Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, four of our sergeants are participating in an eight-month training program, three days per month
• The variety of programs provided has never been greater, from cognitive behavioral treatment to job training
• , entrepreneurship, job employment training, yoga and mindfulness practices, arts and music programs,
• And a lot of those vocational training programs are shut down. They don't have the funding.
• So the vocational training programs that they have there are not up to date.

Summary: The hearing focused first on sexual abuse, harassment, and retaliation in California’s women’s prisons, with testimony from CDCR wardens, the Office of Inspector General, advocacy groups, and formerly incarcerated survivors. Legislators and witnesses described a pattern of staff misconduct, fear of retaliation, gaps in reporting, and the need for stronger accountability, better investigations, and more outside access for survivor support organizations. CDCR said it has expanded training, body-worn and stationary cameras, outside partnerships, and PREA-related response procedures, while the Inspector General requested additional funding and staff to monitor more grievances and staff sexual misconduct cases under SB 1069. Members pressed CDCR on why accused staff are not always placed on leave, how cases are referred to prosecutors, and whether current protections are enough; several members argued the state should aim to investigate all complaints and do more to prevent retaliation and repeat abuse. The second issue was rehabilitative and reentry programming in women’s prisons. CDCR’s Division of Rehabilitative Programs and the wardens highlighted education, vocational training, substance use treatment, peer support, and community reentry programs, citing increased enrollment and recent graduates earning diplomas, degrees, and certifications. They said these programs are intended to reduce recidivism and improve public safety. Formerly incarcerated advocates and community providers argued that current offerings are still too limited, outdated, and not aligned with today’s job market, especially around digital literacy and transferable credentials, and they urged more funding for community-based, trauma-informed, gender-responsive programming. A coalition representative asked for a $20 million continuation and expansion of the Wright Grant program, and members discussed additional budget requests for reentry and related women’s services.

Transcript Highlights:

• THE OCCUPATION OR TRAINING PROGRAM IS CONNECTED TO AN OCCUPATION AND AS WAGE THRESHOLDS.
• WHAT YOU WILL SEE IS THAT WE ARE LAUNCHING INNOVATIVE TRAINING PROGRAMS.
• AND ADVANCED MANUFACTURING AND INTRODUCE A NEW PROGRAM IN SEMICONDUCTOR TRAINING.
• WHILE THESE PROGRAMS DO OFFER INVALUABLE TRAINING AND OPPORTUNITY TO RECOGNIZE THE COST OF EDUCATION
• ADDITIONAL STAFF MEMBERS AND PROVIDE ESSENTIAL RESOURCES AND TRAINING FOR MULTIPLE PROGRAMS.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The training itself is some phenomenal training.
• Or lack of training.
• Uh, when I went, for example, when I was trained at UNM in one of the first residency programs, we had
• In your programs, do you have a program to train CTE teachers on the pedagogy of teaching their trade
• If we have fully trained teachers, those programs drop off, but if you could very briefly one minute

Transcript Highlights:

• care training programs include Jessica Phillips with TTAF, Dr.
• There are a number of training programs in place.
• There has been discussion about education and training programs, and we agree that specialized training
• training programs.
• programs, where we are training them matters.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is really the primary program that is educating and training mental health practitioners who have
• We need to be educated and trained in that community, and so our distance education programs allow that
• and expand education and training around substance use disorder and opioid use disorder in our program
• There are programs that train people, nurses, to do that, and it's an acute care. nurse practitioner
• and the programs that are under the clinical training sites and things like that.

Transcript Highlights:

• to provide training and credentialing for literacy coaches and to establish a math coaches program.
• to provide training and credentialing for literacy coaches and to establish a math coaches program.
• and the $150 million in one-time funding for the kitchen infrastructure and training program.
• Program, or Kit.
• Program or Kit.

