Transcript Highlights:

• I think there’s, what, 3,000 bills this year, and I imagine that a third of them were probably housing
• , and probably the granddaddy of that uncertainty is time.
• So I think you addressed sort of what are the issues and challenges that are causing the most delays.
• One of the things is that we probably have of our... ...you know, a lot of stuff got backed down.
• I had a couple questions, which probably is more for the secretary, so... ...that we provide.

Summary: The joint hearing focused on the Governor’s 2025 reorganization plan to split the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency into two new agencies: a Business and Consumer Services Agency and a California Housing and Homelessness Agency. Administration officials said the change would give each side more focused leadership, improve consumer protection and regulatory oversight, and better align housing and homelessness policy with the state’s broader housing goals. Leaders from the Department of Consumer Affairs, Cannabis Control, Alcoholic Beverage Control, and Financial Protection and Innovation all voiced support for the business-side reorganization, while housing officials emphasized that the new housing agency would help streamline funding, compliance, and coordination across programs. Members raised concerns about timing, budget impacts, office space, and whether the split would actually reduce bureaucracy. The administration said the plan would be included in the May Revision, was intended to be cost-neutral, and would not require fee increases for licensees or additional office space. On the housing side, officials said the new Housing Development and Finance Committee would work toward a single application and more coordinated award process for affordable housing funding, while preserving CalHFA’s statutory and financial independence. They also said the reorganization would improve compliance monitoring, data collection, and coordination with local governments, including Los Angeles homelessness programs. Public testimony was largely supportive. Industry groups representing beverage distributors, craft brewers, wine, mortgage lenders, and housing organizations backed the business-side split, and housing advocates such as Housing California, the California Housing Partnership, and the California Housing Consortium supported the housing agency concept and the proposed one-stop-shop approach. Several witnesses urged that tax credits, bonds, and other funding sources be better coordinated, and some said the plan should be paired with additional state investment and implementation resources. No formal vote was taken; the hearing was informational.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, that 13 line, that's probably a haul road or something.
• And so that's probably fair.
• You know, preach it, Mike, is what I'll probably hear.
• North American Mining's probably 20%. The mineral property is probably 30%.
• going to—we could probably say we're 880 years left.

Summary: The committee met at the Coteau Freedom Mine in Mercer County, approved the June 2 minutes, and heard an overview of the mine from Coteau Properties president Andrew Hawbaker. He described the Freedom Mine as the largest lignite mine in the United States, supplying coal to Dakota Gasification, Antelope Valley Station, and Leland Olds Station. He emphasized the mine’s scale, safety record, reclamation work, workforce needs, community involvement, and economic impact, including payroll, taxes, royalties, scholarships, and local hiring. Members asked about how long land stays in production, how quickly it returns to agriculture after reclamation, labor shortages, and how mining affects groundwater and water wells. Hawbaker said most tracts are mined for about three to five years, reclamation is coordinated with landowners, and the company continues to struggle to find electricians, welders, mechanics, operators, and engineers. The committee then heard from Public Service Commission Chairman Randy Christman on coal mining reclamation and permitting. He reviewed North Dakota’s coal mining history, the state’s reclamation laws, federal Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act primacy, bonding, permit renewals and revisions, prohibited mining areas, inspection and enforcement, and contemporaneous reclamation requirements. Christman stressed that North Dakota’s program is professional and thorough, with frequent inspections, financial assurance, and a 10-year revegetation monitoring period before bond release. He also discussed federal coal ownership issues that can delay mine plans, the treatment of prime farmland, and how reclamation differs for wind and pipelines. In response to questions, he said one challenge is sometimes releasing land too soon before long-term compaction issues are fully understood, and he noted that data centers do not currently have a comparable reclamation model because they typically own the land. In the afternoon, the committee received an update from Lignite Energy Council president Jonathan Fortner on the lignite industry. He said North Dakota’s lignite sector supports five commercial power plants, four mines, about 12,000 direct and indirect jobs, and more than $5.5 billion in economic activity, while helping keep the state’s electricity rates among the lowest in the nation. Fortner reviewed coal severance and conversion tax revenues, the lignite research fund, federal regulatory rollbacks, carbon capture policy, and the industry’s legal costs fighting federal rules. He also highlighted a study on large-load development, saying new data centers and critical mineral processing facilities could create major local tax revenue and help justify new baseload generation. Members asked whether new gas pipelines would crowd out coal plant development and whether the economic study included jobs and broader local impacts; Fortner said the industry sees room for both and that the study did include construction, operations, jobs, and tax effects.

