Video & Transcript Research : 'distributed ledger'
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MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Working Group on Omnibus Taxes Bill - 05/21/25
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Madam Chair and conferees, the spreadsheet that was distributed at the beginning of yesterday's working
- The amendment that is being distributed takes the savings that should have been reflected in the initial
- Madam Chair and conferees, the spreadsheet that was distributed at the beginning of yesterday's working
- The amendment that is being distributed takes the savings that should have been reflected in the initial
- The spreadsheet that was distributed at the beginning of yesterday's working group meeting contained
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on Climate Crisis, Resources, Energy, and Transportation May 20th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- You're putting it into distributed electricity backup assets instead of demand-side grid support, the
- And then I would also love to understand, in the fact sheet that you distributed related to this, you
- We would like to see that restored out of the GGRF, equitable distribution of the high-speed rail to
- We would like to see that restored out of the GDRF equitable distribution of the high-speed rail to population
- behalf of the California Energy Storage Alliance, asking that the demand-side grid support and the distributed
Summary:
The hearing opened with budget framing from the chair and the LAO, who said the May Revision addresses roughly a $14 billion budget problem and that the environment and transportation subcommittee’s proposals account for about $1.9 billion of the solution. The LAO urged members to focus on solutions that do not worsen out-year deficits, to preserve reserves, and to defer major policy changes that are not necessary to pass the budget, including the newly introduced water-related trailer bills. Members also raised concern about a late-dropped Olympic-related trailer bill, which the LAO likewise suggested should be deferred for fuller review.
The first major item was the Delta Conveyance Project and related water quality control plan trailer bills. The administration argued the proposals would streamline permitting, water rights proceedings, judicial review, and land acquisition, and would clarify DWR’s bond authority for the project. DWR said the project is needed to protect water supply reliability against drought, earthquakes, sea level rise, and other climate-related disruptions, and that the tunnel would help move water when conditions are wet and safer for the environment. Committee members from both parties questioned the timing, the use of budget trailer bills for major policy changes, the scope of the CEQA and water-rights changes, the lack of a bond cap, cost growth, and eminent domain protections. The LAO recommended deferring both water trailer bills without prejudice. Public comment was sharply divided, with labor, water agencies, and some business groups supporting the project as climate adaptation and reliability infrastructure, while environmental, tribal, fishing, county, and community groups opposed it as an attempt to bypass public process and weaken protections.
The committee then briefly heard the DMV’s Digital Experience Platform fee trailer bill, which would reinstate a $1 system improvement fee to help fund the vehicle-registration phase of the project. DMV said the fee would raise about $7 million annually and offset roughly $59 million to $60 million of project costs, while the LAO noted it would help but would not solve the Motor Vehicle Account’s broader structural gap. The hearing then moved to California High-Speed Rail, where the new CEO presented an updated plan and said the project remains a major climate and infrastructure investment. He reported a revised Merced-to-Bakersfield cost range of $34.9 billion to $38.5 billion, said the agency is trying to reduce risk through direct procurement of materials, and argued that stable annual funding is needed to avoid higher costs from delays.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- So, you know, I have distributed that slideshow to you all digitally that shows sort of the before and
- And now I was in need of that help that I formerly distributed.
- The organization that has distributed cash payments across the state has helped me.
- We partner with government, philanthropy, and community organizations to distribute cash in the form
- Since 2018, we have distributed over $32 million to more than 40,000 families across the state.
Keywords:
housing finance, multifamily residential, low income, tax exemption, audit requirements, affordable housing, local government, development bonds, housing assistance, financial assistance, low income housing, community support, affordability, veterans housing, community involvement, air conditioning, tenant support, healthcare, elderly, taxation
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- The money in that account is then distributed to deputy registrars based proportionally on the transactions
- Starting on 2.31, this is the distribution of fees related to the $12 filing fee for all other transactions
- The money in that account is then distributed to deputy registrars based proportionally on the transactions
- Starting on 2.31, this is the distribution of fees related to the $12 filing fee for all other transactions
- Collecting revenue from those filing fee portions, and then the money is distributed to either deputy
AK
Alaska 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session Jun 12th, 2026 at 10:30 am
Alaska House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I believe it will be coming here shortly and also distributed.
