Transcript Highlights:

• I have House Concurrent Resolution 142 to introduce. Please present your resolution.
• Chief Clerk, please read in House Concurrent Resolution 152 by title only.
• Madam Acting Speaker, this concludes the reading of House Concurrent Resolution 152 by title only.
• This concludes the reading of House Concurrent Resolution 152 by title only. Leader Winnington.
• The ayes have it, and House Concurrent Resolution 152 has passed the House. Leader Winnington.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Concurrent Resolution 2043, which is identical to Senate Concurrent Resolution 101, is placed under
• House Concurrent Resolution 243, a concurrent resolution applying to the Congress of the United States
• House Concurrent Resolution 2043 has been heard on third reading.
• Members, you can see that this is a House resolution on the board. We never brought this.
• This is the last chance on a resolution like this.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're now under motions, resolutions, and notices.
• We will now go back to motions and resolutions. Senator Reyes, you are recognized.
• We will now go back to motions and resolutions. Senator Reyes, you are recognized.
• Seeing no further motions, resolutions, or notices, we will now go to our unfinished business.
• We will now move to motions, resolutions, and notices. Senator Ashby, you are recognized.

Summary: The chamber took up a long series of concurrence and third-reading votes on bills spanning education, housing, elections, public safety, labor, insurance, corrections, and public employment. Early items included SB 1083 on school employee misconduct reporting and investigations, SB 1312 and AB 929 on abandoned cemeteries and cemetery transfer authority, SB 1359 on natural gas ratepayer transparency, SB 534 on foster youth family contact information, SB 457 on housing element data, SB 691 on body-worn camera redaction requests for EMS treatment, SB 1361 on transit and housing, SB 685 on special education placements at religious nonpublic schools, SB 677 on housing appeals and affordable housing bonds, SB 811 on hazardous waste licensing for metal shredders, and a series of election-related bills including AB 2017 on Eid holidays, SB 1078 on gift cards, SB 259 on vote-by-mail interference, AB 2281 on election cybersecurity, AB 2604 on electronic signature curing, and AB 2592 on lobbyist training. The chamber also considered AB 1198 on prevailing wage updates for large public works, AB 1537 on secondary employment for peace officers, AB 1627 on disqualifying immigration enforcement personnel with misconduct from becoming peace officers, AB 1578 on harassment and hate-speech training for elected officials, AB 1383 on public employee retirement changes, AB 1843 on hepatitis C treatment access, AB 2721 on hotel notice requirements when CBP or ICE is present, AB 2434 on prison visitor protections, AB 2724 on insurance distressed-area reviews, and AB 2121 on community college spending rules when federal funding is withdrawn. Several measures were described as technical or narrowly tailored, while others drew debate over federal preemption, worker protections, public safety, housing, and election administration. Key points of contention centered on SB 685, where supporters said the bill responds to a Ninth Circuit ruling by removing the non-sectarian requirement for nonpublic schools serving special education students, while opponents argued it would expand state funding to religious instruction. AB 811 drew a split over environmental licensing and small-business impacts, with opponents warning of burdens on small recycling facilities and supporters emphasizing licensing and environmental justice. SB 259 and AB 2721 prompted objections that the bills could conflict with federal authority or create risks for mail delivery and human trafficking investigations, while supporters framed them as protections for voting access and workplace transparency. AB 1537 and AB 1627 were presented as accountability measures for law enforcement and immigration-enforcement misconduct, and AB 1383 drew support from labor and public safety advocates for retirement and pension changes, especially for firefighters. The chamber also heard strong support for AB 2017 recognizing Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as state holidays, though the item was later ruled not eligible at that moment and the body returned to unfinished business. AB 2724 on insurance and AB 1843 on hepatitis C treatment were presented as consumer and public health measures, respectively, with broad support. AB 2434 on prison visitor protections and AB 2592 on lobbyist training were described as administrative or procedural reforms. Most measures passed on recorded roll calls, often with bipartisan support, though some drew notable no votes; SB 259 passed 30-10, AB 2721 passed 29-11, AB 1537 passed 27-11, and AB 1383 passed after extended supportive remarks from labor and public safety members.

