Transcript Highlights:

• In rural Kentucky, which is 41% of our population, you've heard me say before, only 17% of our primary
• In rural Kentucky, which is 41% of our population, you've heard me say before, only 17% of our primary
• In rural Kentucky, which is 41% of our population, you've heard me say before, only 17% of our primary
• </c> ask him to uh, obtain a fiscal impact ask him to uh, obtain a fiscal impact study<00:13:43.560><
• Thank you for that answer, and I really appreciate this as far as urban and rural.

Keywords: 00:00 - Call to Order/Roll Call 01:17 - Discussion of 26RS SB 137 07:15 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS SB 137 09:42 - Discussion of 26RS SB 147 10:48 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS SB 147 11:56 - Discussion of 26RS SB 56 13:48 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS SB 56 14:43 - Discussion of 26RS SB 116 20:17 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS SB 116 21:23 - Adjournment, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> fiscal impacts. So we ask for an I vote. fiscal impacts. So we ask for an I vote.
• ,</c><00:49:11.119><c> successes</c> understand what the impacts, successes understand what the impacts
• Uh, this doesn't impact be real clear. Uh, this doesn't impact me<01:08:50.880><c> personally.
• So, so my doesn't have any impact.
• </c> necessarily especially in some rural necessarily especially in some rural areas<01:29:30.239><c>

Keywords: 981, all

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• Lack of capacity can impact a small rural county jail just as easily as a large metropolitan county jail
• Your rural counties, um, are simply.
• Investing in rural Texas and is investing in the future of our state.
• That's certainly impacting, you know, much of the state of Texas as well.
• Looking at things like highway impact or traffic impact or water or schools or public safety are really

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• Neither will our rural communities across the state who support this legacy industry.
• Senator Simon's legislation is kicking off a rural renaissance across Florida.
• Combined with higher interest rates, there's been a big impact on homes.
• Spending time with his parents, Cindy and Dennis, has had a tremendous impact on me.
• Spending time with his parents, Cindy and Dennis, has had a tremendous impact on me.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, presentation of the colors, and the national anthem. The chamber welcomed cabinet members, Supreme Court justices, former Senate presidents and colleagues, and other guests. Senators also observed moments of silence honoring former Senator Geraldine Thompson and former Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart, and the Senate dedicated its 2024-2026 handbook to Thompson in recognition of her work in education and civics. The main action of the day was adoption of SCR 1294, which authorized the House and Senate to meet in joint session in the House chamber at 11 a.m. that day to receive a message from Governor Ron DeSantis. The resolution was adopted without objection, rules were waived, and it was immediately certified to the House. The Secretary was also directed to notify the House and Governor that the Senate was convened and ready to proceed with the 2025 regular session. In a lengthy opening-day address, the President outlined the session’s priorities, emphasizing rural Florida, citrus and agriculture, government efficiency, IT and cybersecurity reform, administrative rule review, affordability, insurance and property tax relief, autism services, veterans’ support, mental health and child welfare legislation, Everglades restoration, public school administrative efficiency, and food insecurity. No substantive debate or roll-call votes were taken beyond the unanimous adoption of the concurrent resolution. The Senate then adjourned until March 12, 2025, or upon the call of the President.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then our rural areas have a shortage.
• We're monitoring this issue to thoroughly understand the impact.
• In rural critical access hospitals where the nurse anesthesiologists may be the sole Rural critical access
• We heard a lot of you speak about the rural areas within California.
• We heard a lot of you speak about the rural areas within California.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As Shelly mentioned, that has a ripple impact, a ripple impact being that people who can't get that care
• And as a direct result, we've seen 26 rural hospitals closed since 2011.
• As a direct result, more than 60% of rural Texas hospitals no longer deliver babies.
• Many rural Texans have to travel. Uh, uh Pardon me.
• I learned how choices I made then could have impacted my life, um, and my future.

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• Senators, we're going to go to tab number two, which is CS for Senate Bill 1264 on rural and urban business
• And lastly, it modernizes economic incentives to support all Florida businesses, small, rural, and urban
• Rural communities could not afford these services without the regional council's support.
• Regional councils cause no physical impact in the state budget. There's no direct funding.
• This study must analyze specified information and the impact.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development heard three bills after temporarily postponing SB 1524. The committee first took up CS for SB 1264, a broad economic development bill covering law enforcement recruitment bonuses, venture capital tax credits, data center tax exemptions, military land transfers, Space Florida procurement exemptions, and changes to regional planning councils. An amendment was adopted to remove sections tied to emergency management shelter plans so the bill would align with another measure. The main debate centered on the proposal to repeal regional planning council statutes; supporters argued the councils are duplicative and bureaucratic, while opponents said they provide valuable regional coordination, technical assistance, and grant support, especially for rural communities. The bill was reported favorably 13-1, with Senator Sharif voting no. The committee then considered CS for SB 1348, which streamlines motor vehicle services by expanding the role of tax collectors as DHSMV agents. Three amendments were adopted: one making the scalping of driver and motor vehicle appointment slots a misdemeanor, one increasing penalties for texting while driving and requiring a new distracted-driving course to remove points, and one allowing veterans with DV plates to use a sticker instead of a stencil or imprint. The bill received supportive testimony from tax collectors and law enforcement-related groups and was reported favorably without opposition. Finally, the committee heard SB 936, which directs the Department of Commerce’s workforce research bureau to conduct a recurring statewide study every three years on the effects of automation, robotics, and AI on Florida’s workforce. The sponsor said the study would have minimal fiscal impact and would help guide policy recommendations. With no opposition or debate, the bill was reported favorably. The committee then adjourned after brief closing remarks thanking staff and members.

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• They must pay real wages: $60,000 or more in the metro area, and $40,000 in rural parts of the state,
• It is the practice of the Tax Committee that we hold the bills that do have a fiscal impact until we
• And that was done to help those in rural communities... ...finance administration.
• Especially in construction, especially those that are in rural parts of New Mexico.
• When those small rural areas have to deal with DFA, they get lost in that shuffle.

Keywords: 996, all

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• Most of our rural hospitals and actual...
• And that especially impacts Native American and Black women.
• It's difficult to study health, but it is very clear that the rural workforce is impacted by malpractice
• liability costs, even as urban centers seem to be more protected from that impact.
• That will drop to 100 percent as these cuts go into effect, which will have a huge impact on rural clinics

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• Describe how this would impact three counties.
• Or you are in a rural area of opportunity, formally known as a rural area of critical economic concern
• This is beautiful, rural, native Florida, home to a culture that is This is beautiful, rural, native
• At one time, that's going on simultaneously, that's going to have major impacts on rural school districts
• I mean, a massive impact.

Bills: S0036, S0620, S0796, S0934, S1080, S1096, S1366, S1536, S1548, S1580, S1588, S1620, S1756, S7034, S7044

Keywords: nursing title, advanced practice registered nurse, advertising, professional standards, disciplinary action, candidate qualifying, federal office, election integrity, regulatory compliance, political candidacy, veterinary medicine, telehealth, veterinary professional associate, animal health, public safety, access to veterinary services, payment bond exemption, Habitat for Humanity, Florida Forever Act, land acquisition

Summary: The committee first took up SB 354, the “Blue Ribbon Projects” bill, which creates a framework for large planned communities on at least 15,000 contiguous acres with 60% reserved area and a streamlined local review process. Senator McLean presented the bill and a strike-all amendment, and members raised concerns about local control, conservation enforceability, data centers, concurrency, multi-county projects, and whether reserve lands could later be converted. Audubon Florida and 1,000 Friends of Florida opposed the bill, arguing the conservation protections were not permanent enough and that the reserve areas could be changed later; small-county representatives also worried about tax-base impacts. Supporters argued the bill would better manage growth, preserve green space, and provide a more orderly alternative to sprawl. After debate, the committee voted to report the bill favorably. The committee then approved SB 620 on candidate qualifying, which requires candidates for federal, state, county, district, judiciary, school, and school board offices to disclose any non-U.S. citizenship. Amendments added disclosure about whether federal candidates intend to trade stock if elected and adjusted 2026 congressional qualifying procedures in the event of redistricting, including a new qualifying window and petition rules. The bill was reported favorably after brief support from a member of the public and discussion about candidate vetting. The committee also reported favorably CS/CS/CS/SB 1452, a Department of Financial Services bill with amendments addressing My Safe Florida Home notices, condo pilot eligibility, firefighter hiring, unclaimed property, and related financial-services provisions. Next, the committee approved CS/CS/SB 1620, a school board members’ bill of rights. A substitute amendment narrowed the bill to access to records, fiscal transparency, and nondisclosure agreements, while preserving board members’ rights to timely documents, budget information, and public comment, and setting deadlines for records requests. Superintendents and a school board member testified in support, saying the bill clarifies roles and prevents board members from being frozen out. The committee also passed CS/HB 245, which replaces the term “child pornography” with “child sexual abuse material”; one senator supported the terminology change but warned about preserving legal precedent and avoiding appellate issues. The committee then reported favorably SB 1548, an update to the Live Local affordable housing law expanding eligible sites and clarifying setbacks, airport proximity, and fair-housing protections. Finally, the committee took up the veterinary medicine bill creating veterinary professional associates. The bill allows trained master’s-level VPAs to perform limited veterinary services under a veterinarian’s supervision, and an amendment tightened the standard to immediate supervision on premises. Supporters said the measure would expand access to care, especially in rural areas with vet shortages, while opponents argued it added unnecessary regulation. After testimony from veterinary educators and others, the bill continued with support expressed by committee members, including praise for the direct-supervision amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• More rural areas, and I'm glad you said that because I'm, you know, obviously out there in rural Texas
• , and my district is about 60% rural.
• Unfortunately, this low score negatively impacted the Texas applicants pursuing the CMS Rural Health
• And right now we've got six impact areas.
• We do have 657 general and special hospitals and four limited-services rural hospitals that are impacted

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

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• Bears reporting that depredation should not impact their grazing lease or permit, and it calls on Congress
• We have 27 systems that that would impact.
• Alternative language and Idaho Rural Water Association supported the changes.
• My name is Jerry DeLang, and I'm a lobbyist for Idaho Rural Water Association, IRWA.
• Signed, Shelley Roberts, Chief Executive Officer for Idaho Rural Water Association.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee first considered two gubernatorial appointments to the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Licensing Board: Carl Ray and Kenneth Long. Both were moved to the floor with recommendations that they be confirmed by the Senate, and both motions passed without opposition. Members then heard several legislative resolutions and administrative rules. Senator Lakey presented a joint memorial on depredation claims, explaining that ranchers who report livestock losses to wolves or grizzly bears should not have their grazing permits affected; the committee voted to send RS 3-13-113 to print. Senator Foreman presented RS 32927C1, which would require a 30-day public comment period for Idaho Fish and Game season-setting proclamations, and the committee voted to introduce it. Representative Raibold presented four related water infrastructure resolutions for the state’s water districts, covering projects such as managed aquifer recharge, the Milner Dam spillway, Anderson Ranch Dam, Priest Lake outlet modifications, and other regional water projects; the committee voted to introduce RS 33051 through RS 33054. The committee also reviewed several DEQ rules. It approved docket 5801-16-2501, then approved the cyanidation ore-processing rules under docket 5801-13-2501, which update DEQ rules to conform to 2025 statutory changes while negotiated rulemaking continues on more substantive issues. It approved docket 580108-2501, updating public drinking water system rules to adopt federal Consumer Confidence Report and Lead and Copper Rule Improvements requirements, and docket 580108-2502, which reverts an earlier maximum static pressure change in drinking water distribution systems back to the prior standard with an early effective date of sine die. Finally, the committee approved docket 580112-2501, revising wastewater and drinking water loan fund rules to create a tiered affordability system for disadvantaged communities and add flexibility on professional liability insurance while protecting public funds.

Transcript Highlights:

• impact of this conservatorship review function?"
• It's hard to say what the impact would be right now.
• And just off the top of your head, are they mostly rural and small? They're mostly rural and small.
• Coming from a rural community, rural communities matter.
• Six of those are in the impact litigation section.

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• Because I know in the rural areas trying to get those services into the rural areas and a lot... ...trying
• to get those services into the rural areas.
• Oklahoma has added, has a debt collection impact.
• Texas has both fines and some impact on debt collection.
• You know, Ohio has debt collection impacts.

Bills: HB946, HB1093, SB26, SB29, SB30, SB195, SB219, SB222, SB255, SB314, SCR2, SCR22

Keywords: healthcare transparency, hospital pricing, consumer protection, collection actions, fines, naturopathic medicine, Louisiana Board of Naturopathic Medicine, licensing, healthcare, prescriptive authority, natural therapies, opioid treatment, regulation, addiction recovery, state law, SB 29, Act 732, coroner, autopsy, child death

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• And then our rural areas have a shortage.
• And then our rural areas have a shortage.
• In these rural areas.
• When you come from an impacted area... Sure that they have to support.
• We heard a lot of you speak about the rural areas within California.

Summary: The joint Assembly and Senate Business and Professions sunset oversight hearing focused first on the Board of Registered Nursing (BRN), with committee chairs emphasizing oversight, consumer protection, workforce access, and economic mobility. BRN leaders reported improvements since the last review, including faster licensing timelines, streamlined enforcement, higher consumer satisfaction, growth in pre-licensure enrollment, and expanded data collection. Members questioned the board about nurse practitioner scope and supervision, international and military pathways to licensure, online nursing education and clinical requirements, rural workforce shortages, and the 30-unit LVN-to-RN option. BRN staff explained California’s tiered advanced practice system, the NCLEX and certification requirements, English proficiency rules, clinical hour standards, and the board’s role in approving programs and supporting schools through nursing education consultants. Several members and the board president also discussed the need to retain new graduates, improve diversity in the workforce, and better support nontraditional students and rural placements. Public comment on the BRN sunset review was extensive and largely supportive of the board, while also urging policy changes. Nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, nurse midwife, and nursing education groups generally supported the BRN report and especially backed clarification of APRN-to-RN delegation authority under issue 13. Other commenters asked for clearer implementation of AB 890, more flexibility for clinical nurse specialists, streamlined renewals for nurse midwives, and changes to federal loan limits affecting graduate nursing education. Higher education representatives and private nursing schools raised concerns about duplicative BRN documentation, clinical placement bottlenecks, and barriers faced by out-of-state and online programs seeking to serve California students. The California Medical Association and some physician groups opposed easing transition-to-practice requirements for out-of-state nurse practitioners and cautioned against changes to specialty and delegation rules, while the California Nurses Association and others stressed the importance of community college pathways, new graduate support, and workforce retention. The hearing then moved to the Physical Therapy Board of California. Board leadership reported that the board oversees more than 41,000 active licensees, has seen about 15% growth since 2021, and continues to maintain high exam pass rates among California physical therapy and physical therapist assistant programs. The board described its mission as consumer protection through licensing, enforcement, continuing competency oversight, and stakeholder engagement. The vice president’s remote testimony encountered technical problems, so the executive officer continued with a brief overview of the board’s work and its commitment to efficient service and public protection. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Impacted by Metro Surge in the Twin Cities through work by Sen.
• The impact to the property taxes losing...
• These are the hospitals that are most likely to be impacted immediately after the impacts of H.R. 1 are
• HOSPITALS THESE ARE THE HOSPITALS THAT ARE MOST LIKELY TO BE IMPACTED IMMEDIATELY ABOUT AFTER THE IMPACTS
• It reduces is actually $600 million on impact.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

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• We think that a lot of our programs have had a very positive impact on that statistic.
• All of that impacts the entire state of New Mexico. Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you.
• How are you working together with those rural hospitals? So, Mr.
• The other ones, how can we help you get them placed in our rural hospitals?
• We are continuing to try to track what our economic impact is.

Keywords: 996, all

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• I am, historically, and always have been, a supporter of the rural boundary.
• For me, the rural boundary in both counties is not some history book entry.
• For me, the rural boundary in both counties is not some history book entry.
• And I was there to implement the rural boundary.
• Senator, I don't see anything that may seem like it's a fiscal impact.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

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• So I just wanted to know what other counties have been impacted by this. Thank you.
• Just to address the concerns from the opposition that this unfairly impacts some of our rural community
• We also know that the economic impact is significant. The U.S.
• In rural areas like District 4, those impacts are magnified.
• So the, And to buy homes within rural high-fire areas.

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several tax and revenue measures, beginning with SB 1329 on solar property tax assessment. The author and solar industry witnesses argued the bill would create a uniform statewide method, provide certainty for developers, and exclude tax credits and other intangibles from valuation; county assessors and several counties opposed it, saying it would reduce assessed value and depart from market-based appraisal. The bill was moved to Appropriations on a 2-0 vote and placed on call. The committee also heard SB 1406 to close the “Montana tax loophole” used to avoid California vehicle taxes, with support from the California Teachers Association and no registered opposition; it passed 2-0 and was placed on call. SB 984, conforming California law to the federal tipped-income deduction, drew support from the restaurant industry, Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, and enrolled agents, and passed 3-0 to Appropriations, on call. Later, the committee considered wildfire- and energy-related tax credits. SB 1084 would create a fire-safe home tax credit for home hardening and defensible space improvements; supporters said it would reduce wildfire losses and insurance costs, and it passed 3-0 on call. SB 1118 would provide credits for backup generators and solar battery systems in high fire-threat areas; the author framed it as a resilience measure for households and small businesses, but members raised concerns about cost, diesel use, and whether the credit would reach lower-income households. The bill was moved 1-0 and placed on call, with the chair and other members noting unresolved budget and policy concerns. SB 1424, expanding a partial sales tax exemption to zero-emission vehicle refueling equipment, received support from hydrogen and electric transportation groups and passed 4-0 on call. The committee also advanced SB 1249, a senior tax deduction for taxpayers ages 86 to 90, with support from LeadingAge California and senior advocates; members noted it was narrowly targeted and passed 4-0 on call. SB 1113, conforming California tax law to the federal tonnage tax regime for U.S.-flag international shipping companies, drew support from maritime industry groups and opposition from ILWU over the fiscal impact; it passed 4-0 on call. SB 1137, the Medical Expense Deduction Act, would allow a targeted deduction for medical expenses for lower-income taxpayers; supporters said it would help families facing high out-of-pocket costs, and it passed 4-0 on call. Finally, SB 1415 would extend a partial welfare property tax exemption to mixed-income housing that includes moderate-income units; supporters said it would help finance “missing middle” housing, while assessors and housing stakeholders requested amendments and guardrails. The bill was also moved forward on a committee vote and placed on call.

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• Can you describe for us what it would mean particularly to rural Oklahoma when it comes to access and
• What would it be the impact particularly in rural.
• Help me understand the impact if you if you if that's not covered, if you only cover 50%.
• We also partnered with the Forestry Service to launch their Rural Library Backpack Program.
• We've been able to minimize the impact of the field so far with good planning.

Keywords: 914, all