- the status quo today, or are we better with an alternate volumetric taxation in which revenue is distributed
- So there has been extensive discussion about the structure of AVT and distribution of revenue, and I
- appreciate the Finance Committee largely preserving the AVT distribution structure that came out of House
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee considers tax break on daycare costs, HF495 3/26/26
Transcript Highlights:
- If we looked at the distribution of this, at who the benefits go to, you know, it would because it's
- <00:19:15.200>
looked <00:19:15.400>at <00:19:15.480>the <00:19:15.560>distribution - /c><00:19:16.320>
of <00:19:16.440>this <00:19:16.640>at we looked at the distribution - of this at we looked at the distribution of this at who<00:19:16.960>
the <00:19:17.080>benefits
Summary:
The committee heard presentation on HF 495, a bill intended to help families with rising child care costs by allowing a subtraction from taxable income for licensed child care expenses. The author said the measure would provide immediate relief to families while broader child care supply and affordability problems are addressed, citing a revenue analysis estimating about 81,700 returns affected and an average tax decrease of $639. The bill was described as applying only to licensed child care centers, family child care, or group family child care under chapter 142B.
A virtual testifier, Annel Velasco of St. Paul, opposed the bill. She said child care is indeed expensive but argued the proposal is only a small patch that does not address structural problems such as provider closures, low teacher pay, and lack of available slots. She also said the subtraction would disproportionately benefit higher-income families and would not help providers or teachers.
Members debated whether the bill should be more targeted. Representative Smith and Representative Lee argued the proposal is uncapped, expensive, and structured as a subtraction rather than a refundable credit, meaning it would mainly help higher-income households and could divert resources from other credits such as the working family tax credit or child tax credit. Representative Swedzinski supported the bill as allowing families to keep their own money and said child care costs are high across income levels. Chair Gomez and others emphasized that the child care system has broader structural failures, including low pay and lack of slots, and said this bill would address only one part of the problem. No vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Capping Property Taxes / Resuming the Fight Against Fraud / A New Senator Takes Her Seat Mar 13th, 2026
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- If the funds are distributed over a period longer than 12 months, the granting agency must complete one
- If the funds<00:10:11.440>
are <00:10:11.520>distributed <00:10:12.160>over <00:10 - :12.400>
a <00:10:12.480>period funds are distributed over a period funds are distributed
Summary:
The segment focused heavily on affordability and fraud prevention in the Minnesota Senate. Senator Michael Kreun discussed his proposal to cap city and county property tax growth at the rate of inflation, with a small allowance for population growth, and to require voter approval by referendum for increases above the cap. He said property taxes rose by nearly $1 billion statewide last year, blamed part of the increase on unfunded state mandates, and said the bill would curb surprise double-digit hikes. Kreun said the proposal has been well received by constituents and homeowners, while cities and counties are concerned about losing revenue; he also said relief could begin as soon as the next property tax statement if the bill passes this year. He noted related affordability ideas, including increasing disabled-veteran exemptions and deferring property taxes for seniors, and said he is open to bipartisan work on other measures such as ending taxes on tips and overtime and reducing tab fees.
The program also highlighted climate and infrastructure funding. Senator Ann Johnson Stewart argued that worsening weather is driving costly infrastructure damage and said a proposed climate superfund would shift some of those costs from taxpayers to major polluters. She said the fund could support storm sewer upgrades, pavement reinforcement, and erosion prevention, and noted that Senate File 4126 is awaiting a hearing in the Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy Committee.
On fraud prevention, Senator Julia Coleman’s bipartisan bill would require at least one unannounced, on-site inspection for state grants over $10,000, with recurring check-ins for grants lasting more than a year. The bill is pending in the Senate State and Local Government Committee. Senator Heather Gustafson then discussed her push for an independent Office of Inspector General, saying it would provide oversight over any public or private entity receiving public dollars. She said the Senate previously backed the idea with 60 votes, that the governor’s coordinated council is only an interim step, and that she has not yet seen a Republican fraud package to review. The segment also noted that the Senate unanimously passed Senator Johnson Stewart’s school bus safety bill, Senate File 3623, by a 67-0 vote, clarifying that drivers must stop when school bus lights flash even if the stop arm is only partially extended; the bill now awaits House action.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Day 39 (3-4-26)
Kentucky Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- in no way limiting the ability of an individual to designate how they want their property to be distributed
- ><00:09:34.000>
be how they want their property to be how they want their property to be distributed - 35.440>
their <00:09:35.760>death <00:09:36.000>through <00:09:36.240>a distributed - upon their death through a distributed upon their death through a will<00:09:37.040>
or <00:09
Summary:
The Senate convened with an invocation and pledge, established a quorum, excused absent senators, and approved the journal. The clerk reported House-passed bills and Senate bills received from the House, and several Senate bills were read a second time and sent to the Rules Committee. Committee reports recommended passage of multiple measures, including bills from Appropriations and Revenue, Health Services, Natural Resources and Energy, State and Local Government, and Transportation. The chamber then moved to orders of the day and took up Senate Bill 50 and Senate Bill 191, while Senate Bill 137 and Senate Joint Resolution 54 were passed over and retained in the orders of the day.
