Transcript Highlights:

• The bill requires APD to participate with DCF to ensure young adults with developmental disabilities,
• So I think this will be a huge benefit to vulnerable Floridians and also really address the waitlist
• There's SB 7032, Medicaid enrollment for permanently disabled individuals.
• The bill determines or defines permanently disabled as someone determined disabled under current Medicaid
• Vice chair, our grid S Hooper, Florida Disability Council wave speaking in support.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 532 exempts 100% disabled veterans from paying tolls in the state of Florida.
• The bill is brought by a constituent who is a 100% disabled veteran who had to travel long distances
• my belief that for those who have sacrificed so much for our country, they should be given every benefit
• The bill is brought by a constituent who is a 100% disabled veteran who had to travel long distances
• Every benefit possible. That is the bill, Mr. Chair.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Summary: The committee met with a quorum present and heard a series of transportation-related bills, most of which were reported favorably. SB 532 would exempt 100% disabled veterans from paying Florida tolls. SB 1738 would allow certain counties that previously opted out of transportation concurrency to opt back in by maintaining current levels of service, though there were concerns about congestion and future growth. SB 1696 aimed to reduce transportation network company driver impersonation, allow transit authorities to contract with ride-share platforms, and permit those platforms to participate in state-funded paratransit trips. SB 1378, as amended, would allow courts to order restitution in standard leaving-the-scene crashes; the amendment made restitution discretionary and required that the driver caused or contributed to the crash. SB 1210 would increase penalties for red-light and stop-sign crashes and require bodily injury insurance for drivers who cause such crashes. SB 1820, via strike-all amendment, addressed dealer-manufacturer relations by requiring written explanations of performance measures, prohibiting retaliation against dealers asserting statutory rights, and limiting franchise termination or nonrenewal to substantial breaches. SB 1246 created a specialty license plate for safe coastal wildlife, with proceeds going to the Zoo Miami Foundation for conservation work and an amendment allowing up to 10% for administrative and marketing costs. The committee also considered SB 574, which would allow Florida residents with Purple Heart license plates to pass tolls free of charge; the bill was amended to change the plate reference to a specialty plate and was reported favorably. SB 1662, the FDOT department bill, was substantially revised by strike-all amendment covering a wide range of transportation issues, including USF’s role in the Florida Transportation Research Institute Consortium, Florida Transportation Commission provisions, seaport and airport-related changes, strategic space infrastructure, sewer lines in rights of way, small county road assistance, aggregate supply chain programs, and Jacksonville Transportation Authority board appointments. Testimony on SB 1662 included support from USF and the Florida Public Transportation Association, which raised concerns about added oversight and bureaucracy for transit systems. Most bills received support from affected stakeholders, and several were amended before final favorable votes. Roll calls were taken on each measure, and all of the listed bills were reported favorably by the committee. At the end of the meeting, senators requested to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on several bills, and the committee adjourned after a brief personal privilege remark from Chair Collins.

Transcript Highlights:

• The threat of losing benefits or restricting care will only deepen these disparities.
• benefits.
• A benefit-cost analysis of providing O&P coverage...
• And it's not just athletes or Paralympians who benefit.
• I'm a disabled union organizer. My leg was amputated last August because of diabetes.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Financial Services

