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:

• 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:

• 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:

• 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 Aristide to reduce clinical hours for experienced teachers seeking counseling certification was withdrawn after discussion.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:

• 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:

• 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:

• 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:

• 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:

• 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:

• 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.

Transcript Highlights:

• So getting these kids through the educational programs with this support, it just means so much.
• So getting these kids through the educational programs with this support, it just means so much.
• And finally, repealing the educational enrollment stabilization program. Members, that is the PCB.
• Does that not include the voucher programs, the family educational— is it family educational program?
• and the KATE programs, too.

Summary: The Pre-K through 12 Budget Subcommittee met during Budget Week and first considered three member bills. House Bill 1111, by Rep. Valdes, would eliminate the option for students to leave high school with a certificate of completion instead of a standard diploma. Valdes said the bill was inspired by students who met credit requirements but could not pass a required assessment, and argued the certificate does not provide access to college, trade school, or military service. The bill passed unanimously, 15-0. CS for House Bill 127, by Rep. Kendall, would support students with disabilities by using existing Florida Department of Education curriculum to create micro-credentials and coordinating with the Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities and OSHA on workplace safety. Goodwill, the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, Florida PTA, and others supported the bill, which also passed unanimously, 15-0. House Bill 1367, by Rep. Booth, addressed chronic absenteeism by requiring statewide definitions and more uniform attendance reporting, along with rules for excused and unexcused absences and early identification of chronically absent students. Testimony emphasized inconsistent district policies and the need for clearer data and interventions. The bill passed 13-0, with some members noting concerns about implementation details and future rulemaking. The committee then took up PCB-P-PKB-2501, the proposed conforming bill for the fiscal year 2025-2026 Pre-K through 12 budget. The chair said the bill was designed to align statutes with budget and scholarship funding procedures, especially around the Florida Education Finance Program and scholarship payments. The PCB would require Florida student ID numbers for scholarship students, standardize cross-checking against FTE survey data, set quarterly payment dates, and use one data source for both reporting and withholding scholarship-related FFP amounts. It also would reduce certain add-on weights by 50%, remove the budget stabilization program, and repeal the educational enrollment stabilization program. Several members raised concerns that the add-on weight reductions could hurt career and technical education, AICE, IB, and CAPE programs, while the sponsor argued the data showed too much spending in an “other” category and that the reductions were aimed at aligning funding with actual program costs. Public testimony was mixed: some supported tighter accountability and clearer payment rules, while others warned against undermining expensive career-readiness programs. The PCB passed 11-2. After the conforming bill, the chair presented the proposed fiscal year 2025-2026 Pre-K through 12 budget, totaling just under $21 billion, about $400 million below the current year. She said the budget reflects a need to slow spending growth and includes $20 million for New Worlds Scholarship Accounts, $7 million for security grants at Jewish day schools and preschools, $14 million for public school transportation stipends, an overall FEFP increase of about $747.7 million, $100 million for teacher salary increases, and increases in the base student allocation and funds per student. The committee did not vote on the budget recommendation at this meeting; it was distributed for review and will move to the Budget Committee next week.

Transcript Highlights:

• They represent adults and youth that received nutrition education through our nutrition education program
• we nutrition education program um which we nutrition education program um which we call<01:18:12.000
• Again, I mentioned those two federal nutrition education programs, SNAP-Ed and FNEP.
• programs SNAPED and nutrition education programs SNAPED and FNEP.<01:19:24.960> still<01:19:25.120
• that point we had 61 nutrition education that point we had 61 nutrition education program<01:20:

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Make America Healthy Kentucky Task Force met with a quorum, approved the minutes, and then heard a presentation on the state’s “food is medicine” efforts. Chair Funky Fromm opened by describing a recent foot injury from a road hazard and used it to emphasize the importance of infrastructure, nutrition, sleep, and activity as part of a broader wellness culture. The main witnesses were Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Jonathan Shell, Holly Harris of Appalachian Regional Health Care (ARH), and Jim Muser of the Kentucky Hospital Association. Shell and Harris described a partnership between the Department of Agriculture, the Kentucky Hospital Association, and hospitals such as ARH to connect local farmers with hospital cafeterias, farmers markets, CSA-style subscription food boxes, and medically tailored meals. Harris said ARH serves a large region with 14 hospitals, more than 95 clinics, about 6,700 employees, and 1,300 medical staff, and that the system began by improving employee food options because hospital workers often have limited access to healthy meals during shifts. They reported examples such as a local-protein burger, parking-lot farmers markets, subsidized CSA boxes for employees, and plans for container gardens at some hospitals. The witnesses said the program is intended to improve health outcomes, reduce readmissions, support chronic disease management, and also increase rural prosperity by expanding demand for Kentucky farm products. Shell said more than 40 hospitals had already been onboarded into the food-is-medicine program, with measurable outcomes being studied through pilots such as one at Russell County Hospital. He also noted that some systems, including CHI St. Joseph Health, Taylor Regional, and UK King’s Daughters, have formally embedded food-as-medicine goals into strategic plans. Members and witnesses also discussed barriers, especially the lack of reimbursement, fragmented short-term funding, and regulatory or purchasing hurdles that make it difficult for small farmers to participate. Shell said the goal is to make the model scalable and easier for hospitals and farmers to navigate, while Harris emphasized that ARH has been funding its efforts without reimbursement because of its mission. No votes or formal policy actions were taken beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Education Foundation.
• Education Foundation.
• Opening doors to higher education through specialized scholarship programs and college credits, one of
• Opening doors to higher education through specialized scholarship programs and college credits, one of
• Opening doors to higher education through specialized scholarship programs and college credits, one of

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• crux of the Schools of Hope program.
• And I worked in global education for one of the largest education companies.
• It just continues to drain the public schools, where our educators are one of the lowest paid educators
• in the state of Florida is quality education, quality education.
• And the Department of Education.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education met with a quorum present and took up several education bills. SB 1150, which would remove an unrelated exam barrier for school social workers to help districts retain them, was briefly explained and reported favorably. The committee then heard SB 1514 on anaphylaxis in public schools, which would require emergency action plans and training for school personnel; amendments narrowed and clarified the bill, including applicability to K-8 schools and FDA-approved epinephrine devices. Orange County Public Schools waived in support, and CS/CS/SB 1514 was reported favorably. The committee spent the most time on SB 1708, which expands Schools of Hope and creates a co-location framework allowing high-performing charter operators to share space in underused public school facilities, with the sponsor explaining that agreements would address safety, supervision, grade levels, emergency protocols, and liability. Members raised concerns about who would be served, lottery access, accountability, and whether the bill would worsen inequities or strain public schools; many public speakers opposed the bill on similar grounds, arguing it would divert resources from already underfunded schools. The sponsor clarified that Schools of Hope recruitment is exempt from lottery, that the bill would not use classrooms already in use, and that districts would receive $600 per student plus associated funding for vacant space. Despite mixed debate, CS for SB 1708 was reported favorably. Finally, the committee considered CS/SB 822, which updates charter school governance by limiting sponsor-imposed deadlines, preventing enrollment caps below facility capacity, improving data sharing, and allowing high-performing charter schools to assume existing charters. A charter school advocate supported the bill as a fairness and efficiency measure, while senators pressed him on claims of district “harassment” and the basis for the bill’s deadline changes. After brief debate, CS/SB 822 was reported favorably. The meeting ended with members recording votes on prior tabs and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, we do oversee the educator preparation programs for the University of Wyoming College of Education
• Um, we do oversee the educator preparation programs for the University of Wyoming College of Education
• Um, we do oversee the educator preparation programs for the University of Wyoming College of Education
• these programs provide specialized these programs provide specialized education<01:35:08.080>
• And that definition then is accredited education programs that provide specialized educational, behavioral

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Pre apprenticeship in apprenticeship programs for both local education agencies and the registered apprenticeship
• I'm an educator, a policy wonk. I started my careers and educate as a elementary school teacher.
• Was there other higher education or education reform initiatives you referring to?
• Our education is different. It's different from public at a private education.
• Ye enters education policies.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and adult basic education programs.
• , such as the dental student loan repayment program and the health care provider education reimbursement
• , such as the dental student loan repayment program and the health care provider education reimbursement
• Committee; and expanding the training, education, and clinicals and health program to include certain
• Education Committee; expanding the training, education, and clinicals and health program to include certain

Summary: The House convened on the final day of session, observed a moment of silence for the Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, and for Representative Rosenwald’s father, then swore in and seated new members Boyles and Hodgers. The Speaker also outlined the chamber’s end-of-session priorities, including action on the budget and related conforming bills. The House then took up H.J.R. 5019, a constitutional amendment to expand Florida’s budget stabilization fund by raising the cap, requiring annual transfers, and allowing withdrawals for critical state needs. After sponsor explanations and questions about what would qualify as a critical need and how the fund might respond to possible federal funding cuts, the House adopted an amendment that added more flexibility for suspending transfers and withdrawals. The joint resolution then passed on final passage. Members next considered HB 7031, the tax package conference report. The bill repeals the business rent tax and aviation fuel tax, delays the natural gas fuel tax, creates or extends several sales tax exemptions and holidays, and makes changes affecting property taxes, local taxes, pari-mutuel taxes, and revenue distributions. Debate focused heavily on the new permanent exemption for ammunition and hunting-related items, the elimination of recurring housing trust fund and transit-related distributions, and the shift of some funding from recurring to nonrecurring status. Supporters argued the package provides tax relief and preserves annual budget flexibility, while opponents criticized the ammunition exemption and the reductions in recurring housing and transit support. The conference report was adopted and the bill passed. The House then passed HB 5017, which creates a debt reduction program funded by a recurring transfer from general revenue to retire state bonds early, and HB 5015, the state group insurance conforming bill, which directs DMS to develop a formulary management plan and codifies the administrative health insurance assessment. Finally, the chamber began explanation and questions on the General Appropriations Act conference report for fiscal year 2025-26, described as a $115.1 billion budget that is down from the current year and includes more than $12 billion in reserves. Subcommittee chairs summarized major budget areas, including K-12 education, health care, transportation and economic development, agriculture and natural resources, higher education, state administration, justice, and information technology, highlighting funding for school choice, Medicaid, housing, transportation infrastructure, Everglades restoration, workforce programs, cybersecurity, and technology modernization.

Transcript Highlights:

• , K-12 education.
• We fund education. We should fund education with House Bill 12. Mr.
• Public education. And now I'm hearing conspiracy theories. Education.
• Those programs are Those programs are fully funded this year.
• If you cared about public education, you'd fund public education.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the previous day’s journal, and a series of special guest introductions recognizing family members, interns, students, public servants, and community advocates. Committee reports and Senate messages followed, including Senate refusals to concur on a large number of amendments to Senate Bill 1421 and the appointment of a conference committee on House Bill 2818. The main floor action centered on the state budget, especially House Bill 2 (public education). The budget chair explained the conference report’s funding mix for K-12 schools, including $8.4 billion for public education, changes to the foundation formula, use of blind pension funds, and possible ARPA dollars later in the process. Members debated whether the report underfunded schools by $45 million or more, with opponents arguing the state was not fully funding the formula and supporters saying total school funding remained at record levels and that the issue was the source of funds rather than the total amount. A substitute motion to send HB 2 back to conference failed 62-89, and the conference report was then adopted 83-68; the bill was third read and passed 83-68. The House then took up House Bill 2003 on higher education, where the conference report largely restored the governor’s recommendation and directed the department to develop a new funding formula by the end of the year. Members discussed performance-based funding, scholarships, apprenticeships, and the need for a slower transition to any new model. The conference report passed 119-28, and the bill was third read and passed 109-32. House Bill 2004, covering Revenue and Transportation, included about $20 million for rural roads and other transportation funding; members discussed constitutional concerns, MoDOT projects, and a small local safety fix. The conference report passed 128-21, and the bill was third read and passed 127-27.

Transcript Highlights:

• of Education.
• programming related to the transition of students with disabilities to higher education, employment,
• But it also allows our educator prep programs to train on one standard. ...allows our educator prep programs
• ...of an evaluation program of the system that monitors implementation and impact of special education
• And so this monitoring program, the evaluation program, is what that is referencing.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And sometimes they are funded from federal grant programs.
• and then the basketball program.
• We're developing and piloting the program components.
• program through the Books and Cooks programs in order to really reach out to rural communities across
• , chairman of higher education appropriations.

Summary: The Education Postsecondary Committee held its first meeting and focused on state university centers and institutes, with an overview from the Board of Governors on how the more than 500 centers and institutes across Florida’s public universities are categorized, overseen, and reported. The Board described three categories: state-level centers, legislatively established centers, and university-established centers. Members were told universities must maintain policies, notify the Board of changes, publish public inventories, and submit annual reports and compliance certifications. Senator Harrell asked about funding sources and whether underperforming centers are reviewed for elimination; the response was that funding varies by center and that universities decide whether to maintain or disband centers under their own policies, with annual reporting and audit findings shared with the Board. Four university presentations followed. Florida Atlantic University highlighted its Center of Excellence in Biomedical and Marine Biotechnology, describing research in marine-derived drug discovery, genomics, imaging, cancer, neurodegenerative disease, and ocean sustainability, along with spin-off institutes and partnerships that have generated significant grant and contract support. FIU presented its Center of Excellence for Hurricane Damage Mitigation and Product Development, emphasizing the Wall of Wind facility, hurricane and water intrusion testing, code and product innovation, insurance modeling, and future expansion toward higher wind speeds and flood simulation. Florida State University’s High-Performance Materials Institute described work in advanced materials, aerospace composites, sensors, nanocomposites, and AI-enabled materials development, along with patents, industry partnerships, and new facilities tied to economic development. The University of Florida’s Lastinger Center for Learning outlined its work on teacher professional learning, literacy, New Worlds Reading, tutoring, and mathematics supports, including microcredentials, statewide book distribution, and early results showing improved reading confidence and growth. Members generally praised the centers for their research, commercialization, workforce development, and education impacts. Senator Jones and Senator Harrell commended the Lastinger Center’s literacy work and the broader return on investment from these programs, while Senator Berman noted the value of the synergies across institutions. The chair emphasized that future funding requests should clearly show measurable success, commercialization, and statewide impact. The committee then adjourned without any formal votes on legislation.