Senate Bill 50, relating to the disposition of property, was explained as a broad update to trust, probate, and intestacy law. Supporters said it would streamline probate when there are no disputes, add privacy protections for decedents’ estate information, give courts more flexibility, set retention and filing-fee rules for wills, recognize electronic wills and other uniform-law concepts, and allow transfer-on-death designation for motor vehicles. A floor amendment removed inheritance-tax provisions and corrected technical issues; it was adopted, and the bill passed 35-1 after debate in favor from several senators and no substantive opposition.
Senate Bill 191, creating the Kentucky Kindergarten Readiness Performance-based Child Care Incentive Pilot Program, was also amended and passed. The bill would establish a three-year pilot administered by the University of Kentucky College of Education, providing a one-time $2,000 per child incentive payment or refundable tax credit to child care providers and low-income families when children are assessed as kindergarten ready. A floor amendment clarified that the study and recommendations must comply with federal child care regulations; it was adopted, and the bill passed 35-1 after a senator changed a vote from no to yes. The Senate then recessed for Rules and Committee on Committees meetings, after which the rules committee posted additional bills to future orders and the committee on committees referred several bills and resolutions to standing committees. Several members also made announcements about upcoming committee meetings, a legislative breakfast, a fish fry, and condolences for a community member.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Veterans and Military Affairs Division 2/25/26
Veterans and Military Affairs Division
Transcript Highlights:
- federal forfeiture determinations, the portion of the bill ensures a more consistent and fair distribution
- ensures a more consistent<00:25:03.600>
and <00:25:03.919>fair <00:25:04.240>distribution - <00:25:04.799>
of consistent and fair distribution of consistent and fair distribution of
Keywords:
veterans rights, employment discrimination, human rights, Minnesota laws, protected classes, veterans, Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, veterans affairs, Secret War in Laos, SGU veteran, Hmong veterans, Laotian veterans, honor guard, military funeral honors, state veterans cemetery, burial eligibility, veterans home, temporary closure, state active service, National Guard
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
02/17/2026 - House Natural Resources, Energy & Water
Natural Resources, Energy & Water
Transcript Highlights:
- are a very small amount of electricity that do not... ...do not pose a material risk to utility distribution
- that the Natural Resources, Energy and Water Committee suspend its committee rule relating to the distribution
- Members heard the motion to suspend the committee rule relating to the distribution of the amendment
- “Members heard the motion to suspend the committee rule relating to the distribution of the amendment
Bills:
HB2099, HB2263, HB2264, HB2330, HB2341, HB2492, HB2757, HB2782, HB2843, HB2889, HB2912, HB2915, HB2918, HB4025, HB4100, HCR2020, HCR2057
Keywords:
water storage, long-term storage credits, groundwater management, drought contingency, Arizona water regulations, Colorado River, replenishment, groundwater savings facility, groundwater storage, underground water storage, active management area, irrigation non-expansion area, Arizona water law, water rights, water replenishment, recharge, water conservation district, multi-county water conservation district, CAP water, Central Arizona Project
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism Committee Nov 12th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- 1969, CPB formed the Public Broadcasting Service to interconnect public television stations and distribute
- Unlike PBS, NPR produces as well as distributes programming.
- Broadcasting Service to interconnect public television stations and distribute programming.
- Unlike PBS, NPR produces as well as distributes programming.
Summary:
The hearing focused on the impact of the federal rescission of Corporation for Public Broadcasting funding on California public media, with Assemblymember Chris Ward and Senator Akilah Weber Pierson framing public media as essential civic infrastructure for education, local news, arts, emergency alerts, and underserved communities. Local officials from San Diego and La Mesa voiced support, emphasizing public media’s role in trusted information, children’s programming, and community arts access.
