Transcript Highlights:

• So they're putting in approximately 12 to 14 hours now, and these are contract vets.
• Our vets right now, they're contract vets and others.
• All our vets are on contract right now, and as I mentioned, the bids are coming in between $1, 600 and
• And Madam Chair and gentlemen, so there are currently five veterinarians on contract, is that correct
• They're not year-round contracts; they're for each race meet.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, they know they're supposed to know the status of their project, whether they've let a contract,
• <00:24:09.720> whe uh whether they've let a contract whe uh whether they've let a contract
• <00:39:50.119> with<00:39:50.240> a need to sign a contract with a need to sign a contract
• The project had been encumbered and had gone to get a contract.
• The project had been encumbered and had gone to get a contract.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee met to review the lapse extensions in the back of House Bill 25, which governs capital budget appropriations and bonding. Members were walked through how the bill is structured: section 1 covers general, federal, and other funds; section 2 covers highway fund appropriations; later sections authorize borrowing, restrict spending to the stated purposes, and explain why community colleges and the university system operate through their boards of trustees. The chair also explained that lapse extensions are needed because capital projects can span multiple years, and that appropriations normally expire at the end of the biennium unless extended. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on how to identify unspent balances and whether they should be extended, repurposed, or allowed to lapse. Members discussed that if a project is complete or an agency confirms it no longer needs the money, the remaining balance can be reused for another project or, if not needed, lapse back. The committee also reviewed the meaning of bill references and chapter numbers, and how to read prior-year appropriations and extensions in the worksheet. One example discussed was a 2023 Department of Administrative Services courthouse generators item, and members noted that some agencies may rely on encumbered balances rather than explicit lapse extensions, though the chair said he prefers including the extension for flexibility. The committee identified at least one specific change: the Jeffrey Ringe CTE renovation was removed from the governor’s recommended budget because the required local match was not approved, freeing about $18.5 million for possible reuse. Later, the chair noted that lapse extension 49 on the worksheet was no longer needed and could be removed, leaving an unspent balance of $81,500 available for repurposing. The discussion also referenced a Department of Transportation item, Caroline Stratford Freight Rail Improvements, which the agency asked to keep alive through a lapse extension so the funds would not expire on June 30. No formal votes were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have lots of contracted government officials.
• We have lots of contracted government officials.
• We have lots of contracted government officials.
• We have lots of contracted officials.
• Uh I am concerned they contract one.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This CAM will be implemented through a contract between the Department of Children and Families and an
• The department and the contract entity are encouraged to seek other funding sources for future sustainability
• of this amendment is to ensure the procurement process happens quickly and gives the agency some contract
• There is no fiscal impact; there are up to three to five procurement contracts.
• I've learned telecom contracts all have a callback option. You just simply turn on the switch.

Summary: The IT Budget and Policy Subcommittee met with a quorum present and heard two bills. CS/HB 783 by Rep. Sapp would create a coordinated access model pilot program for behavioral health services in Duval, Clay, and St. Johns counties. The bill would contract with the Department of Children and Families and a university partner to provide centralized intake, screening, referral, appointment scheduling, follow-up, and data reporting on outcomes and service gaps. Rep. Young asked about avoiding bottlenecks and what “timely referral” means; Sapp said the proposal is based on an existing Pinellas model and is intended to triage cases by urgency. An amendment clarifying procurement guidelines was adopted without objection, and the bill was reported favorably by a 14-0 vote. The committee then heard HB 1031 by Rep. Rosenwald, which would establish a callback queue pilot program for select state agencies, including Florida Commerce and DCF, so callers can leave a number and receive a return call by the end of the next business day. Rosenwald said the goal is to improve customer service for issues such as reemployment assistance and benefits access, with no fiscal impact and a required report due by December 31, 2027. Rep. Cross spoke in support, noting callback systems reduce frustration for callers. The bill passed unanimously and was reported favorably by a 14-0 vote. At the end of the meeting, the chair noted that budget recommendations for fiscal year 2026-2027 had been submitted to Chair McClure. With no further business, the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• One project, Thoreau Middle School P23 002, is in the process of drafting a general contract or RFP that
• delivery and how description of why we use on-call contracts for efficient project delivery and how
• may conflict base, and so it requires careful coordination and careful looking at the contracts both
• And also the on-call contracts deliver specialist work efficiently while still maintaining standards
• on the small contracts.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate language allows contract alternative and tribal contract schools to qualify, and the House
• language allows nonprofit organizations contracted by a school to qualify.
• contract alternative and tribal contract contract alternative and tribal contract schools.<00:15
• language allows contract Senate language allows contract alternative<00:15:49.839> and<00:15:
• contract schools alternative and tribal contract schools to<00:15:51.360> qualify<00:15:51.920

