Transcript Highlights:

• If you'd please silence all your electronic devices.
• Members, by your vote, SB 110 will be reported favorably.
• By your vote, C.S. for SB 218 is reported favorably. Congratulations. Thank you.
• By your vote, CS for SB 384 is reported favorably. Congratulations. Thank you.
• Senators, by your vote, SB 68 is reported favorably.

Summary: The committee heard and advanced four bills. SB 110, by Senator Simon, proposed a broad rural communities package creating a state Office of Rural Prosperity, a Renaissance grant program for declining-population counties, higher SHIP housing allocations, new rural road funding, additional support for rural schools, and expanded rural health care resources. The bill drew extensive support from local officials, chambers of commerce, and rural advocates, with senators praising its local control and economic-development focus. It was reported favorably. The committee then considered SB 218, by Senator Arrington, which would increase the ad valorem tax exemption for disabled ex-service members or their surviving spouses from $5,000 to $10,000. An amendment was adopted clarifying that the change applies beginning with the 2026 tax roll. The bill, as amended, was reported favorably. Next, SB 384, by Senator Burton, would require written notice to each member of the local legislative delegation when a municipality annexes state-owned land, and it also clarified related annexation language. After a brief question about the amendment, the bill as amended was reported favorably. After a recess, the committee took up SB 68, presented by Senator Trumbull for Senator Martin. The bill would allow not-for-profit organizations such as hospitals to bond for debt service and related purposes, including construction and refinancing projects. With no amendments, no opposition, and no debate, SB 68 was reported favorably. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:14:23.839> 150<00:14:24.959> uh<00:14:25.199> committee<00:14:25.519> vote
• in fact, we had a 150 uh committee vote in fact, we had a 150 uh committee vote uh<00:14:26.680>
• One could have better electronics, one could have better drivetrain.
• c> have<01:31:28.320> better electronics, one could have better electronics, one could have
• unmanned aircraft events, electronic unmanned aircraft events, electronic ascension<02:15:36.320

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a roll call vote, >> All right. This is a roll call vote, right? right? right?
• So this is, and a vote. Yes, thank you. And a vote. Uh, that's an important part too.
• So this is and a vote. Yes, system. So this is and a vote. Yes, thank<02:36:40.479> you.
• And a vote. Uh that's an thank you. And a vote.
• to get any generation or any electrons to get any generation or any electrons to<03:04:40.960>

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Please silence all electronic devices.
• "But I will vote no today, Mr.
• , I would change my vote.
• "Any way that your bill would fail as a consequence of my vote, I would change my vote.
• By your vote, Senate Bill 14 will be reported favorably.

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met with a quorum present and took up several bills, beginning with SB 762 on offices of criminal conflict and civil regional counsel. The committee adopted a strike-all amendment that removed a one-year sunset and a reporting requirement to the legislature. Senator Martin and regional counsel Itan Emotin explained that the bill would allow regional counsel offices to handle certain capital conflict cases, with the goal of reducing very high defense costs while maintaining adequate representation. After questions about whether referrals would be optional, compensation, and possible impacts on quality of defense, the committee reported CS for SB 762 favorably by a 9-1 vote. The committee then considered two uncontested local claims bills. SB 16, relating to relief of Heroberto A. Sanchez Mayan by the City of St. Petersburg, described serious injuries allegedly caused during an arrest and transport by police; counsel for the claimant appeared in support. President Gates spoke against the claims-bill process but said he would support the victim if the bill’s passage were in doubt. The bill was reported favorably 9-1. SB 14, relating to relief of Jose Correa by Miami-Dade County, involved a pedestrian struck by a county bus; the county had admitted fault and settled the case. The bill was reported favorably 9-1, and SB 24, a $500,000 settlement for Lourdes and Edward Latour against Miami-Dade County, was also reported favorably 9-1. Finally, the committee took up SB 208 on land use and development regulations. Senator McLean presented a negotiated strike-all amendment that would make development application fees more transparent and cost-based, tie them to direct and reasonable indirect review costs, and set subjective compatibility standards for residential projects, with carve-outs for PUDs, master plan communities, and historic districts. Multiple stakeholders appeared or waived in support, including 1,000 Friends of Florida, the Florida Chamber of Commerce, AARP, counties, cities, and planning and conservation groups. The amendment was adopted, and CS for SB 208 was reported favorably 10-0. The committee then adjourned after recording Senator DeSigley’s vote on SB 762.

