Transcript Highlights:

• Students have health care mentors, job shadowing, and internships all in walkable proximity to where
• This is absolutely necessary for our STEM-focused academic programs.
• This is absolutely necessary for our STEM-focused academic programs.
• This is absolutely necessary for our STEM-focused academic programs.
• This is absolutely necessary for our STEM-focused academic programs.

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:

• starts them on a process so that when they're college students, we can place them in sponsored internships
• This ranges from the STEM field to the social sciences to language specialists to people who do GEOINT
• This ranges from the STEM field to the social sciences to language specialists to people who do GEOINT
• This ranges from the STEM field to the social sciences to language specialists to people who do GEOINT
• This ranges from the STEM field to the social sciences to language specialists to people who do GEOINT

Committee: House Higher Education

Summary: The House Committee on Higher Education met on March 14, 2025, and heard five University of Hawaii-related bills. SB 741 would create an external audit committee for the UH system and Board of Regents; UH and UHPA opposed it, saying existing internal and external audits already provide robust oversight, and the committee later recommended deferring the bill indefinitely as duplicative. SB 1252 SD2 would create a dementia training program for health care providers; the Alzheimer’s Association and other supporters said broader training is needed across the care workforce, while the university discussed using JABSOM as a coordinator. The committee deferred the bill to March 19 for an HD1 reflecting JABSOM’s suggestions and removing the appropriations/FTE language. SB 1502 SD1 would fund faculty positions, student programs, and facilities at UH Manoa and West Oahu for defense-sector workforce development. UH and Chamber of Commerce Hawaii supported the measure, describing a pipeline for students into intelligence, cybersecurity, and related fields, while one individual opposed it as too closely tied to military contracting and urged investment in other sectors instead. The committee amended the bill to remove FTE references and advanced it; the vote to pass with amendments was adopted, with several members voting aye and some excused. SB 1530 would require performance-based allocation of UH general funds and efficiency reporting. UH and the Attorney General’s office raised concerns, saying the bill’s metrics would apply across the entire general fund budget and were not practical as drafted; the committee also noted opposition from the Budget and Finance Department and individuals. SB 1624 SD1 would restrict RIM funds to renewing, improving, or modernizing existing facilities and require annual reports. UH opposed the bill and explained that RIM is a lump-sum approach used to address deferred maintenance and capital needs, with Board of Regents approval and quarterly reporting already in place; the Attorney General suggested constitutional amendments. The transcript ends during discussion of SB 1624, with no final action shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• We invest in keeping them here, which is why the internship part is so important.
• Compete internship tax credits and English proficiency for nurses, and thank you for being here.
• us wouldn't have the great staff that we have if it wasn't for internships.
• Because I think investing in internships is very important.
• Because I think investing in internships is very important.

Bills: H5386

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies

Keywords: economic development, innovation, investment, housing, small business, global trade, infrastructure

Transcript Highlights:

• As we move on to education and government, which was mentioned, we also need educational teachers, STEM
• we move on to the education and government, which was mentioned, we also need educational teachers, STEM
• Partner across different CBOs and intermediaries like LADC to build that curriculum and internships,
• This isn't about paid training or internships. This is about a career from day one.
• This isn't about pay training or internships. This is about a career from day one.

Summary: The hearing opened the Select Committee on Effective Postsecondary Career, Technical Education, and Workforce Development Programs at Santa Ana College, with Assemblymember Mike Fong emphasizing the need for affordable, accelerated pathways into high-demand careers and noting his bill AB 1098 creating the California Interagency Education Council. Chancellor Marvin Martinez welcomed the committee and urged changes to AB 927 to remove the “duplication” barrier for community college bachelor’s degrees, arguing that applied baccalaureate programs can lead to high-wage jobs and expand access for low- and middle-income students. The first panel focused on statewide workforce trends and policy. California Community Colleges Vice Chancellor Anthony Cordova highlighted credit for prior learning, Strong Workforce funding, dual enrollment, and apprenticeship growth, asking the Legislature to restore and increase Strong Workforce funding and expand applied baccalaureate degrees. LAEDC’s Josep Bilayo described regional labor market data showing growth in health care, education, construction, bioscience, and clean energy, while stressing the need for employer-led, data-driven programs, wraparound supports, and flexible funding. Andrew Gonzalez of the Building and Construction Trades Council argued that registered apprenticeship must be paid, combine classroom and on-the-job training, and end in a portable credential; he also promoted apprenticeship readiness programs, community workforce agreements, and stronger exposure to trades starting in K-12. Eric Morrison Smith of the Alliance for Boys and Men of Color discussed the California Opportunity Youth Apprenticeship Grant Program and related youth apprenticeship recommendations, including bridge programs, intermediary infrastructure, reduced employer barriers, and better coordination of state funding. A later panel highlighted Santa Ana College’s fire technology and firefighting academy programs. President Annabelle Neri and Vice President Jeffrey Lamb said the college is one of the state’s largest fire training providers, with strong partnerships with local fire agencies, law enforcement, and the U.S. Forest Service, and with high job placement and six-figure starting salaries for some graduates. They also described related certificates, advanced officer training, wellness services, and workforce preparation such as mock interviews and sponsorships. Throughout the hearing, members and panelists repeatedly stressed the importance of aligning education with labor market demand, expanding apprenticeships and work-based learning, and using regional collaboration to connect students to living-wage careers.

