Transcript Highlights:

• Wasted energy is lost economics for the companies. That's not tolerated for them, right?
• So there are certain emissions that are entirely excluded, such as those from agriculture, waste management
• burners, pumps, and lighting, as well as industry-leading practices such as enhanced control systems and waste
• burners, pumps, and lighting, as well as industry-leading practices such as enhanced control systems and waste

Bills: HB2537 , HB2245 , HB2296

Committee: House Environment & Energy

Keywords: emissions, climate commitment act, environmental regulation, trade regulation, facility compliance, consumer-owned utilities, clean energy, port districts, market customers, energy transformation, distributed energy, renewable energy, energy resources, sustainability, energy policy

Transcript Highlights:

• They needed to be audited—wasteful spending, diversion of funds—and I'm too am really pleased that, with
• He founded McCreakin & Associates and is co-owner of Texas Waste.
• So that was a sludge license that I obtained annually with a waste company. would get, and so we've had
• and I. and my attorney, and so we had a register for sludge license, just the license to haul sludge waste

Committee: Senate Nominations

Transcript Highlights:

• WE HAVE HAD IS PEOPLE ARE DISPOSING OF SOME LARGE BATTERIES AND THROWING THEM INTO THE GARBAGE AND WASTE
• SOME MORE ON THE PACKAGING AND SAY HEY THIS BATTERY NEEDS TO BE RECYCLED AND DO NOT THROW IT INTO THE WASTE
• I AM HERE ON BEHALF OF THE NATIONAL WASTE AND RECYCLING ASSOCIATION FLORIDA CHAPTER.
• SIZE NEW SIZE BATTERIES THAT THE PUBLIC WOULD KNOW THAT THEY NEED TO BE RECYCLED NOT THROWN INTO THE WASTE

Transcript Highlights:

• some cover crops, some agroforestry, doing some work to get composting made out of, you know, food waste
• food waste um we are doing some food waste um we are doing some reforestation<01:09:55.440><c> projects
• battery manufacturing industry, a lithium-ion battery recycler, a collector, a representative from the waste

Committee: House Energy & Environmental Protection

Summary: The Energy and Environmental Protection Committee met on February 13, 2025, after a brief recess for a concurrent hearing. The committee heard testimony on several measures, including HB 332 on recycling and lithium-ion batteries, HB 256 on environmental protection and federal air standards, HB 348 on single-use plastics in lodging establishments, HB 810 on noise pollution and helicopter-related civil actions, HB 505 on Red Hill coordination, HB 975 on carbon sequestration incentives, and HB 974 on utility financing and step-in agreements. Testimony was generally supportive on HB 256, HB 348, HB 505, HB 975, and HB 974, while HB 332 drew both support and opposition, including concerns from the Consumer Technology Association about battery recycling policy. On HB 975, OPSD supported the program but urged language to prevent use for carbon offsets, and the committee discussed how the program would be monitored and reimbursed. On HB 974, the chair summarized extensive amendments addressing reserve fees, revenue definitions, trust funds, default procedures, and customer credits, while noting the Consumer Advocate’s changed view that a reserve fee may not be constitutionally required. In decision making, the committee adopted amendments and recommended passage for HB 332, converting it into a working group to study recycling of small- and medium-format lithium-ion batteries, with members from state agencies and industry and a note that an appropriation may be needed. HB 256 was passed with amendments to clarify compliance with federal law unless standards become more stringent. HB 348, HB 810, and HB 505 were each passed as is. HB 975 was passed with amendments, including language to prevent use of the program for carbon offsets and a note that dollar amounts would be blanked out and addressed in the committee report. HB 974 was also passed with amendments after the committee reviewed the proposed changes and discussed the reserve fee issue. The committee additionally noted that HB 1476 had previously been deferred and would remain deferred, and the meeting concluded with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• I was told, unfortunately, no, that it was considered medical waste and that the law determined at what
• At that point, the process that's in place now kicked in and the remains are turned to medical waste.

Summary: The Committee on Regulatory Affairs and Law Efficiency approved the minutes from February 18 and March 4, 2026, then took up House Bill 2122 and House Bill 2184, while holding House Bill 2910. HB 2122 would tighten and clarify reciprocity or endorsement requirements for professional registration with the Arizona State Board of Technical Registration, including requiring a valid out-of-state license or national council credential and allowing professional engineers to qualify based on four years of experience rather than four years after licensure. Supporters described it as a cleanup measure and noted it would facilitate reciprocity, including with the United Kingdom; there was no opposition, and the committee voted 7-0 to recommend do pass. The committee then considered a strike-everything amendment to HB 2184 dealing with disposition of fetal remains and related funeral, death certificate, and transit-permit requirements. The amendment would extend the filing timeline for death certificates from seven calendar days to 14 business days, require a disposition transit permit in certain cases involving unborn children under 20 weeks or under 350 grams, clarify parental authority for minor decedents, and set abortion-clinic form and permit exemptions. Testimony in support came from individuals who described personal miscarriage experiences and said the bill would provide grieving families dignity and the option to arrange burial or disposition; one witness said the terminology should be changed from “unborn child” to “fetal remains.” The committee adopted the strike-everything amendment and then voted on HB 2184 as amended. One member explained a no vote as being tied to the bill’s wording and said they hoped to work with the sponsor on language changes; another member supported the bill as written and opposed changing the terminology. The final vote was 4-3 in favor, and HB 2184 received a do pass as amended recommendation. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I was told, unfortunately, no, that it was considered medical waste and that the law determined at what
• At that point, the process that's in place now kicked in, and the remains are turned to medical waste

Bills: HB2122 , HB2184 , HB2910

Committee: Senate Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency

Keywords: technical registration, engineering, architect, land surveyor, reciprocity, endorsement, qualification standards, fetal death, funeral homes, informed consent, abortion, women's rights, medical assistance, emotional support, contractors, administrative recovery, regulation, statute of limitations, residential contractors' recovery fund

Transcript Highlights:

• MEMBERS, DO NOT BE AFRAID TO SHAKE THE TREE OF GOVERNMENT AND PULL OUT THE WEEDS OF WASTE, FRAUD, OR
• Where we find waste let us bring reform. Where there is injustice let us bring accountability.

Keywords: property insurance, insurance reform, housing, healthcare, public education, public safety, budget reform, tax policy, government accountability, taxpayer protection

Summary: The Florida House of Representatives convened for the 2025 Regular Session. Speaker Perez delivered opening remarks emphasizing collaborative governance over personal priorities, announcing no House Bill 1 to focus on collective work. He outlined key policy areas including property insurance reform, with plans for subcommittee hearings and subpoena powers to investigate insurance company practices and potential accounting irregularities. The Speaker called for meaningful reforms in housing, healthcare, education, and public safety, while challenging budget subcommittees to find recurring revenue savings rather than relying on temporary tax holidays. The session will focus on government accountability, waste elimination, and taxpayer protection. Governor DeSantis requested to deliver the State of the State address on March 4th, which was approved through concurrent resolution.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and I know it was short and brash, but I don't want to waste your time and just want to give you
• Um, and I know it was short and brash, but I don't want to waste your time and just want to give you
• Um, and I know it was short and brash, but I don't want to waste your time and just want to give you
• Um, and I know it was short and brash, but I don't want to waste your time and just want to give you
• Um, and I know it was short and brash, but I don't want to waste your time and just want to give you

Summary: The Education Funding Committee met in executive session on a bill concerning school meal access and reimbursement. The bill would address local school districts’ responsibility to provide meals during school hours, reimburse schools for meals served at no cost, and make an appropriation. The committee first moved to retain the bill, with supporters saying it was complex, had uncertain fiscal impacts, and should be considered alongside other related meals bills. Opponents argued the committee already had enough information, that the bill served a small number of students at relatively low cost, and that delaying action would harm children who need food to learn. The committee also heard from Tim Roar, a Keene school business administrator and co-designer of the bill, who explained that the proposal was intended to be an opt-in program for districts, with rulemaking to set participation requirements. He said the bill was meant to target aid to students between 175% and 200% of poverty, reduce bad meal debt, and avoid spending taxpayer money on families who could afford to pay. He estimated the state cost at about $250,000 in year one, with local taxpayer costs around $8,500 for Keene, and said some districts already have systems for online applications while others do not. Committee members questioned him about meal debt, online application software costs, and how districts handle students who reach debt limits. Roar said districts still feed students who are hungry, but use other resources and family outreach when meal debt is capped, and he argued that parents should be responsible for providing lunch when they can afford it. Other members pushed back, saying they had seen students go hungry and that teachers sometimes pay for lunches themselves. One member noted the bill would increase eligibility, make it easier to apply, strengthen personal responsibility, and was not a mandate. The discussion ended without a recorded final vote in the excerpt, though the retain motion remained the central action under debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• The CCC commissioners lack to redefine what post-consumer waste means, so all cannabis packaging with
• cannabis waste in it must be disposed of like current cannabis waste.
• This process involves weighing the cannabis, having a metric tag with the waste, setting it out to our
• cultivation facility, and then mixing the waste with kitty litter to be deemed unusable, with two employees
• I urge the committee to make strides to reduce consumer waste and increase packaging circularity for

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy

Summary: The Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy held its fourth hearing, with opening remarks from Senate Chair Adam Gómez and House Chair Dan Donahue emphasizing the committee’s broad agenda, including retail modernization, labor protections, advertising rules, sustainability, and financial resources. Testimony began with public health advocates supporting H.157/S.9 to ban cannabis billboard advertising, arguing that billboards normalize use for youth and are linked to cannabis-related harms such as psychosis, addiction, and cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome. Witnesses cited research, family stories, and court decisions in Mississippi and Virginia upholding similar restrictions, while committee members questioned the scope of the state’s authority to regulate billboards on private property and the relevance of federal highway funding and federal cannabis law. The committee also heard testimony on H.175, a proposal to allow cannabis drive-through sales. A dispensary operator argued drive-throughs would improve access, especially for disabled customers and veterans, and said security and ID checks could be handled with cameras and staff screening. Committee members pressed him on how employees would assess impairment, whether drive-throughs could increase access for minors, and whether the industry should be treated like alcohol, with the witness responding that staff already refuse service to intoxicated customers and that education, not prohibition, is the better approach. Another bill, H.3982, would apply the bottle deposit law to carbonated hemp- or THC-infused beverages; the sponsor said the measure would standardize recycling requirements for products already sold in dispensaries and other markets, and members asked about container types and recycling compatibility. A major portion of the hearing focused on labor peace agreements, with UFCW representatives, cannabis workers, and Sen. Lydia Edwards supporting S.77/H.161. They said the bill would require cannabis businesses to remain neutral when workers seek to organize, arguing that unions improve safety, wages, benefits, and job stability in an industry they described as underregulated and prone to retaliation. Witnesses cited workplace hazards, wage theft, and the death of a worker at a Holyoke facility as examples of why stronger worker protections are needed. Committee members asked how the proposal differs from existing labor law, whether tying LPAs to licensing and renewal could create legal or administrative problems, and how other states handle similar requirements. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for your bipartisan investigation into Medicaid fraud, waste, and abuse throughout Arizona.
• was that made the complaint, and if it's even legitimate, which becomes also a time constraint and a waste
• There was a provider who had an employee leave, who filed an anonymous fraud, waste, and abuse complaint
• concurrent reviews, and the administrative work for AHCCCS, including initiatives to address fraud, waste
• concurrent reviews. ...and the administrative work for AHCCCS, including initiatives to address fraud, waste

Bills: SB1086 , SB1193 , SB1318 , SB1345 , SB1346 , SB1451 , SB1496 , SB1611 , SB1630 , SB1631 , SB1632 , SB1672

Committees: Senate Health and Human Services , Senate Senate Health and Human Services COR

Keywords: reimbursement, healthcare, laboratory services, noncontracting providers, Arizona health care cost containment, personal identifying information, PII, privacy, confidential records, public records exemption, commercial disclosure, data privacy, licensure, certification, health professions, health care licensing, Arizona Department of Health Services, ADHS, emergency medical care technician, EMCT

Transcript Highlights:

• although I still contend there's not a governmental entity on the planet that couldn't be cut 5% just by waste
• And so I'm going after every shred of fat and wastefulness, everywhere it can be found, before I have
• Those eight years of mine in the military, we're not wasted.
• So it's not actually being wasted. It still has the opportunity to be put towards those. Certainly.
• So it's not actually being wasted. It still has the opportunity to be put towards those. Certainly.

Committee: House Budget

Summary: The committee heard the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services present its FY 2027 budget request, with Director Sarah Wilson and budget staff describing the department’s mission, major divisions, and the impact of federal funding shifts, especially the FMAP change that will shift costs to general revenue. Wilson emphasized prevention, public health infrastructure, workforce capacity, and data modernization, while several members praised the department’s responsiveness and cost-cutting efforts. The discussion repeatedly focused on lapses, excess authority, and the department’s stated practice of spending federal and other funds before general revenue where possible. Members asked detailed questions about local public health agency support, nutrition programs, rural health and primary care, newborn screening, the state public health lab, and the department’s use of flexibility and reallocations. There was extended discussion of substance use disorder funding: the department explained that some funding is being reduced in its own budget because transfer authority is being added for the Department of Mental Health and the Department of Corrections, while some other SUD-related lines are actual reductions. Members also questioned tobacco prevention and cessation cuts, maternal and infant health programs, fetal infant mortality review, and minority health initiatives, with staff explaining program purposes and noting that some reductions were tied to excess authority or to moving programs to other departments. The committee also reviewed specific operational items such as the Health Initiatives Fund transfer, debt offset escrow for loan repayment defaults, donated funds authority, emergency preparedness, environmental health, health informatics, HIV/STI/hepatitis services, local public health incentives, and the COVID/ARPA authority reductions. Several members requested follow-up information on vacancies, lapse trends, grant spending plans, and program details. No final vote or formal action was taken in the portion provided; the chair recessed briefly and the hearing continued with additional budget testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• The actions that we take are waste discharge requirements and NPDES permits under the Clean Water Act
• So waste discharge requirements can be more flexible than an NPDES permit or a Section 401 certification
• Now, the advantages of waste discharge requirements is that they don't have a limit.
• We can do waste discharge requirements where a 401 is required. We have done that.
• We can do waste discharge requirements where a 401 is required. We have done that.

Summary: The hearing of the Select Committee on Sea Level Rise and the California Economy focused on infrastructure, pollution, climate resilience, public health, access, and economic impacts of sea level rise in California, with an emphasis on San Diego and the Bay Area. Chair Tasha Boerner Horvath opened by describing the committee’s purpose, the state’s sea level rise action planning, and the need for better monitoring and early warning systems. She also referenced her prior bills AB 66 and AB 72, which supported Scripps research on coastal bluff collapse warning capabilities. Assembly Members David Alvarez and Jessica Caloza later joined and emphasized that sea level rise affects not only coastal communities but inland areas as well, and that the issue should inform future legislative and budget decisions. In the first panel, Dr. Mark Merrifield of Scripps Institution of Oceanography described observed sea level rise of roughly 0.8 to 0.9 feet since the early 1900s, with acceleration expected by mid-century and potentially much greater rise by 2100 depending on emissions. He highlighted flooding, groundwater rise, beach and cliff erosion, salinization, and risks to transportation, sewage, ports, and national security. Dave Gibson of the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board discussed how sea level rise affects wastewater systems, stormwater, contaminated sites, wetlands, and coastal groundwater basins, and said the board is requiring climate adaptation planning, updating stormwater permits, and seeking more flexible state permitting and mitigation tools. Members and witnesses also discussed the need for better mapping, more monitoring, and more state funding, especially if federal support from NOAA and other agencies declines. The second panel addressed public health, equitable access, and local economies. Ramon Chiras of Un Mar de Colores described how sea level rise, pollution, and access barriers threaten the Tijuana River Valley and Imperial Beach, especially for underserved communities and youth programs that rely on safe, welcoming access to the ocean. He stressed the cultural and spiritual importance of coastal access and the need for water safety and environmental education. Jessica Fane of the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission explained that the Bay Area faces major economic exposure from sea level rise, citing a regional estimate of $96 billion in adaptation costs versus $230 billion in potential losses from inaction, and said BCDC is working with local governments under SB 272 on shoreline adaptation planning, funding, and regulatory innovation. Members discussed the tension between environmental permitting and the need to move projects faster, including the possibility of planned retreat in some areas and the use of simultaneous permitting and longer-term state authority to streamline adaptation work. In the final panel, Philip Gibbons of the Port of San Diego described the port’s climate adaptation efforts and its vulnerability assessments under AB 691. He said the port manages state tidelands, supports maritime commerce and recreation, and is already seeing flooding at king tides and during El Niño events, including storm-drain backflow and damage to bikeways and parks. He explained that future sea level rise could inundate major port areas and disrupt operations, underscoring the need for continued planning, mitigation, and infrastructure investment. The hearing did not take formal votes, but it concluded with a clear call for more science, funding, coordination, and regulatory streamlining to prepare California’s coast and nearby communities for worsening sea level rise impacts.

Transcript Highlights:

• Association of Food Banks, proud co-sponsors, and also giving a me too on behalf of Californians Against Waste
• Association of Food Banks, proud co-sponsors, and also giving a Me Too on behalf of Californians Against Waste
• Good afternoon, Lizzie Guantzona here on behalf of Stop Waste, City and County of San Francisco, Napa

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health heard presentations on several bills, beginning with AB 1734, which would expand California Health Interview Survey food insecurity data collection to households up to 400% of the federal poverty level. The author and supporters from food banks, AARP, county governments, and nutrition groups argued the bill would improve California’s ability to measure hunger amid federal cuts; there was no opposition. The committee also heard AB 1949, which would treat acupuncture as its own Medi-Cal benefit and allow up to 24 visits per year. Supporters said the current two-visits-per-month cap limits effective treatment and can increase reliance on medications; the bill drew broad support and no opposition. AB 1910, a postpartum pelvic floor health bill, was presented as an education and awareness measure encouraging patients to discuss pelvic floor concerns with providers, with no opposition. AB 2011 would codify federal mental health parity standards into state law; supporters said it would preserve enforcement if federal rules are rolled back, while insurers opposed it as premature given ongoing federal litigation and possible new rules. AB 2706 would modernize California’s cannery law to align with federal food safety standards and reduce duplicative requirements for food processors, with support from the dairy industry and no opposition. AB 2041 would require certain public safety agencies to report compliance with 911 dispatcher pre-arrival instruction training requirements, building on prior legislation; it also faced no opposition. After quorum was established, the committee voted on the bills. The consent calendar bills AB 1571, AB 1864, and AB 1956 were approved 6-0. AB 1734, AB 1910, AB 1949, AB 2041, and AB 2706 all passed the committee unanimously or near-unanimously and were re-referred to Appropriations or Education as applicable. AB 2011 passed 8-2, with some members expressing concern about federal litigation, implementation costs, and the timing of codifying the 2024 parity rule into state law. All bills were placed on call after the votes, and the committee adjourned after completing its agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill is a shocking waste of time, frankly, for this body for a couple of reasons.
• this being a problem, despite the fact that the statutes already make this illegal, we are still wasting
• coming here, coming in here, collecting a paycheck to pass Senate Bill 1573: a complete and total waste

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, guest introductions, and a proclamation honoring the East Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Members also welcomed the Doctor of the Day and several guest groups, including Alzheimer’s Association advocates. The chamber then moved into Committee of the Whole to consider several Senate bills. In Committee of the Whole, the House advanced SB 1037, SB 1233, SB 1290, and SB 1445, adopting committee amendments where offered and giving each a do pass recommendation; SB 1814 was retained. Members discussed SB 1055, which would require reporting certain unlawfully present individuals arrested for crimes to federal immigration authorities, with Democrats raising concerns about profiling and civil liberties and Republicans arguing it simply enforces federal law; it also received a do pass recommendation. SB 1274, relating to transportation and infrastructure, was amended and recommended do pass, SB 1502 also advanced, and SB 1573, concerning foreign or religious sectarian law in state courts, prompted debate over whether it was necessary or duplicative but was likewise recommended do pass. The Committee of the Whole report was adopted, and the measures were assigned accordingly. The House then took up third-reading votes. SB 1168 and SB 1172 passed overwhelmingly, SB 1290 passed after debate about HOA meeting openness, SB 1221 passed on a 32-24 vote after supporters said it would improve tax transparency, and SB 1400 passed 47-9 despite concerns about peer support and counseling protections. SB 1214, a medical practice bill involving stem cell regenerative therapies, failed 25-31 after some members said they were not comfortable with the measure; afterward, a motion to reconsider its failure was adopted, placing it back on the third-reading calendar. The House also granted the Senate permission to adjourn until April 27, and then adjourned until 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill is a shocking waste of time, frankly, for this body, for a couple of reasons.
• this being a problem, despite the fact that the statutes already make this illegal, we are still wasting
• coming here, coming in here, collecting a paycheck to pass Senate Bill 1573: a complete and total waste

Transcript Highlights:

• Why are we wasting time? Why we even bringing back old bills? Mr.
• That if you got something you're interested in, it may be a waste of time, but vote not to send it back
• The reason it may be a waste of time is because it may get over there and we don't know if they got the

Bills: HR144 , HB4182 , HC51 , HR169 , HB4178 , HB4179

Transcript Highlights:

• I do believe the NDA requirement was tied to discussions around fraud, waste, and abuse.
• to those meeting minutes I do believe the the NDA requirement was tied to discussions around fraud waste
• and abuse it was right at the height of um Thank you. discussions around fraud waste and abuse it was

Committee: Senate Senate Health and Human Services COR

Summary: The Committee on Health and Human Services held another oversight hearing on Access, focusing on fee-for-service behavioral health management, prior authorization and claims processing, the Targeted Investment Program (TIP), and network adequacy. The chair criticized Access for implementing a covered behavioral health services guide without public comment and for failing to produce records such as decision-making documentation, work group minutes, and public/tribal feedback. Members also raised concerns about ARPA compliance, the reduction of intensive outpatient reimbursement to a $157 per diem, and the impact of these actions on providers and Native American communities. Interim Director Roberta Harrison said Access had improved fraud controls and operations after the sober living fraud crisis, including tripling prior authorization speed, reducing denial codes by 64%, cutting claims processing to under 30 days, and adding dashboards and staffing. She said the agency is modernizing outdated systems and invited fraud referrals. On questions about claims and prior authorizations, Access reported average processing times of six days overall and 17 days for behavioral health prior authorizations, and said it had hired Constellation under a direct procurement to help with claims backlog. Harrison acknowledged that a proposal language suggesting higher ROI from denying more claims was not part of the contract scope. The committee also pressed Access on TIP delays. Staff explained that TIP payments depend on provider documentation, programmatic review, and allocation across many sites, and said year one of TIP 2.0 had been paid while years two and three had not yet been distributed. The chair requested a formal plan within 30 days to pay the delayed year two and year three TIP funds, estimated at about $122 million, along with all CMS-related TIP 2.0 documentation. On network adequacy, Access described its standards and annual MCO reporting process, but acknowledged gaps in tracking and said it would follow up on whether a fiscal year 2025 report was submitted to CMS. Members cited a federal ghost network report finding 28% of providers in Santa Cruz County inactive or unavailable, and requested unredacted network adequacy reports and further information on CMS engagement. The hearing ended with the chair noting some improvements but saying more oversight may follow, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• one person when we have so many other heroes out there who we could be honoring, and how we have wasted
• And just to justify some political agenda, please let's not waste our time, because there's going to
• Please, let's not waste our time because there's going to come a time at the end of this committee where

Summary: The Committee on Governmental Oversight and Accountability took up three bills. First, it heard Senator Gates’s employee protection bill, which would create whistleblower-style protections for people who file ethics complaints based on personal knowledge, allowing the Ethics Commission to investigate retaliation and, if probable cause is found, letting the complainant seek administrative or civil relief. The Commission on Ethics supported the measure, saying it had long recommended such protections and that implementation costs would be low. The committee adopted the delete-all amendment and then reported the committee substitute for Senate Bill 92 favorably. Next, the committee considered Senate Bill 60 by Senator McLean, which reclassifies certain district assistant regional counsel supervisor positions in the Florida Retirement System to the senior management class, aligning them more closely with comparable attorney positions in public defender and state attorney offices. A late-file technical amendment aligning class codes with Florida statutes was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably. A representative from the regional council spoke in support. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 194 by Senator Martin, which would designate October 14 as Charlie Kirk Day of Remembrance. The sponsor argued the day would honor Kirk’s advocacy for free speech, debate, and civic engagement, and said it would not create a state holiday or require closures. The bill drew strong opposition from Senator Polsky and Senator Bracy Davis, who cited Kirk’s public comments on race, women, gun violence, and systemic discrimination and argued he was not a unifying figure worthy of state honor. Julie Keefe also spoke against the bill, while representatives from the Venezuelan American Republican Club and the Christian Family Coalition spoke in support. Despite the debate, the committee voted to report Senate Bill 194 favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• one person when we have so many other heroes out there who we could be honoring, and how we have wasted
• And just to justify some political agenda, please let's not waste our time, because there's going to
• Please, let's not waste our time because there's going to come a time at the end of this committee where

Committee: Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability

Summary: The Committee on Governmental Oversight and Accountability heard three bills and reported all three favorably. First, the committee took up Senator Gates’ employee protection bill, which was amended with a delete-all to create whistleblower protections for people who file ethics complaints based on personal knowledge. Gates and the Florida Commission on Ethics said the measure would reduce retaliation against insiders who report misconduct, while the commission said it supported the proposal and expected low implementation costs. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed the bill as amended. The committee next considered Senator McClain’s bill to reclassify certain district assistant regional counsel supervisor positions in the Florida Retirement System to the senior management class. Supporters said the change would align those positions with comparable attorneys in public defender and state attorney offices and help with recruitment and retention. A late-file technical amendment aligning class codes with statute was adopted, and the committee then reported the bill favorably. The final bill, Senator Martin’s SB 194, would designate October 14 each year as Charlie Kirk Day of Remembrance in Florida. Martin argued the day would honor Kirk’s advocacy for free speech, civic engagement, and debate, and said it would not create a state holiday or require closures. The bill drew strong opposition from Senator Polsky and Senator Bracy Davis, who cited Kirk’s public statements on race, women, guns, and systemic discrimination and argued he was divisive and unworthy of a state honor. Supporters, including representatives from the Venezuelan American Republican Club and the Christian Family Coalition, backed the measure. After debate, the committee voted to report the bill favorably. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It penalizes taxpayers by allowing waste, fraud, and abuse in our welfare programs.
• It penalizes taxpayers by allowing waste, fraud, and abuse in our welfare programs.
• Every dollar that we waste for people who are not a citizen or not eligible or not capable of getting

Summary: The Assembly convened without a quorum, completed the roll call, and then proceeded with the day’s business after a prayer, pledge, and a moment of silence for victims of the Texas flooding. Procedural motions suspended several rules to allow committee notices, guest seating, and the withdrawal of AB 898 back to the Senate. Members also made several guest introductions, including family members, interns, and scouting troop visitors. On the floor, AB 1416 by Assembly Member Ta, a taxation bill, was concurred in with Senate technical amendments by a 60-0 vote. ACR 1, designating October 23 as Korean Ginseng Day, was adopted by voice vote after supportive remarks highlighting Korean culture and the health benefits of ginseng; 62 coauthors were added without objection. The Assembly also heard SB 119, the budget-related human services trailer bill, with extensive debate over CalWORKs, CalFresh, child welfare reporting, and housing/homelessness programs. Supporters framed it as a needed anti-poverty and safety-net measure, while opponents criticized it as expanding dependency and failing to address fraud and work requirements. SB 119 passed on a 54-11 vote. The second-day consent calendar, including AJR 16 on the Tijuana River, was adopted 71-0, and the remaining consent items AJR 15 and SB 765 were also adopted 71-0. The session concluded with adjournments in memory of Contra Costa County Supervisor Federal Glover, followed by announcements of upcoming committee hearings and the next floor session before adjournment until July 10 at 9 a.m.