Transcript Highlights:

• for each budget cycle within their budget each budget cycle within their budget documents.
• So, um, that budget load puts it into the budget as a top number, and that's as far as we can go.
• However, that budget load was not input what EGI requested it to be.
• We go out for RFP, which is a request for proposal, request for proposal, every 5 years.
• So, for example, if the budgets are tight and we're trying to do a rate increase, if the budgets are

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Also, as the Budget Act of last year requested turnaround plans from campuses that are seeing significant
• Also, as the Budget Act of last year requested turnaround plans from campuses that are seeing significant
• In addition, the governor's budget maintains the ongoing General Fund amount adopted in the 2025 Budget
• on that request?
• I'm here to speak in support of Assembly Member Fong's budget request for full compact funding for both

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> moved into the supplemental budget bill. moved into the supplemental budget bill.
• </c><00:01:41.680><c> bill</c> That point the supplemental budget bill That point the supplemental budget
• </c> tails from last year's budget bill. tails from last year's budget bill.
• </c> These sections are in total budget These sections are in total budget neutral.
• Chairman, is the Judiciary supplemental budget. Thank you. Mr.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:40:36.159><c> a</c> Oh, Senator Rosenwald has requested a Oh, Senator Rosenwald has requested
• </c> voters against passing a school budget. voters against passing a school budget.
• The clerk will call the roll. requested by Senator Rosenwall, seconded requested by Senator Rosenwall
• </c> massive $ 51 million back of the budget massive $ 51 million back of the budget cut<04:19:55.279
• </c> last 18 months of the budget even worse. last 18 months of the budget even worse.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• requests impacting residential habilitation providers.
• requests impacting residential habilitation providers.
• And you'll see that in the legislative budget book with those requests, we indicated that in a future
• And take any individual, their budget, their individual budget as part of the KW versus Armstrong lawsuit
• Roll call vote has been requested. Senator Wintrow. Mr.

Summary: The Senate Health and Welfare Committee approved the February 18, 2026 minutes and then heard House Bill 863 from Senator Julie Van Orden. The bill would reduce Medicaid residential habilitation rates by pulling back funding tied to a 2022 KW lawsuit-related service array while keeping the separate provider rate increase in place, and it would add audit/cost-survey language. Department of Health and Welfare officials said the 2022 funds were originally federal ARPA dollars, that the state share was later expected to be addressed, and that the bill would require third-party audits and broader cost surveys for home and community-based services. Van Orden and the department argued the bill would not eliminate services but would strengthen oversight and provide better data for future rate decisions. Testimony was sharply divided. Providers and advocates said the proposed reduction would destabilize residential habilitation agencies, force wage cuts, reduce services, and risk closures, while supporting the audit and transparency provisions. Several witnesses emphasized that the services help vulnerable adults remain in the community and warned of downstream costs if supports are reduced. A litigation attorney testified that the bill’s findings were inaccurate, saying the KW case remains active, the department is still under court orders, and reductions could trigger further litigation or enforcement issues. Department officials responded that the bill would repeal certain rate-setting rules tied to current cost-survey methods and that the new audits would be phased in. After testimony, Senator Van Orden closed by reiterating that the bill was intended to reduce, not remove, the service funding and to require a third-party audit. The committee then considered motions to hold the bill in committee. A substitute motion to hold House Bill 863 in committee subject to the call of the chair passed on a 7-4-2 vote, and the bill was held in committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Agencies were also required to submit IT resource plans as part of the budget procurement requests.
• The intersection of law and expertise at an agency's request.
• request for us.
• But it's my understanding that as a part of the annual legislative budget request, the Department of
• That as a part of the annual legislative budget request, the Department of State has requested funding

Summary: The subcommittee held its first meeting to examine Florida’s information technology governance, budgeting, cybersecurity, data management, and telecommunications operations. Chair Schneider and other members framed the panel as a new joint policy-and-budget forum focused on reducing jargon, improving accountability, and asking whether technology investments are feasible, aligned with state goals, cost-controlled, and secure. State Affairs Chairman Will Robinson and members emphasized that the committee should avoid buying “shiny new objects” without clear business cases and should focus on long-term value, cybersecurity, and operational efficiency. Florida Digital Service and Department of Management Services leaders provided an overview of the state IT enterprise. Secretary Pedro Allende described DMS as the state’s business, workforce, and technology service provider, while State CIO Warren Spanholz outlined Florida Digital Service’s four core areas: cybersecurity, project success, data interoperability, and enterprise architecture. Chief Data Officer Ed Ryan said the state data catalog is about 400,000 elements and roughly half of agencies are participating, and he described efforts to identify authoritative data sources and improve interoperability. Chief Information Security Officer Jeremy Rogers discussed the state cybersecurity operations center, enterprise risk management, incident response exercises, and a recurring $35 million cybersecurity resiliency budget. Chief Technology Officer Leo Schoonover described oversight of major IT projects over $10 million, updated project management standards, and a shift toward smaller phased implementations and more flexible methodologies to reduce delays and overruns. Other presenters covered telecommunications, data center operations, and cybersecurity workforce development. Director Denise Atkins said the Division of Telecommunications manages Suncom and MyFloridaNet, with nearly $336.9 million appropriated for fiscal year 2024-25, and is procuring the next network contract while emphasizing security controls and vendor flexibility. Tim Brown said the Northwest Regional Data Center operates on a chargeback basis, serves state and local customers, and returned surpluses to customers in recent years. Cyber Florida Director Ernie Ferraroso described training, workforce pipelines, K-12 outreach, a cyber range, and research programs aimed at building Florida’s cyber workforce and improving public-sector readiness. Members asked about budget setting, project delays, change orders, cybersecurity reporting, data catalog participation, interoperability, and expanding cybersecurity operations centers. Officials said chargeback rates are based on actual direct and indirect costs, project delays often stem from unclear scope and insufficient upfront planning, and cybersecurity success is measured by mean time to detect, respond, and recover. They also said the state is moving toward more modular project delivery, broader agency participation in shared cybersecurity services, and expanded CSOC locations within existing staff and budget where feasible.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are requesting, as of preservation, over $3.8 million. So that is our request.
• The governor's capital budget request for 2025 totals a little over $99 million, and that includes the
• </c><00:21:55.000><c> request</c> the governor's capital budget request the governor's capital budget
• Today we've got three focus areas of our capital budget request, and we'll spend just a minute or two
• </c> three Focus areas of our capital budget three Focus areas of our capital budget request<01:54:30.960

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> in the budget. in the budget. Chair<00:53:06.240><c> Anderson.
• come with a request.
• </c> request. Chair Hansen. Thank you, Mr. request. Chair Hansen. Thank you, Mr.
• They're both budget bills.
• These are budget bills.

Bills: HF2784, HF2785, HF2778, HF2281, HF2576, HF2280, HF2579

Keywords: beginning farmers, agriculture, loans, economic opportunity, farmers' equity, agriculture appropriations, farm to school, early care, child care food program, school lunch program, local food, Minnesota agriculture, food access, farm-to-institution, limited market access, county fairs, biofuels, E25, ethanol, meat processing

Transcript Highlights:

• The budget request will also be reviewed line by line.
• </c> supplemental budget request if we can supplemental budget request if we can really<02:35:23.600>
• Our supplemental budget request is fairly lean. We've got 14 requests before you today.
• In our supplemental budget request, of the $217.2 million in requests, approximately $212 million of
• So, uh we fiscal year 27 budget request.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So moving on quickly, I want to talk about our budget request for the next year.
• Chair, members of the committee, for the opportunity to present OSI's FY 27 budget request.
• This slide reflects the FY27 budget request for insurance operations of $19.6 million.
• This is a 16% increase or $2.7 million more than the FY26 budget request.
• The title program budget request is a 16% increase more than FY26: $127,000 for the other cost categories

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 1 on Education will come to order.
• lower than what we estimated at the Budget Act.
• We also want to make you aware that we support Assemblymember Robert Garcia's budget request for a $1
• I am here today in strong support of the budget request to establish ongoing funding for K-12 students
• You heard a little bit about a $1 million budget request that Assemblymember Robert Garcia has to offer

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the spring and made a $5 million budget the spring and made a $5 million budget cut<00:04:34.840
• </c> also know that about 80% of our budget also know that about 80% of our budget goes<00:13:33.600>
• As we entered this January, so this month, we've received even more UI requests, information requests
• > a</c><00:41:57.319><c> good</c><00:41:57.560><c> 30</c> requests each request requires a good 30 requests
• So right now we're working on our 2025-2026 budget, and it means five years of budget realignments.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• In terms of bar requests, they did just recently request a bar from the specific internal revenue fund
• So my question really is how easy. is it to adjust or do budget adjustment requests keeping that federal
• The only change, the only difference between what the agency requested and their recurring budget, and
• requesting additional funding for existing.
• To adopting our operating budget. Seeing none, we've adopted our operating budget. And then, Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to start budget hearings. There's not budget. It is policy. Mr. Chair and Dr. Richards.
• Again, very small in total as it relates to base budget requests.
• put any in their budget.
• So the budget request is $1.2 million of a special over the next two years in order to provide that support
• So the budget request is $1.2 million of a special over the next two years in order to provide that support

Bills: SB37, SB29

Keywords: high-quality literacy instruction, science of reading, structured literacy, reading instruction, literacy assessment, dyslexia screening, phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, biliteracy, English language learner, ELL, bilingual education, dual language program, reading intervention, reading difficulty, reading improvement plan, literacy coach

Transcript Highlights:

• We have two budgets. This committee has two budgets. We're going to hear Commerce today.
• We're going to talk about the base budget.
• We have two budgets. This committee has two budgets. We're going to hear Commerce today.
• We have two budgets. This committee has two budgets. We're going to hear Commerce today.
• deeply into what's in the base budget or the starting point for each agency's budget.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Budget Section’s Commerce and Legal Services Division met to review the Department of Commerce base budget for the 2027-29 biennium and to receive an update on Commerce programs. Legislative Council staff first walked the committee through the “blue sheet” base budget summary, explaining the major line items, the large share of federal grant authority in Commerce’s budget, and the continuing appropriations that support several Commerce funds. Members asked how grant funding is coordinated across agencies, and staff said collaboration varies by program but is strong in areas like UAS and LIHEAP. Commerce Commissioner Chris Schilken then presented on current activities, focusing heavily on grant administration, transparency, and economic development programs. Members questioned how grant applicants are selected, whether Commerce tracks applications and return on investment, and how long grant awards take to reach recipients. The commissioner said Commerce uses scoring criteria, outside reviewers, a minimum 30-day application window, and typically completes awards within two to three months. A lengthy exchange followed over whether Commerce should open some grants only to intended recipients versus running competitive application processes; Commerce said it follows best-practice grantmaking and that its attorney in the Attorney General’s office approved that approach. Commerce also highlighted the North Dakota Development Fund, citing long-term investment and job creation results, examples such as Red Trail Energy, Packet Digital, Valiance, Corvent Medical, child care loans, and the Automate ND program. Members asked about acceptable failures, lessons learned, regional economic development coordination, and the expansion of the fund into non-primary sectors. Workforce Director Katie Ralston Howell then outlined a statewide workforce ecosystem review, a new governor’s workforce sub-cabinet, and three task forces focused on simplifying entry, warm handoffs, and data integration. She discussed the in-demand occupations list, Workforce Pell, apprenticeships, and efforts to better connect students with employers and higher education. Commerce also briefly reviewed housing programs and a new housing sub-cabinet. No votes were taken; the committee simply received testimony, asked questions, and adjourned after setting up the next meeting to hear the Attorney General budget in June.

Transcript Highlights:

• Looking ahead to the budget year, we are encouraged by the increased Looking ahead to the budget year
• here and this little budget there.
• changes to the state library budget.
• We request that you restore the $3.2 million to CLSA as you develop the Assembly version of the budget
• We request that you restore the $3.2 million to CLSA as you develop the assembly version of the budget

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is this request a response to that letter, or did the mayor ask for a request for this audit?
• We call them LEAFERS, or local funding requests.
• Next item is a request from our own Senator Wright for an audit.
• Did we request that audit in this same manner for the permit fees?
• Did we request that audit in this same manner for the permit fees?

Summary: The Joint Legislative Auditing Committee met to consider several audit requests and enforcement items involving local governments and special districts. The committee approved operational audits of the City of Miami Beach, the Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority, and the City of Daytona Beach. In each case, the requesting member described concerns about transparency, financial management, or internal controls, while local officials or representatives generally said they were willing to cooperate and, in Delray Beach’s case, noted that an internal audit had already been completed and that some issues were being corrected. The committee also received a presentation on the statewide review of neighborhood improvement districts. The reviewers reported that 15 of 21 districts were active and six inactive, with common findings including outdated or missing performance plans, weak web presence, inadequate meeting notices, and limited management mechanisms. They said staffing levels often correlated with the ability to meet statutory requirements, and they recommended updates to district governance and transparency practices. On enforcement, staff reviewed local governments and special districts that had failed to file required financial reports or had submitted audit reports missing required information. The committee approved staff recommendations to proceed under the statutory enforcement process for the noncompliant entities, with flexibility for the chair and vice chair to delay action if additional information is provided in good faith. The committee also voted to send a letter to the Union County Legislative Delegation encouraging a local bill to dissolve the Town of Rayford, based on staff’s view that the town lacked employees, services, debt, and a clear reason to continue existing as an incorporated municipality.

Transcript Highlights:

• For one example, Arizona's Medicaid agency has requested $19 million in their agency budget request specifically
• not just a budget in itself.
• That's huge when you think about how small their budget is.
• So, when they go in for their budget requests, they will have some type of a request that they can say
• They received more than double the requests.

Transcript Highlights:

• Of the Assembly Budget Committee, today's informational hearing is going to go over our budget bill and
• This bill is a budget bill junior that amends SB 101, the legislature's proposed budget for 2025 and
• in this final budget.
• I appreciate our Budget Committee, especially our Chair and our Budget Staff, for hearing those requests
• As a member of Budget Subcommittee Three, I am happy to sit on this Budget Committee as well.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, let’s go to the water quality budget. Thank you. Okay, let’s go to the water quality budget.
• That was at the request of the commission themselves. Okay.
• comments about the budget.
• comments about the budget.
• to testify or make comments about the budget?

Bills: S0314, S0530, S0576, S0800, S0990, S1078, S1440, S1568, S1588, S1614

Keywords: payment stablecoin, financial regulation, anti-money laundering, state oversight, digital currency, financial services, Florida lottery, state lottery, lottery tickets, lottery retailer, Department of the Lottery, Division of Security, ball machine, lottery vending machine, instant tickets, online lottery tickets, major procurement, vendor disclosure, performance bond, retailer bond

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several bills related to engineering regulation, cybersecurity, financial services, and state administration. CS/SB 800 would increase penalties for repeated unlicensed engineering practice and create an engineering student loan assistance program funded by licensure fees and fines; it was reported favorably after questions about whether it would reimburse victims of unlicensed practitioners, with the sponsor noting it would not and that affected individuals would need to pursue complaints and private legal action. CS/SB 576 created a local government cybersecurity protection program administered by Florida Digital Service, with state purchasing of cybersecurity services and priority for fiscally constrained counties; it received support from local government and industry groups and was reported favorably. CS/SB 1078 set transition requirements for gubernatorial administrations, including liaisons, briefing books, office space, IT access, and controlled access to agency records under a memorandum of understanding, and it also passed favorably. The committee also approved CS/SB 314, which creates a regulatory framework for payment stablecoin issuers in Florida, and CS/SB 530, which updates lottery operations, security, retailer rules, and bonding requirements. CS/SB 1614, after adoption of a technical substitute amendment, would limit local governments’ eligibility for certain state funding if they have excess funds, have recently been audited by the legislative audit committee, or fail to affirm expenditure of prior funds; the sponsor said it would give the Joint Legislative Auditing Committee more enforcement leverage, and the bill was reported favorably. CS/SB 990 authorizes protective cell captive insurance companies to expand insurance market capacity and potentially lower premiums, while CS/SB 1588 is a step toward implementing last session’s gold and silver legal tender law; both were reported favorably. Additional bills passed included CS/SB 1440, which adds cybersecurity-related exemptions and reporting provisions for financial institutions, loan originators, and money service businesses, and CS/SB 1568, which creates a Florida Stable Coin Pilot Program allowing DFS fees to be paid with approved stablecoins. The stablecoin bill was amended to add guardrails, including fee limits, website notice requirements, and restrictions if no approved issuers are available. The committee also received a brief budget overview highlighting major funding items such as Florida Forever, Everglades restoration, water quality, Farmers Feeding Florida, citrus recovery, school lunches, state parks, and law enforcement and staffing items, and members later recorded additional votes before the committee adjourned.