Transcript Highlights:

• Burlington's charter. Burlington voters already approved this charter amendment on March 3rd, 2026.
• It should also be said charter changes.
• I will now walk Burlington City Charter.
• Charter Amendment Proposal. The General Assembly officially approves the charter amendment.
• It codifies into Burlington City Charter an office that voters approved.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Charter schools to meet this need.
• </c><00:34:22.399><c> schools</c> is essential that our charter schools is essential that our charter
• Charter are included in this funding.
• Charter schools are safety aid grant.
• </c> appreciate um the addition of charter appreciate um the addition of charter schools.<01:17:52.080

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So when we include charter schools and charter school districts, 98 districts have all-day bans, 113
• But that includes all of our charter schools as well.
• And, yeah, are charters required to do this as well? And what about online charters?" "Mr.
• Chairman, Senator Soules, the word is charter school.
• So the consequences are up to the charter school, and it would be the charter school that's responsible

Bills: SB23 , SB73 , SB210 , SB234 , SB243 , SB244 , SM16

Committee: Senate Senate Education

Keywords: student use, wireless devices, public schools, policy implementation, education technology funding, driver education, driver's ed, driving school, motorcycle safety, traffic safety, vulnerable road users, pedestrian safety, bicycle safety, cyclist, bike lane, micromobility, scooter, moped, motorcycle training, DWI prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• fishing management area.
• </c> manage commercial fishing licenses. manage commercial fishing licenses.
• </c> is for fishing enforcement. is for fishing enforcement.
• , lobster fishing.
• , lobster fishing.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If to convert to a state chartered bank.
• Uh instead of state chartered bank.
• Is it pre-charter or post-charter, and when is that going to be?
• Is it pre-charter or post-charter, and when is that going to be?
• Nebraska has adopted an SBDI-like charter.

Bills: HB0116 , HB0056

Committee: House Minerals, Business & Economic Development

Keywords: water rights, beneficial use, industrial production, hydrogen, applications, public welfare, carbon capture, energy standards, public utilities, environmental regulation, state law, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and expansion of charter schools, requiring meetings to be held in a county in which the proposed charter
• to the board of the SBCSA, the State Public Charter School Authority.
• are charter school authorizers, which we put in law last session.
• So it does apply to those counties who have charter schools.
• Charter school accountability.

Committee: Assembly Education

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• four public charter schools serving 1,700 students in L.A.
• That is the promise of charter schools, and it is a promise that AB 1997 now puts at risk.
• Eric Premack with the Charter Schools Development Center in support. Thank you.
• Katie Dodd, California Montessori Project Charter Schools, in support. Thank you.
• Brad Buxer, Sage Oak Charter Schools, in support. Appreciate it.

Committee: House Public Employment and Retirement

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, Public Charter Schools of New Mexico has been advocating for an at-risk index that allows charter
• We do a lot of work with superintendents, charter leaders, and principals.
• My question is, this is under the charter school area...
• budget to your chartering authority, the local school board, for approval.
• Matt Paul from Public Charter Schools of New Mexico, the sponsor.

Committee: House House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Gantt: So this is preempting language in a county charter?
• Does it also supersede or preempt language in the county charter? Chair: You are recognized.
• Unfortunately, we do oppose this amendment today due to the new language regarding county charter charters
• This bill circumvents a process already established in our charter.
• He mentioned a charter review and putting this to the charter review, and that is something that has