Summary: The hearing opened with the Senate and House chairs of the Joint Committee on Financial Services explaining that the day’s agenda would focus on health insurance and other insurance matters, with a large number of witnesses and a request for brief testimony. Legislators were taken out of order to accommodate their schedules, and the committee heard testimony on several bills, including coverage for hair prostheses for alopecia (H. 1223/S. 832), medically necessary oral and dental care for head and neck cancer survivors (H. 1258), modernizing fertility and family-building coverage (H. 715/H. 1190 and related bills), coverage for prosthetic devices to support physical activity for people with limb loss (the “So Everybody Can Move” bill), remediation coverage for home heating oil releases (S. 813/H. 1302), and expanded access to physical therapy for Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (H. 1170). A separate bill on sickle cell care and registry development (S. 788) was also discussed by Senator Liz Miranda. Witnesses largely offered personal stories and expert testimony in support of the bills. Advocates for alopecia coverage described the medical and emotional impact of hair loss, the high cost of quality wigs, and the argument that scalp and facial hair prostheses should be treated like other medically necessary prosthetics. Cancer survivors and supporters of H. 1258 said oral and dental care after head and neck cancer treatment is a quality-of-life issue and often not covered despite major out-of-pocket costs. Fertility specialists, LGBTQ+ advocates, and legislators supporting the modern family-building bills said the current infertility definition is outdated and discriminatory, excluding same-sex couples, people needing donors or gestational carriers, and others with medical barriers to conception. For the limb-loss bill, parents and adults with prosthetic needs stressed that activity-specific prostheses are essential for children and adults to run, swim, play sports, and stay healthy, but are often excluded from coverage. The home heating oil testimony focused on the financial devastation caused by residential oil spills and the need to make spill coverage automatic in homeowners policies. Environmental professionals and homeowners described cleanup costs ranging from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars, the strict liability homeowners face, and the fact that many policyholders do not know the rider exists. The insurance industry testified in opposition to the mandatory-coverage approach, arguing for clearer distinctions between first- and third-party coverage, risk-mitigation standards, a delayed effective date, and more emphasis on education and notification rather than mandates. Committee members pressed the industry witness on why agents do not routinely tell customers about the rider and suggested that the issue may require broader disclosure by insurers, agents, and fuel dealers. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee heard testimony and discussed possible compromise language and future action.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> establish a presumptive disability establish a presumptive disability determination<00:52:05.680
• decided through the disability determination if they qualify for ongoing disability services.
• disability services.
• , for adults with disabilities, for older adults.
• for for adults with disabilities for for adults with disabilities<01:04:26.960><c> for</c><01:04:27.160

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• We didn't want this to just benefit Los Angeles, even though many of the jobs may be there.
• While some lead to strong outcomes, others leave students with little economic benefit.
• Benefits because they just came into the country and they were given benefits, and a lot of people that
• were veterans were removed from benefits that they had.
• Today, our board continues to include both disabled persons and parents of kids with disabilities.

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> benefit Kentucky families and children. benefit Kentucky families and children.
• I wanted to benefit a this vote. I wanted to benefit a Kentucky<01:01:39.520><c> student.
• </c> would not benefit Kentucky students. would not benefit Kentucky students.
• </c> benefit from this this plan. benefit from this this plan.
• </c> kids are going to benefit. kids are going to benefit.

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the journal, excused absent members, and suspended rules to allow co-sponsorship and vote modifications. The Senate reported passage of Senate Bills 52 and 124, and several House committees reported favorable action on bills including HB 1, HB 2, HB 94, HB 246, HB 282, HB 299, HB 307, HB 519, HB 613, and HB 648. Most of those measures were ordered to first reading and placed on the calendar; HB 1 and HB 307 were sent to the Rules Committee after having had two previous readings. The House then recessed briefly before returning to the orders of the day. The chamber took up HB 568, relating to public adjusters. The sponsor explained that the bill would prohibit new public adjuster licenses, allow current licensees to renew, impose conflict-of-interest and contract requirements, set a 5% fee cap, and bar public adjusters from negotiating claims, citing consumer protection concerns and legal opinions about the practice of law. After debate and a brief explanation of vote from a member citing local storm-related abuses, the House voted on roll call and passed HB 568 with one nay vote. The House then considered HB 1, which would opt Kentucky into the federal education freedom tax credit program. Supporters said it would allow private donations to scholarship-granting organizations to benefit Kentucky students without using state general funds, and argued it could help public, private, and homeschool families with education-related expenses. Opponents criticized the speed of the process, warned it could open the door to vouchers and charters, and argued it would mainly benefit wealthier donors while public schools remain underfunded. Members also questioned the bill’s waiver of 11th Amendment immunity and received explanations that the waiver was limited to federal-court jurisdiction over the federal program and would not create individual liability for state actors. A motion to table the bill failed with 19 votes in favor, and debate continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• We store these preserves for the benefit of the community.
• We store these preserves for the benefit of the community.
• </c> capuno who lives with her disabled capuno who lives with her disabled husband<00:47:25.640><c> and
• :49:47.680><c> disabled</c><02:49:48.080><c> children</c><02:49:48.359><c> face</c> raising dis disabled
• Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Hawaii. department of disability came up to see department of disability