Transcript Highlights:

• Despite this measure having a ways to go with a sunrise analysis and concurrent resolution, this is a
• um this is a very resolution um this is a very consequential<00:10:02.959><c> bill</c><00:10:03.200>
• </c><00:27:14.880><c> to</c> session when we passed the resolution to session when we passed the resolution
• and when the continuing resolutions and when the recent<00:27:30.640><c> health</c><00:27:30.880><c>
• And so, you know, it's very vague where it says in the bill the ethnic and cultural and environmental

Bills: SB2421 , SB2690 , SB3103 , SB3137 , SB3164 , SB3206 , SB2933 , SB3133 , SB3315

Committee: House Health

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several health-related bills. HB 1864, which would require health insurance coverage for standard fertility preservation services for people undergoing medically necessary treatment, drew broad support from SHIPA, the Department of Health, HMSA, the Hawaii Association of Health Plans, and others. Testifiers emphasized that fertility preservation is routine coverage on the mainland and important for patients facing infertility from cancer or other treatment; one patient described incurring more than $20,000 in costs. The Insurance Division flagged possible Affordable Care Act issues, a potential conflict in the bill’s language about using patient history to determine limits, and a mismatch with state medical-necessity standards. Committee discussion also focused on whether the bill should apply to all women of childbearing age rather than a narrower age-based category. HB 2305 would require nutrition and metabolic education as part of physicians’ continuing medical education. The Hawaii Medical Board opposed the measure, arguing that CME should remain flexible and tailored to each physician’s specialty and warning that topic-specific mandates can expand over time. The Office of the Governor supported the bill, saying it would help the state’s rural health transformation application and could improve federal funding prospects, though the exact impact was unclear. Members questioned whether nutrition is already covered in medical training and whether the requirement should be limited to primary care physicians; the board said Hawaii currently has no topic-specific CME mandates and that physicians can already choose relevant courses. The committee also heard strong support for HB 1597, which would establish an Alzheimer’s disease research center at the University of Hawaii. Supporters from the university, the Alzheimer’s Association, AARP, and others said the center could attract federal research dollars, expand clinical trials, and help address the state’s high Alzheimer’s-related health costs. HB 2159, which appropriates funds for health care workforce development, also received broad support from the University of Hawaii, health systems, and advocacy groups, with no opposition noted. Finally, HB 2121, which would prohibit the sale and distribution of disposable electronic smoking devices, drew support from the Department of Health, youth advocates, and public health groups citing youth addiction, environmental waste, and fire hazards; the department said a separate bill, HB 1573, would be more comprehensive and better defined for enforcement and penalties. The committee ended with HB 1913, creating a veteran services mental health coordinator position at Tripler Army Medical Center, which was supported by veteran services officials and others who said veterans need better navigation and coordination for behavioral health care.

Transcript Highlights:

• ... ...or he called Black culture, identified the race-based, but he kept on emphasizing Black culture
• The people with the Black community culture, we have different ways of learning.
• So that means... ...devoted for that culture, for that race.
• or Senate concurrent resolutions.
• AANAPISIs helped move us in that direction by providing culturally relevant curricula, culturally responsive

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> no resolution thereon. no resolution thereon.
• The pursuant to House Resolution 951.
• ><c> 951,</c><02:44:10.000><c> the</c> Pursuant to House Resolution 951, the Pursuant to House Resolution
• The previous House Resolution 951.
• I call up Bill HR498 Resolution 953.