Transcript Highlights:

• probably wrong on the low side.
• So I assume—and probably Mr.
• That's probably a good guess.
• I assume, and probably Mr.
• That's probably a good guess.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In this case, none of the money is going to a cause. It's all going into the state coffers.
• And we're not giving to a cause. This is just taxation. This is going to the state.
• , you know, what, is there any place specific within DOT or anything that you feel would be a good cause
• To answer your question, no, I haven't thought of a particular cause.
• To answer your question, no, I haven't thought of a particular cause.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The conference committee on Senate Bill 2133 met to resolve the remaining disagreement over fees for a proposed blackout specialty license plate. The Senate held to a $25 annual fee after dropping an initial $15 fee, while the House argued for $10 or, at most, $20, saying the plate does not support a cause and should be priced to encourage use. Members also discussed whether the plate should be treated like other specialty plates and whether any revenue should be dedicated to a specific purpose, but no particular cause was identified. The Department of Transportation testified that the $25 annual fee would go into the highway distribution fund, the same as personalized plate fees, and explained that the fund is distributed to the state, counties, and townships. DOT estimated the blackout plate could be very popular, projecting about 10% of eligible vehicles and motorcycles might choose it, based on experience in Minnesota and other states. Members noted that Minnesota saw strong demand even with higher fees. After discussion, the committee moved and adopted the Corey amendment setting the annual fee at $25. The roll call showed support from the Senate chair and Senator Paulson, with Representative Johnston voting no and Representatives Casper and Hendricks voting yes. With the amendment adopted, the committee reached agreement and adjourned, with Senate and House members designated to carry the report forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• And as a matter of fact, he's probably prefer.
• And as a matter of fact, he's probably prefer. Anytime I can interact with him.
• So we've got to be careful with cause or kind of a legal term.
• And I was attacked by the industry, and they probably did me the best favor ever.
• President, Senate Finance is going to go in probably 10 minutes after the floor.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's probably similar to CodeRed.
• Probably the reality is.
• So this also caused a lot of frustration.
• Probably other models didn't do much better.
• Most of you know I am a root cause advocate.

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• First on the calendar today was a public hearing, and we will probably vote on it.
• We will probably vote on SB87. Let's see your list there. We had two in support and four opposed.
• Okay, and I know people will probably speak.
• There's a lot of proof on this that causes problems. And that's uh, that's all I've got.
• Chairman, basically, we're going to take out the cause of action. That's correct.

Bills: SB87, HB491, SB43, SB101

Keywords: midwifery, licensed midwives, State Board of Midwifery, licensure fees, professional liability insurance, complaints investigation, emergency care plan, out-of-hospital care, HB491, public schools, K-12, school nutrition, school lunch, cafeteria, artificial dyes, food additives, food coloring, synthetic dyes, Red Dye No. 3, Red Dye No. 40

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, I can, but I think you probably get a much more in-depth response from the Secretary of State's
• I got a guy I know who moves every three years, and now he probably won't be able to vote because, you
• know, if he misses something, or he won't be on the list—he probably won't be able to vote and he's
• Well, this causes all kinds of chaos at the polls for the workers who hate seeing why somebody that's
• So, it caused confusion with the poll workers on that front.

Bills: HB479, HB480

Keywords: voting, elections, voter registration, voter rolls, list maintenance, address change, change of address, ERIC, Electronic Registration Information Center, AVID, Alabama Voter Integrity Database, Secretary of State, board of registrars, inactive voter, voter purge, duplicate registration, cross-state voter matching, National Change of Address, NCOA, driver license data

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that, and I'm sure that's causing a huge economic cost to repair all that.
• <00:15:00.720> the<00:15:00.800> city<00:15:01.040> of lines, and it caused
• the city of lines, and it caused the city of Livingston<00:15:01.839> to<00:15:01.920> be
• Before we adjourn today, uh, this having a high probability of being our last meeting, I would like to
• a high probability of being our<00:26:20.440> last<00:26:20.760> meeting,<00:26:21.480

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This will cause an enormous amount of cost to the system all at once because it will throw all these
• schools in DA status, cause them to need turnaround, and it'll be a very big lift for the DOE.
• House Bill 1483, in my opinion, does cause some problems when it comes to students.
• I will need them sooner, because I'm probably the oldest person in this room.
• I will need them sooner because I'm probably the oldest person in this room.

Summary: The Education Administration Subcommittee heard and advanced a series of education bills focused on transparency, accountability, attendance, school start times, student well-being, and career planning. HB 1321, by Rep. Salsman, would remove public-records and public-meeting exemptions for university presidential searches, eliminate the Board of Governors from those searches, require Board of Governors members to file full financial disclosures and be Florida residents, and expand syllabus posting requirements; it passed 15-0. HB 1079, by Rep. Botana, as amended, broadened eligibility for dropout retrieval programs to include students who withdrew and did not reengage in education, and it also passed 15-0 after a strike-all amendment and supportive testimony from a program provider. The committee also approved PCS for HB 969, by Rep. Kassel, which shifts evaluation of school mental health services to the Department of Children and Families and requires more detailed outcome data, surveys, and reporting related to the Mental Health Assistance Allocation program; it passed 15-0. HB 1367, by Rep. Booth, creates a statewide attendance policy with uniform definitions and reporting requirements to address chronic absenteeism; it passed 15-1 after support from business and education groups and some concern about state control over district policy. PCS for HB 261, by Rep. Gerwig, revises the 2023 middle and high school start-time law by allowing districts to document compliance efforts and unintended consequences rather than fully meet the mandated later start times; it passed 16-0. The most debated bill was HB 1483, by Rep. Valdez, which would align Florida’s school grading scale with the familiar 90/80/70/60 letter-grade standard over a five-year transition and require school grades to appear on student report cards. Supporters argued the current scale is misleading and too lenient, while opponents warned it would sharply increase failing school labels, create costs and turnaround mandates, and confuse parents and students. Despite extensive testimony from school board members, teachers, students, and advocacy groups on both sides, the bill passed 12-4. The committee then quickly approved HB 1245, a one-year Hunger-Free Campus Pilot Program for three universities with the highest share of Pell-eligible students, and HB 571, which expands career planning, paid work experience, and credit-transfer review for students; both passed unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• THIS BILL I THINK ALSO CREATES A CIVIL CAUSE OF ACTION.
• IF THE PERSON IS WRONG AND WHAT ARE THE FACTS THAT WOULD GIVE RISE TO A CIVIL CAUSE OF ACTION?
• WHEN I LOOKED AT THE STILL WHAT CAUSED ME TO LOOK AT THIS BILL IS LISTENING TO AN ORLANDO TV STATION
• AND PERHAPS I CAUSED SOMEBODY HARM OR HEAVEN FORBID KILLED SOMEBODY.
• RAYNOR LACKED PROBABLE CAUSE THAT HE FEARED FOR HIS LIFE AND WAS JUSTIFIED IN SHOOTING AND KILLING OFC

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There are some good cause exemptions for that student to still be promoted.
• But if they don't meet those good cause exemptions, yes, those children will be retained.
• Okay, could you outline for me what those good cause exemptions are?
• Okay, could you outline for me what those good cause exemptions are?
• I hear some of the detractors of this bill, and I'm probably going to say something that isn't.

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 296, as amended by strike-all, on middle and high school start times. Senator Bradley explained that the amendment would repeal the statewide mandate for later start times and return scheduling decisions to local school boards, while still requiring districts to inform the community about the health, safety, and academic effects of sleep deprivation and to consider later start times when setting transportation schedules. Testimony and debate were largely in support, with several school district and education group representatives waiving in support, and members citing transportation, staffing, family logistics, and cost concerns under the existing mandate. The strike-all was adopted, and SB 296 was reported favorably by roll call vote, with Senators Berman, Osgood, and Chair Calatayud voting yes and Senator Gaetz voting no; other members were absent or not recorded in the excerpt. The committee then heard Senate Bill 356, which would designate January 27 as Holocaust Remembrance Day in Florida. Senator Berman said the date matches the UN’s Holocaust Remembrance Day and would require the governor to annually proclaim it, while allowing public observance and instruction about the Holocaust’s harms and its impact on the Jewish community and humanity. There was no substantive opposition in the excerpt, and the bill was reported favorably by roll call vote with yes votes from Senators Berman, Gaetz, and Chair Calatayud. Finally, the committee considered Senate Bill 166 on administrative efficiency in public schools. Senator Simon described a broad deregulation package affecting student assessments, grade promotion, teacher evaluations, contracts and certification, school board operations, instructional materials timelines, internal audits, facilities planning, cost-per-student-station limits, emergency make-up days, federal fund timing, and VPK oversight. Testimony was mixed: school district and education organization representatives generally supported the flexibility, while some groups opposed or urged changes to the grade 4 promotion and graduation-related provisions, arguing they could weaken academic standards. After debate focused especially on third-grade promotion and testing requirements, the bill was reported favorably by roll call vote. At the end of the meeting, members recorded their votes on SB 296 and SB 356, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And in 2023, speed was a leading cause of fatalities on Minnesota roads, with 113 fatalities caused by
• Speed caused 98 fatalities in 2025 and Speed caused 98 fatalities in 2025 and 138<00:17:37.320> in
• And in 2023, speed was a leading cause And in 2023, speed was a leading cause of<00:17:42.520>
• <00:17:48.720> by 130 I'm sorry, 113 fatalities caused by 130 I'm sorry, 113 fatalities caused
• Words caused crash. We lost Henry. Words caused physical<00:32:10.760> change.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And it protects good cause exemptions for reasons like getting sick, transportation issues, or the death
• with that, I urge your support, as this will ensure that exemptions are not provided without good cause
• So it’s really important to look into what’s causing these errors.
• eligibility. ...Most of those errors come from income eligibility, and those errors typically are caused
• It probably shouldn't be necessary.

Bills: SB1017, SB1149, SB1162, SB1192, SB1249, SB1253, SB1331, SB1333, SB1334

Keywords: informed consent, surgical procedures, healthcare professionals, patient rights, regulatory compliance, child welfare, dependency hearings, foster care, court procedures, parental rights, healthcare compliance, behavioral health technicians, licensing, monitoring, administrative burdens, basic first aid, good samaritan, medical licensing exemption, Arizona medical board, A.R.S. 32-1421

Transcript Highlights:

• law provides an exception for good cause law provides an exception for good cause uh<01:09:13.199
• that is approved for good cause. that is approved for good cause.
• Um, I think the position should be, uh, you cannot terminate without cause. Cause.
• . cause. cause.
• Thank you. particular, I probably have to tell my particular, I probably have to tell my commissioners

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• bookmaking industry, where people can come in and profit off of those bets and the harm that that causes
• bookmaking industry, where people can come in and profit off of those bets and the harm that that causes
• Where it's been legalized, and the primary cause of that, in my opinion, is the VIP host.
• natural course and saying wow I probably natural course and saying wow I probably shouldn't<00:18
• gambling addiction that has caused gambling addiction that has caused constant<01:37:04.400>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It could potentially cause irreversible damage to a child's face, and I respectfully ask for your aye
• Many over-the-counter products, including widely used products like Neosporin, can cause irritation or
• So often for parents that are frustrated, how do we treat these warts that are really causing social
• Well, I usually say something like probably inappropriate for public testimony about glitter.
• Probably started. Okay. We'll start with consent. Bauer, Cahan, Lee.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we'll probably enforce that a little quicker today.
• This bill is an extreme idea about a complex issue, and this bill would cause harm.
• And this bill would cause harm.
• The only thing that I can think of that it would probably... ...applicable.
• The only thing that I can think of that it would probably cause people to jump are those districts that

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :34.079> about<00:14:34.560> mail-in that causes some concern about mail-in that causes
• say that the counties are probably say that the counties are probably dedicating<00:27:54.399>
• <00:31:28.159> about days in advance, but probably about days in advance, but probably about
• <00:33:47.360> please and the folks from Common Cause please and the folks from Common Cause
• <01:11:46.640> Hurt, common cause. Mr. Hurt, common cause. Mr.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 1525, which would appropriate funds to counties to open more voter service centers for in-person voting, provide money to the Office of Elections to print and mail the voter information guide to all registered voters, and support a public outreach campaign to increase voter participation. The Office of Elections supported the bill and estimated costs of a little over $2 million to print and mail the guide and about $178,000 for outreach, noting it spent about $441,000 on election advertising in 2024. Testimony from advocacy groups including Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action, Common Cause Hawaii, and Indivisible Hawaii strongly supported the measure, emphasizing access for neighbor island voters, people with disabilities, new voters, and voters who need ballot assistance. County election officials from Honolulu, Maui, and Kauai provided comments or testimony that were more cautious. They said additional funding would be welcome, but staffing and logistics remain major constraints, especially for election-day service centers. Honolulu’s city clerk said funding alone would not necessarily solve long lines, while Maui’s county clerk explained that voter service centers require trained seasonal employees, extensive training, and the ability to handle many ballot styles. Maui also described its current pop-up sites, including Hana, as expensive but necessary for remote communities, and said the county is already running at bare minimum staffing. Members asked questions about who decides how many service centers are opened, how staffing is handled, and whether there is a middle-ground model between the old precinct polling places and the current voter service center system. Honolulu explained that county clerks make those decisions under current law and that the county has tried pop-up sites in addition to its main centers. The discussion also noted that in 2024 most voters used vote by mail, while a smaller number used early in-person voting or final-day service centers. No vote on the bill was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• person as an act of violence between two individuals who are known to one another when such violence causes
• And I'm sitting here and I'm thinking there's probably a number of law enforcement officers in the state
• And I know you've probably traveled a long way to come up here and testify, but it means a lot when family
• According to the Department of Health, drowning is the number one cause of death for children ages 1
• I'm just curious, and I believe the committee probably is as well: the earlier musical interaction you

Summary: The Committee on Fiscal Policy met and reported favorably a series of bills after hearing sponsor presentations, public testimony, and roll-call votes. Among the health and public safety measures, CS/SB 68 would require pediatric readiness standards in hospital emergency departments; CS/SB 340 would require nursing students to complete human trafficking identification training; CS/SB 32 and SB 210 would create a new injunction process and related public records provisions for victims of serious violence by a known person; and SB 418 would add autism-focused law enforcement training and a voluntary Blue Envelope Program for drivers with ASD. Each of these bills received supportive testimony and passed the committee. The committee also approved several child safety and community protection measures. CS/SB 606 would add drowning prevention and safe bathing education to postpartum materials, and SB 428 would expand the state swim lesson voucher program to older children, with strong support from advocates and families concerned about drowning risks, especially for children with autism. CS/SB 302 would streamline permitting and incentives for nature-based coastal resiliency projects, and SB 636 would create an alternative beach management pathway for coastal communities, though beach preservation advocates warned about perpetual easement language and funding concerns. SB 628, designating Warrior Sacrifice Way in Pensacola, also passed unanimously. In addition, the committee advanced CS/SB 1734 on juvenile justice, with a late-file amendment updating definitions for juvenile probation and detention officers and codifying detention cost-share language. It also reported favorably CS/SB 246, a specialty license plate bill that was amended to include the UFC plate and an additional first responders resiliency plate, and CS/SB 1028, which revises Citizens Property Insurance Corporation clearinghouse procedures and related insurance market rules. Several witnesses testified in support or with technical concerns on the insurance bill, and members discussed competitive safeguards, clearinghouse scope, and Citizens’ assessment risk. At the end of the meeting, members requested to be recorded on specific bills, and the committee adjourned.