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, the procurement code was invented... available then have that contract agre a available then have
• that contract agre a maximum<00:08:30.199> bid<00:08:30.479> price<00:08:30.960> if
• contractors uh General cont Contracting contractors uh General cont Contracting and and and construction
• "We're going to limit the types of contracts that qualify for this exemption.
• <00:59:09.000> with<00:59:09.319> sear of of Agriculture contracts with sear of of

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee took up House Bill 422, relating to school impact fees. The Education Committee recommended passage with amendments, and Ways and Means concurred. The amendments would repeal the construction fee component of the school impact fee while retaining the land impact fee and in-lieu fee requirements, remove related statutory language, exempt certain developments from school impact fees, raise the unit threshold for satisfying the land component to 100 units, require the School Facilities Authority to adopt rules and policies, and require a report to the Legislature on the effect of repealing the construction portion of the fee. The measure was also given a sunset date of June 30, 2029, with the committee report to note that the changes are intended to test the efficiency and efficacy of the fee structure and could be made permanent if the report supports that outcome. The committees adopted the recommendation, with one senator initially voting no and then changing to yes after the amendments were explained. The meeting also included a separate hearing on House Bill 1155, concerning procurement for Department of Transportation projects and construction manager/general contractor procurement. DOT testified that it supported the concept but wanted to narrow the bill, saying the current language was too broad and that the goal was to allow more innovative procurement while preserving selection safeguards. The State Procurement Office said it supported the bill’s language but was willing to work with DOT on alternative wording. Several construction-related organizations, including subcontractors, iron workers, elevator constructors, and building trades representatives, opposed the bill, arguing that exemptions from the procurement code would weaken protections such as retainage, equality, and prompt payment and could invite favoritism or corruption. In response to those concerns, the chair proposed amendments limiting the exemption to DOT, narrowing the qualifying contracts, adding a two-year sunset, requiring a report after the first year, and clarifying that project management could not be procured under the section. The amended recommendation passed, though several members voted with reservations. A separate item, House Bill 476, was briefly called up at the end of the agenda, with a recommendation to pass with amendments to increase a rate from 7.25% to 8%, but discussion was not completed in the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• more corporate requests for contracts more corporate requests for contracts with<00:58:57.920>
• Um, again, I'm not an contracts.
• c> in executed contract, a contract that's in executed contract, a contract that's in place place
• The only contracts that can be redacted from any agency would be a contract that is currently under,
• Would your motion be that a contract that's in place would be a public record, but a contract that's

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Corporation, relating to reporting requirements for natural gas pipeline projects, relating to approval of contracts
• by the Regulatory Commission of Alaska, and in Projects relating to approval of contracts by the Regulatory
• gas pipeline projects, creating the Alaska Affordable Heating Fuel Fund, relating to approval of contracts
• gas pipeline projects; creating the Alaska Affordable Heating Fuel Fund; relating to approval of contracts
• gas pipeline projects, creating the Alaska affordable heating fuel fund, relating to approval of contracts

