Transcript Highlights:

• Next up, we will take CS for CS for CS HB 7065, childcare, and early learning services by Representative
• Fund within the Education Foundation to help private dollars go towards school readiness and early learning
• Early learning facility. It creates a New York 5. It says Grant program. It adds infant.
• And I would hope that as part of this bill and acknowledgement of the importance of early learning on
• And I and then I not learn how to swim until much later in my life. And I grew up in Florida.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair Tomkow: Next up, we will take CS for CS for CS HB 7065, Childcare and Early Learning Services by
• McFarland: the Education Foundation to help private dollars go towards school readiness and early learning
• MMTC facility locations Representative Gerwig: being within 500 feet of a park or childcare early learning
• And I would hope that as part of this bill and acknowledgement of the importance of early learning on
• And I did not learn how to swim until much later in my life. And I grew up in Florida.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're learning we are many of our programs develop here, mentoring program, which is very successful.
• And that's part of a continual sharing of information, professional, learning professional development
• So we have a very regular cadence around technical assistance and professional learning.
• And that includes also very much teacher preparation and professional learning to ensure how do I help
• And so we were interested in learning more about our inclusive Education Services program.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I know there are so many kids that want to learn the same thing.
• So after college—well, not after college, but going into college... ...to learn the same thing.
• But at least having that knowledge and at least having the opportunity to learn these things is just
• as important as learning how to do algebra, as learning how to do biology, as...
• Just as important as learning how to do algebra, as learning how to do biology, as even learning how

Summary: The Careers and Workforce Subcommittee heard three bills. HB 919 on nursing education programs would tighten accountability for nursing schools with low NCLEX pass rates by shortening the probation period, requiring remediation plans, mandating free remediation for students who fail, and requiring tuition reimbursement for programs with very low pass rates. The sponsor argued Florida’s nursing pass rates are unacceptably low and that stronger consequences are needed; opponents warned the bill could shut down programs, worsen the nursing shortage, and unfairly target private schools, while supporters said it would protect students and improve outcomes. After debate, the bill was reported favorably by a vote of 18-0. The committee then heard PCS for HB 1261, the “Smart Living Act,” a student-driven proposal from Jefferson High School in Hillsborough County to expand personal financial literacy and practical life-skills instruction in high school. Students and school officials testified that the bill would better prepare graduates for adulthood by covering topics such as budgeting, credit, loans, FAFSA, resumes, interviews, and basic household skills. Members praised the students’ work and the bill’s practical focus, and the PCS was reported favorably 18-0. Finally, the committee considered HB 809, which would exempt school social workers from educator certification requirements for general and subject-area knowledge. Supporters from Lee and Broward counties said the current testing requirement is unrelated to social work, creates financial and recruitment barriers, and has contributed to staffing shortages. Members from both parties supported the measure as a simple way to remove an obstacle to hiring and retaining school social workers. HB 809 was also reported favorably by a vote of 18-0, and the meeting adjourned after all agenda items were completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're always going to take a step back and evaluate lessons learned. How do you? Started.
• It's kind of the more unknown than it is, then, you know, wanting to learn about it.
• We need to be... ...than it is, then, you know, wanting to learn about it.
• I think we're learning from even some of the drone communities.
• If people want to learn more about this, who should they reach out to in the state of Florida?

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee met and first received an update from FDOT on the Sun Trail shared-use nonmotorized trail program. FDOT said the program, created in 2015 and expanded by 2023 legislation, now includes connections to the Florida Wildlife Corridor and received a one-time $200 million appropriation plus increased annual funding. The department reported programming about $180 million of that funding, completing 42 construction projects totaling nearly 95 miles in 21 counties, and installing trail counters and QR-code surveys to measure usage and economic impact. Members expressed support for the program and asked no substantive questions. The committee then heard a presentation on FDOT’s locally administered state transportation funding programs, including SCOP, SCOPM, SCRAP, SIGP, and TRIP. FDOT explained these programs support local roadway resurfacing, bridge repair, drainage, paving unpaved roads, and safety or capacity improvements, with varying state match levels depending on the program and eligibility. FDOT said its adopted five-year work program includes more than $1.4 billion for local transportation improvement projects. A member asked whether toll revenues from Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties fund these programs; FDOT said it would research the funding source and follow up. The committee’s main discussion was a panel on advanced air mobility (AAM), including FDOT and industry representatives from Supernal, Joby, Atlantic Aviation, Hillsborough County Aviation Authority, and Eve Air Mobility. FDOT described its AAM planning work, advisory committee, local government guidebook, and upcoming training, while panelists emphasized Florida’s leadership, the likely use of existing airport and heliport infrastructure first, and the expectation that private investment will fund much of the early vertiport buildout. Members raised concerns about community acceptance, privacy, zoning, airspace congestion, security, and lessons from scooters and drones. Panelists repeatedly stressed a “crawl, walk, run” rollout, local government coordination, multimodal connectivity, and public outreach. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after the panel.

