Video & Transcript : 'homeschool exclusion' :
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OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Mar 24th, 2026 at 09:30 am
Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting
Bills:
SJR47, SB1491, SB1579, SB1806, SB1552, SB483, SB63, SB137, SB346, SB514, SB1344, SB1360, SB1380, SB1437, SB1189, SB1217, SB1221, SB1262, SB1272, SB1325, SB1339, SB201
Keywords:
voter ID, elections, constitutional amendment, Oklahoma, proof of identity, presidential electors, vacancies, oath of office, political party, property tax, valuation increase, taxpayer rights, homestead, protest process, foster care, adoption assistance, transitioning youth, Department of Human Services, voluntary services, county home rule charter
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Mar 24th, 2026
Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And I just read through this again, and I didn't see anything: is this program for the exclusive use
- Would the author be amenable to an amendment to make this exclusively for legally present individuals
Bills:
SJR47, SB1491, SB1579, SB1806, SB1552, SB483, SB63, SB137, SB346, SB514, SB1344, SB1360, SB1380, SB1437, SB1189, SB1217, SB1221, SB1262, SB1272, SB1325, SB1339, SB201
Keywords:
voter ID, elections, constitutional amendment, Oklahoma, proof of identity, presidential electors, vacancies, oath of office, political party, property tax, valuation increase, taxpayer rights, homestead, protest process, foster care, adoption assistance, transitioning youth, Department of Human Services, voluntary services, county home rule charter
Summary:
The Senate began with a quorum call, a ceremonial recognition of two Elgin High School students, Clayton Raoul and Leon Anderson, and bus driver Kevin McDonald for their heroic actions during a March 2 bus crash. A citation was read honoring their selfless efforts to evacuate injured students and assist first responders. The chamber also introduced several student pages and recognized visiting groups in the gallery, including Impact Oklahoma and the Ardmore Leadership Group.
The Senate then considered several bills. Senate Bill 1491, requiring appointed presidential electors to take the same oath as other electors, advanced and passed. Senate Bill 1579, which requires assessors to mail taxpayers a statement of rights when property valuations increase, also advanced and passed unanimously. Senate Bill 1806, extending foster care eligibility to age 21 for those who opt in and meet program requirements, drew supportive debate about helping youth transition to adulthood; it advanced and passed as an emergency measure.
A lengthy debate followed on Senate Bill 1552, which would allow certain large counties to pursue home rule charters through a voter-approved process. Supporters argued it would give populous counties more flexibility and local control, while opponents raised concerns about unequal treatment, population-based governance, rural representation, and possible constitutional issues. The bill advanced and then passed 26-18. Senate Bill 483, authorizing county-run relocation assistance programs funded by private donations for voluntarily relocating individuals, especially homeless persons, also prompted extensive questions about liability, trafficking concerns, accountability, and whether it could shift people between jurisdictions; it advanced and passed 39-6. Finally, Senate Bill 63, raising school board member stipends from $25 to $190 per meeting under permissive language, advanced over concerns about cost and then moved to final passage, with debate beginning at the end of the transcript.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Election Laws Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Election Laws
Transcript Highlights:
- Social exclusion is a key cause of reoffending. Thank you.
- Social exclusion is a key cause of reoffending.
- It is an important and powerful corrective to centuries of exclusion and suppression.
- Homeschooled or, I've graduated, to work similar hours. And why are they doing it?
- And I want to echo what my colleague, Humza, said, that this exclusion of people who are convicted of
Summary:
The committee heard extensive testimony on S. 7 and H. 63, proposed constitutional amendments to restore voting rights to people incarcerated for felony convictions. Sponsors Rep. Erica Iderhoven and Sen. Liz Miranda argued that Massachusetts should reverse the 2000 disenfranchisement change, describing it as a recent and racially discriminatory policy that excludes thousands of residents—disproportionately Black and Latino—from civic participation. They said the amendment would put the question before voters, likely in 2028, and noted that implementation details such as domicile and where incarcerated people would register to vote would be handled separately through legislation and existing jail-based voting work.
