Transcript Highlights:

• Other things are priorities for locals, like to have additional, um, locker room space, you know, as
• And if they can figure out how to pay for that because that's a priority for them locally, then that's

Transcript Highlights:

• The top priority, of course, for this session for DPS was our operating adjustment.
• Of another critical public safety funding priority of the Governor's.

Transcript Highlights:

• of education, Increasing transparency, specifically as we talk about cost of education and where priorities
• Is it based on priorities? I think there's opportunity to figure that out.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Senate Education Committee met with a quorum and first took up House Bill 1540, an education savings account bill. Senator Wobbema presented Amendment 040-003, describing mostly clarifying and reorganizing changes, including eligibility language, administrator duties, school participation standards, assessment provisions, and a correction removing a requirement that the department pay for state assessment materials if a parent selected that option. The committee adopted the amendment 4-2, then advanced HB 1540 as amended on a 4-2 vote and sent it to Appropriations, with Senator Wobbema designated as carrier. One senator opposed the bill, arguing it would divert resources from public schools and conflict with the state’s obligation to provide a free appropriate education while districts still face funding needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• businesses start all over the map, but I did want to highlight, because I know it's one of the priorities
• businesses start all over the map, but I did want to highlight, because I know it's one of the priorities

Summary: The Committee on Commerce and Tourism convened with several members present and Senators DiCeglie and McClain excused. The committee first heard a presentation from Greg Britton, State Director of the Florida Small Business Development Center Network, who described the network’s statewide small-business assistance, including startup support, export and contracting help, disaster recovery, and rural outreach. He highlighted reported 2023 impacts such as $3.9 billion in sales generated, $575.9 million in government contracts, $346.2 million in capital, and support for 2,009 new businesses, including 130 manufacturing firms over the past two years. Members asked about comparisons with SCORE and about measuring rural success, with the chair suggesting jobs and wages in rural areas would be useful metrics; Britton said he could provide job data but was unsure about wage information. The committee then took up SB 320 by Senator Gates, which creates a five-year demonstration project for an alternative licensure pathway for surveyors and mappers. The bill would allow a “first-step” probationary license based on industry certification, apprenticeship, recommendation from a licensed Florida surveyor, and passage of the Department of Agriculture exam within the five-year period, without requiring a four-year degree. Senators asked about the labor shortage, education requirements, foreign workers, and moral character standards. Gates said the shortage is chronic and worsening, the bill has no degree requirement, and anyone meeting the qualifications could proceed regardless of visa status. The committee voted to report SB 320 favorably. Next, the committee considered SB 316 by Senator Berman, which authorizes series limited liability companies in Florida and sets rules for how Florida and foreign series LLCs may operate and transact business in the state. Berman explained that the bill is intended to let businesses isolate liabilities across separate series while providing clearer rules for Florida citizens and businesses dealing with such entities. There were no substantive questions, one appearance form in support, and the committee voted to report SB 316 favorably before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, fiscal year 2025 through 2026 legislative budget request priority
• Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services fiscal year 2025 through 2026 legislative budget request priority

Summary: The Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Subcommittee met to hear member-led presentations on agency budget requests after prior meetings with the agencies. Representative Barnaby summarized the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ fiscal year 2025-26 request, highlighting major funding for the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, Florida Forest Service wildfire and land management needs, citrus disease and research efforts, a new Conner Complex facility and lab, agricultural water and BMP projects, agricultural law enforcement staffing and equipment, maintenance and vehicle needs, and federal grant-related spending. No vote was taken on the department’s request during the meeting. Representative Bartleman presented the Department of Environmental Protection request and said the subcommittee supported it fully. The request emphasized Everglades restoration, water quality grants, springs, harmful algal bloom and red tide response, alternate water supplies, resilience and flood prevention, beach and coral reef restoration, land acquisition and state parks, and cleanup of petroleum, dry cleaning, and hazardous waste sites. Representative Alvarez asked DEP to provide a list of the most contaminated lakes, along with estimated costs, so the committee could prioritize cleanup efforts. Representative Black summarized the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission request, which included additional law enforcement funding in high-demand areas, oyster and reef restoration, habitat restoration, heavy equipment for land management and prescribed burning, a water survival training center, and red snapper data research. Representative Salzman then presented the Department of Citrus request, describing a lean agency budget focused on operations, PALM readiness, marketing and consumer awareness, greening-resistant plant material, and building repairs; the workgroup recommended fully funding the request. The meeting ended with members thanking the chair and staff for the more member-driven budget process, and the subcommittee adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• If we need our legislative priority, which is this co data on the school debt to pass, well, we have
• , If we need our legislative priority, If we need our legislative priority, which<00:45:22.720>
• a terrible message to survivors that when the state finally liquidates this property, the first priority
• property, finally liquidates the this property, the<01:09:26.319> first<01:09:26.719> priority
• is not justice, not the first priority is not justice, not restitution,<01:09:31.120> not<01:

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• aquatic protection, which has DLNR managing the aquatic life and resources of the state, giving priority
• aquatic protection, which has DLNR managing the aquatic life and resources of the state, giving priority
• I just wanted to stand on the need to continue to recognize highest priority protecting and restoring
• I just wanted to stand on the need to continue to recognize highest priority protecting and restoring
• uh recognize uh highest priority uh recognize uh highest priority protecting<00:10:04.880> and

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard HB 649, which would create a small boat harbor commercial vessel special fund and raise mortgage fees on commercial vessels to fund harbor improvements. DLNR stood on written testimony in support, while the Ocean Tourism Coalition, Activity and Attractions Association of Hawaii, Calypso Charters, and a local commercial operator all opposed the bill, arguing that the fee increase would burden thin-margin businesses without fixing procurement and staffing problems and that the bill’s fee language and fund allocations were too vague. A DLNR witness also noted a prior bill, HB 2477, had sought to broaden the fee base to more ocean operators statewide rather than increase the percentage. No vote was taken on HB 649 during the portion shown. The committee then heard HB 2599 on aquatic protection, which would prioritize ecosystem integrity and use of best available science in managing aquatic resources and set coral reef resilience goals. DLNR supported the measure, and a testifier from the public urged stronger coral goals for Oahu and a broader framework including water quality, herbivore management, fishery management, enforcement, and coral restoration. There was no opposition or vote shown on HB 2599 before the committee recessed to a joint hearing. In the joint Economic Development and Tourism / Water, Land, Culture, and the Arts hearing, members heard HB 2118 on transferring the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission from DAGS to DBED, HB 2474 on authorizing non-binding international cooperative agreements, HB 1863 on creating an honorary ambassador to Canada, HB 1943 on out-of-state DBED offices and export promotion, and HB 2604 on a performing arts ticket surcharge. Testimony was generally supportive for HB 2118, HB 2474, HB 1863, and HB 1943, with questions focused on agency placement, sister-state relationships, and the rationale for overseas offices. HB 2604 drew opposition from the Tax Foundation and others, who argued the surcharge functioned as a tax and would make arts participation more expensive; the chair recommended deferring it. During decision-making, both committees passed HB 2118, HB 2474, HB 1863, and HB 1943 with amendments, including technical changes and revised effective dates. For HB 2474, the amendments were described as clarifying definitions for sister-state and international cooperative agreements, allowing relationships with national governments, and preserving legislative approval and transparency. HB 1943 was amended to require an office in Laoag City, Philippines, rather than a non-existent DBED Philippines office. HB 2604 was deferred. After the joint session, the Water, Land, Culture, and the Arts committee resumed and heard HB 2395 on permits for taking marine deposits and HB 2361 on administrative support for the Kahului Bay Regional Council, both of which drew only DLNR written testimony and no further action in the excerpt. The committee then began HB 1823 on Coastal Zone Management Act exemptions, with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs testifying first, but the transcript cuts off before further testimony or action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Instead of the priority being the needs of a patient, the priority has become how to appease the patient's
• Instead<01:00:55.680> of<01:00:56.360> the<01:00:56.440> priority<01:00:57.120><
• Instead of the priority being the needs of<01:00:57.960> a<01:00:58.040> patient,<01:00
• :58.600> the<01:00:58.680> priority<01:00:59.160> has<01:00:59.360> become
• > of a patient, the priority has become of a patient, the priority has become how<01:01:00.040> to

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House File 3939, a bill to support a Helping Paws service-dog litter named in honor of Gilbert and the Hortman family. Testimony from Helping Paws and service-dog graduate Angie Foley described the organization’s work, the significance of the “Guided by Gilbert” litter, and how the funding would help train dogs that provide independence and support to people with disabilities, veterans, and others. Members from both parties spoke warmly about Speaker Hortman’s connection to the organization and Gilbert, and the bill was laid over for possible inclusion. The committee then considered House File 3769, the Department of Corrections’ technical omnibus bill, with an A1 amendment adopted to clarify tuberculosis testing language. The bill updates TB screening procedures in correctional facilities, including how refusals are handled, and adds Quantiferon Gold Plus testing as an option alongside existing methods. Members discussed whether the bill would create costs for counties and jails, with some noting added testing and segregation costs and others arguing the changes would improve accuracy and reduce time in restrictive housing. The bill, as amended, was recommended to the general register. House File 3978 was next, a technical cleanup bill for a provider wellness program created last year. The bill expands eligibility and confidentiality protections from physicians to all health care providers, while supporters said the program is meant to address burnout and mental health strain in the workforce and does not require new money. Some members questioned whether the change was redundant or would broaden the program without additional funding, but the Minnesota Medical Association testified that the program is separate from insurance and was intended to serve all providers. The bill was recommended to the general register. Finally, the committee began House File 3476, which Rep. Liebling described as a cleanup bill related to Minnesota’s Medicaid managed care system and public program oversight. She argued that the state spends billions through managed care organizations and that the system has never been proven better than direct payment, setting up a broader discussion of the bill’s purpose and the state’s oversight of public health care spending.

Transcript Highlights:

• It would force cuts thereby to other state priorities and reduce access to care for traditional Medicaid
• Did you submit your priorities? No. You got to submit your priorities.
• You got to submit your priorities. You submitted your priorities. Yeah.
• Now you got to submit your priorities. Now you got to. To submit your priorities.
• You submitted your priorities. Yeah. Now you got to go talk to the silo chairs. I'm like, what?

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opening with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions, including recognition of the day’s doctor of the day, an intern, and a resolution honoring the late Bob Graham and firefighter Roger Timmy Miley. The chamber also adopted a resolution designating August 9, 2026, as Bob Graham Day. After routine announcements, the Senate moved to the special order calendar and took up a series of bills, many of them with House companion bills substituted in place of Senate versions. The first major floor action was passage of a tax-related bill conforming Florida’s Internal Revenue Code to federal changes while excluding certain provisions from H.R. 1; it passed 34-0. The Senate then considered CS/SB 1758 on public assistance and Medicaid, which proposed stronger fraud enforcement, a Medicaid work requirement for able-bodied adults, expanded behavioral health services, pharmacy and drug rebate reforms, and SNAP fraud reduction measures. A Berman amendment to require Medicaid expansion before work requirements was rejected, as was an Osgood amendment to add photo-ID protections and exemptions for certain SNAP users. The bill remained on the calendar for third reading after extensive debate and questioning about implementation, exemptions, and potential impacts on beneficiaries. The chamber also passed bills on technology education and AI instruction, a Parkinson’s disease registry and related public records exemption, designation of the SS American Victory as Florida’s official flagship, electronic payments for local governments, repeal of the sunset on gold and silver legal tender, public records exemptions for financial institutions and custodians, a Florida stablecoin pilot program, local government finance transparency, digital voyeurism, and insurance customer representative licensing. Most of these measures were adopted after brief explanation, minor amendments, or substitution of House companions, with votes generally in favor and several passing unanimously or by wide margins. Later, the Senate took up CS/SB 1756 on medical freedom, which would expand parental vaccine information requirements, add a conscience-based exemption, allow behind-the-counter ivermectin access, and repeal the sunset on the mRNA mandate prohibition. The bill’s first amendments clarified anti-kickback rules for vaccine manufacturers and required informational materials to address risks, benefits, safety, and efficacy; the transcript ends during consideration of this bill, before final passage is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• It would force cuts thereby to other state priorities and reduce access to care for traditional Medicaid
• Did you submit your priorities? No. You got to submit your priorities.
• You got to submit your priorities. You submitted your priorities? Yeah.
• Now you got to submit your priorities. Now you got to... ...submit your priorities.
• You submitted your priorities? Yeah. Now you got to go talk to the silo chairs. I'm like, what?

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opening prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions and recognitions, including a resolution honoring Bob Graham and a moment of silence for firefighter Roger Timmy Miley. The chamber then moved through a special-order calendar with multiple bills, many of them paired with House companions and amended before final passage. Early action included adoption of a tax conformity bill tied to federal changes in the Internal Revenue Code, with a 34-0 vote. The most extensive debate centered on CS/CS/SB 1758, a Medicaid and SNAP reform bill. The sponsor described provisions to strengthen fraud enforcement, impose work requirements for able-bodied adults, expand behavioral health services through a waiver, modernize Medicaid drug purchasing, and require a SNAP fraud-reduction plan and photo ID on EBT cards. Democrats offered amendments to delay work requirements until Medicaid expansion and to add protections for SNAP users such as caregivers, seniors, disabled individuals, and domestic violence survivors; both amendments failed. Senators also questioned implementation details, exemptions, and potential effects on vulnerable populations. After debate, the bill was placed on the calendar for third reading. The Senate also passed bills on technology education and AI instruction, a public records exemption and related Parkinson’s Disease Registry measures, designation of the SS American Victory as the state flagship, electronic payments for local governments, repeal of the sunset on legal tender recognition for gold and silver, public records protections for financial and digital-asset custodians, a Florida stablecoin pilot program, local government budget transparency, digital voyeurism, insurance customer representative licensing, and a medical freedom bill with amendments on vaccine-related materials and anti-kickback provisions. Most of these measures passed with little or no opposition, though the public records bill for gold/silver custodians and the legal tender repeal drew a few dissenting votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• TJ Burke, BIA: Addressing our state's housing shortage is a top priority of the BIA.
• one priority, is housing.
• And when we put forth priorities that we want to address, it's important to also put forth funding and
• investment into those priorities.
• So I urge you not to those priorities.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• sales tax exemption for professional golfing association events, we are very distressed about the priorities
• And that provision in the House changes the priority allocation deadline for emerging farmers, which
• And that provision in the House changes the priority allocation deadline for emerging farmers, which
• I think one of them being uh, you know, the beginning farmer priority allocations that seems to me to
• allocations that seems farmer priority allocations that seems to<00:59:54.079> me<00:59:54.480

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So many of the agencies presented to you in the priority number that they had because some of the things
• identified in here by the governor weren't at the same priority level as the agency.
• It's fair to say... priority number that they had because priority number that they had because some<
• <01:31:08.199> same the governor weren't at the same the governor weren't at the same priority
• level as the agency so um I I priority level as the agency so um I I wouldn't<01:31:13.600> I

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee met to review the lapse extensions in the back of House Bill 25, which governs capital budget appropriations and bonding. Members were walked through how the bill is structured: section 1 covers general, federal, and other funds; section 2 covers highway fund appropriations; later sections authorize borrowing, restrict spending to the stated purposes, and explain why community colleges and the university system operate through their boards of trustees. The chair also explained that lapse extensions are needed because capital projects can span multiple years, and that appropriations normally expire at the end of the biennium unless extended. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on how to identify unspent balances and whether they should be extended, repurposed, or allowed to lapse. Members discussed that if a project is complete or an agency confirms it no longer needs the money, the remaining balance can be reused for another project or, if not needed, lapse back. The committee also reviewed the meaning of bill references and chapter numbers, and how to read prior-year appropriations and extensions in the worksheet. One example discussed was a 2023 Department of Administrative Services courthouse generators item, and members noted that some agencies may rely on encumbered balances rather than explicit lapse extensions, though the chair said he prefers including the extension for flexibility. The committee identified at least one specific change: the Jeffrey Ringe CTE renovation was removed from the governor’s recommended budget because the required local match was not approved, freeing about $18.5 million for possible reuse. Later, the chair noted that lapse extension 49 on the worksheet was no longer needed and could be removed, leaving an unspent balance of $81,500 available for repurposing. The discussion also referenced a Department of Transportation item, Caroline Stratford Freight Rail Improvements, which the agency asked to keep alive through a lapse extension so the funds would not expire on June 30. No formal votes were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And unfortunately, this body in 2023 made it a number one priority to move abortion all the way to 40
• The ideology of these centers, owners, and employees take priority over the health and well-being of
• :43:42.079> and<00:43:42.280> employees<00:43:43.079> take<00:43:43.440> priority
• <00:43:44.240> over owners and employees take priority over owners and employees take priority
• lie house file 25 simply priorities lie house file 25 simply reinstates<01:32:53.280> funding

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Then on lines 3.18 to 3.31, we take out the language about granting priority to some people over other
• folks because if the credit cannot be exhausted, that priority is then moot.
• we take out the language about 3.31 um we take out the language about granting<01:03:43.960> priority
• to some people over granting priority to some people over other<01:03:45.559> folks<01:03:46.079
• is then mute be exhausted that priority is then mute moot<01:03:51.400> uh<01:03:51.520> so

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Cost is a priority for the Senate Energy Committee, if I could only ask one question I think that would
• Cost is a priority for the Senate Energy Committee, if I could only ask one question I think that would
• Cost is a priority for the Senate Energy Committee, if I could only ask one question I think that would
• Cost is a priority for the Senate Energy Committee, if I could only ask one question I think that would
• Cost is a priority for the Senate Energy Committee, if I could only ask one question I think that would

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, with our funding streams, I think I've talked to you guys also about a priority rating model.
• Um, but totally recognize that ultimately it's really within the state where those priorities have to
• where those priorities have to be<00:48:27.040> determined.
• Representative, we have, as an agency, shown that it is a priority, high priority.
• If it's high priority, then we need to figure out how to fund it.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:15:48.880> for the lens of a preeminent priority for the lens of a preeminent priority
• And when somebody is going priorities.
• And we have to sick, that's a priority.
• budget cuts and incorporate priority budget cuts and incorporate priority policies<03:44:51.199>
• We hear every day of its priorities.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It creates a regulated market with clear oversight and directs tax revenue toward priorities including
• It creates a regulated market with clear oversight and directs tax revenue toward priorities including
• . priority. priority.
• We expect this to ease consumer confusion and improve our ability to enforce important priorities like
• important priorities like mental health<01:33:03.360> parity.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Because our first priority is to keep kids safe.
• Because our first priority is to keep kids safe.
• However, due to budget constraints or priorities, or however you want to look at it, those funds were
• However, due to budget constraints or priorities, or however you want to look at it, those funds were
• The DOC's [clears throat] priority bill.

Bills: HF3753, HF4299, HF4700, HF4282, HF4139, HF3530, HF4031

Keywords: school safety, threat assessment, pilot project, education, real-time monitoring, public safety, HF4299, school safety specialists, Minnesota School Safety Center, appropriation, general fund, fiscal year 2026, school security, school violence prevention, student safety, Department of Public Safety, school resource support, education funding, peace officer, training reimbursement