Transcript Highlights:

• Manufacturing is a STEM field now.
• The question I have is: you talked about Florida's investment in STEM education and workforce education
• With the STEM education, workforce education through the colleges and universities and things like that
• area, I every year ask for money for the schools, specifically for welding classes, CTE training, STEM
• One of the challenges that I see, though, is that a lot of times we see a lot of the STEM kids, as if

Committee: Senate Commerce and Tourism

Summary: The Commerce and Tourism Committee met to hear an overview of its jurisdiction and then focused primarily on Florida manufacturing. Secretary of Commerce Alex Kelly described manufacturing as central to a more resilient, diversified economy, citing the 2023 Florida Manufacturing Report and noting strong growth in manufacturing businesses, jobs, exports, and workforce programs. He emphasized that most Florida manufacturers are small businesses, that the sector is increasingly STEM- and technology-driven, and that the state’s main challenge is workforce aging and the need to retain trained talent. Members also discussed how to better expose students and parents to manufacturing careers, improve startup access to capital, and strengthen regional manufacturing corridors and transportation links. Kevin Carr of FloridaMakes said Florida is on track to become a top-five manufacturing state, but warned that productivity, technology adoption, and workforce shortages remain key issues. He said a proposed manufacturing bill would create a chief manufacturing officer and help address workforce, technology, and market-visibility challenges. Bain Beecher of PGT Innovations described the company’s growth and community role, but highlighted obstacles such as affordable housing, insurance costs, permitting delays, supply-chain disruptions, and limited awareness of manufacturing careers among students and parents. Andrew Kosowski of Veterans Metal focused on small- and medium-sized manufacturers, citing labor shortages, the cost of adopting new technology, regulatory burdens, and cybersecurity compliance as major pressures, and urged support for the draft manufacturing bill. Brian Giuliani of the Port of Tampa Bay outlined the port’s cargo mix, infrastructure investments, and role in moving fuel, construction materials, and manufactured goods, saying the port’s expansion and transloading plans could better connect Florida manufacturers to suppliers and markets. Committee members repeatedly stressed the need to promote manufacturing careers earlier in school, improve public perception of the industry, and reduce barriers to investment. No formal vote was taken during the discussion, but the panelists broadly supported the draft manufacturing legislation and the committee’s focus on manufacturing policy.

Transcript Highlights:

• Unpaid internships or assistantships.
• Opportunities for a highly skilled STEM workforce. Mr.
• This does cater to my STEM heart more than you know—STEM and education.
• , although I wish we could focus entirely on STEM. entirely on STEM all the time.
• Speaker, gentlelady, again my focus is on STEM and education. ...focus is on STEM and education.

Transcript Highlights:

• As one student put it, 'I have either this choice between the internship that is not going to pay me
• We also recommend a statewide internship tax credit to encourage small businesses.
• And so if we have internship programs available to students in fields that...
• Would that fall under the second, the internship programs?
• Yeah, something that a lot of students, and I found, is that a lot of internships are unpaid.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact held an informational hearing in Paramount as part of its “Pocketbook Tour,” focused on affordability, cost pressures, and household impacts in Los Angeles County. The first panel centered on workers and learners, with testimony from the UCLA Labor Center and the Southeast Los Angeles County Workforce Development Board. Speakers described how rising living costs, tuition, and low wages force many students to work long hours, often in unrelated, low-wage jobs, while struggling with food, rent, bills, anxiety, and limited financial aid. Recommendations included expanding state-funded work study, creating a statewide internship tax credit for small businesses, improving financial aid formulas to reflect regional cost of living, increasing flexibility for students, and strengthening worker-rights education and career pathways. The second panel focused on microbusinesses and small business affordability. Testimony from microenterprise advocates, the Los Angeles Regional Small Business Development Center Network, and local business owners described rising commercial rents, labor costs, tariffs, supply chain disruptions, insurance, utilities, and disaster-related pressures as major threats to small businesses. Witnesses emphasized that small businesses are central to local economies and asked the state to expand technical assistance, low-interest financing, disaster support, supply-chain development, and community-based outreach. They also urged more intentional support for microbusinesses and home-based entrepreneurs, including networks that connect them to resources and help them build collective buying power. Committee members asked about possible state actions, including tax credits for hiring local workers or interns, support for trades and apprenticeships, and ways to partner more closely with SBDCs and chambers of commerce. Public comment echoed the hearing themes, with speakers highlighting student hardship, nonprofit mental health funding, renewable energy jobs and internships, and the need for state support for clean-energy incentives. No formal votes were taken; the hearing concluded with closing remarks and adjournment at 11:05 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• And by the way, too, on the job training, internships, apprenticeships also filter out that alignment
• We've been partnering with local universities to create an internship program and hire out of those internship
• And came and did an internship and signed his offer before he left.
• Internships, as well has been a great program for us and our organization.
• What was really exciting this year, we talked about, we had a really good internship class.