A large number of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people testified in support, many speaking remotely from MCI Norfolk, MCI Shirley, and MCI Framingham. They said voting would affirm dignity, accountability, rehabilitation, and connection to community, and several described civic education programs inside the facilities that had helped them engage with public policy. Witnesses repeatedly characterized disenfranchisement as “civil death,” linked it to racial injustice and the legacy of slavery, and urged the committee to advance the bills favorably. A few speakers also addressed practical questions about voting location and domicile, with sponsors saying those issues are not specified in the constitutional amendment and would be worked out later.
Committee members asked several questions, including whether incarcerated people would vote in the community where they were incarcerated or where they previously lived, and whether future legislation could include carve-outs based on offense type or time served. Testifiers and sponsors generally said the amendment itself does not decide those implementation questions, and some said they would oppose carve-outs. One member raised a broader moral objection about allowing people convicted of serious crimes to vote; supporters responded that punishment should not erase democratic rights and that voting can support rehabilitation and reentry. No vote or final committee action was taken during the transcript provided.
The hearing also briefly included testimony on a separate matter, S. 521, a proposed ratification of the federal Child Labor Amendment. Witnesses supporting that measure warned against renewed child labor rollbacks in other states and argued Massachusetts should reaffirm protections for children and education. That portion of the hearing was separate from the voting-rights discussion.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-05-29 (10:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And 20 years ago, we did a voucher program, the first homeschool, virtual school thing here.
- We've got homeschoolers. They're getting there $9,500, $9,300.
- And 20 years ago, we did a voucher program, the first homeschool, virtual school thing here.
- Anton asked about homeschool, where there’s no accountability for homeschool.
- Anton asked about homeschool, but there’s no accountability for homeschool, but that’s a whole other
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for former Senator Donnell C. Childers, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of Officer Antonio Richardson as law enforcement officer of the day. A quorum was announced, the journal was approved, and the Speaker said the chamber would take up 11 budget conference reports, with debate and final votes on each report. The first report considered was HB 7031E, the tax package, followed by HB 501E, the state budget appropriations bill.
On HB 7031E, Chair Duggan explained that the conference report included a range of tax reductions and tax-related changes, including sales tax holidays, property tax and homestead-related provisions, reductions in certain taxes and fees, and new exemptions or administrative clarifications. He said the package also added items such as sales tax relief for certain university construction projects, a tennis admissions exemption, and changes to agricultural property tax treatment, and that the amendment reduced state and local tax revenues by $272.2 million. Members questioned the bill about the child care tax credit reduction from three years to one, the homestead exemption provision for certain diplomats and foreign service personnel, the absence of gas tax relief and combined reporting, and the inclusion of firearm accessories and tennis tickets in sales tax holidays. After structured debate, the House adopted the conference report and passed HB 7031E by a vote of 88-11.
The House then began the conference report on HB 501E, the $114.5 billion budget for fiscal year 2026-2027, which was described as below the prior year’s spending level and leaving more than $14 billion in reserves. Subcommittee chairs outlined major allocations across education, higher education, IT, health care, transportation and economic development, justice, state administration, and agriculture/natural resources. Highlights included increased FEFP funding and veteran teacher raises, full funding for Bright Futures, major IT modernization projects, Medicaid and behavioral health funding, transportation and local infrastructure spending, correctional and law enforcement investments, fire station and emergency response funding, and large environmental and water-quality appropriations. Members asked detailed questions about school voucher fraud oversight, scholarship funding, teacher raises, preeminence funding, ADAP changes, SNAP data tools and error rates, Medicaid rate changes, prison wastewater monitoring, and other budget items, but the transcript ends during the budget questions before final action on HB 501E is shown.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-05-29 (10:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We've got homeschoolers. They're getting their $9,500, $9,300.
- And 20 years ago, we did a voucher program, the first homeschool, virtual school thing here.
- We've got homeschoolers. They're getting there $9,500, $9,300.
- Antone asked about homeschool, where there’s no accountability for homeschool.
- Antone asked about homeschool, but there’s no accountability for homeschool, but that’s a whole other
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- He has six kids, his wife's homeschooling them.
- He has six kids, his wife's homeschooling them.
- He has six kids, his wife's homeschooling them.
