Transcript Highlights:

• The Florida High School Athletic Association determined the assistance violated the impermissible benefit
• And, of course, the sergeant's there at the back, all of his assistants.
• And so I would be very concerned if a local government wanted to invest in suicide prevention programs
• that focus on, for example, LGBTQ plus children... ...suicide prevention programs that focused on, for
• Senate Bill 594, a bill to be entitled an act relating to local housing assistance plans.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, a moment of silence for Army Sergeant Benjamin Pennington, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of guests including law enforcement officers and several student visitors. The chamber then adopted the special order report and moved to the special order calendar, with members also approving the journal and establishing a quorum. Later in the day, the House paused for several introductions and farewell remarks, including extended closing speeches from Representatives Eskamani and Overdorf reflecting on their service, staff, constituents, and policy priorities. The House passed several bills, often after brief explanations and amendments. CS/SB 590 on the statute of limitations for failures to report child abuse was clarified to apply prospectively and passed 111-0. SB 418 on law enforcement interactions with individuals with autism spectrum disorder was amended to include House language and passed 111-0. CS/CS/SB 1668 on the Florida Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Association (NICA) passed 112-0 after an amendment merging House and Senate provisions, and CS/SB 1246 on the linking industry to nursing education fund passed 112-0 after amendments expanding eligible contributions and program support. Additional bills approved included CS/CS/SB 1404 on memory care standards, CS/CS/SB 1030 on recovery residences, CS/CS/SB 422 on automatic dependent surveillance broadcasts for aviation safety, CS/CS/SB 598 on funeral, cemetery, and consumer services, and CS/CS/SB 178 on athletics in public K-12 schools, which would allow school coaches to use limited personal funds to support student-athletes with items such as food, transportation, and rehabilitation services, with parental consent added by amendment. Most of these measures passed unanimously or near-unanimously, with SB 422 passing 108-2. The House also heard debate on CS/CS/SB 1134, a bill restricting counties and municipalities from taking official actions related to DEI and limiting the use of public funds for DEI-related activities and contracts. Members questioned how the bill would affect local government practices, observances, and staff functions, and the sponsor explained several exceptions and enforcement provisions.

Transcript Highlights:

• receives that we receive from insurers, and the Health Care Affordability Fund provides premium assistance
• The incidence of suicide is going to increase.
• It's very much modeled on the public assistance on the FEMA side.
• We've got some assistance out of Senate Bill 33 that recently passed, and that's the Fire Act that's
• DFA does a lot of disaster assistance and response as well, but we've been working together.

Committee: House House Rural Development, Land Grants And Cultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• There were kids committing suicide. They had a lot of mental breakdowns here.
• And I would bring this up and I brought it up one time that kids were committing suicide and she shut
• There were kids committing suicide. They had a lot of mental breakdowns here.
• And I would bring this up and I brought it up one time that kids were committing suicide and she shut
• There were kids committing suicide. They had a lot of mental breakdowns here.

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• of LGBTQ youth to unsupportive households, putting them at direct risk of abuse, homelessness, and suicide
• And would it also be inappropriate that you, as a licensed attorney, assist someone that does not pass
• We're adding advanced practice registered nurse or physician assistant because many of these facilities
• that up to allow these nursing homes to have an advanced practice registered nurse or physician assistant
• Advanced practice registered nurses or physician assistants to perform physicals for people entering

Summary: The House opened with prayer, approved the previous day’s journal unanimously, and then adopted a motion suspending House Rule 98 to allow members to wear hats on the floor. Members also introduced several special guests, including the Eugene High School Class 2 basketball champions, family members, scholarship recipients, and other visitors. One member used a lengthy personal privilege speech to criticize a recent U.S. Supreme Court voting-rights decision and warn about threats to democracy and minority voting power. The chamber then took up committee reports and several bills. It approved a motion to go to conference on the property-tax omnibus measure tied to Senate Bills 1066 and 1088. House Bill 3329, repealing expired tax credits, passed 142-0. House Bill 3405, clarifying the SALT deduction and improving tax-credit accounting, also passed 138-0. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2426, a parental-rights bill that also drew criticism over a school financial-ledger requirement and possible burdens on schools and student safety, failed on third reading 70-60. The House next passed House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1233, a professional-licensing bill involving CPA exam access and other occupational licensing changes, by 129-6 after adopting an amendment removing compact language and rejecting a nursing-home physicals amendment. It then passed House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1408, which raises the maximum rural interstate speed limit to 75 mph and, through multiple amendments, also carried a mix of transportation-related provisions including vehicle inspections, hands-free enforcement, motorcycle lighting, driver education, and specialty license plates for women’s professional sports; the final vote was 82-53. The Speaker also appointed a conference committee for Senate Bill 1066. The final item mentioned was Senate Substitute No. 2 for Senate Bill 863, described as an interscholastic athletic oversight/appeals bill, but the transcript cuts off before its final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• dieting pills can really affect their body and their mental health, which will lead to accidental suicide
• dieting pills can really affect their body and their mental health, which will lead to accidental suicides

Committee: All GIRLS STATE

Transcript Highlights:

• struggling to feel like they belong, struggling to not see the pains of what it feels like to feel suicidal
• struggling to feel like they belong, struggling to not sees the pains of what it feels like to feel suicidal

Transcript Highlights:

• bit, where there's going to have to be a reporting requirement if they go down that road of harm or suicide
• bit where there's going to have to be a reporting requirement if they go down that road of harm or suicide

Committee: House Business

Transcript Highlights:

• concern the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, where one pre-trial detainee died from suicide
• particularly with respect to mental health issues and claims that were arising, for example, inmate suicides

Summary: The Judiciary Committee first considered Governor’s Message 574, confirming Michael Tenoi to continue serving on the Commission to Promote Uniform Legislation through June 30, 2028. Several supporters testified, and Tenoi said he valued working with Hawaii and national commissioners and hoped to focus on emerging issues such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and data security. The committee recommended advise and consent and adopted the measure, with a photo taken afterward. The committee then heard HB 1519 on campaign contributions, which would require disclosure of compensated officers and immediate family members of certain state contractors and grantees. The Campaign Spending Commission and State Procurement Office supported the bill but asked for clarifying amendments; several advocacy groups supported the measure but urged stronger language, including removing branch-of-government limits and narrowing loopholes. The chair proposed amendments to remove monetary thresholds, limit the bill to paid officers, add appropriations for the Campaign Spending Commission and State Procurement Office, define “officer” more broadly, and note that false-name contributions are already felonies. The committee voted to pass HB 1519 with amendments. HB 2250, the claims against the state bill, drew testimony from the Attorney General and multiple departments in support, but members raised extensive questions about why many claims would be paid from the general fund, how corrective action is being pursued, and the handling of several specific claims, including wrongful imprisonment, a cesspool citation, Department of Corrections deaths, a large special education settlement, a charter school lease dispute, and an outdated check. Because of those outstanding questions, the committee postponed decision-making on HB 2250 until Tuesday, March 24, at 10:30 a.m. in Room 016. Later, the committee also considered Governor’s Message 725, confirming Daniel M. Gluck as an associate judge of the Intermediate Court of Appeals; the committee recommended consent and adopted the measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we've got children that are committing suicide over being bullied on the Internet.
• And we've got children that are committing suicide over being bullied on the Internet.

Committee: House Children and Families

Transcript Highlights:

• Correctional workers consistently handle inmate fights, inmate suicides, and assaults on staff at times
• Correctional officers face suicide rates at up to four times higher than those of already at-risk groups

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills. SB 5882 would extend workers’ compensation PTSD presumptions to local correctional facility workers after 90 days of employment, with staff explaining the bill’s scope, fiscal note, and how claims would affect employers’ experience ratings. The sponsor and labor representatives supported the measure as a response to correctional officer trauma, while cities, retailers, and self-insurers opposed it over cost, system sustainability, and the need for more study. Labor and Industries said the estimated five-year state-fund claim cost ranges from $6.7 million to $15.3 million, and the hearing closed after testimony from both sides. The committee then heard SB 6196, which would impose a 95% excise tax on kratom products starting in 2027, create licensing and labeling requirements, and direct revenue to youth harmful substance prevention. Supporters argued kratom is unregulated and increasingly available to youth, and some urged age-gating and stronger restrictions on synthetic concentrated products. Opponents, including retailers and the American Kratom Association, said the bill is too punitive, would hurt legitimate businesses, and should be revised into a consumer protection framework rather than treated like a controlled substance. No vote was taken. SB 6204, allowing adults to grow up to six cannabis plants at home with a 15-plant household cap, drew strong support from cannabis advocates and some medical users, who said home grow should have been part of legalization and would help consumers understand the plant. Opponents from law enforcement, cities, and public health warned about youth access, enforcement problems, fire and chemical risks, and possible impacts on cannabis tax revenue. The committee also heard SB 6134, requiring notice to striking workers about possible UI overpayments if they later receive retroactive wages, which the sponsor said would prevent surprise repayment obligations; testimony was overwhelmingly supportive. Finally, SB 6195, aimed at reducing cannabis oversupply by tying producer canopy size to reported sales, drew broad support from cannabis businesses and trade groups, who said it would stabilize the market and address JLARC’s findings, with some stakeholders asking for implementation fixes and clearer language.

Transcript Highlights:

• that section about, boy, if you're a single parent, the chances that your child is going to commit suicide
• chances that your child is going<00:29:46.320><c> to</c><00:29:46.480><c> commit</c><00:29:46.880><c> suicide
• um</c><00:29:48.799><c> end</c><00:29:48.960><c> up</c><00:29:50.080><c> boy,</c> going to commit suicide
• , um end up boy, going to commit suicide, um end up boy, that<00:29:50.559><c> was</c><00:29:50.640><
• of the last three years, I've had one child incarcerated and one child that was hospitalized for suicidal

Bills: SF0099 , SF0116 , SJ0006

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• death related to from a line of duty death related to PTSD<00:15:03.680><c> and</c><00:15:03.920><c> suicide
• 04.959><c> His</c><00:15:05.199><c> story</c><00:15:05.839><c> is</c><00:15:06.079><c> a</c> PTSD and suicide
• His story is a PTSD and suicide.
• three establishes an expiration for the current<00:49:28.800><c> financial</c><00:49:29.359><c> assistance
• </c><00:49:29.839><c> that's</c> current financial assistance that's current financial assistance that's

Bills: HF3676 , HF3593 , HF3785 , HF3774 , HF4111 , HF3513

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Keywords: Safe at Home, address confidentiality, domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, harassment, victim privacy, survivor protection, confidential address, protected address, secret address, identity protection, residential confidentiality, program participant, nondiscrimination, court disclosure, protective order, service of process, driver's license, state ID

Transcript Highlights:

• And we talk about how we can really look at ways that we can start to stem the suicide trend that's going

Committee: House Veterans and Armed Forces

Transcript Highlights:

• We've seen several children unfortunately die by suicide as a result of this act.

Committee: House State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• in the parents making a decision that 1 in 4 children who go through this Either attempt or commit suicide

Bills: HB3620 , HB3942 , HB3279 , HB3378 , HB3383 , HB3413 , HB3414 , HB3415 , HB3420 , HB3130

Committee: House General Government

Keywords: 2030 census, complete count committee, census outreach, decennial census, enumeration, population count, hard-to-count populations, hard-to-enumerate areas, State Data Center, Oklahoma Census, multilingual campaign, public outreach, school-based outreach, community organizations, minority groups, ethnic minorities, language minorities, self-response rate, census awareness, federal census

Transcript Highlights:

• where that individual was shot and killed in the act—so that was part terroristic threat and part suicide

Bills: HCR40 , HB214 , HB214

Committee: Senate Border Security

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:09:22.000><c> of</c> um or maybe ineffectual assistance of um or maybe ineffectual assistance
• </c><00:59:43.920><c> to</c> have involved ineffective assistance to have involved ineffective assistance
• </c><01:00:08.799><c> of</c> based on ineffective assistance of based on ineffective assistance of counsel
• of the assistant attorney general's issues. issues. issues.
• </c> women's spaces is suicide prevention. women's spaces is suicide prevention.