Bills: SB174 , SB39 , SB40 , SB206 , SB200 , HB169 , HB345 , HB381 , HB25 , SB174 , SB39 , SB40 , SB206 , SB200 , HB169 , HB345 , HB381 , HB25

Committee: House State Government

Keywords: business taxes, annual reports, Alabama Tax Tribunal, tax appeals, local government, board governance, occupational licensing, Sunset Law, public accountability, training requirements, SB40, Houston/Hunter Act, firearm hold agreement, gun storage, temporary firearm storage, firearms dealer, federal firearms licensee, FFL, civil immunity, gun owner

Transcript Highlights:

• Paul Right Track Youth Internship Program, $500,000; STEM grants, $3 million in fiscal year 2026; Minnesota
• Paul Right Track Youth<00:25:52.159><c> Internship</c><00:25:52.640><c> Program</c> Youth Internship
• Program Youth Internship Program 500,000.<00:25:54.960><c> STEM</c><00:25:55.600><c> grants</c><00:25
• STEM grants 3 million in fiscal 500,000.
• STEM grants 3 million in fiscal year year year 2026.<00:25:58.960><c> Minnesota</c><00:25:59.520><c>

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• STEM is a huge part of Blue's mission and getting to space. Blue has over 10,000 employees.
• We have several internship programs, skill bridge programs, getting veterans back into the workforce
• This is our mission and dedication to STEM.
• training grants, support for regional cluster infrastructure, company-college partnership support, and STEM
• incorporate trending skills into our curriculum, as well as allowed our students to partake in internships

Summary: The committee first held a work session on cryptocurrency kiosks, with the Department of Financial Institutions and Spokane City Council describing how virtual currency kiosks operate, where they are located in Washington, and the rapid growth in transaction volume. DFI said the machines are being used heavily in scams, especially against older and vulnerable consumers, and cited FBI fraud data showing substantial losses. DFI outlined possible consumer protections in pending legislation, including stronger disclosures, a $1,000 daily transaction limit, and a fee cap. Spokane City Council described its unanimous ordinance banning new kiosks and requiring removal of existing ones, citing local scam reports and the difficulty of recovering funds once they are sent through crypto wallets. Committee members asked about how the machines are used, whether the hardware itself is vulnerable, and whether stronger warnings or screening requirements could help. The committee then reviewed home equity sharing agreements, or CHISAs/HESAs, following a legislative report. The report’s author said these products provide homeowners a lump sum in exchange for a share of future home value or appreciation, with no monthly payments, but can be difficult for consumers to understand and can produce highly variable settlement costs. The report found the market has grown quickly in Washington, that many consumers using the products had financial hardship, and that many did not fully understand how settlement amounts were calculated. DFI said it views the products as mortgage-like and is moving forward with rulemaking, including counseling and clearer disclosures. Industry representatives said the products are equity-based rather than debt-based, support access to home equity for people who may not qualify for traditional loans, and said they are working with DFI on standardized disclosures, counseling, and annual settlement estimates. Senators raised concerns about consumer understanding, cost caps, and whether the products should be treated as mortgages under state law. In the final work session, the committee heard an overview of Washington’s space economy from Amazon Leo, Blue Origin, Stoke Space, Space Northwest, and Green River College. Speakers highlighted major investments in Washington facilities, manufacturing, testing, and workforce training, and described the state as a hub for aerospace and satellite activity. They emphasized job creation, supply-chain spending, and education partnerships, including technician certification and apprenticeship-style programs. Several speakers urged the legislature to expand tax incentives to include space companies, support grants and workforce programs, and consider a state space commission or similar long-term coordination effort. The committee thanked the presenters and noted time constraints before ending the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• One of them is going to be on a STEM topic.
• Students that graduate from our AS are required to finish, to have an internship, which helps in transition
• Many of them, I would say above 95% of them, remain with the employer after they finish their internship
• They do so through hiring students, offering internships and job sharing, guest lecturing in classrooms
• Like our sister institutions, our career services offer internships, apprenticeships, resume and interview

