Transcript Highlights:

• While this is a tight timeline, we're strongly positioned to utilize the competitive funds to strengthen
• We are strongly positioned to utilize the competitive funds to strengthen the state's early learning
• I wanted to ask a quick question related to some constituent issues that I've had with utilizing this
• I wanted to ask a quick question related to some constituent issues that I've had with utilizing this
• And, of course, the rising cost for commodities, food, medicine, utilities, etc.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• While this is a tight timeline, we're strongly positioned to utilize the competitive funds to strengthen
• We are strongly positioned to utilize the competitive funds to strengthen the state's early learning
• I wanted to ask a quick question related to some constituent issues that I've had with utilizing this
• The other thing is the utilization of the OPS staff to replace expensive contracted nursing staff in
• And, of course, the rising cost for commodities, food, medicine, utilities, etc.

Summary: The Legislative Budget Commission considered 21 budget amendments, most of them routine authority adjustments tied to federal grants, Medicaid payment programs, and trust fund realignments. The Department of Education received $14.751 million for a Preschool Development Grant to support early learning system improvements, workforce credentialing and training, IT modernization, and related early childhood certification work. The Department of Veterans Affairs shifted $2.2 million within its trust fund to cover higher nursing home occupancy, replace contract nursing with OPS staff, and meet rising operating costs. The Department of Health moved about $9.1 million to support Disability Determinations, where roughly 140,000 cases were pending or in process, and said the change would help reduce backlog and avoid a deficit. The Agency for Health Care Administration presented multiple amendments for Medicaid-related programs, including $766 million for indirect medical education, $1.9 million for managed care network adequacy audits, $209 million for the Rural Health Transformation Program, and several large supplemental payment programs for hospitals and physicians; members asked about CMS approval delays, provider access, and how rural funds would be distributed. The commission also adopted an amendment realigning KidCare funds, placing a $32.1 million surplus into reserve, though several members objected that the state had not yet implemented the 2023 KidCare expansion and that children remained on a wait list. Another Medicaid amendment placed a $376 million surplus into reserve after updated estimating conference projections. Other agencies also received approvals. FDLE received $16.26 million to buy counter-unmanned aircraft systems equipment such as radar and RF sensors to detect and mitigate drone threats. The Department of Juvenile Justice received $1.6 million for the Florida Scholars Academy and a Social Services Block Grant realignment, with staff confirming corrective action had been taken after prior audit findings about allowable SSBG spending. The Division of Emergency Management received federal pass-through authority for FIFA World Cup security and counter-UAS funds, both controlled by the Miami host committee, and members noted the state had little direct oversight over how those local grants would be used. The Department of Commerce received $148.4 million for Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery work, with questions focused on the split between housing, infrastructure, and administrative costs. The Department of State received $408,377 for arts and culture federal grant obligations. All amendments were adopted, generally without objection, after brief questioning and no public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Title 30, Chapter 2, Article 1, and amending Title 40, Chapter 2, Article 1, relating to public utilities
• Natural Resources and State Department, having under consideration House Bill 2756, relating to utilities
• The utilities are not asking data centers to pay for the increased generation, which is making electric
• Instead, this bill will require electric utilities to do the bare minimum of reporting about new large
• But the report has loopholes: if a utility serves 40,000 connections or fewer, it does not have to report

