Video & Transcript : 'compensation prohibition' :
Page 136 of 500
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice Oct 15th, 2025
Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice
Transcript Highlights:
- And it will also be compensated. to see how that helps, and it will also be compared to the weighted
- would be another ask of some salary rate and then also trust fund authority out of our Crimes Compensation
- And one more pay adjustment issue that we are looking at: our Office of Crimes Compensation.
- The situation we’re in, just to be frank, is it’s possible in some locations, cost prohibitive in most
Summary:
The committee met to hear fiscal year 2026-2027 legislative budget requests from several justice-related agencies. The Florida Commission on Offender Review requested funding for investigator and revocation staff salary increases to address turnover, plus nonrecurring funds for Wi-Fi, seven vehicles, technology support, and commissioner salary adjustments. The State Courts Administrator presented a broad judicial branch request focused on trial court case-management technology, additional case managers, trust fund authority for child support hearing officers, courthouse furnishings, district court flexibility in staffing, a future courthouse for the Sixth District Court of Appeal, Supreme Court elevator replacement, POM accounting implementation support, judicial security liaison positions tied to the Florida Fusion Center, expanded senior management service authority, and judicial salary adjustments. The Office of the Attorney General outlined pay and operating requests for consumer protection, citizen services, ethics, crime compensation, victim services, vehicle replacement, IT and cybersecurity, lease and operating costs, and PALM-related expenses, while several senators questioned the office about outside counsel contracts, contingency-fee arrangements, transparency, and the use of private law firms.
The Department of Corrections made the largest presentation, describing severe staffing shortages, high turnover, rising inmate populations, increased assaults, and heavy overtime use. Secretary Ricky Dixon said the agency’s request was driven by constitutional and public safety needs and included funding for operations, security equipment, inflationary costs, vehicle replacement, offender information system modernization, technology restoration, inmate health services, drug and food cost increases, staffing pilots, maintenance, security infrastructure, Florida PALM, recruitment and retention, and $56 million for new correctional housing units. Members asked about inmate labor, prison safety, overtime, vehicle breakdowns, and whether more National Guard support was needed; Dixon said the agency needed more staffing and pay competitiveness rather than a long-term military presence. A correctional officers’ union representative also urged support for pay raises, citing low pay and staffing concerns.
No votes were taken on the budget requests. The chair allowed extended questioning, especially for the Department of Corrections, but noted time constraints and asked agencies to return in a later committee meeting, including FDLE, which was deferred because of a House site visit.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs (Part I) Apr 14th, 2025
Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- notice by the landowner to the CCN before they can opt out, and it provides that the PUC shall compensate
- according to factors outlined in law where compensation is made.
- We just wanted to guarantee that those individuals were going to get compensated in the event they were
- Current law prohibits humans from hunting, killing, or selling bats unless they're inside an occupied
Bills:
SB1169 , SB1285 , SB1583 , SB1611 , SB1898 , SB1976 , SB2160 , SB2161 , SB2658 , SB2661 , SB2662 , SB2692 , SB1055 , SB1359 , SB2660
Committee:
Senate Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs
Keywords:
water service, sewer service, public utility, joint operation, infrastructure, municipality, compliance, SB 1285, bats, bat protection, wildlife protection, Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, Parks and Wildlife Code Section 63.101, hunting bats, bat possession, bat sales, bat trade, pest control, licensed pest control professional, animal control officer
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Governmental Oversight and Accountability Apr 1st, 2025
Governmental Oversight and Accountability
Transcript Highlights:
- documents; a corporate governance annual disclosure and supporting documents, including executive compensation
- Especially, I'm sure many of you have dealt with the unemployment compensation line, especially during
- The amendment prohibits the issuance of a commission without an oath of office filed first.