Summary: The Careers and Workforce Subcommittee heard a panel discussion focused on how Florida schools and colleges are exposing students to in-demand careers in manufacturing, semiconductors, transportation, and related fields, and how they are building pathways from middle school through postsecondary training. Panelists from Seminole County Public Schools, Lake Technical College/Lake County Schools, and St. Petersburg College described their career academies, dual enrollment options, industry certifications, and partnerships with employers, local governments, and state colleges. They emphasized early career awareness, counseling, and parent outreach as key to helping students understand technical education as a viable and prestigious path. Seminole County highlighted 51 career and professional education academies and new offerings in agricultural biotechnology, global finance, firefighting, and planned aerospace engineering. Lake County described Lake Technical College’s programs, strong completion and placement outcomes, and three partnerships: a flexible-day high school/workforce model at Lincoln Park Education Center, the Lake Works pathway collaboration with Lake Sumter State College, and a Transportation Innovation Hub with the City of Tavares that trains students on municipal vehicles and serves multiple local governments. St. Petersburg College discussed its manufacturing and engineering technology programs, including semiconductor processing, mechatronics, soldering, and clean-room training, along with new grant-funded expansion at its Midtown campus. Members asked about wages, the semiconductor workforce, how to change perceptions of technical education, how parents are engaged, and how Bright Futures CAPE and Gold Seal scholarships are communicated. Witnesses said school counselors, CTE teachers, parent nights, and district communications are used to promote these options, and that many students can earn strong wages through short-term certifications or two-year degrees. Lake Technical College also raised concerns about workforce funding not keeping pace with teacher pay increases and inflation, noting that funding covers only about 80% of what it earns and tuition has remained unchanged for 18 years. The meeting ended with members praising the programs, and the subcommittee adjourned without any vote or formal action beyond rising and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Duluth campus offers a comprehensive university experience with a strong focus on professional and STEM-based
• Morris is ideal for students who thrive in discussion-based coursework and hands-on learning. stem-based
• programs such as engineering stem-based programs such as engineering environmental<00:04:47.479><c>
• Our campuses connect students with internships, networking, and civic engagement opportunities that enrich
• </c><01:19:57.360><c> as</c> Center or pursue of U ofm internships as Center or pursue of U ofm internships

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:

• This is Thomas's second internship in the Florida Senate, as he previously served in Mr.
• cells may be used in stem cell therapy.
• It prohibits a physician from performing stem cell therapies with stem cells obtained from a facility
• All the bill does is let physicians treat patients with stem cell therapies that are not approved by
• The bill concerns only stem cell therapy not approved by the FDA. Thank you for the question.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of member introductions recognizing interns, pages, and a retiring Senate employee. Leadership also announced that budget talks with the House were continuing and that senators should not plan to be in next week, with hopes of sharing more budget news soon. The chamber then moved to third reading and took up a major bill on citizen initiatives and constitutional amendments, with sponsors saying it was needed to address documented petition fraud and to protect the integrity of the process. That bill drew extensive debate. Supporters argued that recent investigations showed widespread fraud in petition gathering, that the measure would add reasonable guardrails, and that it would prevent taxpayer-funded government messaging from being used to influence ballot measures. Opponents said the bill would make it much harder for ordinary Floridians to place amendments on the ballot by adding costs, deadlines, registration requirements, fines, and felony exposure, and they warned it would chill grassroots participation and effectively favor wealthy or corporate-backed campaigns. After debate, the Senate passed the bill 28-10. The Senate then adopted several House amendments and concurred on a series of education and public-safety measures, including bills on stem cell therapy, student-athlete electrocardiograms, cardiac emergency planning in schools, school safety, Bright Futures and other education policy items, and educator preparation. Most of those measures passed unanimously or with overwhelming support, and the chamber also recognized additional interns and a long-serving education advocate before recessing and returning to continue with House messages.

Transcript Highlights:

• We focused on those graduate profile skills and began paid internships in 2023.
• Our PLTW STEM-aligned electives at middle school, and then, of course, our high school career, excuse
• We have work-based learning, which includes student internships. Here's our growth.
• And again, those are paid internships for those students.
• Referred to that they are paid in the internship. Mr. Chairman, Representative, it's $12 an hour.