Summary: The joint Ways and Means and Finance informational briefing on grants and aids was held February 14 and was organized as a high-volume public testimony session with strict procedures: no Q&A, one representative per applicant, one minute per testimony, in-person testimony first, and then Zoom participants. The chairs also announced a recess at 11:00 a.m. for floor sessions and a reconvening at 1:00 p.m. Testimony was heard first from neighbor island applicants, then Oʻahu applicants, with members repeatedly directing speakers to line up and keep remarks brief. Neighbor island testimony focused on a wide range of capital and operating requests. Health and community projects included Hawaii Island Community Health Center’s workforce housing in Kau, Wuli Hawaiian Homestead Association’s learning center and predevelopment work, Rescue Tube Foundation’s beach rescue tube expansion, Puna Community Medical Center’s planned hospital/ER campus, Maui Humane Society’s free veterinary care after the wildfires, Hawaiʻi Care Choices’ palliative care readiness, and the Lyman Museum’s HVAC replacement. Other requests included the Maui Advanced Manufacturing Alliance’s Pāʻia Mill redevelopment, Laua 2020’s preschool and learning lab, Mālama Aina’s USDA-compliant meat processing facility, the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association’s water safety programs, Kaha P Organization’s agriculture education support, Ohana Arts’ youth performance project, Friends of the Children’s Justice Center’s emergency closet, EOA Pacific’s Marshall Islands teacher training, and the Central Pacific Youth Athletic Club’s new facility. Oʻahu testimony included the YWCA Oʻahu/Pythink Center’s renovation of Juliet M. Atherton Hall and its community kitchen, West Oʻahu Community Health Center’s wildfire protection and security needs, the Early School’s playground improvements, Surfing the Nations’ food distribution center expansion, and Sounding Joy Music Therapy’s weekly services for people with disabilities. Speakers generally emphasized community benefit, workforce development, health access, food security, disaster recovery, and support for children, seniors, and underserved populations. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• The amendments would replace references to disabled residents with people with disabilities, and they
• Tax policy often, and it's usually not to the benefit of our corporate taxpayers.
• People with disabilities are being helped. ...people with disabilities are being helped, whether they
• Some of that has to do with school funding; some of it has to do with state health benefits.
• We have some work cut out for us. ...some of it has to do with state health benefits.

Committee: Senate Senate Budget and Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c><00:46:31.119><c> we</c> employment due to their disability, we employment due to their disability
• </c><00:58:30.960><c> 20</c><00:58:31.280><c> years</c> disabling postviral illness. 20 years disabling
• At our agency, with over 70 employees, 65% are people with disabilities.
• At our uh are people with disabilities.
• </c> hospitals that will benefit all motans. hospitals that will benefit all motans.

Bills: HF2435

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• And I would think that in that 21, a good portion of those are disabled or caretakers for disabled.
• You know, we talk about SNAP benefits.
• You typically have benefits, so you can kind of trim down your benefit package.
• Does the SNAP benefit completely go away? Does New Mexico not have any SNAP benefits?
• And what is the plan to make sure that people who are eligible for benefits get those benefits and not

Committee: House Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> that will benefit generations to come. that will benefit generations to come.
• </c> after the Veterans Benefit after the Veterans Benefit Administration<02:59:59.120><c> shortfall<
• </c> veterans benefits in recent history. veterans benefits in recent history.
• compensation benefits.
• </c> disability compensation benefits. disability compensation benefits.

Transcript Highlights:

• speak a little bit more about dyslexia itself, but just as an overview, dyslexia is a learning disability
• </c> reading center learning disabilities reading center learning disabilities Association<00:03:17.879
• </c><00:04:04.040><c> and</c> most common learning disabilities and most common learning disabilities
• </c> professional development would benefit professional development would benefit all<00:07:20.759><
• </c><00:14:22.360><c> or</c> this would be either benefiting or this would be either benefiting or affecting

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> speak, where they can offer benefits speak, where they can offer benefits that<00:46:23.440><c>
• That's what it's been in Minnesota to our benefit. But also, there's some gaps.
• That's what it's been in Minnesota to our benefit. But also, there's some gaps.
• That's what it's been in Minnesota to our benefit. But also, there's some gaps.
• That's what it's been in Minnesota to our benefit. But also, there's some gaps.

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• But we think the benefits of legislative oversight outweigh those costs.
• And what would the balance of this fund be, the Disability Fund?
• Please do some sort of cost-benefit analysis and see...
• So we get the benefit of collaboration. We get the benefits of in-person work.
• So what are the benefits the taxpayers are paying for?

Summary: The subcommittee heard an informational update on the state’s generative AI implementation and related oversight. Administration officials said several proof-of-concept projects have moved into minimum viable product phases, including work at CDTFA and Caltrans, and that CDPH has a May Revision request for up to $8 million to scale up its healthcare facilities inspections project. The Legislative Analyst’s Office urged the administration to publish a report on lessons learned from each POC and recommended limiting the new generative AI approval process to a pilot through the first two rounds of projects, with continued monthly meetings and stronger legislative oversight. Members pressed for more transparency and questioned why the CDPH request was not included in January; the administration said the cost estimate was not available then and that only one project is seeking additional resources beyond existing departmental budgets. The committee then reviewed a proposed $400 million loan from the Labor and Workforce Development Fund to the General Fund. Finance and the Labor Agency said the fund has grown because civil penalty revenues have risen sharply, and the loan would be repaid in 2029-30 with provisional language allowing earlier repayment if needed. The LAO agreed the fund could support the loan but warned that recent PAGA reforms may reduce future revenues. Public commenters, including labor and community groups, argued the money should instead support labor-law enforcement and outreach programs such as CWOP, and urged rejection of the loan. Members also heard a Department of Industrial Relations request for $19.1 million for phase two of Public Works Information Technology System Enhancements, which officials said will support labor-law enforcement and apprenticeship registration. The department said the project was delayed because a prior procurement did not result in a contract award and that completion is now expected in October 2026. The committee then took up an EDD Next reappropriation technical adjustment to extend UI fund spending authority through June 30, 2026; the LAO said the request was fine but again raised concerns about oversight of the larger modernization effort, which EDD said now totals more than $660 million and is expected to continue through 2029. Finally, the committee discussed DGS’s request for new parking facilities near the May Lee Building and a trailer bill shifting statewide telework policy language from DGS to CalHR while also expanding NDI eligibility for certain CEA employees. The LAO said the telework trailer bill should likely go through the policy committee process instead of budget, and union and employee witnesses strongly opposed it, arguing it would undermine bargaining rights and could be used to narrow telework. In a separate item on the governor’s return-to-office order, administration officials said departments are being directed to move to a four-day in-office expectation starting July 1, 2025, but they had no statewide cost estimate yet because departments are still assessing vacancies, exemptions, and space needs. Members criticized the lack of analysis and said the state should have clearer numbers before moving forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our Native American students, our English learners, our students with disabilities, and those who may
• with the focus on biliteracy and English learner successes across the academic spectrum, which will benefit
• This Ensures that students with disabilities are consistently represented in cabinet-level decision-making
• These workshops also include why accurate identification of English learners with disabilities is so
• We have a passion for the students that this work affects, and because it benefits our schools and our

Transcript Highlights:

• of the former Behavioral Health Administration and other components of the former Developmental Disabilities
• Aging and Long-Term Support Administration, Behavioral Health agencies, and the Developmental Disabilities
• I'm going to say this very fast: Aging and Long-Term Supports, Developmental Disabilities, and Behavioral
• Mental Disabilities Administration, Aging and Long-Term Supports Administration, and Behavioral Health
• There are hundreds of youth enrolled in extended foster care in our state who would benefit from this

Summary: The Early Learning and Human Services Committee held public hearings on three bills. HB 2468 would update the Revised Code of Washington to match DSHS’s 2025 reorganization, replacing references to eliminated administrations with the new Home and Community Living Administration and Behavioral Health and Habilitation Administration, and also removing a 2028 sunset on the Dementia Action Collaborative, adjusting advisory committee membership, and eliminating a staffing mandate tied to no-paid-services caseloads. The sponsor and DSHS testified in support as a technical cleanup bill, while members raised questions about possible amendments, including whether to keep or remove the Dementia Action Collaborative sunset. DSHS said it was open to changes and noted some statutory references still need correction. No vote was taken. HB 2529 would rename the DCYF Oversight Board as the DCYF Accountability Board, move it to OFM for administrative purposes, narrow some duties, require at least twice-yearly engagement with affected communities, allow the board to request ombuds reports, broaden some membership qualifications, and change the annual report to an every-other-year report starting in 2027. Representative Dent, a board member, said the changes were intended to make the board less political, improve attendance and membership flexibility, and focus the report on more useful recommendations. A union representative asked for language ensuring a DCYF caseworker board member can attend meetings as part of job duties rather than using personal leave. Members also questioned whether the reduced reporting frequency was appropriate given recent fatalities and near-fatalities at the agency. No action was taken. HB 2455 would create a two-year pilot program providing rental assistance and related housing fees for 50 youth in extended foster care who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness, beginning January 1, 2027, with a report due in 2029 and transition planning required before youth age out at 21. The sponsor and multiple youth advocates testified strongly in support, describing homelessness, instability, and barriers such as “double-dipping” restrictions that prevent youth from combining housing supports. Testifiers said the bill would help youth focus on school, work, and healing, and urged the committee to expand the program if possible. Members asked about the pilot timeline and whether an interim review might be useful. The hearing closed with no vote on the bill, followed by committee announcements about Friday’s 8:30 a.m. meeting and an agenda change removing HB 2200 from Friday executive session and moving it to possible executive session next week.

Transcript Highlights:

• benefit program to better align the program requirements with existing workers' compensation benefits
• That is not how we encourage better benefits.
• That should not be balanced on the disabled that we have here in this state.
• This proposal tells seniors and people with disabilities... California's most vulnerable.
• As a father of a son with severe disabilities, I know these programs are lifelines.

Transcript Highlights:

• the API community, especially for Latino, Black communities, and LGBT communities that have all benefited
• Gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, and disability. status.
• Gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, and disabilities.
• families. ...are different from, you know, disabled families.
• African, Black, Latinx, LGBTQ, disabled, and religious minority communities.

Summary: The Assembly Human Services Committee held an informational hearing with members of the API Legislative Caucus on California’s Stop the Hate Program and broader efforts to address hate incidents. Opening remarks emphasized the rise in hate during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of culturally and linguistically competent services, and the program’s role in serving not only AAPI communities but also Latino, Black, Jewish, Muslim, LGBTQ+, immigrant, and other impacted communities. Legislators and presenters repeatedly highlighted the value of trusted community-based organizations (CBOs) in reaching people who may not report to law enforcement or seek traditional services. The first panel included the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs, the Department of Social Services (CDSS), and the Commission on the State of Hate. They described the program’s origins in the state’s equity budget, its funding structure, and its service model: direct victim services, prevention, and intervention. CDSS said 180 organizations statewide have participated, with grantees selected based on experience, capacity, and service to priority populations. The Commission on the State of Hate reported that hate remains widespread and underreported, citing survey data showing about 3.1 million Californians experienced at least one hate act in a year and that many victims need mental health, legal, and other supports beyond police response. Members asked about best practices, youth impacts, administrative costs, and the role of regional leads; CDSS said it would provide more detail on funding distribution and that the final evaluation is still in progress. The second panel featured grantees from Jewish Family Service San Diego, Inland Chinese American Association, Center for Empowering Refugees and Immigrants, and Equality California. They gave examples of how Stop the Hate funding supported culturally specific response teams, counseling, language-access services, self-defense and safety workshops, youth and elder programming, legal navigation, and reporting tools. Several speakers said the program helped build trust, reduce isolation, and connect people to services they otherwise would not use. Legislators pressed the panel on lessons learned, whether the model should be reauthorized, and what would be lost if funding ends. Panelists emphasized that the program’s flexibility, regional convenings, and support for small, trusted organizations were key strengths, while also noting the need for more direct funding to frontline providers and more data on what interventions work best.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill extends workers' compensation and disability protections to Sacramento County Park Rangers.
• One is going to be treated much differently than the other as far as the disability benefit.
• put through the Police Academy figure out in pretty short order that this is missing from their benefits
• or temporary disability where they're going to be off of work.
• Paid family leave claims make up roughly 30% of all claims paid for by our disability insurance trust

Committee: House Insurance

Summary: The Assembly Insurance Committee met to hear several insurance-related bills, beginning with SB 8 by Senator Ashby, which would extend workers’ compensation and disability protections to Sacramento County park rangers. Ashby and Sacramento County’s chief ranger argued the rangers perform law-enforcement-like duties, face violent encounters, and should receive the same protections as comparable officers. The bill was later approved on the floor with members noting it had been narrowed from a prior version. The committee also heard SB 429 by Senator Cortese, proposing the nation’s first public wildfire catastrophe model. Supporters from the Department of Insurance and United Policyholders said a public model would improve transparency, help evaluate private catastrophe models, and support wildfire mitigation and fairer insurance regulation. The committee advanced the bill to the Committee on Emergency Management. SB 495 by Senator Allen, as amended, would require insurers to provide a larger inventory-free contents payment after a total loss in a declared emergency, extend proof-of-loss deadlines, and require insurers to share catastrophe modeling data with the department. After testimony from the Department of Insurance, consumer advocates, and insurers who withdrew opposition, the bill passed unanimously to Judiciary. The committee also approved SB 525 by Senator Jones, which would require the Fair Plan to offer certain coverage options for manufactured and mobile home owners, with supporters emphasizing the difficulty lower-income residents face in finding coverage and the need for replacement-cost protection. SB 590 by Senator Durazo, backed by a large coalition including AARP, labor, civil rights, caregiving, and LGBTQ organizations, would expand paid family leave to cover chosen and extended family caregivers. The committee heard no opposition to SB 590 and sent it to Appropriations. The consent calendar, including SB 230 and SB 854, was also approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• , rightly disabled and are disabled, rightly disabled and unable<03:41:29.920><c> to</c><03:41:30.160
• or mental disability or whatever disability that they can't navigate the program.
• :20.399><c> disability</c> mental disability or whatever disability mental disability or whatever disability
• <04:36:44.561><c> based</c><04:36:44.799><c> benefit</c><04:36:45.199><c> like</c> disability based benefit
• like disability based benefit like supplemental<04:36:46.080><c> security</c><04:36:46.400><c> income

Committee: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs