Transcript Highlights:

• The bill also...
• The bill also requires DCF to provide written notice of eligibility within 90 days of the bill's effective
• That is the bill, and there are two amendments. Are there any questions on the bill?
• We are back on the bill as amended. Are there questions on the bill as amended?
• As you know, this bill was not my bill, but it's been the bill that keeps on giving.

Bills: S1002 , S1016 , S1030 , S1594 , S1630

Committee: Senate Children, Families, and Elder Affairs

Summary: The committee considered several bills affecting children, disability services, aging, recovery residences, and foster youth benefits. SB 1016 codified the working people with disabilities program for Medicaid waiver recipients, with amendments removing automatic enrollment and improving information sharing between agencies; advocates testified that the program helps people with developmental disabilities work while keeping needed care, though they raised implementation and training concerns. The bill was reported favorably. SB 1002, as amended, clarified that evidence of acute or chronic parental drug abuse can constitute harm or neglect in child welfare cases and allow court intervention and treatment requirements; it was also reported favorably. SB 1594 would preserve veterans’ benefits for foster youth for postsecondary education or aftercare rather than using them as reimbursement to the agency, and it passed favorably. SB 1630 modernized aging and long-term care statutes, expanded emergency service authority, updated oversight of area agencies on aging and guardianship, and permanently established the Florida Alzheimer’s Center of Excellence; after two amendments, it was reported favorably. SB 1030, on recovery residences/substance abuse services, was amended with a substitute that narrowed transfer definitions, sped licensure for existing providers adding levels of care, and limited credentialing entities’ access to resident records; members noted it remained a work in progress, but it was reported favorably. The committee also held confirmation hearings. Robert Astellos, nominated as Director of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, described efforts to reduce the pre-enrollment list, improve transparency and customer service, expand family involvement, and streamline agency processes; multiple advocacy groups appeared in support, and the committee recommended his confirmation. The committee then unanimously recommended confirmation of the appointees on tabs 7 through 10. The meeting concluded with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are some riders in the General Appropriations Act that are at 90% in the introduced basis. bill
• Senator Middleton you know I said this is just a little bill I go back to way back to my house days.
• My understanding is that this was just reassigned in the House with a low bill number and this one will
• This bill went through the House last... a labeling requirement of a made on date was added that was
• Bill 1575 and your bill this session, Senate Bill 25.

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1463. Senate Bill 1463, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• The way the bill is written, it would go into effect 90 days after it becomes law to give everything.
• Now we're going to go to the bill. Further explanation of the bill, Senator Frick.
• Member, Senate Bill 1923 was a request bill brought to me by a constituent.
• Member, Senate Bill 1923 was a request bill brought to me by a constituent.

Bills: SB1226 , SB1456 , SB1462 , SB1463 , SB1980 , SB1479 , SB1608 , SB1923

Committee: Senate Public Safety

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 1226 by Senator Rader, which would add property damage to the state’s leaving-the-scene statute so a driver who damages property and leaves would be treated similarly to a vehicle accident. After brief questions about whether the driver would need to wait for law enforcement or the property owner, the bill advanced unanimously, 6-0. Several sunset-extension bills from Senator Burstrom were then considered. Senate Bill 1456 would extend the Board of Tests for Alcohol and Drug Influence to 2036 and passed 6-1. Senate Bill 1462 would extend the Oklahoma Organized Retail Crime Task Force to 2036; members questioned whether a task force created in 2023 needed such a long extension, but it still passed 6-2. Senate Bill 1463 would extend the Polygraph Examiners Board to 2036 and passed 8-1, with some members again objecting to the 10-year sunset length. The committee also advanced Senate Bill 1980 by Senator Logan, which updates larceny and forgery language to cover gift cards, gift certificates, and redemption information when possessed or used with intent to defraud. Members pressed the author on whether the offense would be a misdemeanor or felony and on the bill’s scope, but the measure passed 7-2. Senate Bill 1479 by Senator Stewart, dealing with release of crime- and collision-scene information by first responders, was amended to strike the title after concerns about scope and private entities; it then passed 6-2. Senate Bill 1608 by Senator Frick, as amended, would make school location and employer information searchable in sex offender and violent offender registries, and it passed 6-2. Finally, Senate Bill 1923 by Senator Murdoch would prohibit inmates from accessing social media, prompted by a constituent’s concerns about inmates contacting victims’ families through contraband cell phones. Members questioned whether the bill was necessary given existing DOC policies and whether it should address tablets as well; an amendment was withdrawn, and the bill passed 7-1. The committee also laid over Senate Bill 1612 and concluded its Public Safety agenda for the week.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so HR 90, HCR 94, requesting the governor to issue a proclamation designating Hawaiʻi as a Purple
• We're going to take HR 90 and HCR 94, requesting the governor to issue a proclamation designating Hawaiʻi
• Voting on HR 90 and HCR 94 as is.
• it's not necessary to provide copies of this to the President of the Senate or the Speaker of the House

