Transcript Highlights:

• We need to make that clear. That's not good.
• And also provide the tools that are needed in order And also provide the tools that are needed in order
• And if we need more support for our schools back home, let's fix that problem.
• You're going to have all the support that you need. Years to become better.
• If it is, then they need to know that.

Summary: The Pre-K Through 12 Budget Subcommittee met with a quorum and took up three bills, along with a brief budget conference-prep presentation. The first bill, CS/HB 1483 on school grading and student supports, would gradually align Florida’s school grading scale with the familiar A-F student grading scale over a 10-year glide path, add school report card transparency on the percentage of students reading at grade level, expand interventions for students with substantial reading and math deficiencies through VPK through grade 8, and create a competitive grant for diverse books in K-5 classrooms and libraries. Supporters argued the current school-grade scale is misleading and that the bill would improve transparency and supports; some members raised concerns about impacts on turnaround schools, community perception, and whether the bill adequately captures student gains. The bill passed 12-2 and was reported favorably. The committee then considered CS/HB 859 on the School Readiness Program, which revises the definition of “economically disadvantaged” for eligibility purposes. The bill originally moved from 150% of the federal poverty level to 65% of state median income, but three amendments were adopted to create a glide path and reduce fiscal impact by using 50% of state median income or 150% of poverty, whichever is greater, and by deleting an obsolete section. Public testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, emphasizing child care as workforce infrastructure and a lifeline for working families. The bill passed unanimously, 14-0, and was reported favorably. Finally, CS/HB 1607 on cardiac emergencies in schools would require AEDs in every Florida school, including charter schools, require CPR/AED training, and create a pulse-saving plan with rulemaking authority for the State Board of Education. Proponents cited alarming statistics about sudden cardiac arrest on campuses and argued that rapid AED access can save lives; supporters from the American Heart Association, PTA, and cardiology groups backed the measure. Members spoke in strong support, and the bill passed unanimously, 14-0, and was reported favorably. The meeting ended with a budget presentation explaining that House and Senate FY 2025-26 budget, appropriations project, and proviso side-by-sides had been distributed ahead of conference, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• we need more flexibility.
• How many do we need? How do people better work together?
• How many do we need? How do people better work together?
• “So maybe you need two buildings in the town you mentioned, but maybe you only need one where everybody
• And I really believe it's going to be those adaptable analysis skills.

Summary: The committee met to hear consultants Mason Bishop and Cameron Christie discuss Arkansas’s “one door/no wrong door” workforce and social services modernization effort. Bishop argued that the current system is fragmented across multiple agencies, offices, and portals, making it hard for job seekers and employers to access services efficiently. He said the goal is to create a more integrated system that promotes upward mobility, longer labor force attachment, better employer access to talent, greater efficiency, and faster adaptation to changes such as AI and other economic disruptions. Bishop repeatedly pointed to Utah as a model, describing how that state combined workforce and public assistance functions into a single agency, used statewide cost allocation to blend funding streams, and improved customer service and outcomes after reform. He said Arkansas should consider integrating governance, service delivery, and financing, including possible waivers, a statewide cost allocation plan, and a benefits-cliff pilot. He also said Arkansas’s current local workforce board structure creates duplication and weak coordination, and that Launch is a useful tool but not a full service-delivery system. Committee members asked how the proposal would work in practice, including whether TANF could be used to cross-train DHS workers, how federal waivers might be obtained, how local boards would be affected, and how disabled clients would be handled. Bishop said TANF should be treated as part of a workforce strategy, that federal pilot authority for workforce reform nearly passed but did not, and that waivers are now the practical path. He also said Arkansas could either merge functions more fully or at minimum co-locate workforce staff in DHS offices statewide. No votes were taken; the meeting ended with plans to continue the discussion in August, including a focus on case management and whether the state is managing programs or people.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, oh, he needs—we get buried under the American flag—and we don't need other flags to take anything
• <00:15:30.199> to that it doesn't need to that it doesn't need to be<00:15:32.040> there
• <00:43:55.319> it need it need it okay<00:43:57.760> thank<00:43:57.920> you<00:
• need to we need need to do you know we need to we need to<01:11:39.760> you<01:11:39.880>
• I get that detailed analysis.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first dealt with scheduling and housekeeping, including a plan to take a hard break at 2:00 p.m. for an early bill, hold a brief executive session, and then continue with the remaining afternoon bills. The chair also noted the next likely meeting date would be March 12, when the committee expected to take up the remaining bills before crossover deadlines. The main substantive item was House Bill 142, which would recognize the Honor and Remember flag for Gold Star families and related remembrance purposes. Prime sponsor Rep. Michael Moffett described the bill as a bipartisan measure revised to address earlier concerns, arguing that the flag honors fallen service members, can be personalized with names, and complements rather than detracts from the American flag. He said many other states have already adopted it and suggested the committee could amend details such as the number of days and locations for display. He also raised practical issues about flag dimensions and whether the bill should use "shall" or "may" for display requirements. Testimony was divided. Janine Nutter opposed the bill, saying she supports Gold Star families but objected because the flag resembles the Viet Cong flag and because she believes the American flag should remain the sole symbol representing servicemembers. Kevin Grady, representing the State Veterans Advisory Committee under RSA 115:8, also opposed the bill, saying the committee believes the American flag is the only symbol needed, while still praising the work of Honor and Remember in creating personalized flags for families. Committee members asked questions about where the flag would be flown, whether the State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen is already displaying it, and how the bill’s language would interact with cemetery policies and committee discretion. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• part, and that's the part we need information from you—what we need to give you to do the tools to do
• “We need information from you, what we need to give you to do the tools to do the job.
• We just need to go further. We just need to go further.
• But we need to find a source that's stable and The money is spent well, but we need to find a source
• We had so much that we needed to do. We have the Bobcat Fire. We had so much that we needed to do.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The joint Senate hearing of the Natural Resources and Water Committee and the Emergency Management Committee focused on wildfire resilience, with members discussing the SB 254 report on enhancing California’s response to natural catastrophes. Opening remarks emphasized the scale of wildfire damage, the need for prevention and preparedness, and concerns about the affordability and insurability crisis. Senators repeatedly contrasted the relatively small share of funding going to community hardening with the much larger amounts spent on utility wildfire mitigation and landscape-scale projects, and several members raised concerns about CEQA delays, one-time funding, and the need for more sustainable, ongoing financing. The Legislative Analyst’s Office presented an overview showing about $4.7 billion in state wildfire resilience appropriations from 2018-19 through 2025-26, with funding shifting from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund to the General Fund and then to Proposition 4. LAO noted that only about $65 million had been specifically targeted to community hardening, while most funding went to forest health, fuels, research, and related programs. LAO also said one-time funding will decline in coming years and that future GGRF support is uncertain, though General Fund use is not legally precluded. Members asked about maintenance costs, polluter-pays ideas, and whether performance metrics should focus more on property and community risk reduction than acres treated. Cal Fire’s State Fire Marshal described the state’s community wildfire preparedness strategy, centered on home hardening, defensible space, and neighborhood-scale mitigation. He said roughly 4 million homes are in the wildland-urban interface, most built before modern fire-resistant standards, and argued that the state must move from response to prevention. He said Cal Fire is incorporating the SB 254 recommendations into its updated action plan, has streamlined some fuel-reduction projects under a recent executive proclamation, and is shifting some grant funding toward maintenance of existing treatments. Cal OES described the AB 38 pilot and FEMA hazard mitigation work, saying the pilot helped build tools and standards for home hardening but that federal approval delays remain a major barrier; the agency reported 155 hardened properties, 19 under construction, and 370 assessed and waiting. The Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force said it has coordinated more than $6 billion in state and federal investments, is moving toward regional block grants and better data-driven prioritization, and is developing separate community and landscape strategies. The hearing ended with discussion of modeling, data gaps, utility coordination, contractor capacity, and possible legislative or budget changes to better align funding and metrics with community safety outcomes.

Transcript Highlights:

• and when they need it.
• and when they need it.
• where they're needed. where they're needed. >> Thank<02:05:40.080> you.
• You need the help. You need to go. You are a danger to yourself.
• to get them where they need to be. to get them where they need to be.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To me, that resources based on the need.
• Um, where the needs are the greatest.
• need all across the state. need all across the state. Chair<00:15:00.880> Gomez.
• And thus, you could say, like, there's more need there.
• And thus, you could say, like, there's more need there.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• In order to do that, things need to look the same, data needs to be accessible, and a lot of the value
• You need to go back; you need to do some technology refreshes towards the end.
• You need to learn it. AI learns as you go.
• In my opinion, more oversight is needed from your department, and I don't know if that needs to be done
• of these needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• don't necessarily see that we even need don't necessarily see that we even need this<00:26:08.399
• it um I'm a Believer though that we need it um I'm a Believer though that we need to<01:17:05.400
• education and not the special needs education and not the special needs that's<03:44:26.000>
• And then through a regression analysis, they looked at the analysis, you know, where each district's
• , the needs of Rockingham, the needs of Hillsboro tend to be very different.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a work session focused on school funding formulas, adequacy aid, and special education aid, with the chair outlining a schedule for the next several Tuesdays and noting that the committee would likely need multiple executive sessions to narrow down the bills. Members discussed the FY 26 formula, including base cost, differentiated aid, extraordinary needs grants, hold harmless provisions, and the roughly $28 million in excess statewide education property tax (SWP) funds that are not currently returned to the state under the existing formula. The first bill discussed was HB 137, which would allow excess SWP funds to remain with the local municipality for school and municipal purposes. Representative Spilsbury argued the issue is fundamental and suggested the state should require excess funds to be remitted back to the state, while Representative Damon said the bill appears to codify current practice and may be unnecessary, especially given possible court action. The discussion then shifted to a related bill from Representative Fellas that would redefine SWP as local money rather than state money and keep the current adequacy aid numbers revenue-neutral for now. Representative Fellas explained that SWP was created in 1999 after the Claremont lawsuit as part of the state’s effort to show increased school aid, but that it effectively labeled part of the local property tax as state money without changing property tax bills. She argued the state should not be tapping local property tax revenue and said her bill would preserve the current distribution while removing the SWP tax label, with future work possible on a different measure of local capacity such as income, home values, or poverty rate. Members also referenced prior discussions of fiscal capacity aid, relief aid, and other formula changes as part of the broader effort to restructure school funding.

Transcript Highlights:

• Why would they necessarily like need a booster club or would like what?
• What they need more funding for?
• what they need.
• This and I need to go back and review because I supported it.
• You need to follow the same thing with with with those most clubs.

Transcript Highlights:

• But obviously this budgetary needs.
• created a funding shortfall that needs created a funding shortfall that needs immediate<00:02:03.759
• There's no reason we need to hire more FTEs.
• There's no reason we need spreadsheet.
• <00:43:33.839> to commissioners to report this analysis to commissioners to report this analysis

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . needs and preferences, and in that context of the larger dietary pattern.
• I often wondered if we could give speeches and do our analysis.
• So we do have data, but across the board, current consumptions need to increase.
• I think we need to see how time goes.
• We need to be the changemakers that our students and dairy farmers both need.

Bills: SB222

Keywords: whole milk, school lunch, school meals, National School Lunch Program, Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, Child Nutrition Act, USDA, nutrition standards, dairy, nonfat milk, low-fat milk, reduced-fat milk, lactose-free milk, nondairy beverages, plant-based milk, milk substitution, parental consent, legal guardian, food allergies, allergic reaction

Summary: This meeting of the committee focused primarily on the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, S222, which aims to permit schools to offer a fuller range of milk options, including whole, reduced, and low-fat varieties, that have garnered bipartisan support. Chairman Bozeman opened the session by highlighting concerns over children's nutrition and the obesity epidemic, emphasizing the significance of nutritious school meals in addressing these issues. Experts from various organizations were invited to discuss the implications of this bill as well as the current challenges facing school meal programs, including budget constraints and food supply issues. The meeting included passionate testimonies about the direct impacts of current dietary guidelines and federal funding reductions affecting schools' abilities to provide healthy meal options.