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee opened a hearing on Senate Bill 141, which would create a narrow exception to New Hampshire’s three-year deadline for motions for a new trial when a petitioner has newly discovered evidence, new forensic testing, or new scientific understanding. The prime sponsor’s representative and advocates from the Innocence Project and New England Innocence Project argued the bill is needed to help wrongfully convicted people access the courts, noting that exonerations often take many years and that outdated forensic science has contributed to wrongful convictions. The chair also said he had drafted a proposed amendment for committee review, but it had not yet been formally submitted. Witnesses supporting the bill emphasized that the measure would not guarantee relief, only allow a petition to be filed and reviewed under existing standards. They discussed examples such as arson science, explaining that some convictions were based on forensic methods later shown to be unreliable. Committee members asked about the scope of habeas corpus, whether the bill would create a new cause of action, and whether additional screening or pleading requirements should be added. The supporters said they would be open to requiring a petitioner to plead innocence, but opposed adding more burdensome preliminary procedures or counsel requirements at the filing stage. Thomas Farardi, from the Attorney General’s Office, testified in opposition or with caution, saying the bill was a “solution looking for a problem” because existing habeas corpus and coram nobis procedures already provide avenues for relief, and prosecutors can act when credible new evidence arises. He argued the current draft could invite additional litigation and create a new cause of action, and said he favored more screening before cases proceed. The discussion also touched on whether the statute applies in criminal cases, the current three-year limitation in RSA 526:4, and questions about posthumous petitions and petitions by deported individuals. No vote or executive action was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Assistant superintendent testifying on behalf of the health and education in support of this measure.
• <00:17:49.120><c> superintendent</c><00:17:50.160><c> testifying</c><00:17:50.799><c> on</c> assistant
• superintendent testifying on assistant superintendent testifying on behalf<00:17:51.280><c> of</c><00
• I'm an assistant professor of education at Chaminade. I teach literacy courses.
• I'm an assistant professor of education at Chaminade. I teach literacy courses.

Summary: The committee on Education met on February 17 and announced it would limit public testimony to one minute because more than a thousand testimonies were expected on one measure. The first bill heard was HB 1934, relating to the Imagination Library of Hawaii. The state librarian and Friends of the Library supported the bill, saying the program is a proven, cost-effective way to improve early literacy and should be expanded statewide for children ages 0 to 5. Friends of the Library said the current 50/50 match requirement would be too difficult to meet immediately and asked for state funding for the first few years to help launch the expansion. Testimony included eight supporters and one opponent, and members asked whether the proposal was an expansion of an existing program; the state librarian said it would expand service beyond currently targeted communities. The committee then heard HB 20004, which would extend the floating librarian pilot program. The state librarian, Department of Education, HSTA, and several individuals testified in support. Supporters said the program helps address staffing needs and improves student readiness, especially for college and information literacy. One retired community college librarian said school librarians help students prepare for college and are increasingly important in teaching critical evaluation of misinformation and AI-generated content. Members asked about implementation of the existing pilot, including recruitment of certified librarians for neighbor island and Oahu complex areas; DOE said those positions had been identified and recruitment was underway, and existing funds remained intact. The final major discussion was HB 2398, which clarifies the library system’s role in RNMSP-related projects and public library construction on or near school land. The state librarian and public library system supported the bill, while the Department of Education and Attorney General’s office raised concerns about vague language, especially the phrase “land controlled by the board,” and suggested amendments. In questioning, the state librarian explained that the bill was prompted by conflicts on shared or adjacent school/public library sites, including traffic, pickup and drop-off access, and other operational issues. DOE described significant disruption from one project’s traffic changes and said planning for such projects should involve early coordination and formal agreements. The state librarian responded that the new bill would clarify oversight and help avoid delays and disputes over property control and future renovations.

Transcript Highlights:

• I see we have a quorum, so I'm going to go ahead and quickly have my assistant call the roll.
• We have a quorum, so I'm going to go ahead and quickly have my assistant call the roll.
• In 2020, the suicide rate for young people in the Black community was nearly twice the rate of their
• Assistant, if you can call the roll. Senators Perez, aye. Press, aye. Ochoa Bogh, aye.
• So, Assistant, if you can lift the calls. Okay, starting with file item 7, SB 695, Lakespeer.

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• WHY ARE WE MAKING THIS CHANGE WHEN SPONSORS ARE ALREADY REQUIRED TO SHARE ASSISTANCE WITH?
• THIS IS THE STATE'S PRIMARY WORKFORCE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES SO
• Crisis Lifeline, medication-assisted treatment needs assessment, and our forensic evaluators.
• The bill provides DCF with the necessary authority to oversee the 988 Suicide Crisis Lifeline, providing
• They cannot use misleading titles like "immigration assistant" or similar terms. ...suggesting they have

Bills: HB29 , HB 125 , HB145 , HB171 , HB255 , HB50 , HB796 , HB363 , HB 116 , HB491 , HB589 , HB1495 , HB368 , HB 1285 , HB1905 , HB1360 , HB2002 , HB917 , HB2723 , HB2067 , HB 1238 , HB2337 , HB745 , HB 1188 , HB1606 , HB2003 , HB2147 , HB2391 , HB2355 , HB2546 , HB2495 , HB2818 , HB2249 , HB1749 , HB3109 , HB3228 , HB3240 , HB1507 , HB658 , HB1748 , HB1851 , HB1922 , HB2001 , HB2798 , HB 107 , HCR29 , SB5 , SB262 , HB 11 , HJR72 , HB 106 , HB18 , HB48 , HB27 , HB37 , HB1481 , HB581 , HB1696 , HB2216 , HB 1035 , HB1633 , HB742 , HB754 , HB1689 , HB1690 , HB2669 , HB391 , HB517 , HB 1024 , HB1607 , HB252 , HB1716 , HB1562 , HB4116 , HB1866 , HB1741 , HB2103 , HB2637 , HB2884 , HB503 , HB 1089 , HB2986 , HB972 , HB502 , HB29 , HB 125 , HB145 , HB171 , HB255 , HB50 , HB796 , HB363 , HB 116 , HB491 , HB589 , HB1495 , HB368 , HB 1285 , HB1905 , HB1360 , HB2002 , HB917 , HB2723 , HB2067 , HB 1238 , HB2337 , HB745 , HB 1188 , HB1606 , HB2003 , HB2147 , HB2391 , HB2355 , HB2546 , HB2495 , HB2818 , HB2249 , HB1749 , HB3109 , HB3228 , HB3240 , HB1507 , HB658 , HB1748 , HB1851 , HB1922 , HB2001 , HB2798 , HB 107 , HCR29

Keywords: water audit, water loss, water loss mitigation plan, municipally owned utility, municipal utility, water conservation, Texas Water Development Board, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, water leakage, leak detection, billing data accuracy, utility validation, water audit validation, water scarcity, water management, infrastructure, public utility, conservation plan, administrative penalty

Summary: The Florida House of Representatives conducted legislative business including prayer, pledge, and voting on multiple bills. Key legislation included HB 1105 expanding Florida Bright Futures Scholarship eligibility, HB 443 on charter school regulations (passed 83-23), and HB 1539 on materials harmful to minors (passed 81-29) after extensive debate about book challenges in schools. Other bills addressed education funding, law enforcement benefits, parole guidelines, and various local issues. The Speaker announced budget negotiations with the Senate have stalled, with disagreements over spending levels and tax cuts. The House will not meet this weekend as originally planned. Session adjourned until tomorrow at 10 AM.