Transcript Highlights:

• So I do want to ask if there's anyone from the Department of Commerce here if I could ask a question
• So I do want to ask if there's anyone from the Department of Commerce here if I could ask a question
• <00:20:39.600> of anyone from uh the Department of anyone from uh the Department of Commerce
• c><00:21:28.679> make<00:21:28.760> sure Department of Commerce and to make sure Department
• Smith with the Department of Commerce, if you take another question while he's running up there.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• of Commerce.
• And the lack of regulatory enforcement by the Commerce Department at this time will put costs back onto
• And the lack of regulatory enforcement by the Commerce Department at this time will put costs back onto
• plans and by the Department of Commerce. plans and by the Department of Commerce.
• c> time by the Commerce Department at this time by the Commerce Department at this time will<00:15

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: Senators and House members held a press event in support of HF 4188, a bill addressing commercial insurance coverage for home care nursing for medically complex children who also receive medical assistance. Speakers said the issue arose after Medica and HealthPartners began imposing caps on coverage that had been provided for years under Minnesota law, and argued that the change would shift costs to Medicaid and taxpayers, create budget pressure, and force families to reduce other needed services. They emphasized that home care nursing is distinct from short-term home health visits and said the bill would prohibit quantity limits and clarify that insurers must continue covering authorized nursing care. Parents and family members described the impact on children who depend on continuous skilled nursing to remain safely at home, including one family whose child Nash has spent extensive time hospitalized and another speaker who said her niece Isabel’s care showed how many nurses, aides, and hospice workers are involved in these cases. Testimony stressed that the coverage caps could lead to more hospitalizations, ICU stays, and trauma for children and families, while costing more overall than home care. Several lawmakers, including Sen. Matt Klein and Rep. Robert Bierman, said the statute’s original intent was clear in 2010 and that the plans’ reinterpretation and the Commerce Department’s response should be corrected. Lawmakers said the Commerce and Consumer Protection Conference Committee has completed its work but is being kept open for the remaining days of session in hopes of resolving the issue this year. In response to questions, supporters said the bill is intended as a clarification rather than a new mandate, that it would simply bar caps on already-authorized home care nursing, and that they believe there is support to move it through the House and Senate before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am the Deputy Secretary of Economic Development at the Florida Department of Commerce.
• Proposals are reviewed by the Florida Department of Commerce.
• Proposals are reviewed by the Florida Department of Commerce.
• This includes, at a minimum, Florida Commerce, the Department of Education, and the Department of Children
• This includes, at a minimum, Florida Commerce, the Department of Education, and the Department of Children

Summary: The committee met to receive a base budget overview for agencies under its jurisdiction, which include the Division of Emergency Management, Department of Commerce, Department of State, Department of Transportation, Department of Military Affairs, and Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Staff explained the budget format and noted that the Legislature appropriated more than $20.2 billion to these agencies in the current fiscal year, a 66.7% increase over 10 years. The Department of Transportation then presented on the Moving Florida Forward initiative, describing it as a $7 billion effort to advance 20 major congestion-relief projects statewide. Secretary Jared Perdue said the department is ahead of schedule, with 14 of 20 projects expected to be underway by the end of the calendar year. He highlighted major projects including I-4 in Polk and Osceola counties, I-75 improvements, Southwest 10th Street in Broward County, Fruitville Road, Capital Circle in Tallahassee, and I-275, and discussed innovations such as aggregate supply grants, modified phase design-build, workforce hiring events, and voluntary acceleration. Senators asked about business impacts from construction, tourism-related transit funding, aggregate sourcing, and labor shortages; the secretary said FDOT works with local businesses and that additional revenue sources for transit would require legislative action. The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reviewed motorist services, revenue collection, licensing, vehicle titling, specialty plates, insurance compliance, driver safety, and commercial driver licensing. Officials said the department collected about $2.9 billion in revenue in fiscal year 2023-24 and described modernization efforts, including electronic verification systems, Real ID compliance, mobile licensing units, and a planned digital driver license. Members asked about the driver license backlog in Miami-Dade and Broward, and the department said service delays were driven by growth and staffing constraints but should improve with $7.5 million in recent funding and the eventual transition of services to county tax collectors. Questions also addressed temporary paper licenses and birth certificate fraud prevention. The Department of Commerce presented on the Job Growth Grant Fund and Visit Florida. Commerce said the grant fund, created in 2017, has awarded $257 million to 70 projects in 37 counties since 2019, with demand exceeding supply about four to one. Officials emphasized that the program supports targeted industries and workforce and infrastructure projects, and they highlighted examples in CDL training, semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, and health care. Senators raised concerns about small businesses affected by transportation construction, and Commerce said it has an Office of Small Business Innovation and other tools, though the grant fund is limited by statute to targeted industries. Visit Florida then described its public-private tourism marketing role, saying the state’s $80 million appropriation is matched by private investment and that the latest EDR review found a $3.30 return in tax revenue for every state dollar spent. Visit Florida reported record visitation and tourism spending, along with hurricane recovery marketing and rural promotion efforts.