Committee: House Culture & Arts

Summary: The committee heard several resolutions focused on culture, heritage, and community partnerships. HR 90/HCR 94 would request a proclamation designating Hawaiʻi as a Purple Heart state on August 7, 2025. HR 123/HCR 127 urged the state to acquire the Hawaiʻi Theater to preserve its historic and cultural significance and keep it publicly accessible; testimony from Hawaiʻi Theater Center leadership emphasized rising insurance costs and the theater’s long-term viability. HR 135/HCR 141 sought a working group to study a Hawaiʻi Cultural Trust, with support from the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority, and the Hawaiʻi State LGBTQ+ Commission; the LGBTQ+ Commission asked for a seat at the table to ensure queer history is included. HR 156/HCR 161 urged counties to establish sister-city relationships with Pacific Island municipalities, and HR 158/HCR 163 urged SFCA to create an annual Pacific Island culture and arts festival, which SFCA said it was already exploring. During decision-making, the committee adopted all measures. HR 90/HCR 94 and HR 123/HCR 127 were passed as is. HR 135/HCR 141 was adopted with amendments adding the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority and a member of the LGBTQIA+ commission to the working group. HR 156/HCR 161 was adopted as is. HR 158/HCR 163 was adopted with a technical amendment clarifying that copies did not need to be provided to the President of the Senate or Speaker of the House. No opposition or reservations were recorded on the votes, and the meeting adjourned after the final adoption.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 1794 is a straightforward, good government bill.
• House Bill 1794 ensures that guard.
• </c> vote ought to pass on House Bill 1794. vote ought to pass on House Bill 1794.
• </c> to speak in support of House Bill 1794. to speak in support of House Bill 1794.
• We are here speaking in favor of House Bill 1070 today.

Committee: House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Could you explain how the bill would apply?
• Chairman, for scheduling the bill.
• That concludes the explanation of Senate Bill 1714. We have questions on the bill.
• This is a bill on teacher retiree-hire. We're moving it to a 90-day period.
• This bill sets benchmarks at 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, and then 100%.

Bills: SB1415 , SB1714 , SB1962 , SB26 , SB172

Committee: Senate Retirement and Government Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 410 passes. Secretary call local bill.
• Uh, House Bill 479 passes. >> 30 eyes, Z. Uh, House Bill 479 passes.
• House Bill 410 passes. &gt;&gt; 30 eyes. House Bill 410 passes.
• Um, House Bill 412 passes. >> 30 ayes. Um, House Bill 412 passes. >> Thank you, Mr.
• House bills I asked for?

Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with prayer, the pledge, and roll call, establishing a quorum and adopting routine motions to excuse absent senators, dispense with the prior journal, and allow bills and committee reports to be received throughout the day. The chamber also welcomed several guests, including members of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity and other visitors in the gallery. The Senate received multiple House messages, referring several House bills on taxation, local legislation, and the entertainment industry to committee, and concurred in House amendments to Senate Bill 259 on counties and Senate Bill 228 on the Alabama Space Authority. Committee reports then advanced a number of bills, including favorable reports from Judiciary, County and Municipal Government, and Local Legislation committees, with several bills receiving substitutes or minor dissent. The Senate also re-referred Senate Bill 333 to Local Legislation, Mobile County, and Senate Bill 292 to County and Municipal Government. Members adopted several commemorative resolutions, including Senate Joint Resolutions honoring Lt. Col. Jonathan David Schultz, Honda’s 25 years of operation in Alabama, Mrs. Kelly Fischer as Alabama High School Principal of the Year, and Peggy Sers Benson on her retirement from the Alabama Board of Nursing. The Senate also adopted a Rules Committee report setting a special order calendar that included bills on ground ambulance services, counties and municipalities, solid waste collection fees, public schools, and public assistance. On the floor, the Senate passed local bills including Senate Bill 324 on Tallapoosa County, House Bill 485 on Clark County, House Bill 479 on Cusa County, House Bill 410 on Limestone County, and House Bill 412 on Limestone County. The chamber then took up Senate Bill 254 on parole, adopting an amendment offered at the request of district attorneys to clarify the Pardons and Paroles Board’s discretion, and passed the bill 26-2. The Senate also debated Senate Bill 269 on ground ambulance services, with the sponsor describing it as a pilot bill addressing reimbursement, surprise billing, reporting requirements, and “treat in place” options; Senator Stutts raised concerns that it would shift costs to a smaller group of payers and increase premiums, while the sponsor argued it could reduce unnecessary transports and save money. The transcript ends during that discussion, with no final vote on SB 269 shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 7010 grants authority to the Department of Financial Services for the state plan and local
• And that is the bill. Questions? Senator Mayfield? I do have one appearance card. Mr.
• Senators, any debate on the bill? Senator Mayfield? Recognized. Closed. Waivers closed.
• The state gets about $90 million from the federal government.
• Also, tab to Senate Bill 7010 in the affirmative. Thank you.

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Summary: The committee first took up SB 7010, which would authorize post-tax Roth contributions in state and local deferred compensation plans, instead of limiting them to pre-tax contributions. After a brief presentation and one waived appearance in support, the bill was rolled and reported favorably. Later, members also recorded affirmative votes on SB 7010 before adjournment. The bulk of the meeting was devoted to the Governor’s proposed “Floridians First” budget, presented by Lita Kelly of the Office of Policy and Budget. She outlined a $117.4 billion spending plan with $53.2 billion in general revenue, emphasizing reserves, debt reduction, trust fund sweeps, and targeted reductions in agency positions. Major priorities included K-12 and higher education funding, teacher salary support, school hardening, Everglades and water-quality projects, cancer and behavioral health initiatives, emergency preparedness, law enforcement, corrections staffing and facilities, cybersecurity, transportation, affordable housing, and economic development. Members asked extensive questions about teacher pay, corrections staffing, emergency response reserves, the proposed federal reimbursement for the Everglades detention facility, the Second Amendment sales tax holiday, the animal abuse hotline, and the absence of a specific Hope Florida line item. A major portion of the discussion focused on the Department of Health’s planned changes to the ADAP HIV/AIDS drug assistance program, with public testimony warning that the changes could cut off access to medications for thousands of Floridians and alleging misuse of federal funds. Kelly said she would follow up on several details, including litigation costs, teacher pay comparisons, and ADAP funding questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• As legislators, we put bills together, and within the bill, we may have, As legislators, we put bills
• together, and within the bill, we may have some rulemaking to administer our bill.
• contact me and say that rulemaking was not fulfilling the intent of the bill.
• Are any bills referred to it for review.
• But it's just a matter of making sure that the bill is tight.

Summary: The committee received an informational presentation from the Joint Administrative Procedures Committee (JAPC/JAPSI) staff and Chair Representative Overdorf on how Florida administrative rulemaking is reviewed. Mr. Plant explained that JAPC is a joint legislative oversight committee that monitors agency rules under Chapter 120, focusing on whether rules stay within statutory authority, whether agencies are acting consistently with legislative intent, and how the rulemaking process works. He emphasized that agencies are creatures of statute, that rulemaking authority must be specific enough to support the rule, and that without a date certain in statute, agencies may delay rulemaking indefinitely. Members asked about how to ensure agencies actually adopt rules, how to identify rules that exceed legislative intent, and how JAPC handles internal policies and delayed rulemaking. Representative Overdorf then described JAPC’s objection process and its limits. He said the committee does not approve or disapprove rules or direct agencies to adopt them, but it can object to proposed or existing rules that enlarge, modify, or contravene enabling statutes or fail to comply with Chapter 120. He noted that if an agency does not resolve an objection, a footnote is published in the Florida Administrative Code and the committee may recommend legislation to amend, suspend, or repeal the rule. He also discussed recent committee activity, including 1,355 proposed rules, 119 emergency rules, and 1,243 incorporated materials reviewed in 2024, and said the committee filed 31 objections against one agency after repeated noncompliance. The discussion also touched on possible changes to Chapter 120, including the governor’s 2019 request that agencies include five-year sunset provisions in rules, and a proposal to instead require periodic legislative review rather than automatic expiration. Overdorf also said the committee is considering raising the current statement of estimated regulatory costs thresholds of $200,000 annually or $1 million over five years because inflation has made those limits too low. No votes were taken on legislation, and the meeting ended with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• This agenda has three bills. First bill is Senate Bill 2374, relating to a blue economy.
• </c> workforce housing. workforce housing.
• The bill states be moving this bill out.
• Uh, next bill Senate Bill &gt;&gt; Thank you.
• You know, there is an exemption already in the bill for an animal that's in the state fewer than 90 days

Bills: SB2709 , SB3154

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Environment

Summary: The hearing began with SB 2709, which would require the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to establish rules to enforce the Okami arrival program and strengthen quarantine enforcement for plants, non-domestic animals, and microorganisms. The Department of Land and Natural Resources and the Hawaii Invasive Species Council supported the bill, as did DAB, saying it would improve biosecurity and make some provisions mandatory rather than optional. Alaska/Hawaiian Airlines supported the goal but raised concerns about language changing inspections from “may” to “shall” for aircraft, warning of possible federal preemption and operational conflicts unless the bill is clarified to align with federal aviation safety, security, and operational requirements. Committee members questioned DAB about inspection timing, scope, and compliance; DAB said the measure is intended to increase enforcement, improve form completion rates toward a 90% goal, and expand beyond airlines to other entry modes, while also noting plans to restore detector dog use and improve software/AI tools for processing forms. Decision-making on SB 2709 was deferred to February 17 at 3:02 p.m. in Room CR229. The committees then took up SB 3154, an administration measure authorizing the Department of Transportation to assume certain National Environmental Policy Act responsibilities for highway, rail, public transportation, and multimodal projects, with the aim of streamlining environmental review. DOT supported the bill and explained that it would allow the department to work directly with federal resource agencies such as U.S. Fish and Wildlife and SHPO rather than routing everything through federal highways. After brief discussion, the Committee on Transportation voted to pass SB 3154 with technical amendments, and the AEN committee followed with the same recommendation; the measure was adopted with five votes in favor. A later portion of the transcript shifted to SB 2374 on the blue economy. DBED said it supported the concept but noted that it already sits on many working groups and would need resources if a new working group is created. DBED suggested the committee could instead request research through a letter or memo, and said agencies including ADC, HTDC, and Agriculture had already begun internal discussions. Testimony in support came from IMUA Alliance, Hawaii Food Policy, and others, emphasizing the potential for blue economy ventures to support survivors, align with climate and cultural goals, and create economic opportunity. No final vote on SB 2374 appears in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• He noted that the language is identical to House Bill 685.
• right, Senate Bill 14 sunsets in a year, but the House bill that you were sponsoring continues on indefinitely
• 14 sunsets in a year but the Senate bill 14 sunsets in a year but the house<00:20:12.039><c> bill</c
• bill that you were sponsoring house bill that you were sponsoring continues<00:20:15.159><c> on</c><
• Senate Bill 153 with House Committee Substitute 2 passes with favorable expression.

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Health Services met on March 14, 2025, and took up a committee substitute for Senate Bill 153. The substitute deleted the original bill language and replaced it with provisions from Senate Bill 14, aimed at prohibiting pharmaceutical manufacturers from discriminating against 340B covered entities and adding reporting requirements for those entities. The sponsor explained that the protections would sunset after one year, allowing lawmakers to review data by July 1, 2026, and that Kentucky would continue to follow any future federal changes to the 340B program. Members asked several questions about the scope of the reporting, including what “total operating cost” means, how duplicate discounts are prevented, whether the reporting applies only to hospitals and not federally qualified health centers, and who would receive the data. The sponsor said the reporting is intended to help the Cabinet for Health and Family Services and the Office of Health Data Analytics at LRC assess how the program is working, including charity care and community benefits, while preserving protections for rural hospitals and allowing them to continue using contract pharmacies. A representative from LRC confirmed the data would come to the General Assembly through the Office of Health Data Analytics. The committee expressed mixed views about the balance between transparency and potential burdens on hospitals, especially rural facilities. Several members said they were supportive but had reservations about the reporting requirements and the sunset structure, while others noted concerns about unintended consequences and the possibility of changes on the House floor. The committee ultimately adopted the committee substitute, approved a title amendment, and reported Senate Bill 153 with House Committee Substitute 2 favorably. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• While he comes up, our last bill on the agenda is House File 1418. prevails and house file 1959 is prevails
• comes up our last bill on the agenda<01:03:00.240><c> is</c><01:03:00.440><c> house</c><01:03:00.720
• I'll do a quick introduction here on House File 1418, and this is a bill that's regarding refinements
• The Chair said the bill will be laid over: House File 1418, as amended, for possible inclusion in an
• is going to be the chair lays the bill is going to be the chair lays over<01:29:09.840><c> house</c>

Committee: House Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• But the first bill on our agenda is House File 1171, Ray Rrower, which is a math core bill.
• agenda is House The next bill on the agenda is House File<00:03:38.080><c> 1901.
• </c><00:03:49.680><c> Um,</c> The next bill on the agenda is House File 1901.
• Our next bill is House File 2483.
• Our next bill is House File 2483.

Committee: House Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• It's in the bond bill, but um request.
• c> year,</c><00:12:41.680><c> so</c> we didn't have a bond bill last year, so we didn't have a bond bill
• We still have about 89 to 90% of our staff are not at market.
• We still have about 89 to 90% of our staff are not at market.
• Senator Boyd, we have in our appropriation bill.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 1144 does not change occurs.
• c> impact</c><00:57:55.760><c> with</c> House Bill 1144 realign impact with House Bill 1144 realign impact
• Um, we're here in support of House Bill 1708.
• So, House Bill 1293 the current statute.
• </c> opposition of House Bill 1293. opposition of House Bill 1293.

Committee: House Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• Per our House Bill 4039 commitment, we are providing that to CCOs a week early.
• In this next section, I'll provide an overview of the impacts of House Bill 4039.
• it was part of our commitment during testimony on House Bill 4039, just in case you're not finding it
• During testimony on House Bill 4039, just in case you're not finding it. Thank you, Chelsea.
• We did also want to take the opportunity to thank the committee for taking action with House Bill 2564

Summary: The committee held an informational hearing focused first on Oregon Medicaid coordinated care organization (CCO) finances and rate setting. Oregon Health Authority staff explained how 2025 CCO financial results will inform 2027 capitation rates, including reserve requirements, subcapitation arrangements, and major cost drivers such as behavioral health, pharmacy, rural hospital costs, and dental directed payments. They said the Legislature’s added 2025 funding materially improved CCO margins and that, without it, the program would have been negative overall. Members asked about retained earnings, subcapitation, behavioral health utilization, ABA therapy, and whether outcomes are being evaluated; OHA said rate setting is actuarial and that CCOs, OHA, and other partners all play roles in monitoring efficacy and access. OHA also reviewed House Bill 4039 changes intended to increase transparency and give CCOs earlier access to rate information and reconciliation exhibits. CCO representatives then testified that the system is under significant financial pressure and that behavioral health state-directed payments, benefit changes, and federal uncertainty from H.R. 1 are reducing flexibility. CareOregon said it has lost more than $500 million over the last couple of years and is now making provider terminations and other network changes to align spending with available funding, while emphasizing that CCOs must make hard decisions about which services and providers can be sustained. Eastern Oregon CCO said rural and frontier factors, cost-based hospitals, air ambulance needs, and statewide efficiency adjustments are not fully reflected in rates, and that dental funding is especially strained. Trillium similarly warned that state-directed payments and benefit expansion pressures are constraining the global budget model and that H.R. 1 could worsen acuity and volatility. Members pressed the witnesses on who is responsible for evaluating treatment effectiveness, especially for ABA and psychotherapy, and on how utilization limits and reimbursement changes are being used to control costs. The committee then shifted to an overview of the Affordable Care Act and Oregon’s commercial insurance market. Department of Consumer and Business Services staff explained actuarial value, metal tiers, premium tax credits, medical loss ratio rules, and the main drivers of premium rates: cost trend, utilization trend, and administrative costs. They said mandates have likely added only a limited amount to premiums over the past decade, though the exact effect is difficult to isolate, and they gave examples of how high-cost, low-volume services versus broad, high-utilization services can affect rates differently. Staff also noted that Providence Health Plan and PacificSource Health Plans are withdrawing from the individual market, though consumers should still have at least three insurer options in every county and may have four in many counties. The division said it is in the middle of reviewing proposed 2027 rates and will continue its public rate review process, including hearings and written comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've already discussed the bill. Thank you. My name is Bill Kipness.
• Senate Bill 197 essentially is a mirror bill of this.
• Senate Bill 197 essentially is a mirror bill of this, the past bill that we just talked about, the Las
• There's $2 million in House Bill 2 to begin the project.
• So this bill deals... We are opposing the bill in this form.

Bills: SB47 , SB195 , SB196 , SB197 , SB198 , SB78

Committee: Senate Senate Conservation

Transcript Highlights:

• local supports this bill.
• like to move the bill.
• That bill is out 9-0.
• That bill is out 90? SB 865. El Hauri, aye. El Hauri, aye. That bill is out 90. SB 1050.
• That bill is out 90. We'll go back to... We'll go back to SB 865.

Committee: House Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism

Transcript Highlights:

• Show the bill passes. Read the next bill.
• Show the bill passes. Read the next bill.
• Show the bill passes. Let's go back to Senate Bill 160. Read the bill.
• The bill increases the minimum SHIP allocation and provides funding for the Florida Housing Finance Corporation
• But this bill is the coming-home bill. It's the bill that... ...home bill.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions recognizing visiting groups, including FSU students and officials, Catholic lay leaders, Broward County school officials and students, and veterans-related guests. The chamber then took up a series of bills, with several routine reviser measures passing unanimously: SB 36 adopting the 2025 Florida Statutes, SB 38 changing a division name in the statutes, SB 40 deleting repealed provisions, and SB 42 cleaning up obsolete language and cross-references. SB 50 on nature-based coastal resilience was amended to strengthen the Florida Flood Hub’s role and passed 39-0 after debate about mangroves, oyster reefs, living shorelines, and hybrid green-gray infrastructure. SB 116, a major veterans bill, passed 39-0 after extensive discussion of veteran benefits awareness, mental health training, coordination with federal agencies, adult day health care, and the Florida Veterans Hall of Fame. SB 118 on presidential libraries passed 36-3 after questions and debate over state preemption of local zoning and related regulation, and SB 126 on mailing prescription hearing aids passed 39-0 to expand access for adults after licensed evaluation. The Senate also passed SB 150, as amended, to conform to the House by changing the bill’s wording from “animals” to “dogs” in the natural-disaster abandonment context. SB 294 passed 38-0 to limit collaborative pharmacy practice from being expanded to certain serious cardiac conditions. Senate Memorial 314 was adopted by voice vote, urging Congress to seek a larger Florida National Guard force structure. SB 322 passed 39-0 creating a nonjudicial process for commercial property owners to have unauthorized occupants removed by the sheriff. SB 348 passed 39-0, making it an ethics violation to falsely claim a military rank for material gain and allowing delinquent ethics fines to be withheld from public paychecks. SB 7012 on child welfare passed 39-0 and would recruit former public safety workers into CPI/case manager roles, create a treatment foster care pilot in two judicial circuits, and improve data collection and services for commercially sexually exploited children. Later, the Senate returned to SB 108 on administrative procedures, which passed 39-0 after debate over a five-year review cycle for agency rules, reporting requirements, and greater transparency in rulemaking. SB 160 on public accountancy passed 39-0 after an amendment clarifying contracted services and discussion of easing pathways into the CPA profession while maintaining standards. SB 110 on rural communities passed after an amendment package and extensive debate, with provisions described as creating an Office of Rural Prosperity, a Renaissance grant program, housing and road funding, school support, and health care investments for rural areas. At the end of the session, the Senate waived rules to immediately certify all passed bills to the House, observed a moment of silence for former Surfside Chief John Healy, and received additional announcements before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• AND THE BILL IS BEFORE THE HOUSE. &gt;&gt; LAY IT ASIDE. &gt;&gt; BILL IS LAID ASIDE.
• THE MESSAGE IS ACCEPTED AND THE BILL IS BEFORE THE HOUSE.
• The message is accepted, and the bill is before the house. >> The bill is laid aside.
• THE MESSAGE IS ACCEPTED AND THE BILL IS BEFORE THE HOUSE. &gt;&gt; THE BILL IS LAID ASIDE.
• The message is accepted, and the bill is before the house. Lay aside. The bill is laid aside.

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation, then approved the prior day’s Journal and moved into motions, resolutions, and budget-related business. Senator Gianaris called up Senate Print 5898A for reconsideration; the Senate voted 59 ayes to restore the bill to the third reading calendar. Several amendments were also received on third-reading bills, and the Finance Committee was called into session while the chamber proceeded with resolutions. The Senate adopted Resolution J.2106 recognizing Second Chance Month and the mental health impacts of incarceration, with Senator Brisport speaking in support and a guest from the community recognized in the chamber. The body also adopted Resolution J.1492 designating May 27, 2026, as Taiwan Heritage Day, with remarks from Senators Sepúlveda, Stavisky, and Liu highlighting Taiwanese contributions to New York and expressing support for Taiwan amid current geopolitical tensions. The Finance Committee then reported several budget bills, including Senate Prints 9003D, 9004D, 9007C, and 9009C, which were moved to third reading. The remainder of the session focused on the supplemental and controversial budget calendars, especially tax and spending provisions. Senators debated the “Protecting Our Wallets” energy rebate, with supporters describing it as a one-time check for eligible taxpayers and critics arguing it was too small and not tied directly to utility bills; the chamber accepted the message of necessity and laid the bills aside. Members also debated extensions and changes to tax provisions affecting corporations, alternative fuel exemptions, Broadway and theatrical production tax credits, charitable deductions for certain 501(c)(3)s, nicotine pouch taxes, a new New York City pied-à-terre tax, and a standardbred horse-racing testing fee. Several senators criticized the budget as raising costs or favoring certain industries, while supporters defended the measures as revenue-raising, affordability, or public-health policies. No final votes on the controversial budget bills are shown in the excerpt beyond procedural rulings, adoption of the resolution calendar, and acceptance of committee reports.