- issue that I always have with this because there are pieces of the bill that talk about, you know, exclusions
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Education Funding (01/16/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> every single private or homeschooled every single private or homeschooled student<01:04:33.039><
- She's in a private learning program, um, for my middle, and homeschool is homeschooling.
- She's in a private learning program, um, for my middle, and homeschool is homeschooling.
- </c> years now I grew up being homeschooled years now I grew up being homeschooled by<01:42:44.880><c
- homeschool parents the well either the homeschool parents the well either the proposal<02:22:10.280><
Summary:
The hearing focused on House Bill 115-FN, which would remove the income cap from New Hampshire’s Education Freedom Account eligibility rules. Representative Valerie McDonnell, the bill’s sponsor, said the measure is intended to fund students rather than systems and to expand educational choice regardless of income or zip code. She described the change as a small statutory edit but argued it would have significant benefits, including helping families afford alternative education settings and testing costs such as AP exams. She also cited testimony from families who said EFAs helped children with special needs or difficult circumstances, and she argued the program is popular and cost-effective.
Committee members questioned McDonnell about the bill’s fiscal impact and administration. One member asked whether removing the income cap would extend vouchers to families above the statewide median income and whether the change could cost more than $100 million annually; McDonnell said she did not agree with that estimate and pointed to Arizona as a comparison. Representative Wendy Thomas asked whether the bill should require stronger data-sharing from the Children’s Scholarship Fund, which administers the program, so the Department of Education and taxpayers could better track spending; McDonnell said the program already uses ClassWallet and regulated expenditures, and that the question was better directed to the administrator.
Several members testified in opposition. Representative Wendy Thomas said the bill would increase costs for public schools, raise local property taxes, and worsen oversight problems. Representative Heath Howard argued the proposal would function as a subsidy for wealthy families already paying private tuition and said public education and special education should be funded first. Representative Megan Murray also opposed the bill, emphasizing the lack of a legal reporting requirement for EFA spending and the need for transparency, accountability, and attention to special education needs. Representative Sam Farrington supported expansion, sharing a constituent story about a student who left public school after harassment and benefited from private school placement. No vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.
UT
Utah 2025 Regular Session
Education Interim Committee - November 19, 2025
Education Interim Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- And the contract is for students who are typically exclusively online, who are not actually part of the
- LEA and its regular... ...exclusively online, who are not actually part of the LEA and its regular operations
- prohibit it, enroll the existing online education providers and those students who were primarily homeschool
- The second question I have is you said primarily this is dealing with homeschools, and so this would
- online students who are never enrolled in brick-and-mortar courses, and those online courses are exclusively
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Ways and Means (02/12/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- Second point I would make is: does anybody here know what the annual gift tax exclusion is in federal
- is in in the for Federal tax exclusion is in in the for Federal gift<00:22:09.240><c> tax</c><00:22:
- </c> practitioners and similar homeschool practitioners and similar homeschool costs<00:33:06.679><c>
- If that family of four receives $5,000 per child and they do homeschooling on an online program that
- </c> Stu per child and they do homeschooling Stu per child and they do homeschooling on<00:36:58.440>
Summary:
The committee opened a public hearing on HB 402, a bill dealing with whether Education Freedom Account (EFA) payments should be described in state law as not constituting taxable income. The bill sponsor argued that the current statute is misleading because New Hampshire should not imply a federal tax result, and said the bill would remove that language and could also be amended to clarify that families should consult tax advisors. He emphasized that the measure was not intended to impose a state tax on EFAs, but to avoid giving inaccurate advice about possible federal tax liability.
Testimony was divided. A retired representative and a tax preparer both opposed the bill, saying EFA payments are already treated consistently with IRS rules and that the bill would create confusion, administrative burden, and possible tax consequences for low- and moderate-income families. They argued the bill is a solution in search of a problem and warned that requiring 1099s could add costs for the scholarship organization and recipients. A tax attorney supported the bill’s repeal of the state language, saying New Hampshire should not put tax advice into statute and that the current wording is inaccurate because federal law, not state law, controls taxability. He cited IRS Section 117 and Publication 970, explaining that only some scholarship-like payments are tax-free and that many EFA-eligible expenses may not qualify for federal exemption.