Transcript Highlights:

• PLEASE SILENCE ALL ELECTRONIC DEVICES.
• BY YOUR VOTE SENATE BILL 7004 IS REPORTED FAVORABLY.
• BY YOUR VOTE SENATE BILL 7004 IS REPORTED FAVORABLY. THANK YOU.
• MEMBERS, BY YOUR VOTE PLEASE SHOW CS FOR SB 1058 REPORTED FAVORABLY. CONGRATULATIONS.
• BY YOUR VOTE PLEASE SHOW CS FOR SB 924 REPORTED FAVORABLY. ABSOLUTELY.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• uh, community land trusts, electronic uh, community land trusts, electronic visit<00:14:54.800><
• So, um, without further objection, I think what we'll do is we'll take up the A3 and take a vote on that
• :19:18.559> a is we'll take up the A3 and and take a is we'll take up the A3 and and take a vote
• 19:20.559> members,<00:19:20.960> the<00:19:21.120> A3<00:19:21.919> is vote
• Um, members, the A3 is vote on that. Um, members, the A3 is before<00:19:22.480> us.

Bills: HF3676, HF2959, HF3233

Keywords: Safe at Home, address confidentiality, domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, harassment, victim privacy, survivor protection, confidential address, protected address, secret address, identity protection, residential confidentiality, program participant, nondiscrimination, court disclosure, protective order, service of process, driver's license, state ID

Transcript Highlights:

• seeing none Vice chair for the vote seeing none Vice chair for the vote please<01:28:44.760> voting
• /c><01:30:15.800> 1231<01:30:16.800> chair's vote please voting on HB 1231 chair's vote
• chair for the vote voting on HB 334 chair for the vote voting on HB 334 chair's<01:33:47.119>
• Okay, Vice Chair, for the vote. Voting on HB 1260.
• <01:37:29.639> 1260<01:37:30.320> chair's vote uh voting on hb1 1260 chair's vote uh voting

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Transportation held a hearing on several traffic safety and transportation bills. HB 1163 would update commercial driver licensing rules to meet federal requirements and allow limited-term non-domiciled commercial learner’s permits and licenses; the Department of Transportation supported it as a fix to an FMCSA-identified issue, while Frank Schultz testified in opposition. HB 1166 would appropriate funds for the automated speed enforcement program; the Department of Law Enforcement, Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization, and Edgardo Diaz Vega supported it, while Chad Taniguchi opposed and Frank Schultz offered support. The committee then heard HB 1231, which would prioritize photo red light cameras in school zones and direct related fine revenue to the Safe Routes to School fund; DOT supported the intent but cautioned against limiting placement decisions, Judiciary raised concerns about added court workload, and several advocacy groups and individuals supported the bill as a pedestrian and school safety measure. The committee spent substantial time on HB 1471, which would fund traffic-actuated signals, including leading pedestrian intervals and accessible pedestrian signals, and add a $5 vehicle registration fee for the Safe Routes to School special fund. DOT supported the bill with comments, saying its older signal controllers make LPIs harder to implement but that statewide upgrades are underway; the Department of Health also supported the safety and Vision Zero goals and said it is working with counties on public education. Testimony in support came from Hawaii Appleseed, Hawaii Bicycling League, Ulupono Initiative, Hawaii Public Health Institute, Path People for Active Transportation Hawaii, the Hawaii Self-Advocacy Advisory Council, and others, with one opposition noted among many supporters. Members asked questions about whether LPIs would address “beg buttons,” how red-light and speed-camera programs interact with county roads, and whether speed humps might be more effective in school zones. DOT explained that LPIs improve visibility but do not solve every signal issue, that newer adaptive signals use camera-based sensing, and that the department coordinates with counties and communities on crash mitigation and enforcement priorities. Officials also discussed the status of Safe Routes to School programs, noting that the federal program remains but is difficult to use and that the state program had been moved out of DOT; county coordinators and related coalitions were said to still be active. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Let's please silence all electronic devices.
• And by your vote, SB 578 will be reported favorably.
• So I appreciate that, and I will be voting out today.
• Most of us voted for that bill.
• A bill I did not vote for three years ago was the Soil and Water A bill I did not vote for three years