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and approved the journal and the prayer for the record. The clerk read gubernatorial messages calling the legislature into a third special session and describing the call around House Bill 381, a major natural gas project bill addressing property taxes, municipal taxes, AGDC, reporting requirements, contract approval, an alternative volumetric tax, municipal impact grants, and related provisions. Messages from the Senate reported passage of a Senate-amended version of HB 381 and transmission of Senate Concurrent Resolution 203 to suspend certain rules related to the bill. The House introduced HCR 301 and HCR 302. HCR 301, which suspends rules on carryover of bills into a special session, passed 40-0. The House then took up the Senate amendments to HB 381. The Majority Leader outlined the Senate changes, including new school funding provisions, reorganization and oversight of AGDC funds, a public project dashboard, stricter bond approval requirements, a heating fuel assistance fund, changes to the alternative volumetric tax structure and distribution of revenues, a permanent rather than sunsetted tax break, new deadlines tied to final investment decision and construction, and a new graduated income tax on certain pass-through entities. He urged members to vote no on concurrence, and the House rejected concurrence 12-28. Because the House did not concur, the Speaker appointed a conference committee on HB 381 consisting of Representative Schrage, the Majority Leader, Representative Edgmon, and Representative Ruffridge. HCR 302, authorizing the House and Senate to recess for more than three days, passed 40-0 after members stated the recess was intended to allow conference negotiations to continue and that the body would return on a time certain. The House also received two governor-request bills, HB 3001 and HB 3002, both referred to the Finance Committee. The House then excused several members for specified absences and adjourned until July 1 at 10:30 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• So you all would see that revised amendment to that contract sometime May, June, because I still have
• We have a presentation today by the Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Contracts and related marketing
• touch on the strategy that Grant talked about with the decoupling, the medical and the pharmacy contracts
• You've got your medical care and prescription drugs under the same contract with a single insurance carrier
• If you have a Medicare Advantage plan that's covering medical, they can set up contracts with providers

Summary: The committee received an update from Grant Wallace on the rebid and possible decoupling of the state’s Medicare Advantage retiree coverage. He said the state is exploring splitting medical and pharmacy benefits for post-65 retirees, with UnitedHealthcare as the incumbent vendor, and that preliminary estimates suggested savings of about $100 to $200 per participant per month. He outlined the expected timeline for final CMS rate announcements in April 2026, with contract amendments likely to come before the committee in May or June after review by the EBD Advisory Commission and State Board of Finance. Representatives from Segal Consulting then reviewed the history and current structure of the Medicare Advantage prescription drug plan, explaining that the plan was adopted after a 2021 recommendation and launched in 2023 alongside the existing Med-Sup option. They said the Medicare Advantage option has produced substantial savings, including a lower monthly rate than the Med-Sup plan and about $40 million in savings from initial enrollment, while also restoring pharmacy benefits for some retirees. The presenters then explained recent federal changes under the Inflation Reduction Act, including major changes to Part D funding, the direct subsidy, and risk-score methodology, which they said have made risk adjustment much more important and are driving interest in separating medical and pharmacy contracts. In response to questions from senators, the presenters said the Medicare Advantage plan covers post-65 teacher and state employee retirees, including retirees from state agencies and K-12 public schools. They also explained that the new Part D structure has reduced out-of-pocket costs for members, with a $2,000 annual cap and lower average member spending to reach it, while shifting more cost to the plan. No votes were taken and no formal action was reported; the committee simply received the update and was told to expect further information after the April rate notice. The meeting adjourned with the committee scheduled to return on May 13.

Transcript Highlights:

• for the Committee on Elections, HB 4153 by Fairly relating to the equitability, uniform grant and contract
• permit for to the Committee on Public Health, HB 4169 by Compost relating to the fire remediation contracts
• HB 4173 by Reynolds relating to the contracting with companies that boycott or discriminate against certain
• rate for taxing unit for the Committee on Ways and Means, HB 4195 by Leo Wilson relating to the contracts
• HB 4235 by Schaffner relating to the postsecondary degree requirements and hiring and contracting by

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 4153 by Fairley relating to the ability to establish uniform grant and contract management standards
• HB 4169 by Compost relating to fire remediation contracts, referred to the Committee on Trade, Workforce
• HB 4173 by Reynolds relating to contracting with companies that boycott or discriminate against certain
• HB 4195 by Leo-Wilson relating to contracts with the acceptance of money from certain foreign sources
• HB 4235 by Schaffner, relating to the post-secondary degree requirements in hiring and contracting by

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You that would make that contract void.
• > before<01:30:07.760> the could put another contract before the could put another contract
• That alter a contract after the fact.
• <03:14:28.160> with that you need to h have a contract with that you need to h have a contract
• And I'll be supporting Joe in his motion. owed in her contract. owed in her contract.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:37:55.920> to oversight of school bus contracts to oversight of school bus contracts to
• comments about not wanting the contracts comments about not wanting the contracts to<01:43:52.440
• Do you know if in the current contract there's a provision for emergency procurement?
• So, for us to establish our contract program, that is a requirement under our state plan.
• So, for us to establish our contract program, that is a requirement under our state plan.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 707 on the College Savings Program. Members discussed a suggested amendment from the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities to include the Hawaii ABLE Savings Program. The chair said the Department of the Attorney General advised there was no title problem, so the bill could be broadened to cover both the College Savings Program and the ABLE program. The committee also noted technical, non-substantive changes and a defective date of July 1, 3000 for further discussion. HB 707 HD1 was then voted on and the recommendation to pass with amendments was adopted unanimously by the members present, with two members excused. The committee then heard House Bill 424, which would provide free breakfast and lunch beginning the next school year to students who currently qualify for free and reduced-price meals. The Department of Education supported the measure, and testimony in favor came from teachers, public health and food security advocates, and several organizations. Supporters described students being denied meals because of unpaid balances, said school meals should not depend on family debt, and argued that the bill would reduce stigma and help hungry students learn. Committee questions focused on meal pricing, the impact of raising prices on families who pay full price, and whether portion sizes could be increased; DOE said breakfast costs less than lunch, full-price students would bear any increase, and portion sizes must follow USDA rules. Hawaiʻi Public Health Institute and Hawaiʻi Children’s Action Network said many families above the free/reduced thresholds still cannot afford meals, citing estimates that the DOE collects about $20 million a year in meal payments and that federal reimbursement totals are much larger. The committee then heard House Bill 757, the universal free school breakfast and lunch bill. DOE and the Department of Health supported it, and testimony was overwhelmingly in favor from county officials, teachers, students, food banks, advocacy groups, and community organizations. Witnesses argued that universal meals would eliminate stigma, reduce paperwork and debt collection, and ensure students do not fall through the cracks because of income cutoffs, language barriers, or administrative hurdles. Several students from Castle High School described classmates asking for food and families struggling to keep meal accounts funded, while teachers said they regularly see negative meal balance notices and hungry students. Advocates also said the bill is the better equity vehicle because it avoids means testing and reaches students who are not currently receiving meals despite needing them. The hearing on HB 757 was still ongoing at the end of the transcript, and no final vote on that bill was shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• on each project and the contracting on each project and the contracting authority,<00:32:02.040>
• One is an efficiency that right now contracting authorities, be they the state of Minnesota agencies,
• a contracting authority Becomes a contracting authority responsible<00:42:37.400> for<00:42:37.520
• government that are as a contracting government that are as a contracting authority<00:43:34.880
• and the workers and we want contracts and the workers and we want that<00:58:53.200> uh that

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We did have a dip there in 2024, but that was in 2024 or 2025 there was a disruption in the contract.
• um due to um exhaustion of uh contracted um funding.<00:19:07.760> Um<00:19:09.039> that
• of the contract being in place<00:19:57.919> or<00:19:58.000> able<00:19:58.240> to
• We've continued to work on numerous contracts within the Kentucky Lung Cancer Screening Program that
• We've continued to work on numerous contracts within the Kentucky Lung Cancer Screening Program that

