Transcript Highlights:

• Because of this, more students feel supported, more students feel like they belong, and more students
• Because of this, more students feel supported, more students feel like they belong, and more students
• of color, low-income students, especially Black students and English learners.
• With a particular focus on supporting highly mobile students who are placed in foster care, facing housing
• insecurity, or have an individualized education program... ...supporting highly mobile students who

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education heard the Governor’s proposals on universal school meals, the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP), and community schools, with the Kitchen Infrastructure and Training Grants Program also discussed. For universal meals, the Department of Education supported continued investment, citing high student meal need, reported gains in meal participation and service efficiency from prior kitchen grants, and concerns that federal changes and underreporting could affect funding. The Department of Finance outlined $1.8 billion Proposition 98 General Fund for universal meals and an additional $100 million for a fourth round of kitchen grants, while the LAO recommended rejecting the new kitchen grant round because prior rounds are still being spent and the allowable uses are broad. Members raised questions about federal matching requirements, Summer EBT, and whether immigration-related federal policy changes could reduce meal counts and state/federal reimbursements. For ELOP, the Department of Finance described $4.7 billion ongoing Proposition 98 General Fund plus $62.4 million to set a minimum Tier 2 rate of $1,800 per pupil. The LAO recommended modifying the proposal to fully fix Tier 2 at the current $1,579 rate and tie future changes to program requirements, while CDE supported the Governor’s approach and said the added stability would help districts plan. Committee discussion focused on whether ELOP should remain a standalone before- and after-school program or be folded into LCFF, with some members and witnesses arguing for more local flexibility and clearer outcome measures, while others emphasized the value of guaranteed expanded learning access, especially for elementary students and working families. CDE noted new CalPADS reporting will provide more data beginning with the 2025-26 school year. For community schools, the Governor proposed $1 billion ongoing Proposition 98 General Fund to expand the model to thousands more schools and sustain existing ones, along with stronger technical assistance and future accreditation/self-certification. The LAO recommended continuing the current one-time grant approach instead of creating a new ongoing categorical program, citing concerns about scalability, administrative burden, and the need for earlier planning and clearer accreditation timelines if ongoing funding is adopted. CDE strongly supported the ongoing investment, saying community schools have improved attendance, suspensions, and achievement, and that technical assistance and county office support are essential for expansion. Members and public commenters largely supported community schools, with some urging stronger accountability, more support for county offices and MTSS, and debate over whether non-classroom-based charter schools should be excluded from eligibility. No formal votes were taken in the portion provided; the committee heard testimony and moved through the agenda items and public comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• But we fear that with a mobile unit, that makes it much harder to do those compliance checks.
• Right now we have the ability to do—you can have a mobile bar, right, and it goes to a location, sets
• It's just a mobile cigar bar.
• Mobile vendors, cigar gardens at festivals, and hand-rolled cigar artisans would operate legally and
• With Senate Bill 1274, we ensured that students and faculty applicants at our public institutions of

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee first approved the February 11 minutes, then unanimously sent House Bill 721 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. HB 721, as explained by Representative Crane, expands an earlier proposal to require a 30-day initial plan review timeline not only for public schools but for all public works projects. Supporters from the Idaho Associated General Contractors said the bill would improve efficiency, reduce regulatory burden, and help projects move to bid sooner without waiting for final plan approval. The committee then took up House Bill 618, a wildfire insurance transparency bill sponsored by Representatives Sauter and Church. The sponsors said the bill would require insurers using wildfire or catastrophe risk models to disclose information about those models, mitigation options, and related data to policyholders and the Department of Insurance, with the goal of helping homeowners and businesses understand non-renewals, premium increases, and ways to reduce risk. Several property owners testified about steep premium increases, cancellations, and difficulty getting clear explanations from insurers, while the sponsors argued the bill would improve consumer information and mirror laws already in place in several western states. Opponents, including the American Property Casualty Insurance Association and an ICRMP representative, argued the bill was overly broad, could raise costs, and would improperly sweep in governmental insurers and proprietary rating methods. After debate, the committee rejected a motion to send the bill forward and instead voted to hold HB 618 in committee. House Bill 817, which would allow a mobile cigar business permit and related “cigar garden” operations, was then introduced by Representative Petsky. Supporters said the bill would create a new small-business opportunity without changing existing tobacco age restrictions or use rules, while opponents from the American Heart Association/Tobacco Free Idaho raised concerns about enforcement and the difficulty of conducting compliance checks on mobile retailers. After testimony from the sponsor, industry representatives, and a small-business owner, the committee passed HB 817 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. Finally, Representative Redman began presenting House Bill 801, a religious-lands housing bill intended to let faith-based organizations use their land for attainable housing and related community uses. Early questions focused on parking, building height, setbacks, and airport-related restrictions, and the sponsor said he was open to amendments to address concerns about unintended effects and “poison pill” local requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• And since its inception three years ago, the program has supported 73 students representing each of the
• We had to continuously mobilize our members to call and write senators and representatives to make sure
• And I can't do anything except to try to hold signs and mobilize and get people like James. ...except
• to try to hold signs and mobilize and get people like James to, you know, crawl out of bed to write
• We can report back to our members and help them believe that their hard work for our students has been

