Transcript Highlights:

• Before us is SPV 2500, the General Appropriations. Bill for the 2025/2026 fiscal year.
• This provides $350,000 in nonrecurring general revenue funds from the FSU Sunshine Genetics Program,
• Vice Chair Rouson: Relating to the implementing of the 2025-2026 General Appropriations Act.
• Senate Bill 180, Emergency Preparedness and Response.
• government officials with emergency management roles.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Attorney General, FDLE, and the Justice Administration entities.
• Is it correct that we're getting that money from the general fund?
• government officials with emergency management roles.
• This amendment simply seeks to address... ...even in an emergency.
• This amendment simply seeks to address. even in an emergency.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, doctor and guest introductions, and then took up Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 168, the Tristan Murphy Act, on mental health. Senator Bradley described the bill as a major criminal justice and behavioral health reform measure that would expand pretrial mental health diversion, strengthen treatment-based probation conditions, broaden grant uses for mental health and substance abuse programs, add Hillsborough County to a forensic hospital diversion pilot, require certain DOC mental health evaluations, and create a Florida Behavioral Health Data Repository. Senators from both parties spoke in strong support, emphasizing treatment over incarceration, public safety, data collection, and the Murphy family’s role in advancing the bill. The Senate passed the bill 37-0 and then approved 37 co-sponsors. The chamber then received the Senate’s 2025-26 General Appropriations Bill, SB 2500, with Chair Hooper outlining a $117.4 billion budget that he said reduces spending, preserves reserves, and includes major investments in water quality, transportation, education infrastructure, and reporting requirements. Committee chairs summarized their portions: K-12 funding at $34.7 billion with increases for FEFP, scholarships, VPK, school hardening, and school safety; higher education at $11.5 billion with workforce, nursing, reading, autism, and student aid investments; health and human services with a $1.8 billion increase for Medicaid, mental health, opioid response, disability services, and veterans programs; criminal and civil justice at $7.6 billion for corrections, juvenile justice, law enforcement, courts, and judgeships; transportation/tourism/economic development at about $18 billion including roads, housing, Visit Florida, and cultural grants; and agriculture/environment/general government with major Everglades, water quality, citrus, food bank, and agency IT funding. Members then questioned several budget items, especially education funding formulas, the shift of scholarship dollars below the line, the impact on public school districts, AP/IB and other accelerated program funding, the APD wait list, opioid settlement spending, arts grants, and the My Safe Florida Home and condo pilot programs. Chairs generally said scholarship and accelerated-program dollars were being restructured for transparency and flexibility rather than cut, that school districts would still receive funding based on enrollment, and that APD and other human services issues would continue to be worked out in conference. The budget discussion concluded with remarks praising staff and noting a 4% across-the-board pay raise for state employees and targeted increases for law enforcement and firefighters, followed by a recognition for FAMU Day at the Capitol.

Transcript Highlights:

• our pass-through, single-ledger model, generate savings usually above 10 to 15 percent.
• our pass-through, single-ledger model generate savings usually above 10 to 15 percent.
• We work for several state attorneys general and several state auditors.
• Generally, the generics are very inexpensive, and so we feel that the doctor is in the best position
• Generally, the generics are very inexpensive, and so we feel that the doctor is in best position to work

Summary: The Senate Insurance Committee met on May 13, 2026, adopted the May 6 minutes, and then took up several bills dealing with pharmacy benefit managers, prescription access, behavioral health coverage, and Citizens Property Insurance. HB 938, as amended, was the main PBM reform measure. After the committee adopted a large amendment set that narrowed the bill, members heard extensive testimony in support from Mark Bloom, Justin Joseph of Capital Rx, and Kathy Ue of Pontchartrain Cancer Center, all emphasizing transparency, pass-through pricing, reverse auctions, and patient access. Supporters described savings from reverse auctions and administrative models, while the cancer center testified that PBM-owned specialty pharmacy requirements can delay cancer medications and create financial hardship. The committee reported HB 938 favorably with amendments. The committee also heard HB 1154, which prohibits prior authorization for certain generic medications prescribed by qualified physicians, with a $250 cap discussed as a safeguard against higher-cost generics. The bill was supported by representatives from Ochsner Health and the Louisiana State Medical Society and was reported favorably. HB 909, which requires commercial coverage for behavioral health crisis services, was amended to clarify the insurers covered and then reported favorably with support from the Office of Behavioral Health and several outside groups. Testimony on HB 909 focused on reducing emergency room and law enforcement burdens and expanding crisis response capacity across the state. HB 1187, dealing with excess emergency assessment funds from Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, was explained by the Insurance Commissioner as a way to transfer remaining Katrina-era assessment funds to the Fortified Roof Program. The committee reported the bill favorably. Finally, SB 511 and SB 512 were deferred and converted into a study resolution approach because there was not yet consensus on the underlying issue. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• During the public health emergency, we did not do any in-person reviews.
• One would be emergencies the other one would be be just routine care stuff.
• So, I think one of just generally for the functioning of the agency.
• They stayed on Medicaid for the course of the public health emergency.
• In August, I filed a complaint. with the Office of the Inspector General.

Bills: HB150, HB869, HB876, HB 1043, HB1494, HB1522, HB150

Keywords: cybersecurity, state command, information resources, data protection, incident response, information technology, classification officer, job descriptions, state positions, competency-based, information sharing, government efficiency, public sector, private sector, distributed ledger, title registry, real estate, property liens, pilot program, healthcare

Transcript Highlights:

• :06:37.759> restricted >> General fund, federal fund, restricted >> General fund,
• One being, um, adding an emergency generator.
• The question remains, though, why do we need an emergency generator for this facility?
• So, I think it actually<00:54:25.359> is ...is wise to have an emergency generator in an indoor
• for money from our general fund. for money from our general fund.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the October 13 minutes and then moved through a large agenda of contracts and agreements, including a deferred list from the September 2025 agenda. Members questioned several agencies about the purpose, cost, and duration of the items before them, with repeated motions to consider the contracts reviewed without objection passing by roll call. The Office of Energy Policy and Energy and Environment Cabinet presented a solar-and-battery program. Members asked about panel and battery lifespan, warranty coverage, who would pay for replacement or disposal, and whether the program made sense in Kentucky. The agency said panels and batteries generally last 25 to 30 years, warranties would cover replacement during the warranty period, EPA guidance would govern disposal, and federal funds would cover program expenses. Officials estimated the program could reduce participating homeowners’ utility bills by about 70%, with a minimum required savings of 20%. The Department for Community Based Services explained a new vendor contract for SSI initial and redetermination work for children in out-of-home care, saying the work is federally required, the department lacks in-house capacity, and the contract replaced a prior vendor after an RFP protest and rebid. The Department of Highways described umbrella traffic engineering contracts for smaller highway safety projects, noting they are used for spot improvements and are nearing full utilization. The Kentucky Historical Society said its contract funded a temporary exhibit tied to 250th anniversary programming, and the Board of Medical Licensure discussed an amended audit contract, explaining that annual audits were adopted after an auditor’s recommendation and that the board is funded by state allocation plus fees and fines. The Department for Natural Resources/Abandoned Mine Lands gave the most extensive presentation, describing a $5 million engineering services contract as part of a much larger workload increase driven by Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding, with projects prioritized by citizen complaints and safety impacts; the agency said the contract supports design and oversight for community-scale mine reclamation projects that exceed in-house capacity.

Transcript Highlights:

• members, I'm Sam Pasy, assistant general members, I'm Sam Pasy, assistant general manager<00:12:
• is the drinking water emerging is the drinking water emerging contaminant<01:08:47.759> grant
• communities that are addressing emerging communities that are addressing emerging um<01:09:44.400
• <01:14:31.040> contaminant<01:14:31.920> emerging emerging contaminant emerging emerging
• And then fast emerging contaminants.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I am thrilled to present AB 1914, requiring local governments to include child care in their general
• Emergency assistance to counties when a state or local disaster is declared.
• Emergency assistance to counties when the state or local disaster is declared.
• Swatting is an act of making a false claim of emergency in order to cause a massive emergency response
• Without this system, non-emergency calls flood 911 lines, overwhelming emergency responders.

Summary: The Assembly met on May 7, 2026, after an initial delay caused by the absence of a quorum, then proceeded with prayer, a moment of silence for victims of a hate-motivated attack at the Islamic Center in San Diego, and the Pledge of Allegiance. The Speaker pro tempore then moved through the daily file, repeatedly urging members to be on time and at their desks as the House of Origin deadline approached. Procedural actions included dispensing with the journal, deferring some items, and moving AB 1667 to the inactive file. The bulk of the session was devoted to floor consideration of many bills, most of which passed with little or no opposition. Measures approved included bills on artificial intelligence provenance information (AB 2713), community college trustee compensation (AB 2528), transit camera enforcement and privacy (AB 1837), excess proceeds claims in taxation (AB 2705), HOA technical cleanup (AB 1892), hepatitis C treatment access (AB 1843), child care planning in local general plans (AB 1914), greenhouse energy code flexibility (AB 2200), rent-now-pay-later consumer protections (AB 2350), housing cleanup and density bonus measures (including AB 2390, AB 2480, AB 1567, AB 1751, and others), spay/neuter access (AB 2010), workforce housing financing tools (AB 2110), supportive housing and homelessness-related changes (AB 2146), mental health and health plan notification measures (AB 1598, AB 2613), student aid and education bills (AB 1534, AB 1636, AB 1669, AB 1728, AB 1784, AB 1871), public safety and criminal justice bills (AB 1546, AB 1572, AB 1872, AB 1877, AB 1932), and several health and social services measures (AB 1602, AB 1628, AB 1680, AB 1825, AB 1845, AB 1906, AB 1907, AB 1925). Most bills were described as support measures, often with bipartisan backing and no opposition, and passed by wide margins. A few bills drew more discussion, especially AB 1751, a housing/townhome bill that sparked extended debate over wages, prevailing wage, stakeholder engagement, and whether the measure could depress pay for construction trades; despite concerns and an opposition speech, it ultimately passed 44-0. AB 1793, which would allow symmetrical rounding of cash transactions to the nearest nickel in light of the penny’s phaseout, also drew light debate and passed 47-1. AB 1932, an urgency measure expanding community-based crisis response, passed with one no vote on both the urgency and the bill. Several urgency or 54-vote bills, including AB 1534 and AB 1932, required later roll calls or calls to be lifted, but all measures described in the transcript were ultimately approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• The process in general and timelines are challenging in moving this project forward.
• For emergency response outages, that's when there is an active emergency on the ground, and we coordinate
• They use large global data analytic companies that generate wildfire risk scores.
• So year over year, we're generating these data products.
• So year over year is we're generating these data products.

Summary: The committee first heard updates on the Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) and related funding. Department of Ecology staff explained how MTCA and the hazardous substance tax support cleanup, prevention, stormwater, and local assistance programs, but said forecasted revenues have declined while appropriations and transfers have outpaced incoming funds. Ecology said the operating account will require underspending to stay balanced this biennium and that the problem is ongoing, with further reductions possible if forecasts worsen. Ecology also reviewed the state cleanup program, noting there are more than 14,500 cleanup sites in Washington and that new sites continue to be discovered faster than they are cleaned up. A question from Representative Lee raised the long-term issue of declining fossil-fuel-based revenue, and Ecology agreed that this is a future structural concern even though the current shortfall is driven more by forecasts and transfers than by fuel-use decline. The Pollution Liability Insurance Agency described its underground storage tank and heating oil programs, saying it has modernized from a reinsurance model to a financial assurance model with stronger state oversight and cleanup milestones. Russ Olson said the agency’s dedicated petroleum tax account is in strong financial condition, but emphasized the importance of preserving that funding source. He also discussed the loan and grant program for historic commercial releases and a new heating oil loan/grant program, while noting the agency is working on equity concerns where liens can be disproportionate to property values in smaller communities. Practitioners and advocates then offered differing views on MTCA’s performance: one attorney urged a collaborative review process to make cleanups faster, less expensive, and more certain, while another consultant argued the program is too conservative and process-heavy and should focus more narrowly on actual exposure and realistic cleanup standards. Environmental and community groups countered that MTCA is essential for cleanup, pollution prevention, stormwater control, and public participation, and that it is especially important for environmental justice communities such as the Duwamish Valley. Port and city representatives stressed that MTCA grants and cleanup funding are critical for large redevelopment projects, but said long timelines, permitting delays, and funding uncertainty can slow projects and jeopardize commitments. The committee then shifted to utility wildfire risk. Staff summarized recent legislation, including requirements for utility wildfire mitigation plans, creation of a wildfire mitigation standards work group, authorization for captive insurance by local governments and PUDs, securitization authority for disaster costs, and the existing wildfire response and resilience account. Chelan County PUD and Puget Sound Energy described extensive mitigation efforts such as vegetation management, grid hardening, undergrounding, AI smoke cameras, weather stations, enhanced operating settings, public safety power shutoffs, and community outreach. Both said wildfire risk is rising and insurance costs are increasing, and Chelan PUD asked the Legislature to restore funding to the wildfire response and resilience account. The Office of the Insurance Commissioner said a 2022 utility liability market study found insurance availability is tightening as perceived risk rises, and reported that a 2025 work group recommended restoring community resilience funding, requiring insurers to share wildfire risk scores and mitigation steps with property owners, and creating a grant program based on insurance industry wildfire standards. A PNNL scientist added that wildfire probability is increasing in parts of Washington and that mitigation requires long-term, landscape-scale coordination. The final speaker began describing California’s approach to wildfire risk, but the transcript cuts off before that presentation concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also help prepare for and respond to public emergencies and health emergencies.
• to public emergencies and health emergencies<00:28:19.080> this<00:28:19.240> includes
• Center of the state Emergency Operations Center of the state Emergency Operations Center where
• And we also have, you know, our eligibility criteria are as generous or more generous with respect to
• <01:08:41.239> respect generous or more generous with respect generous or more generous with

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My mom was diagnosed in an emergency room by a doctor in the ED.
• Generally speaking, conditions fall between zero and one.
• Generally speaking, conditions fall between zero and one.
• There may be folks that we miss, but that's a general estimate.
• Not to mention the loss of a spouse generally means your income is reduced by of a spouse generally means

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several aging-related bills, with most speakers focusing on housing stability, home-based services, and care transitions. Representative Badger and a commissioner testified in support of H4039, which would create a universal breakfast and lunch program at senior centers funded through a new Senior Breakfast and Lunch Fund, arguing it would reduce food insecurity and social isolation among older adults. Representative Lipper-Garabedian and multiple providers then supported H780/S495, the hospital-to-home partnership program, describing how embedded aging-services liaisons help older patients transition safely from hospitals to home, reduce readmissions, and avoid nursing facility placement; witnesses from Mystic Valley Elder Services and Mass Aging Access cited pilot results, including hundreds of patients served and examples of substantial cost savings and successful discharge planning. The committee also took testimony on S478, which would require continuing care retirement communities to disclose entrance-fee refund policies more clearly at enrollment. Senator Lovely and LeadingAge Massachusetts said the bill would improve transparency for residents and families, while a consumer witness said her family experienced delays and confusion in getting a refund after her mother left a CCRC. Members noted the issue is also being examined by a special commission on CCRCs. A large portion of the hearing focused on S475, a statewide bridge subsidy program for older adults facing housing instability. Advocates from the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, Western Massachusetts, Somerville, Northampton, East Hampton, Old Colony Elder Services, and Somerville’s Office of Housing Stability described rising senior homelessness, long waitlists for subsidized housing, and cases where short-term rental assistance kept older adults housed while they waited for permanent housing. Somerville witnesses said the pilot program helped nine households remain housed and that some participants have since moved into permanent housing. Members asked about wait times, program design, and how to prioritize applicants; witnesses emphasized flexibility, emergency risk, and the need for a statewide expansion. The hearing also included testimony on S465, an ALS bill that would expand home care access regardless of age and bar the use of quality-adjusted life-year metrics in coverage decisions, with the sponsor and ALS Association arguing the measure would reduce discriminatory treatment and better center patient care. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• You said pregnant individuals who are here, emergency rooms, things.
• room or emergency or pregnant individuals with children.
• General fund only. General fund only. $48 to $50 billion a year. General fund only.
• I said generally that was not the case; that those are free general fund dollars that we could use to
• So the rate is set to generate the $2.3 billion.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• However, this proposal helps achieve general fund savings.
• the emergency recovery efforts immediately after.
• Generators are charged on a per-ton basis, so the more waste you generate, the more you pay.
• So, fees are not paid on the waste generated.
• The governor's proposed budget proposes to spend general fund money to backfill general fund commitments

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The motion prevails. 1247 be passed and moveed to the general 1247 be passed and moveed to the general
• file4 1247 be re-referred to the general file4 1247 be re-referred to the general register<00:10
• <00:36:57.319> how be used in events of an emergency how be used in events of an emergency
• of Inspector General.
• quick final comment just on the general quick final comment just on the general as<01:04:06.720>

Bills: HF1247, HF628

Keywords: child care, aides, supervision, child care centers, staffing regulations, childcare, day care, licensed child care center, early childhood education, child care licensing, director qualifications, staff ratios, group size, staff-to-child ratio, substitutes, volunteers, assistant teacher, teacher qualifications, infant care, toddler age

Transcript Highlights:

• stopping in traffic, blocking emergency stopping in traffic, blocking emergency responders,<00:05
• <00:09:53.320> responders situations where emergency responders situations where emergency
• . general. general.
• And then just general of municipalities.
• So, yes, our newest generation driver, the sixth generation driver, has been validated and developed

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• An indigenous first generation Chicana, Dr.
• Generates over $2 in economic activity.
• All are invested in local food systems, generate over $2 in economic activity.
• In the event of an absence due to a just cause or emergency circumstances.
• A little bit of background, this is extending an emergency, emergency regulations that were pommel during

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I have many years of experience in the emergency room. In, uh, in addressing these issues.
• We're able to feel safer about potential obstetrical emergencies.
• She scheduled an emergency D&C abortion care the next day on July 3rd.
• And 30 minutes later she ended up in the emergency room.
• I know our attorney general is running for something else, but why wouldn't he prosecute that?

Bills: HB7, SB 8

Keywords: abortion, healthcare, jurisdiction, civil action, qui tam, prohibition, state law, sex designation, restroom access, civil penalties, private civil right of action, women's privacy

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, you may remember us because you generously funded the design phase of our project. awarding
• We're creating spaces that inspire, support, and empower the next generation of Minnesota's workforce
• We supply generators to things like water treatment plants across the state.
• The only way to solve for that is to generate and create more people coming into the space.
• The Lesseur community currently has no dedicated space for its emergency management.

Bills: HF2418, HF1666, HF232, HF344, HF402, HF431, HF468, HF547, HF583, HF1476, HF1711, HF2787, HF2788, HF3207

Keywords: capital investment, political subdivisions, state assistance, funding, project grants, child care, Slayton, state bonds, economic development, extended time revenue, school funding, state aid, career and technical education, CTE, STEM, secondary credit, after-school programs, summer school, learning year program, extended day

Transcript Highlights:

• We have some of the top staff in the General Assembly here.
• I did spend quite a bit of time down here at the General Assembly this past year.
• You know, one of the things about being in the General Assembly is every year is like a whole new General
• So especially around working with the Attorney General too.
• Do we see you have any other, anybody else in the general public? Seeing none?

Keywords: Commission on Updating Virginia Law to Reflect Federal Recognition of Virginia Tribes, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• When I visited her, I knew immediately that she was having a medical emergency.
• I'm sure that everyone knows that shortness of breath is always a medical emergency.
• When I visited her, I knew immediately that she was having a medical emergency.
• I'm sure that everyone knows that shortness of breath is always a medical emergency.
• And so, you know, I agree just in general.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard SB 1377, which would change California’s medical exemption review process for school immunizations. The author and supporters argued the current system has a chilling effect on physicians and can prevent medically vulnerable children from obtaining needed exemptions, while opponents from pediatric, medical, and public health groups said the existing oversight is working and protects against fraudulent exemptions. Committee members debated the data, the bill’s last-minute amendments, and whether the proposal would weaken public health protections; no vote was taken because the committee lacked a quorum, and the bill was held on call. The committee then took up SB 995, the Masuma Khan Justice Act, which would create a statewide inspection and enforcement framework for private detention facilities in California. The author and supporters described alleged medical neglect, unsafe conditions, and lack of accountability in immigration detention, including testimony from Masuma Khan’s daughter about her mother’s treatment at a CoreCivic facility. The California Hospital Association raised concerns about duplicative oversight and possible overlap with already regulated health facilities, but said it was continuing to work on a solution. After discussion about constitutional and jurisdictional issues, the committee voted 5-0 to do pass and re-refer the bill to the Committee on Judiciary, with the vote placed on call. The committee also heard SB 1089, which would expand access to GLP-1 medications for state and local government employees through CalPERS and encourage broader affordability through CalRx. The author framed the bill as a response to chronic weight disease and rising diabetes risk, and the American Diabetes Association and other supporters said GLP-1s can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes and reduce long-term costs. Members discussed the medications’ benefits, side effects, and whether they are a long-term treatment. The bill was moved on a 5-0 vote and placed on call. Finally, the committee began SB 1221, dealing with Murphy conservatorships for people found dangerous due to severe mental illness after serious violent crimes. The author said the bill responds to a court decision that created uncertainty about placement and detention while awaiting state hospital beds, and supporters from prosecutors and psychiatrists said the measure would improve public safety and ensure victims’ voices are heard. Opposition testimony from county behavioral health directors began after the author’s presentation, but the transcript cuts off before the committee completed debate or took action on the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• And as an aside, it's just amazing to me that the same attorney general that told the court to kiss my
• Saying that we got an emergency. But we don't have an emergency.
• because apparently that emergency is we need to hurry up and make sure that we can get rid of those
• because apparently that emergency is we need to hurry up and make sure that we can get rid of those
• I don't think that's an emergency.

Keywords: 1136, house, all