Transcript Highlights:

• Public schools.
• across school districts.
• school. Thank you. school. Thank you.
• school year.
• school district that the child attends. school district that the child attends.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• One county, one school district, 67 counties, 67 school districts.
• They got a thousand school districts, okay? Think about that, a thousand school districts.
• Some... ...school districts are a high school, okay?
• Schools come first, so they set their dates first, and secondarily, Schools come first.
• So Save Our Homes does apply over both school and non-school taxable value.

Summary: The Select Committee on Property Taxes met for an educational session focused on how Florida funds public schools and how property taxes are assessed and levied. Dr. Jim Zengali of the Department of Revenue explained the FEFP school funding formula, noting that it is built on weighted student counts, a base student allocation, and programmatic add-ons such as transportation, exceptional student education, school safety, and mental health. He said school funding is roughly split between state general revenue and local property taxes through required local effort, with additional discretionary and capital outlay millages contributing to total school funding. He also described the Department of Revenue’s role in certifying property rolls at fair market value and reviewing them for substantial compliance, including the so-called “nuclear option” if a roll is not approved. Members asked about trends in millage rates, county-by-county funding differences, the effect of growth and enrollment changes, and how property appraisals are reviewed. Zengali said aggregate millage for school funding has declined over the last decade while revenues have still increased, and he agreed to provide additional data on county trends, parcel strata, student growth, and enrollment impacts. He also clarified that school funding is equalized so students receive similar resources regardless of county wealth, and that federal funding plays only a small role in the FEFP. Amy Baker of the Joint Legislative Office of Economic and Demographic Research then discussed existing homestead benefits. She said about half of Florida’s parcels are homestead properties, most fall in the $250,000 to $500,000 value range, and many seniors without mortgages pay property taxes in lump sums rather than through escrow. Baker explained that Florida’s homestead tax burden is middle-of-the-pack nationally and that the main benefits are Save Our Homes and portability on the differential side, plus the $25,000 homestead exemption and related exemptions on the exemption side. She said these benefits reduce taxable value substantially, with homestead properties receiving a large share of the reductions, and noted that the committee requested follow-up data on exemption usage, portability timing, senior exemptions, and county-level patterns. The final presentation, by Lizette Kelly of the Department of Revenue, covered millage rates and the TRIM process. She reviewed the history of truth-in-millage notices, required taxpayer mailings, public hearing notices, and later changes that tied local millage resets to rollback and majority-vote rates. Kelly explained the difference between proposed and adopted millage, the rollback rate, and the majority-vote rate, and described how taxing authorities include counties, cities, special districts, and MSTUs. She also outlined how county taxable value is calculated from just value through assessment differentials and exemptions, and how certain exemptions, such as the additional senior exemption, apply only to the taxing authority that adopted them. No votes were taken during the meeting, but members requested several follow-up data reports for later discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Judicial oversight functions as an essential check on government power.
• Judicial oversight functions as an essential check on government power.
• Judicial oversight functions as an essential check on government power.
• Judicial oversight functions as an essential check on government power.
• bus or into a school. >> Could you, Mr.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Law School, and so that is constantly a challenge and working with the counties to make sure that when
• Department, and so we consolidate this hearing. function from more than a hundred different programs
• I did that you could hire people in right out of law school and train them up.
• And that's our function.
• Highlight some of the purposes and functions of the State Bar this morning.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:11:34.640> district absorbed by the local school district absorbed by the local school
• money possible in to our school money possible in to our school district.
• They're not leaving our school.
• They're not they don't leave our school. They're not they don't leave our school.
• kids how to do those basic functions? kids how to do those basic functions?