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Service heard testimony on a wide range of retirement, municipal workforce, and public employee labor bills. Early testimony focused on H. 2749, a Plymouth home rule petition to classify Plymouth harbormaster employees as Group 4 for retirement purposes. Supporters, including local officials and retirement board representatives, argued the employees perform law-enforcement and rescue duties comparable to police and fire personnel, that the change would be fair, and that it would have little or no fiscal impact on the town. A separate harbormaster-related bill, H. 2743, was also introduced later in the hearing. The committee also heard testimony on provisions of the Municipal Empowerment Act (H. 56), including a temporary critical-shortage exemption allowing retired state or municipal employees to return to work in hard-to-fill positions, and a renewed OPEB commission to study retiree health care costs. Administration and municipal officials said the measures were needed to address staffing shortages and rising benefit liabilities, while emphasizing the shortage exemption would be time-limited and require proof of recruitment efforts. Related retirement bills drew support and caution: advocates for higher COLA bases and enhanced COLA benefits urged relief for retirees, but some asked the committee to wait for recommendations from the special COLA commission before acting. A major portion of the hearing concerned labor rights at the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority and the Committee for Public Counsel Services. Union representatives and employees backed bills to extend just-cause protections, promotional rights, and collective bargaining rights to MWRA and CPCS workers, arguing they currently lack protections available to most other public employees. Testimony described unfair discipline, delayed promotions, and high turnover, and committee members indicated prior favorable action on similar MWRA bills and expressed support for addressing CPCS labor rights. The committee also heard from representatives of the Massachusetts Municipal Association and public higher education employees in support of H. 2820, which would require timely funding of ratified state employee contracts, with witnesses describing long delays in receiving negotiated raises and back pay. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chair repeatedly invited written testimony and closed each panel after questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, I'm honored to welcome a group of proud 4-H students that are up in the gallery.
• Chris' commitment to students is truly admirable as she has not only dedicated herself to those in her
• classroom. but has also contributed to students nationwide.
• They help mentor and raise scholarships for law students.
• Students enrolled at Texas Southern University or Prairie View A&M University refer to the Committee

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Fifty-one students began attending classes that September.
• For 2025, two law students are serving in Austin, Texas.
• These 48 student interns are more than just names on a roster.
• SB 522 facilitates mobility for certified public accountants by ensuring similar practice mobility for
• SB 522 facilitates mobility for certified public accountants by ensuring similar practice mobility for

