Video & Transcript : 'educational credits' :

Page 84 of 500
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><01:09:30.159><c> our</c> stepping up and and helping educate our stepping up and and helping educate
  • They get bonus tax credits.
  • They get bonus tax credits. community. They get bonus tax credits.
  • Um, benefit and monetize tax credits.
  • This is also tax credits.
Summary: The committee met to adopt the minutes of the second meeting by voice vote, then heard an update focused on disaster preparedness, resiliency, response, and coordination among state agencies and partners. The chair emphasized avoiding duplication of resources and highlighted the importance of agriculture-related response issues, including animal evacuation, feed distribution, and the role of extension services during disasters. The Department for Public Health was invited to explain its role in emergency planning and response. Public Health described its Emergency Preparedness and Response Branch as the lead coordinating agency for Emergency Support Function 8, covering health and medical services under Kentucky’s emergency operations framework. Testimony outlined its broad responsibilities, including support for hospitals, morgues, local health departments, behavioral health, crisis counseling, suspicious package testing, disease outbreaks, and coordination with emergency management, EMS, transportation, and nonprofit and private partners. Officials also described the agency’s risk-assessment process, training and exercise programs, and deployed assets such as PPE caches, deployable communications, a federal medical station, a mobile treatment center, and alternate care support used in events like the eastern Kentucky floods and COVID-19. The agency also discussed funding through federal cooperative agreements for public health emergency preparedness and hospital preparedness, noting that these programs have evolved since 9/11 and have been shaped by major disasters and emerging threats. Officials said Kentucky’s funding has declined over time and that current awards are partially funded for the first time in the program’s history. They expressed support for efficiency if federal programs are consolidated, but cautioned that combining programs could risk further funding losses.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

No tax on tips or overtime 3/3/26

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> credit will greatly help them. credit will greatly help them.
  • But if we have an earned tip credit, then I was talking about the earning tip credit.
  • "An earned tip credit, then I was talking about the earning tip credit.
  • </c> tax credit, we could improve that credit tax credit, we could improve that credit to<00:34:32.960
  • </c> refundable credit, by $500 per child. refundable credit, by $500 per child.
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

February 5, 2025 - 12:30 PM

Transcript Highlights:
  • Purchase cards are the county-issued credit cards.
  • So we continually try to educate our clerk of courts and their finance staff about the strangeness of
  • Of course, if they made an unlawful credit card purchase, or an inappropriate credit card purchase, they
  • As for a county credit card, another example, well, let me go back before I go to the county credit card
  • On county credit cards, during a routine county credit card audit, we found a number of inappropriate
Summary: The Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee met to review how county budgets are developed and how constitutional officers fit into that process. Davin Suggs of the Florida Association of Counties gave an overview of county budgeting, explaining the statutory framework, the role of property taxes and TRIM notices, the fiscal-year timeline, fund balances and reserves, and the Department of Revenue’s oversight. He emphasized that county budgets include the board’s budget plus the budgets of constitutional officers, and that relationships and communication are critical to resolving budget issues. A panel of constitutional officers then described their offices’ budget processes and responsibilities: Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons discussed law enforcement budgeting and the importance of negotiated agreements with county commissions; Alachua County Property Appraiser Aisha Solomon explained the June 1 budget deadline, valuation methods, and the appeal process for property assessments; Manatee County Clerk and Comptroller Angelina Coleniso outlined the clerk’s court and finance duties, the county-side budget process, and the clerk’s personal liability under section 129.09 for unlawful expenditures; Leon County Supervisor of Elections Mark Early described the cyclical nature of election costs, staffing, equipment, and the impact of turnout and election law changes; and Columbia County Tax Collector Kyle Keene explained that tax collectors’ budgets are reviewed by the Department of Revenue, with fee offices funding themselves through service charges and budget offices relying on county support. Members asked about personal liability for unlawful spending, conflicts between clerks and county commissions, property valuation and storm damage adjustments, reserve levels, and whether tax collectors can retain excess fees. Responses noted that clerks must refuse illegal expenditures, property appraisers use market-based assessments with VAB and court review available, counties should maintain healthy fund balances for cash flow and emergencies, and tax collectors generally must zero out year-end balances and distribute excess revenues to taxing authorities. The committee took no votes and adjourned after thanking the panelists for their testimony.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> we can give to the department education we can give to the department education to<00:05:46.319>
  • House Bill 1069, relating to education, adds two voting members that represent the Department of Education
  • </c><00:32:41.399><c> about</c> back to the Board of Education about back to the Board of Education about
  • </c><00:42:49.599><c> for</c> required grit credits for required grit credits for graduation<00:42:51.839
  • </c><00:54:39.559><c> or</c> the very specific things like credit or the very specific things like credit
Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 110, HD1, which would clarify local food purchase goals for the Department of Education. DOE said it supports the measure and will work toward the 30% local food mandate by 2030. The Department of Agriculture also supported the bill, and outside advocates from the Hawaii Public Health Institute and Hawaii Farm to School Network strongly backed it as consistent with prior farm-to-school laws and helpful for measuring progress toward the goal. The committee then took up House Bill 293, which would exempt certain DOE purchases of local edible produce and packaged food products from electronic procurement rules and allow written-quote purchasing thresholds, including a lower quote requirement for some rural schools. DOE, the Department of Agriculture, the State Procurement Office, and the Hawaii Farm Bureau all supported the measure, describing it as a tool to help the department test and add local products and meet the 30% goal. However, members pressed DOE on the bill’s purpose and mechanics, questioning why the department could not simply add products to vendor lists or use existing procurement flexibility. DOE explained it was trying to test new local products, including products not yet on the USDA-approved list, and said the bill would allow limited pilot purchases while it works through USDA approval and vendor-list updates. Members also raised concerns about whether the bill was being used to bypass procurement and whether small farmers or aggregators could realistically supply the needed volume. House Bill 1069, which would add two voting members representing DOE and the Board of Education to the School Facilities Authority, also drew support from DOE and the Board of Education. Supporters said the change would improve accountability, strategic input, and communication on school facilities matters. SFA testified that it has already increased coordination with DOE through regular meetings and that recent discussions have been more robust. Committee members questioned whether voting seats were necessary given that DOE and BOE could already attend meetings and receive updates, and they raised concerns about how a voting representative would report back and whether the measure would actually solve communication problems. No votes or final actions were taken on the measures during the portion of the meeting provided.
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

Elementary and Secondary Education Feb 18th, 2026

Elementary and Secondary Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • two-year part or just the credits that they need?
  • But our students, on average, track at about 0.75 credits a month, so that's their earned credit rate
  • , about 0.75 credits.
  • It says that the special education teachers, regular education teachers, other professionals as needed
  • educators.
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

Elementary and Secondary Education Feb 18th, 2026

Elementary and Secondary Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • But our students on average track at about 0.75 credits a month, so that's their earned credit rate,
  • is about 0.75 credits.
  • It says that the special education teachers, regular education teachers, other professionals as needed
  • , and the parents The special education teachers, regular education teachers, other professionals as
  • educators.
Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 3239, which would make the Missouri Workforce Diploma Program permanent and move it into the MoCAP framework. Representative Hurlbert and supporters said the program has helped about 1,200 adults earn diplomas, mostly women with children, and that it improves employment and health coverage outcomes. Members raised concerns about funding, the use of the foundation formula, and how the program differs from existing adult education options. Supporters said it is tuition-free, pay-for-performance, and intended for adults with a short path to graduation; no vote was taken on the bill. The committee then took up House Bills 2335 and 2230/2978 in executive session. HB 2335, dealing with teacher training, was amended and then given a do pass recommendation by a 19-0 vote. HB 2230 and 2978, as amended, were also approved do pass by an 18-1 vote after extensive discussion of the Student Screen Time Standards Act, including limits on screen time, a new advisory council, and a related cursive-writing amendment. Members generally supported the direction of the substitute, while some raised questions about local control, implementation, and the role of experts. Later, Representatives Irwin and Steinhoff presented House Bills 2913 and 3228, which would provide legal protection for teachers who intervene in violent situations to protect students or themselves. Supporters said the bills would reduce fear of liability and encourage reasonable intervention, while committee members and witnesses discussed possible limits, training, whether the protection should extend to other school staff, and how the proposal interacts with existing discipline and restraint rules. Public testimony was largely supportive, with school and teacher groups asking for clearer definitions and coordination with federal law; no vote was taken. The committee also heard House Bill 2304, which would require parental consent before major changes to a child’s special education placement or services. The sponsor and advocates said it strengthens parent involvement and collaboration, while members questioned delays, due process, safety exceptions, and the effect on school operations. Testimony from advocates and parents supported the bill, and the hearing concluded without action.
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

Senate - Tax, Business and Transportation Mar 18th, 2025

Senate Tax, Business & Transportation

Transcript Highlights:
  • Uh, program, uh, of working families tax credit.
  • Further, by decoupling our earned Income Tax Credit from the Federal Earned Income Tax Credit, it protects
  • , um, the search and rescue tax credit, local journalism employment tax credit, uh, local news printer
  • tax credit, foster parent and guardian tax credit, um, we're doing a little bit of the quantum facility
  • infrastructure tax credit also to address the issue regarding.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee Jun 15th, 2026

Budget and Fiscal Review

Transcript Highlights:
  • be provided help in education.
  • You know, these are huge investments in education or K-12 space as well as in our higher education institutions
  • But I really, I'm so grateful for the investments in education and prioritizing education in our state
  • And also can you add to your talking points today that child care is education and education is care,
  • Child care is education, and education is care.
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Feb 24th, 2026

Agricultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • food safety, ...to make available educational materials regarding food safety and handling.
  • A big part of what we do is promotion, education, and research.
  • So, like I said, education, promotion, research—the one thing that we cannot use checkoff dollars for
  • So the CEU credit option is one that we just rolled out a couple weeks ago.
  • . ...just get one credit at a time over a three-year period instead of having to retrain at the same
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Legislative Session Day 24 Feb 4th, 2026

Idaho House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • House Bill 588, by the Education Committee, an act relating to education, amending Section 33-1619, Idaho
  • Code, House Bill 588, by the Education Committee, an act relating to education, amending Section 33-
  • 1619, Idaho Code, to revise provisions regarding virtual education programs, amending Section 33-502A
  • Repealing Section 67-1230, Idaho Code, relating to the Idaho Parental Choice Tax Credit Advance Payment
  • House Education Committee will meet Thursday, February 5, at 9 a.m. in Room EW 41, Hawkins, Chairman.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Human Services Feb 2nd, 2026 at 01:30 pm

Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • Is this coming just out of education and schools, or is this coming just out of the budget?
  • I have just ended last week an 18-year career in SNAP education, and I'm also serve on that. last week
  • We use those funds for education. We promote water as a drinking alternative.
  • Do you know what happened once they did not extend that child tax credit at the federal level? Yes.
  • As you heard, in 2021, the expanded child tax credit reduced child poverty in the U.S. by nearly half
Bills: SB6007 , SB6186 , SB6212
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Jobs and Economic Development - 03/02/26

Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> engaged with u K through 12 educational engaged with u K through 12 educational leaders,<00:47:03.200
  • Uh, and so we need to look at that R&D tax credit and then our angel investor tax credit.
  • So if we could, as our Jobs Committee, look at how the R&D tax credit and the angel investor tax credit
  • ><c> tax</c><01:29:21.760><c> credit.
  • and the angel investor uh tax tax credit and the angel investor uh tax credit<01:29:39.120><c> can</
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Senate Session Apr 15th, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • through the creation of a statewide higher education ombudsman's office.
  • Education, our university is a place for education.
  • Well, yes, and our universities now have credit and non-credit hours.
  • You remember Senate Bill 25, where we were talking about the cost of education, higher education in the
  • That's why over the last three sessions, the Higher Education Coordinating Board and higher education
Bills: SJR39 , SB22 , SB30 , SB33 , SB34 , SB37 , SB75 , SB209 , SB310 , SB505 , SB552 , SB618 , SB626 , SB636 , SB732 , SB747 , SB762 , SB769 , SB819 , SB825 , SB870 , SB926 , SB964 , SB1030 , SB1080 , SB1099 , SB1124 , SB1177 , SB1208 , SB1233 , SB1314 , SB1325 , SB1333 , SB1405 , SB1455 , SB1506 , SB1524 , SB1541 , SB1577 , SB1579 , SB1596 , SB1646 , SB1667 , SB1727 , SB1750 , SB1758 , SB1760 , SB1791 , SB1804 , SB1806 , SB1869 , SB1923 , SB1927 , SB1951 , SB1960 , SB1962 , SB2023 , SB2024 , SB2056 , SB2078 , SB2122 , SB2129 , SB2180 , SB2183 , SB2185 , SB2207 , SB2252 , SB2361 , SB2365 , SB2368 , SB2405 , SB2411 , SB2420 , SB2425 , SB2569 , SB2717 , SJR36 , SJR50 , SJR39 , SJR63 , SJR68 , SCR12 , SCR39 , SCR38 , SCR37 , SCR42 , SCR29 , SB762 , SB1596 , SB62 , SB666 , SB847 , SB284 , SB854 , SB1073 , SB810 , SB1539 , SB1505 , SB583 , SB957 , SB1502 , SB507 , SB1026 , SB1349 , SB1433 , SB1434 , SB310 , SB505 , SB264 , SB1364 , SB1376 , SB1585 , SB1772 , SB2016 , SB1163 , SB619 , SB1122 , SB1877 , SB732 , SB731 , SB397 , SB508 , SB1333 , SB1436 , SB964 , SB287 , SB2143 , SB261 , SB1247 , SB1882 , SB618 , SB393 , SB2243 , SB2226 , SB1919 , SB1791 , SB22 , SB651 , SB1080 , SB826 , SB1079 , SB1243 , SB1504 , SB1851 , SB1879 , SB2237 , SB1257 , SB2034 , SB1522 , SB1151 , SB596 , SB1191 , SB226 , SB570 , SB870 , SB991 , SB60 , SB1401 , SB1728 , SB586 , SB529 , SB217 , SB209 , SB1923 , SB1839 , SB387 , SB1874 , SB1872 , SB1873 , SB1921 , SB1883 , SB1620 , SB1838 , SB2024 , SB2429 , SB1999 , SB511 , SB2309 , SB2166 , SB510 , SB33 , SB2420 , SB1860 , SB1541 , SB1314 , SB1398 , SB1869 , SB1750 , SB855 , SB1233 , SB2425 , SB2037 , SB1758 , SB1759 , SB2365 , SB1924 , SB1818 , SB1405 , SB1762 , SB1968 , SB1977 , SB2077 , SB2321 , SB1662 , SB1663 , SB2124 , SB2204 , SB1855 , SB863 , SB37 , SB819 , SB2078 , SB2252 , SB1962 , SB2253 , SB825 , SB1577 , SB1184 , SB2018 , SB2206 , SB1901 , SB1030 , SB2368 , SB1963 , SB1960 , SB1643 , SB1625 , SB1299 , SB841 , SB668 , SB584 , SB231 , SB2411 , SB1085 , SB2431 , SB2231 , SB1490 , SB530 , SB34 , SB1261 , SB552 , SB1099 , SB1646 , SB2180 , SB1804 , SB1937 , SB1936 , SB2569 , SB1372 , SB1208 , SB1124 , SB1506 , SB1806 , SB1868 , SB2361 , SB2314 , SB769 , SB1409 , SB2122 , SB434 , SB1214 , SB1951 , SB2183 , SB2046 , SB1667 , SB1870 , SB1727 , SB2405 , SB2127 , SB1975 , SB1760 , SB1734 , SB1335 , SB2066 , SB2129 , SB2246 , SB2439 , SB1624 , SB1244 , SB1468 , SB2717 , SB1612 , SB1262 , SB604 , SB2395 , SB2185 , SB1832 , SB1745 , SB1746 , SB2207 , SB2023 , SB1784 , SB1524 , SB626 , SB528 , SB437 , SB269 , SB1137 , SB968 , SB636 , SB747 , SB1325 , SB1789 , SB1455 , SB2056 , SB75 , SB1940 , SB2052 , SB1927 , SB2010 , SB1579 , SB2068 , SB3034 , SB844 , SB1920 , SB1177 , SB1558 , SB1236 , SB1044 , SB926 , SB884 , SB463 , SB331 , SB227 , SB240 , SB517 , SB1200 , SB1410 , SB1626 , SB1845 , SB1863 , SB2216 , SB2681 , SB1717 , SB2053 , SB546 , SB2141 , SB2949 , SB2323 , SB2200 , SB2332 , SB2199 , SB1642 , SB1150 , SB1757 , SB2050 , SB1138 , SB2051 , SB2626 , SB2458 , SB1864 , SB30 , SB2201 , SB1862 , SB1583 , SB1583 , SB1055 , SB2660 , SB1898 , SB2662 , SB2662 , SB2161 , SB2161 , SB2964 , SB2881 , SB1065 , SB1065 , SB801 , SB2743 , SB2533 , SB2533 , SB1413 , SB1413
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><00:03:27.040><c> And</c> housing tax credit or LITC program.
  • And housing tax credit or LITC program.
  • Angela Young via and Education Services. Angela Young via Zoom. Zoom. Zoom.
  • We are doing it now under the low-income housing tax credit program.
  • </c> using low income housing tax credits using low income housing tax credits which<00:11:44.800><c>
Committee: House Housing
Summary: The Committee on Housing heard two resolutions. STR 48 SD 1 called for a comprehensive strategy to adopt updated building codes, with testimony listed from several groups but no one appeared to testify. The committee later deferred the measure, noting it was very similar to House Concurrent Resolution 67 House Draft 1. The committee then took up STR 6D1, which urges the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to develop a plan to produce enough housing to meet state demand. HHFDC testified that the resolution misstated the scope of low-income housing tax credit units and emphasized that the state’s housing need is much larger than previously cited, with a recent study showing about 33,000 units needed for households at or below 60% AMI statewide. HHFDC supported planning but said any plan must be realistic and account for private land constraints. A member raised concerns about rising leasehold costs and affordability for homeowners, and HHFDC responded that rental affordability can be maintained more readily than for-sale housing. The committee adopted HHFDC’s proposed amendments to STR 6D1, including deleting a clause about overbuilding, revising the shortage figures, and adding language referencing Senate Bill 26 and the affordable housing land inventory task force. The committee also amended the resolution to focus on density and timing of development for projects identified by that task force. The measure passed with amendments, and the meeting adjourned.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Revenue Feb 12th, 2026

Joint Committee on Revenue

Transcript Highlights:
  • And in fact, the state actually gets about 10% of whatever the credit is that's paid to the Department
  • I am at the National Education Association meeting, so I apologize, but now I'm here. Thank you.
  • As you know, we represent about 117,000 educators across the Commonwealth, pre-K through higher ed.
  • As you know, we represent about 117,000 educators across the Commonwealth, pre-K through higher ed.
  • The source of our prosperity, he said, and I would argue, remains an educated population.
Bills: H4975
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • La Cooperativa and its members provide education, training, job placement, housing, energy, and other
  • La Cooperativa and its members provide education, training, job placement, housing, energy, and other
  • in the low-income housing tax credit program.
  • in the low-income housing tax credit program.
  • What's even a bigger question is that we actually fund these tax credits in this budget.
Summary: The Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee heard several housing bills. AB 2270, by Assemblymember Arambula, would give farmworker housing projects scoring parity in the state low-income housing tax credit program so they are not disadvantaged by amenity-proximity criteria that do not fit rural agricultural areas. Supporters, including La Cooperativa Campesina, said the bill would help farmworker projects compete fairly for credits; there was no opposition, and the bill was later approved 11-0 and sent to Appropriations. The committee also considered AB 2552, which would clarify use of the state’s new CEQA vehicle miles traveled (VMT) mitigation bank for affordable housing near transit. The author and supporters from the California Building Industry Association and business groups said the bill would add guardrails so the program is cost-effective and usable, while Housing California, the Planning and Conservation League, and others opposed the least-cost requirement, arguing it could undercut the new mitigation bank before implementation. After discussion about balancing housing and environmental goals, the bill passed 11-1 to Appropriations. AB 2689 would require good cause for nonrenewal of certain state-subsidized housing tenancies when a household’s income exceeds 140% of area median income for two consecutive years, with notice requirements and protections if the tenant cannot afford market rent. Some members supported the bill as a way to free up scarce subsidized units and create a housing “ladder,” while others objected that it could punish people for increasing their income. The bill was amended and passed 11-1. The consent calendar items AB 2308, AB 2397, and AB 2512 were also approved unanimously.
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Jan 27th, 2026