Summary: The committee heard a series of budget proposals focused on education finance, with repeated questions about whether the state’s investments are coordinated, targeted to the highest-need students, and likely to produce measurable results. On the first item, the administration proposed $1 million for a study of California’s curriculum framework, standards, and instructional materials process, plus $250,000 for supplemental ELA/ELD guidance. CDE and Finance said the study would examine how other states organize standards, frameworks, and adoptions, while the chair and members questioned why California has gone so long without updating some standards, what the study would actually accomplish, and whether the proposal was too vague to justify the cost. The issue was held open. The committee then took up a proposed $25 million statewide literacy network within the system of support. CCEE and CDE said the network would coordinate multiple existing literacy leads, create a clearinghouse of evidence-based resources, and improve coherence across the state’s many literacy initiatives. Members pressed on how a one-time, five-year allocation could support a long-term system, how the work would reach distressed and rural districts, and whether the proposal would translate into classroom change rather than just another layer of coordination. The issue was also held open. Next, the committee reviewed a $500 million proposal to expand literacy coaches and reading specialists and to create a math coaches program. CDE described the existing literacy coach cohorts as producing positive reports from participating LEAs, while the LAO recommended modifications, especially for the math coach portion, including limiting eligibility to elementary schools, setting minimum grant amounts, directing funds to eligible school sites, and making eligibility automatic rather than application-based. Members focused on whether coaches were actually being placed at the schools with the greatest need and whether the state has a coherent long-term strategy for literacy and math investments. The committee also heard a $40 million proposal for training and implementation of K-2 reading difficulty screeners, which the LAO said was reasonable but could be reduced because $25 million had already been provided for training; CDE said the new funds were needed for full implementation, procurement, and sustainability. Finally, the committee heard a $10 million proposal for a developmentally appropriate TK multilingual learner screener, with CDE explaining why the preschool language-identification process is different from K-12 EL assessment and the chair asking staff to explore whether a single, more consistent approach could be developed. The meeting concluded with a presentation on universal school meals and kitchen infrastructure, including a $31.5 million backfill, an $84.1 million increase for projected meal growth, a COLA adjustment, and $150 million for kitchen upgrades and training to support freshly prepared meals.

Transcript Highlights:

• These are clock our programs that again trained for specific occupation.
• individuals offering various programs for training in occupations.
• , you know, occupations and then designing a training program to meet that.
• How do we design a training program to make that happen? Thank you.
• That does amazing training for at-risk kids and they are they do whole welding program.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So there are really good training programs out there around the world.
• So there are really good training programs out there around the world.
• So there are really good training programs out there around the world.
• So there are really good training programs out there around the world.
• There are really good training programs out there around the world.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 173 from Senator David Givens, which would create a legislative review process for the state health plan and state plan amendments, modeled after the administrative regulations process. Givens argued the legislature should have a stronger policy role in reviewing the plan, saying the bill would allow lawmakers to find components deficient rather than approve them outright. He tied the proposal to Medicaid spending growth and projected enrollment changes, saying the state needs a new oversight tool. Committee members generally supported the concept, though Senator Berg expressed concern that the legislature lacks the executive branch’s healthcare expertise. The bill was reported favorably on a unanimous roll call vote. The committee then took up Senate Bill 137, sponsored by Chairman Meredith, which would create a pathway for certain internationally trained physicians to practice in Kentucky without repeating residency in the United States. Supporters said the bill is aimed at addressing Kentucky’s physician shortage, especially in rural areas, and cited projections of a statewide shortage of about 3,000 physicians by 2030 and a shortage of primary care doctors in particular. Testimony from Cicero Action and Baptist Health emphasized that many foreign-trained physicians are already fully trained, that residency slots are limited, and that the bill could help fill shortages in underserved counties while preserving quality through existing exams, ECFMG certification, English proficiency requirements, primary source verification, and mentoring/oversight. Several members raised questions and concerns. Senator Berg asked about verification, required exams, and oversight, and Senator Tishner raised concerns about fraudulent credentials in some countries and whether the bill could admit underqualified physicians. Witnesses responded that applicants would still have to pass the same exams, obtain ECFMG certification, and undergo primary-source credentialing and employer oversight. Supporters also argued the bill would not displace U.S.-trained physicians because it would use otherwise limited residency capacity more efficiently. After discussion, the committee adopted the bill and reported it favorably by unanimous vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• These are clock hour programs that, again, train for a specific occupation.
• individuals, offering various programs for training and occupations.
• occupations and then design a training program to meet that.
• How do we design the training program to make that happen? Thank you. Bye.
• a new program in advanced manufacturing and another program in semiconductor training.