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The meeting opened with roll call, approval of the September 17 minutes, and an introduction of Sarah Rome to the committee. The chair also noted that the committee would stay on schedule and then moved to presentations. Representative Amy Neighbors and Taylor Williams of the Kentucky Pharmacists Association presented a refiled “pharmacy parity” proposal, formerly House Bill 3, to require Medicaid reimbursement for pharmacist clinical services already authorized under current scope of practice. They said the bill would not expand Medicaid or pharmacist scope, but would align Medicaid with commercial insurance, improve access and outcomes, and likely save money; they cited a Cabinet report under Senate Joint Resolution 26, which found similar laws in other states were producing savings or trending toward savings and would require only modest administrative updates. No member questions were raised after that presentation. The committee then heard an update on the Kentucky Colon Cancer Screening Program from Senator Stephen Meredith, Dr. Whitney Jones, Melissa Carrier, and Representative Neighbors. They described the program’s goals of increasing screening, reducing deaths through earlier detection, and preventing cancers by finding polyps, saying it has produced substantial savings and improved outcomes. Speakers emphasized Kentucky’s high colorectal cancer burden, especially in younger adults, and said the program helps uninsured and underinsured Kentuckians access stool-based screening and follow-up colonoscopies through a network of partners including the Department for Public Health, Kentucky Cancer Link, and university cancer programs. They requested an increase in funding from $500,000 to $1.25 million annually, or $2.5 million over the biennium, to expand services, fill geographic gaps, and support education and navigation. Members asked whether the colon cancer screening was already covered by Medicaid, and the presenters replied that Medicaid does cover it, but the program serves people who are not on Medicaid or who fall into a separate eligibility category based on income and insurance status. A member also clarified the requested funding increase. The committee then moved on to the next agenda item, an update from the Children’s Home of Northern Kentucky, where board member Sal Santoro and CHNK Behavioral Health leaders began a presentation describing the organization’s broader behavioral health work and its request, but the transcript cuts off before that presentation concludes or any action is taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• BUT THEY SERVE AS CONTRACT MANAGERS FOR THE VENDORS THAT PROVIDE THE SERVICES DIRECTLY TO THE HOMEOWNERS
• TIMES TO THE ASSOCIATIONS TO SAY HAVE YOU TAKEN YOUR VOTE YET, ARE YOU READY, HAVE YOU SIGN THE CONTRACT
• SO HIGH LEVEL LIKE SUPER HIGH LEVEL, WE SIGNED THE CONTRACT IN 2018 TO BUILD THE SYSTEM FOR THE STATE
• CONTINGENT THOUGH LIVE IT IS SO WE OFFICIALLY MOVED IT TO JANUARY 2027 IN THE CONTRACT BUT WE WANT TO
• DO A CONTRACT AMENDMENT TO GET A BETTER DEAL OUT OF IT SO WE DID FULLY NEGOTIATE THAT ON THE EXECUTIVE

Transcript Highlights:

• simply capping the reimbursement rate for inmates who receive medical care outside of their normal contract
• talking about is if an inmate in a county jail in Martin County, as it stands right now, the jail contracts
• And so there is a concern that outside of a contract, there really is no predictability for the taxpayer
• impact on emergency medical transportation services and health care providers that don’t have a contract
• And so there is a concern that outside of a contract, there really is no, there's no predictability for

Summary: The Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee heard and passed two measures before receiving a staff presentation on the local bill process and local delegation meetings. HB 4007, by Rep. Snyder, would cap reimbursement for certain inmate emergency medical services in Martin County at 110% of the Medicare rate, with a higher cap if a provider shows it is operating at a loss. Snyder said the bill is intended to create predictability and save taxpayer dollars; members asked about fiscal effects and whether other counties could adopt similar language. Public testimony came in support from Martin County and related local officials, and the bill was reported favorably by a 17-0 vote. The committee also passed HM 4005, by Rep. Daly, which urges Congress to increase Florida National Guard force structure. Daly argued Florida’s troop allocation is outdated and inadequate for the state’s population and disaster demands, contributing to burnout and recruiting problems. Members asked about the basis for the current allocation, possible budget and infrastructure impacts, and the National Guard’s needs; there was no opposition or public testimony, and the memorial was reported favorably by a 17-0 vote. After the votes, Reps. Holcomb and Kendall gave a detailed presentation explaining how local bills differ from general laws, constitutional limits on local legislation, required local delegation meetings and notice, certification and economic impact forms, and amendment procedures. Members asked several process questions, including about multi-county delegations and Miami-Dade’s special status. The meeting ended with a few recognitions and adjournment before session.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're able to contract out a lot of road work this year.
• Well, we were able to put in some contracts this year to hire some contractors to be proactive and get
• We're actually now able to contract out a lot of the road work, and it's really helped us to get that
• So if that, you know, and then the other piece is developing and executing contracts.
• , state agency contracts, to kind of speed up the bidding process.