Transcript Highlights:

• My support for SB37 stems mainly from... ...the frustrations I've experienced while taking needless required
• As a college student with very little capital and little to no income other than my summer internships
• But something I've observed about STEM students is that sometimes they're a little bit rigid and they
• and sexuality, all of which are topics relevant to teaching in the humanities. and the sciences and STEM
• I have gained great scientific literacy through STEM and have developed reading and writing comprehension

Bills: SB 37

Committee: House Higher Education

Keywords: fetal development, education, public health curriculum, middle school, age-appropriate instruction

Transcript Highlights:

• Paul Right Track Youth Internship Program, $500,000; Minnesota STEM Ecosystem, $2.3 million; Minnesota
• Paul Right Track Youth Internship<00:20:04.880><c> Program</c> Internship Program Internship Program
• 500,000<00:20:07.039><c> Minnesota</c><00:20:07.600><c> STEM</c><00:20:08.000><c> Ecosystem</c><00:20
• :08.880><c> 2.3</c> 500,000 Minnesota STEM Ecosystem 2.3 500,000 Minnesota STEM Ecosystem 2.3 million
• On line 222, there is an appropriation of $896,000 each biennium to the Minnesota STEM ecosystem and

Transcript Highlights:

• We also developed an interprofessional course because this also stemmed from the FSPSF longitudinal study
• We also developed an interprofessional course because this also stemmed from the FSPSF longitudinal study
• This also stemmed from the FSPSF longitudinal study that only about 20% of workers were coming in from
• gain valuable civilian work experience through specific industry training, apprenticeships, or internships
• opportunity to access and leverage the world's most highly trained and motivated workforce through this internship

Committee: Senate Children, Families, and Elder Affairs

Summary: The committee heard three presentations focused on child welfare workforce development and the needs of children in Florida’s dependency system. First, the Florida Institute for Child Welfare described its Grow Center and related initiatives, including academic curriculum enhancements, simulations, virtual reality training, coaching, on-demand learning, advanced certifications, and the planned Tallahassee learning lab opening in January 2026. Members asked about conflict resolution, domestic violence, addiction, and microcredentials; the presenter said the institute is expanding training in those areas and is working with DCF to align advanced certifications with the department’s career ladder. The Department of Children and Families then presented on the Continue the Mission initiative, which recruits veterans, military spouses, and former law enforcement officers into CPI, API, and case management roles. DCF said it has held more than 240 hiring events and hired 372 such workers since launch, while also improving recruitment and retention through higher starting pay, streamlined hiring, rebranding, wellness supports, and enhanced pre-service training. Senators asked about PTSD concerns, staffing levels, caseloads, hotline vacancies, and salaries; DCF said it had not seen direct PTSD issues from the hiring effort and provided figures including a $50,000 starting salary for CPIs, $37,000 for APIs, and average caseloads of 12 to 15 investigations for CPIs and about 10 for APIs. Finally, DCF discussed the increased acuity of children in the dependency system, explaining that fewer children are entering care overall but those who do often have more complex behavioral, mental health, developmental, or medical needs. The department highlighted a new Behavioral Qualified Residential Treatment Program (BQRTP) designed for youth who need more intensive support than traditional foster or group home settings but do not require inpatient psychiatric treatment; one facility is licensed with 12 of 14 beds filled, and DCF said it is seeking funding for placement for 230 youth total. Members pressed for details on licensure timelines, standards, funding, and the handling of crossover youth and lockouts, and DCF said it uses braided funding and works with DJJ, APD, and lead agencies through local and state review teams. A representative of the Florida Coalition for Children also testified, saying the issue is complex and multi-year, and that the coalition is working on possible legislative and programmatic solutions. The committee took no formal votes and adjourned after the presentations and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• STEM education. I want to thank the legislature for support for.
• New STEM use specialist for our 4-H program and then as we mentioned earlier, artificial intelligence
• tools, STEM education through agriculture.
• Um, yes, we, we have STEM education really tied into a lot of our base programs with 4H.
• We are in the process of hiring a new STEM specialist in our state 4H department.

Transcript Highlights:

• And in three years, with internships, which are so important, that experiential learning, and all of
• That includes integrating career-connected learning opportunities. such as internships, apprenticeships
• And the gap stems from complexity. unclear outcomes and quite frankly right now a lot of poor timing.
• Patel ask the next question, but I want to highlight also internships, right?
• We all as student leaders did internships, so I want to echo that to anyone in the audience and watching

Committee: House Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact