Transcript Highlights:

• The student enrollment and occupant load cannot be more stringent for a traditional school than it is
• Now they are faced with a situation of expanding seat loads.
• We make them suffer the indignity of having to first get injured by the negligence of their government
• When the government commits negligence, in order to bring a lawsuit, you have to find an attorney who

Bills: SB 2, HB 2, HB 2000, HB 2196, HB 213, HB 222, HB 645, HB 1458, HB 1022, HB 141, HB 502, HB 643, HB 3093, HB 1700, HB 117, SB 503, SB 2, HB 120, HB 20, HB 150, HB 6, HB 100, HB 210, HB 215, HB 1393, HB 1151, HB 1268, HB 142, HB 451, HB 124, HB 2, HB 2000, HB 2196, HB 213, HB 222, HB 645, HB 1458, HB 1022, HB 141, HB 502, HB 643, HB 3093, HB 1700, HB 117

Keywords: public education, teacher compensation, certification, funding, school finance, educator rights, education funding, charter schools, staff compensation, state aid, retention allotment, child grooming, sex offender registration, criminal justice, reportable conviction, law enforcement, virtual education, hybrid learning, school funding, average daily attendance

Transcript Highlights:

• It's the standard is gross negligence.
• So it's a much higher standard than, um, simple negligence or like negligence that you would see in a
• It's the standard<01:37:22.480> is<01:37:22.719> gross<01:37:23.040> negligence.
• So it's a standard is gross negligence.
• <01:37:30.080> you negligence or like negligence that you negligence or like negligence that

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• having, I'm concerned with, is it's a broad definition of reckless because of the fact that you got negligent
• you got that's reckless and negligent you got that's reckless and intentional<01:18:05.040> reckless
• Certainly the case load in the county.
• disproportionate in the pay, you know, and no reflection on anybody else, but certainly if your case load
• , else, but certainly if your case load, else, but certainly if your case load, you<02:20:42.800>

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of the more stringent protections that were under the Clean Water Act, such as total maximum daily load
• These are not negligible conditions.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• AND THE COST OF FORTIFIED FLORIDA IS NEGLIGIBLE.
• WILDFIRES AT PEOPLE WHO HAD AS FOLD ROOF SHINGLES CAUGHT ON FIRE AND ONE WHO HAD METAL ROOFS WERE LOAD

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They have to be loaded with the same type of people.
• or or are are saying, you know negligent or or are are saying, you know what,<00:58:52.160> we
• Yet, at the same time, the state is being negligent in all of these areas.
• And, you know, I've said this before: I think the state of New Hampshire operates between negligence
• Hampshire operates between negligence Hampshire operates between negligence and<01:59:14.639> bankruptcy

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee began its first meeting on retained education funding bills, focusing on HB 366, which concerns school building aid for eligible projects, and HB 295, which would make school building aid program funds non-lapsing. The chair framed the discussion around broader questions about how school building aid should work, noting the state’s limited available funding, the existing debt service obligations, and whether the current formula should continue or be changed. He also raised concerns about the state’s overall revenue constraints and the need to consider renovation, new construction, and possibly leasing within any future program. Members and the Department of Education representative discussed whether school building aid is a state or local responsibility, the current backlog of projects, and the condition of school facilities statewide. Tim Carney of the Bureau of School Facilities described his background and answered technical questions about current programs. Representative Luno argued that under the ConVal decision the state has responsibility for school buildings, including construction and renovation, and that the program also serves an equity function by helping districts with less property-tax capacity. Representative Papich urged the committee to focus on policy structure and fairness rather than just available dollars, saying the current system creates winners and losers and suggesting a simpler per-capita or similar allocation model, while acknowledging a possible transition for projects already in the pipeline. The discussion also covered CTE facilities and leasing. Carney explained that charter schools, and possibly CTE centers, can receive limited leasing aid, and that CTE capital requests are funded through a state capital process, while federal Carl Perkins funds cannot be used for construction. He and others described a separate rotational funding approach for CTE centers, but several members said that model can leave programs waiting too long and may not match changing workforce needs. The chair and others noted that a report from a related study group on CTE policy and funding was still pending, and that its absence could affect legislation for FY28. No votes were taken and no bill was acted on in the portion of the meeting provided; the discussion ended with interest in modeling alternatives, reviewing the waiting list, and examining the tradeoffs of reducing upfront state aid versus funding more projects overall.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:37:42.239> when<01:37:42.480> you but it's pretty negligible when you but it's
• pretty negligible when you consider<01:37:43.119> all<01:37:43.280> the<01:37:43.520>
• That's just a negligible amount.
• So if we char we up negligible amount.
• with to the that we haul heavy loads with to the tune<01:41:51.520> of<01:41:52.320> five<

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that genuinely have negligent vehicles. that genuinely have negligent vehicles.
• They have a bike rack or two bike racks loaded with bikes, including kid bikes.
• They have a bike rack or two bike racks loaded with bikes, including kid bikes.
• They have a bike rack or two bike racks loaded with bikes, including kid bikes.
• They have a bike rack or two bike racks loaded with bikes, including kid bikes.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It depends on whether it's a knowing violation or a negligent violation.
• violation there's all sorts of negligent violation there's all sorts of factors<00:20:34.679> we<
• their their load share uh you<01:15:23.520> know<01:15:23.679> in<01:15:23.840> New
• <01:29:42.719> we heavy load and when it's a light load we heavy load and when it's a light
• load we can<01:29:43.560> um<01:29:44.040> we<01:29:44.159> can<01:29:44.400>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard the Banking Department’s fiscal year 2026-2027 budget presentation from Commissioner Amelia Galeri. She described the department as a self-funded consumer protection regulator overseeing two main areas: the Banking Trust Division, which supervises state-chartered banks, credit unions, and trust companies, and the Consumer Credit Division, which oversees more than 7,000 licensees including mortgage and money transmitter businesses. She said the department’s budget is about 86% salaries and benefits, with 53 positions all filled, and explained that the agency funds itself through fees, fines, and end-of-year assessments on regulated entities. Galeri said the department is facing workload growth from several directions: continued growth in the trust industry, increased fintech supervision, and a new requirement to regularly examine auto dealers that take finance applications, which adds about 300 exams over two fiscal years. She said the department was directed to flat-fund its budget based on 2025 levels but was allowed to increase travel and training. To stay within that limit, she said the department reduced office space, went paperless, converted administrative and licensing positions into examiner positions, and expects to defund an embedded DOJ database administrator position once a new SharePoint system is fully implemented. Members asked about how the department’s revenue and assessments work, including whether fees were increasing and how much existing banks would pay. Galeri said fees are not being raised, most banks pay little or no fines, and assessments are based largely on asset size, with trust companies paying the bulk. She also explained that fines are set by statute, generally capped at $2,500 per violation for consumer credit entities, and said she would not recommend increasing that cap. The committee then voted to accept the Banking Department’s budget proposal as presented in HQ1, with a motion and second and no discussion. The transcript then moved to the Department of Energy budget. Commissioner Jared Chakin and Chief of Operations Lenny Radio discussed federal program funding, including LIHEAP fuel assistance and weatherization. They said the apparent drop in fuel assistance funding from FY 2024 actuals to the budgeted amount is due to the loss of ARPA and CARES Act supplemental funds, while weatherization remains a federally constrained program with a waiting list and limited flexibility. Members also asked about a proposed transfer from the renewable energy fund; staff said the transfer would still allow the department to carry out its statutory duties for the year, though the committee deferred deeper discussion until House Bill 2.

Transcript Highlights:

• pathologist because many or most of the rooms in the schools and hospitals that I'd work in today are too loaded
• pathologist because many or most of the rooms in the schools and hospitals that I'd work in today are too loaded
• with EMF radiation. schools and hospitals that I'd work in today are too loaded with EMF radiation and
• Operating to endanger is operating a motor vehicle on a public way in a negligent manner, or a reckless
• This would add a subsection to that, which would be operating negligently or recklessly with a group

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on the Judiciary held a lengthy public hearing on a wide range of civil rights, immigration, hate crimes, and reparations bills. Chair Edwards and Chair Day opened with strict testimony rules, including two-minute limits, written testimony options, and decorum requirements. Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell testified in strong support of S. 1126/H. 1920, the Combating Hate in the Commonwealth bill, saying Massachusetts needs stronger tools to address rising hate and bias incidents. Her Civil Rights Division chief explained that the bill would give the division civil investigative demand/subpoena power, expand civil rights enforcement, close loopholes in the Massachusetts Civil Rights Act, add protected classes to the hate crimes law, and require better hate-crime data reporting. The committee also heard support for H. 1954 on access to counsel in immigration proceedings, H. 4684 on law enforcement identification and public trust, and H. 1927 to exonerate individuals accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts. Several bills focused on discrimination and civil rights enforcement. Supporters of S. 1248 on organizational standing said fair housing nonprofits need explicit authority to bring discrimination complaints in their own names, especially as federal protections are under attack. On H. 1246, advocates urged adding sex and gender as protected classes in the hate crimes statute, arguing women are not protected under current state law. H. 1820 drew testimony for protections against height and weight discrimination. H. 1995 would regularize sentencing for hate crimes by requiring diversity awareness training for both convictions and continuances without a finding, and H. 1056/H. 1589 would broaden hate-crime victim standing and require restitution to be used to repair harm. H. 1886 would clarify that defense-based social service staff are exempt from mandated reporter obligations when working under attorney-client privilege. The committee also heard testimony on H. 1889/S. 1064, a bill to eliminate disparate impact. Environmental justice advocates, fair housing attorneys, and community members argued that neutral policies can still produce discriminatory outcomes and that Massachusetts should allow state-court claims and a private right of action to address them. Committee members raised concerns about litigation floodgates, punitive damages, and the scope of protected classes, while supporters said the bill would mainly target systemic harms and injunctive relief. Additional testimony supported H. 1922/S. 119, the Fair Investment Act, which would create civil rights protections in venture capital and other investment settings for founders and investors, especially women and minority entrepreneurs. The hearing also included testimony on H. 1683, the Sex Trade Survivor Act, which would expand vacatur and expungement relief for trafficking survivors, remove archaic offenses from the code, and create an interagency commission; supporters emphasized reducing barriers to housing, employment, and reentry. Finally, the committee heard extensive support for H. 1753/S. 1181, establishing a commission to study reparations in Massachusetts. Testifiers described the state’s history of slavery, redlining, and ongoing racial disparities, and urged the committee to report the bill favorably. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• This amends the offensive negligence, negligent injury in the first degree, to include injuries negligently
• This amends the offensive negligence, negligent injury in the first degree, to include injuries negligently
• this amends the offensive negligence this amends the offensive negligence negligent<00:04:14.480
• <00:04:44.320> injury that uh causing a negligent injury that uh causing a negligent injury
• So in the case of negligent homicide second degree, um, that's somebody who is negligent but they weren't

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on several bills. SB 335 would route objections by political party officers to candidate nomination papers through the Office of Elections. The State Election Director testified that his office was not the right venue for party-membership challenges because it could create conflicts and force the Attorney General to represent the chief election officer in court; members discussed whether all objections should instead go directly to Circuit Court, but no action was taken. SB 280 would expand first-degree negligent injury to cover injuries negligently caused by intoxicated drivers. The Public Defender opposed the bill as too harsh and urged either a lower penalty or clearer statutory definitions of “under the influence,” while the Prosecuting Attorney supported it as a needed increase in accountability for drunk drivers who actually injure someone. Committee members raised concerns about overlap with existing offenses, proportionality, and whether the change would increase jury-trial volume; the prosecutor responded that the bill would apply to a smaller subset of cases involving actual injury and would help ensure more serious treatment of those cases. The committee also heard SB 292, establishing Safe Harbor protections for survivors of sexual exploitation who seek medical or law enforcement assistance, with testimony in support from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, HPD, U Alliance, and others, and no opposition. SB 31, concerning an additional penalty for dog owners whose dogs destroy property on agricultural land, drew only supportive testimony. SB 356 would require restitution in the form of financial support to the minor children of victims killed or disabled by an intoxicated driver; the Public Defender opposed it as better suited to civil court and questioned enforcement after probation, while the Prosecuting Attorney supported it and said courts can issue enforceable restitution orders. Testimony also strongly supported SB 1284, a proposed constitutional amendment prohibiting discrimination based on ethnicity, age, disability, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, and pregnancy outcomes, with supporters arguing it would strengthen protections in response to current political conditions. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then I think my last point was gross negligence or willful misconduct.
• And then I think my last point was gross negligence or willful misconduct.
• This leaves taxpayers paying for negligent care that causes death.
• What about in these communities where you have this intentional negligence, though?
• I have an affidavit outlining the reckless negligence.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and considered several health-related bills. SB 398, by Senator Burgess, would create a statewide Alzheimer’s and dementia awareness campaign through the Department of Elder Affairs, focused on early detection, brain health, risk reduction, clinical trial access, and community resources. Supporters said Florida has a large and growing Alzheimer’s population and that the campaign would help families and vulnerable communities; the bill was reported favorably after a roll call vote. The committee also adopted an amendment to SB 714, by Senator Burton, which would create non-opioid advanced directives and add liability protections for providers in medical emergencies involving opioids. Supporters framed it as a patient-choice measure, while opponents argued it was vague and could interfere with appropriate pain treatment; the amended bill was then reported favorably. The committee also approved CS/SB 756, which removes the current age-eight diagnosis requirement for autism-related insurance coverage and extends coverage beyond age 18 for those diagnosed with autism. Senator Burton said the bill would help families whose children are diagnosed later or whose needs continue into adulthood. There was brief discussion about existing lifetime benefit caps, but the sponsor said the bill did not change those limits. The committee then took up SB 734, a proposal by Senator Yarbrough to repeal Florida’s wrongful death exception that bars certain parents and adult children from recovering non-economic damages in medical negligence cases. The sponsor and supporters described the current law as discriminatory and unjust, especially for families of older adults and disabled individuals, while opponents warned it would raise malpractice costs, increase premiums, and worsen provider shortages. The bill drew extensive public testimony from both grieving family members and health care/insurance representatives, and members debated whether caps or other safeguards should be added. No final action on SB 734 is reflected in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• <02:52:46.640> Maybe<02:52:46.720> they don't have a big case load.
• Maybe they don't have a big case load.
• Where official immunity applies to common law torts such as negligence.
• Even in cases where negligence has Even in cases where negligence has clearly<03:49:12.160> occurred
• <04:10:35.439> Was um and a a negligence standard. Was um and a a negligence standard.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , and so even if they're negligent, they're absolved from that.
• I think the distinction is the definition between simple negligence and gross negligence, which obviously
• it does not provide immunity for gross negligence.
• as opposed to gross negligence.
• versus gross negligence.

Bills: SB1241, SB1242, SB1442, SB1592, SB1623, SB1625, SB1913, SB1940, SB1949, SB2102, SB592, SB992

Keywords: ticket sales, resale, consumer protection, fraud, bots, transparency, refunds, event tickets, medical marijuana, cannabis, marijuana license, commercial grower, grow operation, bond requirement, land reclamation fee, revolving fund, environmental remediation, redevelopment, Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority, OMMA

Transcript Highlights:

• The current SEC thresholds represent an almost negligible ownership percentage. percentage, just 0.00002%
• We have local restrictions that prohibit drivers from delivering loads specifically overnight when traffic
• They were loaded up. The inspector came out, great guy, and we got talking.

Bills: SB264, SB542, SB924, SB1008, SB1029, SB1036, SB1057, SB1058, SB1185, SB1202, SB1358, SB1364, SB1376, SB1569, SB1664, SB1697, SJR50

Keywords: SB 264, Texas Workers' Compensation Act, group self-insurance, self-insured groups, workers' compensation, Texas Department of Insurance, commissioner of insurance, certificate of approval, guaranty fund, trust fund, wind down, dissolution, labor code, insurance regulation, employer coverage, risk pool, business and commerce, trade workforce economic development, property owners' association, water conservation

Transcript Highlights:

• They will assert that it could be negligent. They will assert that it could be wrongful actions.
• So you said a wrongful death action or negligence, et cetera, et cetera.
• Wrongful act, negligence, breach of contract, or breach of warranty. Follow up?
• Negligent driving is, you know, its own thing. You recognize for a follow-up. Thank you, sure.
• Wrongful or negligent acts than any other member of the public solely because of her pregnancy.

Summary: The Civil Justice and Claims Subcommittee met to consider one measure, PCS for HB 289, which would amend Florida’s wrongful death statute to allow parents of an unborn child to recover damages for the child’s wrongful death and to include parents in the definition of survivors. The sponsor said the bill is intended to give parents a remedy when a wrongful act, negligence, breach of contract, or breach of warranty causes the loss of an unborn child, while also preserving existing protections for lawful medical care and the mother. Members questioned the bill extensively about the meaning of “survivors,” whether it could reach surrogacy situations, friends or family who assist someone in obtaining abortion care, paternity issues, and whether abusive or unqualified fathers could bring claims. The sponsor repeatedly said the bill is limited to parents, does not authorize suits against the mother or lawful medical providers, and would still require the normal wrongful death procedures, including appointment of a personal representative. He cited Duncan v. Flynn as the case holding that current law does not allow recovery for the death of an unborn child. Representative Gottlieb offered an amendment modeled on criminal-law protections, aimed at expanding explicit immunity for a pregnant woman and for persons providing medical care or abortion-related conduct with consent. Supporters of the amendment said it would better align civil law with criminal protections; opponents argued it was overly broad and could shield unlicensed conduct. The amendment failed on a voice vote. Public testimony was divided, with supporters from pro-life and Catholic organizations backing the bill and some asking to remove the health care exemption, while opponents from ACLU, Equality Florida, Planned Parenthood affiliates, Florida Voice for the Unborn, Voices of Florida, and others warned the bill could chill reproductive health care, increase liability for doctors and hospitals, and invite lawsuits involving surrogates, family members, and abortion-related care. In debate, supporters said the bill simply recognizes the value of unborn children and gives parents a remedy for wrongful loss, while opponents argued it could create unintended consequences in family law, surrogacy, IVF, and medical practice, and could empower abusive partners or rapists. After closing remarks, the committee voted 13 yeas and 3 nays to report PCS for HB 289 favorably. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of negligence. Simple UT eyes.
• This leaves taxpayers paying for negligent care that caused S today.
• , negligence that caused the death of many constituents of this very Senate negligence that has allowed
• His marital status of concern to the negligent physicians but not to death.
• Medical negligence is not one size fits all caps are Medical negligence is not one size fits all caps

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If you don't want to be sued, don't be negligent. It's that simple.
• Sometimes bad outcomes are due to medical negligence.
• It reduces accountability for negligent medical providers.
• But there's negligence, and there's gross negligence, and people deserve to be compensated the same as
• But there is also negligence.

Summary: The Civil Justice and Claims Subcommittee considered one bill, HB 603, which would repeal section 768.21(8), the Florida medical negligence wrongful death exception often referred to by supporters as the “Free Kill” law. The sponsor argued the current statute unfairly bars certain families—especially adult children or parents of unmarried adults without minor children—from recovering non-economic damages when a loved one dies from medical negligence, while such damages are available in other wrongful death cases. Supporters, including family members, AARP, and some legal advocates, testified that the law is discriminatory and denies equal access to justice for grieving families and vulnerable adults. Opponents, including physicians, hospital and insurer representatives, and business groups, argued that repeal would increase malpractice exposure, raise premiums, worsen access to care, and accelerate physician retirements or departures from Florida. Several urged that if the bill moves forward, it should be paired with caps on non-economic damages to balance the impact on the health care system. Supporters countered that negligence must still be proven, that the law creates unequal treatment, and that existing tort reforms have not lowered premiums. The sponsor closed by rejecting claims that the bill is “jackpot justice” and emphasizing that families deserve court access and accountability. After debate, the committee voted on HB 603 and passed it 16-2. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• If an employee is found grossly negligent or involved in the backdating of documents to hide fraud, they
• If an employee is found grossly negligent or involved in the backdating of documents to hide fraud, they
• If an employee is found grossly negligent or involved in the backdating of documents to hide fraud, they
• <00:03:52.560> or employee is found grossly negligent or employee is found grossly negligent
• <00:14:49.680> allowing intentionally or negligently allowing intentionally or negligently

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• because we negligently hired this coach, we negligently trained this coach, and we negligently retained
• because we negligently hired this coach, we negligently trained this coach, and we negligently retained
• We negligently trained this coach, and we negligently retained this coach, and so therefore we're negligence
• Because everything is becoming a negligent retention, negligent supervision, negligent training case.
• Just tighten up your negligence. Don't commit negligence against me or my constituents.

Summary: The subcommittee first heard HB 6507, a claims bill for Marcus Button, who suffered severe permanent injuries in a 2006 school bus crash. Representative Andrade explained that a jury awarded Button more than $2 million in 2009, but only a small amount was paid under sovereign immunity limits. He said Pasco County later reached a settlement with Button, but believed it lacked legal authority to pay without legislative approval. The bill would give the county that authority. There was no opposition testimony, and the bill passed unanimously, 18-0. The committee then took up HB 301, which would substantially revise Florida’s sovereign immunity framework. Representative McFarland said the bill would raise liability caps for state and local governments from $200,000/$300,000 to $1 million/$3 million, with a later increase in 2030, align statutes of limitations with private suits, allow governments to settle above the caps without a claims bill, and prevent insurance policies from conditioning payment on legislative approval. She framed the bill as a way to reduce the need for the claims bill process and provide faster redress to injured people. Testimony on HB 301 was sharply divided. Local governments, school districts, counties, cities, hospital groups, and insurance representatives opposed the bill, arguing the higher caps would sharply increase insurance and taxpayer costs, especially for small or fiscally constrained entities, and that the claims bill process and special masters provide useful review and leverage. Supporters, including the Florida Justice Association and several members, argued the current system is too slow and political, leaves seriously injured people waiting years for compensation, and should be modernized to better hold government accountable. No vote was taken on HB 301 in the portion of the meeting provided.