Panelists from PBS SoCal, KCRW, Rebuild Local News, NPR, KPBS, Radio Bilingüe, and KVPR described significant budget losses, layoffs, reduced programming, and threats to rural and specialized services. They highlighted impacts on children’s educational content, local journalism, arts coverage, science and documentary production, and emergency alert systems. Several speakers noted that smaller stations in rural or low-broadband areas are especially vulnerable, while larger stations are also cutting staff and delaying projects. They also discussed possible responses such as shared services, cost reductions, philanthropy, and state support, while warning that one-time bridge funding is not a long-term fix.
Committee members asked about operational changes, alternative revenue sources, the role of state programs, and whether public pressure could restore federal funding. Witnesses said the loss is already being felt, that restoration appears unlikely in the near term, and that any state support should be structured to protect editorial independence and provide stable, timely funding. The hearing concluded with a shift to labor and production testimony and then to station-specific testimony from KPBS, Radio Bilingüe, and KVPR, followed by public comment.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Education Assessment and Accountability Review Subcommittee (10-14-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- In addition, materials can be quickly and easily distributed throughout the state from a central location
- quickly In addition, materials can be quickly and<00:19:10.720>
easily <00:19:11.280>distributed - <00:19:12.400>
throughout <00:19:12.880>the and easily distributed throughout the and - easily distributed throughout the state<00:19:13.440>
from <00:19:13.760>a <00:19:14.080
Keywords:
Call to Order and Roll Call: 00:22
Office of Education Accountability Report: Early Childhood Regional Training Centers (RTCs): 01:22
Approval of July 14, 2025 Minutes 31:21
Office of Education Accountability: 2025 Study Agenda 32:35
Adjournment: 39:12, 958, all
Summary:
The subcommittee heard an Office of Education Accountability report on Kentucky’s early childhood regional training centers (RTCs). OEA said the centers provide valuable training, consultation, technical assistance, and materials for preschool personnel, especially for children with disabilities and at-risk students, and that the services align with state and federal requirements. However, the report found uneven student and teacher populations across regions, wide variation in per-student funding, some staffing data inaccuracies, and several fiscal oversight concerns, including inconsistent indirect cost rates, a building rental charge that may have been duplicative, and host districts recording RTC expenditures in a way that could blur them with district finances. OEA also said some documentation of progress toward goals was incomplete and that the technology lending library appeared underused. The report recommended stronger KDE oversight, uniform coding and accounting practices, review of budgets and expenditures, and an evaluation of whether the current five-center model remains the most efficient structure; OEA also suggested the General Assembly may wish to revisit KRS 157.318. Members asked about KDE’s response, whether the centers are required by federal law, how the centers operate, and whether changing the model would affect federal funding. OEA said KDE had only discussed the findings informally and had not issued a formal response, the centers are required by state law but not federal law, and changing the model would not jeopardize IDEA preschool funds. The committee accepted the report by motion.
The subcommittee then approved the minutes from its July 14, 2025 meeting after initially delaying action because quorum was not yet present. After that, members turned to the Office of Education Accountability’s proposed 2026 study agenda. OEA said the three proposed topics are the annual district data profiles, facilities funding, and implementation of early literacy statutes. The district profiles would add an appendix showing the number and percentage of students moving to private school or homeschool by district and another appendix noting data-quality issues that affect comparability. OEA explained that district staffing data can undercount contract staff because those employees are not always entered into the system, and members expressed interest in tracking whether prior recommendations were implemented. One senator also raised a separate interest in reviewing whether KDE created and implemented regulations related to KFIX. The discussion remained informational, with no final vote on the study agenda shown in the transcript excerpt.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Committee Sep 11th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- to be held on November 4, 2025, and clarifying that resources for special election costs can be distributed
- Election costs can be distributed directly to counties without an appropriation being made to the State
- board who will advise the director of the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development to distribute
- goal to disperse half of Round 7 funds, and we remain committed to working together on timely distribution
Summary:
The Assembly Budget Committee held an informational hearing on the September budget package, which included SB 105 and a series of trailer bills covering health, human services, education, resources, child care, transportation, labor, public safety, housing, revenue, background checks, collective bargaining, and a special election. The Department of Finance described the package as largely technical and clarifying, but also responsive to state and federal changes, especially H.R. 1. Key items included roughly $3.3 billion in Proposition 4 climate and environmental spending, $540 million in discretionary greenhouse gas reduction funds, and major responses to H.R. 1 such as CalFresh error-rate mitigation, food bank support, and Medicaid-related changes. Other notable provisions included vaccine policy flexibility, an Abortion Access Fund, a gender-affirming care program, community college basic-needs and aid changes, CEQA and coastal permit exemptions tied to the 2028 Olympics, invasive mussel prevention funding, a civic media program, labor and pension-related provisions, and special election administration changes.
Members raised questions and concerns about several parts of the package. There was support for climate, water, transit, offshore wind, food security, and health investments, but also significant criticism of the lack of cleanup language for SB 131 and its advanced manufacturing exemptions, with multiple members saying promised fixes had not materialized and expressing concerns about tribal consultation, labor standards, and environmental protections. Members also questioned the scale and timing of some Proposition 4 allocations, including fairground upgrades, regional conveyance, and a UC Davis alternative protein research center. The Department of Finance said some programs would roll out over time and that certain funding levels reflected current implementation capacity.
The hearing also featured discussion of Bay Area transit financing, with Finance saying SB 105 directs the department and CalSTA to examine loan or other financing options rather than immediately providing loans. Members and public commenters also discussed the state’s response to H.R. 1, with advocates supporting food bank, health care, and immunization provisions while warning of ongoing harm to immigrants, foster youth, and other vulnerable groups. Public testimony broadly supported the health, food, water, offshore wind, and golden mussel provisions, while many speakers echoed legislative concerns about SB 131 and urged cleanup action in the next session. No votes were taken because the hearing was informational only, though the chair noted votes on the bills were expected later that night or the next morning.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee Aug 28th, 2025
Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee
Transcript Highlights:
- This is something, this is actually where I was just returning from, as a food distribution program on
- You have a consortium of the Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Council Food Distribution Program.
- Out West, they also participate in that Five Sandoval Food Distribution Program: Acoma, Laguna.
- historically we have seen—and we will see—an influx of those participants migrating back into the food distribution
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- While this allows for wine production, distribution, and direct consumer sales, it doesn't require the
- bill doesn't address the root challenges facing our industry: access to land, the cost of grapes, distribution
- We distribute across the state, but also to markets outside of Texas, including New York, Chicago, San
- I'm just going to memorize a couple of initial questions with the purple and white flags. and distribution
Bills:
HB223
Keywords:
municipal budget, county budget, local government finance, spending cap, expenditure limit, inflation plus population growth, taxpayer impact statement, budget transparency, property tax, fees, Legislative Budget Board, voter approval, disaster spending, fiscal restraint, Texas Local Government Code, city budget, county expenditures, 1185, senate, all
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- And I would note, um, on your desks we have distributed a letter from both the commissioner of the Department
- have<00:19:35.760>
uh note um on your desks we have uh note um on your desks we have uh distributed - 19:38.640>
uh <00:19:38.880>from <00:19:39.600>the <00:19:40.559>uh distributed - uh a letter uh from the uh distributed uh a letter uh from the uh members<00:19:41.679>
both <
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- prohibits local government from creating ordinances to limit the collection, storage, processing, and distribution
- of farm products. ...storage, processing, and distribution of farm products that is considered on a
- This will allow for the distribution of 900 permit allocations for vacant and buildable lots.
- This will allow for the distribution of 900 permit allocations for vacant and buildable lots, which will
Summary:
The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions, then moved into a series of special-order bills and House messages. Early floor action included passage of a claim bill for Mandy Penny Lemon (HB 6503) and bills on sewer collection systems (HB 1123) and farm products (HB 211), all passing unanimously. The chamber also took up an ad valorem tax exemption resolution for agricultural tangible personal property (CS/HJR 1215), which passed 37-0. Several other measures were temporarily postponed before the Senate recessed and later returned to House messages and additional special orders.
The Senate then addressed multiple House amendments and conference-style motions. It concurred in amended versions of SB 994 on driver safety, SB 180 on emergency preparedness and response, and HB 1609 on waste incineration/auxiliary containers after extended debate over hurricane recovery rules, local government restrictions, and plastic container preemption. The chamber also concurred in CS/HB 1205 on citizen initiative petitions, increasing the number of petitions a volunteer may carry from 2 to 25, and in CS/HB 733 on Brownfields. Other House amendments were rejected or sent back, including SB 234 on offenses against law enforcement, SB 116 on veterans policy, SB 168 on mental health, and HB 1101 on out-of-network provider referrals.
Later, the Senate approved CS/HB 1255 on education and CS/HB 875 on educator preparation, with discussion focused on school readiness, teacher training, and changes to certification and testing requirements. It also concurred in CS/HB 1427, a broad health care bill, after the House added a major nursing education amendment that tightened Board of Nursing oversight, required standardized evaluation and remediation, and imposed accountability measures tied to NCLEX pass rates and program performance. Several members raised concerns or praised negotiated compromises throughout the day, but the recorded actions were mainly concurrence motions, refusals to concur, and final passage votes on the bills considered.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- At that time, transmission and distribution utilities (TDUs) were newly created, and the regulators adopted
- specific issue regarding electric utility rate-making that only applies to our transmission and distribution
- We provide transmission and distribution service to over a million customers. and across 97,000 square
- the utility's actual capital structure as the prudent and balanced standard for transmission and distribution
Bills:
HB551, HB 1281, HB1378, HB1617, HB2868, HB2881, HB3374, HB4439, HB4726, HB4732, HB4878, HB4914, HB4921, HB4958, HB5200, HB5318, HB5360, HB5402, HB5568, HB5573, HB5623, HJR218
Keywords:
political contributions, address privacy, Texas Ethics Commission, election transparency, campaign finance, international organizations, World Health Organization, jurisdiction, state law, enforcement, United Nations, World Economic Forum, attorney general, Texas attorney general, state sovereignty, legal enforcement, Texas Attorney General, electric energy storage, municipal regulation, county regulation
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- The CST distribution for Chattahoochee is $52,134.
- The CAC distribution for Greensboro in my district is $24,913.
- The CAC distribution in Gretna is $17,738. Havana is $76,000.
- figuring out a way to pay for $200,000 per mile up to $1 million per mile, but looking at this distribution
Summary:
The committee first took up HB 703 on utility relocation, as amended by a strike-all. The sponsor said the bill would require government authorities that order communication service providers to move infrastructure to pay the relocation costs, clarify expedited timelines, and align the House bill with the Senate version. Supporters argued the communication services tax should help cover these costs, while cities and counties warned the bill would shift major unfunded costs to local governments and taxpayers, especially in fiscally constrained counties. After public testimony from local government and industry representatives and debate over fairness, coordination, and the tax’s intended use, the committee adopted the strike-all and then passed the bill favorably on a roll call vote.
The committee then heard and passed CS/HB 379, a securities package updating Chapter 517. The bill and conforming amendment made several technical and policy changes, including expanding certain exemptions, updating foreign jurisdiction and exchange considerations, revising merger-and-acquisition broker rules, aligning fingerprinting requirements with FBI standards, and adding protections related to financial exploitation of specified adults. Industry and Office of Financial Regulation witnesses supported the measure, and the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably without opposition.
Next, the committee passed CS/HB 867 establishing the Coastal Link Commuter Rail Service Act to create a legal framework for commuter rail operations along Florida’s coastal corridor and to help Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties secure insurance and indemnification for service on the Florida East Coast Railway right-of-way. The Florida Chamber supported the bill, and it was reported favorably without debate. The committee also passed CS/HB 1161, which revises Florida’s deepfake law to require covered platforms to remove altered sexual depictions and copies upon request by the victim; the bill drew emotional testimony from a student victim and broad support from members, and a severability amendment was adopted before the bill passed unanimously.
The committee then passed CS/HB 453 on pool and spa contractors, which updates Chapter 489 terminology and scope-of-practice rules and, through amendment, limits certain equipment to commercially available products. Finally, the committee passed HB 955 requiring all private employers to use E-Verify for new hires, removing the small-employer exemption. Supporters framed it as workforce integrity and rule-of-law legislation, while opponents warned about labor shortages, burdens on small businesses, and impacts on immigrant workers. After debate, the bill passed 19-3. The committee then began hearing CS/HB 541 on minimum wage requirements, which would allow voluntary waivers of minimum wage for certain internships, pre-apprenticeships, and on-the-job training; the sponsor presented an amendment limiting the duration and clarifying minor waivers, and the committee heard both support from small business groups and opposition from labor, immigrant, and worker advocates before the transcript ended.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Later this evening, the clerk's office will distribute a list of all resolutions scheduled for adoption
- later this evening the clerk's office later this evening the clerk's office will<00:37:48.960>
distribute - 49.520>
a <00:37:49.680>list <00:37:49.920>of <00:37:50.079>all will distribute - a list of all will distribute a list of all resolutions<00:37:51.000>
scheduled <00:37:51.520>