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee opened its second meeting on House Bill 742, which would require catastrophic special education aid to be drawn from the education trust fund, and discussed whether to also examine differentiated aid within the adequacy formula. The chair said the committee had previously heard from HHS/Medicaid officials and now wanted to hear from local special education directors about how the aid system works in practice, including billing, training, data collection, and whether districts handle claims consistently. Members also referenced Arkansas as a possible comparison state and said they hoped to develop ideas by November to address the current funding process. Committee members focused on the current special education aid thresholds and the impact of proration. The chair described the existing formula as requiring districts to absorb costs up to 3.5 times the state average per student, with the state paying 80% from 3.5 times through 10 times and paying above that, and said FY25 appropriated about $34 million while actual claims were about $50.1 million, leaving roughly a $16 million shortfall that caused proration. Members also raised the possibility of lowering the threshold to 2.5 times and asked how that would affect the number of eligible students and costs. Another member asked about how districts decide whether services are education-related or medical-related and how Medicaid or private insurance reimbursement affects later state aid claims. District representatives from Boothby Therapy Services, Bedford, and Guilford introduced themselves and described their roles. Guilford’s director said the district tracks students with paraprofessional support, nurses, transportation, or specialized programming, uses a data system to log every service touchpoint, and tries to maximize both Medicaid and special education aid; she said a lower threshold would likely capture all students with paras or nurses and that rising staffing and service costs would increase the number of students over the cap. Bedford’s assistant director said the district uses a different system, tracks roughly 60 to 80 students a year, and pursues Medicaid and special education aid simultaneously but does not pursue private insurance if it would affect FAPE; she said reducing the threshold to 2.5 times would likely double the number of qualifying students. Members asked follow-up questions about software, data entry, and how districts decide whether to bill Medicaid or seek state catastrophic aid, and the directors explained that their systems log services by staff type and student, with some districts using the same data for both Medicaid and state reimbursement claims.

Transcript Highlights:

• Early childhood learning programs prepare children for schools.
• Right to fully resourced community schools with staffing.
• I look at my district going back to school board.
• We offer school-based health clinics in Senator Brantley: schools as we should.
• So Senator, being on the school board, we have audits for our county.

Transcript Highlights:

• 518 school districts, if you want to... $560 schools or the, you know, in the 518 school districts if
• 518 school districts, if you want to $560 schools or the, you know, in the 518 school districts if you
• Brentwood School District, the MRH School District, and the Ladue School District.
• school, a private school or homeschool.
• But no, not a public school. A private school.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the prior day’s journal by a 107-1 roll call vote. Members then spent a substantial portion of the morning introducing guests, including family members, students, interns, nonprofit representatives, a park ranger recognized for life-saving work, and legislative staff being honored for service or graduation. Committee reports and Senate messages followed, including Senate refusals to concur on several amendments to Senate Bill 1421 and the appointment of a conference committee on House Bill 2818. The main floor debate centered on the conference committee report for House Bill 2002, the K-12 education budget. The budget chair explained that the report maintained record-level overall funding for the foundation formula but changed the mix of funding sources, including a reduction in capital commission dollars and use of blind pension funds, with possible later ARPA dollars to offset shortfalls. Several members argued the bill still underfunded schools by about $190 million and raised concerns about relying on projected or one-time funds; others defended the budget as meeting or exceeding constitutional requirements and noted record spending per pupil and recent increases in education funding. A substitute motion to send the bill back to conference failed 62-89, and the conference report was then adopted 83-68; the bill was subsequently third read and passed 83-68. The House then adopted and passed House Bill 2003, the higher education budget, by 119-28 on adoption and 109-32 on third reading. Debate there focused on restoring the governor’s recommended funding while directing higher education institutions to develop a new performance-based funding formula by the end of the year. Members generally described the compromise as a step toward a more sustainable model while preserving current funding levels. Next, House Bill 2004, covering the Departments of Revenue and Transportation, was adopted 128-21 and passed 127-27; discussion highlighted transportation funding, rural roads, and a small local safety appropriation that had already been addressed by MoDOT. The House then began debate on House Bill 2005, the Office of Administration budget, with members emphasizing IT accountability, state employee functions, and ongoing technology consolidation/deconsolidation issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• Not only that, they will crowd out the smaller entities, but that they ultimately will function in a
• And every week we encounter obstacles to function effectively.
• And every week we encounter obstacles to function effectively.
• And every week we encounter obstacles to function effectively.
• It's something that allows them to participate and function more effectively.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The work session focused on HB 54, which would allow New Hampshire’s alternative treatment centers to operate for profit. Chair David Nagel opened by identifying the main concerns: whether members agreed with the bill conceptually, whether the proposal could be shaped to avoid a gubernatorial veto, and whether it could lead to “big cannabis” taking over. He also emphasized that the bill would not change the existing oversight structure, which remained under RSA 126-X. Representative Wendy Thomas said the governor’s objections in past sessions appeared to center on the state’s preference for a state-run model and broader policy concerns, but no one present knew the current governor’s position. Several speakers argued the bill was primarily about financing and access, not expanding the number of dispensaries. Matt Simon of Granite Leaf Cannabis said the current nonprofit structure makes it difficult to raise capital, pay down debt, and open additional access points, and that the bill would be a corporate restructuring rather than a change in day-to-day regulation. Brandon Pollock of TASCAL Wellness said medical cannabis programs in most other states are for-profit, and that New Hampshire’s nonprofit requirement has left ATCs burdened with high-interest debt and higher prices that push patients to Maine, Vermont, or the street market. He said converting to for-profit status could allow conventional financing, lower prices, and help keep patients in the regulated program. Members also discussed whether for-profit ownership would invite outside corporate control. Witnesses said the bill would not open the market to new operators, would not change advertising rules, and would include restrictions on ownership transfers for a period of time; “foreign corporation” was explained as an out-of-state entity. One speaker noted that the bill is similar to earlier versions that passed both chambers with strong support but never became law. No vote was taken during the work session; the discussion was informational and aimed at addressing concerns before the bill moved forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not a party function; it's an election function that's done at our local precincts, just like it
• It's not a party function; it's an election function that's done at our local precincts, just like it
• It's it's uh an party function fun.
• <00:07:51.039> at<00:07:51.280> our election function that's done at our election function
• support local government and school support local government and school districts<00:49:33.839><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The governor vetoed the funds used for government accountability functions...
• have the opportunity today to override the governor's veto and restore the funding for these key functions
• That's after-school programs, that's exposure to the arts.
• That's after-school programs, that's exposure to the arts.
• That's after-school programs, that's exposure to the arts.

Summary: The Senate convened in special session with an opening prayer focused on Holocaust remembrance and a warning against antisemitism, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and the reading of the joint proclamation calling the session. The proclamation said the special session was convened to consider immigration-related legislation and appropriations to support coordination with federal immigration enforcement, including a chief immigration officer, restrictions on benefits for undocumented immigrants, voting-related offenses, penalties for removed aliens who re-enter, bail and detention considerations, ID requirements, and support for local law enforcement. Senate Bill 2B on immigration was filed and placed on the special order calendar for the next day, with an amendment deadline set after the Appropriations Committee meeting. The Senate then took up veto overrides on House Bill 5001 from the 2024 regular session, which is the General Appropriations Act. Members discussed the governor’s vetoes of legislative support and transparency-related funding, including IT systems, research, oversight, and Florida Channel services. Senator Pizzo objected to waiving Rules on one item and argued the chamber should also address broader cuts, including arts funding, while the Rules Chair said the items under consideration were limited to support services and that broader funding concerns could be addressed separately. The Senate voted to override line item 2802, funding legislative support services, by 35 yeas and 1 name, and line item 2803, also for legislative support services, by 36 yeas and 1 nay, both passing by the required two-thirds vote. The Senate then adjourned until the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Zoom chat function will allow you to chat with the technical staff only.
• First up, we have the School of Travel Industry Management with comments.
• First up, we have the School of Travel Industry Management with comments.
• <00:17:52.679> be<00:17:53.360> open school be open school be open to<00:17:55.240>
• their students than the actual School their students than the actual School teach<00:25:41.840><

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And everybody that sits in this school today, even if they're hard of hearing, they're taught to read
• Right, it happens in schools, it happens with psychiatric hospitals.
• I am a middle school math teacher and a parent of a child who battled a rare medical condition, and I
• Entities, schools, and even medical professionals are making critical health and education decisions.
• how it's supposed to function.

Bills: HB451, HB645, HB 1041, HB 1151, HB 1155, HB1536, HCR12, HCR12

Keywords: commercial sexual exploitation, child sex trafficking, human trafficking, child welfare, foster care, DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, juvenile probation, risk assessment, needs assessment, trauma screening, child abuse prevention, exploitation screening, validated screening tool, evidence-informed tool, conservatorship, juvenile justice, at-risk youth, trafficking prevention, Child Sex Trafficking Prevention Unit

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, we still do the function. The function still needs to be filled.
• This is statewide, all schools, public schools.
• :51.320> schools Schools public schools Schools public schools I<01:54:53.520> mean<01:
• So how do we know which schools?
• schools so how do we know which schools schools so how do we know which schools uh<01:56:01.079>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Ways and Means and Health and Human Services committees heard Hawaii Health Systems Corporation’s biennium budget request, with testimony from HHSC leadership on the Hilo/Big Island region (HTH 212) and the Oahu region (HTH 215), plus discussion of capital improvement projects and systemwide partnerships. HHSC described its role as the rural healthcare safety net, serving a high share of Medicare, Medicaid/Quest, and uninsured patients, and said its costs are elevated by state employee fringe benefits, which it said are about 64% compared with roughly 30% in the private sector. HHSC also said pandemic-era federal aid, including relief funds and PPP loans totaling about $100 million, reduced the need for general fund support in prior years. For HTH 212, HHSC said its general fund request for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 was higher than the governor’s recommendation because of rising insurance, pharmaceutical, and contractor labor costs, and because it includes $13.2 million in FY 2026 and $2.3 million in FY 2027 for Epic electronic medical record implementation in East Hawaii. For HTH 215, HHSC said the requested general funds were aligned with the governor’s recommendation, in part because of increased Medicaid reimbursement rates for long-term care facilities under prior legislation. HHSC also said it was restoring a special fund ceiling so the region could spend its cash collections on operations. Members asked about the 64% fringe rate, and HHSC explained the difference was mainly due to defined-benefit pension and retiree health insurance costs, which private hospitals generally do not bear at the same level. Members also asked about the Daniel K. Akaka State Veterans Home, and HHSC said operations would be funded through the general fund corporation for the home when it opens, with management by Ohana Pacific, but no additional legislative operating funds were being requested at that time. Other questions focused on staffing and vacancies, including an abolished procurement position and an ongoing IT help desk recruitment need. HHSC highlighted several capital and partnership projects, including a $25 million state CIP request matched by $25 million from the Benioff family for the Benioff Health Center, an ER expansion and reconfiguration at Corner Community Hospital, and $7.5 million in each fiscal year for Kauai EMR capital funds to join the Epic platform. Testimony also described collaborations with Queen’s, the University of California San Francisco, Hawaii Pacific Health, the Hawaii Cancer Consortium, the Department of Health, and the state hospital to improve specialty access, clinical trials, behavioral health, and patient placement across the system.

Transcript Highlights:

• established product management functions established product management functions and<00:09:06.240
• <00:09:53.120> well out our customer contact function well out our customer contact function
• <00:15:19.519> which product management fork function which product management fork function
• I'm 16 years old and a sophomore at Harding Senior High School.
• With the help of support of SIAK, I'm able to maintain a 3.7 GPA in high school.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We buy a lot of school bonds, water system loans.
• Um, and school districts, we're buying down a lot of interest rates on school district loans.
• And then lastly, prior to the growth, we reorganized our organization, the agency, by function.
• But we've, we've spent a lot of time making sure that we are, we are working by function, that we've
• for all of those functions.

Transcript Highlights:

• And acupuncture schools and naturopathic schools are not one of the worst.
• Our schools are the worst.
• And acupuncture schools and naturopathic schools are not one of the worst.
• Our schools are the worst.
• out<02:38:08.800> in stuff to schools, but schools are out in stuff to schools, but schools

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Public school non-public schools.
• schools.
• ,<00:55:25.760> Good schools uh same public school, Good schools uh same public school, Good
• School.
• non-public schools. non-public schools.

Bills: HF3490, HF4040

Keywords: education finance, scholarship-granting organizations, charitable purposes, student scholarships, nonpublic schools, K-12 education, tax credit, advance payment, Minnesota tax law, child education expenses, taxpayer assistance, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It's the functional yesterday.
• It keeps high school students from getting paid for playing in high school sports.
• It keeps high school students from getting paid for playing in high school sports.
• High school rodeo is not a part of the high school activities association.
• High school rodeo is not a school rodeo.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• we' we've always had a banking function we' we've always had a banking function but<00:20:34.039
• Both my beautiful daughters were tirelessly in school and after school to support our community.
• to tirelessly in school in after school to tirelessly in school in after school to support<00:47:
• Paul Public Schools, particularly during my last 10 years at Humboldt High School on the west side.
• We have a successful joint city and public school program called Stable Homes, Stable Schools.

Bills: HF10

Keywords: undocumented immigrants, state funding, MinnesotaCare, scholarship ineligibility, state assistance, 1183, house

Bills: HR39, HCR43, HR178, HCR188, SB3144, SB3102, SB2053, SB3248, SB2256, SB3118, SB2245, SB2519, SB3055, SB2090, SB2765, SB2169, SB3136, SB2521, SB2851, SB3154, SB3262, SB2387, SB3001, SB2818, SB2972, SB2372, SB2108, SB888, HR63, HCR69

Keywords: pedestrian safety, crosswalks, traffic calming, school zone, Honolulu, community safety, raised crosswalks, traffic infrastructure, agritourism, agricultural tourism, Hawaii Tourism Authority, HTA, working group, farm tourism, regenerative tourism, working lands, agricultural land use, county ordinances, permitting, farm bureau