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and considered several bills, reporting each favorably after hearing sponsor presentations, public testimony, and member questions. SB 578 would allow wine to be sold in recyclable containers, aligning wine with beer container rules; it received support from Americans for Prosperity and passed without debate. SB 606 clarified when guests in public lodging or food service establishments may be removed for nonpayment, updated notice and checkout provisions, and removed a mandatory arrest requirement, with support from hotel and restaurant industry groups; it also passed favorably. Members then heard SB 202, which addresses a municipal water utility surcharge issue affecting Miami Gardens and North Miami Beach by requiring the utility to charge residents where the plant sits the same rate it charges its own residents. The sponsor and supporters described it as a fairness issue, while North Miami Beach argued it would shift costs and threaten utility finances; the bill was reported favorably. SB 570 modernized and clarified the scope of work for swimming pool and spa contractors, and SB 928, as amended, regulated non-approved disposable nicotine devices by restricting advertising and display, increasing inspections and penalties, and adding a school-buffer provision; both were reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 346, which repeals state preemption over local regulation of hoisting equipment and cranes, prompted by concerns after Hurricane Milton and a crane collapse in St. Petersburg. Supporters said local governments need authority to address storm-related crane safety, while industry representatives warned against patchwork regulation and said local oversight already exists in some areas. Finally, the committee took up SB 652, creating Veterinary Professional Associates to perform certain tasks, including limited surgeries under veterinarian supervision; animal welfare groups supported it as a way to expand access, while some veterinarians opposed the surgery provisions. The bill was reported favorably after amendment. The committee then began SB 354, a major overhaul of Public Service Commission oversight, including expanding the commission, adding financial expertise, tightening rate-setting and storm-hardening review, and increasing transparency for nonprofit water and wastewater utilities; the substitute amendment was adopted and public testimony was heard from consumer advocates and utility-related groups, but the transcript ends before final action on the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• I respectfully ask for an aye vote. Thank you. Thank you.
• We have a vote of 4 to 0. The bill's on call. We'll take it up. We have a vote of 4 to 0.
• We have a vote of 4-0. The consent calendar is on call.
• The current vote is 3 to 0, with the chair voting aye. Senator Strickland? Aye. Senator Cortese?
• I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Please silence all electronic devices.
• By your vote, CS for SB 762 is reported favorably. Thank you, Vice Chair Burton.
• But I will vote no today, Mr.
• , I would change my vote.
• By your vote, Senate Bill 14 will be reported favorably.

Bills: S0014, S0016, S0024, S0208, S0762

Keywords: negligence, settlement, police conduct, municipal liability, personal injury, compensation, injuries, Miami-Dade County, land use, development regulations, local government, application fees, affordable housing, zoning, residential construction, criminal defense, legal representation, death penalty, indigent defense, regional counsel

Summary: The Senate Judiciary Committee heard several bills, beginning with SB 762, which was amended by a strike-all to remove a one-year sunset and delete a reporting requirement to the Legislature. The bill would allow offices of criminal conflict and civil regional counsel to take on certain capital cases from outside their region on an optional basis, with supporters saying it could save money and use existing in-house death penalty expertise. After testimony from Senator Martin and the Second Region’s regional counsel, the committee reported CS/SB 762 favorably. The committee also considered three local claims bills. SB 16, relating to relief for Heriberto A. Sanchez Mayan by the City of St. Petersburg, described severe injuries allegedly caused during an arrest and transport; the claimant’s counsel supported the bill, while President Gaetz spoke against the claims-bill process generally and voted no. The bill passed 9-1 and was reported favorably. SB 14, for Jose Correa against Miami-Dade County, involved injuries from a bus-pedestrian collision and was supported by the claimant and county; it passed 9-1 and was reported favorably. SB 24, for Lourdes and Edward Latour against Miami-Dade County, was an uncontested $500,000 settlement bill and passed unanimously. Finally, the committee took up SB 208 on land use and development regulations. A late-filed strike-all amendment, described as a negotiated compromise, would make development application fees transparent and cost-based, tie them to direct and reasonable indirect review costs, and set subjective compatibility standards for residential projects, with carve-outs for PUDs, master planned communities, and historic districts. Multiple local government, planning, environmental, and business groups appeared in support. The amendment was adopted, and the committee then reported CS/SB 208 favorably on a 10-0 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Please silence all electronic devices.
• So we encourage a no vote today and look forward to continuing to talk with Senator Martin about his
• It's called an electronic service to use the same software in everything that we use in our shop.
• And senators by your vote show Cs for CS for SB 1132.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We can have parole officers, we can have electronic monitors.
• Commitment into our electronic health records.
• Money is always an issue on these things, and I will mention in terms of electronic monitoring.
• And I will mention in terms of electronic monitoring, there's no money for monitoring.
• And I will mention in terms of electronic monitoring, there's no money for monitoring.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• PLEASE SILENCE ALL ELECTRONIC DEVICES.
• THERE IS NOTHING MORE AMERICAN THAN VOTING.
• THEY I DON'T BELIEVE WANT TO BE DICTATED TO IN A STATEWIDE VOTE.
• WITH REGARD TO TAB NUMBER ONE SB 982 I VOTE YES WITH REGARD TO TAB 3536 I VOTE NO. >> Chair: WITHOUT
• >> YES. >> Chair: YES, SIR SENATOR. >> I VOTE IN THE AFFIRMATIVE ON TAB ONE AND VOTE IN THE AFFIRMATIVE

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It was not a vote against veterans. It was a vote against various bills and various priorities.
• It was not a vote against veterans. It was a vote against various bills and various priorities.
• It was not a vote against veterans. It was a vote against various bills and various priorities.
• It was not a vote against veterans. It was a vote against various bills and various priorities.
• It was not a vote against veterans. It was a vote against various bills and various priorities.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Veterans and Military Affairs Division held its first meeting with a quorum present, opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, and reviewed decorum expectations and basic operating rules. Members and staff introduced themselves, and Chair Aaron Repinski emphasized that the committee would operate as a nonpartisan body focused on veterans’ issues. No minutes were approved because it was the division’s first meeting. Nonpartisan House staff then gave an overview of the Department of Military Affairs and the Department of Veterans Affairs, including their missions, organizational structure, and budgets. The presentation highlighted the Minnesota National Guard, Camp Ripley, enlistment incentives, the Emergency Services Program, and the Veterans Affairs programs for veterans homes, cemeteries, benefits assistance, and state-funded benefits such as the State Soldiers Assistance Program, Minnesota GI Bill, and Post-9/11 bonus. Staff also noted housing and homelessness-related initiatives, several committee-supported outside programs, and the Support Our Troops license plate funding split between the two agencies. The committee then heard from Trent Dils of Disabled American Veterans Minnesota on behalf of the Commander's Task Force, a coalition of congressionally chartered veterans organizations. He described the group’s unanimous legislative process and urged continuation of a separate veterans omnibus bill, arguing it has helped keep veterans issues apart from broader partisan disputes. He also began outlining the task force’s 2025 priorities, including hunting, fishing, and trapping benefits for veterans, but the transcript cuts off before the full list or any committee action on those priorities is completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm with NM Native Vote. I'm here in support of SB 55.
• I don't like this vote, to be honest.
• Okay, by the vote of 10 to 1, you have a due pass.
• Yeah, I'm hoping no votes or anything. I'm hoping no votes change or anything. I just like...
• Might change my vote. Yeah, I'm hoping the votes change or anything.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Please silence all your electronic devices. I see that, Senator Burgess. Thanks for joining us.
• And by your vote, CS for SB 348 is reported favorably. Thank you, sir. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• And by your vote, SB 400 is reported favorably.

Summary: The Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security met with a quorum and took up two bills. First, it heard SCS for SB 348, which would make it an ethics violation for a public official, candidate, or appointee to falsely claim military rank or honors for material gain, and would also require withholding delinquent ethics fines from the paychecks of current public officials or employees after 90 days. Senator Gates presented the bill, the Florida Commission on Ethics supported it, and members discussed the wage-withholding process. The committee voted the bill favorably. The committee then considered SB 400, which removes the repeal date from Florida’s participation in the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children, making the compact permanent unless later repealed by the Legislature. Senator Wright explained that the compact helps military families with school transitions, and a representative from Foundation for Florida’s Future waived in support. The committee voiced support and voted SB 400 favorably. After completing both measures, the committee had no further business and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I do appreciate the opportunity to come for you today and ask you to vote no on SB 974.
• Every day they said, we noticed you haven't early voted yet. We notice you haven't early voted yet.
• There was some significant pressure put on her to go vote for a bond election.
• No response from the taxing entities is considered a no vote under the current statute.
• The committee substitute has the same language that we voted on last week. Any questions?

Transcript Highlights:

• Please silence all electronic devices.
• By your vote, CS for Senate Bill 600 is reported favorably. Well done, Senator.
• Does any senator wish to be recorded as voting on bills before the committee today?
• Please show me as voting affirmative on tabs two and three. Okay, anyone else?
• Please show me as voting affirmative on tabs two and three. Okay, anyone else?

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development met with a quorum present and took up three bills. The first two, both by Senator Truenow, addressed Florida manufacturing. SB 600 would codify the Office of Manufacturing in the Department of Commerce, support workforce development grants, create a Florida Manufacturing Promotional Campaign, and require biannual reporting. A strike-all amendment clarified that the chief manufacturing officer already exists, the campaign is voluntary, the program falls under Chapter 288, and grant awards are at the department’s discretion. Florida Makes, Associated Industries of Florida, and the Florida Chamber of Commerce appeared in support, and the committee reported CS/SB 600 favorably. SB 602 established fees for the promotional campaign, with an amendment setting the fee at no more than $100 to administer the voluntary program; Florida Makes supported the bill, and the committee reported CS/SB 602 favorably. The committee then considered CS/CS/SB 184 by Senator Gates, an affordable housing and property rights bill requiring local governments to allow accessory dwelling units in single-family residential areas, while exempting planned unit developments and master-planned communities. The bill also limited local restrictions on parking and homestead treatment, allowed a density bonus for housing affordable to military families, and referenced an OPPAGA study on mezzanine financing. An amendment clarified that ADUs could not be used as short-term vacation rentals and must be rented for at least 30 days, allowed manufactured homes if they meet local standards, and removed a requirement that the unit be rented at an affordable rate or to a moderate- or low-income person. Senators asked about homestead exemption treatment, property tax impacts, and local control, and Gates explained that ADUs could be built later and would be separately taxed without affecting the original homestead exemption. Several groups appeared in support of SB 184, including AARP, Americans for Prosperity, Florida Realtors, and the Florida Chamber of Commerce. Senators Smith and Arrington spoke in favor, with Arrington noting concerns about parking flexibility for local governments. The committee adopted the amendment and then reported CS/CS/SB 184 favorably. At the end of the meeting, Senator Collins asked to be recorded as voting yes on tabs two and three, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Brass, I think you thanked everybody for getting your bill here, but the people that's fixing to vote
• People have to cross this bridge to vote, so on and so forth. Out of our parish.
• People have to cross this bridge to vote, so on and so forth.
• They were actually electronically able to go back to 2002.
• So, Seth or somebody from LDH, before I vote, I just want to be comfortable and know that I'm not being

Summary: The Finance Committee met on May 27, 2026, with six members present and took up a series of House bills, most of them dealing with education funding, criminal justice staffing, transportation, health care access, and economic development. HB 325 was reported favorably after testimony that it would expand TOPS eligibility by allowing dual-enrollment credits to satisfy eligibility criteria and by making part-time students eligible for TOPS Tech, with supporters saying the program has been underused and the change would help working students. HB 719 was amended and reported favorably to increase assistant district attorney positions in various judicial districts; the Louisiana District Attorneys Association said the changes were based on workload data and local input, and members discussed the need to coordinate any expansion with public defender funding. The committee also reported HB 749 favorably, which would move Louisiana’s 529 savings accounts to a more secure online platform after a cyber incident, and HB 1028 favorably, which concerns transportation reimbursement for providers and was described as already subject to appropriation. Several bills focused on food access and local economic development. HB 1222, the Grocery Initiative Act, was reported favorably to let LED use existing grant resources to map food deserts and develop a program, with members noting it could return for funding later if needed. HB 1194 was amended and reported favorably to define food deserts and direct the LSU AgCenter and the Department of Agriculture and Forestry to identify and map them, with authors emphasizing it was a study and not a government-run grocery program. HB 755, which would create IDIQ contracting for architects and engineers on smaller state projects, was reported favorably with no fiscal impact. HB 823, a local diversion pilot for Orleans Parish, was also reported favorably after the fiscal note was revised to remove state impact and reflect only local costs. The committee spent substantial time on HB 488, a proposal from Plaquemines Parish to use severance-tax revenue to help buy out a private toll concession on the parish’s bridge. The author and local officials described severe toll burdens, economic harm to local businesses, and what they called an unfair contract, but members noted the bill was not funded and ultimately deferred it without a motion. HB 797, the Bayou Gold/Louisiana Sound Money Act, was amended to make implementation subject to appropriation and then reported favorably. The committee also took up HB 198, which would raise Medicaid reimbursement for ambulatory surgery centers for certain outpatient procedures; after extensive discussion about fiscal notes, access to care, and potential long-term savings, the bill was amended to narrow its scope and make implementation subject to appropriation, then reported favorably as amended. The meeting ended with the chair noting it would be the committee’s last meeting and asking members to spread the word.

Transcript Highlights:

• Another item in the Governor's budget is $3,009,000 to procure an electronic health record system for
• still use paper records, and so we want to catch up with the rest of health care and move to an electronic
• The Senate voted for it, the House voted for it.
• Those were voted on by the legislature here in Florida, how we should distribute those funds.
• Those were voted on by the legislature here in Florida, how we should distribute those funds.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services heard a presentation on the governor’s proposed fiscal year 2026-27 budget for the health and human services silo, which totals $48.5 billion. Agency leaders outlined major requests for AHCA, APD, DCF, DOEA, DOH, and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, including behavioral health redesign, Medicaid rate changes, developmental disability services, child welfare and opioid programs, senior services, cancer research, public health initiatives, and veterans’ facility and technology needs. The committee also received an overview of the overall state budget, which was described as $117.4 billion, up 1.1% from the current year. AHCA’s presentation focused on $71.6 million for a Medicaid behavioral health redesign, including funding for residential treatment, a serious mental illness waiver, and higher inpatient psychiatric rates for youth, plus $7.1 million to raise private duty nursing reimbursement in fee-for-service Medicaid, $2.5 million for the background screening clearinghouse, and $124.4 million for the Health Care Connection System (FX). APD requested funding to continue moving people off the pre-enrollment list and to support developmental disability centers, a new forensic facility, an electronic health record system, and higher operating costs. DCF highlighted $81.9 million for eligibility and system integrity, $187.5 million for opioid prevention and treatment, $35.5 million for community-based care lead agencies, and $72.7 million to expand behavioral health bed capacity, including 474 new beds at state hospitals. DOEA sought additional funding for Alzheimer’s services, home care, and community care for the elderly. DOH emphasized $278 million for cancer research and innovation, $5 million for food and product safety testing, $5 million for the Florida FIRST blood-on-ambulance initiative, and $5.7 million for a public lab feasibility study. Veterans Affairs requested funds for facility improvements, cybersecurity, and medication management equipment. Members asked detailed questions about several items, especially the proposed changes to the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), which would reduce eligibility and the number of people served. Senators and public witnesses criticized the lack of transparency and urged the department to pause the changes and work with stakeholders; the Surgeon General said the issue was driven by funding constraints and federal changes, not a legal barrier, and that the agency was exploring alternatives. Questions also addressed the Office of Minority Health and Health Equity, the Kids Care/CHIP expansion implementation, the cancer research funding structure, and the timeline and cost of the FX system. Public testimony focused heavily on ADAP, with speakers warning that thousands could lose medication access and calling for community involvement and a review of the program’s finances. The committee adjourned after the presentations and questions, with no votes taken on the budget items during this meeting.