Bills: HR498 , HR845 , HR1366 , HB4776

Keywords: antisemitism, Jewish safety, civil rights, hate crimes, freedom of expression, political protest, drowsy driving, road safety, public awareness, preventative measures, traffic accidents, NEPA, National Environmental Policy Act, environmental review, permitting reform, permit streamlining, infrastructure, economic development, federal agencies, categorical exclusion

Transcript Highlights:

• And so how does your bill now not remove that kind of programming where it's a cultural expression?
• I'm Jamaican, and so there's cultural expressions that we have.
• If I thought this was hurting other cultures, I would not be supportive of this.
• If I thought this was hurting other cultures, I would not be supportive of this. Oh.
• If I thought this was hurting other cultures, I would not be supportive of this.

Summary: The subcommittee first took up HB 387 on ADS-B airport billing. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would stop airports and third-party vendors from using federally required automatic dependent surveillance broadcast data to calculate landing or touch-and-go fees, arguing the technology was intended for safety and collision avoidance, not invoicing. An amendment clarifying touch-and-go landings and other fee calculations was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably 15-0. Members then heard several local and policy bills. CS/HB 803 on private-provider building permits and inspections drew broad support from industry groups and was reported favorably 14-1. HB 451 and HB 4053, local fire-district assessment bills, were presented as relief for homeowners and churches facing higher non-ad valorem assessments; both were reported favorably after amendments, with testimony emphasizing impacts on houses of worship and local communities. PCS/HB 1329 on local government spending transparency prompted extensive debate over searchable budget formats, posting requirements, and possible unfunded mandates; supporters framed it as taxpayer access and accountability, while opponents argued many local governments already provide this information and that the bill could impose costs. It was reported favorably 8-4. The committee also advanced PCS/HB 927 on local land planning and development, which would allow qualified professionals to assist with pre-application reviews; local government representatives raised concerns about preemption and environmental restrictions, but the bill was reported favorably 13-2. HB 929 on chickee huts, PCS/HB 4081 on expanding a local water and sewer district by referendum, and HB 489 conveying the Trenton Train Depot to the city and county all passed unanimously or near-unanimously. HB 1211, a Department of Military Affairs bill updating leave and assistance-program provisions, was amended and reported favorably. HB 1041, creating business incentives for veteran- and military spouse-owned businesses, also passed 13-0 after amendment and supportive testimony from members and veterans. The final item shown was HB 1001, a bill restricting county and municipal DEI-related actions and contracting; the sponsor described it as a response to division and waste, and members began questioning its definitions, scope, and potential effects on training and civil actions, but the transcript cuts off before any vote or final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know it's just a resolution, but I think that we should clean stuff like this up before it gets to
• Instead, it is a made-up solution to a culture war for political purposes, but it will have real harms
• we can make sure that their children and them are healthy, and they are done with the political cultural
• But members, Senate Joint Resolution 748 is a joint resolution to put before the voters an extension
• This is the implementing bill for the resolution. Questions? There is an amendment.

Committee: Senate Community Affairs

Summary: The committee took up several claims bills and tax-related measures. It reported favorably SB 20, providing $400,000 in relief to J.N., a minor injured on a Hillsborough County sidewalk, and SB 14, providing $1.7 million to the estate of Pineal Januier after a drowning at a Miami Beach youth center pool. It also approved SB 674, which would let property appraisers, like tax collectors, budget for hiring and retention bonuses with Department of Revenue approval. In each claims bill, the sponsor described the underlying incident, the settlement amount, and the remaining payment sought under sovereign immunity limits; there was no opposition on the claims bills. The bonus bill drew support from property appraisers who said it would help them compete for specialized staff without requiring new appropriations. The committee then considered SJR 1510 and its implementing bill, which would create a new homestead-like property tax benefit for owners who lease a non-homestead property for more than six months as residential rental housing. Supporters said it was intended to encourage more affordable rental housing by extending a $50,000 exemption and Save Our Homes-style assessment cap to qualifying properties. County and city representatives, the Florida League of Cities, and the Florida Association of Counties opposed the proposal, warning of major revenue losses, reduced public safety funding, and tax shifts to other property owners and businesses. Several senators also raised concerns about density, parking, and whether landlords would actually pass savings on to renters. Despite the opposition, both the constitutional amendment and the implementing bill were reported favorably. The committee also approved CS for CS SB 268, as amended to include congressional members, creating a public-records exemption related to certain residential information for elected officials. The First Amendment Foundation opposed it, arguing the bill lacked a sufficient public purpose and could hinder transparency, while senators supporting it cited real threats and harassment against themselves and their families. SB 100, which bans government display of flags representing political viewpoints and allows active or retired military members to use reasonable force to stop desecration of the U.S. flag, also passed after extensive debate. Opponents argued it was vague, unconstitutional, and aimed at pride and other identity-related flags; supporters said government buildings should not display political messages and that the bill protects neutrality. Finally, the committee approved CS/SB 1664, which would require voter reapproval every eight years for local discretionary taxes such as tourist development taxes and local option taxes, with exceptions for pledged bond revenues. Cities, counties, tourism groups, and the restaurant/lodging industry opposed it, saying it would create uncertainty, threaten tourism and infrastructure funding, and complicate long-term planning; Senator Sharief and others said the measure would disrupt existing surtax-backed projects and revenue streams.