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, heard the invocation and pledges, and then took up a series of memorial resolutions and recognitions. Members adopted memorial resolutions honoring former President Jimmy Carter and Dr. Alice Gail Hudgens, with remarks highlighting their public service and community impact, and adopted resolutions recognizing Victoria College’s 100th anniversary and May 2025 as Mental Health Awareness Month. The chamber also recognized Texas A&M system interns and later granted permission for several committees to meet while the House was in session. The House then moved through a long third-reading calendar, passing a number of bills on wide margins. Measures approved included SB 304 on municipal court jurisdiction over nuisance abatement ordinances, SB 608 on reporting evidence collection kits, SB 2312 creating a Texas Advisory Committee on Geopolitical Conflict, SB 494 creating a petroleum theft task force, SB 530 on postsecondary accreditation, HB 45 giving the Attorney General a role in prosecuting human trafficking cases, HB 35 on peer support for first responders, HB 47 and HB 3073 on sexual assault policy and prosecution, HB 318 and HB 3000 creating rural sheriff and ambulance grant programs, HB 554 on Juneteenth fireworks sales with county opt-in authority restored, HB 705 and HB 932 joining licensure compacts for cosmetology and occupational therapy, HB 849 allowing county park boards to meet by video conference, HB 1119 on mental health bed reporting, HB 3041 on students with nontraditional secondary education, HB 713 on maternal mortality review reporting, HB 3104 on Webb County bailiff appointments, HB 3970 on electricity planning for large loads, HB 4042 on Railroad Commission safety provisions for gas distribution pipelines, HB 4490 protecting next-of-kin information, HB 1731 on the physician assistant compact, HB 2607 on Walker County Hospital District governance, HB 3689 on Texas Windstorm Insurance Association funding, HB 1788 on continuing education for barbers and cosmetologists about abuse and trafficking, HB 1612 on hospital direct payments for uninsured patients, and HB 138 on health impact cost and coverage analysis. Several bills drew extended debate or amendments. HB 353, creating a trespass offense near schools and daycares, prompted questions about constitutional concerns and property rights before passing. HB 3211 on optometrists in managed care plans received a perfecting amendment and a Medicaid-related amendment setting a minimum payment level. HB 1056 on gold and silver specie and a state-based currency prompted detailed questioning about its mechanics and fees, followed by a point of order challenging the caption. The House also adopted or postponed a number of items, including postponing HB 2520 and HB 1359 until later in the calendar before later passing both, and laying several bills on the table subject to call. Many measures passed overwhelmingly, while a few, including HB 3326 on loan forgiveness for adjunct professors and HB 3237 on energy consumption goals, passed with narrower margins.

Transcript Highlights:

• This program supports 800 students each year by building in-home supportive services that reflect and
• build on IEP goals, services, and family supports that keep these students at home with their families
• Orientation and mobility is another service that we provide.
• Orientation and mobility is another service that we provide.
• education You guys that we are seeing significant increases in student attendance, which would then

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing was an informational and oversight session of the Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities, with chairs and members hearing agency updates from several commissioners. The Department of Public Health’s Bureau of Family Health and Nutrition described its maternal and child health work, including home visiting, early intervention, WIC, newborn hearing screening, and cross-agency efforts on prenatal substance exposure, respite care, children’s vision, and maternal health initiatives. DPH emphasized that federal grant cuts, layoffs, and the loss of data systems such as PRAMS would weaken services and planning, and members asked about Title V funding and the impact of federal uncertainty. The Massachusetts Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing highlighted communication access services, interpreter and CART referrals, emergency after-hours support, family navigation, and independent living services. Commissioners and members discussed the shortage of ASL interpreters and the need to expand training pipelines, including partnerships with colleges and possible ASL programming for younger students. The Department of Developmental Services reported serving nearly 50,000 people and focused on youth and adult services, transition-age supports, autism services, self-direction, respite, and new high-acuity residential models. Members asked about respite availability, self-direction outcomes, and workforce shortages; DDS said it was expanding clinical capacity and provider rates while monitoring possible federal Medicaid, SNAP, and immigration-related impacts. The Commission for the Blind described services for about 28,000 legally blind residents, most of whom are older adults, including social rehabilitation, orientation and mobility training, children’s services, assistive technology, vocational rehabilitation, and Turning 22 supports. The commissioner discussed a UMass-based effort to build the workforce pipeline for blindness services and said the agency was watching federal restructuring but had not yet seen direct cuts. MassAbility’s leadership then warned about major federal changes affecting Social Security disability determinations, including staff restructuring, office closures, and a new overpayment repayment policy, and said the agency was preparing for possible increases in claims and uncertainty around reallotment dollars that help fund services. The Disabled Persons Protection Commission closed the hearing with an update on its abuse investigations and protective services for adults with disabilities. DPPC reported rising hotline calls and investigations, a growing caseload, its sexual assault response team, the abuser registry, and a new interagency protective services integration system funded by ARPA dollars through 2027. The agency also flagged new federal rules that could affect funding eligibility and said it may need statutory changes to comply. Members asked about funding, reporting pathways, and how complaints reach DPPC, and the commissioner said the agency uses both mandated reporting and proactive outreach to identify and respond to abuse.

