Video & Transcript Research : 'term limits'

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FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

February 13, 2025 - 09:00 AM

Transcript Highlights:
  • and this term is to let you all know 14 years is a long time.
  • Also, the short-term residential treatment is for longer term.
  • That is a longer-term treatment option available.
  • And for short-term residential treatment, that's up to 90 days.
  • And then, if so, what are those limits?
Summary: The Human Services Subcommittee met to review implementation of House Bill 7021, the recent overhaul of Florida’s Baker Act and Marchman Act, and to hear from DCF Assistant Secretary Erica Floyd Thomas about how the department is using the $50 million appropriation tied to the bill. Representative Maney, the bill sponsor, gave a lengthy background on why he pursued the reforms and emphasized that the goal was to improve access, reduce unnecessary crisis interventions, and give agencies the resources needed to carry out their responsibilities. He and the chair both noted that the bill was the product of many years of work and broad bipartisan support. DCF reported several early outcomes and implementation steps, including a statewide reduction in Baker Act initiations over the past five years, strong diversion rates from crisis through 988, mobile response teams, care coordination, and forensic multidisciplinary teams, and the creation of new tools such as a Baker Act dashboard and the first annual Marchman Act report. The department described key statutory changes: law enforcement discretion in initiating Baker Acts, a single-petition process, remote appearances, stronger discharge planning, interim services, updated parent notification and hold-period rules, an ombudsman office for children’s behavioral health, and regional collaboratives to identify local service gaps. DCF said it has updated manuals, FAQs, trainings, and rules, and that the managing entities have begun contracting for services. Members asked about how the $50 million was allocated, why much of it went to crisis capacity rather than outpatient care, how much has been spent so far, whether administrative costs are capped, and how the department will measure success. DCF said most of the money was used to preserve and expand crisis beds, detox beds, CSU beds, short-term residential treatment, discharge planning, and outpatient supports, with $1.3 million for the ombudsman and regional collaboratives and $48.3 million to managing entities. The assistant secretary said the department tracks readmissions, utilization, provider capacity, and monthly and quarterly reports from managing entities, but it is still early to see full effects because contracts were only recently executed. Members also raised concerns about children, families, veterans, workforce shortages, transparency, and gaps for hard-to-place individuals, including those with developmental disabilities or dementia. The meeting ended with no formal action beyond adjournment after questions were completed.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Budget Committee Jun 29th, 2026

Budget

Transcript Highlights:
  • this budget represents a balance of program reductions and increased revenues to address both near-term
  • budget deficits and longer-term structural deficits.
  • bill provides a one-year extension of the skilled nursing facility quality assurance fee and long-term
  • In terms of oversight, what the legislature has done a number of things here.
  • We appreciate all the work on the Medi-Cal asset limit and rejecting that $2,000 limit, and we look forward
Keywords: 988, house, all
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety - Part 1 - 03/27/25

Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:
  • And while we may have some limits due to that Supreme Court decision in terms of what we can do about
  • Wisconsin, but that entrance is limited Wisconsin, but that entrance is limited to<01:41:42.000>
  • <01:42:21.520> Supreme<01:42:21.920> Court limits due to that Supreme Court limits
  • the most effective method of limiting the most effective method of limiting fire<02:47:59.040>
  • in terms of meeting the needs. in terms of meeting the needs.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • We worked alongside the long-term recovery group in her county to hold the contractor accountable and
  • We worked alongside the long-term recovery group in her county to hold the contractor accountable and
  • we've utilized some of the limited we've utilized some of the limited engagement<00:18:53.360>
  • Really the way we heard about that was kind of through the grapevine, for lack of a better term.
  • better terms. better terms.
Keywords: 958, all
Summary: The subcommittee heard presentations from the Legal Aid Network of Kentucky, including Legal Aid of the Bluegrass, Kentucky Legal Aid, AppalRed Legal Aid, and the Legal Aid Society in Louisville. The presenters explained that the four nonprofit programs provide civil legal services in all 120 counties, focusing on low-income clients and matters such as domestic violence, family law, housing, expungement, public benefits, and veterans’ issues. They emphasized that they do not handle criminal defense cases and described statewide efforts such as the kyjustice.org website and Project Renew, which helps people in recovery with legal issues that affect stability, employment, housing, and family reunification. Each organization highlighted regional service challenges and examples of casework. Legal Aid of the Bluegrass described its 33-county service area, its mobile “justice bus,” and expungement work for people in recovery. Kentucky Legal Aid focused on disaster response after the December 2021 tornadoes, including insurance disputes and contractor fraud, and said it has continued to handle repeated FEMA-declared disasters. AppalRed described serving 37 rural counties with limited attorneys, the shortage of lawyers in “rural legal deserts,” and its disaster-response work after flooding and tornadoes, including FEMA appeals clinics and volunteer attorney support. The Legal Aid Society described its Louisville-area veteran services, including Social Security and VA disability cases, veterans treatment court referrals, and homeless outreach. Committee members praised the organizations’ work and noted the importance of their services. In response to questions about funding, the presenters said their support comes from a mix of Legal Services Corporation funds, state appropriations, federal grants such as VOCA, VAWA, and HUD, United Way, and foundation funding. They stressed that many grants are restricted, while state funding is more flexible and useful for emergencies and day-to-day operations. The presenters said current funding does not fully meet demand and requested an increase in the General Assembly’s appropriation from $500,000 per year to $1 million per year, or $2 million over the biennium.
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Municipal and County Government (02/03/2026)