Members asked questions about what would be misleading, whether the bill was trying to tax EFAs, and the cost of issuing 1099s. The sponsor and witnesses repeatedly said the bill was not a state tax on voucher payments, but a clarification about federal tax treatment. No vote or final committee action was taken in the portion provided.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- youth and families, I have seen firsthand that accountability and rehabilitation are not mutually exclusive
- Vastly expanding exclusion zones to nearly 35,000 homeschools and 36,000 daycare facilities or childcare
- Does a parent keen on homeschooling their child drastically change the calculation for public safety
- bill's application to daycare centers, not just home daycares, and specify the bill's limitation on homeschools
- application to daycare centers, not just home daycares, and specified the bill's limitation and homeschools
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
House and Governmental Affairs Mar 25th, 2026
House and Governmental Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- 12th grade and that they have to be in a school or they have to be at the 12th grade level in a homeschool
- And so this law allows a 17-year-old who is in the 11th grade or at the 11th grade level in a homeschool
- This is exclusive jurisdiction of the Civil Service Commission.
Summary:
The committee first considered House Bill 338, which would recreate certain entities transferred to or placed within the Office of the Governor. Representative Carver described it as a sunset measure, and the committee quickly moved it favorable without objection. House Bill 379 followed, expanding eligibility for election commissioners to include 17-year-olds who are in the 11th grade or equivalent homeschool level rather than only the 12th grade. Members briefly discussed the bill’s youth sponsor, Owen Estey, and the bill was also reported favorable without objection.
The most extensive discussion centered on House Bill 861 by Speaker Pro Tem Mike Johnson, which would eliminate inactive, outdated, or unnecessary state boards, commissions, and related entities. The bill came with a large amendment package that removed some entities, added others, and made technical corrections based on the legislative auditor’s annual report and follow-up review. Members questioned how entities were identified, whether they had been notified, and whether some boards should remain because they still serve a purpose, especially the Waste Tire Task Force. The sponsor said the goal was to streamline government and that he had contacted about 85% of the affected entities; he also said some items in the package were local and therefore excluded. After adopting amendments 17 and 18, the committee reported the bill favorable as amended.
House Bill 202 by Representative McMakin would require job advertisements for classified state positions to include salary information and require applicants to be notified when a position is filled or they are rejected. An amendment narrowed the bill to classified positions only. State Civil Service Director Byron Deccato testified that the system already posts salary ranges and sends notices when agencies properly update the hiring system, but that compliance depends on agency staff and some agencies are slow to close out postings. Members expressed frustration that applicants can be left waiting without notice, while Deccato said Civil Service audits agencies and is willing to work on the issue. The bill remained under discussion at the end of the transcript.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- A homeschool student may receive $2,000 to be used... on approved expenses.
- the exclusive responsibility of the federal government. I'm not advised on the process.
- This is a universal program. to include homeschool students and I move to table the amendment.
- It's exclusion.
- Bourbon parents, homeschool parents, role coaches.
Bills:
SB2, HB2, HB2000, HB2196, HB213, HB222, HB645, HB1458, HB 1022, HB141, HB502, HB643, HB3093, HB1700, HB 117, SB503, SB2, HB 120, HB20, HB150, HB6, HB 100, HB210, HB215, HB1393, HB 1151, HB 1268, HB142, HB451, HB 124, HB2, HB2000, HB2196, HB213, HB222, HB645, HB1458, HB 1022, HB141, HB502, HB643, HB3093, HB1700, HB 117
Keywords:
public education, teacher compensation, certification, funding, school finance, educator rights, education funding, charter schools, staff compensation, state aid, retention allotment, child grooming, sex offender registration, criminal justice, reportable conviction, law enforcement, virtual education, hybrid learning, school funding, average daily attendance
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-03-13 (10:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The Florida Supreme Court has the exclusive jurisdiction. They've made their decision.
- We have no idea what's going on in those voucher schools or in those homeschools, but we're only about
- have a system that is not all over the place, that no matter what option you choose — voucher, homeschool
- I even homeschooled for a day. And that was tough. And I said no more.
- I even homeschooled for a day. And that was tough. And I said no more.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
03/25/2026 - Senate Government
Senate Government Committee of Reference
Transcript Highlights:
- Why do you think I have 10 homeschooled students in the audience today whose parents made that choice
- Why did I have to homeschool my kids? Parents made that choice.
- Why did I have to homeschool my kids for many years? Why are my grandchildren being homeschooled?
- Representative Ligori, from me and also my Mayor Becky Daggett in Flagstaff, for the airport exclusion
- The amendment authorizes surveillance-network data exclusively for identification of stolen vehicles,
Summary:
The committee approved the minutes from the prior February meetings and then took up several measures. HCR 2013, designating June 2026 as “Celebrate Life Month” in Arizona, drew emotional testimony from Crystal Cooper and Bella Stockton about their lives with spina bifida and support for the resolution. Senator Kennedy and others questioned the purpose of the resolution, arguing the state should focus on concrete supports for families, but the motion passed 4-1 with two not voting.
Members then advanced HB 2327, which clarifies protections for eligible persons’ identifying information in county recorder records, with an amendment excluding voter registration records; it passed 5-0 with two not voting. HB 2258, adding La Paz County to the Tourism Advisory Council’s geographic area, also passed unanimously among those voting. HB 2397, expanding HOA/COA disclosure requirements for prospective buyers, was amended twice and passed 5-1; supporters said it would improve transparency about assessments and defects, while opponents warned about cost and administrative burdens, especially for smaller associations. HB 2015, imposing penalties for late federal/state financial reporting by state organizations, passed 4-2 despite concerns that the automatic penalties were too harsh and could be out of agencies’ control.
The committee also approved HB 4049, allowing DCS to hire its own counsel and directing the Attorney General to represent the state’s interest in certain cases involving alleged DCS misconduct, though some members argued current law already addresses conflicts and that DCS had not been consulted. HB 4087, authorizing placement of a Barbara Love memorial in the governmental wall, passed without opposition. HB 2100, allowing counties to authorize certain small land subdivisions, passed 4-2 amid debate over water adequacy and the risk of “wildcat” development. HB 2460, preempting local fees and penalties tied to abandoned or stolen movable business property such as shopping carts, passed 4-2 after extensive testimony from cities, retailers, and advocates over local control, costs, and theft prevention. Finally, HCR 2056, a proposed constitutional amendment recognizing a right to refuse medical mandates, began hearing testimony; supporters framed it as bodily autonomy, while opponents, including pediatric and public health advocates, warned it would weaken vaccine requirements and outbreak protections for schools and children.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Why do you think I have 10 homeschooled students in the audience today whose parents made that choice
- Why did I have to homeschool my kids? Parents made that choice.
- Why did I have to homeschool my kids for many years? Why are my grandchildren being homeschooled?
- My kids were homeschooled, they went to charter school, and then they went to ASU as a public university
- The amendment authorizes surveillance network data exclusively for identification of stolen vehicles,
Bills:
HB2015, HB2060, HB2062, HB2100, HB2118, HB2165, HB2258, HB2327, HB2397, HB2445, HB2460, HB2641, HB2745, HB2876, HB2917, HB4011, HB4049, HB4056, HB4087, HCR2013, HCR2016, HCR2040, HCR2044, HCR2048, HCR2056
Keywords:
budget procedures, late filing penalty, accounting standards, financial reporting, state appropriations, abortion, educational institutions, health education, state aid, public schools, Buffalo Soldiers, monument, commemoration, Arizona, public funding, Wesley Bolin Plaza, military history, historical memorial, small land subdivision, land use
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Public Safety Committee Jun 9th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- youth and families, I have seen firsthand that accountability and rehabilitation are not mutually exclusive
- Vastly expanding exclusion zones to nearly... ...under the Sexually Violent Predator Act, vastly expanding
- exclusion zones to nearly 35,000 homeschools and 36,000 daycare facilities or childcare facilities,
- Does a parent keen on homeschooling their child drastically change the calculation for public safety
- bill's application to daycare centers, not just home daycares, and specify the bill's limitation on homeschools
Summary:
The Senate Public Safety Committee heard several bills, beginning with AB 647, which would clarify last year’s RV disposal pilot program for Los Angeles and Alameda counties so local agencies can remove abandoned, inoperable RVs more efficiently. Supporters, including a representative for Mayor Karen Bass, said the bill is needed to address public health, fire, sewage, and neighborhood safety hazards. Opponents argued the measure would be used to remove occupied RVs without adequate housing or service referrals and would harm vehicle residents. The committee later approved AB 647 on a do-pass motion to the Appropriations Committee.
