Transcript Highlights:

• Now legally, the adoptive family can't take the baby home.
• My husband and I took our daughter home.
• I am a social worker at Christian Homes and Family Services.
• My transplant center is only 30 minutes from my home here in Austin.
• So this only applies to assisted living, not nursing homes.

Bills: HB163, HB216, HB721, HB2035, HB2038, HB3057, HB3153, HB3233, HB3595, HB3801, HB3812, HB4076, HB4129, HB4377, HB4535, HB4666, HB4730, HB4743, HB4903, HB5149, HB5155, HB1534, HB163, HB216

Keywords: epinephrine, healthcare, emergency response, administration, medical policy, health care, itemized billing, patient rights, provider regulations, Texas Health and Safety Code, cost disclosure, insurance, benefit plan, administrators, chemical dependency, treatment facilities, minor admissions, parental notice, mental health, medical licensing

Transcript Highlights:

• , you keep that in your private home, you keep that in your private home, right?
• They can get it and bring home legally. They can get it and bring it<02:05:32.560> home.
• As far as safety, there was a study that looked at—I can, I will send you all these studies.
• As far as safety, there was a study that looked at—I can, I will send you all these studies.
• As far as safety, there was a study that looked at—I can, I will send you all these studies.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's home of the Texas Motor Speedway.
• And Denton County is the home of the North Texas State Fair.
• We had homes that were flooded.
• They are living in Texas, spending money in Texas, buying homes in Texas.
• Starbase is home to Starship, the world's most powerful rocket.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, heard an invocation, and adopted the previous day’s journal. Members then adopted Senate Resolution 358 honoring the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley on its 10th anniversary, with remarks highlighting UTRGV’s growth, degree production, research expansion, medical school, and role in serving the Rio Grande Valley and South Texas. The chamber also recognized the doctor of the day and adopted additional resolutions, including one for Denton County Days at the Capitol and another recognizing Texas HBCU Day. The Senate gave extensive recognition to outgoing Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp through Senate Resolution 368. Senators from both parties praised his long public career, leadership of the A&M System, support for regional universities, and bipartisan approach. The resolution was adopted after multiple members added their names. The chamber also heard from advocates with the Texas Streets Coalition, and received gubernatorial nominations for the State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors and the Texas Commission on Fire Protection. On legislation, the Senate passed several major bills. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 27, relating to rights and support for public school educators, was debated and amended to address teacher vacancies, bilingual certification testing, paid leave options, classroom removals, and appeal rights, then passed unanimously. Senate Joint Resolution 12, proposing a constitutional amendment on parents’ right to direct a child’s education, advanced on a 22-9 vote. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1741, aimed at preventing foreign influence and intellectual property theft at public institutions of higher education, passed unanimously. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 29, the business entities bill, also passed after debate over corporate governance and shareholder protections. Senate Bill 857, authorizing law enforcement to tow certain vehicles driven by unlicensed or uninsured drivers, passed despite some concern about towing abuses during disasters. The Senate also took up Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1536 on dementia and Alzheimer’s training for certain guardians, but the transcript ends as that bill is being laid out.

Transcript Highlights:

• It aligns Florida law with federal law for nursing homes.
• Aligning state law with federal law also requires nursing homes to allow inspection of records within
• It aligns Florida law with federal law for nursing homes.
• Aligning state law with federal law also requires nursing homes to allow inspection of records within
• So we studied the problem, and we know that we can do better, way better.

Summary: The subcommittee met with a quorum present and took up five health-related bills. HB 1089, which would add Duchenne muscular dystrophy to Florida’s newborn screening panel, was presented as a way to enable earlier diagnosis and treatment; a pediatric neurologist from Nemours testified in support, noting existing FDA-approved therapies and ongoing clinical trials. After supportive debate, the bill passed 17-0 and was reported favorably. HB 1083 would standardize patient access to medical records by setting deadlines for providers to produce or allow inspection of records and requiring electronic delivery when available. Supporters said it would reduce delays in care and costs, while two industry groups appeared in opposition. Members from both parties spoke in favor, and the bill passed 17-0 and was reported favorably. HB 1297, which aligns Florida’s electronic prescribing rules more closely with federal law and removes some state exceptions, drew opposition from physicians who argued paper prescriptions are still needed for emergencies, shortages, and price shopping. The sponsor said the bill’s goals were patient safety, fraud prevention, and efficiency; despite concerns, it passed 18-0 and was reported favorably. The committee then considered PCS for HB 1421, the Emily Adkins Family Protection Act, which would create a statewide blood clot and pulmonary embolism registry, require hospital reporting and risk-assessment policies, and expand training requirements in hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities. The bill was presented with emotional testimony from Emily Adkins’ parents, who urged support and co-sponsorship in her memory. Members from both parties praised the family’s advocacy, and the PCS passed 18-0 and was reported favorably. Finally, HB 449 on optometry would expand optometrists’ authority to prescribe certain medications and perform specified laser and non-laser eye procedures after certification. The bill and amendment drew strong opposition from ophthalmologists and their association, who raised patient-safety, training, and delegation concerns, while optometrists argued the bill would improve access, especially in rural areas and counties without ophthalmologists. The amendment was adopted, and the bill as amended passed on a recorded vote and was reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• Studies and research, if you will, on those technology issues.
• And he will be working on a bill study and a brief for us.
• In addition to that study, we voted the study that we voted on last year, eight bills were sent to us
• Lark is also charged to study the same thing?
• There is a tremendous amount to be studied.

Keywords: Technology and Science, Joint Commission on, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If we really want to do the things to recruit officers and protect police officers so they can go home
• If we really want to do the things to recruit officers and protect police officers so they can go home
• If we really want to do the things to recruit officers and protect police officers so they can go home
• If we really want to do the things to recruit officers and protect police officers so they can go home
• If we really want to do the things to recruit officers and protect police officers so they can go home

Bills: SB298, SB91

Keywords: Florence, Lauderdale County, municipal boundaries, corporate limits, land annexation, military installations, tall structures, local government, construction approval, wind energy facilities, aeronautics, Department of Defense, 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, we just finished a big study in the St.
• <00:14:33.199> Paul finished a big study in the St. Paul finished a big study in the St.
• of the cases as they study each other? of the cases as they study each other?
• , abuse, physical abuse in the home, abuse, physical abuse in the home, either<00:52:28.880> toward
• lack of that happening at the home. lack of that happening at the home.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• thoughtful spirit of the people there warmed our hearts and made us feel as if we were being welcomed home
• After returning home, he built a successful career as an ironworker, overcame cancer with remarkable
• is now known as the Department of Africana Studies at San Diego State University.
• Shirley Weber. ...studies at San Diego State University.
• Homes who passed away at his home this past Saturday at the age of 86 years old.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill expands the flood disclosure bill that we passed last year for home sales, and it includes
• So, as my bill is an evolving product here, we're going to likely include the OPAGA study related to
• My neighborhood— My home was 100 years old.
• So I've seen some of the examples of the manufactured homes. I think some of them are beautiful.
• And that's something that we want to be very careful of as we're dealing with people's homes.

Summary: The committee first temporarily postponed HB 381, then heard and passed HB 1015 by Rep. Hunschofsky, which expands flood disclosure requirements to long-term rental tenants in addition to homebuyers and clarifies that renters’ insurance does not include flood coverage. An amendment changed rental disclosure language to “dwelling unit,” and the bill received support from the American Flood Coalition, Audubon Florida, and the Florida Association of Realtors. Rep. Robinson praised the bill’s added protections, and the measure passed favorably on a unanimous roll call. The committee then considered HB 247 by Rep. Connerly, an affordable housing bill requiring local governments to adopt ordinances allowing accessory dwelling units in single-family residential areas without added parking requirements, while limiting ADUs in planned unit developments and master-planned communities. Two amendments were adopted: one removed mezzanine financing language and another added certain newer manufactured homes to the ADU definition. Testimony was generally supportive, including from AARP, Florida Realtors, Americans for Prosperity, the Florida Chamber, and the Florida Manufactured Housing Association, but several members raised concerns about parking, infrastructure, historic neighborhoods, and short-term rentals. The bill passed favorably, though Ranking Member Cross voted no. Next, the committee took up HB 913 by Rep. Lopez, a broad condominium reform package addressing governance, financial transparency, reserves, insurance, voting, recalls, structural safety, and related issues. Three amendments were adopted: requiring seven years of posted meeting minutes online, allowing reserve contributions to be paused if a building is deemed uninhabitable, and clarifying that certain 2024 condo-law amendments do not apply retroactively to pending matters. Support came from AARP, the Florida Land Title Association, the Florida Bar’s Real Property section, Association Reserves, the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, Marriott, and others, while speakers urged continued work on reserve-account clarity and caution on hotel-condo provisions. Members praised Rep. Lopez’s work, and the bill passed unanimously. Finally, the committee heard HB 579 by Rep. Overdorf on development permits and orders, which would require clearer application requirements, hold local governments to existing review timeframes, provide fee refunds when deadlines are missed, and prevent local governments from arbitrarily limiting quasi-judicial hearings. Members asked about incomplete applications, substantive changes that restart timelines, and whether the bill should address additional land-use changes; the sponsor said he was open to continued discussion but believed the bill’s definitions were broad enough. Public testimony supported the bill, and after debate from Rep. Hunschofsky and Rep. Cross noting some remaining concerns, the bill passed favorably. The chair then reminded members to engage sponsors early on future bills and moved to rise from committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• So that would be a direct take-home pay increase for those individuals.
• So these are students who some go home on the weekends, some do not go home on the weekends, depending
• And Madam Chair, John and Jess, I promise not to do a memorial to study.
• This is a program for starter homes, and it would be contingent on legislation.
• It was explained that the proposal would essentially incentivize starter home building, or new homes

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, it's a little bit different when we start talking about students that are home educated or who may
• Um, we have done linking studies with Um, we have done linking studies with MetaMetrics that create Lexiles
• >> Home school students aren't charged the rate. Um, oh, you're talking about the compensation.
• And then there's no home ed adequacy. There's no EFA adequacy version.
• Is this the home resident district, and which center are you wanting to go to?

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Education Freedom Account Oversight Committee met on March 27 and approved the agenda, adding a request for clarification on how the Children’s Scholarship Fund separates applications for the EFA program and the education tax credit program. The committee also approved minutes from December 30, 2025, and March 27, 2026, with a request that the March minutes include a link to the live stream. Members discussed the status of pending Legislative Budget Assistant audit reports on EFA and special education, noting the reports were still not released and would likely come later in the summer after review by the Department of Education and the Children’s Scholarship Fund. A major topic was the EFA program’s administrative fee, which statute allows up to 10% of deposits. Children’s Scholarship Fund representatives said current administrative costs were under 8%, that staffing had been reduced through the ScholarVia platform, and that any unused amount is reconciled and returned to students at year’s end. Members asked for historical administrative-cost data and a written explanation of how the withholding and reconciliation process works. The committee also reviewed the distinction between the EFA and education tax credit funding streams and was told the two programs use separate applications and separate funds, though both use the same platform. The committee spent substantial time on assessment and accountability. Department of Education staff explained that EFA students may satisfy annual assessment requirements through a portfolio, a norm-referenced test, or the statewide assessment; only about 10 EFA students took the statewide assessment, while most used portfolios or standardized tests such as the California Achievement Test and NWEA. Staff described how statewide assessment data are kept separate by student identifier and can be aggregated for EFA reporting, and members asked for breakdowns by grade, test type, and school district. The department also discussed linking assessments through Lexiles and Quantiles and said it could provide a list of commonly used formative assessments in New Hampshire districts. The committee additionally discussed a possible PSAT addition to the state contract and the costs of the statewide assessment program. Another major issue was special education eligibility and services within the EFA program. Members questioned the rule allowing a medical certification of disability from a licensed professional anywhere in the United States as an alternative to an IEP-based determination. Department staff said the current system allows either pathway, that about 1,000 EFA students are identified as special education students, and that the program does not track growth or service alignment on an individual basis. Members expressed concern that the medical-certification route may be too broad and asked for data on the disability categories used. The committee also discussed career and technical education access for EFA students, noting that Senate Bill 491 would provide guidance and that House Bill 1817 would address access and funding issues, but that current law still allows EFA funds to be used to pay CTE costs. The meeting ended with a request for future agenda items and a decision to leave the next meeting date open until fall, pending further information from the LBA audit process.

Transcript Highlights:

• SOMETIMES THE CAUSE WAS PROBLEMS INSIDE THE HOME.
• BRENDAN BYRNE, FLORIDA HOME BUILDERS ASSOCIATION IN SUPPORT.
• WE FOLLOWED THIS SECOND HOME IN SANTA ROSA BEACH FOR 14 YEARS.
• A SECOND HOME, NO LESS. WHICH HE SOLD FOR 9.4 MILLION IN 2021.
• WHAT IS A STRUCTURED WORK-STUDY?

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They would love to to come back home.
• is because they've done the study is because they've done the study >> and<00:42:59.040>
• study um that the chair is referring to. study um that the chair is referring to.
• University of California Berkeley study University of California Berkeley study by<01:16:54.159>
• And from the 2024, focus group study.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees heard testimony on several personnel and employment bills. SB 2119 would require the state or counties to reimburse public officers and employees for approved work-related travel costs within 30 days; testifiers from the State Procurement Office, UPW, HGA, the University of Hawaii Professional Assembly, and others supported the measure, citing delayed reimbursements. SB 3131 would update state position titles by changing “private secretary” to “executive assistant” and “secretary” to “administrative assistant” where applicable, and it drew support from DEED and comments from the State Librarian. SB 3069 would permanently exempt a limited number of specialized positions in DAGS Public Works and the Comptroller’s office from civil service; DAGS, HCDA, and DEED supported it, while UPW opposed it. Committee members questioned whether the exemption should be narrower and whether the positions should be consultants or actual employees, and DAGS said the roles were narrowly tailored, highly specialized, and intended to help manage complex projects such as Aloha Stadium, the convention center, and other major redevelopment work. The committee then heard SB 3180, which would repeal the limit on temporary employment in a single position for two 89-day terms. Testimony included support from the Procurement Office, DOE, DHRD, the State Librarian in opposition, UPW written comments, HGA, the Grassroots Institute of Hawaii, and others. Discussion focused on whether the bill was needed to address abuse of repeated 89-day hires and whether it would affect recruitment and career pathways. Finally, SB 2137 would allow departments, divisions, and agencies to assume hiring and recruitment functions from DHRD under certain conditions. DHRD opposed the bill, saying existing law already allows delegation and that agency-level recruitment often lacks the expertise and staffing to do the work; UHPA supported it, and UPW submitted written support. In questioning, DHRD said it had reduced backlog and was now current on screening, while also offering programs like Operation Hire Hawaii for faster agency-led recruitment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Funeral homes.
• Many people lost their homes.
• So through the fifth, we fund regional studies, impact studies.
• And so those studies, we don't conduct those studies. We typically fund those.
• As far as studies go? Yeah, just flood mitigation studies.

Keywords: flooding, emergency response, communication systems, first responders, disaster management, Texas Water Development Board, regional planning, public safety

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on discussions around the recent floods in Texas, specifically addressing emergency preparedness, response coordination, and recovery efforts. Officials from various agencies provided testimonies on the challenges faced during the emergency, including issues with communication systems among first responders. Notably, the need for improved inter-agency communication and technology integration was emphasized, with recommendations for establishing regional communications units for better coordination during disasters. The audience included local government representatives and emergency management partners, who shared insights and experiences from the recent flooding events.

Transcript Highlights:

• efficiencies part um that the study efficiencies part um that the study would<00:04:42.400> do
• the study to tell us more. the study to tell us more.
• That's where the study comes into play. That study is going to provide that guidance.
• That's where the study comes into play. That study is going to provide that guidance.
• the study. As we know, another area that the study.

Bills: SF0032, SF0010, SF0001, HB0001

Keywords: 911 services, emergency response, grant funding, next generation technology, government accountability, public safety, mental health, detention, competency evaluation, treatment, contractual agreements, Wyoming, budget, funding, education, wildfire prevention, healthcare, community colleges, grants, economic development

Transcript Highlights:

• That goes for folks joining us at home as well.
• That goes for folks joining us at home as well.
• That was a study that was done in 2023.
• He would come home, and when we would come home, he would come and see me and go to my He would come
• home, and when we would come home, he would come and see me and go to my war room.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Transportation held a public hearing on a wide range of bills and topics, including impaired driving, antique and collector vehicles, roadway maintenance, homelessness-related identification cards, a pedestrian tunnel for Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School, a bridge naming in Sandwich, historic route designations, and litter prevention. The chairs outlined the hearing process, including three-minute limits for individuals and seven minutes for panels, and noted that elected officials would be taken out of turn. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee heard testimony and then adjourned. On impaired driving, Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan and tow lot operator Chris Nolan supported a bill creating a 12-hour tow-yard hold for vehicles involved in drug-impaired incidents, similar to the existing alcohol-related hold. On transportation infrastructure and road safety, Representative Howitt testified for several bills requiring reflective tape on temporary loads, restoring road markings after utility work, requiring roadway restoration after excavation, and improving reporting on roadway damage after crashes. AAA Northeast supported bills expanding the distracted driving law to cover video recording while driving, while noting it preferred the offense remain a primary offense. Several witnesses testified in support of bills affecting vehicle enthusiasts, including restoring year-of-manufacture plates for antique vehicles, creating a single rear collector plate, and changing antique vehicle inspection rules. Another major topic was H. 3750/S. 2399, which would provide no-fee state IDs and flexible residency documentation for youth and adults experiencing homelessness; supporters included the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, social workers, city officials, and people with lived experience, all emphasizing that lack of ID blocks access to housing, jobs, health care, and other services. The committee also heard strong support for S. 2414, authorizing a tunnel connecting the north and south campuses of Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School, with school leaders and students citing safety, accessibility, and traffic concerns. Finally, the committee heard emotional testimony for H. 4374 to name the Quaker Meeting House Road overpass in Sandwich for Staff Sergeant Raymond G. Torville, and testimony for a resolve creating a roadside litter prevention and cleanup task force.

Transcript Highlights:

• Some studies suggest that teacher qualifications have little impact on student achievement, but many
• other studies say that it has significant and positive effects on student achievement.
• The first is related to the Texas case study on slide 12.
• The Texas studies suggest that, and I'm wondering, what about our four-year teachers' colleges?
• It was mentioned that the children will run home to go to the bathroom.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He has expertise used to have a program in studying the new technologies.
• fairly small appropriation, I hear $750,000 or so, to restart that program and, with that program, study
• Ever States, how much of those homes, you know?
• Ever States, how much of those homes, you know?
• Ever States, how much of those homes, you know?

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 1232, which would create a three-year wastewater technology testing pilot program at the University of Hawaiʻi Water Resources Research Center and coordinate testing with state and county agencies. The Department of Health, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, and University of Hawaiʻi representatives supported the bill, saying it would help certify new wastewater technologies, lower costs for cesspool conversions, and provide data to the Department of Health. Testifiers said the prior testing effort ended after the departure of Dr. Roger Babcock, and that the new program would use National Sanitation Foundation standards, graduate students, and local wastewater facilities such as Wahiawa. Committee members asked about the $750,000 total cost, the scope of existing research, prior test sites, and whether the program would be tied to individuals or a permanent program. One member raised concerns about the fairness and data basis for sewer conversion decisions in local communities, and the University said it would follow national standards and share results openly. The committee then took up Senate Bill 686, relating to a short-term management initiative for coconut rhinoceros beetle response and related appropriations. The Department of Agriculture and the University of Hawaiʻi testified in support, while a county representative and other advocates urged broader statewide coverage, including Kauaʻi, and asked that appropriated funds be usable on any island. Testimony emphasized the need for immediate action, outreach, tree-trimmer training, canopy treatments, K-9 inspections, container fumigation, and biocontrol research. A member summarized the bill’s funding components, including amounts for training, residential palm treatments, response teams, inspections, fumigation, and research, and noted the importance of directing money toward on-the-ground response. Committee questions focused on how much funding remained available, how the agencies would coordinate with DOA, whether the department was prepared to manage all the bill’s functions, and how infestations were being communicated to the public. Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 657, which would appropriate funds for the University of Hawaiʻi School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology’s Center for Climate Resilient Development. The Department of Land and Natural Resources testified in strong support, and the Department of Health also supported the measure, noting that it relies on the center’s data to inform decisions and recommendations on projects. The discussion on this item was brief in the portion provided, with no vote or final action shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• That 2017 study focused on virtual charter programs, but there's a lot to be learned from that study
• That 2017 study focused on virtual charter programs, but there's a lot to be learned from that study
• That 2017 study focused on virtual charter programs, but there's a lot to be learned from that study
• That 2017 study focused on virtual charter programs, but there's a lot to be learned from that study
• A couple of other things I'd like to highlight in this study that are not on the slide: the study found

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of the current median home price here in Taos.
• I think it builds one home in 7 days. Pretty exciting stuff, Mr. Chairman.
• Uh, and at the end of the day, we did apply, uh, conducted the study, uh, completed the study, and then
• How many homes will that hydrogen power for 1 24 hour period?
• We're also doing the animal toxicity study using the mice.