Transcript Highlights:

• The state's affordability crisis, particularly housing and care costs, continues to strain household
• On top of this affordability crisis, current and proposed federal policies that erode the safety net
• So a worker who's making 30% of the median income can only afford $928 in rent a month.
• So they cannot afford the market rent in many places. At the same time, I... In many places.
• You can't afford child care, food. You can't pay bills. You can't afford child care. Food.

Committee: Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement

Transcript Highlights:

• The rest of our budget really is those mandated expenses, or lease costs, printing, travel to facilities
• It would depend on the lease agreement, on who’s responsible.
• leasing entity.
• </c><01:32:06.159><c> agreement</c> it would depend on the lease agreement it would depend on the lease
• entity so in this case the the leasing entity so in this case the Charter<01:32:20.719><c> School</c

Bills: HF2432

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• When we say affordable housing, it's not just using the word affordable housing and we're building at
• affordability.
• We're a nonprofit affordable housing developer serving more than 22,600 We're a nonprofit affordable
• To maximize the number of affordable homes California creates, we need to both fund affordable housing
• We hear and read a lot these days about affordability. Affordability.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> quality standards that no one can afford quality standards that no one can afford without<00:31:
• I rise for affordability.
• </c> make life more affordable for everyone. make life more affordable for everyone.
• </c> building to make it more affordable. building to make it more affordable.
• </c> make sure that life is more affordable make sure that life is more affordable so<00:39:37.200><c

Transcript Highlights:

• CS for CS for House Bill 1389, a bill to be entitled an act relating to affordable housing.
• Members, this amendment restores the requirement that local governments approve affordable housing on
• in regarding ADUs and the time length that local governments would have the option to require the leases
• in regarding ADUs and the time length that local governments would have the option to require the leases
• And if, under current law, they have sufficient affordable housing in the year prior, those counties

Summary: The House met with a quorum present, heard prayers and ceremonial remarks, and then took up a series of returning messages from the Senate. The first major item was CS/CS/HB 1503 on computer science education and certification. Members explained that the House concurred in a Senate amendment that restored teacher certificate language, kept computer science and AI-related content in the bill, and delayed implementation to give the Department of Education time to develop curriculum. The House adopted the amendment and then passed the bill 105-0. The House also considered CS/CS/HB 1085 on local government cybersecurity. Members adopted a House amendment allowing local governments to buy into the cyber grant program even if they do not receive a grant, adding a five-year sunset and reporting provisions. The House then concurred in the Senate amendment shifting grant administration from a university to the Florida Digital Service, and passed the bill 104-1. Several other returning messages were rejected or sent back to the Senate. The House refused to concur in Senate amendments to CS/HB 351 on concurrent legislative jurisdiction over military installations and HB 6011 on reporting gifts or honoraria, as well as CS/HB 851 on professional learning for instructional and school administrative personnel. The most contentious debate came on CS/CS/HB 1471, which concerns systems of law and terrorist organizations; the Senate amendment defined “promote,” refined notice and timeline requirements, and retained references to Sharia law. Opponents argued the bill was overbroad, lacked due process and evidentiary standards, and threatened First Amendment rights, while supporters said it targeted conduct, not speech, and protected against terrorist support. The House adopted the amendment and passed the bill 80-25. The House then took up a related public records bill, CS/CS/HB 1473, which made a technical conforming change to align with HB 1471; debate focused on transparency and due process concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• CS/CS House Bill 1389, a bill to be entitled an act related to affordable housing.
• Members, this amendment restores the requirement that local governments approve affordable housing on
• in regarding ADUs and the time length that local governments would have the option to require the leases
• And if, under current law, if they have sufficient affordable housing in the year prior, those counties
• who have the available property to continue to develop especially when it comes to affordable housing

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you know how long his lease is for that particular piece of property where the Downs and the casino
• President, the original lease was for 25 years.
• So I think that he has at least 22 years more on the lease. Mr.
• President, President Pro Tem, that lease has been extended.
• So, of course, we have a leasing situation with the Downs and the racetrack, so there could be a leasing

Transcript Highlights:

• for, to provide information on the zero-emission vehicles that the department purchases, owns, and leases
• And affordability is a big issue right now, and it has been, and I'm sure it will continue to be for
• Because without housing and with the affordability issues that California is offering right now...
• Housing and with the affordability issues that California is offering right now, a lot of sectors out
• reducing traffic, and providing transportation alternatives for those who cannot drive or cannot afford

Transcript Highlights:

• costing American businesses and putting the global economy on what I would describe as a month-to-month lease
• Pharmaceuticals, and we want to do it in a way that's affordable.
• retaliatory tariffs as a result of the Trump tariffs, it did cost families, and I don't— I can't afford
• And let's be clear, most businesses across America Cannot afford armies of lobbyists. So, Mr.
• And Wyoming also plays a major part in the world, providing abundant affordable energy to our...

Committee: Senate Finance Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• It has to do probably more at this point in time with getting affordable capital.
• It has to do probably more at this point in time with getting affordable capital.
• And, I mean, on a regular house that goes up that would be kind of deemed affordable, right?
• And one of the things I hear back home all the time is affordability, affordability, affordability.
• homes more affordable, with your input on on how we can make affordable homes more affordable, with

Summary: The subcommittee heard and approved four bills focused on reducing or modernizing professional regulation. HB 6015, by Rep. Oliver, repeals the word “reusable” from the wine keg statute to allow businesses more flexibility in container materials; members joked about the possibility of a Home Depot bucket, and the bill passed 16-0. HB 339, by Rep. Abbott, creates an alternative temporary licensure pathway for surveyors and mappers based on employer recommendation and exam passage, but members raised concerns about qualifications, liability, and oversight; Abbott said he was open to amendments, and the bill passed 14-1 with Rep. Overdorf dissenting. HB 139, by Rep. Lopez, allows pawnbrokers to use digital transaction forms instead of only printed forms; a technical amendment added readability and placement requirements for digital forms, and the bill passed unanimously. HB 195, by Rep. Chambliss, lets the Department of Corrections coordinate with DBPR boards so inmates who complete licensure-related classes can receive credit toward professional licensure; supporters framed it as a second-chance and workforce bill, an amendment clarified that DBPR handles professions without boards, and the bill passed favorably 15-0. The committee then received a presentation from DBPR Secretary Melanie Griffin on the department’s role overseeing more than 1.7 million businesses and professionals across over 30 fields. She highlighted enforcement and complaint data, including more than 24,000 inspections and complaints handled in the last fiscal year, a preference for education and voluntary compliance over formal discipline, and the department’s alternative dispute resolution program, which returned $2.7 million to consumers and saved $270,000 in costs. Griffin also reviewed recent deregulatory and efficiency efforts, including endorsement/reciprocity reforms, fee waivers, reduced processing times, and shorter call wait times, and said DBPR is continuing to look for ways to cut red tape while protecting public safety. Members questioned Griffin about permitting, continuing education, complaint processing, board vacancies, fraud in cosmetology and construction, coordination with other agencies, and whether schools can block students from taking state exams over unpaid tuition. DBPR staff said complaints are generally processed within 60 days, schools cannot bar graduates from taking the exam because of tuition debt, and the department works with other agencies when issues cross jurisdictional lines. The panel discussion that followed featured industry representatives from landscape architecture, building/code administration, pools, roofing, construction, HVAC/electrical, and hospitality, who generally supported reducing local permitting burdens, standardizing requirements, improving reciprocity and training pathways, and using technology and clearer scopes of work to make licensure and inspections more efficient.

Transcript Highlights:

• Jasmine Viya, on behalf of the Low Income Investment Fund, LIF, a CDFI that supports affordable housing
• I think we strike an appropriate balance between affordability concerns and supporting vital programs
• I think the LAO has somewhat of a point: if people can afford $30, they'll afford $50.
• It raises a number of affordability and sustainability red flags for premium payers.
• Communities will not be able to afford these premiums.

Transcript Highlights:

• college plan or Mississippi affordable college plan or also<00:43:12.800><c> the</c><00:43:13.040><c
• So you could, if you own a building and you have a lease, the school could sell the building, you would
• That procedure is voting no. a building and you have a lease, you a building and you have a lease, you
• </c> lease with the with the school district. lease with the with the school district. school<06:00:15.600
• So, while I'm asking you to pass afford.

Transcript Highlights:

• choose to work within this newly created structure or stand up our own baby bonds program, we cannot afford
• I am here in support of H. 4648, an act relative to the purchase or lease of certain property known as
• deficient, roads more than half in poor condition, trains, buses past their useful life, a shortfall in affordable
• housing, drinking and wastewater system needs, including lead pipes... ...affordable housing, drinking

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight

Summary: The committee first heard testimony on a proposed Massachusetts baby bonds program, including H. 3429, S. 2146, and the Treasurer’s related bill H. 48. Treasurer Goldberg and a broad coalition of advocates, researchers, health professionals, and people with lived experience said the program would create trust accounts for children born into low-income families or in DCF custody, with funds available at age 18 for education, homeownership, business startup, or other long-term asset-building uses. Supporters argued the program would help close the racial wealth gap, improve economic mobility, and not affect eligibility for financial aid or public benefits. Committee members asked about administration, investment returns, eligibility, and withdrawal rules; the Treasurer said the accounts would be held in trust and managed by her office with an advisory board, with funds accessible at 18 and usable through age 35 if the beneficiary remains a Massachusetts resident. No vote was taken during the testimony shown. The committee also heard testimony on legislation establishing Lobular Breast Cancer Awareness Day, including S. 2666 and H. 4625. Senator Ross, Representative Badger, physicians, survivors, and advocates described invasive lobular carcinoma as difficult to detect because it often grows in lines rather than forming a lump, can be missed on mammography, and is underfunded and underrepresented in research and clinical trials. Witnesses said the bill would codify an annual October 15 proclamation to raise awareness, improve diagnosis, and encourage more targeted research and treatment. Committee members asked why the disease is so hard to detect, and medical witnesses explained the imaging challenges and the lack of lobular-specific protocols. The witnesses urged favorable reports. The committee then took testimony on H. 4648, a bill concerning the purchase or lease of Fenn Farm in Stockbridge by the Stockbridge-Munsee community. Representative Davis, the Stockbridge Land Trust president, and the tribal president testified that the bill would remove a conservation restriction tied to a state MVP grant so the tribe could manage the land without a restriction that they said would conflict with tribal sovereignty and Indigenous stewardship practices. They said the parcel is a sacred site connected to Monument Mountain and that the restriction is unnecessary because the land is already surrounded by conserved property. The witnesses asked for favorable action on the bill. Finally, the committee heard testimony on H. 3416, a resolution urging Congress to create a national infrastructure bank. Representative Senna and several advocates argued that an off-budget infrastructure bank could finance major repairs and upgrades to roads, bridges, rail, water systems, broadband, and housing without adding to the state budget, while creating jobs and supporting economic growth. Witnesses cited historical precedents for national infrastructure banks and said Massachusetts could benefit substantially from such a program. The transcript shown does not include a committee vote or final action on the resolution.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I use the discretion afforded me by statute to elevate based on the exigent needs, and I also waived
• Due to new demands by the legislature, we have had to lease a building at Chesapeake.
• And it's whoever works in that office because it's whoever the budget can afford.
• It's due to them wanting to start families and they can't afford to start a family and stay on and take

Committee: House A&B Judiciary Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• That was good collateral, but what we saw was a lot of the businesses were leasing spaces, so they did
• Anything from affordable housing to commercial.
• It lends smaller amounts than local banks are typically lending and seeks to offer rates as affordable
• investing in ESOPs, and other sectors that could be interesting, for example, infrastructure and affordable

Committee: House New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, is the state has been working on providing funding mechanisms for affordable housing.
• How is your affordable housing situation going? Mr.
• It's not even fully finished, and it's already leased out. Mr.
• It's the Alta Mesa Estates, and it's obviously mixed-use; it's affordable housing.

Transcript Highlights:

• It provides access to local students who may not be able to afford to go off to college, to stay in the
• College has to be affordable, and we all know that it's not right now.
• College has to be affordable, and we all know that it's not right now.
• I have Mormons in the apartment below me, the Church of the Mormons lease properties so the missionaries

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education heard and approved two bills before moving into confirmation hearings for several university and college board nominees. CS/SB 1458 on apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships was presented as a measure to improve consistency and transparency in local education agency partnerships, cap LEA administrative funding at 10% when applicable, and require public meetings and work papers for workforce funding model decisions. Support was noted from Associated Builders and Contractors, the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Foundations for Florida Futures, and Independent Electrical Contractors. The bill passed unanimously and was reported favorably. The committee then considered CS/CS/SB 1726 on higher education governance and presidential searches after adopting a delete-all amendment and a late-filed amendment defining the final group of presidential applicants as no fewer than three. The amended bill added provisions on trustee citizenship and residency/alumni eligibility, interim president succession planning, longer presidential contract renewals, limits on candidate polling by universities, syllabus posting, textbook/open-access material lists, and other governance and academic policy changes. Senators raised concerns about the minimum-three finalist requirement, interim president selection, trustee eligibility, and polling restrictions, while supporters said the bill would depoliticize leadership selection and improve transparency. The bill was reported favorably after the amendments were adopted. The committee then heard confirmation testimony from multiple appointees and reappointees, including nominees for FAMU, UNF, Pensacola State College, UWF, and UF. Most nominees emphasized ties to their institutions, student success, workforce development, military connections, and institutional growth. Several UWF nominees were questioned extensively about their votes for former chair Scott Yenner and his controversial comments about women and other groups; some said they were unaware of those remarks at the time of the vote and would not have supported him with that knowledge. Public testimony on UWF expressed concern about the nominees’ lack of higher education experience, their ties to the region, and the impact of Yenner’s views. The committee later voted to recommend a block of non-UWF nominees favorably, and it agreed to vote on the UWF nominees individually, with some remaining nominees deferred to a later hearing due to time.

Transcript Highlights:

• different types of prosthetics, but if we can't... ...different types of prosthetics, but if we can't afford
• More of those will offer to lease the equipment for a dollar a year, and then they have the equipment

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services met with a quorum present and took up several health-related bills. CS/SB 1110, covering Medicaid and insurance coverage for medically necessary orthotics and prosthetics, including activity-specific devices without lifetime or continuous-use caps, received emotional testimony from families and athletes describing high costs and the importance of access for children and adults with disabilities. Members voiced strong support, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee also heard SB 1574, which would add biliary atresia screening to the newborn screening program using the existing birth blood specimen. The sponsor and a parent testified that earlier detection could prevent severe liver damage, transplants, and deaths, and the bill was reported favorably. CS/SB 794, dealing with background screening for employees at residential facilities and day training programs for people with developmental disabilities and a review of waiver support coordination, was amended to align with the House companion and then reported favorably after testimony emphasizing the importance of strong support coordinators for APD waiver families. Members then considered SB 162, requiring hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to adopt policies for smoke evacuation systems during procedures that generate surgical smoke. Nurses and other supporters described surgical smoke as a serious occupational hazard, while the Florida Hospital Association said hospitals are already regulated in this area and the bill was somewhat prescriptive; an amendment was adopted and the bill was reported favorably. CS/SB 254, which tightens oversight of nursing education programs, adds preceptorship and provisional licensure pathways for graduates awaiting NCLEX results, and increases transparency and accountability for low-performing programs, drew support from nursing advocates and opposition from private nursing schools concerned about workforce impacts; after amendment, it was reported favorably. Finally, SB 688 to reestablish licensure and regulation of naturopathic doctors in Florida was heard with testimony both supporting expanded health care choices and opposing the bill over safety and scope concerns, and it too was reported favorably. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And actually, another bill had only private right of action because we can't afford AG enforcement at
• armories and readiness centers for training events, and CAP is not currently charged for the rental and lease

Summary: The committee first heard Engrossed Senate Substitute Senate Bill 5984, which would regulate AI companion chatbots. Staff explained that the bill requires disclosures that the chatbot is AI and not human, adds stronger protections when the user is a minor or the chatbot is directed to minors, bars manipulative engagement techniques, requires periodic reminders, and creates protocols for detecting and responding to suicidal ideation or self-harm. Several speakers, including researchers, students, the PTA, the governor’s office, and the Attorney General’s Office, supported the bill and described harms from chatbot sycophancy, emotional dependence, and self-harm risks. Some testifiers urged expanding protections to all users rather than only minors, adding language on harm to others, and clarifying that chatbots should not present themselves as sentient or human; industry representatives said the bill was workable and noted support for removing the exemption for underlying general-purpose AI models, while also discussing concerns about the private right of action and age-verification/data-collection issues. The chair noted that an amendment for narrow educational tools would be worked on. The committee then took testimony on Senate Bill 6046, which would create a state Civil Air Patrol under the Washington Military Department. Staff said the bill would allow the governor to activate the state Civil Air Patrol for cadet training, communications, disaster relief, cybersecurity, search and rescue, and related missions, while preserving the federal Civil Air Patrol’s existing structure. Military Department and Civil Air Patrol leaders testified in support, saying the bill would streamline coordination, improve emergency response, and expand training opportunities without changing federal authorities or adding costs; one witness said the model was based on Kansas law. Members asked about the fiscal note, which was described as indeterminate by one agency despite testimony that the bill would not create new state costs, and about whether the bill would face concerns in Appropriations. The Veterans Legislative Coalition also supported passage, and the committee adjourned after the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also lease different parts of our land assets for other activities, such as grazing, minerals, recreation
• aren't only protecting public health and the environment, but they are also significantly impacting affordability

Summary: The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee heard budget presentations for the Endowment Fund Investment Board, the Department of Lands, and the Department of Environmental Quality. The EFIB presentation emphasized its small staff, low administrative costs, and a modest request for a laptop replacement. The Department of Lands presentation focused heavily on fire suppression funding, the fire suppression deficiency fund, and the agency’s endowment and forest management work. Director Dustin Miller said 2025 fire costs were just over $40 million, noted that the Legislature had previously funded the deficiency account, and warned that current holdbacks could reduce staffing for fire operations, especially in eastern Idaho. He also explained a proposed shift of 1.25 FTE and $160,000 from the Abandoned Mines Lands Fund to the Navigable Waterways Fund, and discussed House Bill 511 as a possible future fire-preparedness funding source. Committee members asked detailed questions about how the fire suppression deficiency fund works, when it can be used, and whether it can cover prevention or only active fires. Staff explained that the fund is for active suppression and that any negative balance would later be settled through a supplemental request. Members also asked about staffing, vacancy rates, and the impact of budget reductions on fire readiness and forest health work. Miller said the agency had filled many key vacancies but still faced recruitment challenges, and he described the Eastern Idaho Forest Protective District and the agency’s growing Good Neighbor Authority work with the U.S. Forest Service. The Department of Environmental Quality presentation covered staffing, water infrastructure funding, loan and grant programs, air and water quality, and solid waste oversight. Director Jess Byrne said targeted pay increases had reduced turnover and vacancies, and that DEQ had distributed more than $835 million in grants and low-interest loans over five years, mostly to small communities. He also said the agency has fewer staff than 25 years ago despite a much larger population, leading to permit backlogs and reduced monitoring. Byrne explained that the Drinking Water Loan Fund is built from federal capitalization grants, state match, and repayments, and that its rising balance reflects awarded but not yet reimbursed projects rather than unused money. He also said DEQ is considering fee increases in air quality and drinking water programs, and supported a proposed solid waste transfer only if it includes a fee structure. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after the presentations and questions.