The committee also considered AB 1656, which would give judges discretion to delay human trafficking cases when the assigned prosecutor has another trial, preliminary hearing, or motion to suppress, with amendments limiting the continuance to one time and no more than 10 days. Supporters said the bill would help preserve vertical prosecution and trauma-informed continuity for survivors; opponents raised speedy-trial and due process concerns. After discussion about balancing victim continuity and constitutional rights, the committee passed AB 1656 as amended to the floor. AB 1917, a bill to require prosecutors to file a motion before reinstating charges dismissed at preliminary hearing, also drew support from public defenders and defense groups and opposition from district attorneys, who argued the bill used the wrong procedural mechanism. The author agreed to explore moving the process into the existing 995 framework, and the committee passed AB 1917 as amended to Appropriations.
AB 2636 would require courts to consider possession of a loaded firearm when deciding whether a juvenile qualifies for deferred entry of judgment. Supporters, including probation and police chiefs, said the bill would add accountability for serious gun-related conduct while preserving rehabilitation options; opponents said it would reduce access to effective youth diversion and disproportionately affect Black and brown youth. The committee passed the bill to the floor. AB 1632, which would replace notarization with a penalty-of-perjury statement for 602 trespass authorization letters, was supported by cities and law enforcement as a way to reduce bureaucracy and help address trespass and vacant-property hazards, while opponents warned of abuse and Fourth Amendment concerns. The committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill to the floor. The hearing then moved on to AB 1974, a voluntary firearm safe-storage bill, with the author introducing the measure and witnesses from Pierce’s Pledge expected to testify.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Let's just say perhaps they were doing homeschooling before and they were not receiving state funding
- Homeschooling is growing rapidly, and the trends are not expected to change, so our funding system has
- student,” or “My child moved from homeschooling back into the public school system.”
- And what about our homeschool children? Senator Osgood. Thank you, Mr. President.
- And what about our homeschool children? Senator Bernard. Thank you, Mr. President.
Summary:
The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, doctor and guest introductions, and then took up Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 168, the Tristan Murphy Act, on mental health. Senator Bradley described the bill as a major criminal justice and behavioral health reform measure that would expand pretrial mental health diversion, strengthen treatment-based probation conditions, broaden grant uses for mental health and substance abuse programs, add Hillsborough County to a forensic hospital diversion pilot, require certain DOC mental health evaluations, and create a Florida Behavioral Health Data Repository. Senators from both parties spoke in strong support, emphasizing treatment over incarceration, public safety, data collection, and the Murphy family’s role in advancing the bill. The Senate passed the bill 37-0 and then approved 37 co-sponsors.
The chamber then received the Senate’s 2025-26 General Appropriations Bill, SB 2500, with Chair Hooper outlining a $117.4 billion budget that he said reduces spending, preserves reserves, and includes major investments in water quality, transportation, education infrastructure, and reporting requirements. Committee chairs summarized their portions: K-12 funding at $34.7 billion with increases for FEFP, scholarships, VPK, school hardening, and school safety; higher education at $11.5 billion with workforce, nursing, reading, autism, and student aid investments; health and human services with a $1.8 billion increase for Medicaid, mental health, opioid response, disability services, and veterans programs; criminal and civil justice at $7.6 billion for corrections, juvenile justice, law enforcement, courts, and judgeships; transportation/tourism/economic development at about $18 billion including roads, housing, Visit Florida, and cultural grants; and agriculture/environment/general government with major Everglades, water quality, citrus, food bank, and agency IT funding.