Transcript Highlights:

• But each—I always say every school has its own DNA, and the culture at the school is set by the principal
• But ultimately, the superintendent establishes the priorities and the culture of the district.
• I always say culture shouldn't flow up.
• As it relates to keeping our children in schools safe, as it relates to youth conflict resolution, and
• And part of that instruction is about conflict resolution and helping students help each other to resolve

Summary: The subcommittee first heard an overview from Department of Education Chancellor Paul Burns on Florida’s K-12 governance structure and major divisions, including early learning, public schools, safe schools, school choice, and accountability. He highlighted school readiness and VPK, teacher preparation and licensure, school safety functions, scholarship and virtual/home education programs, and FAST progress monitoring. Burns also cited statewide gains such as higher mid-year reading performance, a record graduation rate of 89.7%, and record CTE enrollment, while members questioned the meaning of Florida’s “number one” education rankings, teacher pay, post-COVID learning loss, vacancies, and chronic absenteeism. St. Lucie County Superintendent John Prince then described the scale and responsibilities of a mid-sized district, emphasizing student safety, transportation, meals, hurricane shelter operations, career and technical education, teacher recruitment and retention, progress monitoring, remediation, and mental health supports. Members asked about school shelter construction standards, remediation funding, late school start times, attendance, and concordance scores; Prince argued for more flexibility for CTE pathways and noted that local districts use a mix of state and federal funds to support remediation and staffing. The committee then moved to an early warning systems panel. Burns explained that Florida law requires districts to use attendance, behavior/suspensions, course performance, FAST results, and other academic indicators to identify students needing support, with districts and families developing intervention plans. Superintendents from Putnam, St. Johns, and St. Lucie counties said chronic absenteeism is tied to achievement and NAEP decline, but causes vary by district, including poverty, transportation, daycare, family instability, travel, and student athletics. They described MTSS, PBIS, home visits, attendance letters, and community partnerships as responses. Members also discussed VPK access, full-day VPK funding, excused versus unexcused absences, and the need for earlier intervention in pre-K and K-2. Finally, Vice Chancellor Darren Norris outlined Florida’s post-Parkland school safety measures, including armed school officers, anonymous reporting, behavioral threat assessment teams, mental health training, panic alert systems, emergency drills, active assailant response policies, and firearm detection canines. Superintendents said compliance is costly and often requires shifting local funds, but they praised state grants for mental health, hardening, and mapping. They noted ongoing challenges with new mandates, capital costs, manual reporting burdens, and the need to balance safety requirements with classroom resources.

Transcript Highlights:

• Moving on to motions and resolutions.
• Assembly Concurrent Resolution 203. Aye, 55, no, 0. Senate Concurrent Resolution 200.
• Assembly Concurrent Resolution 203. Aye, 55, no, 0. Senate Concurrent Resolution 144.
• Senate Concurrent Resolution 146. Aye, 55, no, 0. Senate Concurrent Resolution 148. Aye, 55, no, 0.
• Senate Concurrent Resolution 167. Aye, 55, no, 0. Senate Concurrent Resolution 166.