Summary: The Education Postsecondary Committee met to hear an overview of Florida career and technical education (CTE) from Chancellor Kevin O’Farrell and presentations from Big Bend Technical College and Santa Fe College. O’Farrell described Florida’s CTE structure, including career clusters, postsecondary program types, enrollment and completion growth, apprenticeship expansion, and the state’s credentials review process. He said postsecondary CTE enrollment is near 480,000 students and completions reached a record 76,806, with strong growth in nursing, law enforcement, EMT, and other public-safety credentials. He also discussed the CTE audit, which uses retention/success, employment or continued education, and labor-market demand metrics; programs not meeting thresholds would eventually require phase-out plans beginning in 2026. He highlighted the workforce development capitalization grant as a major driver of program expansion and facility renovation, and answered questions about business outreach, construction trades, apprenticeships, and space-industry training. Shelby McCall of Big Bend Technical College described how the college responded to hurricanes, mill closures, and regional economic disruption by expanding rural workforce training. She highlighted aluminum welding, millwright, welding technology, health sciences, and a new advanced manufacturing facility funded by state grants and local partnerships, along with a new LPN-to-RN bridge program. She said the college has strong placement and certification results and is working with employers such as Lippert, NAMO, and others to align training with local demand. Senator Simon praised the college’s role in Taylor County’s recovery and workforce development. Dr. Paul Brody of Santa Fe College said state workforce grants have helped the college expand nursing, skilled trades, apprenticeship, automotive, diesel, and manufacturing programs, including partnerships with Bradford County Technical College, UF Health, Habitat for Humanity, and local employers. He reported growth in CTE enrollment, nursing credentials, apprenticeship enrollment, and job placement rates, and described new efforts in semiconductor training, CDL training, and a charter school model that combines high school, an AS degree, and industry credentials. The committee took no formal action beyond hearing the presentations and adjourned after Senator Berman moved to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• BSC is just not a workforce program; it's a pathway to lifelong careers in the skilled trades, with training
• I went through the program, the online portion, and moved on to the four-week training at the Local 49
• But that program, I think there's a grant program, Women in Nontraditional Occupations, and other programs
• At that point, they also had done a pre-job training. It was 12 weeks at that time. Great program.
• They also had done a pre-job training. It was 12 weeks at that time. Great program.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Skills Partnership Program only funds Skills Partnership Program only funds training.<00:27:34.080>
• <00:37:34.160> now<00:37:34.320> a training program, I'm still even now a training
• This is where that training program.
• as of today, the federal job program as of today, the federal job training<00:52:26.720> program<
• program has not been cut uh to training program has not been cut uh to Minnesota.<00:52:29.680> So

Bills: HF2440

Keywords: labor market, employment, economic development, funding, data analysis, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• JUST TO SHARE WITH YOU BRIEFLY LAST YEAR WE DID SEVERAL OF THE PROGRAMS FROM OTHER PROGRAMS INCLUDING
• WE DID THE TRAINING TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE WAS TRAINED AND OUTREACH FOR THE COMMUNITY TO DO SO.
• WE ARE THANKFUL FOR THIS PROGRAM. IT'S AN INTENSIVE PROGRAM THAT CHANCE PROVIDES.
• BY PROVIDING HANDS-ON TRAINING AND REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE PROGRAM HELPS PREPARE THEM FOR SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION
• THIS DEMAND HIGHLIGHTS THE PROGRAMS VALUE IN PROVIDING STRUCTURED WORKFORCE TRAINING REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCES

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to provide training and credentialing for literacy coaches and to establish a math coaches program.
• Breakfast programs.
• the kitchen infrastructure and training program.
• The KID program is critical to the success of the School Meals for All program.
• Program, or KIT.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is for the broadband grants as well as adult career training programs.
• Paul's youth employment and training program.
• Uh I'm employment and training program.
• <00:59:57.599> programs youth internship and training programs youth internship and training
• Paul’s Right Youth Employment and Training Program.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and related Office of Inspector General programs; from the Department of Education, programs from the
• We do have a new program.
• We do have a new program.
• they may be trained.
• through the training them to be trained through the training academy<01:04:14.799> or<01:04:14.960

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• of support to employers to develop their own employment-based dual training programs.
• I oversee the Dual Training Grant, which is a complement to the DLI Pipeline Program.
• of support to employers to develop their own employment-based dual training programs.
• It's a source of support to employers to develop their own employment-based dual training programs.
• training program that only costs training program that only costs $2,000<00:53:34.559> the

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• , cybersecurity trained graduates, ...able to leverage the production of cyber-trained, cybersecurity-trained
• this training.
• That's where our program leaders of established programs and one other important critical program staff
• describe and provide, and programs that the university, That programs describe and provide, and programs
• I would just like to say, just to what you're doing with the training of the workforce and the Grow program

Summary: The committee held its first meeting of the session and received an overview of the Higher Education Appropriations budget from staff director Tim Elwell. He explained the committee’s broad jurisdiction over universities, state colleges, district workforce programs, vocational rehabilitation, blind services, student financial aid, private colleges, and the Board of Governors, and reviewed key budget concepts such as local funds, funds per FTE, performance funding, and the distinction between the total appropriation and the recurring base budget. He noted that higher education is funded largely through state and local sources, with substantial flexibility compared with other state budgets, and that the base budget is heavily weighted toward lump-sum allocations to the public systems. The committee then heard a presentation from the University of South Florida’s Florida Center for Cybersecurity (Cyber Florida), led by retired Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie and USF representative Mark Walsh. They described Cyber Florida as a statewide cybersecurity platform created by the Legislature in 2014 to support education, research, workforce development, public policy, and community engagement. McKenzie emphasized the growing cyber threat environment, Florida’s leadership role, and several funded initiatives, including K-12 outreach, workforce training, a cyber range for county governments, critical infrastructure assessments, grant development, and public conferences and outreach. Members asked about public cyber awareness, the lack of a national cyber defense strategy, school district participation in Cyber Launch, and which counties are most at risk; McKenzie said smaller counties with limited cybersecurity staffing are generally more vulnerable and offered to provide follow-up information. Finally, the committee heard from the Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities at the University of Central Florida, led by Dr. Drew Andrews, along with program and parent representatives from participating institutions. Andrews explained the center’s role in coordinating Florida’s postsecondary comprehensive transition programs for students with intellectual disabilities, supporting program development, distributing grants and scholarships, and monitoring outcomes. He reported that the state now has 33 approved programs at 35 institutions, including universities, state colleges, and technical colleges, and that scholarship and grant funding has grown significantly. He said student retention is about 88 percent, many graduates are employed, and median hourly earnings have increased over time. A representative from Southeastern University described how the center’s support helped build and sustain SEU Link, including a new third-year employment-focused option for students.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we also looked at access to rehabilitative programs and found that the specific programs available
• The programs DCYF offers include mental and behavioral health treatment, education, vocational training
• The programs DCYF offers include mental and behavioral health treatment, education, vocational training
• , and staff training.
• Yeah, I can speak to the training. Yeah, I can speak to the training piece.

Summary: The committee met on July 15, 2026, but initially lacked a quorum, so it could not adopt prior minutes. Chair Jerry Pollett welcomed new member Senator Victoria Hunt and new JLARC staff, and noted national recognition for recent JLARC reports. The meeting then moved into a series of preliminary audit presentations and an agency strategic management update, with committee members asking questions after each item. JLARC presented a preliminary audit of DCYF’s Juvenile Rehabilitation programs. Staff concluded that crowding, staffing shortages, weak risk assessments, and inconsistent programming combine to create unsafe conditions. The report found that most youth are housed in two large secure facilities operating near or above capacity, incidents rise as population rises, 47% of frontline staff leave within a year, current assessment tools are not valid for the population, and program access depends more on facility than individual need. JLARC made one recommendation to the legislature to address crowding and seven to DCYF, including improving retention, training, incident response procedures, validated assessments, program alignment, and data quality. DCYF Secretary Ross Hunter said the agency agreed overcrowding is a serious problem, described ongoing efforts to improve staffing and safety, and said a detailed response would be provided later. Committee members raised concerns about education access, retaliation against staff or youth who participated in the audit, and whether JR-25 has helped or worsened conditions. JLARC then presented a preliminary audit of Labor and Industries’ enforcement of farm worker labor laws. The audit found that L&I generally meets inspection timelines for health and safety complaints, but not for wage and hour or retaliation complaints, where delays are driven largely by time before assignment to an investigator. Staff said complaint volume exceeds capacity, though the agency has added staff, created screening processes, and reorganized workloads, and 2026 legislation now allows prioritization of complaints and broader investigations. JLARC recommended that L&I report back in December 2026 and December 2027 on backlog reduction and implementation of the new law. An L&I representative said the agency is hiring additional staff and will provide a formal response later. The committee also received a JLARC overview and Department of Health strategic management plan update on hospital data reporting, inspections, complaints, and adverse event reporting. DOH reported measurable progress on inspection compliance, new staffing and licensing systems, translated complaint forms, and plans for future work on language access, adverse event reporting, and financial data dashboards. After lunch, JLARC began its 2026 tax preference performance reviews. The first review covered the Main Street tax credit, which JLARC said has helped increase the number of Main Street communities and businesses, with positive growth near designated districts; JLARC recommended continuing the preference and improving business-count data. The second review covered the equitable access to credit program, which JLARC said appears to support underserved communities by funding loans through CDFIs; JLARC recommended continuing the preference beyond its 2027 expiration. The committee began questions on the program mechanics and the role of the Community Reinvestment Act, and the presentation was still underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, we had a program where students, parents were in the program and did a seven-week training all
• We're adding a program in semiconductor training. We're adding a program in advanced manufacturing.
• Our programs are anywhere from 144 to 220 hours, as well as on-the-job training... ...as well as on-the-job
• Our roofing program is two. Our lineman program is three, and all our other programs are four.
• The Open Door funding enabled us to train 61 individuals in the CDL program, and that resulted in 100%

Summary: The Careers and Workforce Subcommittee met to discuss apprenticeship education and workforce development, with panelists from Santa Fe College, the Florida Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors Association, ABC East Coast/ABC Institute, and Piper Fire Protection. Members heard that apprenticeships are growing in Florida, with panelists emphasizing that these programs offer paid, tuition-free training, progressive wage increases, and strong job placement in high-demand fields such as HVAC, electrical, fire protection, and construction. Panelists also described efforts to expand into new areas like accounting, cybersecurity, network infrastructure, and surgical technology, while stressing the importance of aligning programs with employer demand. A major topic was funding and reimbursement. Panelists said the current model is complicated and often leaves providers with only a portion of the funds appropriated for apprentices, with one provider saying reimbursement can be as low as 44% and others describing caps, contract delays, and inconsistent CareerSource support. They argued that more of the money should reach training providers, that small businesses need more support to participate, and that transparency and contract reform could help expand enrollment and improve program quality. Several also raised barriers such as instructor approval rules, paperwork, and facility costs. Members asked about admission criteria, program costs, employer incentives, outreach to high school students, and whether apprenticeships should have greater access to other funding sources. Panelists said the main requirements are being employed and willing to work and learn, and that outreach through schools, career fairs, community partnerships, and public awareness campaigns is essential. They also discussed articulation agreements that can provide college credit for apprenticeship training and suggested statewide credit recognition and possible direct funding to providers as policy improvements. No votes were taken, and the meeting ended with the subcommittee adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, so primarily what we're doing with this program is pulling the asbestos out of the program, is
• and Training.
• Do you guys have any interaction as far as training and training standards, or can you do anything with
• that program in the last three years. probably haven't had anybody through that program in the last
• That's a good program. Thank you. Remember? That's a good program. Thank you.

Summary: The committee first reviewed the Division of Environmental Quality’s asbestos abatement program. DEQ officials explained that the program licenses asbestos-related workers and businesses, including contractors, workers, inspectors, planners/designers, consultants, air monitors, and training providers, under federal and state requirements. Members asked about asbestos use today, grant funding for removal, inspections funded by fees and fines, complaint handling, enforcement authority, and health risks. DEQ said some asbestos-containing products are still manufactured, grants have not been issued in over six years due to funding constraints, inspectors investigate complaints and can issue civil penalties or other enforcement actions, and exposure can cause asbestosis and mesothelioma. The report was accepted without objection. The committee then heard from the Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training. Officials described the agency’s standards and training divisions, three basic academies, advanced training, and jail standards training. Members asked about recruitment, academy capacity, training costs, and curriculum changes. The commission said recruitment and retention are improving, basic academy enrollment is around 700 per year with capacity for about 725 to 750, training costs counties nothing because the state funds it, and basic training is being expanded from 528 hours to 705 hours with more practical instruction based on input from chiefs and sheriffs. Questions also covered detention officer training, school resource officer training, and whether other agencies are subject to the same standards. Officials said detention officers receive separate training, school resource officers have standalone training approved by the commission, and other law enforcement divisions such as the Department of Agriculture are held to the same standards. They also noted a Veterans to Law Enforcement program that allows eligible veterans to attend the academy without first being hired by an agency, with GI Bill support. The report was accepted without objection, and the meeting adjourned after no further business.