Transcript Highlights:

• During these times, unemployment claims increase.
• In the summer and fall, approximately 53% of claims were processed within 30 days.
• Today, nearly 76% of claims are processed within 30 days.
• In October, 48% of eligible claims were paid within 35 days.
• In January 2026, nearly 85% of claims were paid within 35 days. That's nearly a 40% improvement.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• And we will not call names in this debate, nor will we claim or insinuate intentions.
• debate,<00:03:21.200><c> nor</c><00:03:21.440><c> will</c><00:03:21.680><c> we</c><00:03:21.840><c> claim
• , nor will we claim or insinuate insu<00:03:24.000><c> uh</c><00:03:24.800><c> uh</c><00:03:25.120><c
• Um, and then everything that the testifiers claim today also are run true in my district.
• </c> lied about Julio Sosa, who they claimed lied about Julio Sosa, who they claimed hit<01:09:24.159

Bills: HF3435 , HF3409

Committee: House Education Policy

Keywords: school access, school site, school district, charter school, federal agents, DHS, Department of Homeland Security, ICE, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, CBP, Customs and Border Protection, USCIS, immigration enforcement, judicial warrant, student privacy, school safety, sanctuary schools, warrant requirement, federal warrant, school grounds

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> on funds being available when claims on funds being available when claims occur,<01:09:41.839><c
• Because if HHRF can't pay its claims, it now has to assess the insurers in the market, who then have
• </c> words, to be able to pay its claims words, to be able to pay its claims because<01:12:06.960><c>
• ,</c><01:12:09.440><c> it</c> because if HHRF can't pay its claims, it because if HHRF can't pay its
• that they've worked across all claiming that they've worked across all sides<01:22:15.040><c> of</c>

Bills: HB1546

Committee: House Human Services & Homelessness

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 2083, which would add homeless shelters to Hawaii’s drug-free/safe-zone protections. The City and County prosecutor’s office strongly supported the bill, saying service providers asked for the change because drug activity near shelters can undermine recovery efforts. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the measure, focusing on a possible notice problem because many shelters are not readily identifiable and the bill’s 750-foot distance requirement could be difficult to apply. The Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii also opposed the bill, arguing it would expand criminalization of poverty and drug use and that drug-free zone laws are ineffective and disproportionately harmful. The prosecutor’s office said it would do more research on the notice concern. The committee then moved on without taking a vote in the transcript provided. The committee next discussed HB 2087, which would change the treatment of abuse of family or household member cases by ending the deferred-acceptance pilot and returning to the prior statute. The prosecutor’s office supported the bill, saying the pilot had not reduced backlog as intended and that domestic violence cases should remain petty misdemeanors without deferral. The Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Public Defender’s Office both opposed HB 2087, instead urging extension of the pilot for another five years so the legislature can better evaluate how deferred acceptance is working. They said deferrals can be a useful incentive for behavior change and that more data is needed before ending the program. Committee members questioned the prosecutor about why Hawaii should differ from other counties and whether repeat offenders could keep receiving deferrals; the prosecutor said the deferral is available only once and reiterated support for returning to the old statute. The committee then heard HB 2096 on aggravated circumstances in child protective proceedings. The family court and Attorney General’s Office supported the bill, saying current law limits aggravated-circumstances findings to the early return hearing, which can prevent findings in the most serious abuse cases when key evidence is not yet available. They said the bill would allow such findings later in the case and, with proposed amendments, would let the court consolidate aggravated-circumstances and termination-of-parental-rights hearings to reduce delay and appeals. The Libertarian Party of Hawaii opposed the measure, arguing it would expand state power in family matters and could worsen outcomes for parents and children. Committee questions focused on the amended language, including what “another court of competent jurisdiction” means and whether a charge alone would be enough; the judiciary responded that criminal courts are included, but a hearing and opportunity to defend would still be required. Finally, the committee took up HB 1959, another domestic violence measure. The Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the Public Defender’s Office, the Crime Victim Compensation Commission, the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, and county prosecuting offices testified in support. Supporters said the bill would extend the pilot program while keeping deferred acceptance of guilty pleas in place, giving more time to evaluate whether the program is working and whether a more formal diversion model should be developed. The coalition also suggested technical fixes to ensure judiciary data reporting continues and that the deferred-acceptance statute is not inadvertently repealed. No vote or final action was taken in the transcript before the committee moved on to the next bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• CPCs also make false and misleading claims.
• As of 2021, over 63% of Minnesota CPCs made false and biased claims.
• As of 2021, only 9% of Minnesota CPCs claim to employ a physician, and only 20% claim to employ a registered
• </c><01:01:57.640><c> to</c><01:01:57.760><c> employ</c><01:01:58.039><c> a</c> and only 20% claim to
• that this data is protected under claim that this data is protected under Hippa<01:02:23.799><c> but

Bills: HF25 , HF1 , HF428

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Keywords: pregnancy support, women's health, maternity homes, nonprofit organizations, grant funding, abortion, family services, Office of Inspector General, inspector general, legislative audit, fraud prevention, waste and abuse, public funds, grant oversight, state grants, grant management, whistleblower protection, retaliation, subpoena power, data practices

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill would ensure consistency, science-based handling of smoke damage claims by establishing science-based
• Restorations of smoke-damaged homes, creating uniform insurance claims-handling practices, requiring
• And representing Altadena, I'll tell you that smoke claims after the Eaton fire, and I know my colleague
• from Thousand Oaks representing the Palisades fire can attest, smoke claims have been a nightmare.
• And it has really been the big... ...fire can attest, smoke claims have been a nightmare, and it has

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 1744 Addis, sunscreen marketing claims, due pass on an A roll call.
• AB 2253, Tasha Boerner Horvath, recycled content claims, do pass out on a B roll call.
• AB 1827, Chen, small claims, do pass out on an A roll call.
• AB 2431, Patel, downcoding medical claims, held in committee.
• AB 2468, Patel, downcoding medical claims, held in committee.

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee held a suspense-file hearing on May 14, 2026, reviewing hundreds of Assembly bills and a few committee bills. The chair opened by explaining the committee’s budget constraints and the factors used in suspense decisions, including fiscal impact, return on investment, effects on constituents, and protection of the state’s social safety net. The agenda was organized alphabetically by author, and the committee noted that results would be posted later that day online. The committee then acted on a very large number of measures, sending many bills to the Assembly floor on do pass or do pass as amended motions, while holding many others in committee. Topics covered a broad range of policy areas, including housing, health care, education, labor, public safety, wildfire mitigation, water, energy, transportation, cannabis, immigration, and state governance. Many bills were amended to narrow scope, make implementation contingent on appropriations or existing resources, remove provisions, or clarify agency responsibilities; several bills were held without further action. Among the notable actions, the committee advanced bills on items such as Medi-Cal services, child care, wildfire-related programs, housing financing, school and college issues, public safety and criminal justice, environmental and energy policy, and various consumer and business regulations. Some measures were sent out on A or B roll calls, with Republicans often not voting on amended bills. The hearing concluded after the committee reported that a large number of bills had been moved to the Assembly floor, either as do pass or do pass with amendments, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Most people will not question when somebody is wearing a badge, claims to be an officer, or creates the
• Most people will not question when somebody is wearing a badge, claims to be an officer, or creates the
• impression of, Wearing a badge, claims to be an officer, or creates the impression of having law enforcement
• You cannot claim police authority or create the impression of being law enforcement without a consequence
• civil society can support, having workarounds where people can have identifications where they can claim

Bills: HB1160 , HB1289 , HB1339 , HB1798 , HB1065 , HB1717 , HB1795 , HB1859 , HB2107 , HB2113 , HB2124 , HB2125 , HB2133 , HB2134 , HB2140 , HB2151 , HB2155 , HB2165 , HB2185 , HB2191 , HB2205 , HB2211 , HB2219 , HB2242 , HB2245 , HB2253 , HB2283 , HB2317 , HB2343 , HB2385 , HB2406 , HB2417 , HB2426 , HB2501 , HB2531 , HB2574 , HB2606 , HB1170 , HB1544 , HB1834 , HB2111 , HB2156 , HB2188 , HB2199 , HB2206 , HB2296 , HB2360 , HB2436 , HB2471 , HB2478 , HB2510 , HB2525 , HB2532 , HB2543 , HB2605 , HB2624 , HJM4012 , HB1759

Keywords: design review, local government, land use, zoning, project permits, housing density, middle housing, affordable housing, parking minimums, single-family zoning, infill development, growth management, comprehensive plan, permit streamlining, objective development regulations, architectural review, administrative review, transit-oriented development, accessory dwelling units, ADU

Summary: The House convened, established a quorum, recited the Pledge of Allegiance, and heard a prayer before caucusing. The chamber then received a Senate message that Substitute Senate Bill 5820 had passed the Senate. Members took up a long series of House bills on second and third reading, with most advancing by wide margins after brief debate and, in some cases, amendments. Among the measures considered, Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2165 on impersonating law enforcement drew the most debate. Supporters said it would address public safety and accountability by prohibiting people from claiming police authority or creating that impression, while opponents argued it could create confusion, overlap with existing law, or interfere with federal-state law enforcement cooperation. Amendment 1521 was adopted to protect ceremonial transfers of badges and identification to families of fallen or retired officers. The bill ultimately passed 56-38. Other bills passed included House Bill 2624 on clarifying property-related definitions for conservancies, House Bill 2385 delaying implementation dates tied to Medicaid reimbursement changes, Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1717 on affordable housing tax remittance, Second Substitute House Bill 1859 on housing development on faith-owned land, Substitute House Bill 2151 adopting national standards for factory-built housing inspections, House Bill 2155 protecting the nursing title, House Bill 2111 on Interstate Bridge toll interest revenue, House Bill 2543 on county clerk fees, House Bill 2606 updating the Office of Privacy and Data Protection’s performance measures and AI-related duties, and House Bill 2417 aligning victim rights for National Guard members. Later, the House considered additional bills on early learning, marine safety, energy devices, nitrous oxide sales, derelict vessels, and a Seahawks-related resolution. House Bill 2317 on early learning assistance was amended to clarify school and community/technical college premises and passed unanimously. House Bill 2436, a technical fix for pilotage-related vessel requirements, also passed unanimously. Substitute House Bill 2296, dealing with distributed energy resource devices and meter-mounted equipment, passed 56-38 after concerns about timing relative to UTC rulemaking. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2532, restricting nitrous oxide sales with exemptions for medical, dental, and automotive uses, passed unanimously after an amendment clarifying those exemptions. Substitute House Bill 2199, aimed at removing derelict and sinking vessels, passed unanimously. Finally, House Bill 1759 designating December 12 as the “Day of the 12s” in honor of the Seahawks and their fans passed 93-2 after enthusiastic floor remarks and a brief point of order. The House then recessed for caucus until 2 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• calculation that would ensure there is more than enough to cover the cost of a health care plan, claims
• So right now, if you're a sole proprietor who may claim your income of your business on your individual
• We project it to be $5.9 million at the end of this fiscal year, regardless of our claims experience.
• So we paid in one year, we actually paid over $225 million in claims.
• You claim your income on your taxes.

Committee: House Health and Mental Health

Summary: The Committee on Health and Mental Health met with a quorum, first voting in executive session to do pass House Bill 1977 and House Bill 2146, both by unanimous 12-0 roll call votes. The committee then heard House Bills 1680, 1966, 2296, and 2642, a package sponsored by Representatives Stinnett, Haden, Sites, and Peters aimed at requiring health plans to cover non-opioid medications for acute pain without forcing patients to try opioids first or pay higher cost-sharing. Sponsors and supporters described the bills as a response to opioid addiction and argued they would preserve patient choice and improve access to safer pain management options. Several witnesses from healthcare, recovery, and advocacy groups testified in favor, including the Missouri State Medical Association, PreventEd, Reach Healthcare Foundation, and recovery organizations, with multiple members sharing personal stories about opioid dependence and overdose. Opponents from the Missouri Insurance Coalition and America’s Health Insurance Plans said they supported the goal but objected to the drafting, arguing the language was too narrow, appeared to center on one FDA-approved non-opioid drug for acute pain, and would limit insurers’ ability to use formularies, step therapy, and cost-sharing differences. Committee members pressed the insurance witnesses on whether insurers should override physician judgment, and sponsors said they were open to discussing broader language. No vote was taken on these bills during the hearing. The committee also heard House Bill 2596 from Representative McGaugh, which would update Missouri law governing multiple employer self-insured health plans (MEWAs) for small businesses. The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and several chamber and business witnesses supported the bill, saying the plans help small employers pool risk, offer competitive health benefits, retain workers, and remain affordable; they said the bill would modernize eligibility rules for sole proprietors with employees and update surplus requirements to a more risk-based standard. Committee discussion focused on how the plans work, their solvency protections, and the difference between this arrangement and the Farm Bureau plan. No opposition was presented, and the hearing on HB 2596 concluded without a vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Legislation aims to ensure fairness and accuracy in determining medical damages, preventing inflated claims
• Failing in that, it would probably have a financial attached to it because they claim they would have
• They claim they would have to add people. So all it does is change hours to business hours.
• They claim that they don't have anybody there on the weekends and they would have to restaff.
• And I think we've brought up two or three in the last couple years and worked with them through the claims

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and considered a large agenda of bills, mostly in the criminal justice, courts, civil procedure, and family/consumer protection areas. Early measures included CS/HB 1161 on removing altered sexual depictions posted without consent, HB 403 modernizing LLC law to allow protected series LLCs, CS/HB 97 on service of process in protection proceedings for vulnerable adults, and HB 813 as the state courts package addressing duty judges, arbitrator compensation, and notarization by judges. All of those bills were reported favorably, with HB 403 and HB 813 amended. The committee also heard and advanced CS/HB 947 on evidence of medical damages in personal injury and wrongful death cases, which drew substantial opposition from insurers, business groups, and defense-oriented witnesses, while the sponsor argued it would let juries hear all relevant evidence; it passed 19-3. Members also approved CS/CS/HB 615 allowing electronic delivery of landlord-tenant notices by email, after an amendment requiring opt-in language and written notice to update an email address; tenant advocates still raised concerns about eviction-related notices and receipt verification. HB 663 increased penalties for using tracking devices or apps to commit dangerous crimes and passed unanimously. CS/HB 385 made technical changes to the Florida Trust Code and passed unanimously after a conforming amendment. CS/HB 255, known as Dexter’s Law, increased penalties for aggravated animal cruelty and was supported by law enforcement and animal welfare groups; it passed unanimously. Later in the meeting, the committee approved HB 513 on electronic transmittal of court orders after the sponsor withdrew an amendment that would have changed the deadline from six hours to six business hours, following concerns that the delay could be too long for urgent orders. CS/HB 1099 gave law enforcement discretion in arrests involving individuals with significant medical conditions in facilities and passed unanimously. HB 653 added aggravating factors for capital felonies involving assassinations or attempted assassinations of heads of state; it drew opposition from the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops and passed 20-2. CS/HB 59 expanded wrongful incarceration compensation by extending the filing deadline, removing the clean-hands bar, and allowing exonerees to choose between civil suit and the state claims process; it passed unanimously. PCS/HB 777 increased penalties for in-person luring or enticing of children and barred certain age-based defenses, passing unanimously. Finally, CS/HB 437 increased penalties for tampering with electronic monitoring devices; two amendments softened the bill by clarifying juvenile treatment and giving judges limited discretion to avoid automatic revocation of pretrial release, and the bill passed 21-1 before the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• On to the second part, the mandatory waiting period: the proponents of this legislation claim it's to
• On to the second part, the mandatory waiting period: the proponents of this legislation claim it's to
• On to the second part, the mandatory waiting period: the proponents of this legislation claim it's to
• On to the second part, the mandatory waiting period: the proponents of this legislation claim it's to
• On to the second part, the mandatory waiting period: the proponents of this legislation claim it's to

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• You just send out a notice, and then there's two years that they can come back and claim against that
• I don't see any way that the state board of Education could dismiss claims or appeals if a parent or
• Claims or appeals.
• And how do you know this claim that there's this huge volume of explicit content?
• To their ears when it comes to the content that we are claiming for this piece of legislation.

Bills: SCR17 , SB2104 , SB2155 , SB1428 , SB1250 , SB1651 , SB1794 , SB444 , SB1061 , SB1327 , SB1425 , SB1455 , SB1458 , SB1460 , SB1480 , SB1530 , SB1543 , SB1555 , SB1593 , SB1209 , SB1730 , SB1733 , SB1769 , SB1805 , SB2069 , SB2095 , SB1503

Keywords: Oklahoma Ireland relations, Ireland, Irish heritage, St. Patrick's Day, Choctaw Nation, Choctaw famine relief, Irish-American, cultural resolution, concurrent resolution, ceremonial resolution, economic development, trade commission, international relations, Tulsa IrishFest, ShamROCK the Gardens, Oklahoma City St. Patrick's Parade, Irish ancestry, Senate of Ireland, Aubrey McCarthy, Phil Thompson

Transcript Highlights:

• This claims bill for $4.1 million is supported by both the claimant and Miami-Dade County, and that is
• Senate Bill 16 is an uncontested local claims bill against the City of St.
• Senate Bill 16 is an uncontested local claims bill against the city of St.
• This is an uncontested claim bill for local funds in the amount of $500,000 payable from unencumbered
• This is an uncontested claim bill for local funds in the amount of $500,000 payable from unencumbered

Transcript Highlights:

• This claim bill is for the remaining $312,500 from that judgment. And that's the bill.
• This is a claim bill brought on behalf of the estate of MN, a deceased minor, against Gregory Tony in
• So that claim has actually been settled. And there's an agreement where the mother, I...
• So that claim has actually been settled.
• Is the sheriff's office in support of this claims bill, or where are they on that? Thank you.

Summary: The committee heard and advanced a wide range of bills, with several focused on water safety, utilities, and local government transparency. CS/SB 848 on stormwater treatment was explained as clarifying water quality credits and water quality enhancement areas, and it was reported favorably after one support appearance. SB 28, a claim bill for Reginald Jackson against the City of Lakeland arising from injuries caused by a police shooting, was also reported favorably. CS/CS/SB 658 on water safety requirements for rental properties drew extensive testimony in support from child advocacy and drowning prevention advocates, who cited Florida’s high child drowning rates and the disproportionate impact on children with autism; the bill was amended to require front-end certification and remove local add-on authority, then passed favorably. CS/SB 18, a claim bill involving the estate of a deceased minor and the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, was reported favorably after questions about the verdict, settlement posture, and who would receive the funds. SB 934 on areas of critical state concern was amended to remove a provision viewed as conflicting with the Live Local Act and then passed favorably. SB 1622, which creates a one-time waiver for certain late-filed financial disclosure fines, also passed favorably with support from an appearance form. SB 1264 on private schools and zoning was reported favorably after members noted ongoing concerns and planned further discussion. CS/CS/SB 260 on electric vehicle storage in towing yards was amended to narrow the bill to storage issues and cap the fee period until inspection; it drew both support and opposition from insurers, fire officials, and vehicle industry representatives, and was reported favorably. CS/CS/SB 1014, dealing with municipal utility service to properties outside city limits, was amended to limit it to residential development and clarify capacity standards, then passed favorably. CS/SB 1102 expanded the local infrastructure surtax to include body camera programs and was reported favorably after an amendment requiring voter approval. Finally, CS/SB 1724 and SB 1566, both on local government utility and budget transparency, were amended and reported favorably despite concerns from cities and counties about implementation costs and burdens.

Transcript Highlights:

• limits a local government's authority to regulate the operation of a business that are to be owned or claimed
• limits a local government's authority to regulate the operation of a business that are to be owned or claimed
• limits a local government's authority to regulate the operation of a business that are to be owned or claimed
• limits a local government's authority to regulate the operation of a business that are to be owned or claimed
• limits a local government's authority to regulate the operation of a business that are to be owned or claimed

Committee: Senate State & Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• I have represented employees for over 25 years, including inequity pay claims.
• SB 642 will help close the wage gap is by giving employees additional time needed to pursue their claims
• Um, you know, when you're looking at one of these claims, they are often very fact-specific.
• When you're looking at one of these claims, they are often very fact-specific.
• So, for example, in order to state a claim, you do have to have... ...you know, and the employer would

Summary: The Assembly Labor and Employment Committee heard several bills focused on worker rights, workplace technology, pay equity, and retail/self-checkout standards. SB 703 would require ports to collect and report information on trucking companies to help identify worker misclassification in the port trucking industry; supporters, including Teamsters and the California Labor Federation, said better data is needed for enforcement, while trucking and retail groups said they were working with the author and expected to remove opposition after amendments. The bill passed 5-0 and was re-referred to Transportation. The committee also approved a consent calendar of other measures. SB 294, the Workplace Know Your Rights Act, would require the Labor Commissioner to create a template for annual employer notices about workers’ labor and civil rights, including emergency contact notification if a worker is detained or arrested. Supporters said the bill would help workers understand their rights amid federal rollbacks and weak enforcement; the California Restaurant Association opposed it. SB 7 would require notice and human review before employers use automated decision-making systems for discipline or termination, and would bar predictive use of such systems for employment actions. Labor groups supported the bill as a safeguard against biased or opaque algorithmic management, while HR, chamber, retail, and local government groups raised concerns about breadth, notice burdens, and small-business impacts. Both bills passed 5-0 to their next committees. The committee also advanced SB 238, which would require disclosure about workplace surveillance and AI monitoring tools, and SB 442, which sets staffing and operational standards for self-checkout, including at least one staffed lane, one employee dedicated to monitoring self-checkout, item restrictions, and a 15-item limit sign. Supporters argued both bills improve transparency, safety, and worker protections; opponents warned SB 238 could expose security practices and SB 442 could raise costs and create preemption issues. SB 464 would expand state pay-data reporting to better capture public-sector workforce demographics in line with reparations and pay-equity goals, and SB 642 would strengthen the Equal Pay Act by extending recovery periods, clarifying wage definitions, and updating pay-scale language. SB 464 and SB 642 also passed, with some opposition from county and business groups over scope and retroactivity. All measures taken up in the hearing were approved by committee, generally on 5-0 votes, and re-referred to the appropriate policy or fiscal committees.

Transcript Highlights:

• This position is a Veterans Benefit Specialist, and they are looking at the claims for compensation and
• And that's a little different than here, but they're doing it and the salary claim it.
• And let's see, federal VA regional office veterans claim examiners are 36 percent.
• Chairman, looking at the data and numbers for the appeals and claims, the appeals have significantly
• The appeals have significantly increased, and so have the claims, and so I think that this position would

Committee: House Appropriations - Human Resources Division

Summary: The committee took up Senate Bill 2025, the Veterans Home/Veterans Affairs budget, and worked through the long sheet line by line. Members discussed base payroll, salary and health insurance increases, FTE pool adjustments, IT rate increases, operating expenses, transportation grants, the PTSD service dog program, salary equity requests, temporary help/intern funding, a Veterans Benefit Specialist FTE, accrued leave, and several one-time or carryover items including the Fisher House, document scanning, and veterans medical transportation. The committee also reviewed proposed policy language that would shift governance authority for the Veterans Home and Department of Veterans Affairs from the Administrative Committee on Veterans Affairs to the governor, and would remove board authority over salary-setting and related hiring powers. A major portion of the meeting focused on clarifying the commissioner salary equity line and how the agency had shifted operating dollars to fund the commissioner’s current salary increase. After discussion with agency staff and Lonnie, the committee voted to remove the separate commissioner salary equity increase line and instead restore operating funding, ultimately setting the operating line at $50,000 above the prior amount rather than fully funding the executive request. The committee also approved funding for the Veterans Benefit Specialist FTE, approved a carryforward/exemption for accrued leave, approved authority to accept $200,000 in federal transportation grant funds, approved the $500,000 transfers related to veterans homelessness, and approved the exemption language for certain federal/state fiscal recovery funds after discussing whether the funds were properly obligated. On the governance amendment, members expressed concern about making a major policy change in an appropriations bill, but also frustration over the board’s salary actions. After debate, the committee adopted the amendment transferring governance authority to the governor by a 7-1 vote. The committee also approved a smaller amount for veteran service officer salary equity than requested, and rejected funding for temporary salaries and an intern. The chair then directed staff to prepare the amended bill for further action, with the committee planning to revisit it once the revised version was ready.

Transcript Highlights:

• such as the Racial Justice Act, resentencing petitions under Penal Code 1172.6, and habeas corpus claims
• By broadening discovery access, AB 1036 enhances... ...habeas corpus claims.
• Many post-conviction claims, such as those based on new evidence, prosecutorial misconduct, ineffective
• there are safeguards so that when a defendant raises an issue about jury selection, it has to be a claim
• or show a colorable claim of misconduct in jury selection, such as racial bias, that is then brought

Committee: House Public Safety

Summary: The Assembly Public Safety Committee heard several bills and adopted a consent calendar of six measures, including bills on background checks, female offender prison facilities, a juvenile justice hunger survey, protective orders and firearms, a youth offender camp pilot, and peace officer behavioral health training. AB 710 and AB 848 were pulled by the authors. The committee also took up AB 458, AB 394, AB 1094, AB 1092, and AB 1036, with extensive testimony on each. AB 458, by Assembly Member Stephanie, would require state agencies buying firearms, ammunition, or accessories for law enforcement to vet vendors for compliance with firearms laws and procurement standards. Supporters, including Brady and the California Police Chiefs Association, said it would prevent taxpayer dollars from going to irresponsible dealers; opponents argued it imposed unnecessary bureaucracy and vague standards. The bill passed the committee on a due-pass-as-amended vote to Appropriations. AB 394, by Assembly Member Wilson, would expand protections for transit workers and riders by clarifying battery penalties, allowing restraining orders in the transit context, and making those orders system-wide. Transit agencies, labor groups, police chiefs, and other supporters backed the measure, while public defenders and civil liberties groups raised concerns about clarity, judicial discretion, and impacts on riders who rely on transit. The bill passed unanimously to Judiciary. AB 1094, by Assembly Member Baines, would raise the minimum parole eligibility term for child torture cases from seven to 20 years; supporters emphasized the severity of the abuse and the need for stronger accountability, while opponents argued the parole system already screens risk and that prevention would be more effective. It passed to Appropriations. AB 1092, which would extend concealed carry permit renewals from two to four years, drew support from gun rights groups and sheriffs but was opposed by the chair, who called it a solution in search of a problem; the bill failed. AB 1036, by the chair, would expand post-conviction discovery access for people serving felony sentences of one year or more, including Brady material and jury selection notes; innocence organizations supported it, while district attorneys objected that it was too broad and burdensome. It passed to Appropriations, with members noting ongoing negotiations over amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• ensures that The individuals who use legally justified force are not financially ruined by basis claims
• lawyers got the evidence. on what happened and the case was already dismissed, they still filed the claim
• Evidence was wrong as far as the people that there were. they were filing a claim against.
• But despite that we're repeatedly hit with frivolous claims.
• In some cases, our insurance company. chooses to pay these claims rather than fight them, even though

Bills: HB170 , HB865 , HB748 , HJR112 , HB 1110 , HB1495 , HB786 , HB 1130 , HB170

Committee: House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Keywords: civil liability, self-defense, force, deadly force, legal immunity, attorney's fees, criminal justice, firearms, liability, veterans, gun ownership, immunity, firearm hold agreement, sexual abuse, nondisclosure, confidentiality, public policy, Trey's Law, parental rights, child upbringing

Transcript Highlights:

• policies obtained by home warranty and service warranty associations that either must pay 100% of claims
• as they are incurred or pay 100% of claims due in the event the association fails to pay the claims
• Obtained by home warranty and service warranty associations that either must pay 100% of claims as they
• are incurred or pay 100% of claims due in the event the association fails to pay the claims when due

Committee: House Commerce Committee

Summary: The Commerce Committee held its first meeting, took roll, established a quorum, and heard opening remarks from the chair, vice chair, and ranking member emphasizing the committee’s broad scope and focus on Florida’s economy and daily-life issues. The committee then considered several bills, with members and staff noting the agenda included four bills and a PCS. The first measures dealt with insurance and consumer regulation. CS/HB 367 on home and service warranty associations was explained as allowing financial requirements to be met through one or more contractual liability policies and reducing certain filing requirements; an amendment adding requirements for liability insurance coverage was adopted, and the bill passed favorably. HB 655 on pet insurance and wellness programs created a regulatory framework for pet insurance and also passed favorably. HB 6015, which deleted the word “reusable” from the wine keg statute, had brief support testimony and passed favorably. The committee spent the most time on CS/HB 105, a strike-all PCS on thoroughbred permit holders and decoupling racing from gaming. The sponsor said the revised bill would decouple racing and gaming while adding protections for the thoroughbred industry, including a notice period before racing could stop, permit transferability, and changes to how breeders’ and owners’ funds are administered. Supporters argued the bill would preserve and strengthen the industry through clearer rules and more direct support, while opponents—horsemen, breeders, trainers, veterinarians, and related businesses—warned it would harm a major rural industry, threaten jobs, and favor casino interests. After extensive debate, the strike-all was adopted and the bill was reported favorably on a divided vote. Finally, HB 11 on municipal water and sewer utility rates was presented as correcting an unintended consequence in surcharge law for utilities owned by one municipality but located in another. Testimony focused on the fairness of the current surcharge structure and the impact on Miami Gardens and North Miami Beach. After debate about negotiation, parity, and local impacts, the bill passed favorably. The committee then adjourned after its first meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then after that, they can claim up to 70% of their liability. But that 30% will represent...
• And then after that, they can claim up to 70% of their liability, but that 30% will represent a true
• And the first part of the proposal is that you can claim tax credits up to $5 million at 100%.
• They can claim up to 70% of their liability. So... Limits it to 70%.
• They can claim up to 70% of their liability. So this is in line with many other states.

Committee: Senate Budget and Fiscal Review