Transcript Highlights:

• At one point I heard the opposition talk about cultural competency. and various opposition asked us to
• take out cultural competency of one of the pieces of this. to whittle it down.
• And I understand that it will take substantial effort from all of us. stress to change culture in the
• My community, we were addressing ceasefire resolution in Long Beach.
• And I believe that this is going to cause more confusion and less resolution. by doing that.

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• And that was for our cultural center.
• And we're very blessed that you guys continue to do a good job and continue to preserve the culture.
• We're on a current continuing resolution, which now we're anticipating.
• And then their continuing resolution going into this next fiscal cycle will keep us stagnant.
• understandings and cultural connections.

Committee: House House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> clinically appropriate um culturally clinically appropriate um culturally responsive<00:09:03.720
• They want mandatory CPR, um, more training on incident reporting and cultural responsibility.
• Thank you. come to um a resolution that benefits come to um a resolution that benefits all<00:28:08.640
• When cultural components finally emerge, they change everything.
• </c> its standards and enhancing cultural its standards and enhancing cultural responsiveness<00:47:34.240

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• done by various space-related organizations across our state, and I was honored to sponsor Senate Resolution
• Today we are adopting Senate Resolution 1214.
• This resolution reaffirms the environmental, cultural, and economic importance of our state parks.

Summary: The Senate opened with a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several ceremonial introductions recognizing St. Johns County Day, Florida Space Day, Florida State Parks Day, Pinellas County Commissioner Kathleen Peters, and AMI Kids Day at the Capitol. The chamber then received and adopted a committee report on executive appointments, with debate focused on the confirmation of Tina Vidal-Douart. Senator Smith opposed her confirmation, citing concerns about contracts tied to the Alligator Alcatraz detention facility and the Hope Florida Foundation; Senator Pizzo spoke in support, describing her assistance during COVID testing and vaccination efforts. The report was adopted by a vote of 37 yeas, 0 nays. On the special order calendar, the Senate passed Committee Substitute for Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 48 on housing, which requires local governments to allow voluntary accessory dwelling units, limits certain local restrictions, preserves homestead treatment for the primary residence portion, and extends density bonus incentives for military families. The bill passed 38 yeas, 0 nays. The Senate also passed Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 578, creating a statewide Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Initiative through the Department of Elder Affairs to promote early detection, diagnosis, brain health, and outreach to older and higher-risk Floridians. That bill also passed 38 yeas, 0 nays. Chair Hooper gave a budget update, saying appropriations work was progressing and that budget rollout would be delayed until next Thursday, February 12, with full appropriations hearing scheduled for Wednesday, February 18. The Senate then waived rules to immediately certify all bills passed that day to the House. Additional announcements highlighted Manatee County Days, New College of Florida Day, and Florida Keys Day. The Senate adjourned until noon on Wednesday, February 11, or upon the call of the President.

Transcript Highlights:

• NEXT UP WE HAVE HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 583, PROTECTION OF RELIGIOUS EXPRESSION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS BY REPRESENTATIVE
• VICE CHAIR, RANKING MEMBER, MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE. 583 IS IN MY OPINION A VERY COMMON SENSE RESOLUTION
• TO OFFER UP REMINDER OF THE IMPETUS OF EXISTING FLORIDA LAW AND IT POINTS TO THE NEED FOR THIS RESOLUTION
• ANY OF US WHO WATCHED CANCER CULTURE PERCOLATE ACROSS THE NIGHTLY NEWS OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS CAN REMEMBER

Transcript Highlights:

• We're moving the start date of the Cultural Commission up to July 1 of this year.
• There was some language in here related to the cultural commissions at the state, and we were... ...related
• to the cultural commissions at the state, and we were able to have a collaborative working group work
• on this bill, make sure we get in a good spot, and hopefully this will help the cultural commissions
• President, that all requests for random studies, including those made by resolution bills which failed