- While workers' compensation will cover his injuries related to the accident, because of the narrow tailoring
Summary:
The Committee on Governmental Oversight and Accountability met with a quorum present and took up a full agenda of bills, many involving public records exemptions and government operations. Several measures were reported favorably, including SB 342 on an Agency for Health Care Administration public records exemption for employees facing threats; SB 7018 preserving a public records exemption tied to parental consent/judicial bypass records for minors seeking abortions; SB 626 lowering quorum requirements and allowing remote participation for the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys; SB 710 protecting personal information of Crime Stoppers employees, board members, volunteers, and their families; SB 300 extending clerk personal-information protections to appellate court clerks; and SB 302 creating a similar exemption for Judicial Qualifications Commission employees. The committee also approved SB 7010 and SB 7008, which preserve and narrow public records exemptions related to the Department of Financial Services as receiver for insolvent insurers and the financial technology sandbox, respectively.
The committee also heard and advanced several policy bills. SB 820 codifies the Office of Faith and Community in the Executive Office of the Governor; Senator Polsky questioned whether the office was duplicative of existing services and raised concerns about religion in state governance, while supporters argued it complements existing networks and helps connect Floridians to services. SB 1144 codifies the Hope Florida program, with supporters describing it as a connector to community resources and critics again raising concerns about overlap, private donations, and accountability; both SB 820 and SB 1144 passed on largely party-line votes with Senator Polsky voting no. SB 804 would redesignate the SS American Victory as the state flagship, but Senator Rodriguez opposed giving up the current flagship designation for the Key West schooner, though the bill still passed favorably. SB 214 designates August 21 as Fentanyl Awareness and Education Day and passed without opposition. SB 1088 requires certain state customer-service phone lines to offer callback features, and SB 576 makes technical fixes to service-of-process law; both were reported favorably.
Additional bills included SB 1524, a broad Department of State measure with a strike-all amendment that revises grant-review procedures, adds an America 250 funding focus, and changes commission-fee and oath requirements; Senator Arrington and Senator Polsky expressed concerns about reviewer qualifications, grant criteria, and the impact on arts and cultural programs, and both voted no while the bill still passed. SB 1640, on confidentiality of lethality assessment forms in domestic violence cases, was amended to allow disclosure to domestic violence centers while barring disclosure to state attorneys, and it passed favorably. SB 1160 expands health insurance premium benefits for certain officers catastrophically injured or killed in the line of duty; supporters from the Fraternal Order of Police appeared in support, and the bill passed unanimously. The committee also confirmed eight appointments to the Florida Commission on Community Service, the Investment Advisory Council, the Public Employees Relations Commission, and the State Retirement Commission. At the end of the meeting, senators requested to be recorded on specific bills, and the committee adjourned.
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama Joint Legislative Budget Hearings (2) Feb 5th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- One of the asks that the system has is with salaries and compensation.
- But with the accommodations that have been made in the compensation with limited numbers of people in
- believe if you haven't noticed, but we're going to do everything we can to assist in improving the compensation
- , and the teachers were the ones who to me said... were the ones who said we need something that prohibits
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- So we do have prohibit in Section 1, which again applies to government buildings.
- We do have prohibit in Section 1, which again applies to government buildings.
- We don't have prohibit in Section 2, which applies to places of public accommodation.
- prohibit men from using the women's restrooms and prohibit women from using the men's restrooms.
- That's all the prohibiting is. So they don't have to post guards at the door.
Committee:
House State Affairs
Summary:
The committee first took up two RS introductions, RS 33088 and RS 32925, both of which were moved and approved without opposition. RS 33088 would add foreign species and foreign silver and gold to domestic language, and RS 32925 is a concurrent resolution concerning the Morse and Knudson Company’s work on Wake Island before and after World War II. RS 33193, dealing with restoring the presidential primary to March, was set aside until later in the meeting.
The bulk of the meeting was devoted to House Bill 607, a proposal to require separate restrooms, changing rooms, locker rooms, and showers for biological males and females in government buildings and to extend premises-liability duties to places of public accommodation. The sponsor and supporting testimony argued the bill was about privacy, safety, and dignity, especially for women and girls, and said it would not require ID checks or other burdensome enforcement. Opponents, including transgender residents, clergy, business groups, and advocacy organizations, argued the bill would target identity rather than conduct, invite harassment and scrutiny, create liability for businesses, and harm transgender and intersex people. Business witnesses said the private right of action and “reasonable steps” standard were too vague and could pressure businesses to police restrooms. After closing remarks and questions, the committee voted 9-5 to send HB 607 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
The committee then returned to RS 33193. The sponsor said it would restore the presidential primary in March and keep a $50,000 per-candidate fee to offset costs. A substitute motion to move the primary to coincide with the regular May primary failed 13-1 after debate over cost, party support, and whether the state should fund a separate presidential primary. The original motion to introduce RS 33193 then passed, and the committee adjourned.
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bill 406, Prince George's County, alcoholic beverages multiple licenses prohibition exceptions,
- </c><00:26:27.760><c> a</c> As amended, House Bill 1381 prohibits a As amended, House Bill 1381 prohibits
- ><c> not</c><00:26:38.320><c> apply</c> However, this prohibition does not apply However, this prohibition
- Amendment number two prohibits the use of social media platforms during the school day.
- use of of plans prohibiting the use of electronic<01:28:21.160><c> devices.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- That is from Senator Kist's Senate File 1404 and related to the prohibition on American Indian mascots
- for that role than a school compensation for that role than a school board<00:41:18.119><c> member</
- The first section is from a Senator RCK bill, COPILE 1979, prohibiting certain new school construction
- um uh a school facility the prohibition um uh a school facility that<00:57:26.799><c> was</c><00:57:
- We support the adjustments to the prohibition on mascots depicting American Indians that also provides
Committee:
Senate Education Policy
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- Representatives, House Bill 752 by the Ways and Means Committee, an act relating to indecency and obscenity to prohibit
- repealing existing law on airbags and replacing it with updated provisions that clearly define prohibited
- Along with that, though, we require employers to carry workers' compensation insurance.
- to take advantage of that and not have to pay unemployment insurance, not have to pay workers' compensation
- For me, it's just like additional compensation.
Summary:
The Senate met with a quorum present, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and approved the previous day’s journal. Early in the day, members received committee reports and messages from the Governor and House, including the transmission of several bills and resolutions. The chamber also advanced a number of measures to later orders of business, and several bills were held on the calendar or referred to committees for further action or possible amendment.
The Senate then considered and passed a series of bills on third reading. Among them were Senate Bill 1227 on generative AI in education, which passed after debate over teacher control, local control, and parent transparency; House Bill 603 on camping at the Capitol Mall, which passed after debate over free speech, public safety, and sanitation; House Bill 688 updating airbag and counterfeit airbag laws; House Bill 645 creating a voluntary portable benefits framework for independent contractors; House Bill 738 allowing LLCs to use a commercial registered agent’s address; House Bill 521 correcting background-check statutory placement; House Bill 615 clarifying disturbing-the-peace protections for houses of worship; House Bill 695 correcting a fee reference from possession to restitution; House Bill 568 repealing obsolete Department of Lands provisions; House Bill 774 repealing outdated fish and game penalty language; House Bill 762 revising charter school admissions preferences for foster and military children; House Bill 661 extending solid-waste competition rules to counties; House Bill 733 adopting a partnership audit procedure aligned with federal law; House Bill 749 revising city annexation rules to address hardship and property-rights concerns; House Bill 662 expanding milk testing provisions and Department of Agriculture dispute resolution; House Bill 664 eliminating differential speed limits for heavy trucks; and House Bill 716 revising transportation-funding distributions and increasing bridge inspection funding.
Most of these measures passed by substantial margins, often using the same roll-call vote by unanimous consent, and titles were approved without correction. One bill, House Bill 684, was sent to the 14th order for possible amendment. The Senate also received committee reports on additional bills and gubernatorial appointments, then moved into the Committee of the Whole, where it began reviewing several measures and adopted amendments to Senate Bill 1297 and Senate Bills 1352, 1353, and 1354, with motions to report those bills back as amended without recommendation.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- for providing advice or compensation for providing advice or assistance<00:26:09.279><c> regarding</
- They were having a hard time getting compensated for all their problems. Sleep apnea is huge.
- </c> at because I did not get compensated at because I did not get compensated enough. enough. enough
- They were having a hard time getting compensated for all their problems. Sleep apnea is huge.
- time getting compensated for all their<00:42:43.520><c> problems.
Bills:
SB3240
Committee:
House Public Safety
Keywords:
defense, workforce development, local business, manufacturing, federal funding, economic resilience, 910, house, all
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on several public safety-related measures and indicated at the outset that, because of short notice, the bills would likely be deferred to the later decision-making agenda. On SB 2645 relating to fire prevention, the bill would restructure the process for selecting the State Fire Marshal and make related changes to the Office of the State Fire Marshal. The Governor’s office, the State Fire Marshal’s office, the Hawaii State Fire Council, DLNR, Maui Fire Department, AIA Hawaii State Council, and others testified, with DLNR supporting most of the bill but opposing the provision changing the marshal’s nomination process to a governor appointee. In questions, members reviewed the relationship between the State Fire Council, the commission, and the marshal, and the Governor’s office clarified that it supported the overall intent but wanted the commission to remain the sole appointing entity. The bill was not voted on in the hearing.
The committee then heard SB 3083 relating to protective orders, with support from the U.S. Defense State Liaison Office, the judiciary, the Hawaii National Guard, the Military and Community Relations Office, DBED, and the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Members focused on whether the draft reflected language worked out with the judiciary and whether the bill addressed a previously identified gap in implementation. The Military and Community Relations Office said it had worked with the judiciary on amendments and wanted to ensure the statute created a collaborative process with installation partners and law enforcement. The witness also said the draft appeared to reflect the agreed language, though he noted there were multiple bills moving and that technical amendments might still be needed. No action was taken during the hearing.
SB 608 relating to veterans’ rights and benefits drew both support and opposition. Support came from the Hawaii Office of Veterans Services, Veterans Benefits Guide, Aloha Independent Living Hawaii, and individual veterans and service members, who argued the bill would improve access to claims assistance and provide choice and faster help for veterans. Opposition came from the VFW Department of Hawaii and the Veterans Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, which argued the bill should be amended to align with federal law, especially on accreditation and fee caps. Testimony and questioning centered on whether third-party claims assistance should be regulated, whether fee caps are preempted by federal law, and whether there was evidence of fraud tied to non-accredited representatives. Supporters said the bill would help veterans navigate a slow system, while opponents said accredited representatives are accountable and that the bill should be narrowed. The committee also heard SB 2054 relating to public safety, which would prohibit the Hawaii National Guard from deploying to assist federal troops, federal law enforcement, or other states’ National Guard units in Hawaii when the governor objects. The Hawaii National Guard opposed the bill, while the ACLU of Hawaii, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and numerous other organizations and individuals supported it, arguing it would protect civil liberties and prevent federal overreach. The hearing ended without a vote or final action on these measures.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- And there's solid data that compensation from drug manufacturers does influence physician behavior.
- And there's solid data that compensation from drug manufacturers does influence physician behavior.
- </c><00:55:42.800><c> drug</c> data that compensation from drug data that compensation from drug manufacturers
- </c> providing access will not be compensated providing access will not be compensated directly<00:58
- </c><03:21:12.479><c> certain</c> and Senate Bill 564 prohibiting certain and Senate Bill 564 prohibiting
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
New York State Senate Session - 05/27/2026
New York Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Any C3 entity that loses their JUST A COMPENSATION QUESTION.
- PROVIDE HEALTHCARE ARE COMPENSATED FOR THE CARE THEY PROVIDE. THERE IS NO QUESTION ABOUT THAT.
- WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT DOCTORS ARE PROVIDING REASONABLE CARE, GET COMPENSATED AT A REASONABLE RATE
- QUESTIONS REGARDING WORKERS' COMPENSATION BOARD. >> WORKERS' COMPENSATION, SENATOR GIANARIS.
- >> WELL, IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING FROM CHAIR FOSTER OF THE WORKERS' COMPENSATION BOARD HERSELF, WE
Summary:
The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation, then approved the prior day’s Journal and moved into motions, resolutions, and budget-related business. Senator Gianaris called up Senate Print 5898A for reconsideration; the Senate voted 59 ayes to restore the bill to the third reading calendar. Several amendments were also received on third-reading bills, and the Finance Committee was called into session while the chamber proceeded with resolutions.
The Senate adopted Resolution J.2106 recognizing Second Chance Month and the mental health impacts of incarceration, with Senator Brisport speaking in support and a guest from the community recognized in the chamber. The body also adopted Resolution J.1492 designating May 27, 2026, as Taiwan Heritage Day, with remarks from Senators Sepúlveda, Stavisky, and Liu highlighting Taiwanese contributions to New York and expressing support for Taiwan amid current geopolitical tensions. The Finance Committee then reported several budget bills, including Senate Prints 9003D, 9004D, 9007C, and 9009C, which were moved to third reading.
The remainder of the session focused on the supplemental and controversial budget calendars, especially tax and spending provisions. Senators debated the “Protecting Our Wallets” energy rebate, with supporters describing it as a one-time check for eligible taxpayers and critics arguing it was too small and not tied directly to utility bills; the chamber accepted the message of necessity and laid the bills aside. Members also debated extensions and changes to tax provisions affecting corporations, alternative fuel exemptions, Broadway and theatrical production tax credits, charitable deductions for certain 501(c)(3)s, nicotine pouch taxes, a new New York City pied-à-terre tax, and a standardbred horse-racing testing fee. Several senators criticized the budget as raising costs or favoring certain industries, while supporters defended the measures as revenue-raising, affordability, or public-health policies. No final votes on the controversial budget bills are shown in the excerpt beyond procedural rulings, adoption of the resolution calendar, and acceptance of committee reports.
AR
Arkansas 2026 Regular Session
PUBLIC HEALTH WELFARE AND LABOR COMMITTEE-SENATE AND HOUSE Jun 3rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- presented, what we kept talking about was the need for dentists to be able to receive the proper compensation
- presented what we kept talking about was the need for dentist to be able to receive the proper compensation
- Those providers are also not prohibited from answering questions from any of their clients, and they
Summary:
The committee reviewed a series of Arkansas DHS and Department of Health rules, most tied to 2025 legislation. Early items covered Medicaid changes including presumptive eligibility application timing, adding a fictive kin definition for foster child eligibility, raising the able account disability onset age to 46, allowing continuous glucose monitors to be billed by both pharmacy and DME providers, increasing the RSV vaccine administration fee for children, a telemedicine exemption for ET3 ambulance services, and a physical therapy access rule that also included occupational therapy. Members generally asked limited questions and most rules were reviewed without objection.
A major portion of the meeting focused on the dental rate increase rule under Act 1025. DHS said it implemented rate increases for certain pediatric, special-needs, and oral surgeon services, but not orthodontics, and it interpreted the act as applying only to oral and maxillofacial surgeons, not general dentists. The Arkansas State Dental Association and legislative sponsors testified that the intent was to cover general dentists performing oral surgery procedures for special-needs patients, estimating the broader interpretation would add about $1.5 million annually. Committee members debated the plain language of the act versus legislative intent, and the rule was reviewed, but with testimony noting the issue should be fixed in future legislation.
Later items included the Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies rule adding doula and lactation consultant billing and remote monitoring benefits; an adverse decisions rule extending provider appeal time from 35 to 65 days; CNA training program updates; PASSE network-status disclosure rules; certification rules for community-based doulas and community health workers; cosmetology, massage therapy, lead-based paint, radiation, radiologic technology, and RV park rule updates. Most of these were described as technical, statutory, or federally driven changes and were reviewed without objection. The committee briefly reopened the CGM rule after a motion to expunge the prior vote, and Representative Wardlaw said he would hold the rule for further review because he believed the billing changes did not match the law’s intent. The meeting ended with no further business and adjournment.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Government Efficiency Mar 12th, 2026 at 08:00 am
Government Efficiency
Transcript Highlights:
- That resulted in students' disqualification or prohibition.
- entertain an amendment that would not require prior employers to pay the unemployment or employment compensation
- Representative Mayhew: Or employment or the unemployment compensation for someone who hasn't worked for
Committee:
House Government Efficiency
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- workloads lead to burnout, and burnout leads to more troopers leaving for agencies that offer better compensation
- state of Idaho has paid for a background investigation, training costs, academy, equipment, and compensation
- association, or company wants to continue traveling at the speed they currently are, this bill would not prohibit
Committee:
Senate Transportation
Summary:
The committee first approved the minutes from February 26, March 3, and March 5, 2026. It then heard Senate Bill 1379, which would raise Idaho State Police’s Project Choice fee from $3 to $8 to help fund trooper pay and recruitment/retention. Senator Woodward and ISP Director Bill Gardner said the agency is understaffed, behind other law enforcement agencies in pay, and losing recruits and experienced troopers; several law enforcement association representatives testified in support. Senator Cole opposed the bill, arguing it could trigger pay increases for local agencies and ultimately higher property taxes, but the committee voted to send the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
The committee next advanced House Bill 742, which modernizes vehicle titling by expanding electronic records and shortening lien-release timelines for Idaho dealers; it passed with a due pass recommendation. House Bill 664, dealing with truck speed differentials and allowing more uniform traffic speeds, also passed after testimony from Rep. Pickett and a Farm Bureau representative in support, despite concerns from one senator about truck safety and traffic conditions. House Bill 716, an Idaho Transportation Department cleanup bill, was sent to the floor as well; it updates gas-tax distribution language after ISP’s funding shift to the general fund and increases funding for the local bridge inspection program from $175,000 to $300,000.
The committee then considered House Bill 825, which would remove a mandatory 50-cent license plate fee going to the Idaho Heritage Trust and replace it with a specialty plate option tied to America 250; the bill was sent to the 14th order for possible amendment. Finally, the committee reconsidered House Bill 629 and adopted an amendment package that would allow electronic vehicle registration while still requiring a physical copy in the vehicle, addressing law enforcement concerns and preserving the bill’s cost-saving goal. The amended bill was then sent to the 14th order for possible amendment, and the committee adjourned.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill provides or prohibits several forms of interference with 340B program at the state level.
- It prohibits drug manufacturers and insurers from arbitrarily restricting Texas safety net providers.
- , prohibiting or otherwise limiting the acquisition of a 340B drug.
- In fact, it explicitly prohibits that.
- House Bill 946 prohibits oral release of such claims.
Committee:
House Insurance
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- very broad, and I won't go through all the details, but give me one specific event that you want to prohibit
- On page one of the bill, it talks about a list of things that are prohibited from being public nuisance
- I don't think that they should be entitled to workers' compensation cases either.
Committee:
House Judiciary
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Democratic Leaders Media Availability Feb 18th, 2026 at 11:15 am
Transcript Highlights:
- bill on grocery stores and making sure that when grocery stores close, there aren't covenants that prohibit
- another... ...making sure that when grocery stores close, there aren't covenants that prohibit another
- And I 100% believe that survivors have a right to be compensated for harm that is done to them by the
Summary:
Senate and House Democratic leaders held a post-cutoff media availability to review the first half of session and outline priorities for the remainder. They said both chambers made substantial progress on protecting Washington from federal overreach and on affordability, citing measures on ICE access and notice, private spaces, housing expansion, medical debt interest caps, senior property tax relief, working families and small business tax credits, and proposals to phase out sales tax on services. They also highlighted that the House moved nearly 200 bills, about 80% with bipartisan support, and said the chambers are now processing each other’s bills and preparing for a fast-paced final stretch.
A major focus was the “millionaire’s tax” and related tax relief proposals. Leaders said the governor’s suggestions, including a sales tax holiday and diaper relief, were welcome and that the updated revenue forecast gives the budget more breathing room and reserves, though much of the new revenue is offset by caseload growth and federal cuts. They said the tax package is intended to support long-term fiscal sustainability and affordability, and that House members will continue shaping the bill in committee. They also discussed a separate proposal to tax large employers whose workers rely on Medicaid, saying it is being considered in light of new federal requirements to track Medicaid employment data, while noting concerns from employers and nonprofits.
The conversation also covered several bills that stalled or were delayed. Leaders said the JR bill did not advance because it lacked votes, though support and stakeholder engagement increased this year. They said child welfare bills and Senator Wilson’s proposals were paused after stakeholder concerns, while Representative Fitzgibbon defended the House’s approach to child safety and said lawmakers are still working on the issue. Other topics included the transmission and cultural resources bills, where a late procedural request to read a bill in full disrupted plans to move multiple measures together, and a tort-liability bill that passed the Senate and is expected to continue in the House with amendments. They also addressed the 0.05 impaired-driving bill, the Left Plan 1 pension proposal, the farmworker unionization bill, and the initiative-related bill, with several of these measures described as still under discussion or lacking enough support to move this year.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Fiscal Policy Feb 18th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Members, SB 774, which most of you have seen, extends enhanced workers' compensation benefits to 911
- The bill prohibits the sale, purchase, or distribution of AFF.
- The bill prohibits the sale, purchase, or distribution of AFF in Florida, and requires all entities with
Summary:
The Fiscal Policy Committee met and first adopted a late-filed amendment to SB 774, which expands enhanced workers’ compensation coverage to 911 public safety telecommunicators for mental or nervous injuries. The bill drew supportive testimony from a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office dispatcher and others, and was reported favorably. The committee also reported favorably SB 770 on forensic services for certain defendants, which would allow the Agency for Persons with Disabilities to consolidate secure forensic services for individuals with intellectual disabilities or autism whose charges were dismissed after incompetency findings.
Members then considered several public safety, family, and workforce bills. CS/SB 86, which declares unauthorized aliens operating commercial vehicles an imminent safety hazard and imposes vehicle impoundment and a $50,000 penalty on motor carriers, was reported favorably after questions about impound procedures and cargo handling; one speaker opposed it. SB 1594, protecting veterans’ benefits for foster youth so the funds are reserved for postsecondary education, training, and after-care services, was reported favorably with supportive testimony from a former DCF attorney. CS/SB 760, creating a new offense for willful violations of no-contact pretrial release conditions in violent crime cases, was reported favorably despite criminal defense attorneys’ concerns about a provision allowing warrantless arrests without officer observation.
The committee also approved a complete rewrite of the nonprofit corporations chapter in SB 554, a sickle cell continuing education bill (SB 844) after extensive emotional testimony from patients, advocates, and family members, and SB 1022 adding two children’s initiative programs in Bay County and Broward County. CS/SB 1246 broadened the Linking Industry to Nursing Education Fund to include health science education programs and related workforce needs and was reported favorably. Finally, the committee approved CS/CS/SB 1230 restricting use and sale of certain firefighting foam containing intentionally added PFAS, and CS/CS/SB 128 directing DEP to mark Red Harris Spoil Island; both passed with favorable votes. Several senators later asked to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on specific tabs, and the meeting adjourned without further business.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Members, SB 774, which most of you have seen, extends enhanced workers' compensation benefits to 911
- The bill prohibits the sale, purchase, or distribution of AFF.
- The bill prohibits the sale, purchase, or distribution of AFF in Florida and requires all entities with
Committee:
Senate Fiscal Policy
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Feb 3rd, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Environment, Energy & Technology
Transcript Highlights:
- creating state debt or lending the credit of the state, so long as otherwise authorized and not prohibited
- It authorizes WITA to coordinate with the Washington Economic Development... ...prohibited by law.
- So the fee is meant as a way to try and compensate some of those that are most low income.
Committee:
Senate Environment, Energy & Technology
Keywords:
appliance affordability, cost index, energy efficiency, consumer protection, Washington state, energy facilities, large energy consumers, regulation, environment, sustainability, artificial intelligence, data privacy, technological impacts, cultural resources, land use, environmental policy, exemptions, state laws, Washington climate policy, greenhouse gas