Transcript Highlights:

• We didn't report every student.
• Because Pell Grants are determined on student need, a student may qualify for 100% of a Pell Grant or
• The fact of the matter is, if you're an institution and you're a student, it's better for the student
• determined on student need, a student may qualify for 100% of a Pell Grant or they may qualify for as
• The fact of the matter is, if you're an institution and you're a student, it's better for the student

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We didn't report every student.
• Because Pell Grants are determined on student need, a student may qualify for 100% of a Pell Grant or
• The fact of the matter is, if you're an institution and you're a student, it's better for the student
• Because Pell Grants being determined on student need, a student may qualify for 100% of a Pell Grant
• The fact of the matter is, if you're an institution and you're a student, it's better for the student

Summary: The meeting focused on Arkansas’s proposed workforce system overhaul, including a combined WIOA/Perkins state plan and a package of federal waiver requests intended to consolidate workforce governance, reduce administrative costs, and redirect more funding to training and supportive services. Commerce officials said the plan would replace the current structure of 10 local workforce boards and more than 200 board members with a single statewide board and one administrative entity, while keeping local offices open and using regional business councils to preserve employer and local input. They said the state has already reduced Commerce headcount and operating costs, and that the changes would improve coordination with higher education, adult education, vocational rehabilitation, DHS, and Arkansas Industry Connect. Much of the discussion centered on the waiver package, especially the proposal to make the state board function as the local board, allow more flexible movement of funds across regions, eliminate the WIOA “last dollar” requirement for training and supportive services, create affiliate sites instead of requiring every area to maintain a comprehensive center, and relax the 14 youth program element requirement. Officials said the State Board of Workforce Development approved the waiver package 11-3 before it was submitted to the U.S. Department of Labor, and that implementation would begin only after federal approval and a closeout process, likely taking up to a year. They also described plans to streamline referrals and data sharing, expand mobile and virtual services, and use a more centralized model to improve customer service and employer engagement. Members raised repeated concerns about rural representation, local control, board composition, and whether jobs and relationships would be lost if local boards were eliminated. Commerce officials responded that local offices would remain open, some current staff could be rehired by the state, and regional business councils would help ensure local employer voice. Several members also questioned how the funding was being used, citing audit findings that only about $1.8 million to $1.9 million of roughly $14 million to $15 million in federal workforce funds had gone to training and supportive services. Officials said the reorganization could increase annual training spending to roughly $6 million to $7 million by reducing overhead, one-stop operator contracts, and board administration. The committee also discussed how the changes might support workforce training facilities, apprenticeships, child care and transportation assistance, and employer-driven training in fields such as manufacturing, health care, technology, and welding. The Division of Higher Education also briefed members on Workforce Pell. Officials explained that the new federal program would extend Pell eligibility to short-term programs, but only within narrow limits, such as 150 to 599 clock hours and 8 to 15 weeks of instruction, with additional completion and employment benchmarks. They said Arkansas is working with colleges and universities to identify programs that fit the criteria and that the governor has designated the Division of Higher Education to lead implementation. No votes were taken by the committee during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• These pressures are directly diverting resources away from classrooms, student services, and staffing
• These pressures are directly diverting resources away from classrooms, student services, and staffing
• Every additional dollar spent on the SIBTF is a dollar that can't be spent on students.
• Third, and most importantly, this does prevent us from providing patient and student services at a time
• Timing is imperative, and the inability to mobilize appropriate teams will impact organ viability and

Summary: The committee heard extensive testimony on AB 1729, which would update California state telework policy. The author and many unionized state workers argued that telework has improved productivity, reduced emissions and commuting costs, saved the state money on office space, and should be governed by written, evidence-based departmental policies rather than blanket return-to-office mandates. Supporters emphasized flexibility, morale, and the need for transparency through a public dashboard. There was no opposition testimony, and the bill was later moved on a 2-1 vote, with the item placed on call. Members also heard AB 805, which would create a Career Apprenticeship Bridge Program to connect high school career technical education with registered apprenticeships. The author and supporters said the bill implements recommendations from the California Youth Apprenticeship Model report and would expand earn-and-learn pathways, especially for youth facing barriers. The bill passed the committee 3-0 and was placed on call. Two workers’ compensation and labor-relations bills drew sharp opposition. AB 1576 would reform the Subsequent Injury Benefit Trust Fund; supporters said it would reduce litigation and employer assessments, while opponents argued it did not go far enough and preferred the administration’s trailer bill. AB 1582 would make it an unfair labor practice for UC or other higher education employers to disregard arbitration decisions on contracting out; supporters said it would protect arbitration outcomes for service workers, while UC argued it would interfere with bargaining agreements and threaten patient and student services. Both bills were moved on 2-1 votes and placed on call. After quorum was established, the committee also advanced AB 1630, allowing union representatives to invite bargaining-unit members to observe meet-and-confer sessions remotely; AB 2650, a CalSavers cleanup bill to improve retirement savings access and administration; AB 2054, expanding paid family leave eligibility for relatives of military service members on domestic duty; AB 2157, making permanent the Displaced Oil and Gas Workers Fund pilot program; and AB 1838, requiring bidders on local public works projects to disclose recent wage-and-hour violations. AB 1630 and AB 2157 were both placed on call after divided votes, while AB 2650 and AB 2054 passed 2-1 and 3-0 respectively, and AB 1838 was placed on call after a 1-1 vote. The transcript ends as the committee begins AB 2682, which would conform the appeal process for transportation network company driver unionization law.