Transcript Highlights:

• Item C, beginning on page nine, is a request from the Department of Commerce and the Department of Veterans
• The Department of Commerce is requesting approval of their plan to provide lump sum bonus awards up to
• plans the department of commerce is requesting approval of their plan to provide lump sum bonus awards
• This is provided by the Department of Commerce, the Division Force.
• And were they moved under Commerce during transformation? Weren't they at Department of Health?

Summary: The committee first took up several personnel and compensation requests. It approved a Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism reclassification that would trade three administrative coordinator positions for one park superintendent, one maintenance supervisor, and one park manager. It also approved one-time bonus and recruitment plans for the Department of Commerce and Department of Veterans Affairs, including up to $5,000 bonuses tied to the unemployment insurance modernization project and $2,000 bonuses for certified nursing assistants at the state veterans homes. A Department of Health request to reinstate a previously frozen fiscal support manager position for the State Medical Board was also approved; members were told the position was already authorized and would not increase total positions. The committee then reviewed a Department of Commerce reduction in force affecting the Division of Workforce Services for the Blind and Employment and Training divisions. Secretary Hugh McDonald and Workforce Connections Director Cody Waits explained that the cuts were driven by over-obligated federal funds, a prior realignment, and what they described as long-standing fiscal mismanagement in the Division of Services for the Blind. They said 56 employees remained furloughed, five employees in a separate grant group were still working, and 17 positions were on the permanent RIF list. Senators questioned the division’s accountability structure, the role of the independent board, and whether the layoffs were being handled fairly, including a request for racial composition data on the workforce and the RIF group. Members also discussed quarterly employment and overtime reports. Staff explained that the reports cover average staffing levels over each quarter, and members focused on overtime spending, especially in DHS, the Department of Correction, and the Department of Transportation. OPM said overtime is being reviewed, direct care positions remain exempt from the hiring freeze, and agencies have been hiring more staff since the new pay plan took effect. The committee asked for additional reporting on overtime trends, and the meeting adjourned without further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:52:54.720> of typical for the um Department of typical for the um Department of Commerce
• Smith from the Department of Commerce. Smith from the Department of Commerce.
• Smith from the Department of Commerce. Mr. Smith, welcome back.
• Smith from the Department of Commerce. Mr. Smith, welcome back.
• :59.920> forward<01:22:00.159> to Department of Commerce looks forward to Department of

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh to the department, department, department, >> [clears throat] >> [clears throat] >&
• Commerce.
• Commerce.
• Yeah, I'm actually pretty curious about this, whether or not the Department of Commerce would have enforcement
• Department of Labor. Department of Labor.

Bills: HF3878, HF4131, HF3796, HF4097

Keywords: airport workers, wage standards, labor rights, minimum wage, economic equity, surveillance, price discrimination, wage discrimination, consumer rights, automated decision systems, Minnesota Statutes, suitable seating, employee seating, workplace seating, occupational safety, workplace safety, labor standards, employer requirements, chair, stool

Transcript Highlights:

• The Department of Commerce is committed to promoting strong consumer protections and regulatory consistency
• The Department of Commerce is committed to promoting strong consumer protections and regulatory consistency
• As reflected in the mandate review report from the Department of Commerce, no fiscal impact is projected
• <00:42:16.000> of<00:42:16.080> Commerce, report from the Department of Commerce, report
• from the Department of Commerce, no<00:42:16.880> fiscal<00:42:17.360> is<00:42:17.520

Bills: HF1606, HF3733, HF743, HF2627, HF4071

Keywords: nudification technology, image rights, privacy protection, sexual exploitation, cybersecurity, recreational camping, utility fees, electricity charges, consumer protection, energy policy, health insurance, insulin, step therapy, diabetes, patient care, prescription drugs, pet shops, animal welfare, dog sales, cat sales

Transcript Highlights:

• to have the Department of Commerce here to have the Department of Commerce here to start<00:05:08.000
• Department of Commerce on Assistant Department of Commerce on Assistant Commissioner<00:10:09.360
• <01:19:21.360> state Department of Commerce and other state Department of Commerce and other
• showed know, Department of Commerce just showed know, Department of Commerce just showed us<01:34
• dig<01:35:20.639> in the department of commerce will dig in the department of commerce will

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 2393, alternative products, persons; Commerce.
• HB 2402, Ambulance Services Certificate; Commerce.
• HB 2754, Commerce Authority Board of Directors; Commerce.
• HB 2869, a treason certification; Commerce.
• HB 2903, social credit use prohibition; Commerce.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the prior journal, and took attendance. Members then recognized several guest groups and individuals, including the West Valley Regional Chamber, Habitat for Humanity, Special Olympics Arizona, Vitalant for National Blood Donor Month, and veterans and military family representatives in advance of a Veterans Caucus meeting. A proclamation was read recognizing January as National Blood Donor Month in Arizona and honoring Vitalant’s role in supplying blood to Arizona patients. The chamber also heard a declaration naming January 22, 2026, West Valley Regional Chamber Day, and members made personal remarks, including a memorial tribute to Jennifer Marie Walker Skaggs and announcements about committee meetings and caucus events. The House recorded attendance, entered committee reports, and processed a large number of bills through first and second reading, covering elections, education, veterans, health, housing, taxation, artificial intelligence, public safety, and other topics. Several bills were also withdrawn and reassigned to different committees, including referrals to Artificial Intelligence and Innovation, Government, and Public Safety and Law Enforcement. No substantive floor debate or final votes on legislation occurred in the transcript beyond procedural motions. The House later recessed and reconvened, continued first-reading referrals for additional bills and resolutions, and then adjourned on a motion approved by voice vote until 1:15 p.m. Monday, January 26, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Item C, beginning on page 9, is a request from the Department of Commerce and the Department of Veterans
• The Department of Commerce is requesting approval of their plan to provide lump-sum bonus awards up to
• This is provided by the Department of Commerce, the Division of Workforce Services, for the elimination
• of Commerce.
• And were they moved under Commerce during transformation, weren't they at Department of Health or DHS

Summary: The committee first considered a Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism request to swap three administrative coordinator positions for one park superintendent, one maintenance supervisor, and one park manager for Blanchard Springs State Park. Members were told the change would be funded by conservation tax special revenues, would not increase total positions, and had OPM’s support. The item was reviewed and approved without objection. Members then approved two special compensation plans: one from the Department of Commerce for lump-sum bonuses of up to $5,000 for employees involved in the unemployment insurance system migration to a cloud-based platform, and one from the Department of Veterans Affairs for $2,000 recruitment bonuses for certified nursing assistants at the Fayetteville and North Little Rock State Veterans Homes. The Department of Health also received approval to reinstate a previously frozen fiscal support manager position for the State Medical Board, with the agency noting the position was already authorized and would not increase total staffing. The committee spent substantial time on a Commerce reduction-in-force affecting the Division of Services for the Blind and related workforce operations. Secretary Hugh McDonald said the layoffs were driven by over-obligated federal funds, lack of fiscal planning, and a need to realign operations; he said the RIF would be permanent and that 56 employees remained furloughed, with 17 positions slated for elimination. Senators questioned the division’s accountability structure, the role of the board and governor, and whether the cuts disproportionately affected African American employees; Commerce was asked to provide racial composition data for the workforce and the RIF. The committee also reviewed quarterly employment and overtime reports. Members asked about overtime levels at DHS, Corrections, and Transportation, and whether higher staffing levels and the new pay plan were reducing overtime. OPM said overtime was being monitored, that direct-care positions are exempt from the hiring freeze, and that the state had hired more than 1,200 employees at DHS since the new system went live. No further action was taken on the report items, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• department of commerce um uh conducts. department of commerce um uh conducts.
• Chronic pain Department of Commerce.
• Does this come out of a Commerce Department budget?
• the from the Department of Commerce with the from the Department of Commerce with the facts<01:09
• /c><01:10:13.760> and Department of Commerce on cost and Department of Commerce on cost and things

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is the Department of Transportation agency bill, and there is an amendment.
• The department will also develop a promotional campaign in partnership with local chambers of commerce
• Is there a current program under Commerce that gives grants for this?
• of Commerce the room to create that rule.
• Commerce analysis on the bill.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development met to consider a full agenda of bills, beginning with CS/CS/SB 1662, the Department of Transportation agency bill. Senator Collins presented a strike-all amendment that retained creation of the Florida Transportation Academy, clarified the Florida Transportation Research Institute, restored legislative budget commission review for certain work program amendments, adjusted small-business and supply-chain grant provisions, added airport and seaport accountability measures, and allowed special blanket permits for oversized cranes to travel at night under FDOT safety protocols. The committee adopted the amendment and then reported the bill favorably. The committee also favorably reported SB 574, allowing Florida Purple Heart license plate holders to pass tolls free, and CS/SB 824, creating a specialty plate supporting Florida Highway Patrol troopers and scholarships. The committee then took up CS/SB 324, which creates a revolving low-interest loan program at the Department of Commerce for small businesses harmed by significant public works construction. Senator Smith described a local example involving prolonged sewer work in Orlando that hurt businesses in the Lake Ivanhoe district. Members raised concerns about fiscal impact, eligibility standards, proof of loss, business age, and whether financial records should be protected from public disclosure. The bill was amended to remove a hotline, add a webpage, and refine liability language, and the committee reported it favorably. The committee also favorably reported CS/SB 1714, requiring local housing assistance plans to include support for mobile home owners, including lot-rent assistance; CS/SB 766, revising registration requirements for agents and organizations tied to foreign countries of concern; and CS/SB 1024, creating specialty plates for the U.S. Military Academy and U.S. Naval Academy. Additional measures approved included CS/SB 1246, authorizing a Save Coastal Wildlife specialty plate with proceeds going to the Zoo Miami Foundation; CS/SB 1644, expanding warning light use for volunteer firefighters, medical staff, and organ transport vehicles, with discussion focused on Hatzalah emergency services; SB 1152, increasing the Florida Wildflower specialty plate fee to support conservation, research, and native seed industry development; and CS/SB 532, exempting 100% disabled veterans from tolls. An amendment to SB 532 also added Purple Heart recipients to the toll exemption. Several members requested to be recorded voting in the affirmative on selected tabs, and the committee adjourned after all bills were reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• And how will the Commerce Department, as I understand now, the Commerce Department's being brought in
• and the Department of Commerce and and the Department of Commerce and and Minnesota<00:41:06.160>
• the for the Department of Commerce and the for the Department of Commerce and the RO<00:41:18.960
• <00:44:12.400> Department brought in the Commerce Department brought in the Commerce Department
• 62J the Department of Commerce, the 62J the Department of Commerce, the 62J process<01:25:43.040

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Next item, B2, is a letter from the Department of Commerce, Division of Aeronautics.
• It's a letter from Commerce, Insurance Department. This is for $1 million in appropriation.
• This is a letter from the Commerce Insurance Department again.
• Department of Commerce for the second tranche of the BEAD program—that's the Broadband Equity, Access
• And of course we would expect continued audits by the Department of Commerce moving forward. Okay.

Summary: The committee considered and approved several temporary appropriation requests in Section B, including spending authority for the Court of Appeals to pay appointed counsel in criminal appeals, Commerce/Aeronautics airport and aviation grants, and Insurance Department items for workers’ compensation benefits and premium tax refunds. It also approved ARPA-related requests in Section C to return unused federal funds from DHS aging, mental health, substance abuse, and Older Americans Act grants. In Section D, the committee reviewed and approved Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act requests, including Agriculture grants for wildfire preparedness and forestry capacity, a large Commerce broadband BEAD request, environmental recycling-related reallocations, and Oil and Gas Commission grants for facility repairs and sample preservation. Members questioned the broadband program’s audit process and performance safeguards; the State Broadband Director said the funds are federal, subject to audits, and payments are released only after engineering certification of completed work. The committee also approved DHS reallocations in Section E, including major transfers within Medical Services from hospital medical appropriations to private and public nursing home lines, as well as transfers for children and family services, developmental disabilities, and youth services. The committee then reviewed cash fund requests, miscellaneous federal grants, pay plan and performance fund transfers, methods of finance, and a large set of contracts. A Northwest Arkansas Community College official explained storm-damage repairs and insurance settlement issues, and DHS explained its hospital medical transfer was moving excess appropriation rather than cash. Members also questioned several UAPB tobacco prevention subgrants, especially arts-based outreach, and asked for more data on effectiveness; the committee later voted to expunge and re-refer the J-2 item for further review at a later ALC meeting. Additional discussion covered a DEQ grant to Free Geek of Arkansas for e-waste recycling, a UAPB tobacco program, and various contracts for universities, DHS services, corrections, and public safety. The meeting ended with reports filed for information and a brief member comment thanking others for concern after a tornado in Stone County; no one was injured.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the strike-all amendment to the Department of Transportation agency bill.
• The department will also develop a promotional campaign in partnership with local chambers of commerce
• Is there a current program under Commerce that gives grants for this?
• of Commerce the room to create that rule.
• The staff analysis correctly outlined some fiscal impact that was based on a Department of Commerce analysis

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development considered a full agenda of transportation, economic development, housing, emergency services, and specialty license plate bills. Several measures were explained and advanced without opposition, including the Department of Transportation agency bill (CS/CS/SB 1662), a Purple Heart toll exemption bill (CS/SB 574), a Florida Highway Patrol specialty plate bill (CS/SB 824), a construction disruption assistance loan program for small businesses (CS/CS/SB 324), a manufactured housing assistance bill for local housing plans (CS/SB 1714), a foreign agents registration bill (CS/CS/SB 766), military academy specialty plates (CS/SB 1024), a Safe Coastal Wildlife specialty plate (CS/SB 1246), an emergency services warning-light bill (CS/SB 1644), the Florida Wildflower specialty plate (SB 1152), and a toll exemption bill for 100% disabled veterans and Purple Heart recipients (CS/SB 532). The committee adopted amendments on several bills. On CS/CS/SB 1662, Senator Collins’ strike-all amendment made a range of DOT-related changes, including the Florida Transportation Academy, seaport and airport accountability provisions, and allowing cranes to move under special blanket permits at night. On CS/CS/SB 324, the committee adopted a delete-everything amendment and a further amendment removing liability language; the bill would create a revolving loan program for small businesses harmed by public works construction, with members raising concerns about eligibility, verification of losses, and public records issues for financial documents. On CS/SB 766, an amendment clarified definitions and aligned the bill with federal FARA standards, including a 20% beneficial ownership threshold. On CS/SB 532, an amendment added Purple Heart recipients to the toll exemption. Testimony and debate were generally supportive, with several outside witnesses appearing in favor of the bills, including Florida PBA, the Florida Manufactured Homeowners Federation, the Florida Manufactured Housing Association, the Center for Security Policy, and the Florida Wildflower Foundation. Members highlighted constituent impacts and policy concerns on a few measures, especially the construction disruption loan bill and the disabled veteran toll exemption, where some senators suggested narrowing the scope or adding protections. All bills considered were reported favorably, and senators later requested to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on selected tabs before the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• of<00:09:21.360> Commerce<00:09:21.839> Fraud of the Department of Commerce Fraud
• It was felt that this would sustain three additional FTEs within the Department of Commerce.
• Department of Commerce for that Department of Commerce for that function.<00:13:14.639> Again
• /c><00:15:05.760> start department of commerce so I'll start department of commerce so I'll start
• <00:24:15.840> are<00:24:15.919> all department of commerce and these are all department

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll come back up here this afternoon sometime, talk commerce one more time, and then kick commerce
• Committee, we're going to work on Department of Commerce, Senate Bill 2018.
• Chair, for the record, Chris Shelton, Commissioner, Department of Commerce.
• Chair, for the record, Chris Shelton, Commissioner, Department of Commerce.
• Chair, again, Chris Shelkin, Commissioner, Department of Commerce, and, again, I believe we'll have the

Bills: SB2003

Keywords: higher education, student loans, scholarships, capital projects, workforce development, funding, North Dakota university system, 908, all

Summary: The committee first reconsidered Senate Bill 2003 in the higher education budget and adopted several changes. It removed $3 million for enterprise resource planning, struck $2 million for a grant program for students who are pregnant or recently gave birth, and then added $3 million back into workforce education and innovative grants, restoring that line to $12 million. Members also discussed a possible purchase of the 19th Avenue building in Fargo for the State School of Science, but the motion was withdrawn for later consideration. Other higher ed items were briefly noted, including tribally controlled community colleges and a state magazine funding line, but no final action was taken on the building proposal during this segment. The committee then moved to Senate Bill 2018, the Commerce budget, and reviewed a long list of funding items. It restored a vacant workforce FTE, increased tourism marketing to $10 million and Find the Good Life to $5 million, raised Operation Intern by $1 million, removed a $100,000 infrastructure study, increased autonomous agriculture grants to $15 million, and set the Regional Workforce Impact Program at $10 million. It also kept or adjusted several other items, including the uncrewed aerial vehicle replacement program, the global talent office, tribally controlled community colleges, Native American small business grants, and technical skills training grants. A major new provision would transfer $50 million total, split between SIF and Bank of North Dakota profits, to the Theodore Roosevelt Library Museum Endowment Fund, matching a private fundraising challenge; members expressed both support and concern, and said they would revisit it later. The committee also discussed language to allow commercialization of Vantis and to permit the Turtle Mountain gaming compact proposal to move forward with required federal approvals, while clarifying that a previously discussed $100,000 study had been removed. Commerce officials said the workforce language was intended to centralize data and strategy, and they noted Operation Intern would need an emergency clause because applications begin in May. No final vote on the Commerce budget was taken in this segment, and the chair said the committee would return later to finish both budgets.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I now in the commerce committee.
• going to call the Committee on Commerce going to call the Committee on Commerce to<01:04:39.680>
• insurance department albeit aggregated. insurance department albeit aggregated.
• The department is here. >> All right. The department is here.
• and senators of the Commerce Committee. and senators of the Commerce Committee.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we're Department of Commerce.
• Commerce and in mind, the Department of Commerce and our<00:33:30.480> sister<00:33:30.799>
• PUC,<00:36:31.040> and the Department of Commerce, the PUC, and the Department of Commerce
• <00:54:00.400> to<00:54:00.640> make Department of Commerce in order to make Department
• > department<01:08:11.119> to<01:08:11.440> continue um the commerce department to

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• With that, this morning we have Ashley Seda from the Minnesota Department of Commerce, who's going to
• <00:01:39.079> you<00:01:39.240> all Department of Commerce um thank you all Department
• Pam Mink, who leads our collaboration with the Commerce Department on the mandate benefit analysis.
• the with the Commerce department on uh the with the Commerce department on uh the Mandate<00:29:
• <00:31:18.360> Mandate Commerce Department uh on the Mandate Commerce Department uh on the

Keywords: 1183, house