Transcript Highlights:

• was to make sure that students have a full and healthy day in their classroom just so that they can learn
• :35:10.000> can their classroom just so that they can their classroom just so that they can learn
• 35:12.000> your<00:35:12.240> day<00:35:13.000> where<00:35:14.000> you learn
• uh starting your day where you learn uh starting your day where you aren't<00:35:14.960> fully
• that the members conversation I learned that the members of<01:04:19.799> the<01:04:19.920>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We learned through many conversations with college and university faculty and staff, and through our
• colleges and universities we learned colleges and universities we learned through<00:45:28.040><
• <00:57:56.559> environments<00:57:57.200> to create active learning environments to
• create active learning environments to deliver<00:57:57.760> Cutting<00:57:58.039> Edge
• <01:08:56.319> from time uh however I think we learn from time uh however I think we learn

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Go learn it."
• Go learn it." The rest is commentary. Go learn it."
• World War II and I remember learning World War II and I remember learning about<01:11:18.320>
• I'm learning some things here.
• I'm learning some things here.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• WE LEARNED LESSONS ALONG THE WAY. WE LEARNED WORDS WITHOUT TRUTH HAVE NO MEANING.
• WE LEARNED ACTIONS WITHOUT HUMILITY LACK CONSEQUENCE.
• WE LEARNED GOVERNMENT IS NOT SHAPED BY MYSTERIOUS OUTSIDE FORCES BUT BY THE PASSIONS, EGOS, HEROISM AND
• WE LEARNED ISSUES WE TACKLE ARE NOT EASILY REDUCIBLE TO A SLOGAN OR AN IDEA.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• students being active and volunteering and making a difference in their community, that's how they learn
• It's a good learning lesson. There's nothing like a real-time learning lesson.
• Like a real-time learning lesson after you've studied in school and understand how the actual flow of
• I was going to allow him to do that, but we learned we had the public hearing last Wednesday.

Bills: HB491, SB85

Keywords: HB491, public schools, K-12, school nutrition, school lunch, cafeteria, artificial dyes, food additives, food coloring, synthetic dyes, Red Dye No. 3, Red Dye No. 40, Yellow Dye No. 5, Yellow Dye No. 6, Blue Dye No. 1, Blue Dye No. 2, Green Dye No. 3, school fundraising, vending, snacks

Transcript Highlights:

• The conference brings together ag students and teachers from 368 chapters throughout California to learn
• Jean's FFA program continues to thrive, empowering students to engage in hands-on learning that connects
• Right now they're here learning about state government, which I think is something everybody can learn
• importantly on developing good human beings these are students who are taught to think critically learn

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, EAC—the name, we love it dearly, but the pronunciation has been a learning curve for all, so no worries
• Be in contact with those efforts and share resources and learn more from each other, which I think is
• And members also discussed the success of certain internship models and how lessons learned from those
• Chair Garlick and I also met with Health Care for All to learn more about their work around upcoming
• We've also connected with Mystic Valley Elder Services and Caregiver Solutions in Boston to learn more

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Massachusetts Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities met virtually and in person for its June meeting. Members approved the March meeting minutes and heard a chair’s report on recent “Meeting the Moment” community conversations, including the successful Lowell event and plans for a July 14 Northampton event and an October National Disability Employment Awareness Month celebration at the State House. The October event will include a panel with MassAbility on artificial intelligence and its impacts on people with disabilities, with discussion of both accessibility benefits and risks such as bias and discrimination. A major presentation came from the Supplier Diversity Office on its Empowering Abilities in Contracting and Employment (EAC) program. Staff described the program’s evolution from a pilot launched after 2016 legislation to a statewide policy now included in new state contracts. The program aims to increase certification of disability-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses, expand workforce participation by people with disabilities, and use vendor reporting to track progress toward a 3% workforce goal. The office reported about 292 active certified businesses, roughly 40 vendors currently on EAC contracts, and expectations that the number of participating vendors will grow to about 130 by November. Commissioners praised the program and asked about its reach, data, and potential replication in other states or institutions. The advisory council update highlighted broad engagement across topics including accessibility, employment, youth transition, housing, health equity, transportation, technology, AI, and supported decision-making. Members were asked to share fact sheets and resources for posting on the commission website, and two council members will help plan the October employment event. Subcommittee reports followed: the employment subcommittee reviewed transition-to-employment barriers, the disability employment tax credit, veteran services, and a SEED policy brief; the workforce supports subcommittee discussed apprenticeships and a May webinar on addressing workforce barriers through apprenticeships; and the long-term services and supports/health equity subcommittee heard about care coordination training resources and a presentation on post-COVID health care inequities for people with disabilities. The executive director also reported on ongoing work with state agencies, MassHealth-related conversations, caregiver and aging issues, and AI planning. The meeting ended with commissioner announcements on the Paul Spooner Generational Leadership Summit and a Medicaid summit, followed by adjournment by vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a good thing for all farmers to learn how to do.
• It's a good thing for all farmers to learn how to do.
• So I think we've kind of at least learned what we can do to keep new ones from popping up.
• So I think we've, we've kind of at least learned what we can do to ...
• I learned a lot from you when we were out there. Okay, thank you.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first considered three gubernatorial nominations. GM510, Faith Tui Pulotu to the Molokai Irrigation System Water Users Advisory Board, received strong support from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, and the Hawaii Farm Bureau, though the nominee was not present online. GM614, Mark Gordon to the Environmental Advisory Council, also drew unanimous support from state and private testifiers; Gordon described his environmental health and safety background and said he could commit the time needed. GM696, James Falconer to the Advisory Board on Pesticides, was supported by the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and the Hawaii Farm Bureau; Falconer discussed his long experience in coffee and sugar, including work responding to coffee leaf rust and the need for timely pesticide tools. All three nominations were recommended for advise and consent and were adopted by four-member votes. The committee then heard several agriculture bills. HB 1603 HD1 would allow the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to extend agricultural park leases without the current county-population restriction; supporters called it an equity measure and asked that it apply to all ag park leases, while the department gave standard testimony. HB 1707 HD1 would create a local agricultural transportation cost reimbursement program; supporters said transportation is a major production cost and suggested amendments to define “necessary supplies” and explicitly include honey. HB 2155 HD1 would establish an agricultural statistics program, with supporters emphasizing the need for better data to guide planning. HB 2594 HD1 would direct a study on insurance coverage for small producers, which supporters linked to recent storm damage and the lack of tailored insurance products. HB 2595 HD1 would create a regional agricultural feasibility and food systems production working group; supporters said it should consider markets as well as crop suitability and regional conditions. Members asked questions about lease competition, transportation reimbursement amounts and anti-double-dipping safeguards, the usefulness of agricultural data, and whether state or federal insurance models could be used as templates. Testifiers generally said the bills would help reduce costs, improve planning, and support small and neighbor-island producers, while noting that implementation details and funding levels would need further work. The committee then voted to pass all five bills with amendments, generally including a deferred effective date of July 1, 2050, and in the case of HB 1707, the committee adopted the suggested amendments to define necessary supplies and add honey to the covered commodities.

Transcript Highlights:

• We learned that there were over 34 varieties of mosquitoes here in our state.
• You were spot on, very proud of each of you for learning the process, of course, and how to address a
• But I always learn something, Madam Chair, when you've been in front of committee over the years.
• And for you students, never stop learning, even when you're old like all of these people up here.
• The learning trajectory in our schools, we are above the regression curve based on the other measures

Bills: SB104, SJR3, SM3

Keywords: wildlife commission, removal procedures, malfeasance, appointed officials, governance, education reform, public education, state board of education, superintendent, chartering authority, constitutional amendment, policy setting, insects, insect workshop, insect identification, ecology, monitoring, management, pollinators, pollination

Transcript Highlights:

• So, come meet your airport directors and operators from all across the state, learn about the economy
• operators from all across the state. operators from all across the state. learn<00:25:24.720>
• about the economy and have some learn about the economy and have some snacks. snacks. snacks.
• We have 15 students and four chaperones, and they are from grade seven learning about government and
• <00:30:30.720> about are from grade seven learning about are from grade seven learning about

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened with 55 members present and 10 excused, established a quorum, and approved the journal of Monday, January 26, 2026, as corrected. The chamber then took up Senate Joint Resolution 5, designating Colorado 4-H Day. Representatives Johnson and McCormick spoke in support, noting the visit from 4-H members and reciting the 4-H pledge. The resolution was adopted by a vote of 59-0, with six excused. The remainder of the meeting consisted largely of announcements and recognitions. Members highlighted upcoming legislative receptions for the Colorado Airport Operators Association and livestock groups, committee meetings including SMART Act hearings, Judiciary Committee items, Transportation/Housing/Local Government business, and a House Finance Committee meeting. Several members also recognized visiting groups and constituents, including behavioral health providers, Aurora Mental Health and Recovery, Heritage Heights Academy students, and House District 6 community leaders. A significant portion of the floor time was devoted to a personal privilege statement by Minority Leader Caldwell, who responded to concerns about immigration enforcement, emphasized the rule of law and due process, and criticized rhetoric he said endangered law enforcement and others. The House then moved into recess later in the day.

Transcript Highlights:

• a hearing that took place all the way back in February, which also included the infamous Quality Learning
• <00:01:51.280> center infamous quality learning center infamous quality learning center featured
• Um, we know that the Quality Learning Center was featured in that viral video that was already talked
• Um, there was another TV reporter who also covered the Quality Learning Center in January.
• Um, there was another TV reporter who also covered the Quality Learning Center in January.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Punahou School Chaplain, a sustainability consultant, and co-founder of the Sustainable Outdoor Learning
• of the consultant and co-founder of the Sustainable<00:01:44.600> Outdoor<00:01:45.080> Learning
• Outdoor Learning Center and as<00:01:46.680> executive<00:01:47.200> director<00:01:47.880
• co-founder of the<00:02:15.600> Sustainable<00:02:16.240> Outdoor<00:02:16.640> Learning
• <00:02:16.960> Center the Sustainable Outdoor Learning Center the Sustainable Outdoor Learning

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Today we're here to learn more about the U.S.
• which we call ANEP or A-N-E, connect students to. culture to keep them motivated and engaged in learning
• school's district commitment and trust in the Indian education program, professional development learning
• Alright, see I'm learning slowly.
• And we learn from one another.

Keywords: Native education, Department of Education, federal funding, testimony, treaty obligations, public schools, educational policies, Indigenous students

Summary: The meeting focused on the responsibilities of the U.S. Department of Education towards Native students, highlighting the importance of federal education programs that satisfy treaty obligations to Native communities. Various witnesses testified about the impact of educational policies designed to support Native students who primarily attend public schools. Concerns were voiced over recent proposals that could potentially undermine these programs, citing the role of federal funding in ensuring successful educational outcomes for Native youth. The chair of the committee emphasized the need for continued federal support and attention to the unique educational challenges faced by Indigenous populations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today we are going to continue our understanding of the university financial process to learn how the
• As we've now learned, a great deal of the university's funding comes from sources outside of the General
• I believe you're referring to the distance learning fee one at FAU.
• I just learned how to pull up your detailed report.
• I just learned how to pull up your detailed report.

Summary: The Higher Education Budget Subcommittee met to hear a presentation from the Florida Auditor General’s office on recent operational audits of four universities and to discuss how audit findings are handled. The Auditor General explained that financial audits occur annually and operational audits at least every three years, with universities required to respond in writing to findings; the office generally follows up in the next audit cycle, though it can audit sooner if needed. Members asked about accountability, whether findings are referred to other bodies, and how internal university audit functions interact with the state audit process. The chair emphasized the committee’s oversight role in ensuring public funds are used appropriately. The audit findings highlighted issues at New College of Florida, Florida A&M University, the University of Florida, and Florida Atlantic University. At New College, auditors cited invoice/payment errors, delinquent student account collection delays, prohibited extra compensation, exceeding state remuneration limits for certain employees, weak purchasing card controls, construction management cost documentation issues, and subcontractor licensing documentation gaps. At FAMU, auditors found investment accounting classification issues, delayed bank reconciliations, late vendor payments, and incomplete annual employee evaluations. At UF, auditors reported concerns over a $6.4 million consulting contract, event and catering spending, president’s office hiring and salary practices, bonus and relocation payments, continued high compensation after the president transitioned to another role, travel expenses including charter flights, and remote work agreements. At FAU, auditors found distance learning fee revenue exceeded allowable costs by about $2.8 million, carry forward funds were underreported by about $77 million, and credit card controls needed improvement. Members pressed the Auditor General on whether overpayments were refunded, whether any findings involved statutory violations, and what enforcement exists beyond the audit report. The auditor said some issues were corrected by the universities, such as New College recovering excess compensation from foundation funds, but others would be revisited in future audits; if potential fraud were identified, it would be referred to the state attorney’s office. The chair closed by noting that accountability for public spending rests with the Legislature and the committee, and the meeting adjourned without any vote or formal action beyond receiving the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• They give the chance to build confidence, learn teamwork, and develop lifelong friendships.
• They give the chance to build confidence, learn teamwork, and develop lifelong friendships.
• They give the chance to build confidence, learn teamwork, and develop lifelong friendships.
• people and created a space for learning people and created a space for learning reflection<02:15
• Learn your math, but learn the opportunity, but also learn to think like an economist.

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