Health and Welfare

Transcript Highlights:
  • Chairman, Representative Rubel, about 80% of our enrollees for 2026 receive a tax credit that lowers
  • the original tax credit calculation or amount was intact for and remains intact for 2026.
  • Their premium after the tax credit is applied increased about $18,000.
  • On average, those receiving a tax credit would see their premium increase about $100 a year.
  • So as those premiums go up or down, the tax credit adjusts accordingly.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/03/2026 - House Floor Session

Arizona House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Madam Chair, your Committee on Education has...
  • Some adults may, you know, do bad things with that data and use their credit and open up credit cards
  • It soothes my conscience somewhat—my conscience that hates voting for tax credits—that this tax credit
  • already exists, and this bill merely over... ...credits, that this tax credit already exists, and this
  • You go through the State Board of Education.
Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior journal, and a series of guest introductions, including the day’s Doctor of the Day and many school board members and students visiting for Arizona School Board Association Advocacy Day. Members repeatedly highlighted concerns about school facilities funding and welcomed local education leaders from across the state. The chamber then moved through attendance, committee assignments, and a large number of Senate and House bill readings and referrals. A major portion of the day was spent in Committee of the Whole considering numerous bills and amendments. Among the most notable was SCR 1054, a memorial resolution honoring former Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich, which was unanimously adopted after remarks praising his public service and consumer-protection work. The House also considered HB 2728 on Department of Economic Security continuation and policy changes; after divided-question debate and a recorded division vote, the amended bill received a do-pass recommendation by 32-25. Other bills receiving do-pass recommendations in committee included measures on school safety center funding and governance (HB 2142), school board training (HB 2379), HOA disclosure reforms (HB 2397), credit freezes for foster youth (HB 2321), and several health and human services and judiciary measures. The House then took up third-reading votes on several bills. HB 2053, appropriating money to the Department of Water Resources, passed 32-24; HB 2175, on sentencing, failed 25-31; HB 2327, on records confidentiality, passed 54-2; HB 2416, appropriating money to the Department of Public Safety, passed 33-23 after debate over immigration enforcement funding; HB 2492, relating to urban growth boundaries and initiative/referendum effects, failed 27-29; and HB 2805, making school board races partisan, passed 31-25 despite strong opposition from members who argued school boards should remain nonpartisan. The transcript ends with the House continuing through additional business and votes.
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

Senate in Session Apr 9th, 2025

Florida Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Humanity gets the credit for this bill. Humanity gets the credit for this bill.
  • appropriations for public education to the school districts that educate the students.
  • educate the students.
  • There are homeschooling students who at first were told, if there are educational services or educational
  • And to the Senate's credit and Senator Simon's credit, we did try.
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.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

01/27/2026 - Senate Floor Session

Arizona Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Education. SB 1411, Auditor General charter schools. Government.
  • Education and Appropriations, Transportation and Technology.
  • Education. I would like that. Credit enhancement eligibility. Board communications.
  • Education. SB 1430, Tax Aggressions Act of 2026. Finance.
  • A product of public education, Representative Grijalva...