Transcript Highlights:

• How about their parents?
• Now is our time to act.
• The gentleman's time has expired.
• <02:59:48.920> on<02:59:49.120> both time check on time remaining on both time check
• All time for debate has expired.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• General investments in infrastructure take a while and are timely.
• So they need that extra time before and after school.
• I will be timing you all.
• I will be timing you all.
• It gives schools like mine stability and time to plan.

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education heard the Governor’s proposals for universal school meals, the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP), and community schools. On universal meals, the Department of Education supported continued funding for the Universal School Meals Program and a fourth round of Kitchen Infrastructure and Training Grants, citing meal-count growth, improved meal service, and the need to offset federal uncertainty, inflation, and reduced direct certification tied to immigration-related policy changes. The LAO recommended rejecting another kitchen grant round, arguing prior rounds are still being spent and the state has not clearly defined unmet need. Members also raised concerns about the state’s ability to backfill federal meal funding and about how federal requirements affect programs like Summer EBT/SUN Bucks. Public commenters largely supported school meals and kitchen investments, with some urging support for plant-based milk options and continued infrastructure funding. For ELOP, the Department of Finance proposed $4.7 billion ongoing Proposition 98 funding, including $62.4 million to set a minimum Tier 2 rate of $1,800 per pupil. The LAO recommended going further and fully fixing the Tier 2 rate, saying rate uncertainty complicates district planning. CDE supported the proposal and said the program has improved attendance and academic outcomes, while noting new CalPADS reporting will provide more data soon. Senators discussed whether ELOP should remain a standalone program or be folded into LCFF, and whether the state should require stronger outcome reporting. Public testimony generally backed stabilizing Tier 2 funding, but some speakers urged more support for older youth and more timely, user-friendly reporting. On community schools, the administration proposed $1 billion ongoing Proposition 98 funding to expand the model to thousands more schools and to support existing grantees, along with stronger technical assistance, statewide alignment, and an accreditation/self-certification framework. The LAO recommended continuing the current one-time grant approach instead of creating a new ongoing categorical program, warning about reduced flexibility, administrative burden, and the state’s capacity to support a much larger cohort. CDE supported the ongoing investment but asked for additional county office and technical assistance funding. Senators and public commenters were broadly supportive of community schools, emphasizing improved attendance, graduation, and student engagement, while also debating accountability, accreditation, and whether non-classroom-based charter schools should be eligible. Public testimony strongly favored ongoing funding and highlighted community schools’ role in mental health, family engagement, and wraparound supports.

Transcript Highlights:

• You got to be making three times the rent.
• You got to be making three times the rent.
• The last time Congress voted to raise the minimum wage, Bobby Gindle, The last time Congress voted to
• And of course, you know, we hear from time to time that even Walmart and Burger King pays more than that
• He spoke about their lack of parenting.

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• this will do is this will allow us time this will do is this will allow us time to<00:02:17.520>
• <00:32:32.080> the saying that we're giving parents the saying that we're giving parents the
• some that say, "Well, we uh a parent some that say, "Well, we uh a parent works<00:35:34.560>
• /c> As time has gone by, As time has gone by, I<00:40:43.680> have<00:40:43.839> become
• But what this is doing is giving parents, it's empowering parents to make a choice if they feel that

Keywords: Education - Room 216, January 6, 2026; 12:45 PM, 925, all

Summary: The committee welcomed three new members and elected Senator Brian Rhodes as committee secretary by acclamation. It then took up three education bills. Senate Bill 2001, a $2,000 across-the-board pay raise for teachers, teacher assistants, and certain higher education instructors, was explained as a partial step that could be increased later if more funds become available. The bill also included language to prevent school districts from offsetting state raises for teacher assistants by reducing local supplements. After no questions, the committee adopted a motion that the bill be reported. Senate Bill 2003, which expands the program allowing retired individuals to return to teach, drew the most discussion. The bill broadens eligibility beyond retired educators, raises the retirement-pay percentage from 50% to 65%, shortens the required break in service from 90 days to 45 days in most cases, removes the critical-shortage-area limitation, and allows retirees to teach in any district. Senator Hill offered and the committee adopted an amendment to clarify that the retiree must be receiving a PERS retirement allowance. Members debated possible effects on the retirement system, but the bill was ultimately reported. Senate Bill 2002, dealing with public school district transfers, would remove the sending district’s ability to veto a student’s transfer to another public district. Senator Hopson offered a single amendment, adopted by the committee, to allow receiving districts to charge a reasonable fee, require transfer notice by March 15 absent good cause, and preserve MHSAA’s authority over extracurricular eligibility. Members discussed transportation, equity, and athletic recruiting concerns, and the amendment was clarified to leave the fee amount to the receiving district’s board. After the amendment, the bill was reported.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:06:43.240> they<00:06:43.640> they at the time they they at the time they they
• uh look at this as a 150-year time uh look at this as a 150-year time frame. frame. frame.
• I I thank my parents for that. I I thank my parents for that.
• might only need to meet one or two times might only need to meet one or two times or or or that<
• <00:57:27.320> I been doing discus and from the time I been doing discus and from the time

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So um I does put a a time limit on that.
• And how for student parents like myself.
• A parent might need to flee state help.
• And this bill will punish parents.
• I remember my parents doing the for it.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not going to speak for a long time about this.
• During that time, the house could not be lived in, could not be sold, and could not be fully accessed
• Even after that, the process took time and a lot of coordination.
• ' irritants were deployed at my parents' irritants were deployed at my parents' home,<00:02:49.200
• :02:52.400> enforcement parents were murdered, law enforcement parents were murdered, law enforcement

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee took up House File 3782, Chair Mueller’s bill, and first adopted an oral amendment changing the term “distraction” to “diversionary” in four places. The DE2 author’s amendment, as amended, was then adopted. The bill was described as a response to concerns raised after the summer’s events and is intended to address safety and cleanup issues when law enforcement deploys chemical irritants inside buildings. Colin Hortman testified virtually about the cleanup of his parents’ home after tear gas was used there. He described extensive residue, health effects when re-entering the house, months of delay before it could be safely occupied, difficulty determining what chemicals and quantities had been used, and confusion over who was responsible for remediation costs. He said clearer documentation, immediate disclosure of the agents used, and faster communication would make the process safer and less traumatic for future victims. Chair Mueller explained that the bill would require law enforcement that uses chemical irritants inside a building to leave a standardized notice for occupants or owners, including information on what was used and how much, and to direct them to the agency for more details. Members asked about the logistics of the notice requirement, including how it would work in multi-agency operations; Mueller said the agency in command of the scene would leave the notice. Representatives expressed support for the bill and its purpose. The committee then renewed and approved the motion to re-refer House File 3782, as amended, to the Judiciary, Finance, and Civil Law Committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• employer at that time. employer at that time.
• time very much. time very much.
• Wilke, for your time. thank you, Mr. Wilke, for your time.
• Appreciate your time. Anderson. Appreciate your time.
• Chair, to save time. Chair, to save time.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a wait time. It could cost $200 to see a doctor every time.
• As a new parent, I sympathize with all the parents on both sides of the bill.
• My parents were blue-collar workers, and to this day people still have a hard time understanding me when
• We say, times have changed. Those kids are getting worse. They won't obey their parents.
• I use it big time. And I know a good friend of mine, she... ...big time.

Bills: SB 3, HB28, SB3

Keywords: flash flood, flood warning, outdoor warning siren, emergency alert, disaster preparedness, flood mitigation, Hill Country floods, Texas Water Development Board, municipalities, counties, local government mandate, public safety, grant program, backup power, weather siren, emergency management, flood-prone area, warning system, hemp regulation, consumable products

Transcript Highlights:

• FOR THE FIRST TIME.
• THE GRANDSON'S NAME IS LUCKY GAETZ WHICH I THINK IS FINE BUT I DID WARN HIS PARENTS BY THE TIME HE IS
• USUAL, TIME AWAY, EVERYONE ELSE HAD GREAT FAMILY TIME BUT ALL OF US HAVE NOT SEEN EACH OTHER BACK IN
• IT TOOK US TIME TO GET THE PROGRAM OPERATIONAL.
• ANY TIME YOU HAVE STUDENTS THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT YOU HAVE TO SPEND WITH THEM FOR THEM TO HAVE A GOOD

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our goal is to hear both the bills during this time at the same time.
• Thank you so much for your time. Thank you so much for your time.
• <00:25:40.960> and time and time and consideration<00:25:43.799> thank<00:25:44.000>
• precious time they might have.
• amount of time is because significant amount of time is because they<01:21:41.320> want<01:21

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• have the time or their staff?
• have the time or their staff?
• It would only be the parent of an adult child who had no surviving spouse or minor children at the time
• How much more time should be given to figure this out? Time is of the essence.
• By that time, it was too late.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and considered several health-related bills. SB 398, by Senator Burgess, would create a statewide Alzheimer’s and dementia awareness campaign through the Department of Elder Affairs, focused on early detection, brain health, risk reduction, clinical trial access, and community resources. Supporters said Florida has a large and growing Alzheimer’s population and that the campaign would help families and vulnerable communities; the bill was reported favorably after a roll call vote. The committee also adopted an amendment to SB 714, by Senator Burton, which would create non-opioid advanced directives and add liability protections for providers in medical emergencies involving opioids. Supporters framed it as a patient-choice measure, while opponents argued it was vague and could interfere with appropriate pain treatment; the amended bill was then reported favorably. The committee also approved CS/SB 756, which removes the current age-eight diagnosis requirement for autism-related insurance coverage and extends coverage beyond age 18 for those diagnosed with autism. Senator Burton said the bill would help families whose children are diagnosed later or whose needs continue into adulthood. There was brief discussion about existing lifetime benefit caps, but the sponsor said the bill did not change those limits. The committee then took up SB 734, a proposal by Senator Yarbrough to repeal Florida’s wrongful death exception that bars certain parents and adult children from recovering non-economic damages in medical negligence cases. The sponsor and supporters described the current law as discriminatory and unjust, especially for families of older adults and disabled individuals, while opponents warned it would raise malpractice costs, increase premiums, and worsen provider shortages. The bill drew extensive public testimony from both grieving family members and health care/insurance representatives, and members debated whether caps or other safeguards should be added. No final action on SB 734 is reflected in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• , bothered by these long wait times, bothered by these long wait times, welcome<00:10:09.440>
• So now there's a longer wait time it.
• Christian college at one point in time Christian college at one point in time and<00:13:17.440><
• <00:13:36.480> in our time in our time in church.<00:13:38.800> And<00:13:39.079>
• So before you agree to those times.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Time equals life.
• Some of you are parents.
• Before our bill, they could add that up, bank time, and use those time as days.
• Before our bill, they could add that up, bank time, and use those time as days.
• Before our bill, they could add that up, bank time, and use those time as days.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Primary and Secondary Education Committee met and first took up House Bill 14, which would establish Alyssa’s Law in Kentucky public schools. The bill, as amended by committee substitute, would allow districts to implement wearable panic alert systems for school staff beginning in the 2025-26 school year. Sponsor Rep. Kevin Jackson and supporters described the system as a silent badge/button that can alert school offices, 911, first responders, and other personnel, with different button sequences for different emergencies. Testimony from Lori Alade, Alyssa’s mother and founder of Make Our Schools Safe, emphasized that “time equals life” and said the technology can help in active threats, medical emergencies, weather events, and other urgent situations. Students from St. Margaret Mary’s Kentucky Youth Assembly also supported the bill, citing the Georgia school shooting response as an example of how such systems can save lives. Members asked about vendor neutrality, costs, training, and whether the system could be used off campus; sponsors said the bill is intended to be vendor neutral, estimated statewide costs ranged from about $2 million to $6 million, training would be provided before the school year, and they would follow up on the off-campus question. The committee approved HB 14 with the committee substitute attached. The committee then reconsidered and approved House Bill 48, a cleanup measure related to school reporting requirements. The substitute was described as addressing department concerns about eliminating certain reporting forms while preserving district flexibility and reducing burdensome reporting. It would allow schools to maintain or use alternative reporting methods, provide KDE a timeline and guidelines for reporting on Cognia software used for CPS and C-dips, and require a written report to the LRC describing reporting requirements imposed on public schools and districts, with items not reapproved by the legislature sunsetting in 2026. The bill passed the committee with the committee substitute attached. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 190, as amended by committee substitute, which would shift the measure from a planning-and-action bill to a planning-only bill for advanced coursework and codify some gifted-student regulations. Rep. Duvall and Dr. Julia Link Roberts of WKU said the bill is intended to expand opportunities for high-potential students by requiring districts to set policies on advanced coursework or accelerated learning options for grades 4 through 12. The substitute changes the standard from “proficient” to “distinguished,” allows districts flexibility in how they implement the policies, and may require automatic enrollment for students scoring distinguished, with opt-out provisions and a principal exception if coursework conflicts with career pathways or CTE access. Members discussed how the proposal differs from current advanced programs, the broader inclusion of students, and district variation in available opportunities. No final vote on HB 190 was included in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please read the bill a third time.
• Please read the bill a third time.
• As with any new program, they take time. They take time to get implemented. You have to apply.
• I think time will tell.
• Please read the bill a third time. Mr. Gruters moves the bill be read a third time.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several member introductions recognizing interns, guests, and advocates. The Rules Chair added CS for CS for SB 622 to the special order calendar, and SB 80 on state land management was temporarily postponed. The chamber then moved through a series of bills, often substituting House companions for Senate bills when the measures were identical or nearly identical. The Senate passed SB 200/HB 295 on a comprehensive waste reduction and recycling plan, requiring DEP to develop a recycling and waste diversion roadmap by 2026; SB 492 on land development and mitigation banking, after adopting amendments related to mitigation credit use and former phosphate mine lands; and SB 494/HB 255 on aggravated animal cruelty, which increases sentencing consequences and creates a searchable FDLE database of convicted animal abusers, with an amendment clarifying the database language. The Senate also passed SB 500/HB 711 establishing the Spectrum Alert for missing children with autism, SB 524/HB 1089 adding Duchenne muscular dystrophy to newborn screening, SB 592/HB 393 revising the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program, SB 742/HB 1145 on workforce education, SB 936/HB 827 on a statewide study of automation and workforce impact, SB 964/HB 181 on parole guidelines, SB 976/HB 901 on court-appointed psychologists, SB 1084/HB 1451 on sexual cyber harassment, and SB 1156 on a home health aid program for medically fragile children. Most of these bills were adopted after brief sponsor explanations, questions, and in some cases amendments or House-substitute motions. Debate centered on several policy issues. Senators raised concerns about the constitutional and environmental implications of mitigation banking credits in SB 492, the scope and privacy implications of the animal abuse database in SB 494, the funding and eligibility details of the condo resilience program in SB 592, and the public-school/charter-school balance in SB 822, which drew extensive questioning about enrollment, governance, discipline, accountability, and data sharing before being placed on the third-reading calendar after amendments. The Spectrum Alert bill drew support from members who compared it to the Purple Alert and emphasized the risks faced by children with ASD. The medically fragile children home health aid bill also drew strong support, with senators describing it as a long-needed fix to help families provide in-home care without losing Medicaid coverage. Votes on the measures reported in the transcript were overwhelmingly favorable, with bills passing by margins such as 38-0, 35-3, 37-0, 36-0, and 35-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• balance of my time. balance of my time.
• reserve the balance of my time. reserve the balance of my time.
• of my time. of my time.
• Speaker, I yield my time.
• Speaker, I yield my time.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, December 4, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for your time.
• Thank you for your time.
• Thank you for your time.
• Thank you for your time.
• Thank you for your time.” “Thank you for your time.”