Transcript Highlights:

• We will adopt motions and resolutions.
• ,</c> Remaining under motions and resolutions, Remaining under motions and resolutions, Senator<00:10
• We absorb each other's culture and share our culture with the larger American public.
• each other's culture and share our<04:06:54.880><c> culture</c><04:06:55.199><c> with</c><04:06:55.439
• </c><04:10:06.880><c> alone</c> just just about arts and culture alone just just about arts and culture

Transcript Highlights:

• We have two items of legislation that was one of them the other one is resolution 13 constitution 13
• So it's pretty, this resolution. just basically urges the State Department and the United States to ensure
• Chairman, and let me just say that thank you. setting the horse up for this resolution.
• So when we're making this resolution... I think it's not merely enforcement.
• Thank you, Chairman, Senate Committee, and Senator Hoza, thank you for this very important resolution

Bills: SCR13 , SB1248

Committee: Senate Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• on House Committee Substitute for House Joint Resolution 154.
• I move that the House Committee Substitute for House Joint Resolution 154 be adopted.
• I move the title of House Committee Substitute for House Joint Resolution 154 be agreed to.
• The House Committee Sub for House Joint Resolution 154. All those in favor, say aye.
• You've perfected and printed the House Committee Sub for House Joint Resolution 154.

Summary: The House first established a quorum after several members were absent, then moved into bills for perfection. House Bill 261, dealing with anti-Semitism in public schools and higher education, drew extensive debate. The sponsor described rising anti-Jewish incidents and said the bill would require educational institutions to adopt nondiscriminatory policies, use the IHRA definition as a guide, and treat failures to address harassment as Title VI issues. An amendment from the gentleman from Pulaski was adopted to clarify that protected First Amendment speech, religious expression, and political viewpoints would not be reported or cataloged. Supporters said the bill was needed to protect Jewish students; opponents argued it singled out one group, could chill speech about Israel and Palestine, and created unequal reporting requirements. The House ultimately ordered the bill perfected and printed as amended. The chamber then took up House Bill 2384 on housing affordability and building codes. The sponsor said the bill would lower housing costs by rolling back energy-code mandates to 2009 standards, setting clearer permitting timelines, and allowing certain multifamily buildings to use a single staircase. Supporters argued current codes raise costs, discourage builders, and contribute to Missouri’s housing shortage. Opponents raised concerns about local control, preemption of municipal energy standards, and public safety, especially the single-stair provision; the sponsor responded that the design has been used safely in other states and cities. A Pulaski amendment requiring municipalities with online ordinances to keep only one hard copy available was adopted, and after debate the previous question was moved and approved. The House then adopted the committee substitute and ordered the bill perfected and printed. House Bill 1766, addressing personal property tax, was also perfected and printed. The sponsor said the bill would apply Hancock/CPI-style tax limitations to personal property tax growth, arguing that rapidly rising vehicle values had created a windfall for political subdivisions and unfairly increased taxpayer burdens. Supporters said the bill would slow growth without eliminating it, while opponents argued local governments need revenue to keep up with inflation and that the measure would reduce resources for schools and other services. Finally, the House began consideration of House Joint Resolution 154, which would place into the Missouri Constitution a Medicaid work requirement mirroring federal policy. The sponsor said adults ages 19 to 64 would need to work, volunteer, participate in a work program, or attend school for 80 hours a month to remain eligible, and the discussion began with questions about whether the constitutional change was necessary and how documentation requirements would work.

Transcript Highlights:

• Native American culture in the absence after assimilation.
• And then objects of cultural patrimony.
• So there are a hundred and one permitted Cultural Resource Investigators (CRIs) cultural resource management
• Or ceremonies or the cultural components.
• This cuts across not only ethnicity but culturally as well. Well, thank you.

Committee: House House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs