Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> Dziedzic</c> Hi everybody, Senator Steve Dziedzic Hi everybody, Senator Steve Dziedzic from<00:05
• </c><00:05:18.040><c> Maye</c> Committee actually with Senator Maye Committee actually with Senator Maye
• I'm Senator Erin Maye Quade. Uh, I'm so proud to be the chief author of Senate File 4379.
• <c> mentioned,</c><00:10:19.480><c> this</c> As Senator uh Drazkowski mentioned, this As Senator uh Drazkowski
• And Senator Driskollski the legislature.

Summary: Lawmakers held a bipartisan press availability on a bill to prohibit local governments and their officials from entering into non-disclosure agreements with private entities. Supporters said the measure is intended to protect transparency, public participation, and Minnesotans’ right to know about local decisions involving land use, public financing, and economic development, especially in cases involving data centers and other large projects. Representatives and senators from both parties described the bill as a response to examples in cities such as Rosemount, Farmington, Hermantown, North Mankato, Monticello, Pine Island, and others, where they said NDAs kept communities from learning about projects until decisions were effectively already made. The authors argued that the bill is not anti-development or limited to data centers, but instead prevents corporations from using private contracts to circumvent Minnesota’s open meeting and data practices laws. They said Chapter 13 already addresses trade secrets and other confidential information, and that the bill is meant to stop NDAs from creating secrecy around government decision-making. They also said they had heard little organized opposition so far, though they acknowledged questions about how the bill would affect early-stage business recruitment conversations and how local governments, especially smaller ones, would implement the change. Members also discussed the bill’s legislative path. They said it had previously received unanimous support in committee and was sent to the general register, then moved to the Judiciary Committee at the request of Chair Scott, who wanted a hearing. The authors said they did not believe the bill raised Chapter 13 issues requiring judiciary review, but agreed to the referral as a courtesy and said they were seeking a hearing. They reported that Senate consideration had previously ended in a tie vote, but said momentum was growing and expected stronger support this session. No vote was taken during the press event.

Transcript Highlights:

• SENATORS, WE ARE GOING TO START WITH TAB 3. LET'S GO TO SENATOR COLLINS.
• SENATOR COLLINS, YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO EXPLAIN CS FOR SENATE BILL 1290. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> Sen.
• SENATORS, BY YOUR VOTE SENATE BILL 1292 IS REPORTED FAVORABLY.
• SENATORS, BY YOUR VOTE CS FOR SENATE BILL 176 IS REPORTING FAVORABLY.
• SO I'M GOING TO OPEN IT UP TO ANY QUESTIONS ANY SENATORS MAY HAVE OF OUR STAFF DIRECTOR.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Chang. Senator DeCorte. Senator Dela Cruz here. Senator Elefante here. Senator Fukunaga.
• Senator Gabbard. Senator Hashimoto. Senator Ihara present. Senator Kanuha present. Senator Kidani.
• Senator Kim. Senator Lee. Senator Meli? excused. Senator Rhoads. Senator Richards here.
• Senator San bu Ura Senator Wai Mr Senator San bu Ura Senator Wai Mr President<00:01:04.000><c> pres</
• </c><00:02:18.400><c> thank</c> senate thank you Senator elepante thank senate thank you Senator elepante

Transcript Highlights:

• to staff.
• Senator Senator will look into it. Okay.
• Oh, are you done,<00:59:23.520><c> Senator?</c> done, Senator? done, Senator?
• Hey, Senator Fevella, you guys get enough staff for all of this stuff that you guys having right now?
• staff staff vacancies in for instance, staff staff vacancies in our<01:54:43.040><c> nonprofit</c><01