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It's going to be with post-adoptive parents and then young parents who have spent time in the system
• And how many kids would you say need that at this time?
• And what's the time frame for licensure for these facilities?
• It's been a long time coming.
• leaving me on hold for long periods of time and then they're hanging up.

Summary: The committee heard three presentations focused on child welfare workforce development and the needs of children in Florida’s dependency system. First, the Florida Institute for Child Welfare described its Grow Center and related initiatives, including academic curriculum enhancements, simulations, virtual reality training, coaching, on-demand learning, advanced certifications, and the planned Tallahassee learning lab opening in January 2026. Members asked about conflict resolution, domestic violence, addiction, and microcredentials; the presenter said the institute is expanding training in those areas and is working with DCF to align advanced certifications with the department’s career ladder. The Department of Children and Families then presented on the Continue the Mission initiative, which recruits veterans, military spouses, and former law enforcement officers into CPI, API, and case management roles. DCF said it has held more than 240 hiring events and hired 372 such workers since launch, while also improving recruitment and retention through higher starting pay, streamlined hiring, rebranding, wellness supports, and enhanced pre-service training. Senators asked about PTSD concerns, staffing levels, caseloads, hotline vacancies, and salaries; DCF said it had not seen direct PTSD issues from the hiring effort and provided figures including a $50,000 starting salary for CPIs, $37,000 for APIs, and average caseloads of 12 to 15 investigations for CPIs and about 10 for APIs. Finally, DCF discussed the increased acuity of children in the dependency system, explaining that fewer children are entering care overall but those who do often have more complex behavioral, mental health, developmental, or medical needs. The department highlighted a new Behavioral Qualified Residential Treatment Program (BQRTP) designed for youth who need more intensive support than traditional foster or group home settings but do not require inpatient psychiatric treatment; one facility is licensed with 12 of 14 beds filled, and DCF said it is seeking funding for placement for 230 youth total. Members pressed for details on licensure timelines, standards, funding, and the handling of crossover youth and lockouts, and DCF said it uses braided funding and works with DJJ, APD, and lead agencies through local and state review teams. A representative of the Florida Coalition for Children also testified, saying the issue is complex and multi-year, and that the coalition is working on possible legislative and programmatic solutions. The committee took no formal votes and adjourned after the presentations and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for your time. time today.
• times. knowingly at the time that this person was a man, countless times undressing in front of this
• So, at this time . . .
• I know I'm out of time.
• ahead of time.

Bills: SB240, SB1183, SB1184, SB1577, SB2043, SB2051, SCR42, SJR68

Keywords: biological sex, gender identity, public facilities, civil penalties, local government, EBT, electronic benefits transfer, food stamps, SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, TANF, temporary assistance for needy families, welfare benefits, benefit card fraud, fraud hotline, card replacement, photo ID, recipient photograph, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission

Transcript Highlights:

• But it’s a time for us to act, and it’s a time for us to update to make sure that the Commonwealth of
• for us to act and it's a but it's a time for us to act and it's a time<00:08:07.360> for<00:08
• It was really, really helpful at a time we desperately needed it, but times have changed, and we need
• it's a critical issue on a lot of times it's a critical issue on a lot of times we<00:11:19.600>
• You've got parents all over the state looking at spring break and saying, okay, I'm gonna take time off

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:01:04 Attendance Roll Call: 00:01:12 Senate Bill 3 (Sen. Wise): 00:05:28 Senate Bill 6 (Sen. Givens): 00:32:17 House Bill 241 (Rep. Truett): 00:52:18 Senate Bill 268 (Sen. Reed): 01:11:57 Adjournment: 01:24:48, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Education met and first handled introductions of guests and visitors from several school districts and education groups. The committee then took up Senate Bill 3, which relates to student athletes and includes an emergency clause. The bill sponsor and invited witnesses, including athletics directors from the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville, said the measure is intended to update Kentucky’s NIL laws in light of the House v. NCAA settlement and other national changes in college athletics. Supporters said SB 3 would let Kentucky universities directly compensate student athletes, help them secure third-party NIL deals, require reporting of deals over $600, and create guardrails and fair-market-value review to reduce pay-for-play concerns. They emphasized that the bill is meant to keep Kentucky institutions competitive, align with expected national standards, and prepare for changes expected around July 1, 2025. Witnesses also discussed the need for more uniform rules nationally, the role of the Power Four conferences in developing governance and clearinghouse systems, and the desire to preserve both athlete mobility and continuity in college sports. Several members raised concerns about the transfer portal, NIL incentives, and the broader effect on college athletics, with one senator saying NIL and the portal have damaged the sport but acknowledging Kentucky must compete. Witnesses responded that tighter portal windows and clearer national rules would help, while still preserving student-athlete transfer rights when needed. After discussion, the committee moved to a vote on SB 3; the roll call was taken, and the bill advanced out of committee, with at least one senator explaining a reluctant yes vote because of competitive pressures on the Commonwealth.