Summary: The Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Committee met with a quorum and heard two Department of Agriculture presentations. First, the Director of Rural and Family Lands described the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, which buys development rights through perpetual conservation easements on private agricultural land to preserve farming, wildlife habitat, water resources, and open space while keeping land taxable and avoiding state maintenance costs. He said the program has expanded rapidly since 2023 through streamlined applications, templates, and an online portal, increasing acreage protected from about 66,000 acres through 2022 to more than 210,000 acres, with a higher share in the Florida wildlife corridor. He also said review times were reduced by more than 85 days and that projects under $5 million can move faster under statutory authority. The department is seeking $200 million in nonrecurring funding on top of $100 million recurring, citing 203 existing projects and 224 new applications totaling nearly $2 billion in estimated need. Members asked about the scientific ranking process, South Florida participation, project prioritization, maintenance responsibilities, and whether landowners can exit the program; staff said land remains privately owned, easements are in perpetuity, and partnerships and cost-sharing are prioritized. The committee then heard from the Florida Forest Service director, who outlined the agency’s dual mission of wildfire response and land management. He said the service responds to roughly 2,200 to 2,500 wildfires annually, manages 38 state forests and one ranch totaling more than 1.1 million acres, and receives about 15 million visitors each year. He highlighted the impact of Senate Bill 1638 gaming compact funds, which provided $32 million for land management, recreation, equipment, roads, invasive species control, habitat restoration, prescribed burning, reforestation, and staffing support. He said Florida leads the nation in prescribed fire, with 277,818 acres burned on state forests last year and 2.47 million acres burned statewide, and noted ongoing restoration work such as Picayune Strand. He also described challenges including aging equipment, deferred maintenance, contractor availability, and timber market instability caused by hurricanes and mill closures, and suggested longer-term funding and a higher capital asset allowance. Members discussed timber markets, public communication and marketing, recreation fees, and coordination with other agencies and FDOT. The meeting ended with the chair noting that next week’s meeting would report out agency conversations and budget recommendations, and the committee rose.

Transcript Highlights:

• These contracts continue to preserve quality workmanship, strong safety records, and responsible contracting
• By extending LLB contracts for school construction, this bill is instrumental to students and school
• Specifically, they allow school districts to incorporate pre-construction service into the contract,
• Section 2601 of the Public Contracts Code defines skilled and trained workforce as one that meets the
• using them and will promote fairness and equity across all public agencies when contracting.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard AB 402, which would increase Cal Grant award amounts for students attending private nonprofit colleges and allow community college transfer entitlement awards to be used at those institutions. The author and supporters said the bill would restore award levels to their 2001 value and improve access for low- and middle-income, working, military, and transfer students. Several witnesses from private nonprofit universities, community college districts, and advocacy groups supported the measure. Senators raised concerns about the prior Cal Grant agreement tied to Associate Degree for Transfer participation and about the need to fund broader Cal Grant reforms, but the bill advanced on a unanimous due-pass vote to Senate Appropriations and was placed on call. The committee then took up AB 2067, a sunset extension for lease-lease-back authority for TK-12 school construction through July 1, 2032. The author and supporters from school housing and contractor groups said the method provides flexibility, early collaboration, cost control, and legal certainty for school construction projects. Senators asked how often lease-lease-back and other alternative delivery methods are used, and whether the skilled-and-trained workforce provisions limit competition. Some members objected to the skilled-and-trained requirement, while others said the bill simply preserves an existing tool without changing labor rules. The bill passed on a 6-1 vote, with Senator Ochoa Bogh voting no, and was placed on call. AB 1204, which would revise the Local Control Funding Formula by increasing supplemental and concentration grants, lowering the concentration threshold, adding regional cost adjustments, and setting a minimum annual COLA floor, drew extensive testimony on both sides. Supporters said the bill better reflects regional costs, inflation, and student need, especially for low-income, multilingual, and unhoused students. Opponents, including several school district leaders, argued it would widen funding disparities and divert money from the LCFF base grant, which they said should be the priority. Committee members also questioned the fiscal impact, the proposed 4% COLA floor, and whether the bill had enough research and stakeholder consensus. Despite those concerns, the bill was advanced to Appropriations on a due-pass vote and placed on call. Finally, the committee heard AB 1235, which would require a skilled-and-trained workforce process for CSU design-build projects to align CSU with UC and community college construction rules. Supporters said it would improve training and project quality, while opponents from contractor groups argued it would reduce competition, increase costs, and impose mandates without evidence of better outcomes. Several senators objected to the skilled-and-trained requirement as limiting opportunities for contractors who comply with state law, while others noted the issue was already common in higher education construction. The discussion was still underway when the transcript ended, and no final vote on AB 1235 was captured.