Transcript Highlights:

• We welcome public testimony.
• their testimony as well.
• We have some testimony on this nomination. Thank you very much for your testimony.
• Thank you very much for your testimony, ma'am. Thank you very much for your testimony, ma'am.
• Thank you for your testimony. Are there questions from Mr. Aaron? Questions? I will ask.

Summary: The committee met to consider a large slate of appointments, with the main discussion centered on the confirmation of Chavon Harris as Secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA). Harris testified about her background in state service and outlined agency priorities including Medicaid financial accountability, transparency, managed care oversight, behavioral health redesign, rural health access, workforce recruitment, and use of technology and AI. Senators questioned her extensively about the Hope Florida/Medicaid settlement controversy, opioid settlement-funded advertising campaigns tied to marijuana prevention and the 2024 Amendment 3 election, public records compliance, abortion reporting and enforcement under the Heartbeat Protection Act, managed care denials, value-based purchasing, and Medicaid funding pressures. After debate, the committee voted to recommend her confirmation, with Senator Polsky voting no. The committee then considered Anna Ortega and Robert Payne for the Florida Public Service Commission. Ortega, a current PSC commissioner and former staff advisor, discussed utility regulation, data center load issues, ratepayer protections, transparency in PSC decisions, and lessons from other states. Payne, a former legislator and longtime utility co-op employee, emphasized his technical background and the need to balance utility returns with consumer affordability. Both nominees were confirmed by unanimous or near-unanimous votes and recommended favorably to the full Senate. Next, the committee heard from Jeffrey Aaron for reappointment to the Public Employees Relations Commission. Aaron described PERC’s role in public-sector labor disputes and said his work had been upheld in appellate courts without reversal. Senators questioned him about his law firm’s state contracts, his role as chairman of Attorney General James Uthmeier’s PAC, and his connection to the Hope Florida Foundation matter; he declined to discuss the pending investigation. Public testimony included opposition from Florida Voice for the Unborn. The committee nevertheless recommended his confirmation, with several no votes. Finally, the committee approved the remaining appointees on tabs 5 through 46 in a single vote, postponing Dr. John Littell and DCF Secretary Hatch, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, we'll move to opposition testimony.
• Okay, we'll go ahead and take additional testimony.
• Okay, we'll go ahead and take additional testimony.
• Any additional opposition testimony?
• Moving to opposition testimony. Moving to opposition testimony. Good afternoon.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy heard several bills focused on grid reliability, affordability, clean energy infrastructure, and industrial decarbonization. AB 222, by Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan, would require more data reporting on data centers and aim to prevent ratepayers from bearing related grid costs; supporters said better information is needed to plan for rapidly growing electricity demand from AI and data centers, while opponents warned about privacy, security, trade-secret, and cost-shifting concerns. The bill passed the committee on a 13-4 vote, with the roll left open for absent members. AB 941, by Assemblymember Bonta, would impose a 270-day timeline for CPUC review of priority transmission projects to speed clean-energy infrastructure buildout. Supporters argued that transmission delays are slowing California’s climate goals and raising costs, while opponents raised concerns about CEQA process, staffing, and prioritization. The bill passed 15-0. AB 1191, by Assemblymember Tangipa, would make existing large hydroelectric facilities eligible for the Renewable Portfolio Standard; supporters framed it as a way to lower rates and ease affordability pressures, while opponents said it would undermine the purpose of the RPS by substituting existing resources for new renewable development. That bill failed on a 4-11 vote. AB 1280, by Assemblymember Garcia, would expand state grant programs to support thermal energy storage projects for industrial decarbonization. Supporters said it would help modernize manufacturing, cut pollution in disadvantaged communities, and preserve jobs, with broad support from environmental and clean manufacturing groups and no opposition testimony. The bill passed 17-0. AB 1117, by Assemblymember Schultz, would require the CPUC to offer optional dynamic electricity rate tariffs for customers to shift usage away from peak periods; supporters said it could lower bills and improve grid efficiency, while utilities said they were not opposed to the concept but wanted more flexibility and time in the regulatory process. That bill passed 14-0. The committee also approved its consent calendar and other noncontroversial items, with several measures moving forward unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• Do we have any public testimony? Gary Hunter, Neal Communities, is a proponent. Public testimony.
• Do we have any public testimony? No public testimony, members. We are in debate.
• And you heard testimony—well, not even testimony, but you heard from one of the members of that particular
• We have no public testimony on the amendment.
• We have no public testimony on the amendment.

Summary: The committee heard and approved several measures. HB 735 expanded Florida’s boating improvement program to fund parking for boat trailers at public ramps and offered a 10% sovereign submerged land lease discount for manufacturers using environmental best management practices; it passed unanimously. HB 4021 expanded the North River Ranch Improvement Stewardship District in Manatee County by 640 acres and was reported favorably. CS for HB 371, which promotes nature-based methods and green/gray infrastructure for coastal resilience, also passed unanimously after supportive testimony from resilience and environmental groups and committee members. The committee then took up HJR 1325, a proposed constitutional amendment to create an elected Commissioner of Government Efficiency (COGE) with authority to audit, investigate, and report on waste, fraud, and abuse in state and local government. The proposal would eliminate the lieutenant governor position, the Government Efficiency Task Force, and the legislature’s current auditor appointment, with many implementation details deferred to a future bill. Members debated the scope of the new office, its relationship to the Auditor General and inspectors general, whether it should cover the legislative and judicial branches, staffing, and the comparison to federal DOGE efforts. An amendment making a minor wording change was adopted, and the resolution passed 23-? with a favorable report after a split vote. The committee also approved two Gulf of America bills. HB 575 redesignated the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America, and CS for HB 549 required Florida’s academic standards and newly adopted instructional materials to reflect the federal designation for materials acquired on or after July 1, 2025. Both measures drew criticism from members who argued the renaming was politically motivated, historically insensitive, and potentially confusing for students, while supporters said Florida should align with federal action. HB 575 passed and CS for HB 549 passed 18-7. Finally, HB 4071, a local bill adjusting the boundary between Coral Springs and Parkland in Broward County by about 8.7 acres, was amended and reported favorably with support from both cities and the Broward delegation.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have no invited testimony on this bill.
• Give us your testimony. morning.
• Seeing and hearing none, this concludes public testimony on the bill.
• Public testimony is closed and the bill will be left pending.
• Senate Bill 502, the floor is now open for public testimony.

Bills: SB502, SB513, SB622, SB670, SB731, SB732, SB916, SB961, SB1122

Keywords: SB 502, Texas peace officers, Health and Human Services Commission, HHSC Office of Inspector General, OIG investigators, law enforcement classification, Schedule C, state employee benefits, injury benefits, peace officer status, commissioned officers, state auditor classification, Government Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, human services, health and human services, law enforcement compensation, public employee benefits, Texas state law enforcement, child welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• any further public testimony? any further public testimony?
• further public testimony?
• testimony from any other agencies? testimony from any other agencies?
• Any further public testimony? Seeing none, we'll close public testimony.
• Any further public testimony? Seeing none, we'll close public testimony.

Bills: SF0058, SF0061, SF0095, SF0107

Keywords: Indian child welfare, tribal relations, sunset repeal, Wyoming law, child custody, sales tax, motor vehicle, family transfer, tax exemption, Wyoming legislation, driver's license, motor vehicle services, third-party providers, Wyoming, regulatory compliance, registration, license plate, electronic system, State Department of Transportation, county treasurers

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for the testimony.
• Thank you both so much for your testimony and your time.
• Go ahead and begin your testimony.
• Bowden. for your work and for your testimony today.
• I appreciate your testimony. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Bills: HB 1181, HB3704, HB1363, HB1610, HB1615, HB1620, HB3223, HB1317, HB2884, HB2176, HB4027, HB1664, HB933, HB2613, HB3353, HB2086, HB4101, HB3441, HB4145, HB3455

Keywords: judiciary, judges, justices, retired, legal assignments, judicial conduct, notary public, criminal offense, education requirements, official documents, record retention, implicit bias, bias training, judicial training, judge education, court personnel, continuing legal education, CLE, state bar, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for hearing basic testimony.
• Thank you for your testimony. me. Thank you for your testimony.
• Questions Thank you for your testimony.
• testimony. Questions from the committee? testimony. Questions from the committee?
• I Thank you, sir, for your testimony.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thanks for your testimony. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• <00:20:42.960> that I think we have some testimony that I think we have some testimony that
• <00:28:41.360> here which will be providing testimony here which will be providing testimony
• We love able to focus on the testimony.
• Appreciate your testimony.

Bills: HB0130, HB0095, HB0096, HB0097, SF0101, SF0106, SF0067, SF0123

Keywords: Second Amendment, firearms, state rights, federal regulation, law enforcement, civil penalties, government liability, concealed carry, public colleges, university facilities, weapons legislation, self-defense, campus safety, weapons, age requirement, permits, HB0097, Wyoming firearms privacy, merchant category code, MCC

Transcript Highlights:

• Please introduce yourself and present your testimony.
• Thank you for your testimony. Ms.
• Amber Leer: Thank you for your testimony. Mr.
• thank you very much for your testimony thank you very much for your testimony uh<01:11:30.040>
• Thank you for your testimony.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > and to refer to the written testimony um and to refer to the written testimony um and a<00:07
• committee thank you for your testimony committee thank you for your testimony we'll<00:25:30.320
• and then thanked the committee for the testimony.
• and thanked the committee for the testimony.
• you very much a very good testimony you very much a very good testimony let's<00:54:11.200> go

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Please state your name for the record, and we'll take your testimony. Your testimony.
• Thank you for your testimony.
• Thank you for your testimony.
• Thank you for your testimony. Yes, thank you.
• Thank you for your testimony.

Bills: HF2312

Keywords: higher education, college finance, student aid, financial aid, state grants, North Star Promise, scholarships, tuition relief, Minnesota State, University of Minnesota, Office of Higher Education, work-study, child care grants, Indian scholarships, tribal colleges, Hunger-Free Campus, student parents, pregnant students, parenting students, sexual misconduct

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you very much for your testimony. Thank you very much.
• Price, thank you so much for the your testimony.
• I have a few questions and I appreciate your time. testimony.
• Blair, I appreciate your testimony and answering these questions for you.
• Horton for your testimony members Any questions for Mr. Horton?

Bills: HB39, HB227, HB930, HB 1078, HB39, HB227

Keywords: highway designation, veteran recognition, commemorative, transportation, Brazoria County, Texas National Guard, combat duty, military activation, state requirements, emergency response, active combat duty, military service, Congressional action, Governor responsibilities, Congressional declaration, state law, conflict, armed forces, congressional approval, war declaration

Transcript Highlights:

• Golnick, thank you for your testimony and for your service. Ms. Marge.
• Thank you for your testimony, Mr. Eaton.
• And I mentioned it in my testimony: continuity is really critical.
• Thank you all for your testimony.
• And I appreciate the testimony that we heard.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there public testimony in this bill? We have Barney Bishop waiving in support.
• We have public testimony.
• See no further public testimony members. We're in debate.
• There's no public testimony on the amendment members.
• We do have public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is see testimony u, written testimony.
• . testimony. testimony.
• . testimony. testimony.
• Thanks for your testimony. testimony. testimony.
• Thank you for your testimony. testimony. testimony. >> Thank<05:15:22.080> you.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, before we get to your testimony, I'll ask the deputy general counsel to introduce your item.
• Masa, would you like to provide some testimony? Thank you.
• Biederman, do you have, uh, would you like to provide testimony?
• Caesar, uh, will you be providing testimony in this matter? Ms. Caesar, can you hear me?
• Now, before we get to your testimony, I'll, I'll have Ms. McDermott introduce your item. OK.

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing none, thank you for your testimony.
• Thank you for your testimony, John.
• Appreciate your testimony.
• Thank you for your testimony. Are there questions for this witness?
• Seeing none, thank you for your testimony. Thank you, sir.

Bills: HB246, HB796, HB 1056, HB1544, HB1846, HB2001, HB2618, HB2625, HB2869, HB2898, HB3069, HB3114, HB3157, HB3228, HJR98, HB246

Keywords: federal directives, state authority, Tenth Amendment, government enforcement, local governance, gold standard, legal tender, currency, transactional currency, financial transactions, electronic payment systems, state finance, regulatory compliance, electric trucks, charging infrastructure, advisory council, transportation, sustainability, criminal penalties, official information

Transcript Highlights:

• Alright, I'll proceed to testimony. OK, thank you.
• Have a written testimony she had the park earlier? No.
• Thank you for your testimony today.
• So I think I'm hearing your testimony.
• There is no registered testimony tonight.

Bills: HB 256, HB 1308, HB 1554, HB 1743, HB 2308, HB 2351, HB 2858, HB 3676, HB 3784, HB 4312, HB 4552, HB 4823, HB 4852, HB 5007, HB 5010, HB 5520, HB 5524, HCR 19

Keywords: E-verify, employment verification, illegal employment, state contracts, government entities, license suspension, immigration compliance, state grant funding, E-Verify, compliance, penalties, immigration, government contracts, employee status, state contractors, E-verify program, legally present, employment practices, legal services, public money

Transcript Highlights:

• Public testimony. Here we go. All right.
• Public testimony. Here we go. All right.
• Thank you for your testimony. Next up, Bijou, is it Eichley?
• No public testimony. Debate. Recognize the close. Wave close.
• And hearing your testimony is very compelling.

Summary: The committee took up a series of health and human services bills, beginning with CS/SB 1602, which would require emergency departments to have evidence-based pediatric care protocols, training, appropriate child-sized equipment and medications, a designated care coordinator, and participation in a pediatric readiness assessment. It was reported favorably. CS/SB 1224 followed, aligning Florida law with federal requirements so paramedics may administer controlled substances in the field under physician or nurse practitioner protocols; it also passed favorably after supportive testimony from fire chiefs. The committee then adopted a strike-all for SB 890, the Emily Adkins Family Protection Act, which addresses venous thromboembolism by creating a statewide registry, requiring screening and training in hospitals and long-term care settings, and adding assisted living facility response requirements. Assisted living representatives objected to the ALF provisions as unrealistic and potentially harmful, while supporters argued the bill would save lives; the bill was reported favorably. CS/SB 1182, requiring continuous glucose monitors to be covered as both durable medical equipment and a pharmacy benefit, also passed favorably with support from AARP. The committee next considered CS/SB 12, a claim bill for a child severely injured after a DCF home visit allegedly failed to meet standards, and it was reported favorably without opposition. CS/CS/SB 954, dealing with substance abuse treatment centers and recovery residences, drew substantial debate. The bill would limit local zoning restrictions on treatment facilities and allow larger recovery residences if staffing ratios are increased; a late-filed amendment reduced the maximum active patients from 500 to 300. Municipal and county representatives warned that the bill could override local reasonable-accommodation efforts and create institutional-scale facilities, while supporters said housing is essential to recovery and that clustering concerns are overstated. The committee ultimately reported the bill favorably. CS/SB 1050, expanding the developmental disabilities pilot program statewide and creating a statewide family care council, also passed after extensive testimony from families and advocates. Supporters emphasized the long waitlist and the need for more services, while some speakers opposed managed care and warned about provider shortages and loss of individualized supports. Later, CS/SB 614, requiring a public educational webpage about background screening clearinghouse and level two screening requirements, was reported favorably. CS/SB 1578, which would require coverage for mammograms and supplemental breast cancer screening in certain circumstances, was also reported favorably. CS/SB 1060 created a joint legislative oversight committee to review Medicaid operations and financing; members discussed the need for stronger oversight of large midyear spending adjustments, and the bill passed favorably. CS/SB 1240, a Department of Children and Families substance abuse and mental health bill, was amended to clarify Baker Act transfer timing and notification requirements after debate over whether facilities could hold patients too long; it was then reported favorably. Finally, Senator Harrell presented CS/SB 526, a major nursing education bill aimed at Florida’s low NCLEX passage rates. The bill would require nursing programs to use exit exams, remediation, reporting, and stricter oversight, and the strike-all would add graduate preceptorships for low-performing programs and temporary provisional licenses for graduates pending NCLEX passage. The transcript ended while that bill was still being explained, before final action was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, sir, for your testimony.
• Uh, sir, I have no prepared testimony this afternoon.
• Uh, seeing no, thank you very much for your testimony.
• Uh, Sing Nan, uh, thank you for your testimony.
• Uh, you know, thank you very much for your testimony.