Transcript Highlights:

• You don't need to.
• <02:16:51.200> So, needed it. So, needed it.
• needs to be musical chairs needs needs to be tightened<02:36:53.680> up.
• needs.
• that's administration needs. that's administration needs.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The program needs a thorough evaluation to make sure that we meet the needs of Minnesotans at the same
• We need that readiness for mental health whenever help is needed.
• that need.
• needs.
• We absolutely need it.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Our daughter needed the care she needed. This time she needed more of her.
• Right when you need to protect families, we really need to protect these kids.
• Need to be notified of hearings.
• We need to ensure that anyone who has a child support order needs to abide by it, and sometimes they
• We need to make sure we're getting the resources they need and that folks aren't dodging responsibility

Bills: HF2233, HF1999, HF1995, HF1614, HF2781, HF1775, HF1316, HF2127, HF2521, HF689, HF2380, HF1273

Keywords: Uniform Special Deposits Act, special deposit, banking law, financial institutions, escrow, escrow account, trust account, security deposit, beneficiary, depositor, creditor process, garnishment, attachment, levy, setoff, recoupment, financial market infrastructure, retirement benefits, compensation, earnest money

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, I need my note. Okay. Senator, are you ready for your... Yeah, I need my note. Okay.
• of those who need it.
• dip into that need.
• This is a small dip into that need.
• We need Home Depot to do better.

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on civil rights, housing, public safety, and administrative process. Early items included SB 46, which would authorize the Secretary of State to remove constitutionally ineligible presidential and vice presidential candidates from California ballots; SB 1078, requiring notice to the Civil Rights Department when court filings involve civil rights violations; SB 989, expanding access to Care Court by letting first responders refer cases through county behavioral health agencies; SB 998, clarifying and expanding discrimination prevention coordinators in the new Office of Civil Rights; SB 1146, requiring disclosure for AI-generated health advertisements and giving physicians a limited private right of action; SB 1164, a California Voting Rights Act expansion responding to federal voting-rights rulings; SB 1256, a housing bill aimed at limiting repeated litigation over the Harmony Grove Village South project; SB 1267, addressing HOA liability and indemnification for EV charger installations; and SB 1425, authorizing an encroachment permit program for high-speed rail right-of-way management. The committee also later heard SB 873, restricting ICE arrests near courthouses, and SB 1160, requiring eviction data reporting by zip code. Most bills drew support from sponsors, advocacy groups, labor organizations, or local officials, while opposition centered on concerns about county workload, due process, fire safety, civil liberties, or the scope of the policy changes. Members generally expressed support for the bills while noting unresolved issues and the need for amendments or further stakeholder work, especially on SB 1164, SB 1256, SB 1267, SB 1425, and SB 1160. The Judicial Council opposed SB 1160 because of the burden of adding zip-code reporting to court systems, while the author and supporters argued the data would help target eviction-prevention efforts. SB 873 drew strong support from public defenders, immigrant-rights groups, and court-related stakeholders, with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department opposing. SB 989 drew support from firefighters and family advocates, while Disability Rights California opposed, arguing Care Court is too costly and diverts resources from community-based services. SB 1164 received broad civil-rights and voting-rights support, with cities opposing unless amended over definitions, cure periods, and litigation risk. SB 1256 drew support from housing and labor interests and opposition from local residents and environmental groups concerned about fire safety and evacuation. SB 1267 was supported by the HOA and utility stakeholders after amendments addressing liability concerns. After quorum was established, the committee voted to pass a consent calendar and then approved the listed bills, sending them to the appropriate committees or to Appropriations, including SB 46, SB 873, SB 989, SB 998, SB 1078, SB 1146, SB 1164, SB 1256, SB 1267, and SB 1425. The transcript ends with SB 1160 still under discussion, with members indicating support for the bill’s goals but acknowledging the Judicial Council’s implementation concerns and the need for further work.

