Transcript Highlights:

• At the conclusion of invited testimony, we will have public testimony.
• And you may begin your testimony. Also, if I, I apologize if I.
• Thank you for your testimony.
• Thank you for your testimony.
• In our written testimony, we highlighted Katie's story.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . testimony. testimony.
• a two-minute time limit on testimony. a two-minute time limit on testimony.
• >> thank you for your testimony. >> thank you for your testimony.
• My testimony is done.
• My testimony is done. I'll be entirely. My testimony is done.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for your testimony.
• Um, so thank you all so much for your testimony.
• OK, thank you for your testimony.
• Thank you for your testimony. Members, are there any questions? Thank you all for your testimony.
• Thank you for your testimony, members, any questions? OK. Thank you for your testimony.

Bills: HB 2646, HB 3941, HB 5153, HB 5155, HB 5394, HB 1106, HB 426, HB 4529, HB 3984, HB 4273, HB 1097, HB 3940, HB 1941, HB 4377, HB 3153

Keywords: child care, task force, high-quality care, affordability, prekindergarten partnerships, foster care, transitional living, Medicaid reform, youth assistance, independent living, services for youth, employment training, educational support, mental health services, health care, public health, child health program, reimbursement, local health entities, maternal health

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for your testimony. That concludes the testimony for. 1414. And we will For you.
• So I didn't mean to step on your testimony, sir. I apologize.
• So Representative Patterson, the testimony was very compelling.
• TPPA appreciates the opportunity to provide this testimony.
• up earlier in other testimony.

Bills: HB316

Keywords: Medicaid, healthcare, affordable care act, medical assistance, federal funding

Transcript Highlights:

• I appreciate the testimony.
• Thank you all so much for your testimony.
• I just thought I submitted written testimony.
• I just thought I submitted written testimony.
• Thank you, gentlemen, for your testimony.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing was a Joint Committee on Ways and Means budget session held in Lawrence focused on the governor’s proposed FY27 education and local aid budget, with remarks from legislative co-chairs, local officials, and education agency leaders. Acting Mayor Giovanni Rodriguez and Superintendent Ralph Carrero emphasized Lawrence’s high-need student population, the importance of Chapter 70 and Student Opportunity Act funding, and the impact of state aid on schools serving many English learners and low-income families. Carrero highlighted Lawrence High School programs such as early college, dual degrees, career pathways, and early childhood classrooms embedded in the high school, while lawmakers introduced themselves and noted the importance of the hearing to their districts. Acting Secretary of Education Amy Kershaw, Commissioner of Higher Education Noi Ortega, Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Pedro Martinez, and Commissioner of Early Education and Care Amy Kershaw outlined the administration’s FY27 priorities. They described investments in literacy initiatives, universal school meals, student mental health, early college and career pathways, higher education affordability, community college and university student-success supports, preschool expansion, child care subsidies, and workforce supports for early educators. The commissioners also discussed federal funding threats, equity gaps, and the administration’s efforts to improve outcomes for Black and brown students, multilingual learners, students with disabilities, and low-income students. Members questioned the panel about the local contribution formula study, the final year of Student Opportunity Act implementation, and the need to revisit Chapter 70 funding to better address rising costs such as special education, transportation, and health care. Officials said the local contribution study report is expected by the end of June, with a draft to be shared after data analysis and public comment. Commissioner Martinez said the Student Opportunity Act narrowed funding gaps but more work is needed, and he pointed to a proposed Accelerating Achievement Initiative to support the highest-need schools. Senator Oliveira also raised concerns about Chapter 70 disparities and asked about partnerships with libraries to support literacy, prompting discussion of broader early literacy collaboration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for your testimony.
• you Dr ases thank you for your testimony you Dr ases thank you for your testimony good<00:08:40.000
• Thank you for your testimony.
• Thank you for your testimony.
• Thank you for your testimony.

Bills: HF2446, HF2878, HF2667, HF1795, HF2683, HF2916

Keywords: agriculture finance, broadband development, Department of Agriculture, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, food safety, food handler license, cottage food, home processed food, livestock dealer, meat packing company, milk marketer, milk marketing license, grain buyer, grain storage, beginning farmer, emerging farmer, farm down payment assistance, livestock investment grant

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, chair present your testimony.
• . testimony. testimony.
• Chair Prince, present your testimony.
• yourself and present your testimony. yourself and present your testimony.
• Anyway, I appreciate the testimony.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• proceed with your testimony. proceed with your testimony.
• proceed with your testimony. proceed with your testimony.
• Chair, and testimony. Thank you, Mr.
• The one that struck testimonies today.
• Everybody's testimony. Thank you. Thank you for your testimony. We'll go to the next testifier.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• testimony that I would stand behind. testimony that I would stand behind.
• Thank you for your testimony.
• Thank you for your testimony. >> Thank you. Thank you for your testimony.
• affect your testimony. affect your testimony.
• I agree with most of the previous testimony, and I will submit my written testimony.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It would be your testimony, contrary to the testimony of a few others, that as you read the bill and
• um and that's why I started my testimony um and that's why I started my testimony with<01:17:00.840
• <01:33:04.320> was the family court extensive testimony was the family court extensive testimony
• <01:33:45.840> or process of accepting testimony or process of accepting testimony or accepting
• some of those there was no testimony some of those there was no testimony when<01:34:33.199>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Children and Family Law Committee opened its March 4 meeting with procedural announcements, including a deadline for any Minority Report, notice that the committee would not meet the following Tuesday because of town meeting day, and a preview of its March 18 agenda. The chair said that meeting would include hearings and executive sessions on HB 518, requiring DHHS to provide a detailed annual report of DCF costs, and HB 775, directing DHHS to seek proposals for supervised visitation centers; HB 553 was also slated for executive session. The committee also heard an update on Representative Grossman’s son, who remained in the PICU at Mass General. The main hearing was on HB 493, which would require child abuse and neglect education for physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants as a condition of licensure. Representative Alicia Gregg presented the bill and an amendment reducing the required training from two hours to one hour, saying the goal was to improve recognition of abuse and prevent both missed cases and false accusations. Cassandra Sanchez, the state Child Advocate, strongly supported the bill, describing a 2020 review of nine cases of non-ambulatory infants with serious injuries and later system mapping that identified gaps in medical recognition; she said the training should be part of existing continuing education hours and that voluntary uptake had been limited. Dr. Michael Matos of Wolfeboro Pediatrics also testified in support. Ben Bradley of the New Hampshire Hospital Association opposed legislating the requirement, saying hospitals already train staff and that the legislature should not single out one topic for statutory mandate when other reporting obligations are handled differently. In questioning, committee members asked whether the hour would be part of existing continuing education, whether hospitals already provide similar training, and whether the bill should be placed in the continuing medical education statute instead of child protection law. Bradley said hospital members already provide annual training and collaborate with proponents, but did not support putting the requirement in statute. Sanchez said the bill was intended to use one of the hours already required for training, though members noted that the bill text did not clearly say so. The committee also heard broader testimony about the Family Division of Circuit Court, including a proposal to create a subcommittee to study more difficult issues such as pre-trial counseling, evidentiary practices, and domestic violence-related cases, with the Speaker appointing members to that subcommittee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for your time for testimony today.
• Your testimony seems a little conflicted.
• And that's the end of my testimony. Thank you. Thank you very much for your testimony.
• Thank you each for your testimony. Members, any questions? Thank you each for your testimony.
• Go ahead and proceed with your testimony, please.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• West, please begin your testimony. West, please begin your testimony.
• times you skip over written testimony times you skip over written testimony when<00:03:02.600>
• Superintendent Evans, begin your testimony. State your full name and begin your testimony.
• Miss Nelson, begin your testimony. State your full name and begin your testimony." Ms.
• Feist or her testimony? Feist or her testimony? Testifier. Representative Hollins.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:21:36.960> Miss thank you for your testimony Miss thank you for your testimony Miss Williams
• Thank you so much for your testimony.
• Thank you for your testimony.
• <01:26:42.760> and thank you so much for your testimony and thank you so much for your testimony
• <01:29:39.280> are year thank you for your testimony are year thank you for your testimony

Bills: HF2090, HF982, HF2229

Keywords: higher education, scholarship, financial aid, state grant, tuition assistance, Pell grants, student retention, education equity, disabled veterans, veterans' dependents, dependent children, college affordability, books and fees, University of Minnesota, public colleges, Office of Higher Education, veterans benefits, military families, permanent disability, 100 percent disability

Transcript Highlights:

• Don't read your testimony; summarize your testimony.
• don't read your testimony summarize your testimony<01:15:17.400> if<01:15:17.520> you've
• Milhouse this letter is a testimony Milhouse this letter is a testimony support<01:22:21.719>
• and I'm not reading from any testimony and I'm not reading from any testimony that<01:43:04.520>
• 1.6 per annually yes well the testimony 1.6 per annually yes well the testimony from<01:48:15.199

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, seeing none, public testimony on the amendment.
• Seeing none, public testimony.
• And that’s all the public testimony. Debate, members? Any debate? No.
• All right, seeing none, public testimony.
• Any public testimony on the amendment? All right. Any public testimony on the amendment?

Summary: The Transportation Economic Development Budget Subcommittee met with a quorum and took up four member bills. The first, CS/HB 1387 by Rep. Overdorf, would create the Taxpayer Dollars Protect Workers Act and require secret-ballot union recognition for companies receiving state economic development funds. Questions focused on whether the bill was pro- or anti-union and on its fiscal impact; the sponsor said it was neutral and expected no fiscal impact. Public testimony was overwhelmingly opposed, with several speakers arguing it would interfere with private-sector labor relations and discourage companies with existing labor agreements from investing in Florida, while a few supporters backed the measure. The bill was reported favorably on a party-line style vote, with several members voting no. The committee then unanimously reported favorably CS/HB 1211 by Rep. Albert, which streamlines senior management service governance in the Department of Military Affairs, updates military leave benefits for state employees serving in the Florida National Guard, expands emergency financial assistance eligibility for guardsmen, and repeals an unfunded statutory program. An amendment aligning senior management positions under state statute was adopted without objection. The committee also unanimously reported favorably CS/HB 741 by Rep. Owen, a Department of Commerce bill updating outdated statutes, including provisions on military installation revertor clauses, rural community definitions, community development block grant language, and E-Verify/unauthorized employment provisions; the sponsor said there would be little or no fiscal impact. Finally, CS/CS/HB 1093 by Rep. Spencer, dealing with advanced air mobility, was amended to focus on infrastructure and funding for vertiports and charging systems and to remove liability, siding, and preemption provisions. Support came from industry and legal groups, and the bill was reported favorably unanimously. Before adjournment, the chair noted that budget recommendations for fiscal year 2026-27 had been submitted to the appropriations chair. The ranking member offered closing remarks, saying it was his last year in the House and thanking members for their collegiality. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, so let's move along to public testimony. 
• Public testimony. Kate McFall from Humane World in support.
• GOT TO SEE IF THERE'S ANY PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON THE AMENDMENT, IS THERE ANY PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON THE AMENDMENT
• Any further public testimony? Further public testimony, any debate, members? Seeing no debate.
• Any further public testimony? Further public testimony, any debate, members? Seeing no debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't have any more public testimony. Senators, we're in debate.
• Seeing no questions, move to public testimony. Kare Marillo, AARP, waiving and support.
• That is it for public testimony on the amendment. Is there debate on the amendment?
• Seeing none, we are in public testimony. We are not in public testimony because we don't have any.
• Public testimony: Tyler Sununu, waiving in support.

Bills: S0006, S0036, S0560, S0778, S0844, S0864, S1002, S1016, S1022, S1030, S1630

Keywords: child welfare, negligence, settlement, injury compensation, Department of Children and Families, nursing title, advanced practice registered nurse, advertising, professional standards, disciplinary action, psychotropic medication, community-based care, liability insurance, forensic services, defendants, mental health, judicial system, defense, legal definitions, sickle cell disease