Members then questioned several budget items, especially education funding formulas, the shift of scholarship dollars below the line, the impact on public school districts, AP/IB and other accelerated program funding, the APD wait list, opioid settlement spending, arts grants, and the My Safe Florida Home and condo pilot programs. Chairs generally said scholarship and accelerated-program dollars were being restructured for transparency and flexibility rather than cut, that school districts would still receive funding based on enrollment, and that APD and other human services issues would continue to be worked out in conference. The budget discussion concluded with remarks praising staff and noting a 4% across-the-board pay raise for state employees and targeted increases for law enforcement and firefighters, followed by a recognition for FAMU Day at the Capitol.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- If they're at private school, if they're in homeschool, if they're wherever, is it a particular program
- The problem that we deal with with the exclusive right that's created for a bargaining group to be the
- sole and exclusive arbiter and the sole exclusive negotiator with a government entity, or, in the teacher's
- My name is Shirley Campin, and I'm speaking as a homeschool parent and former public school teacher.
- I'm an electrician and a homeschool father in Volusia County.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-05-29 (10:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- How many homeschool students are receiving vouchers at this point in time? Representative Trulsi.
- We've got homeschoolers. They're getting their $9,500, $9,300.
- And 20 years ago, we did a voucher program, the first homeschool, virtual school thing here.
- Anton asked about homeschool, where there's no accountability for homeschool, Scholarships, and Rep.
- Anton asked about homeschool, but there's no accountability for homeschool, but that's a whole other
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for former Senator Don Childers, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of Officer Antonio Richardson as law enforcement officer of the day. The chamber announced it would take up 11 budget conference committee reports, with no third-reading bills or special-order calendar items. Members were reminded that conference reports were subject to debate but not amendment, and that the required review periods had been satisfied.
The first major action was on HB 7031E, the tax package. Representative Duggan explained that the conference report included a mix of retained, modified, and new tax provisions, including sales tax holidays, property tax and homestead-related changes, reductions in certain gaming and carbon-related taxes, changes to child care and documentary stamp tax credits, a new refund process for public works construction tax paid by universities and colleges, and other tax administration changes. Debate focused on the bill’s consumer impact, the reduction of the child tax credit from three years to one, the inclusion of firearm accessories in a sales tax holiday, the absence of gas tax relief and combined reporting, and the homestead exemption provision for certain deployed diplomatic and foreign service personnel. Critics argued the package favored niche or corporate interests over broad affordability relief, while supporters said it provided targeted tax relief and reflected conference negotiations. The House adopted the conference report and passed HB 7031E by a vote of 88-11.
The House then began presenting the conference report for HB 501E, the state budget, which totaled $114.5 billion for fiscal year 2026-27 and was described as below the prior year’s spending level while maintaining reserves. Subcommittee chairs outlined major budget areas: pre-K-12 funding included an increase in FEFP, salary increases for veteran teachers, stabilization funding, and support for declining enrollment; higher education included full Bright Futures funding, workforce programs, college operating support, university initiatives, and school guardian expansion; IT funding focused on Palm, ACCESS, APD’s I-Connect replacement, corrections systems, emergency management systems, and cybersecurity grants; health care funding covered Medicaid, nursing home rates, waiver provider increases, ADAP funding and restructuring, child welfare, and behavioral health; transportation and economic development included housing, cultural grants, jobs and rural infrastructure, Visit Florida, Space Florida, highway patrol equipment, and local transportation projects; justice funding included correctional construction, juvenile justice facilities, law enforcement grants, and clerk and due process reimbursements; state administration included fire stations, constrained counties, building maintenance, and Safe Florida Home; and agriculture/natural resources funding emphasized Everglades restoration, water quality, land acquisition, Florida Forever, state parks, and citrus research. Members then began questioning the budget details, including school voucher accountability, school funding formulas, public defender parity, prison technology, wastewater monitoring in prisons, ADAP policy, SNAP fraud controls and AI-assisted verification, Florida Forever funding, school lunch funding, and coral reef restoration. No final vote on HB 501E appears in the transcript excerpt.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Thirty One - Tuesday, March 3 - Morning Session
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- you will look to your right and my left under the tribute virtue, you will find the Piney Ridge homeschool
- you will look to your right and my left under the tribute virtue, you will find the Piney Ridge homeschool
- They are here as part of Homeschool Day at the Capitol.
- We got that brought forward to us through the special school district saying, hey, they need full exclusion
- To us through the special school district saying, hey, they need full exclusion. Everybody agreed.