Transcript Highlights:

• How long do you need?
• >> No, I think we need to ask I don't want >> No, I think we need to ask I don't want to<
• department of revenues revenue analysis department of revenues revenue analysis goes<00:38:30.560
• <00:46:06.400> rules mentioned, businesses need stable rules mentioned, businesses need stable
• So, we need to reconsider that. So, we need to reconsider that.

Bills: HF3127, HF3816, HF3814, HF3815, HF3817

Keywords: taxation, pass-through entity, qualifying owner, partnership, S corporation, tax return, corporate franchise tax, individual income tax, research expenditures, federal compliance, Minnesota Statutes, income tax, corporate tax, section 179, federal conformity, HF3815, Minnesota taxes, tax conformity, Internal Revenue Code, IRC conformity

Transcript Highlights:

• Every year we conduct an analysis on return on investment, and our most recent analysis that we extract
• Every year we conduct an analysis on return on investment, and our most recent analysis that we extract
• Those are areas of high need. Cybersecurity is an area of high need. Those are areas of high need.
• Cybersecurity is an area of high need.
• Chip manufacturing is also an area of high need.

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:

• I need to be open about that.
• So 2026, OIHA needs to adopt. By 2025, OIHA needs to adopt regulations by 2028.
• do so need to be supported.
• as medical... ...needs.
• We need to fix that.

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee heard a full agenda of bills, first adopting a consent calendar of 11 measures without individual presentations. The committee then took up AB 1412, which would require California schools to implement or adopt a transferred special education student’s IEP within 30 days for out-of-state transfers and to coordinate more quickly on records. The author and military-family witnesses said the bill would reduce delays for highly mobile students, especially military children; a school administrators group opposed it. The bill received initial support from committee members and was moved on call. The committee also reconsidered AB 281, which would require notice to parents when outside consultants provide sex education instruction; the author accepted amendments removing a copy-right provision, but the bill remained on call after a split vote. The committee heard AB 1005, which would create a statewide drowning-prevention education and swim-lesson voucher framework for underserved communities. The author and supporters described drowning as a preventable public health and equity issue, while the bill was clarified as developing a plan rather than immediately launching a voucher program. It was voted out on a 3-0 roll with the measure placed on call. AB 908, as amended, would add compliance monitoring for existing requirements that schools use LGBTQ-inclusive instructional materials and curriculum under the FAIR Act. Supporters said the bill would improve implementation and student safety; opponents raised concerns about privacy, girls’ sports, and school burdens. The committee approved the bill 5-2 and sent it to Appropriations. The committee then heard AB 1401, which would affirm parents’ access to school records, including unofficial records unless exempt by law. The author argued that parents need clearer access to information held by schools and vendors, while school officials and teachers’ union representatives warned the bill was too vague and could sweep in personal notes, journals, and other sensitive material. The bill failed on a 2-3 vote and was placed on call. Finally, AB 727 would require student ID cards to include the Trevor Project hotline for LGBTQ youth; supporters framed it as a suicide-prevention measure, while opponents argued it conflicted with parental rights and religious beliefs. Committee discussion focused on whether 988 already provides similar access and whether the Trevor Project is an appropriate resource to print on IDs; the hearing continued with the bill still under consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, we still need to be teaching...
• Um, but then there's pushback like we need the devices when we need them. We want them available.
• What does the district need? How many personnel do we... district need?
• How many personnel do we need?
• Needed for FTEEs.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So the plans and needs will be different.
• It's on page 4 of the bill analysis.
• I'll be up on today because I really just need more explanation.
• This bill also requires the ACA to conduct data analysis on the bill.
• Because this needs to change.