keywords: The livestream event for this meeting cut off shortly after the meeting began. This is the complete copy pulled from back ups., 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a great usage case on inmate classification in different states, speeding up that process to
• there's a a great usage cases<00:07:15.000> on<00:07:15.280> inmate<00:07:15.759> classification
• <00:07:16.720> in cases on inmate classification in cases on inmate classification in different

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Roll Call 00:36 SB 4 Discussion 01:16 SB 4 Vote 28:30 SB 130 Discussion 31:18 SB 130 Discussion 36:02, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 4, as amended by a committee substitute, which would create a state artificial intelligence governance framework for Kentucky government agencies and address AI-generated misinformation in campaigns and elections. The bill’s sponsors said it is intended to regulate only state government use of AI, not the private sector, and would require oversight by the Office of Technology, agency reporting, and annual reporting to the General Assembly. They also said the elections provisions were narrowed to focus on AI-generated audio and video, remove image disclosures, eliminate prior restraint and monetary damages, and rely on disclosure requirements modeled on laws they said had survived constitutional review in Texas. Testimony on SB 4 was mixed. Supporters emphasized transparency, human accountability, and the need to prepare state government for rapidly changing AI tools, citing possible uses such as fraud detection, inmate classification, and transportation planning. An opponent from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression argued the bill would burden core political speech, create First Amendment problems, and invite litigation and abuse, especially in the election context. Members asked about litigation, constitutional concerns, costs, and whether the bill should be expanded later to cover ordinary citizens harmed by AI-generated content. Several members expressed support but noted reservations about the election sections or the need for future amendments. After discussion, the committee voted on SB 4 and reported it favorably. The roll call showed the measure passing with favorable expression, with some members explaining votes as supportive but cautious, and one member initially passing before later recording a yes vote. The chair then moved to Senate Bill 130, and Senator Scott Maiden and Kentucky Retail Federation representative Shannon Stiglets began presenting it as a response to gift card scams and theft of redemption information, describing recent large-scale supermarket fraud cases in Kentucky and saying the problem is tied to broader organized retail crime.

Transcript Highlights:

• unrealized gain on the house because the value of your home factors into property taxes along with the classification
• unrealized gain on the house because the value of your home factors into property taxes along with the classification
• unrealized gain on the house because the value of your home factors into property taxes along with the classification
• The value of your home factors into property taxes along with the classification rate.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2240 requires the Arizona Board of Regents or a community college district to provide a tuition
• planning, property acquisition, and operational support. community college district to provide a tuition

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The meeting was a caucus-style review of two packets of bills, with staff reading summaries and members briefly explaining several measures. Topics included appropriations for pregnancy resource centers, home- and community-based services for the elderly and people with disabilities, veteran specialty courts, child care grants and infrastructure, language acquisition services for deaf or hard-of-hearing infants and toddlers, ambulance service regulation, short-term rental rules, tourism improvement areas, manufactured home installer licensure, CPR/AED training in schools, veterans’ park fee exemptions, and multiple child welfare and family-court bills. Several Senate bills were also reviewed, including optometry standards, behavior analyst licensure transfer, virtual mental health hearings, and assisted-living residency rules. Members speaking for bills emphasized themes such as supporting aging in place, improving rural ambulance access and reporting, protecting children in DCS cases, preventing poverty alone from being treated as neglect, and expanding access to health screenings and services. Other sponsors described measures to help veterans, strengthen school safety, and create local funding or improvement mechanisms for tourism and child care. Some bills were described as technical or administrative changes, such as post-nuptial agreement rules, tax lien procedures, and local government contract posting requirements. No formal votes were taken in the transcript excerpt, but many bills were noted as being on the consent calendar or third-read consent calendar, while a few had been removed from consent or were not yet on a calendar. The meeting concluded after the final bill on the second packet, HB 4025, was summarized as creating a study committee on gasoline and petroleum refinery feasibility.

Transcript Highlights:

• A commitment to make higher education more equitable, not just in tuition as we have consistently worked
• A commitment to make higher education more equitable, not just in tuition as we have consistently worked

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the prior Journal, and then handled several introductions and resolutions. Senator Bailey introduced Jayson Fefami, described as the Bronx-based creator of the “quarter zip” trend, and the chamber welcomed him with applause. Senator Cooney presented a privileged resolution memorializing Governor Hochul to proclaim July 1, 2026, as Canada Day in New York, emphasizing the state’s economic, cultural, and border ties with Canada; the resolution was adopted. Senator Hinchey also spoke on a previously adopted resolution designating February 21-28, 2026, as National FFA Organization Week, with Senator Helming and visiting FFA students and advisers offering remarks in support of agricultural education and youth leadership. The Senate then took up the calendar and passed a series of bills, including measures related to a fiscal task force, environmental conservation, urban development, education, workers’ compensation, elder law, real property, general business, state finance, insurance, tenant protection, and public health. Several bills passed unanimously, while others drew limited opposition; for example, the Environmental Conservation and Education measures had a handful of negative votes, and the real property bill drew more substantial opposition. Senator Webb explained her vote on a bill addressing college student food insecurity by exempting certain meal-share donations from sales tax, saying students should not have to choose between class and hunger. Senator Palumbo also explained his vote on the kratom labeling bill, supporting the measure while urging future action on the synthetic opioid 7-OH. The chamber also discharged several identical Assembly bills from Rules and substituted Senate versions earlier in the day, and later passed those measures on the floor. At the end of the session, the Senate completed the calendar, reported no further business, and adjourned until Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at 3:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, Members, this bill relates to the exemption of tuition and laboratory fees at public institutions
• Members, this bill relates to tuition and fee exemptions at public institutions of higher education for

Transcript Highlights:

• :37.920> this Uh, House Bill 1170, HD1, SD1, relating to the University of Hawaii resident tuition
• House Bill 1170, HD1, SD1, relating to the University of Hawaii resident tuition fee.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am requesting for the committee to consider criminal reforms which would develop a tiered classification
• decades, this topic has the potential to produce multiple bills, including a separate tiered classification
• :47:10.560> tiered bills including a separate tiered bills including a separate tiered classification
• <00:47:12.000> for<00:47:12.160> physical<00:47:12.520> abuse, classification for
• physical abuse, classification for physical abuse, neglect,<00:47:13.560> and<00:47:13.800>

Keywords: 916, all

Summary: The Judiciary Interim Committee met under time constraints and asked members to rank interim topics for a letter to Management Council. The committee then took brief public testimony on a series of proposed study topics, with no formal votes recorded in the transcript. Early testimony focused on landlord eviction rights, where speakers said the court eviction process is too slow, can worsen housing shortages, and leaves landlords unable to recover rent, fees, or damage costs. The foster care topic was presented as a request to examine whether the system gives too much weight to reunification and not enough to the child’s best interests, especially for younger children. A Blue Envelope Program proposal was also discussed; supporters said it would help law enforcement communicate with autistic or otherwise communication-challenged individuals during traffic stops and emergencies, and improve consistency statewide. The committee also heard a proposal to study Wyoming’s homicide-by-vehicle statute, with testimony from a constituent whose mother was killed by a repeat dangerous driver. Speakers argued the current law leaves a gap because prior DUIs, high-risk driving history, and other aggravating factors do not meaningfully affect charging unless intoxication or extreme conduct is present. Related testimony from Wyoming Pathways said the change should be a tool in the toolbox for prosecutors and could improve safety for pedestrians and drivers. Senator Cooper then raised campaign finance reform and dark money, urging a resolution asking Wyoming’s congressional delegation to seek a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United and restore state control over election spending transparency. Additional topics included a request from the Wyoming Livestock Board to review peace officer statutes so its investigators could act on felonies committed in their presence or prevent imminent bodily harm, while remaining within their current duties and certification. Representative Lee asked for review of non-disclosure agreements in public-private partnerships and executive sessions so the public can eventually understand how such agreements were used. Senator Pearson asked for interim consideration of shared custody amendments, saying fit parents should have a fair opportunity for shared parenting after separation. Representative Storer proposed revisiting DUI penalties, especially for refusal of chemical testing, arguing that refusal often prevents prosecution and that the law should impose treatment and license suspension consequences. The committee also heard a request to review statutes involving political parties, and the state court administrator asked for interim study of remote public access to court records, citing ongoing automation efforts, privacy concerns, and funding needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• protection issue, we recommend including a preamble to state a reasonable justification for the classification
• this bill is unnecessary or, at the very least, redundant, at the very worst, creates different classifications
• very worst redundant, at the very worst creates<00:48:45.200> different<00:48:45.520> classifications
• creates different classifications creates different classifications for<00:48:48.200> or<

Bills: SB2567, SB2448, SB3046, SB2231, SB2526

Keywords: harassment, restraining order, temporary restraining order, injunction, protective order, public employer, public servant, public employee, government employee, state employee, legislator, judge, judicial branch, executive branch, local government, political subdivision, workplace violence, threats, stalking, employee safety

Transcript Highlights:

• I do not receive a tax credit for paying my contractual tuition to the school, is that correct?
• >> It has to be a tax donation separate and apart from that tuition. >> To participate, you need to pay
• your tuition and participate in the program on top of that. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Gentleman
• apart from that tuition. apart from that tuition.
• and participate in the program tuition and participate in the program on<00:27:02.280> top<00

Keywords: MS House Floor - 25 February, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, dispensed with the reading of the journal, and welcomed several student and FFA groups from around the state, including chapters from Tippah, Forrest, Newton, and Wheeler counties, as well as the Puckett High School student council and an AP government class from Madison-Ridgeland Academy. After announcements, the chamber moved to the Ways and Means calendar and took up a series of tax and finance measures. House Bill 327 would extend Mississippi’s existing film tax credit to television production businesses, with a $42 million aggregate cap and a requirement that qualifying production activity occur in-state. House Bill 343 would create a tax credit for employers offering private health insurance to employees, set at $400 per employee in the first year and $200 in the second, capped at $10 million. House Bill 420 would lower the age threshold for an existing full homestead exemption for honorably discharged veterans and spouses from 90 to 85; members discussed the local cost impact, but the sponsor said the state cost would be zero. House Bill 489 would exempt from income tax any capital gains from a forced sale through eminent domain, so the property owner would not owe tax on that transaction. The House also passed House Bill 715, clarifying that both perishable and non-perishable food sold to food pantries are exempt from sales tax. House Bill 1063 would adjust an alternative energy/local tax provision by allowing a fee-in-lieu rate down to 10% and adding energy storage, such as large-scale batteries, to qualifying projects. House Bill 1793, by committee substitute, would add gun safes to the state’s Second Amendment sales tax holiday. House Bill 1941 would raise the Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund’s administrative fee from 2% to 3% and authorize $5 million in bonds. House Bill 1942 would create a conduit bond mechanism under the TIF code for local development projects. House Bill 1944, by committee substitute, would expand the Children’s Promise Act tax credit program from $18 million to $40 million over three years and add a new $1 million credit for facilities serving adults with mental handicaps; members debated its effects on private schools, foster care entities, and public education funding. Most bills passed overwhelmingly, including several unanimous votes; House Bill 327 passed 115-1, House Bill 343 passed 118-0, House Bill 420 passed 120-0, House Bill 489 passed 120-0, House Bill 715 passed 120-0, House Bill 1063 passed 115-0, House Bill 1793 passed 109-3, House Bill 1941 passed 118-0, House Bill 1942 passed 116-0, and House Bill 1944 passed after extended debate. The discussion on House Bill 1944 featured questions about whether the credits favored private schools over public schools, whether schools could also receive ESA-related funds, and how much money individual institutions could receive; the sponsor said the credits are separate from tuition, are administered by DOR on a first-come, first-served basis, and do not reduce direct public school funding.