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, members, Eric Premec with the Charter Schools Development Center.
• Xavier Maltese with the California Charter Schools Association in opposition.
• It doesn't attempt to modify any existing funding formulas that have to do with charter schools.
• You mentioned at that time when districts get more money, charter schools will benefit.
• Yeah, I hear charter schools' position. This measure may not directly benefit the charter schools.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Elections and Constitutional Amendments heard several measures, beginning with SCA 5, which would create an Equalization Reserve Account to help reduce long-standing per-pupil funding disparities between basic aid and non-basic aid school districts. The author and supporters argued the measure would create a stable, endowment-style funding source using only interest earnings, while charter school advocates opposed it, saying the bill would exclude charters and could raise equal protection concerns. After the quorum was established, SCA 5 was approved and sent to Appropriations. The committee then heard SJR 18, a resolution condemning Citizens United and urging limits on corporate money in politics. The author argued that unlimited independent expenditures have increased corporate influence and dark money in elections, while there was little testimony in opposition. The resolution was approved and referred onward. The committee also considered two consent items, AB 1736 and AB 2421, which were approved together without debate. ACA 7 generated the most extensive discussion. The measure would revise the state constitution’s application of Proposition 209 in education, with supporters saying it would allow race-conscious tools to address persistent racial inequities in student outcomes and resource allocation, especially for Black students. Opponents argued it would weaken Proposition 209, invite discrimination, and likely fail politically and in court. After lengthy debate, the measure was approved and sent to Appropriations. The committee also approved ACA 18, which would add a second student voting seat on the UC Board of Regents, with supporters emphasizing student representation and opponents absent. Finally, AJR 29, opposing a federal executive order affecting vote-by-mail administration, was approved and sent onward. All measures on the agenda were ultimately advanced.

Transcript Highlights:

• School, a Type 3B charter school.
• School, a Type 3B Charter School.
• It was converted to Type 3B in 2018 under the Orleans Parish School Ward, and in 25, the charter was
• Your packets include the typical things for a charter school, which is a memo from bond counsel that
• I know that for this particular charter school, we're typically about 72% that is instructional and..

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Summary: The State Bond Commission met on May 21 with a quorum present and approved the April 16 minutes. The commission then reviewed and approved a large slate of local government and public authority financing requests, including election propositions for the November ballot, water and sewer infrastructure projects, fire protection and recreation district bonds, school board financing, and several refunding transactions. Most items were found to meet technical requirements and were approved on motions by Speaker DeVillier and seconded by Senator Talbot. Among the more notable items were the East Baton Rouge City-Parish refunding bonds for the Greater Baton Rouge Airport District, the City of Kenner’s retroactive approval request tied to a convention center agreement with GMB Basketball LLC, a Louisiana Housing Corporation financing increase for the Federal City Building 10 affordable housing project, and preliminary approval for the Northwest Louisiana Finance Authority’s Petro Tower redevelopment in Shreveport. The commission also approved financing for Southern University’s Scott’s Bluff student housing project and the Crescent City Schools/Harriet Tubman Charter School project. The Crescent City Schools item prompted questions about how MFP funds are used; staff explained that lease payments would support the bonds and that MFP funds are generally split between educational expenses and facilities-related costs. The commission received six monthly cost-of-issuance reports, which required no action, and a status update on the state debt schedule. It also approved Resolution No. 2 authorizing up to $425 million in general obligation refunding bonds to refund the Series 2016 bonds and tender other outstanding bonds for savings, with pricing tentatively set for June 16 and closing for June 30. During other business, New Orleans City Council President J.P. Morel thanked the commission for its role in helping address the city’s fiscal crisis and for approving a charter amendment election item aimed at strengthening budget oversight. The meeting adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're out fish and whatever. Do you see some? Spray it, spray it, spray it.
• Being on the water and enjoying the outdoors, hunting and fishing, that is my life.
• Can you fish? Representative McCormick: On your own property without a fishing license?
• Can you fish? So, you know, that is there as well.
• Can you fish on your own property without a fishing license? I'm just curious.

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 1209, which would pause new cooperative endeavor agreements for surface water withdrawals after December 31, 2026, while allowing existing agreements to continue and renew through 2036. The author said the bill is intended to force a broader, data-driven review of Louisiana’s surface water management and to improve funding for aquatic plant control, especially giant salvinia. An amendment was adopted to broaden the description of how the aquatic plant control fund may be used and to require annual reporting on agreements, withdrawals, revenues, deposits, spending, and non-monetary consideration. Department officials said the current program is voluntary, underfunded for monitoring, and that the bill could create a gap for new users if no replacement mechanism is enacted. The bill was reported favorable as amended after testimony from supporters including the Louisiana Wildlife Federation and opposition concerns from industry representatives were noted but not formally presented. House Bill 599 was then heard, which would prohibit the sale of Louisiana running surface water outside the state. The author argued that out-of-state sales, especially involving Toledo Bend and Texas, would be short-sighted and could harm Louisiana’s long-term water interests. Supporters said Louisiana lacks a water budget and should preserve water for in-state needs, while the Department of Conservation and Energy noted that the state currently has no mandatory process for such agreements and that the bill would not affect Sabine River Authority authority. The committee reported the bill favorable. Finally, House Bill 1206, dealing with permitting and reporting of water usage at data centers, was discussed. The substitute bill and amendment would give the department authority to monitor and regulate groundwater and surface water withdrawals, require public hearings, and improve transparency through reporting and a universal project identifier. The author and supporters said the bill was prompted by concerns in communities affected by large data center projects and the lack of public hearings on water use. Department officials agreed that more comprehensive data and a clearer framework are needed, but the author voluntarily deferred the bill to continue working with the department on a broader measure for next session. The committee also heard House Bill 1171 on allowing airboats in the Mar-Paw Swamp Wildlife Management Area, but after extensive debate over noise, habitat impacts, and existing restrictions, the discussion was ongoing in the portion provided and no final action on that bill was shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Lock and Dam 22 at Saverton is the beneficiary of a fish ladder.
• Yes, a fish ladder at the cost of $70 million on the other side of the river, but we would much prefer
• It's a platform with a turbine, and it's fitted in such a way that it's good for the fish, so they don't
• We also have a fish ladder, and I mentioned that at Saverton. So we've taken care of the fish.
• We're very sensitive about fish.

Committee: House Agriculture, Food Production and Outdoor Resources

Summary: The House Agriculture Committee held a public hearing on House Bill 2998, with Representative Riggs explaining that most of the bill would be removed in committee substitute and that the remaining provisions would focus on an Upper Mississippi River Basin feasibility study and creating a stand-alone rural development office within DED. Riggs argued the study could explore hydropower, run-of-river technology, and a longer navigation season on the Mississippi, while the rural office would better serve Missouri’s roughly 2 million rural residents and provide a more permanent focus than current staffing arrangements. Committee members asked about why the river has not been used for power before, the cost and timeline of the study, the feasibility of retrofitting old locks and dams, and how the rural office would improve coordination and funding for rural development. Testimony in favor included Lisa Pennett, who urged keeping the coal-related language and said Missouri should protect its remaining coal plants amid growing electricity demand; Mike Sutherland of Missouri Electric Cooperatives, who supported the rural development office and described co-ops’ role in broadband, workforce, housing, and community development across rural Missouri; and MoDOT’s Pamela Harlan, who said the agency would need to coordinate with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the river study, estimated the study cost at about $3 million, and said it would likely take about three years. Informational testimony from Missouri Policy Initiative provided data on hydropower nationally, noting that only a small share of U.S. dams generate electricity, many retrofit projects are not viable, and a Mississippi River lock-and-dam project in Missouri and Illinois had recently received a federal permit to study feasibility. The hearing ended with the chair noting the bill would be narrowed in a substitute and then adjourning the committee; no vote was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Fish, closing comments?
• There's the old saying: if you give someone a fish, they will eat today; if you teach them to fish, they
• will be able to fish and eat for a lifetime.
• There's the old saying: if you give someone a fish, they will eat today; if you teach them to fish, they
• There's the old saying: if you give someone a fish, they will eat today; if you teach them to fish, they

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• You've basically got to have the fish. Right. Okay, good deal.
• Fish and Wildlife Service or anything for the prevalence of CWD.
• And, you know, they go out there, they fish, they bring their families.
• And, you know, they go out there, they fish, they bring their families.
• Their great-grandpa has fished that land, commercial. They trap that land.

Summary: The committee first considered several local property-transfer and wildlife/fisheries bills, including SB 229 (Bojeur Parish property transfer), SB 71 (Lafayette Parish property transfer), and a series of Department of Wildlife and Fisheries measures. SB 203 simplified possession rules for fish on multi-day trips and remote camps; SB 429 created an administrative path to register “orphan” boats with lapsed registrations; SB 204 removed a residency-based restriction on certain commercial fishing gear licenses; SB 205 reduced duplicate registration requirements for federally documented boats; SB 213 clarified titling rules for vessels and outboard motors; and SB 257 removed Social Security number requirements from certain commercial fishing tags. Each of these bills was reported favorable, generally without objection, after brief explanations from sponsors and department counsel about reducing red tape, improving enforcement, or modernizing records. The committee also heard SB 214, which would allow the Teche-Vermilion Fresh Water District to stop pumping during an imminent flood threat identified by the National Weather Service or GOSEP, addressing liability concerns and giving local officials more flexibility in emergencies. SB 274, as amended, required lead hazard risk assessments for certain child care, early learning, and pre-kindergarten facilities and required hazards found in assessments to be addressed before licensing. Both bills were reported favorable. SB 379, a technical reorganization bill for the Department of Conservation and Energy, received two amendment sets: one changing investment language and another standardizing judicial-review procedures and online notice requirements; it was reported favorable after those amendments. The committee then adopted HCR 62, urging FEMA to review flood maps every five years instead of every ten and to better account for local flood-protection projects, with members discussing the burden of flood insurance and the need for FEMA to recognize levees, pump stations, and elevated homes. HCR 78 was also reported favorable, memorializing Congress to pass the American Seafood Competitiveness Act of 2026 in support of Louisiana’s seafood industry. HB 662, as substituted, was reported favorable after being rewritten to codify the department’s internal protocol for seized sick, injured, or orphaned wildlife, prioritizing release, rehabilitation, placement, and euthanasia as a last resort. Finally, the committee considered two more contentious items. HR 216, which urged repudiation of the Louisiana Climate Action Plan of 2022, drew extended debate over whether the plan had been adopted without legislative input and whether it could affect permits or future policy; after discussion, the sponsor voluntarily deferred the resolution to return with a revised approach focused on a legislative hearing or review. SCR 24, dealing with chronic wasting disease rules, was introduced with amendments that would raise the prevalence threshold, cap samples, allow zone removal after three years without new detections, and lift baiting/feed prohibitions above a higher prevalence level; the transcript cuts off before final action on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• general supervision over charter schools by granting charters to qualifying applicants, ensuring compliance
• , and monitoring charter performance.
• and graduated from Arizona charter schools.
• I think I can help the board with helping them understand what's a viable charter school, because charter
• a weapons detection system at the school district or charter school.

Committee: Senate Senate Education Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee first considered the executive nomination of John Snyder to the State Board for Charter Schools. Snyder described his background in municipal finance, charter school financings, and prior service with Arizona charter school organizations, and said his finance experience would help the board evaluate school viability and oversight. The committee voted 6-0 with one not voting to recommend his confirmation to the full Senate. The committee then heard HB 2093, which would remove the statutory requirement that health education include mental health instruction and would repeal related consultation requirements over time. The sponsor argued schools should focus on academics and that social-emotional learning and mental health content belong with parents, while opponents, including students, a suicide-loss parent, and mental health advocates, said school-based instruction saves lives, helps students seek help, and preserves parental choice through opt-out provisions. After debate, the committee voted 4-3 to give HB 2093 a do pass recommendation. Members also considered HB 4043, requiring at least one campus employee trained in CPR, first aid, and AED use where applicable; HB 4005, requiring districts to teach ethical and educational uses of AI beginning in 2027-28; HB 2895, allowing Native American language proficiency to satisfy a world language graduation requirement; HB 2383, renaming trampoline court safety legislation as Ty’s Law; HB 4109, requiring school district public safety policies, notifications, and annual reporting after serious violence or weapon incidents; HB 2376, appropriating $40 million for the school safety program; and HB 2380, requiring public access to board meeting materials and tighter rules on out-of-state travel. HB 4043, HB 2895, and HB 2383 all received unanimous or near-unanimous do pass recommendations, while HB 4005, HB 4109, HB 2376, and HB 2380 each advanced on 4-3 votes, with some members citing concerns about unfunded mandates, criminal penalties, local control, or the scope and timing of required disclosures.

Transcript Highlights:

• Charter School today. Please rise and Charter School today.
• </c><00:21:35.039><c> School's</c> Kei of one of Kihei Charter School's Kei of one of Kihei Charter School's
• And last, head of Kihei Charter School.
• </c><00:22:12.480><c> School</c> Zaro, Hawaii Public Charter School Zaro, Hawaii Public Charter School
• Kula Oahi O Kalani Ouikki Lab Public Charter School. Kao High School. Lab Public Charter School.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Mark is looking at charter school governance.
• , received that money, or state charter charter schools.
• Local districts received the 2% for locally chartered charter schools.
• Um, that charter school issue and a loss of funding is one issue.
• So currently we have 30 districts and charters that met that.

Transcript Highlights:

• For DEP, the Department of Citrus, the Department of Environmental Protection, and Fish and Wildlife,
• In addition, the Fish and Wildlife Commission makes up about 10%, and the Department of Citrus and Public
• Next, we have some proposed issues within the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
• And then I see that there's a $32 million increase in the fish and wildlife budget, but there's an $18
• And then I see that there's a $32 million increase in the fish and wildlife budget, but there's an $18

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government

Summary: The committee first took up confirmation of five water management district appointees: Ted Everett and Jerome Pate to the Northwest Florida Water Management District, Michael Romano to the Big Cypress Basin Board of the South Florida Water Management District, and Paul Bissfam, John Hall, and Virginia Johns to the Southwest Florida Water Management District. Senator McClain moved confirmation, the roll was called, and the committee recommended all appointees favorably. Members then received the Governor’s Florida First budget presentations for environmental agencies. The environmental package totaled about $5.8 billion and emphasized Everglades restoration, water quality, resilience, land conservation, state parks, hazardous waste cleanup, wildlife management, wildfire response, and citrus support. DEP highlighted more than $1.4 billion for water resources, including $810 million for Everglades restoration, $202 million for Resilient Florida, $150 million for Florida Forever, $70 million for state parks, and $221 million for contamination cleanup. FWC, Agriculture, and Citrus funding priorities were also outlined. Members asked about Florida Forever funding, state park wastewater and septic needs, a reduction at the Florida Wildlife Research Institute, and beach renourishment funding for storm damage. The committee also heard the General Government portion of the budget, which totaled about $2.9 billion and covered DBPR, Lottery, Financial Services, Management Services, Revenue, PERC, and the Gaming Control Commission. DBPR requested funds for license processing, an animal abuse hotline, fleet replacement, and IT retention. FGCC sought new enforcement squads and an IT licensing/enforcement system. The Lottery proposed marketing, retail engagement, IT, and retention funding. DMS emphasized building modernization, fleet telematics, 911 and radio upgrades, cybersecurity, a local government cybersecurity grant program, and data interoperability. PERC described a sharp increase in labor cases and elections after SB 256 and requested staffing, election administration, and hearing officer pay increases. DFS highlighted My Safe Florida Home, fire marshal and first responder support, financial investigations, and gold and silver legal tender implementation. Revenue requested operational and IT funding and support for fiscally constrained counties. Questions focused on DBPR’s condo and HOA initiatives, cybersecurity grant reductions, and the My Safe Florida Home program’s abandoned grants and matching requirements. No additional votes were taken, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, there are instances, and maybe particularly more related to the charter situation, where we
• So I am wondering, back to the language here, is this prohibiting that flexibility that charters rely
• Charter schools, again, they're accountable for their finances and their student outcomes with their
• What we're hearing from charter schools is actually asking for more.
• So as far as mid-year budget goes, you know, charter schools are business.

Committee: House Education

Keywords: 989, all