Transcript Highlights:

• and Harvey's Mobile in Montpelier.
• Harvey Manufacturing, County Oil, Plumbing and Heating, Sterling View Mobile Home Park, Johnson Mobile
• and Harvey's Mobile in Montpelier.
• Harvey Manufacturing, County Oil, Plumbing and Heating, Sterling View Mobile Home Park, Johnson Mobile
• Harvey Manufacturing, County Oil, Plumbing and Heating, Sterling View Mobile Home Park, Johnson Mobile

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to combat food insecurity, in order to improve digital security. inclusion and promote economic mobility
• Senate Bill 1430 by Blanco relating to a requirement that certain students interns residents and fellows
• Senate Bill 1459 by Campbell relating to public school policies regarding student possession of personal
• Senate Bill 1507 by Parker, relating to advanced air mobility to transportation.
• As gifted and talented students. week to administration.

Bills: SJR34, SB10, SB18, SB19, SB21, SB72, SB140, SB262, SB370, SB480, SB495, SB627, SB703, SB767, SB790

Keywords: parental rights, parents, children, custody, care and control, upbringing, family law, constitutional amendment, Texas Constitution, child welfare, education policy, medical decisions, parental authority, primary decision makers, family autonomy, education, Ten Commandments, public schools, religious display, First Amendment

Transcript Highlights:

• initial attack out there and we knock these fires down and we can stop them from going to state mobilization
• So when we were doing the original bill, I did a lot of research on state mobilization, and I didn't
• find any fires in recent history that went to state mobilization that were really less than a million
• It's been a win-win for the state because we stopped a lot of fires from going to state mobilization.
• across sectors: DSHS on SNAP, the Department of Health on WIC, and OSPI on school meals for remote students

Bills: HB2104, HB2554, HB2619

Keywords: aviation, wildland fires, funding, disaster relief, emergency response, tribal rights, fishing rights, salmon management, state-tribal agreements, natural resources, agriculture, regulations, farming, compliance, economic impact, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• initial attack out there and we knock these fires down and we can stop them from going to state mobilization
• When we were doing the original bill, I did a lot of research on state mobilization, and I didn't find
• any fires in recent history that went to state mobilization that were really less than a million dollars
• And knock these fires down and save a fire from going to state mobilization, then that saves the state
• It's been a win-win for the state because we stopped a lot of fires from going to state mobilization.

Summary: The Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee held public hearings on several House bills. ESHB 2238 would require the Department of Agriculture to develop a statewide food security strategy, monitor food system performance, and report on agricultural regulatory costs and competitiveness; the sponsor and many stakeholders from agriculture, food banks, school nutrition, counties, and advocacy groups supported it as a coordinated response to food insecurity and farm viability, while one requested amendment was addressed on the House floor. HB 2199 would expand the derelict vessel removal program by changing the definition of derelict vessel to allow earlier intervention when vessels are unregistered for two annual periods; ports, local officials, and environmental advocates testified in support, and the bill had no fiscal impact noted. HB 2104 would remove the sunset from the Aviation Assurance Funding Program for wildland fire response, with support from fire chiefs and the sponsor emphasizing its value for rapid initial attack and cost savings. HB 2554 would repeal statutes from Initiative 456 that conflict with treaty fishing rights; the Attorney General’s Office, Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the sponsor supported repeal as necessary to remove unenforceable anti-tribal language, while testimony comments showed substantial opposition. HB 2619 would create a legislative task force to review regulatory stress in agriculture and recommend changes; the sponsor linked it to farmer mental health and suicide prevention, and there was no public testimony. HB 2343 would require public game farms operated by Fish and Wildlife to obtain water discharge permits and meet manure/runoff controls; staff noted it would apply to the known public facility and carry modest compliance costs, with no public testimony. The committee also unanimously waived the five-day notice rule for HB 2104, 2554, 2619, and 2343, and closed the hearings without taking final votes, planning to consider all six bills in executive session at a later meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Lack of access to adjacent free lanes reduces access to businesses, restricts mobility, and increases
• Uh, those toll lanes were operated and maintained by North Tarrant Express Mobility Partners.
• The moment to invest in a wide range of infrastructures and mobility options in Texas is now.
• I'm the chairman of the Alamo Regional Mobility Authority and I represent that entity. Um.
• Without mobility we really have no commerce.

Transcript Highlights:

• ON SLIDE 11 YOU HAVE UP THERE ABOUT MOBILE HOMES. CAN YOU ELABORATE?
• >> THIS PARTICULAR HOME FOR MOBILE MANUFACTURED HOMES IS ONLY FOR TIEDOWN.
• YOU SAID ON THE ELEVATE FLORIDA ON SOME OF THE MOBILE HOMES YOU WILL HAVE IT DONE BY JULY OF 2025.
• MOBILE HOMES ARE ELIGIBLE PROJECTS.
• SAY SOMEONE HAS A MOBILE HOME AND ARE ELIGIBLE.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The company provides mobile flare gas capture and CNG fueling in the Bakken.
• Companies also reported expected improvements in retention, safety, upskilling, and internal mobility
• Companies also reported expected improvements in retention, safety, upskilling, and internal mobility
• And so we're also building continuing engagement with those students to help keep them.
• There might be jobs that a student is really interested in, and we do need it.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Budget Section’s Commerce and Legal Services Division met to review the Department of Commerce base budget for the 2027-29 biennium and to receive an update on Commerce programs. Legislative Council staff first walked the committee through the “blue sheet” base budget summary, explaining the major line items, the large share of federal grant authority in Commerce’s budget, and the continuing appropriations that support several Commerce funds. Members asked how grant funding is coordinated across agencies, and staff said collaboration varies by program but is strong in areas like UAS and LIHEAP. Commerce Commissioner Chris Schilken then presented on current activities, focusing heavily on grant administration, transparency, and economic development programs. Members questioned how grant applicants are selected, whether Commerce tracks applications and return on investment, and how long grant awards take to reach recipients. The commissioner said Commerce uses scoring criteria, outside reviewers, a minimum 30-day application window, and typically completes awards within two to three months. A lengthy exchange followed over whether Commerce should open some grants only to intended recipients versus running competitive application processes; Commerce said it follows best-practice grantmaking and that its attorney in the Attorney General’s office approved that approach. Commerce also highlighted the North Dakota Development Fund, citing long-term investment and job creation results, examples such as Red Trail Energy, Packet Digital, Valiance, Corvent Medical, child care loans, and the Automate ND program. Members asked about acceptable failures, lessons learned, regional economic development coordination, and the expansion of the fund into non-primary sectors. Workforce Director Katie Ralston Howell then outlined a statewide workforce ecosystem review, a new governor’s workforce sub-cabinet, and three task forces focused on simplifying entry, warm handoffs, and data integration. She discussed the in-demand occupations list, Workforce Pell, apprenticeships, and efforts to better connect students with employers and higher education. Commerce also briefly reviewed housing programs and a new housing sub-cabinet. No votes were taken; the committee simply received testimony, asked questions, and adjourned after setting up the next meeting to hear the Attorney General budget in June.

Transcript Highlights:

• This really shrinks that universe down to three types of properties: single-family homes, mobile homes
• I was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida, and am a student here at Florida State University.
• You read my mind in terms of thanking the students from FSU for being here.
• You read my mind in terms of thanking the students from FSU for being here.
• You read my mind in terms of thanking the students from FSU for being here.

Summary: The Finance and Tax Committee met and first heard SB 674, which would allow county property appraisers, like tax collectors already can, to budget for and pay hiring or retention bonuses if approved in their Department of Revenue budget. Support came from property appraiser representatives, who said the bill would help them compete for specialized staff without requiring new funding. The bill was reported favorably. The committee then considered SJR 318, a proposed constitutional amendment on tangible personal property used on agricultural land, along with an amendment clarifying the exemption’s scope and allowing the Legislature to set conditions by general law. Farm Bureau and the Florida Chamber supported the measure, and the committee adopted the amendment and reported the joint resolution favorably. Members also took up CS for SB 1664, which would require voter reapproval of local discretionary taxes when they expire; an amendment changed the bill to require expiration dates and tied reapproval to tax expiration rather than a fixed eight-year cycle. Local government and tourism groups raised concerns about impacts on tourist development taxes, transportation surtaxes, beaches funding, and long-term financing, while supporters argued voters should periodically affirm local taxes. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. Next, the committee considered SJR 1510 and its implementing bill SB 1512, both dealing with a homestead-style property tax benefit for certain long-term leased residential properties. After multiple amendments narrowed the proposal substantially, limiting it to one qualifying property and then to single-family homes, mobile homes, and condominium units, counties and cities still opposed the measures as a tax shift to other taxpayers. The sponsor said the changes reduced the scope and fiscal impact, and both measures were reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard SPB 7034, the Senate tax package, which includes permanent sales tax exemptions, multiple tax holidays, motor vehicle fee reductions, a property tax study, rural investment tax credits, a freeze on local communications services tax rates, and other tax changes, with an estimated $2.1 billion revenue reduction. Testimony was mixed: property appraisers supported the property tax study, while many public commenters opposed the firearm and ammunition tax holiday and urged inclusion of gun safes and locks instead. County, city, tourism, and lodging representatives raised concerns about tourist development tax limits and other local revenue impacts, while supporters emphasized tax relief and the study’s value. After debate, the committee adopted a motion to submit SPB 7034 as a committee bill and reported it favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Freedom Truck is the White House's version of a mobile museum.
• So any student across the country can go online and take the preliminary civics test.
• But they are hoping to choose four students from each state to then participate in a contest mirrored
• But they are hoping to choose four students from each state to then participate in a contest mirrored
• So if you have students or individual educators in your districts, please encourage them to have students

Summary: The America 250 and Idaho Advisory Council met to approve prior minutes and authorize several funding items tied to Idaho’s 250th anniversary celebrations. Members approved January 19 minutes and a reimbursement of up to $20,882 to the State Superintendent of Public Education for additional Spirit of U.S. box materials for schools. They also approved a broader America 250 budget proposal that includes the July 4 Capitol celebration, ambassador programs, and authority to solicit and accept private donations, with funds to be managed separately by the treasurer’s office and the A250 subcommittee. Representative Galaviz and Treasurer Ellsworth outlined plans for the July 4 celebration at the Capitol and Cecil Andrus Park, including a parade, concert, bands, family activities, and open Capitol offices and exhibits. They described cost-sharing with the We the People parade organizers, who are covering most parade-related expenses, and discussed related projects such as the Liberty Bell carriage, go bags for ambassador materials, the Veterans Mustang Ride, challenge coins, heritage fountain plans, flags across Idaho, Liberty quilts, and the service challenge. The treasurer reported strong statewide participation, including 1,100 ambassadors across cities, counties, businesses, schools, and veterans groups, and noted that service challenge participation had surpassed 11,000 acts. Director Gallimore gave a task force update on statewide and national America 250 efforts, including the Idaho Lottery’s planned scratch ticket, the Moments That Made Us downloadable exhibit, Reading the Republic, the Four Score exhibit opening, and a complementary exhibit later in March. She also noted coordination for events at Signature Point and the Old Pen, and said the museum would be open on July 4 with free admission. Hannah Laurie Hine reported on federal America 250 initiatives such as the White House’s Freedom Truck mobile museums, the Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C., a prayer-focused event, the Presidential 1776 Award civics contest, and other national story-collection and volunteer efforts. The committee agreed to meet again on March 9 and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• DESE and the DESE educators who serve Pappas students remain committed to those student successes.
• Student A has had disrupted attendance at a public school, received his diploma four years early, Student
• Open the school to today's students.
• Open the school today's students.
• Altogether, these students highlight our current quandary: Are our students too medically complex or

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The special legislative commission on the future of Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children held a hybrid public hearing focused on the hospital’s future, admissions, staffing, infrastructure, and whether the facility should be preserved, expanded, or reimagined. Opening remarks from legislators, commissioners, parents, and union representatives emphasized that Pappas provides a unique combination of medical, rehabilitative, educational, and residential services for children with complex needs, and several speakers argued that the hospital is effectively being depopulated through reduced admissions and ongoing discharges despite public assurances that it remains open. Multiple speakers urged the commission to extend its authorization and continue its work before any closure or major change can occur. Testimony from labor leaders, including AFSCME, SEIU Local 509, and the Massachusetts Nurses Association, described a “silent closure” in practice, with staff reporting confusion about the hospital’s status, declining census numbers, blocked admissions, and uncertainty about the workforce’s future. They called for immediate action to stop admission denials and unnecessary discharges, and some proposed short-term solutions such as temporary modular structures to address infrastructure barriers and allow admissions to resume. Parents and former patients testified that Pappas provided life-changing independence, specialized therapy, and campus-based supports that they said could not be replicated elsewhere, and they criticized alternative placements as inadequate. Commissioner Robert Goldstein of the Department of Public Health said the administration supports keeping Pappas open and funded while the commission works, but he argued that admissions must comply with hospital-level-of-care rules and that the campus’s deteriorating infrastructure limits the kinds of children who can safely be served there. He said the department is continuing admissions for appropriate patients, working to expand outreach and services, and exploring long-term options, including broader statewide models of care. Commissioners pressed him on whether discharge status or lack of a clear discharge plan had been used as a barrier to admission, and requested de-identified data on patients recommended for admission but denied. No formal votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

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• The department of student level.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from the March 6, 2026 meeting and then received updates from the Legislative Budget Assistant audit staff on several ongoing audits. Christine Young reported that the special education audit was in report-writing stage with 39 of 80 observations completed and a draft expected in the second quarter, the education freedom accounts audit had 27 of 42 observations completed with a draft also expected in the second quarter, and the Doorway program audit had a draft report with 15 observations sent to DHHS on March 30, with responses due April 24 and presentation expected at the May fiscal committee meeting. Members asked about the size of the special education report, and staff estimated it would be over 800 pages and roughly three pounds. The committee then reviewed prior audit responsiveness from the Human Rights Commission. The commission reported that 22 observations had been completed, with remaining issues focused on timely case processing, a formal risk assessment, and a performance measurement system. Officials said staffing shortages were improving, a risk assessment manual had been drafted, a scorecard system was nearly complete, and the commission’s rules were moving through the public hearing process. Members asked about the timeline, and the commission said case processing was averaging 20 to 22 months and that the remaining items were expected to be resolved over time. Police Standards and Training also reported progress on prior audit items. The director corrected one status designation and said the job task analysis for curriculum development was substantially resolved, with findings and recommendations being prepared for the council. He said work on fitness testing was on hold pending legislative action, the performance measurement and strategic planning item remained a priority, and the council was focusing first on updating administrative rules. He also said the corrections advisory committee likely needed a statutory amendment to better reflect members with practical corrections experience. In response to questions, he said the council does not certify county correctional officers but reviews county curriculum annually, and he said the agency would be open to discussing consolidation or a pathway for county officers to become state-certified. The Department of Corrections then updated the committee on parole board-related audit items, saying 11 of 13 DOC-related findings were resolved. The remaining issues involved implementing a structured decision-making process for the parole board and improving data collection for recidivism tracking; the board had applied to the National Institute of Corrections for training, and manual data collection was underway. DOC also said it had created a HIPAA-compliant release form to share substance use disorder treatment information with the parole board. Finally, OPLC reported on the mental health workforce audit, saying six findings were fully resolved and six substantially resolved, with most remaining items tied to rulemaking and application processing. The office expects to complete its backend system migration and improve timeliness metrics by the end of the year, and it recently launched a jurisprudence exam for the mental health board. Under potential audit topics, staff said two items remained suspended because of litigation, and the committee discussed whether to keep DHHS contract management on the list. Representative [name unclear] proposed adding two new education freedom account audit topics: verification of residency and eligibility, and a record of educational attainment while preserving student privacy. Members supported adding them, but staff warned the expanded scope could delay the report and would require coordination with the Department of Education and approval by the Fiscal Committee. The chair said staff would work with the commissioner and LBA to draft the revised scope for further committee action.