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Arrington, here. Senator Davis, here. Senator Jones. Senator Martin. Senator McLean.
• Senator Cheneau, here. Senator Wright. Cora, Mr. President, Mr. Chair. Thank you so much.
• Now, just please note that Senator Jones is excused from today's meeting, and I had to let Senator Martin
• We have only 18 staff members.
• Senator Arrington, go ahead. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just kind of echo Senator McClain's comments.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Summary: The Senate Committee on Transportation met to hear presentations from the Florida Department of Transportation on rural arterial roadways and transportation resiliency, followed by a panel discussion on metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs). FDOT’s Will Watts described the state’s growing population and travel demand, emphasizing that rural arterials are critical for connectivity, freight movement, evacuation routes, and congestion relief. He outlined FDOT’s project selection factors, noted thousands of identified rural arterial needs with billions in unfunded demand, and explained that the department uses community input and long-range planning to prioritize safety, capacity, and economic development. Watts then discussed resiliency planning for hurricanes and flooding, focusing on structural design, storm readiness, and drainage. He highlighted efforts such as elevated bridges, wave attenuators, coastal armoring, drainage upgrades, and materials testing at FDOT’s research facilities to extend service life and reduce storm damage. Committee members asked about local project selection, materials research, LiDAR use, and legislative support; Watts said local coordination drives project priorities and asked lawmakers to protect the Transportation Trust Fund. The MPO panel, led by FDOT’s Kim Holland, explained that MPOs are federally required in urban areas over 50,000 population and that Florida has 27, the most in the nation. Holland said MPOs identify and prioritize transportation needs through long-range plans and public engagement, and she noted that several regions are exploring consolidation after the 2020 Census, especially in Tampa Bay and Southwest Florida. Representatives from MetroPlan Orlando, Forward Pinellas, Pasco MPO, and Hillsborough discussed their structures and the potential benefits and challenges of merging, including representation, governance, funding, and maintaining local voice. Members generally supported regional collaboration, urged patience as studies continue, and emphasized the need for transparent public engagement, while the committee adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Senator Berg. >> Senator Titner, >> Representative Duval >> Representative Duval, here. >> Representative
• Maize Bledsoe, Senator McDaniel, Senator Meredith, >> Representative Bowling, >> Representative Bray
• Um, our next question is from Senator Titner.
• Um, our next question is from Senator Titner.
• </c> Senate Bill 280 from two sessions ago. Senate Bill 280 from two sessions ago.

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Health and Family Services heard a presentation on Kentucky personal care homes from representatives of the Kentucky Association of Healthcare Facilities, Management Systems of Kentucky, and Elder Care Partners. Witnesses described personal care homes as a lower-cost, 24/7 residential option for adults with serious mental illness who do not qualify for nursing home care but need structured support, medication assistance, meals, housekeeping, transportation, and supervision. They said the homes are regulated by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, are not Medicaid-funded, and rely on a state supplementation rate of about $50.70 per day, which they argued no longer covers operating costs because of rising food, labor, insurance, and maintenance expenses. The presenters said the sector has shrunk significantly over time, citing a drop from 64 homes in 2002 to 34 today among the homes serving this population, with 30 closures over 23 years and two more closures since August. They argued that the closures have contributed to homelessness, hospital overcrowding, and longer stays in psychiatric hospitals, and they gave examples of residents who had spent many months in hospitals before stabilizing in a personal care home. One provider also described spending more than $800,000 on capital improvements after acquiring Kentucky facilities and said reimbursement is too low to sustain safe operations. They asked for an incremental reimbursement increase over two years and said they have also proposed an assisted-living model for people with mental illness. Members asked about staffing, reimbursement, and the number of people still needing placement. The presenters said there is no requirement for licensed or certified staff in these facilities, though some homes use medication technicians and occasional LPNs. They estimated they are currently serving about 2,000 residents and said they receive roughly 30 referrals for every one person admitted, with many referrals involving people whose needs exceed the personal care home level. Senator Meredith and Representative Fleming said any funding request would need documentation of savings and corresponding budget offsets, while Representative Duval expressed support and asked about possible staffing and program improvements. The witnesses also compared Kentucky’s flat-rate reimbursement to a more individualized reimbursement model in Minnesota, saying a needs-based system would better match staffing and reduce hospitalizations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Alvord, Senator Bergstrom, here. Senator Boren, here. Senator Brooks, here.
• Senator Bullard, here. Here. Senator Burns, here. Senator Coleman, here. Senator Daniels, here.
• Senator Ye, here. Senator Jett, here. Senator Kirn, here. Senator Kirt, here. Senator Logan, here.
• President, for the opportunity to tout the work of our senate team and our senate staff who have spent
• Again, I want to commend the staff of the Oklahoma State Senate.

Bills: HB3418 , HB3985 , HB3463 , HB3002 , HB4303 , HB3919 , HB3416 , HB3417 , HB3415 , HB2206 , HB3414 , HB3265 , HB3310 , HB3413 , HB4486 , HB1219 , SR39 , SB1177 , HB3298 , HB2696 , HB3941 , HB3970 , HB3264 , HB3321 , HB2650 , HB3497 , HB3980 , HB3981 , HB4421 , HB3177 , HB3322 , HB3499 , HB3500 , HB3845 , HB3742 , HB3622 , HB1250 , HB2710 , HB3831 , HB4408 , HB1002 , HB3008 , HB3086 , HB3595 , HB3678 , HB4107 , HB3695 , HB3315 , HB3590 , HB3006 , HB3151 , HB2959 , HB2398 , HB3026 , HB3467 , HB4268 , HB3372 , HB2210 , HB4359 , HB4427

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to give a little shout-out to my staff.
• Chairman and Senator Collison, great question.
• So Senator Went through... Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• But it is being fast-tracked out of the House or to the Senate.
• But Senator Galloway. A question for Mr. Bybee. Yeah, Mr. Bybee.

Summary: The Senate Finance and House Appropriations committees met to review budget rescission options and related statewide budget decisions for fiscal year 2026. Keith Bybee of DFM walked members through a packet outlining the governor’s recommended rescissions, plus two additional agency reduction scenarios of 1% and 2%. He explained that the governor’s package would reduce appropriations by about $177.5 million and nearly 100 FTEs, while the added 1% and 2% scenarios would deepen reductions further. He also clarified that some agencies were exempt or partially exempt from the additional cuts, including public schools, Medicaid services, corrections, and Idaho State Police, and that the Secretary of State had proposed a one-time contract savings instead of participating in the full additional reduction. Members discussed why the committee was considering further reductions despite existing reserves and a balanced budget outlook, with supporters emphasizing uncertainty around tax conformity, revenue forecasts, and other policy bills that could affect the budget. Several members expressed concern that the proposed cuts were ongoing, broad, and could create instability for agencies, while others said the process would give work groups a clearer target and more flexibility to adjust budgets later. Bybee and the co-chairs repeatedly stressed that the goal was to right-size the budget and preserve flexibility as more revenue and policy information becomes available. The committee also reviewed proposed cash transfers totaling about $106.7 million to help balance the budget, including transfers from the In-Demand Careers Fund, Water Pollution Control Fund, Strategic Initiatives Fund, Idaho Opportunity Scholarship Fund, and Permanent Building Fund. Members asked whether those transfers were legally permissible and were told the legislature has authority to move money in the treasury for balancing purposes. Finally, Bybee outlined statewide decisions for maintenance budgets, including personnel benefit cost increases, contract inflation, statewide cost allocation, a small military CEC adjustment, and options for a 3%, 4%, or 5% ongoing base budget reduction. The co-chairs said motions would be brought forward on Friday, and the committee adjourned with plans to continue hearings the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Frentz moves that Senate File 2077, as amended, be recommended to pass and instruct the staff
• I wanted to thank Senator Her and your committee and the staff.
• It's Senate File 1113, Senator Muay's It's Senate File 1113, Senator Muay's bill<01:54:17.840><c> to<
• ><c> File</c> Senator U Senate File Senator U Senate File 2022.<01:56:35.520><c> Um,</c><01:56:35.840
• Senate File 1162, Senator On line 324 is Senate File 1162, Senator Jeang's<01:57:14.560><c> bill.

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• And we have Senator Wagoner joining us remotely. Go ahead and introduce yourself, Senator Wagoner.
• Trevor Press from Senate Ways and Means staff and Jason Seams, the state risk manager, are here to help
• From Senator Trudeau, and then we'll go to Senator. Go ahead, Senator Trudeau. Thank you.
• Senator Solomon has a question.
• Senator Solomon has a question. in these most recent years. Senator Solomon has a question.

Summary: The committee held a work session on tort liability and parole, with the chair explaining that the topics were linked because criminal justice reform and state liability often intersect, especially in cases involving child welfare and corrections. Staff first outlined Washington’s tort liability framework, including the state’s broad waiver of sovereign immunity, statutes governing mandatory reporting and investigation of abuse, the childhood sexual abuse statute of limitations, and the lack of caps on non-economic damages. Staff and presenters also compared Washington to other states and noted that Washington remains among the broadest states for state liability and childhood sexual abuse claims. Presenters from the Attorney General’s office, Washington State Association for Justice, DCYF, DSHS, and DOC discussed how tort exposure has grown, especially in claims involving DCYF, historical child abuse, juvenile rehabilitation, vulnerable adults, employment discrimination, medical negligence, and negligent supervision. DCYF and AG staff said claims and payouts are rising, with many claims tied to older abuse and new theories of liability, while defense counsel emphasized the human harm behind the claims and argued that tort cases have historically driven accountability and reform. Agency witnesses said they face large volumes of old claims with limited records, rising verdicts and settlements, and staffing and systems challenges, and they highlighted efforts such as early resolution programs, electronic health records, medication-assisted treatment, and improved incident review processes. The committee then shifted to parole. Sentencing experts reviewed Washington’s move from indeterminate sentencing to the current determinate sentencing system under the Sentencing Reform Act, and explained how parole could be integrated with sentencing guidelines through different models used in other states. They also summarized Criminal Sentencing Task Force recommendations related to a determinate-plus approach for three-strikes and persistent offender laws and a second-chance review process, noting there was no consensus on those ideas. Judges from the Minority and Justice Commission and the Superior Court Judges Association said a parole system could support rehabilitation and reduce disparities if it includes data collection, fairness, transparency, due process, and meaningful judicial review; they also pointed to research suggesting parole and structured reentry can reduce recidivism and costs, while warning that access and outcomes can vary by geography and other factors.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to start off by thanking Senator Arreguín and committee staff for the work on this bill.
• Also, the author, Senator Arreguín, and his staff have been diligent in working with us on this bill.
• Also the author, Senator Errigan and his staff have been diligent in working with us on this bill.
• I just want to thank the Senator and her staff for working with us on the...
• I just want to thank the Senator and her staff for working with us on the certification provision of

Committee: House Natural Resources

Summary: The Assembly Natural Resources Committee met with a quorum established after a brief delay and first adopted two consent items, SB 423 and SB 581. The committee then heard SB 71, which extends and expands an existing CEQA exemption for sustainable transportation projects, including transit, bike, pedestrian, microtransit, paratransit, ferry, and shuttle projects. The author and supporters said the exemption has sped delivery of climate-friendly projects statewide; some members raised concerns about the bill’s Tier 4 diesel rail provisions and right-of-way language, but the bill was passed out as amended to Appropriations. The committee next heard SB 614 on carbon dioxide pipeline safety. The bill would direct the State Fire Marshal to establish safety standards for intrastate CO2 pipelines, using federal draft rules as a starting point while allowing California to add stronger protections. Supporters argued the state must act because federal rulemaking has stalled, while environmental justice groups opposed the bill unless amended, citing siting risks, leak hazards, and the need for more specific setback and planning-zone protections. The bill advanced on a due-pass vote to Appropriations. Members also approved SB 304, a district bill to temporarily lift public trust use restrictions for a portion of Jack London Square in Oakland so the Port can lease the land for broader uses under State Lands Commission oversight and annual reporting. Supporters said the measure would help address high vacancy and revitalize the waterfront; the bill passed with no opposition. The committee then heard SB 830, which creates a CEQA streamlining process for Sutter Health’s new Emeryville hospital campus to replace services lost with the closure of Alta Bates in Berkeley; supporters emphasized access to care, seismic deadlines, and job creation, and the bill passed out as amended to the Judiciary Committee. Finally, the committee took up SB 486, a higher-education planning bill that would require UC and CSU enrollment to be incorporated into regional sustainable communities plans and would limit certain CEQA no-project alternative analyses for campus long-range plans; supporters said it would better align university growth with housing and transportation planning, while opponents warned it could weaken accountability for student housing impacts. The bill was left open for further work and then advanced as amended to Appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Senator. Thank you, Senator. Thank you, Senator Laird.
• Thank you, Senator. Thank you, Senator. Thank you, Senator Laird. Senator Reyes. Thank you.
• Senator Reyes, Senator Jones. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• We're going to go ahead and begin with Senator Laird, and then we'll go to Senator Reyes.
• Thank you very much, Senator.

Committee: Senate Rules

Summary: The committee first established quorum and then approved several Governor’s appointments not required to appear, including Indira Cameron Banks to the Civil Rights Council, Sonar Loma Lee to the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, and C. Don Clay and Joshua Pertula to the UC College of the Law, San Francisco Board of Directors. It also approved references to bills in two committees and floor acknowledgments, all by unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The main substantive hearing was on the appointments of Linda Hopkins and Patricia Locke Dawson to the Air Resources Board. Both nominees emphasized climate action, public engagement, and balancing environmental protection with economic impacts. Senators pressed them on cap-and-trade, leakage and job loss, agricultural costs, warehouse and truck traffic impacts, emergency vehicle and school bus electrification, hydrogen, nuclear energy, and the need for socioeconomic analysis and better communication with affected communities. Public commenters largely supported both nominees. The committee advanced Hopkins 4-0 and Lock Dawson 5-0 to the full Senate. The committee then heard Andrew Rakestra’s appointment as chair of the Board of Environmental Safety. He described his background in climate diplomacy and regulatory work and said he would focus on transparency, accountability, fiscal stability, and responsiveness to both regulated entities and disproportionately burdened communities. Senators questioned him about DTSC reform, community engagement in places like Moss Landing and the Exide cleanup, the hazardous waste management plan, fee-setting, and the Environmental Justice Advisory Council. After supportive public testimony, the committee approved his nomination to the Senate floor on a 3-0 vote, with two members not voting or abstaining. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Smallwood-Cuevas, aye. Senator Strickland, aye. Senator Cortese. Senator Durazo.
• Senator Smallwood-Cuevas, aye. Senator Strickland, no. Senator Cortese. Senator Durazo.
• Senator Strickland, aye. Senator Cortese. Senator Durazo. Senator Laird, aye.
• Senator Strickland, aye. Senator Cortese. Senator Dorezzo. Senator Laird, aye.
• Senator Cortese, aye. Senator Durazo, aye. Senator Cortese, aye. Senator Durazo, aye.

Summary: The Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee heard and advanced several bills covering workers’ compensation transparency, public pensions, prevailing wage, workplace harassment training, and employee benefits. AB 1048 would require disclosure of the contract justifying reduced workers’ compensation payments to medical providers; supporters said it would improve transparency without changing reimbursement rates, while opponents argued the problem was overstated and existing dispute remedies were sufficient. AB 1601 would give Sonoma County flexibility to target a cost-of-living adjustment for retirees rather than requiring an all-or-nothing COLA; county and union witnesses said retirees have gone without a COLA since 2008 and have lost purchasing power, and the bill passed unanimously. AB 1439 would commission a UC Berkeley study on labor standards in pension-funded real estate and infrastructure projects; labor groups supported it, while local governments, housing, and industry groups opposed it, and it passed on a 4-1 vote after one senator voted no in committee. The committee also heard AB 1697, which would delay implementation of a prior law restricting certain employment debt and pay-to-quit arrangements until 2027; the author said the delay would give employers, including professional sports leagues, time to adjust, while a financial services group sought a further delay to 2028. AB 1803 would require anti-hate speech content in existing workplace harassment training for employers with five or more employees; supporters cited rising antisemitic and other hate incidents and said the bill would help workers recognize and report hate, while opponents raised First Amendment concerns and argued existing harassment law already covers hostile conduct. AB 2120 would extend Los Angeles Unified’s selective certification hiring authority and allow retention of specialized employees in layoffs, and AB 2292 would bar providers from charging administrative fees for disability insurance and paid family leave certification forms; both drew support and were advanced without opposition testimony. AB 1198, the Fair Pay for Construction Workers Act, would require prevailing wage to be based on the time work is performed rather than the date a project is advertised for bid. Labor and contractor supporters said the current rule can lock in outdated wages and underpay workers on long projects and change orders, while cities, counties, and contractor groups warned it would create uncertainty, raise costs, and jeopardize projects funded by fixed grants or bonds. After testimony and questions, the committee voted to send all of the bills forward, with final recorded votes later showing unanimous or near-unanimous approval and several measures placed on call before the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• By Senator Pasadomo, Senate Bill 104, a revisor's bill to be entitled: An act.
• Senate Bill 7012.
• CS for CS Senate Bill 302. It built to me in Senator Garcia and others.
• CS for CS Senate Bill 302.
• Senator Truenow for running it in the Senate; it was a great partnership.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for former Lee County Judge John Carlin, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of FSU Police Officer Cody Popple for stopping the April campus shooter. The Speaker then outlined the final week of session, noting the House had passed 253 House bills and 149 Senate bills to date, but that the 2026-27 budget would not be completed this week. The chamber also adopted the Rules and Ethics Committee’s special order report for the day. The House took up several Senate bills on special order, largely technical or open-government measures, and passed them with little or no opposition. These included SB 100, SB 104, and SB 102 on the Florida Statutes and revisor’s changes; SB 7006, SB 7014, SB 7002, SB 7012, SB 7024, SB 7016, SB 7026, SB 7008, SB 7000, and SB 7004, which extended or preserved various public-records and meeting exemptions for matters such as Public Service Commission proprietary information, social media investigations, military affairs, highway safety records, cybersecurity, emergency shelter contact information, conviction integrity units, and trade secrets. Most passed overwhelmingly, though SB 7006 drew 99-8, SB 7022 on public records for exam integrity passed 101-8 after questions about testing materials and scoring rubrics, and SB 7026 on trade secrets passed 106-3. The most substantive floor debate centered on SB 7040, which recreates the emergency preparedness and response trust fund in the Executive Office of the Governor. Rep. Eskamani offered an amendment to let the fund expire, arguing the money had become a “slush fund” and had been used for the Everglades detention facility rather than emergencies; several members supported her on fiscal and separation-of-powers grounds, while others said the fund is needed for rapid disaster response. The House rejected Eskamani’s amendment and then adopted a Griffiths strike-all amendment adding accountability measures, including spending limits, quarterly reporting, asset tracking, and a sunset/review provision. SB 7040 then passed 82-25. The chamber also passed CS/CS SB 302 on coastal resiliency, CS/CS SB 984 on firefighter cancer benefits, CS SB 474 on military affairs, and SB 488 on Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, which prompted extended questions about vehicle registration requirements, license plate frames, and foreign passport/I-94 documentation; the bill was still under amendment and debate when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Once a senator, always a senator, Representative Allen, correct?
• Senate Bill 1180. Senate Bill 1180.
• Senate Bill 1336. Senate Bill 1336.
• staff.
• Also really quick, staff, anybody want to come to the Senate? Let me know. Speaker, I'm sorry.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator<00:09:47.400><c> Putnam.</c> Senator Putnam. Senator Putnam.
• Senator<00:24:39.360><c> Clark.</c> Senator Clark. Senator Clark.
• Senator<00:26:32.440><c> Clark.</c> Senator Clark. Senator Clark.
• Senator<00:37:17.440><c> Clark.</c> Senator Clark. Senator Clark.
• Um, I'm not sure how you feel about that, Senator Clark, but it's a concern I might have for the staff

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, I offer Senate File 2689. three attorneys, and four support staff three attorneys, and four support
• Staff will take the roll. Senator Pratt. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• Staff will take the roll on the<00:49:14.920><c> Senator</c><00:49:15.560><c> Pratt.
• Senator Draheim: Yes. Senator Hawj: I. Senator Dziedzic: I. Senator Johnson: I. Senator Latz: No.
• Senator Johnson. Senator Dziedzic. I. Senator Johnson.

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Madam Senator.
• Senators, oh, the motion is due pass to judiciary. Senators, Blakspere? Valadaris? Aye.
• Senator Menjivar? Yeah.
• Thank you, Senators.
• Thank you, Senators.

Committee: Senate Environmental Quality

Transcript Highlights:

• I think working with the Senate... ...to where they needed to be.
• I think working with the Senate, we could possibly go a little further.
• Salaries or extra staff?
• I'd like to thank the staff, but most importantly, I would like to thank the staff because for the last
• Members and staff, I would like to thank you once again.

Bills: HB1 , HB312 , HB313 , HB314 , HB383 , HB983 , HB1126 , HCR3

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: state budget, appropriations, education funding, public health, social services, government operations, state institutions, budget, funding, state general fund, local government, fiscal year, economic development, state treasury, emergency response, education, voting technology, sustainability, revenue sharing, fund distribution

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Berman, Senator DiCeglie, Senator Gaetz, Senator Hooper, Senator Leek, Senator Osgood, Senator
• Senator Berman? Senator DiCeglie? Senator Gaetz? Senator Hooper? Senator Leek? Senator Osgood?
• Senator Berman, Senator DiCeglie, Senator Gaetz, Senator Hooper, Senator Leek, Senator Osgood, Senator
• Senator Berman, Senator DiCeglie, Senator Gaetz, Senator Hooper, Senator Leek, Senator Osgood, Senator
• Senator Berman, Senator DeSigley, Senator Gates, Senator Hooper, Senator Leake, Senator Osgood, Senator

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The Judiciary Committee took up a long agenda of bills, beginning with SB 1434 on infill redevelopment. A late-filed strike-all narrowed eligibility to certain properties in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties, added environmental and zoning criteria, and included exemptions for agricultural land, parks, military-adjacent land, and other areas. The amendment was adopted without opposition, and the bill was reported favorably 8-0. The committee then heard SB 212 on sexual offenders and predators, as amended to add public swimming pools and related child-centered locations to residency and presence restrictions. Testimony was sharply divided, with supporters emphasizing child safety and opponents arguing the bill lacked empirical support and would worsen homelessness and impose retroactive burdens. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably 8-1. Members next approved SB 686 on agricultural enclaves after adopting an amendment allowing certain enclaves adjacent to interstate highways to be developed for commercial, industrial, or single-family residential uses while clarifying protections for critical areas, the Florida Wildlife Corridor, and military installations. The bill drew opposition from a county Republican committee representative who argued it would weaken zoning and comprehensive planning and encourage urban sprawl, while homebuilders and industry groups supported it. The committee also reported favorably SB 554 on nonprofit corporations, a Florida Bar-backed update intended to modernize and harmonize nonprofit corporate law, and SB 1338 on charitable giving, which would create donor remedies for endowment restrictions and limit state reporting burdens on certain charitable organizations; members noted the latter would need further work on cy pres and related issues. The committee then approved SB 532 on court fees after a strike-all that would let clerks retain all collections above revenue projections rather than splitting excess with general revenue, with clerks’ groups supporting the change and members citing long-standing funding shortfalls. SB 218 on land use regulations was also reported favorably; it would restore normal land-use authority to counties unaffected by the 2024 hurricanes while keeping SB 180 protections in place for damaged areas. SB 692 on cybersecurity standards and liability passed 9-2 after debate over whether the bill created enough compliance incentives and whether its liability presumption was retroactive; supporters said it would encourage adoption of cybersecurity frameworks and reduce class-action litigation, while opponents wanted stronger compliance requirements. Finally, SB 1138 on qualified contractors was amended and passed unanimously as a process-reform measure allowing licensed professionals to conduct pre-application reviews, and SJR 1104 on religious expression in public schools was reported favorably 8-3 after extensive testimony and debate over whether it would protect free expression or invite coercion and litigation. The committee also began consideration of SB 1106 on requiring state agencies and instructional materials to use “Judea and Samaria” instead of “West Bank,” with the sponsor framing it as historical accuracy and opponents arguing it erased Palestinian identity; the transcript cuts off during that item.