Municipal and County Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • term in and term moderators who serve term in and term out<00:52:30.640> across<00:52:31.040><
  • term.
  • ' term.
  • ' term.
  • ' term.
Keywords: 1189, house, all
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Education Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am

Joint Committee on Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • That's a DESE term.
  • So I'm just saying that there's been some synergy in terms of small school.
  • It also limits what tuition, so-called tuition, and I really hate that term because that's the beauty
  • limit.
  • It is a second family that is preparing her for her future without limits.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Joint Committee on Education held a lengthy hearing on a large slate of bills focused primarily on charter school policy and vocational technical education. Committee members opened with ground rules for testimony, including a two-minute limit, written testimony acceptance, and a live-streamed format. The committee then heard testimony on bills to expand collective bargaining rights in Horace Mann and Innovation Schools, reform charter school funding and reimbursement, allow enrollment preferences for high-need students in charter lotteries, and require BESE to consider district impacts when approving new or expanded charters. Several witnesses, including union leaders, parents, educators, and legislators, argued that charter growth has strained district budgets and that funding formulas should be reworked to better protect public schools; charter advocates and alumni countered that charter schools serve high-need students well and should not be penalized for their success. A major portion of the hearing focused on vocational technical education bills, including proposals to expand access and capacity, create a large grant program, and increase MSBA reimbursement rates for vocational school construction. Supporters described long waitlists, strong labor-market demand, and the higher cost of building and maintaining vocational schools, while municipal officials emphasized the tax burden on local communities. The committee also heard testimony on charter school reimbursement bills that would extend the state’s reimbursement schedule, with witnesses from districts such as Boston, Worcester, Fall River, and New Bedford describing large net losses to charter tuition and arguing for longer reimbursement periods and structural reform. The committee took no final votes during the hearing. In one instance, the chair said a bill would be held open until a missing senator could testify. Members asked several detailed questions about charter admissions lotteries, special education placements, funding formulas, and the practical effects of proposed charter caps and reimbursement changes. The hearing remained informational, with witnesses and committee members presenting sharply different views on whether the bills would improve equity and opportunity or harm existing public school systems.
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

Joint Appropriations Committee, June 22, 2026 - AM

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • So, this term “wind up all activities,” is that a common term?
  • I think that it is a commonly accepted business term. Um, I Commonly accepted business term.
  • With limitations and strings.
  • of payback and in... ...loan standing in terms of payback and in terms of account balances and in terms
  • We obviously utilize standard practices in terms of recouping that money, but ...in terms of recouping
Keywords: 916, all
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • that we have with the remaining being able to maintain the special funds—is also the option to hire limited-term
  • There is a challenge to hire limited-term staff, and they can't be in a position for more than two years
  • But law enforcement positions, limited term, is not an option for those positions.
  • for four ongoing positions, and then in the first three years, we're requesting funding to fill two limited-term
  • Generally speaking, it takes us about two years to get a regulation in place, so the limited-term positions
Keywords: 987, senate, all
Summary: The subcommittee heard an extensive discussion on the Governor’s proposal to eliminate vacant positions across several environmental and natural resources departments, including Fish and Wildlife, Parks, the Coastal Commission/BCDC, DPR, DTSC, CalRecycle, and the State Water Resources Control Board. The Legislative Analyst’s Office explained that the JLBC had already not concurred with 650 of roughly 1,000 positions under review, citing concerns that many of the vacancies support core functions such as law enforcement, permitting, public safety, sea-level rise planning, and implementation of recently enacted laws. The Department of Finance defended the vacancy reduction exercise as a way to capture savings from a statewide pool of about 40,000 vacancies, arguing that departments need flexibility to manage operations and that some vacancies are used to cover operating costs or hard-to-fill roles. Several department representatives testified that the cuts would reduce capacity and could slow permitting or enforcement, though they said they would try to reclassify positions and prioritize the highest-need work. No vote was taken and all items were held open for a future hearing. Members focused heavily on the practical effects of the cuts. Senators questioned whether vacant positions should be treated as a budget savings tool, whether special-fund positions should be eliminated when they do not affect the General Fund, and whether long-vacant positions should simply be removed if they have not been filled for years. Fish and Wildlife and Parks described impacts to permitting, wildlife conflict response, and law enforcement; Parks said its academy can train only about 50 rangers a year, leaving many vacancies even after the proposed reductions. The Coastal Commission said the affected positions support SB 272 sea-level rise planning with local governments. DPR said the proposed cuts would affect multiple branches involved in pesticide registration, enforcement, and safety review, while DTSC said it was still hiring from a large 2022 reform package and had reduced its vacancy rate from about 30 percent to 15 percent before the drill. The State Water Board said its proposed reductions would be spread across programs and could lead to slower permitting and backlogs, though it would protect drinking water functions as much as possible. The committee then moved to a State Water Resources Control Board overview and a new budget proposal tied to the U.S. Supreme Court’s Sackett decision. Chair Esquivel described the board’s responsibilities for water quality, water rights, drinking water, and financial assistance, and said the board is updating the Bay-Delta Plan while also pursuing voluntary agreements and broader water-rights administration. He said federal workforce reductions and the Sackett ruling have increased pressure on state programs. The board requested $2.6 million and 12 permanent positions from the Waste Discharge Permit Fund to address permitting and enforcement gaps created by the narrowing of federal Clean Water Act jurisdiction. The LAO said the request met its high bar for new proposals because it was supported by the board’s data and would help maintain water-quality protections, though it noted that state processes are less efficient than the federal framework they are now partially replacing.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
  • terms of funding? terms of funding?
  • This is my second term here.
  • teachers in terms of behavior problems. teachers in terms of behavior problems.
  • of their responsibility, in um in terms of their responsibility, in terms<02:32:22.080> of<02
  • not limited to the ones that are listed. not limited to the ones that are listed.
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The committee opened hearings on SB 69, including a germane amendment on school board votes to accept or reject gifts and donations, and a non-germane amendment creating a virtual early childhood readiness family engagement program for preschool children not yet in kindergarten. Prime sponsor Rep. Glenn Cordelli said the literacy program was modeled on earlier HB 671, would be funded through gifts and donations rather than state appropriations, and would include reporting requirements to the governor and legislature. Members questioned changes from the earlier bill, including the move away from center-based language, the lack of a dollar threshold for school board action on donations, anonymous gifts, and whether the amendment preserved enough evaluation data. Testimony on the donation provisions raised concerns about broad language, timing, and public-meeting requirements. Rep. Timothy Han and Becky Wilson of the New Hampshire School Boards Association both noted that school districts already have policies and asked how the bill would work for routine donations, anonymous gifts, and situations that might require non-public discussion under right-to-know law. Wilson cited examples such as field-trip scholarships, backpack drives, and sports uniforms, and said the association was not taking a position but wanted clearer guardrails. Rep. Han said school boards may need to discuss some gifts in non-public session and that the bill should better address those circumstances. On the early literacy amendment, Wilson and others questioned whether the program was sufficiently developed, whether it was appropriate to rely on a primarily online model for very young children, and how it would interact with special education services and IEPs. A representative from Waterford.org, Rob Riley, testified in support, saying the program would be supplementary, adaptive, and family-engagement based, and that Waterford could provide devices and internet access for families who need them. He said the program would work alongside school districts and IEP teams rather than replace existing services. No vote was taken during the hearing; the chair said the committee would later exec the bills and try to get reports in for the calendar.
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

Committee on State and Local Government - 04/03/25

State and Local Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • looking at the daminal delay age limit looking at the daminal delay age limit working<00:06:58.160
  • uh more effectively long-term projects. uh more effectively long-term projects.
  • <00:49:05.760> care conversations with the long-term care conversations with the long-term
  • I guess that's a correct term.
  • requested are um fairly minor in terms requested are um fairly minor in terms of<00:52:23.839>
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Insurance Committee Apr 22nd, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • And the new definition of impact zone is now more restrictive and limits the coverage to areas adjacent
  • So, as I agree with you, I'm also concerned about limiting the scope.
  • And I want to go on record and simply say that what has happened in terms of the Eaton and Palisades
  • In the limited lines world, California currently offers other businesses limited lines insurance licenses
  • The bill brings California in line with other states by limiting liability default.
Summary: The Assembly Insurance Committee met as a subcommittee at first because a quorum was not initially present, then later established a quorum and heard several bills. The main special-order item was AB 1795 (Gibson), which would create statewide standards for testing, inspection, and remediation of wildfire smoke damage in homes, with CalEPA and public health agencies developing science-based standards and insurers required to follow new claims-handling timelines. Supporters, including Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara and wildfire survivors, said the bill would bring consistency and safety; insurers and consumer groups generally supported the concept but sought further amendments on scope, standards, and claim handling. The committee voted do pass as amended and refer AB 1795 to Appropriations, with the roll held open for later additions. The committee also considered AB 1576 (Ortega) on the Subsequent Injury Benefit Trust Fund, which would make changes intended to reduce litigation and employer assessments while preserving the program’s purpose of encouraging hiring of workers with prior disabilities. Labor-side witnesses supported the bill as a reform step, while business, public entity, and insurance groups opposed it, arguing it did not address the core structural problems and that a trailer bill was a better vehicle for broader reform. AB 1576 was voted do pass to Appropriations, with the roll held open. AB 1931 (Papan) would create an optional limited-lines license for utilities to offer home protection products for repairs to appliances and utility service lines. Support came from HomeServe, utilities, and industry groups, who said the bill would clarify current law and add consumer protections such as training, disclosures, and a free-look period; there was no opposition in the room. The committee passed AB 1931 to Appropriations. AB 2361 (Pacheco) would limit vicarious liability for peer-to-peer vehicle-sharing platforms like Turo while preserving insurance coverage requirements; supporters said it would align California with other states, while consumer attorneys opposed it as reducing accountability and consumer recovery. The committee passed AB 2361 as amended to Appropriations. AB 2098 (Kalra), heard later, would require employers to allow leave for workers to attend treatment for occupational injuries during work hours, subject to notice and business-necessity limits; labor groups supported it and business and insurance groups sought narrower standards. It was also voted do pass to Appropriations. The committee then completed roll-call add-ons and adjourned.
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

November 19, 2025 - 11:00 AM

Transcript Highlights:
  • FINDING FIVE, FESUA STUDENT ACCOUNT BALANCE LIMITS CONTRARY TO STATE LAW STEP UP CONTINUE TO FUND FESUA
  • THOSE ARE FUNDS IN EXCESS OF THE STATUTORY LIMIT.
  • ESPECIALLY IN REGARD TO THE FESUA STUDENT ACCOUNTS THAT WITH 50,000 STATUTORY LIMIT.
  • HOW WOULD AN ACCOUNT HAVE AN EXCESS THAT WE DO NOT FUN FOR THE STATUTORY LIMIT. >> FOR THE UA PROGRAM
  • DO YOU TO KNOW HOW MANY ACCOUNT BALANCES CURRENTLY EXCEED THE STATUTORY LIMIT?
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee 4/3/25

Higher Education Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • I think it's a good idea if it was limited to hospitals or medical facilities.
  • You can probably tell by the limits that there are very specific limitations that this organization has
  • <00:42:41.800> to good idea I think if it was limited to good idea I think if it was limited
  • > limitations<00:43:06.280> that<00:43:06.599> this are very specific limitations
  • Again, they have limited ability to do this. They cannot take on larger projects.
Keywords: 1183, house
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs (04/23/2025)

Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • So would this commission terms.
  • longer term uh engagement with patients. longer term uh engagement with patients.
  • Palliative care is long-term care.
  • <02:03:42.080> You to put some limitations on that. You to put some limitations on that.
  • if we put something in this that limited if we put something in this that limited the the the um
Keywords: 1189, house, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Hied Committee Meeting - 2025-04-03

Higher Education Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • You can probably tell that there are very specific limitations that this organization has.
  • Again, they have limited ability to do this. They cannot take on larger projects.
  • I just want to make sure that folks are clear that those limitations exist.
  • Terms that I've had it, but we are delighted that we have finally gotten through the process.
  • When we looked at what the current limits were potentially not allowing for the program...
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • Local governments asked us to do more with limited resources.
  • Just a friendly reminder on the eight-minute time limit. Thank you. I'm first.
  • But in terms of MACC, we will be providing specific comments.
  • I don't see that being a possibility in the short term.
  • Opponents of active management are limited to three-minute statements.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The hearing focused on the Healey-Driscoll administration’s Mass Ready Act, a $3 billion environmental bond bill. Administration officials said the bill would fund climate resilience, clean water, land conservation, parks, PFAS remediation, food security infrastructure, and coastal and inland flood protection, while also streamlining permitting for housing, restoration, and other resilience projects. They emphasized that the bond authorizes spending but does not itself obligate it, and said the proposal includes deauthorizations as housekeeping. Committee members asked about the new Resilience Revolving Fund, flood and drought management, MVP funding, land acquisition, Chapter 61 right-of-first-refusal changes, salt marsh carbon sequestration, and how the bill would help smaller municipalities and offset expected federal funding losses. Officials said the revolving fund would be managed through EEA and the Clean Water Trust, with criteria aimed at directing aid to communities most in need, and noted that drought issues would continue to be handled through existing DEP and drought commission tools. Several committee members and witnesses discussed specific policy provisions, including flood disclosure requirements for homebuyers and renters, expanded authority for regional planning and small-town access to grants, and permitting reforms that would exempt or expedite certain environmental restoration and priority housing projects from more time-consuming review processes. Administration witnesses defended the reforms as a way to achieve the same environmental outcomes faster and with more certainty, while some advocates argued the bill should go further, especially on Chapter 91 and restoration permitting. The administration also described investments in DCR facilities, water and wastewater systems, open space, agricultural easements, and a new focus on blue carbon and salt marsh restoration. Public testimony largely supported the bill. Mass Audubon, the Trustees of Reservations, the Environmental League of Massachusetts, The Nature Conservancy, MAPC, the Massachusetts Municipal Association, municipal officials, and others praised the bill’s resilience, conservation, and water infrastructure investments. Some witnesses urged additional funding for land protection, coastal resilience, buyouts, and restoration, and several called for stronger or simpler permitting reforms. Municipal witnesses from Boston, Beckett, Beverly, Conway, and regional planning organizations stressed the need for flexible financing, especially for small and rural communities facing costly infrastructure and climate adaptation projects. No votes were taken during the portion of the hearing provided; the committee heard testimony and asked questions before moving on to additional panels.
ND

North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session

Protection and Victim Services Committee May 13th, 2026

Protection and Victim Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • The limitations do not mean that ACEs have no impact, just that they are hard to quantify in terms of
  • So they're long-term.
  • In other words, if we update the language that no longer uses those terms, we would remove that term
  • We're swapping one term for another.
  • In terms of where are people coming from in our course, In terms of where people are coming from in our
Summary: The committee first approved the December 16 minutes and then heard a presentation from Dr. Ramona Danielson on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and their economic and public-system impacts. She explained that ACEs are population-level risk indicators, not individual diagnostic tools, and said higher ACE exposure is associated with more chronic illness, mental health challenges, child welfare and justice involvement, and lower workforce participation. She cautioned that precise dollar estimates are difficult because of the many interacting factors across the life course, but said the direction of the impact is clear and that evidence-based interventions and protective factors can reduce harm. Members asked about definitions of a “healthy family,” same-sex couples, divorce, substance abuse, trends in ACEs, and home visiting; she emphasized supportive relationships, protective factors, and the importance of positive childhood experiences. The committee then heard from Allison Mahoney and Missy Barranco, along with a recorded family story from Abby, about evidence-based home visiting programs in North Dakota. Abby described how Healthy Families North Dakota supported her family after a premature birth and NICU stay by providing weekly in-home coaching, developmental screenings, postpartum mental health check-ins, referrals, and parenting support. The presenters explained that home visiting is voluntary, relationship-based, and usually begins prenatally or shortly after birth, with referrals coming from hospitals, WIC, pregnancy navigators, human service zones, self-referrals, and other community partners. They said North Dakota currently has four main evidence-based models operating through 12 organizations, with Healthy Families available in all 53 counties, though only a fraction of eligible families are served. Funding was described as a patchwork of federal MIECHV/Title IV-E, Medicaid, state and tribal funds, philanthropy, charitable gaming, and other grants; members discussed whether the Legislature or agencies should expand support and how to improve outreach and sustainability. Finally, the committee received a memorandum on artificial intelligence and sexual exploitation, focusing on AI-generated child sexual abuse material, deepfakes, sextortion, and chatbot-related risks. The report summarized federal and state law, including North Dakota’s existing computer-generated image provisions, the federal PROTECT Act, the Take It Down Act, and recent federal executive orders on AI policy. Members discussed the need for child-safety protections, the limits of executive orders, and broader concerns about AI’s effect on critical thinking and misinformation. The committee then heard from BCI Special Agent Cassidy Halsef, who said AI is already driving a sharp rise in child exploitation cases in North Dakota, including AI-generated explicit images of real minors and school-based incidents involving mass-shared manipulated images. She said investigators are seeing more cyber tips, more difficult forensic work, and lasting harm to victims and families, and urged stronger legal penalties, specialized training, victim services, and prevention education in schools and communities.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Land & Resource Management May 15th, 2025

Land & Resource Management

Transcript Highlights:
  • If you require assistance, please contact committee staff and try to limit the public testimony to 2
  • The, uh, but that, that's a product of where your city limits are and the current city law and how far
  • Your city limits set what and your your city style set and your population set what your uh uh your ETJ
  • Can you try it real quick in layman's terms?
  • Uh, this was limited to cities. We're gonna have to look at that.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Public Education Mar 4th, 2025

Public Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • I mean, the allotments are limited.
  • You mentioned the limited numbers of the pre-residential.
  • There's a limit to how fast this can happen.
  • and long-term, right?
  • These programs that would be able to demonstrate in the short term and in the long term how important
Bills: HB2, HB2
FL

Florida 2026 5th Special Session

Appropriations Apr 2nd, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • One, there is no income limit. There's no cap here in a couple of years.
  • that could strengthen long-term recovery?
  • Is there a limit on the total number of vouchers?
  • So is there a limit to the actual total that we will disperse? Mr.
  • Chairman, there is not a limit in this bill.
Summary: The Appropriations Committee met for Budget Day and heard presentations on the Senate’s proposed 2025-2026 budget, SPB 25-200, totaling $117.4 billion. Chair Hooper said the plan reduces overall spending from the prior year, keeps strong reserves, includes a 4% pay raise for state employees, maintains employee health care contributions, and makes major investments in water quality, transportation, and education infrastructure. Committee chairs then summarized their budget silos, including K-12 education, higher education, health and human services, criminal and civil justice, transportation/tourism/economic development, and agriculture/environment/general government. Members asked questions mainly about school funding, AP and dual enrollment support, voucher and scholarship impacts, and the My Safe Florida Home program. The committee adopted a large consent package of amendments and then approved three late-file amendments: funding virtual college tours for high school students, funding the FSU Sunshine Genetics program, and providing money for the Port of Fernandina customs facility. The committee then voted to report SPB 2500, the General Appropriations Bill, as a committee bill. It also favorably reported SPB 2502 (implementing bill), SPB 2504 (state employees placeholder), SB 7022 (Florida Retirement System contribution rates and DROP changes), CS/SB 1320 (recreating the Resilient Florida Trust Fund), SPB 2506 (gaming compact revenue distributions, including water projects and rural lands), SPB 2508 (29 new judgeships), SB 7014 (ending the court mediation and arbitration trust fund), SPB 2510 (K-12 conforming bill), SPB 2512 (higher education conforming bill), and SPB 2514 (health and human services conforming bill). The committee also took up several policy bills. It approved SB 7028 on cancer research, creating grant parameters, reporting requirements, a five-year pediatric cancer research incubator, and the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute VisionGen Initiative. It approved CS/CS/SB 170 on nursing home quality, adding resident satisfaction surveys, medical director standards, safety culture reviews, electronic health record requirements, financial reporting penalties, and a study of best practices. It approved CS/CS/SB 168, the Tristan Murphy Act, which expands mental health diversion options, adds Hillsborough County to a forensic hospital diversion pilot, expands grant uses, and creates a behavioral health data repository. It also approved SB 114 creating the Florida Center for Excellence in Insurance and Risk Management at FSU and moving the public hurricane loss model there. The committee then began considering SB 180 on emergency preparedness and response, including a late-file amendment, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.