Transcript Highlights:

• This administration oversees programs that support early childhood care and education, with a focus on
• and affordable, and we also have heard specifically from early care and education programs that have
• programs that are care and education programs that are accessible<00:21:27.919> and<00:21:28.080
• <00:21:32.400> programs<00:21:32.840> that early care and education programs that early
• care and education programs that have<00:21:33.080> told<00:21:33.320> us<00:21:33.520

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It requires the Board of Regents to establish a specialized training program to educate health care providers
• <00:15:19.600> to<00:15:19.759> educate<00:15:20.079> Healthcare training program
• to educate Healthcare training program to educate Healthcare Providers<00:15:20.800> on<00:15
• This bill requires the board to establish a specialized training program to educate healthcare providers
• This bill requires the board to establish a specialized training program to educate healthcare providers

Keywords: 910, house, all

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

Transcript Highlights:

• We should celebrate education.
• programs unless they received a waiver. programs unless they received a waiver.
• and major programs.
• general education and major programs. general education and major programs.
• This council on education.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Interim Joint Budget Review Subcommittee on Education met to hear updates from Kentucky public universities and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System on compliance with House Bill 4, which restricts DEI-related activities and requires institutional and viewpoint neutrality. The chair emphasized that the hearing should focus on both compliance and the financial effects of the law. Eastern Kentucky University said its board adopted a House Bill 4 compliance resolution and an institutional neutrality policy. KCTCS reported systemwide reviews of programs, websites, scholarships, personnel, and admissions language, along with board actions removing a cultural competency course requirement, adopting institutional neutrality, and certifying compliance. KCTCS said about $2.5 million annually had been reallocated to other needs, and that no personnel were eliminated, though some roles were reassigned and DEI-related offices closed. Kentucky State University said it had already dissolved DEI offices before the bill passed, ended DEI-specific training, revised policies and gift acceptance rules, adopted a viewpoint neutrality policy, and was conducting ongoing reviews of programs, job descriptions, and web content. KSU said it had achieved substantial compliance, expected full operational integration by August 1, and had not terminated staff or closed academic programs because of the law. In response to questions, KSU said it was broadening outreach to all students rather than targeting specific populations and that its prior diversity finding was tied to not meeting a diversity quota. Morehead State University said it had no DEI office before House Bill 4, amended its non-discrimination statement to include political and social viewpoint neutrality and condemnation of religious and ethnic discrimination, and remained focused on serving its largely low-income student body. Murray State University reported reviewing scholarships, expenditures, training, and academic programs to ensure no differential treatment or indoctrination, revising its neutrality policy, and updating non-discrimination posters and training. When asked about a statement that DEI would “look different,” the university said it meant student support services would continue in a different form. Northern Kentucky University said it dissolved its diversity office and chief diversity officer position in 2024, reviewed programs, events, scholarships, and employee affinity groups, adopted a statement on intellectual diversity and viewpoint neutrality, and reviewed about 2,000 courses for compliance. NKU also said its new Center for Belonging would focus on first-generation and commuter students rather than rebrand prior DEI efforts. The University of Kentucky began its presentation by describing earlier changes made in August 2024, including disbanding its office of institutional diversity, removing diversity statements and mandatory training, adopting institutional neutrality, and ending race-based consideration in admissions and scholarships; the transcript cuts off before the rest of UK’s testimony and any committee votes or formal actions beyond receiving the presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• to fund the creation or expansion of career and technical education programs.
• The budget also provides $28.5 million in performance incentives for district workforce education programs
• So then I'm also wondering whether there was supposedly something about an education program to develop
• So then I'm also wondering there was supposedly something about an education program to develop anti-Gympathes
• . something about an education program to develop anti-communism curriculum materials for $725,000.

Summary: The Senate took up the conference report on House Bill 501E, the General Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2026-27, with Chair Hooper and the appropriations chairs walking through the $114.5 billion budget. Major highlights included pay increases for state law enforcement, firefighters, park rangers, and correctional officers; funding for teacher salary increases and K-12 enrollment stabilization; workforce and university funding in higher education; major Medicaid, nursing home, waiver, and opioid-related investments in health and human services; corrections and prison-capacity funding; transportation, housing, and emergency management spending; and large environmental appropriations for Florida Forever, Everglades restoration, and water quality projects. Members then asked detailed questions about specific items. Senators pressed on the Hamilton Center at UF, the difference between assistant state attorney and public defender pay, declining student enrollment funding, private school scholarship vouchers, mental health funding in schools, the lack of preeminence funding, APD’s iBudget waiver wait list and provider rates, ADAP premium assistance and the return of Biktarvy to the formulary, prison staffing and air conditioning, Florida Forever land-buying versus easements, SNAP and Sun Bucks funding, Hope Florida, election audit funding, and the IDD managed care program. Chairs generally explained the negotiated compromises, noted where funding was flat or omitted, and in several cases said items would be revisited next year or depended on agency implementation. Several senators used debate to praise the budget while also criticizing major policy choices. Leader Berman argued the state should have expanded Medicaid, invested more in public schools instead of vouchers, and accepted federal summer EBT funds. Other senators highlighted local wins such as Biscayne Bay restoration, Tri-Rail, housing assistance, ADAP funding, and declining enrollment support. The transcript ends with debate remarks thanking Chair Hooper for his work on the budget; no final vote is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• They deliver vital education programs for students.
• They deliver vital education programs for students, oftentimes some of our most vulnerable young people
• program.
• Department of Education supports low-income students through the Title I funding program and the Individuals
• with Disabilities Education Act funding program, which funds services for students with disabilities

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee met without a quorum for much of the hearing and heard several bills out of order. SB 249 by Senator Umberg would move county board of education elections from the primary to the statewide general election. Supporters, including the League of Women Voters and many educators, argued the change would increase turnout and make the electorate more representative. The Orange County Board of Education opposed the bill, saying it would increase costs, reduce local control, and bury education races on crowded general-election ballots. The chair and members discussed turnout, cost, and representation, but the bill was held pending a quorum. Senator Grove presented SB 373, which adds safeguards for California students placed in out-of-state non-public schools through IEPs. The bill would require more robust LEA and CDE oversight, including annual site visits, student interviews, quarterly contact, stronger certification standards, and restrictions on prone, supine, and mechanical restraints. Testimony from a survivor of an out-of-state placement and from advocates emphasized abuse, neglect, and the need for stronger monitoring. There was broad support and no opposition testimony, but the measure was also held pending a quorum. Senator Ashby presented SB 568, the epinephrine in schools modernization act, to clarify and expand requirements for stocked epinephrine so they clearly apply to all public schools, including preschool programs. School nurses and medical experts said the bill would close gaps created by universal preschool and ensure life-saving treatment is available for anaphylaxis. The committee discussed dosing and implementation, and the bill was supported without opposition testimony. The committee also heard SB 414, the Charter School Accountability Act, which would strengthen fiscal oversight, audit standards, and transparency for charter schools and authorizers. Supporters said it responds to fraud and audit findings while preserving charter flexibility; opponents, including school employees and teachers, said it did not go far enough on authorizer accountability and small-district oversight. After discussion, the committee voted 7-0 to pass SB 414 as amended to Appropriations. The committee also briefly heard SB 743 by Senator Cortese, which would create an equalization reserve account to provide additional funding to underfunded school districts and reduce funding inequities tied to ZIP code. The author said the bill would support student achievement and teacher retention over time. The transcript cuts off before testimony or action on SB 743 was completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Special education isn't a one-size-fits-all. approach.
• I refer to the Committee on Public Education HB 191 by Mr.
• Program.
• the Committee on Higher Education, HB 282 by Vassu.
• referred to the Committee on Public Education.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 13 expands funding and aligns priorities for our early childhood education programs.
• It also introduces a teacher apprenticeship program to support pathways and pipelines to more educators
• There's also a pilot program for educators.
• There's also a pilot program for educators to pilot an alternative pathway for teachers to demonstrate
• Section 75.5, Department of Education grants for pre-K programs, $50 million in 2026 would be removed

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to education K through 16.
• Evaluation of degree and certificate programs at public institutions of higher education based on certain
• to education K through 16, Senate Bill 770 by Menendez relating to creating a reimbursement program
• Senate about 806 by Hughes relating to enrolling a public school student in a virtual education program
• to Education K through 16.

Transcript Highlights:

• program?
• They do have to make— ...to short-term programs, including non-credit programs.
• How many referrals for education or training do community colleges receive from DHS programs or Workforce
• provide education?
• provide education?

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:

• One is in programming: short-term workforce training programming.
• or a credit program.
• That is one of our top programs. Our CDL program continues to thrive.
• program.
• education.

Transcript Highlights:

• , CCDF program, that provides financial assistance to families so they can access quality care and education
• Our SR program serves Participate in approved education activities.
• We also are responsible for our voluntary pre-K education program.
• So Chancellor Miller mentioned, you know, they have to be working or attending an educational program
• So Chancellor Miller mentioned, you know, they have to be working or attending an educational program

Summary: The Pre-K through 12 Budget Subcommittee met with a quorum and first heard House Bill 731, which would address coach and extracurricular sponsor compensation and change how student-athlete transfer eligibility is determined. The bill would allow local school boards to adopt policies letting booster clubs or similar associations support coaches and activity sponsors, and it would let superintendents treat certain coaches and athletic leaders as administrative personnel for compensation purposes. It would also shift eligibility decisions for transferred student-athletes to the governing athletic association and require clearer bylaws and timelines for those determinations. Members raised questions about booster club oversight, pay equity, the new athletic administrator language, and safeguards against abuse or unequal treatment, while supporters argued the bill would help retain coaches and better support student athletics. The bill was debated and then reported favorably by roll call vote. The committee then received presentations from the Department of Education’s Division of Early Learning and the Florida Association of Early Learning Coalitions on school readiness fraud prevention and mitigation. Speakers explained that Florida’s school readiness program pays providers based on verified attendance rather than enrollment, requires daily parent sign-in/sign-out records, and uses multiple layers of oversight including coalition anti-fraud plans, annual audits, programmatic monitoring, DCF inspections, and referrals to state fraud investigators when needed. They emphasized that Florida delayed implementation of a federal rule that would have required prospective enrollment-based payments, and said the state’s current system makes fraud difficult. Members asked about military and grandparent guardianship situations, audit findings, and the number of fraud referrals; presenters said fraud cases are relatively limited and that the existing controls and public enforcement act as deterrents. The meeting ended after members thanked the presenters and the committee adjourned without further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Education can short consortium effect and then Donna Garcia Harlem's Education Consortium.
• So but are boards drive decision making and program services and choice of program services.
• . for that program.
• I think that helping the teacher education programs in the universities and colleges that we have in
• a lot of people want to go through the public education teacher, preparation programs.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Bennett, and Education Policy members. Bennett, and Education Policy members.
• And so, our pre-service teachers, a requirement that passed in 2019 requiring our educator prep programs
• <00:10:43.240> prep<00:10:43.880> programs<00:10:44.520> in requiring our educator
• prep programs in requiring our educator prep programs in our<00:10:44.760> higher<00:10:45.080
• > education<00:10:45.680> institutions our higher education institutions our higher education

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• grow program.
• It's through HCA, and I believe also with higher education that administers these programs. but it's
• That one is the education programming component, the SNAP education that is no longer a federal program
• For example, the Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) just put out an infant pilot program
• program.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's pertaining to the MIT program. program. The cost out adjustment there is adopted.
• The teacher prep program reduces uncertified teaching in core subjects and rewards teacher prep programs
• There's a writer in the package that deals with adult education program startup funds.
• Startup program.
• We will move on to Article 3, higher education. education and wait for the documents to be handed out

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill creates a competency-based coaching for educator readiness and teaching program, or CERT.
• The bill repeals the professional learning certification programs and professional educational competency
• programs following implementation of the CERT program.
• of Education to develop criteria for clinical educator training.
• local education agencies and their apprenticeship program providers, and ...local education agencies

Summary: The Higher Education Budget Subcommittee heard and passed two bills. HB 875 on educator preparation would create a uniform core curriculum for teacher preparation programs, establish a new competency-based CERT program, standardize mentor and clinical educator requirements, allow certain certification waivers, and create a Florida Institute of Teaching Excellence at Miami-Dade College subject to appropriation. Sponsor Rep. Rizzo said the bill would not add costs to local districts and would phase in beginning July 1, 2029; Rep. Snyder said the goal was to unify and raise standards across multiple certification pathways. An amendment by Rep. Aristide to reduce clinical hours for experienced teachers seeking counseling certification was withdrawn after discussion. Public testimony included support from the Foundation for Florida’s Future and opposition from the ACLU of Florida and another opponent. The bill passed on a recorded vote, with Reps. Franklin, Bracey Davis, and Campbell voting no. Members then took up HB 681, as amended by PCS, on apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship program funding. Rep. Mello said the bill focuses on funding transparency, accountability, resolving bargaining issues between local education agencies and apprenticeship providers, and requiring annual reporting to the Legislature to assess return on investment. Public testimony was overwhelmingly supportive from business, trade, and workforce groups, including Americans for Prosperity, the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Associated Builders and Contractors of Florida, and others. Rep. Franklin praised the sponsor’s work and said he would support the bill. HB 681 passed unanimously, and the committee adjourned after completing its agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• skin cancer prevention education skin cancer prevention education program. program. program.
• programs in other than career and technical education centers as regional programs to end some new possibilities
• The bill would establish the task force to further investigate a cosmetology program and educational
• SB 578 also requires the schools add recess to their physical education programs through 8th grade.
• programs through 8th physical education programs through 8th grade.<01:06:49.119> We<01:06:49.359

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As previously recommended by the Federal Office of Special Education Programs, California districts are
• It is my understanding that the health education program does already have significant transparency and
• program.
• Assembly Bill 291 would establish a framework for a credentialed educator-apprentice program that would
• We believe that establishing a pathway to become a credential educator be an apprenticeship program,

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's programs like the Jeremiah There's programs like the Jeremiah program<00:42:17.040> that
• to across the aisle, and the egg educator loan forgiveness program got a very small cut, $10,000 cut
• egg educator loan forgiveness program<01:11:34.719> got<01:11:34.960> a<01:11:35.120><
• education forgiveness program.
• Cloud. grant program. We had to make hard grant program.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And it offers 105 associate degrees, 206 certificates, a bachelor's degree program, 17 athletic programs
• Private Postsecondary Education.
• Private Postsecondary Education.
• The Bureau oversees The Bureau oversees private postsecondary education, making sure that these programs
• regulated by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education. ...that commercial driving programs are

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, offered a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, and then spent much of the session on guest introductions recognizing visitors, community college delegations, students, caregivers, a retired Assembly staff member, and a championship high school football team. Members also observed an adjournment in memory for Alex Preddy, a VA nurse killed in Minnesota, and later for Kathy Wooten and Rowena Ramos. The chamber then moved through the daily file and third reading file, with several items passed, retained, or continued. Among the bills taken up, AB 34 on renewable portfolio standard exemptions for publicly owned utilities passed 55-0; AB 35 to accelerate implementation of Proposition 4 climate resilience funds passed 62-0; AB 52 on food and agriculture equity passed 50-6; AB 72 creating an EV economic opportunity zone passed 58-0; AB 96 removing a diploma requirement for Medi-Cal peer support specialists passed 55-0; AB 230 extending Pierce’s disease control programs passed 64-0; AB 277 requiring background checks for behavioral health employees passed 59-0; AB 647 clarifying a county RV disposal pilot passed 54-0; AB 664 authorizing limited bachelor’s programs at Southwestern Community College passed 60-1; AB 673 creating a support grant for unaccompanied homeless youth passed 55-1; AB 710 on dynamic electricity pricing passed 54-0; AB 748 streamlining pre-approved housing plans passed 65-0; AB 767 expanding protections around sexually violent predator placements near schools and daycares passed 65-0; AB 883 protecting officials’ personal information from data brokers passed 66-0; AB 946 expanding 30x30 conservation efforts to urban areas passed 65-0; AB 1054 creating a deferred retirement option program for CHP and Cal Fire passed 61-1; AB 1070 on missing middle housing code simplification passed 66-0; AB 1159 strengthening student data privacy passed 54-4; AB 1204 revising the Local Control Funding Formula passed 54-1; AB 1265 extending the historic building tax credit passed 64-0; AB 1349 banning speculative ticketing passed 61-0; AB 1359 allowing seniors 80+ to opt out of jury service without a doctor’s note passed 67-1; AB 643 on organic waste procurement credits passed 48-4; AB 685 creating a small business resiliency fund passed 63-0; AB 714 tightening oversight of commercial driving programs passed 65-1; and AB 805 establishing a youth apprenticeship bridge program passed 66-0. Several other items were passed and retained or continued without debate. Debate on AB 1054 drew the sharpest disagreement, with opponents warning about pension costs and supporters arguing it would help retain experienced CHP officers and firefighters. AB 767 also prompted strong comments about public safety and placement of sexually violent predators in rural communities. On AB 1349, supporters from both parties backed the anti-speculative ticketing bill as consumer protection, while AB 664 drew support from members emphasizing access to higher education in underserved regions. The Assembly then adjourned until January 29, 2026, after announcing upcoming session dates and recording a few vote changes from the dais.