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, recorded attendance, approved the journal, and then moved into Committee of the Whole to consider several bills. Early floor action included House Bill 2369 on photo-enforced traffic citations, amended so the citation would be signed by the mayor rather than the municipality’s presiding judge; House Bill 2423 on advanced math course enrollment, amended to narrow eligibility to students showing high proficiency on statewide assessments and to remove duplicative reporting; House Bill 2481 on school district financial records, amended to change how the state responds to USFR deficiencies by directing districts to approved training programs; House Bill 2621 on special education/public school enrollment, amended to allow students placed in residential facilities to enroll directly in the district where they live; and House Bill 2756 on public utilities and high-load-factor customers, amended to extend reporting deadlines, exempt smaller utilities, and remove some integrated planning requirements. Each of these bills received do-pass recommendations from Committee of the Whole, with some senators raising concerns about math staffing, school funding, and data-center impacts on rates and infrastructure. The chamber then adopted the Committee of the Whole report and heard a proclamation supporting stronger Arizona and U.S. relations with Taiwan, including trade, technology, education, and Taiwan’s participation in international organizations. The Senate also calendared House Bill 2192 for additional Committee of the Whole consideration, adopted a Bolick amendment excluding telecom and broadband providers from the definition of online hosting platform, and advanced the bill with a do-pass recommendation. In third reading, the Senate passed House Bill 2249 on the parents’ bill of rights, House Bill 2482 on out-of-school facilities, House Bill 2641 on firefighting foam, House Bill 2661 on dependent children, House Bill 2662 on parenting time, House Bill 2673 creating a study committee on inmate mental health services, House Bill 2745 on legislative subpoena enforcement, House Bill 2752 on the Arizona Commerce Authority, House Bill 2895 on public education, House Bill 2923 on mental health services, and several concurrent memorials urging Congress to address foreign authoritarian property ownership and endangered species issues. Several members explained votes, often citing budget concerns, staffing shortages, or policy objections. Senators Epstein and others repeatedly argued that many problems in education and mental health require more funding and personnel rather than statutory changes alone. Senator Kuby and Senator Epstein also criticized House Bill 2756 as insufficient to address data-center costs, water use, and ratepayer impacts, though the amended bill passed. The session concluded with passage of House Bill 2192 on employment, committee announcements for the following Monday, and adjournment until April 20, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• As mentioned, the topic of discussion today is artificial intelligence and the utilization of AI.
• It allows us to utilize technology.
• It helps us utilize technology, again, as radars and drones.
• It allows us to utilize technology.
• It helps us utilize technology, again, as radars, drones.

Summary: The Natural Resources and Disaster Subcommittee met to discuss the use of artificial intelligence in emergency management and related public-safety applications. The panel included the Florida Division of Emergency Management, the University of Florida, and Florida International University. FDEM described current uses of AI for invoice anomaly detection, automated situation report drafting, and data synthesis in WebEOC, emphasizing that AI is used to speed analysis and improve efficiency but not to replace human decision-making. The agency also said counties retain access through backup communications such as Starlink and generators, and that WebEOC provides shared visibility, archived documentation, and a common operating picture across all 67 counties. University of Florida representatives highlighted Beacon, an AI-enabled public safety audio service developed with FDEM and public media partners to distribute official alerts across multiple platforms, including mobile devices and digital streams. UF IFAS described a geospatial AI “Gaia bot” that turns satellite data into natural-language answers and maps for crop damage assessment and flood-risk mapping, with a focus on making complex Earth-observation data more accessible to growers and policymakers. FIU presented AI models that predict water levels and flood mitigation settings much faster than traditional simulation tools, with comparable or better accuracy, and said the work includes explainability features and broader research on compound flooding. Members asked extensive questions about storm surge, hallucinations, whether generative AI or large language models were being used, data vetting, and hardware needs. The witnesses repeatedly stressed that their systems are not autonomous, that human review remains central, and that the models used are primarily data-driven predictive tools rather than chatbot-style generative AI. The meeting ended with thanks to the panelists and an announcement that the committee’s policy chief was leaving for another position. Representative Mooney then moved that the committee rise, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Can I afford my rent, my utilities, my health care, child care, so I can go to work and provide for my
• The utilities have billed one way for more than 100 years.
• For and to file a rate case to lower their utility rates.
• It will put pressure on every other utility, and it's the direction that we want to be moving.
• And I want to thank Senator Cook and the entirety of the utility committee for their efforts in that

Keywords: 964, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Homeland Security has done a great job at taking some federal grant money and utilizing it to have cyber
• it to have uh cyber assets utilizing it to have uh cyber assets available<00:06:52.080> if<00
• > the point that all those assets are the point that all those assets are being<00:07:22.800> utilized
• > one<00:07:23.520> point<00:07:24.240> in<00:07:24.560> short being utilized
• from one point in short being utilized from one point in short that's<00:07:25.360> what<00:07

Keywords: Technology - Room 210; 28 January, 2026: 9:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Technology Committee met a few minutes late and took up four bills. Senate Bill 2437, which establishes a baseline definition of artificial intelligence and aligns it with federal language, was explained as a recommendation from the AI regulatory task force; it passed without questions and was reported out. Senate Bill 2650, the Mississippi Emergency Communications Authority Act, was presented as a follow-up to last year’s 911 legislation to make minor, non-funding adjustments to definitions around EOCs, EOCCs, and NG 911 standards; members noted the board has not yet fully met or been confirmed, and the bill passed and was reported out. Senate Bill 2653, the Mississippi IT Optimization Act, was described as creating a new code section to improve state IT efficiency and enterprise solutions as agencies move to the cloud and data sharing expands. The chair cited consolidation efforts such as reducing multiple Microsoft mail accounts and potential cost savings, and the bill passed with no opposition. Senate Bill 2654 would establish a state security operations center to centralize cybersecurity response and related assets; after a committee substitute corrected a typographical error, the substitute was adopted and then passed as a title sufficient do pass, to be reported out. The chair also said the committee would likely see further revisions later in session, especially on the 911 and cybersecurity measures, and announced a February 5 field trip for technology committees to visit MDE from about 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with more details to follow.

Transcript Highlights:

• As you know, the regulated utilities are assessed a fee to pay for the regulation.
• So the department currently assesses all regulated utilities and certain other utilities, including accepted
• revenue, and this reduces it to 10% of gross utility revenue.
• revenue, and this reduces it to 10% of gross utility revenue.
• they're based on 33% gross utility they're based on 33% gross utility revenue<00:45:31.880> and

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have the buildings; we pay the utilities 100% federal.
• Um, we are currently leasing or utilizing part of that...
• Do you have utility access?
• We utilize the VA grant program enabled under 38 CFR 5141. Under 38 CFR 5141.
• Utility fees were not included, and there was no escalation of cost...

Keywords: 928, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:21:13.520> to structure um a health data utility to structure um a health data utility
• <01:22:35.440> to comprehensive health data utility to comprehensive health data utility to
• A comprehensive health data utility A comprehensive health data utility could<01:25:26.719> and
• ,<01:31:08.960> really utility, as Allison outlined, really utility, as Allison outlined,
• health plan, their experience utilizing health plan, their experience utilizing the<01:34:51.199

Keywords: 00:00:00 - Call to Order/Roll Call 00:02:17 - Approval of June 18, 2025 Minutes 00:02:33 - Introductions and Discussion on Priorities 00:07:27 - Health Data Discussion-KY Health Information Exchange (KHIE) 00:34:02 - Health Data Discussion-Public Health Data 01:19:24 - Health Data Discussion-Other Health Data Platforms 01:42:40 - Consideration of Referred Administrative Regulations (Except 201 KAR 005:010) 01:44:48 - Discussion of Optometry Regulation 201 KAR 005:010 02:25:29 - Hearing on Unified Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant Application for FFY 2026 - 2027 Funds 02:33:40 - Administrative Regulation 201 KAR 005:010 Vote Clarification 02:34:03 - Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The Interim Joint Committee on Health Services met to approve the June 18 minutes and hear introductory remarks from new Cabinet Secretary for Health and Family Services Dr. Steven Stack and new Department for Public Health Commissioner Dr. John Langfeld. Both described their backgrounds and emphasized a shared focus on using health data to improve quality, coordination, and outcomes across Kentucky. They highlighted the Kentucky Health Information Exchange (KHI) as a central tool for connecting hospitals, labs, providers, public health systems, Medicaid, and other state and federal data sources, and said the system supports notifications, immunization records, surveillance, and care coordination. They also outlined priorities such as continued investment in KHI, stronger interoperability, privacy protections, and expanded analytic capacity to turn data into action. Committee members then asked about COVID-19 vaccine recommendations and informed consent, particularly for pregnant women and children. Dr. Stack said informed consent should come through a licensed health care provider, that Kentucky did not mandate the COVID vaccine, and that the evidence still supports vaccination for high-risk groups, including pregnant women, citing professional medical guidance. A follow-up exchange focused on concerns about past vaccine policies and the need for patients to receive full information before making decisions. Senator Heron asked how KIPRC/KIPR could be used to address firearm injuries. Dr. Langfeld said the key opportunity is to make data more real-time and usable for day-to-day response, while Dr. Stack said the department would continue its long-standing partnership with KIPRC and noted his view that gun violence is a public health emergency. He added, however, that because firearms are a deeply divided issue, the Department for Public Health’s current role is mainly to make data available for authorized research rather than to take a broader policy role. No votes or formal actions beyond approving the minutes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• That their data cannot be utilized to target them with ads.
• Their data cannot be utilized to target them with algorithms that are meant to addict them and continue
• This bill does not ban their children from utilizing social media.
• <00:14:53.839> their kids so they continue to utilize their kids so they continue to utilize
• <00:15:28.959> social the rights of adults to utilize social the rights of adults to utilize

Keywords: Meeting start: 00:00 Roll call: 00:05 HB 227 discussion: 01:10 HB 227 voting: 49:38, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum to consider House Bill 227, a time-sensitive measure focused on social media use by minors. The bill sponsor, Rep. Matt Lockett, and supporters including counsel for Alliance Defending Freedom, the Attorney General’s office, and the Family Foundation argued that social media is addictive and harmful to children, contributes to mental health problems and exploitation, and that the bill would give parents more control while regulating addictive features rather than banning speech. Supporters said the bill is narrowly tailored, content-neutral, and designed to withstand constitutional scrutiny; the Attorney General’s office said it would defend the bill if challenged and described ongoing multi-state litigation against major platforms. One committee member also described seeing inappropriate AI-generated content on a 16-year-old’s phone as an example of the problem the bill seeks to address. Opposition testimony came from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, NetChoice, and the Computer and Communications Industry Association. They argued the bill raises First Amendment concerns because it conditions minors’ access on parental consent, regulates how private platforms communicate with users, and could function as a de facto speech ban. They also warned that the age-estimation requirement could force platforms to collect more sensitive data, creating privacy and security risks, and that the ban on “addictive features” was overly broad and could sweep in personalized feeds, notifications, autoplay, and other common tools. Opponents said the bill could especially harm vulnerable youth who rely on online access for community or safety information and urged the committee to craft a constitutional alternative. During questions, members asked how the state could enforce the law against national companies and were told enforcement would come through the Attorney General within Kentucky and potentially through multi-state litigation. Members also discussed the bill’s practical effects, including advertising revenue from youth users and the need for guardrails to protect children. The discussion continued with questions about the bill’s scope, parental consent, age estimation, and liability provisions, but no final vote or other committee action was shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• that Revenue to city has and we utilize that Revenue to be<00:13:26.720> able<00:13:26.880>
• Uh, there's been plenty of nice Aprils where people want to go out and utilize this as well.
• Those get utilized.
• Those get utilized.
• Those get utilized.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Code and that electric utilities, including a river authority, may use other rate mechanisms after they
• Code and that electric utilities, including a river authority, may use other rate mechanisms after they
• code and that electric utilities, including a works with existing provisions of the utilities code,
• and that electric utilities, including a river authority, may use other rate mechanisms after they're
• establish a supplemental multi-decade transmission planning criteria, essentially, that would be utilized

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce met with a quorum and took up a long list of pending House bills, most of them on motions by Senator King or Senator Campbell. The committee adopted committee substitutes and favorably reported numerous bills, including HB 252, HB 700, HB 1500, HB 1545, HB 1562, HB 1732, HB 267, HB 2213, HB 2221, HB 2520, HB 2818, HB 3016, HB 3214, HB 3250, HB 3512, HB 3623, HB 3689, HB 3833, HB 4063, HB 4395, HB 4690, HB 4751, HB 5331, HB 3824, HB 4464, HB 4468, and HB 5247. Most of these were sent to the local and uncontested calendar, while some, including sunset and other significant measures, were reported to the full Senate. HB 146 was the only bill reported out on a divided vote, passing 6 ayes to 4 nays. Several bills received brief explanation of committee substitute changes. HB 3016, dealing with rental car collision damage waivers and stolen vehicles, was amended to change a cooperation standard from “fully cooperate” to simply “cooperate.” HB 3689, a major ESF/TWA financing bill, was described as making technical changes to align terminology with the Comptroller’s authority and to avoid creating state debt or new liability. HB 5247, a capital cost recovery bill for transmission in the Permian Basin, was revised to clarify how the new mechanism fits with existing Utilities Code provisions and to add a 2035 expiration date. HB 3824, the battery fire safety bill, also received technical changes to align terminology with industry usage. The committee heard public testimony on several pending measures. HB 3069, which would direct the PUC to develop supplemental multi-decade planning criteria for transmission certificates in ERCOT, drew support from industry, environmental, and manufacturing witnesses who said it would help address congestion costs while balancing consumer protections; the bill was left pending. HB 5196, requiring state agencies to adopt and post telework policies and use written telework agreements, received both support and concern: supporters said it would preserve productivity and retention, while a senator raised concerns about notice and family logistics; it was left pending after testimony. HB 3112, allowing closed deliberations on cybersecurity policy details, was laid out and left pending after brief discussion. HCR 102, supporting federal nuclear tax credits, drew testimony from nuclear industry and energy advocates, who argued the credits are essential for existing plants, new nuclear development, grid reliability, and U.S. competitiveness; the resolution was left pending, with discussion about whether the language should focus more exclusively on nuclear. HB 705, creating a cosmetology licensure compact, was supported by industry, employers, and compact experts as a mobility tool that preserves state authority; HB 3516, expanding a public information exemption for Railroad Commission administrative law judges and technical examiners, and HB 3388, authorizing group property and casualty coverage for personal lines, were also heard and left pending. At the end of the meeting, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're just utilizing it for the first time now.
• We're just utilizing it for the first time now in the May Revision.
• We need to lower utility bills in California.
• Overall, the electric distribution utilities, the electric utilities, we are getting 11% less than the
• Overall, the electric distribution utilities, the electric utilities, we are getting 11% less than the

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee heard the Department of Finance’s May Revision overview and the LAO’s budget assessment, then questioned administration officials on several natural resources and transportation proposals. Finance described the state’s improved near-term fiscal picture, but also highlighted continued budget balancing measures, including use of the temporary surplus holding account, climate bond spending, transportation and DMV/CHP augmentations, and changes affecting CEQA filing systems, water programs, CalRecycle, and food and agriculture. The LAO argued the budget still relies heavily on reserves and borrowing, recommended rejecting or delaying many new discretionary proposals, and urged caution about ongoing costs and future-year impacts, especially for the General Fund, Motor Vehicle Account, and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. A major portion of the hearing focused on the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes proposal for Bay-Delta water quality implementation. Secretary Wade Crowfoot and Finance officials said the $25 million request would support early implementation of an enforceable program combining environmental flows, habitat restoration, and scientific monitoring, with the State Water Board retaining regulatory authority. The LAO said the proposal was premature because the updated Bay-Delta plan had not yet been adopted and asked for more clarity on the state’s existing commitments and future funding expectations. Several members expressed support for the program as a way to reduce long-running conflict over water policy, while others echoed concerns about timing and fiscal exposure. The committee also examined the proposed $125 million Proposition 4 contribution toward acquisition of the Golden Gate Fields property for a shoreline park and habitat restoration. State agencies said the project had a completed appraisal, was moving through a rolling grant process, and would leverage philanthropic and local funding, while members questioned why it was being elevated ahead of other park and conservation requests and whether it was the best use of limited bond dollars. The hearing then turned to transportation items, including $40 million for Clean California litter abatement, $6.2 million for Caltrans homeless coordinators, $73.4 million in DMV/Motor Vehicle Account requests, and funding for the 2028 Games route network. The LAO generally recommended rejecting or delaying the Clean California and homeless coordinator proposals pending more information, while members debated the need to preserve essential CHP and DMV operations despite the Motor Vehicle Account’s structural imbalance.

Transcript Highlights:

• We will open the public hearing for CACR 30, relating to public utility commissioners, providing that
• the public utility commissioners are elected, and recognize Representative Opel, who is now becoming
• utilities to attempt to add to their rate base, increasing what customers must pay.
• <00:05:36.720> have uh in an arena where most utilities have uh in an arena where most utilities
• , providing that public utility commissioners are elected.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first held a public hearing on CACR 30, a constitutional amendment that would make Public Utilities Commission members elected rather than appointed. Representative Thomas Opel testified in support, arguing that rising energy costs and the utility rate-setting structure make the PUC too insulated from ratepayers, and that elected commissioners would be more accountable. He also said the proposal should ideally include a ban on contributions from regulated utilities to PUC campaigns, and acknowledged the draft had errors and needed work. Representative Lane questioned whether a contribution ban would be constitutional, and Opel said there may be ways to structure one to survive legal challenge. The hearing closed with five online supporters and two opponents reported, and no one else testified. The committee then went into executive session on House Bill 1062, authorizing the Secretary of State to conduct random audits of voters’ citizenship qualifications. Representative Newsome offered an amendment to clarify how voters with no evidence either way would be treated and to require a public report on audit results, including referrals, costs, and databases used. Representative Aqua opposed the amendment, saying the bill should pass as written. The amendment failed 9-7, and after further debate over privacy and the purpose of audits, the committee voted 9-7 to recommend ought to pass on HB 1062. Representative Barry was assigned the majority report and Representative Newsome the minority report. The committee next considered House Bill 1388, which would clarify the form of ballots for constitutional amendments. Representative Weary said the bill simply provides clarity for voters and imposes no hardship on the Secretary of State’s office. The committee unanimously voted 17-0 to recommend ought to pass and placed the bill on the consent calendar. Finally, the committee opened a public hearing on House Bill 1125, enabling school districts to adopt partisan school district elections. Representative Weary said partisan labels would help voters understand candidate positions and address low turnout in local elections. He emphasized the bill is enabling, not mandatory. Members questioned why the change was needed if few municipalities have used existing authority, and whether it would increase divisiveness. Weary said many voters are unaware of the option and that partisan labels would give them more information. The hearing closed with five online supporters and 184 opponents. The committee then began executive session on House Bill 1187, concerning the filing deadline for special-election candidates for state representative, but discussion was still ongoing in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• amendments to ensure that this bill will protect the health plan's ability to exercise reasonable utilization
• really critical role in managing care responsibly and safeguarding against inappropriate use through utilization
• However, despite having authorized hours available, weekly utilization limits prevent us from doing so
• Industry data indicates that practices utilize only 42.6% of authorized hours on average.
• That said, we appreciate the amendments that preserve utilization management, and after reviewing them

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health met in Room 2100 and first established a quorum, then approved a six-bill consent calendar on a 6-0 vote, placing it on call. The committee then heard AB 2233, which would ensure that once applied behavior analysis services for autistic patients are authorized, families can use those approved hours across the authorization period rather than losing them to weekly utilization caps or scheduling barriers. The author and supporters, including behavior analysts and family advocates, said the bill would not expand benefits but would improve access to already authorized care; health plan and insurance representatives initially raised fraud and utilization-management concerns but said they would remove opposition after amendments preserving those safeguards. AB 2233 passed 7-0 and was placed on call. The committee next heard AB 96, which would remove the high school diploma or equivalent requirement for certification as a Medi-Cal peer support specialist. Supporters from county behavioral health, peer services, and local governments argued that lived experience, training, and certification standards—not a diploma—should determine eligibility, and that the change would help address workforce shortages and expand culturally competent peer support. One opposition witness from the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals testified against the bill, but the measure advanced on a 7-0 vote to Appropriations and was placed on call. The final major item was AB 1876, the Fair Care for All Act, which would codify federal non-discrimination protections in state law for health care coverage and services. Supporters said it would protect transgender, gender-diverse, and intersex patients from discriminatory coverage practices and preserve access to medically necessary care; opponents argued it would force coverage of gender-affirming interventions and reduce insurer safeguards. After debate over whether the bill expanded coverage, the author said it simply mirrored existing federal non-discrimination law. AB 1876 passed 7-1 and was re-referred to Judiciary, then placed on call. The committee later opened the roll to record absent members and concluded the meeting after all items were disposed of.

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><02:32:41.476>biomass the continuation of the biomass the continuation of the biomass utilization
• gram programming and in utilization gram programming and in connection <02:32:43.609>there <02
• c> regulatory agencies to repeal the regulatory agencies to repeal the biomass <02:32:49.053>utilization
• <02:32:49.466>grant <02:32:49.879>program biomass utilization grant program biomass
• utilization grant program majority majority majority Thank <02:32:51.662>you <02:32:51.885>

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the April 13, 2026 journal, and welcomed former Senator Bob Shafer as a special guest. Committee reports were read from Transportation and Energy, Education, and Judiciary, with several measures advanced to the Committee of the Whole or Appropriations and one item postponed. The chamber also recognized Liberty Common High School’s graduating class of 2026 with a personal privilege statement praising its academic and extracurricular achievements. On resolutions, SJR 24 (Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month), SR 7 (Second Chance Month), and SJR 23 were all laid over to later dates. On the consent calendar, House Bills 1228, 111, and 1213 were passed, with HB 1213 related to the biomass utilization grant program and its repeal under a sunset recommendation. The Senate then took up several third-reading bills: HB 1126 on firearm dealer requirements drew opposition over gun rights and dealer compliance concerns but passed 20-15; HB 1265 on law enforcement use of the federal eTrace system also drew criticism over data collection and local control but passed 23-12; HB 1302 passed 22-13; HB 1045 on housing protections for individuals with disabilities passed 23-12; and HB 135 on access to inpatient behavioral health services passed 35-0. The House transmitted a message noting concurrence on Senate amendments to multiple House bills and a House resolution. The Senate then agreed to adjourn over the balance of the day until Thursday, April 16, 2026, after correcting the date during the motion. Several announcements followed about upcoming meetings and events, including committee hearings and a Capitol “Seek Day,” and the Senate ultimately recessed until noon.

Transcript Highlights:

• Number three, we utilize our data to inform, to understand where we are, what's working, what's not,
• And so as it relates to the opioid funding, what we utilize, as you may be aware, is a number of different
• We utilize spending trends: how are we looking with each of the investments that we are making with the
• And so that's a number of different strategies that we utilize working directly with our managing...
• working directly with our managing That's a number of different strategies that we utilize, working

Summary: The Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs considered three bills and a confirmation. On SB 1600, as amended, the sponsor explained that the original child welfare language was replaced with a strike-all requiring the Office of Insurance Regulation to work with DCF and community-based care lead agencies to study liability insurance coverage and availability, report findings to the Legislature by January 1, 2027, and allow penalties for failure to provide requested information. The committee adopted the amendment and amendment to the amendment, heard supportive testimony from child welfare advocates, and reported the committee substitute favorably. The committee also heard CS/SB 556, which would allow students with disabilities to satisfy a physical education graduation requirement through participation in Special Olympics, and clarify that two years of marching band participation can satisfy PE and fine arts credit. Special Olympics Florida, parents, and other supporters testified in favor, and the bill was reported favorably. On SB 794, the sponsor described requirements for background screening of employees in residential facilities and day training programs for people with developmental disabilities, plus a review of waiver support coordination quality, workforce needs, geographic service gaps, and related recommendations due in 2027. The committee adopted a conforming amendment and reported the bill. The committee then took up the confirmation of Taylor Hatch as Secretary of the Department of Children and Families. Hatch outlined DCF’s recent work on child welfare, behavioral health, peer support, and technology improvements, and answered questions about child welfare system challenges, funding formulas, opioid settlement dollars, and interoperability of agency systems. After public comment, the committee voted to recommend her confirmation favorably, with Chair Graal voting no. The meeting ended with a request to record one senator’s vote on SB 1600 and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• the 2022 system plan continue to implement those, and hangers, and terminals, and taxiway areas, utilities
• more or less currently finishing up their apron construction and just starting their roadway and utility
• And again, progrowth is hangers terminals, fuel systems, taxiway development areas, utilities, and access
• We have 7 different utility projects.
• It's important to utilize them, especially for the Large commercial aircraft are going to be operating

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, this bill provides for the dissolution of the Rose City Municipal Utility District.
• They had a room off to the side and so we were able to utilize that.
• Our board conducts its meetings outside the boundaries of the district of our utility operators' offices
• The utility operators' offices have the facilities we need to conduct our meetings, and these facilities
• Yeah, Fort Bend, Mudd, municipal utility District 142. Is that B E B E N D B E N D, Fort Bend.

Transcript Highlights:

• more large-scale utility solar projects. more large-scale utility solar projects.
• utility-scale solar projects, Large utility-scale solar projects, which<00:10:57.280> are<00:
• It all goes to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission.
• Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. Minnesota Public Utilities Commission.
• Utility-scale solar, notably, is the ...

Keywords: 1187, senate, all