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services heard and advanced a series of health, child welfare, aging, disability, and public records bills. CS/SB 1002, on child welfare and parental substance abuse, was described as clarifying that acute or chronic parental drug abuse can constitute harm or neglect when it creates an ongoing risk to a child; it passed after limited questions and supportive testimony from Florida Smart Justice Alliance. CS/SB 1630, a broad aging and long-term care modernization bill, would streamline eligibility screenings, allow temporary DOEA services during emergencies or lead agency failures, tighten oversight of area agencies on aging, permanently establish the Florida Alzheimer’s Care Center of Excellence, and expand guardianship training and enforcement tools; it drew support from AARP, area agencies, and the Alzheimer’s Association and was reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 1022 to add Bay County and Pompano to the Florida Children’s Initiatives, and CS/SB 1030, via strike-all amendment, to streamline regulation of substance abuse and behavioral health providers and clarify background screening and privacy rules. Several bills focused on health care practice and patient access. CS/SB 36, with an amendment, allows nurses with doctoral degrees to use appropriate titles while requiring clear identification as nurses and making misuse grounds for discipline; nursing organizations supported it and it passed. CS/SB 844 requires physicians and nurses to complete a one-time, board-approved continuing education course on sickle cell disease care management, with multiple patients and advocates testifying about delayed care, bias, and the need for better provider education; the bill was reported favorably after an amendment aligning it with the House version. CS/SB 560 streamlines procedures for psychotropic medication for children in DCF custody by reducing duplicative reports, clarifying evaluator qualifications, limiting repeated background checks, and simplifying consent documentation; an amendment removed postsecondary education language, and the bill passed. The committee also approved a public records exemption bill for a uterine fibroids research database (CS/SB 864). The committee also advanced measures affecting disability services and forensic care. SB 6, a claims bill, would pay $3.8 million to a trust for a child who suffered severe abuse-related injuries after DCF involvement; it passed without opposition. SB 778 updates the definition of forensic clients so certain individuals with intellectual disabilities or autism found incompetent to proceed can be housed in the same secure forensic setting, reducing duplicative staffing and space needs; it was reported favorably. CS/SB 1016 codifies the Working People with Disabilities Program, allowing eligible developmentally disabled adults to work while retaining Medicaid waiver benefits and requiring notice to enrollees; advocates described the bill as essential to employment and independence, and it passed. Throughout the meeting, most bills received supportive public testimony, few questions, and unanimous or near-unanimous favorable votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• And tomorrow is when there will be testimony possible, but not today, according to our chair and vice
• But tomorrow there will be an opportunity for testimony from other folks.
• I didn't realize that there was going to be an opportunity for public testimony.
• and we haven't had any testimony on the other side.
• You'll get the testimony from both sides.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee reviewed four bill drafts for the Rural Health Transformation effort. The first required the presidential physical fitness test in PE classes; members asked about DPI and school support, then moved and approved the draft. The second required physicians to complete one hour of continuing education on nutrition and metabolic health each renewal cycle and included legislative intent encouraging other health boards to consider nutrition-related CE; it was approved after brief discussion. The third bill adopted the Physician Assistant Licensure Compact. Members discussed a separate issue involving occupational therapy compact background checks and whether that fix could be added now or would need to wait until later; the committee also discussed Board of Medicine input and the compact’s workforce benefits. The draft was moved forward to the full committee. The fourth bill expanded pharmacists’ prescriptive authority and therapeutic substitution. Legislative Council explained the draft, and Senator Roars proposed substantial amendments to narrow motion sickness, UTI, diabetes supply, and substitution provisions. Members debated whether to vote on amendments now or wait for the special session public hearing; concerns were raised about transparency, stakeholder input, and avoiding premature action. No amendment vote was taken, and the bill was left for later consideration. The committee then recessed until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Public testimony. Debate. Without objection, show the amendment adopted.
• Is there public testimony as there debate? Are there questions? Is there public testimony?
• Public testimony? Debate? Without objection, show the amendment adopted. Members, public testimony?
• Public testimony? Debate? Without objection, show the amendment adopted.
• Public testimony? Debate? Without objection, show the amendment adopted.

Summary: The Legislative Budget Commission met with a quorum present to hear the constitutionally required Long-Range Financial Outlook and consider a series of budget amendments. Amy Baker of the Office of Economic and Demographic Research presented the outlook, describing Florida’s continued population growth, strong wage growth, an aging population, housing-market softening, and low consumer sentiment. She said the general revenue forecast was largely unchanged from March, but the state’s funds available had improved because of legislative actions in 2025 that increased the balance forward. She also noted strong reserves, a projected current-year Medicaid deficit of about $125 million, and a three-year outlook that remains positive in the first year but turns negative in years two and three. She highlighted the risk of co-occurring catastrophic events, using a normalized Great Miami Hurricane scenario to illustrate potential state losses. The outlook was adopted after brief comments from House and Senate members emphasizing fiscal restraint and efficiency. The commission then approved multiple budget amendments, mostly without objection. The Agency for Health Care Administration received amendments to realign funding for Florida KidCare based on estimating conference results, to provide $85 million in budget authority for disproportionate share hospital payments, and to adjust Medicaid and long-term care appropriations, including placing surplus funds into reserve. The Department of Health received $6.3 million in additional authority for newborn screening. The Department of Corrections and the Department of Management Services each received $2.2 million in Private Inmate Welfare Trust Fund authority for repair invoices and pending projects. The Department of State was authorized to release $2.5 million in nonrecurring general revenue for cultural and museum grants and America 250 commemorative grants. The Department of Transportation received approval for a project roll-forward and for work program changes, including advancing I-95 widening in Duval County and the I-4 corridor in Polk and Osceola counties. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• If there are no further questions, we will proceed with public testimony.
• And so that's the end of my testimony.
• Thank you for your testimony. Any other questions?
• If there are no further questions, we will proceed to public testimony.
• Thank you for your testimony.

Bills: HB24

Keywords: groundwater, conservation, water permits, sustainability, resource management