Transcript Highlights:

• We also know that since federal decisions and federal cuts, both to Medicaid and reproductive health,
• Senator Bateman, you mentioned federal cuts.
• Federal level.
• Instead, it ensures Washington is prepared to act immediately when federal waivers are granted or federal
• Prepared to act immediately when federal waivers are granted or federal law changes.

Bills: SB6258 , SB6182 , SB5947 , SJR8206 , SB5823 , SB6292

Committee: Senate Health & Long-Term Care

Keywords: Washington Medical Commission, medical license, license relinquishment, voluntary surrender, nondisciplinary pathway, physician regulation, health professional licensing, disciplinary database, National Practitioner Data Bank, license renewal, license reinstatement, medical board, professional discipline, credential surrender, healthcare regulation, abortion, reproductive health, pregnancy termination, clinic access, abortion access fund

Transcript Highlights:

• To qualify for Medicaid in Florida today, a parent must earn less than 28% of the federal poverty level
• To qualify for Medicaid in Florida today, a parent must earn less than 28% of the federal poverty level
• Specifically, the bill allows veterans with incomes of up to 400 percent of the federal poverty level
• Veterans with incomes of up to 400% of the federal poverty level qualify for assistance through the program
• Vows veterans with incomes of up to 400% of the federal poverty level to qualify for assistance through

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opening prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, and doctor-of-the-day introduction, then moved through a long special-order calendar. Early proceedings included a resolution honoring former Governor and U.S. Senator Bob Graham and a moment of silence for firefighter Roger Timmy Miley. The chamber also heard several member introductions and recognitions before taking up bills. The most substantial debate centered on CS/CS/SB 1758 on public assistance and Medicaid/SNAP reforms. The bill would strengthen fraud enforcement, impose a Medicaid work requirement for able-bodied adults, expand behavioral health services through a waiver, modernize Medicaid pharmacy purchasing, and require a SNAP fraud-reduction plan and photo ID on EBT cards. Senators Berman, Smith, Bracy Davis, Osgood, and others argued for Medicaid expansion and added protections for vulnerable SNAP recipients, while Gates defended the bill as a compliance and cost-saving measure. Multiple amendments were offered, including Berman’s Medicaid-expansion condition and Osgood’s SNAP photo-ID safeguards; both were defeated. The bill was placed on the calendar for third reading after extended questioning. The Senate then passed a series of bills, often substituting House companions before final vote. These included tax conformity legislation (7031/7048), technology and computer science education (1503/1694), Parkinson’s disease registry and related public-records measures (1443/1684), designation of the SS American Victory as the official state flagship (249/1656), electronic payments for local governments (967/1612), legal tender and related public-records exemptions for gold, silver, stablecoins, and virtual currency kiosks (1311/1588/1087/7044/1568), local government finance and spending transparency (1329/1566), digital voyeurism (1536), insurance customer representative licensing (1343/1504), and medical freedom legislation (1756) with amendments on anti-kickback rules and vaccine information materials. Most bills passed on largely party-line or near-unanimous votes, with several amendments adopted and some withdrawn; the medical freedom bill was still under consideration at the end of the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• As shared during your 2023 bonding tour to FODA, we are leveraging every federal and local dollar we
• </c><00:53:28.319><c> and</c><00:53:28.640><c> local</c> leveraging every federal and local leveraging
• I wish there was some federal money that would get into this because it helps both sides of the river
• </c><00:58:01.520><c> get</c><00:58:01.680><c> into</c><00:58:01.920><c> this</c> federal money that
• Our poverty rate is 20%, and the average travel time for work is 40 minutes.

Bills: HF568 , HF433 , HF1689 , HF3135 , HF3137 , HF3145 , HF2887 , HF2819 , HF2802 , HF2664 , HF2267 , HF799 , HF800 , HF3049 , HF296 , HF580 , HF1438 , HF1237

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• He had a federal conviction that was a disqualifier.
• He had a a federal who did exactly that.
• He had a a federal conviction<00:15:07.519><c> that</c><00:15:07.680><c> was</c><00:15:07.839><c> a</
• <00:32:41.840><c> in</c><00:32:42.240><c> child</c><00:32:42.640><c> protection</c> poverty in child
• protection poverty in child protection cases.<00:32:44.559><c> Advocates</c><00:32:45.039><c> had</c>

Bills: HF2233 , HF1524 , HF1893 , HF1396 , HF2456 , HF2959 , HF2300 , HF2412 , HF3022 , HF2825 , HF1862 , HF1373 , HF1039 , HF3070

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Transcript Highlights:

• Fix the poverty wages that force people to work themselves into exhaustion just to survive.
• I'm a policy associate with the Southern Poverty Law Center.
• That's something you supported for the federal court.
• That's something you supported for the federal court.
• Vance documented in his book, Hillbilly Elegy, Generations of Poverty and Disinvestment.

Bills: SB116 , SB121 , SB130 , SB407

Committee: Senate Senate & Governmental Affairs

Keywords: redistricting, congressional districts, Louisiana, 2020 census, elections, precincts, voting, election, political representation, 2026 precincts, demographics, Louisiana congressional map, U.S. House, election districts, precinct shapefiles, Voting Districts, VTD, 2020 Census, 2026 Precinct Shapefiles, apportionment

Transcript Highlights:

• , um, the places where the federal guidelines have some leeway.
• , um, the places where the federal guidelines have some leeway.
• </c> the federal guidelines have some leeway. the federal guidelines have some leeway.
• <00:36:50.720><c> guidelines</c><00:36:51.359><c> allow</c><00:36:51.760><c> self</c> federal guidelines
• allow self federal guidelines allow self attestation?

Committee: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• To qualify for Medicaid in Florida today, a parent must earn less than 28% of the federal poverty level
• Specifically, the bill allows veterans with incomes of up to 400 percent of the federal poverty level
• Vets veterans with incomes of up to 400% of the federal poverty level to qualify for assistance through
• Specifically, the bill allows veterans with incomes of up to 400 percent of the federal poverty level
• Vows veterans with incomes of up to 400% of the federal poverty level to qualify for assistance through

Transcript Highlights:

• I do have a question regarding federal preemption.
• We see this as very likely federally preempted.
• And my federally chartered credit unions do not enjoy the same strength under the Federal Credit Union
• We have tried other reforms at the federal level and across other states.
• Robert Harrell, with the Consumer Federation of California.

Summary: The Assembly Banking and Finance Committee heard several bills, beginning with AB 407, which would expand the California Pollution Control Financing Authority. The author said the measure would increase flexibility and access to resources, and the bill was approved 7-0 and sent to the Committee on Local Government. The committee also adopted the consent calendar, which included AB 76, by a 7-0 vote. A lengthy portion of the meeting focused on AB 1065, which would prohibit swipe fees on the sales tax portion of credit card transactions. Supporters, including small business owners, restaurant and grocery representatives, and a payments-policy expert, argued the bill would reduce costs for merchants and consumers and rein in dominant card networks. Opponents, including banks, credit unions, and payment industry groups, argued the bill is likely preempted by federal law, would be difficult to implement, and could disproportionately affect community banks and credit unions. After extensive questioning about preemption, fraud, implementation, and consumer impacts, the committee rejected the bill on a 6-0 vote, but then granted reconsideration by a 7-1 vote. The committee then heard AB 1365, which would create the Cal Account Program, a zero-fee, zero-penalty state banking account for unbanked and underbanked Californians. Supporters said the program would help low-income households, survivors of abuse, and others facing barriers to traditional banking, while opponents from community banks and credit unions argued existing low-cost accounts and the Bank On program already address the need and raised concerns about cost, feasibility, and duplication. The bill advanced on a 6-0 vote and later received enough votes on the reopened roll to move forward to the Committee on Labor and Employment. The committee also approved AB 1052, which would create a legal framework for digital assets and address unclaimed digital property and restrictions on public officials issuing or promoting digital assets, and AB 1180, which would create a pilot program for paying state fees with digital financial assets and require a report on broader adoption. Both bills passed with broad support after brief testimony and discussion. Final roll calls later confirmed AB 1052 and AB 1180, along with AB 407 and AB 1365, were moved out of committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the things that our office is also working on is we've applied for two separate federal grants
• I know the president has been working on these initiatives as well at the federal level.
• Below the poverty level. I step in and I help everywhere I can with my son.
• We ought to handle it at the federal level. Anyway, that was my comment, Mr. Acting Chairman.
• We ought to handle it at the federal level. Anyway, that was my comment, Mr. Acting Chairman.

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Summary: The committee first adopted the minutes from several prior 2025 meetings, then took up HB 574 by Rep. Spell, which updates the names of two organizations on the Mental Health Advocacy Service Board of Trustees. Rep. Spell explained it as a technical cleanup bill to correct the names of the Louisiana Mental Health Association and the Louisiana State Medical Society so the board’s membership records match current organization names. With no objections, HB 574 was reported favorably. The committee then heard HB 486, also by Rep. Spell, to join the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PsyPact) and allow Louisiana psychologists to provide telepsychology and temporary in-person services across state lines. Rep. Spell and PsyPact representatives said the compact would expand access to mental health care, especially in rural areas, while maintaining standards and disciplinary oversight. The committee adopted amendments on fees and the effective date, and HB 486 was reported favorably with amendments. HB 198 by Rep. Eccles proposed a Medicaid reimbursement methodology for ambulatory surgical centers, using a Medicare-based rate to improve access for Medicaid patients needing specialty procedures. Amendments were adopted to add ophthalmology-related services and to cap reimbursement at the lesser of the outpatient hospital rate or 100% of the Medicaid rate, along with a technical amendment to address the fiscal note. Supporters from GI and ASC groups said the bill would improve access and lower long-term costs, and the bill was reported favorably with amendments. The committee spent the most time on HB 182 by Rep. Travis Johnson, which would require hospitals to ensure access to sexual assault forensic exams and related training. Johnson, law enforcement witnesses, and the Attorney General’s office emphasized the need for timely evidence collection, especially in rural areas, and said the current system leaves victims traveling long distances or losing evidence. Hospital and coroner witnesses supported the goal but opposed the bill as written, arguing it could impose duties on hospitals without enough trained personnel, funding, or a workable statewide training and coordination system; they urged a statewide coordinator, mobile SANE units, and clearer implementation. The bill was not finally disposed of in the portion of the meeting provided, and members discussed continuing to work on amendments and timing before floor consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• are now gaining substantial interest, which is far more than the nominal interest standards set by federal
• of the fact that 2.7 We also are mindful of the fact that 2.7 million families in Florida live in poverty
• Scott Madiow, waiving in support, Personal Insurance Federation of Florida.
• Scott Maddial, waiving support, personal insurance federation of Florida.
• Madiow, Waving Support Personal Insurance Federation of Florida, and Matthew Posgay, TNC insurance, oh

Committee: Senate Banking and Insurance

Summary: The committee heard several bills and amendments, beginning with CS/SB 498 on trust fund interest for IOTA accounts. The sponsor said a 2023 Florida Supreme Court rule sharply increased interest paid into legal aid funding, creating a windfall and making participation difficult for banks. An amendment was adopted requiring savings institutions to pay the higher of 0.25% or the highest comparable rate offered on certain non-IOTA accounts, and the bill then passed favorably after testimony from banks, legal aid representatives, and other stakeholders both supporting and opposing the measure. The committee also approved CS/SB 232, which clarifies Florida’s consumer collection law applies only to phone calls during restricted hours and not emails or text messages, after a delete-all amendment and supportive testimony from industry groups. It then approved SB 132, as amended, to designate gold and silver as legal tender and set rules for custody, audits, electronic transfer, and government acceptance of payments; supporters called it a sound-money measure, while the banking association said it still had unresolved technical concerns. Later, the committee passed SB 1466 to create a trust fund for the My Safe Florida Home Program, with an amendment funding it from 20% of collected insurance premium tax revenue. It also considered SB 1206 on transportation network company insurance, reducing coverage during the “dead-leg” period before a rider is picked up from $1 million to lower limits; the bill drew sharp opposition from trial lawyers and support from insurers and some business groups, and the committee adopted a clarifying amendment before reporting the bill favorably. Finally, CS/SB 924 on fertility preservation for cancer patients was amended several times to narrow scope and clarify coverage rules, then passed favorably after debate over cost, preauthorization, and post-treatment storage obligations. The committee adjourned after allowing technical and conforming changes to implement the adopted amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the mid-1800s, big U.S. cities were exploding in size; crime, poverty, and overcrowding created chaos
• could coalesce together and get a group of people to fight for the injustices of those big cities, of poverty
• /c><00:20:35.920><c> of</c> injustices of those big cities, of injustices of those big cities, of poverty
• , poverty, poverty, and<00:20:37.400><c> discrimination.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so when federal enforcement ...education equity.
• In January of 2025, the federal government or church without fear.
• example, Asian Americans live in poverty at higher rates above the county average.
• Resource rapid challenges to unlawful federal overreach.
• funding, and eliminating hundreds of federal HIV research grants.

Transcript Highlights:

• I just am trying to figure out what changed, and that was the federal guidelines.
• Because if all of them are on the federal guidelines...
• I'm just trying to figure out what is the big change, because if all of them are on the federal guidelines
• When it comes to the federal guidelines, we've added those up and they're all the same number, and I
• The federal guidelines, we've added those up and they're all the same number and types.

Committee: House House Consumer & Public Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• It sounds like federal statute applies.
• So I would I the federal government.
• It sounds like federal statute this?
• </c> trafficking, uh, helping the federal trafficking, uh, helping the federal government<04:08:47.439
• I'm a, right now, a federal, um, human trafficking expert for both the government and federal defenders

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE IS REQUESTING AN ADDITIONAL $618,391 IN ADDITIONAL BUDGET AUTHORITY AND THE FEDERAL
• UNDER THIS PROGRAM FEDERAL LAW REQUIRES THAT STATE MEDICAID PROGRAMS MAKE PAYMENTS TO CERTAIN QUALIFIED
• REPRESENTATIVE ANDRADE YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> DOES THE AGENCY ANTICIPATE ANY CURRENT OR POTENTIAL FEDERAL
• POVERTY LEVEL.
• FLORIDA KID CARE IS JOINTLY FINANCED WITH STATE AND FEDERAL FUNDS.

Transcript Highlights:

• , affordability challenges, and also keeping tabs on housing policy innovations and trends at the federal
• This is a revenue-neutral policy, which is a particular note given the reality of federal cuts and the
• threat of corporate tax cuts to our state. ...which is a particular note given the reality of federal
• Instability and chaos from the federal government are leading working families to the brink.
• It's poverty by America.

Summary: The Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions held a public hearing on Initiative Petition 25-21, House Bill 508, an act to protect tenants by limiting rent increases. Committee leaders explained the Article 48 initiative process and said the hearing was intended to gather testimony for a report to the legislature. The measure would replace current state law that prohibits rent control, cap annual rent increases at the lower of CPI or 5%, exempt certain properties including owner-occupied buildings of four or fewer units, subsidized, university, nonprofit, and short-term rental housing, and exempt new construction for 10 years. It would also eliminate vacancy decontrol, so limits would continue when units turn over, and enforcement would rely largely on tenants and the Attorney General through the courts. The hearing began with expert testimony from Whitney Airgood-Obrien of Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies, who described Massachusetts’ severe rental affordability problems and reviewed research on rent regulation, noting mixed evidence on supply and quality effects but clearer evidence that rent regulation can slow rent growth and improve tenant stability. Supporters of the petition, led by Carolyn Chow of Homes for All Massachusetts, argued that rent stabilization is needed now to curb displacement and runaway rent increases, especially for low- and moderate-income renters. Laura Frost described her Arlington building being bought by a large firm that sought steep rent hikes, and said rent control would help prevent “tenant flipping” and community displacement. Dave Foley of SEIU Local 509 said the issue affects workers’ ability to live near their jobs, while Dr. Mark Paul and Tram Huang argued that the evidence supports well-designed rent stabilization, that vacancy decontrol encourages displacement, and that the policy should be seen as a complement to new housing production rather than a substitute. Committee members questioned supporters about the 10-year new construction exemption, the lack of vacancy decontrol, and whether rent stabilization could discourage development; supporters responded that the measure targets corporate rent gouging, that small landlords are protected by exemptions, and that production and rent stabilization can coexist. Opponents, including representatives of small property owners, chambers of commerce, and labor/building trades, argued the proposal would hurt small landlords, reduce investment, and slow housing production. They said operating costs such as taxes, insurance, and maintenance are rising faster than the proposed cap, and warned that the measure would reduce property values and tax revenue and could push investment to other states. Several opponents emphasized that many Massachusetts housing providers are mom-and-pop owners rather than large corporations, and said the policy would make it harder to maintain and improve housing. Committee members pressed both sides on the need for a middle ground between affordability and preserving development incentives, but no vote was taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> approved um under the ARPA guidelines. approved um under the ARPA guidelines.
• The specific guidelines is universal through all those entities.
• </c> they have a certain set of guidelines they have a certain set of guidelines that<00:13:25.680><c
• The specific guidelines &gt;&gt; Yes, they did.
• </c> federal match. Correct. federal match. Correct. &gt;&gt; Yes. &gt;&gt; Yes. &gt;&gt; Yes.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• We also, again, working with the federal entities is really important.
• What happened was he was also sentenced federally.
• Then he got pardoned by the federal government.
• The way a federal pardon works, you're pardoned for your federal charges.
• So he was pardoned from the federal charges.

Committee: All TASK FORCE ON AUTISM

Summary: The meeting began with approval of the June 4 minutes and then heard an update from the Attorney General’s office on Medicaid fraud investigations, including ABA-related fraud concerns. Justin Brasher explained how the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigates providers using credible allegations, hotline tips, data mining, subpoenas, surveillance, and federal partnerships, and described the choice between civil and criminal cases. He cited examples such as impossible-hours billing, caregiver fraud, DME fraud, and updates on the Brian Hyatt and Joseph Schwartz cases. Members asked about ABA fraud and safeguards; Brasher said the office is aware of the federal ABA fraud toolkit and emphasized that investigations require a credible allegation so legitimate services are not disrupted. Representative Clowney clarified that the examples discussed were Medicaid fraud generally, not ABA-specific cases. The committee then heard extensive testimony from Rachel Dodson and ABA provider Jessica Linnehan about Dodson’s nine-year-old daughter, Ella Grace, who has autism and multiple medical conditions. Dodson described how ABA has helped Ella improve communication, school participation, safety, hygiene, and medication management, but said insurance denials and reduced authorization hours are now the biggest barrier to care. Linnehan explained the authorization process, saying insurers often issue unclear denials, caregivers are excluded from physician review calls, and delays or partial approvals can interrupt services. She said Ella’s current plan was reduced to 25 hours per week despite the family requesting 34 hours, and argued that children should not have to regress before receiving higher-intensity care. Dodson and Linnehan also cited CASP guidance supporting higher-intensity ABA when safety concerns are present. Representatives from DHS and Empower Healthcare Solutions responded that Medicaid ABA services are covered through the PASSEs and fee-for-service, that Empower uses InterQual medical-necessity criteria, and that care coordinators help families but do not make clinical determinations. DHS said it is working on clearer ABA-related notices and a new policy/manual that is moving toward public comment and later legislative review. Members discussed whether the issue should be added to the task force’s legislative priorities, but several said they had not yet seen the draft priorities. The committee ultimately approved a motion to have the chairs finalize the report before submission to the General Assembly, then voted to expunge that vote after members objected to voting without reviewing the document. The meeting ended with a plan to circulate the draft by email and reconvene before the report deadline later in the month.

Transcript Highlights:

• about this particular bill, it's mirroring the Prison Litigation Reform Act, the PLRA, which is a federal
• And we need to realize just recently in the federal court, the DEP was accused of and found guilty of
• And what this does is it requires AHCA to apply for federal approval for the Medicaid waiver that is
• These must be adjusted slightly to comply with state and federal training requirements, which require
• This bill revises the definition of economically disadvantaged from 150% of the federal poverty level

Summary: The committee met and first reported favorably CS for SB 1782, which creates a new offense for dangerous excessive speeding, with support noted from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida PBA. It also reported favorably CS for SB 306, which addresses Medicaid managed care provider network access by requiring after-hours and holiday appointment availability and a minimum level of primary care participation. CS for SB 716, imposing mandatory minimum sentences for certain sexual offenses committed by registered sex offenders or predators, and CS for SB 1084, expanding protections against non-consensual dissemination of intimate images and digitally forged intimate images, were also approved. The committee then approved CS for CS for SB 1604, a corrections package that would require prepayment of court costs for certain inmate lawsuits, shorten the limitations period for confinement-condition claims, allow consecutive sentencing in some cases, and revise mental health treatment procedures in correctional settings. Members discussed constitutional concerns and access-to-courts issues, but the bill was reported favorably. CS for CS for SB 1804, which creates a capital offense for trafficking a child 12 or younger or a mentally incapacitated person for sexual exploitation, drew extensive debate and opposition from the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and Floridaans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty; despite objections about constitutionality and ethics, it was reported favorably. The committee also approved CS for SB 1838, expanding protections for court officials against tampering, harassment, and retaliation, and CS for CS for SB 890, the Emily Adkins Family Protection Act, which creates a statewide VTE registry and requires blood clot screening and training in hospitals and care facilities. Members and public witnesses spoke in strong support of the blood clot bill, including family members and survivors. Finally, the committee reported favorably CS for SB 1252, directing FDLE to study a statewide pawn data database, CS for SB 468, increasing penalties for fleeing or eluding law enforcement and allowing vehicle impoundment, CS for SB 490, expanding off-duty concealed carry eligibility for correctional officers and correctional probation officers, and CS for SB 572, the Pam Rock Act on dangerous dogs, which was amended to refine enclosure, confiscation, euthanasia, and insurance requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• How do we build around the guardrails and guidelines to make sure that we have the transparency to ensure
• There's a federal system that also looks out for consumer protections, but it's been in the headlines
• It doesn't impact us there, and at the federal level prior to the Consumer... those and the success we've
• to make sure that we have the guidelines to make sure that we have the transparency<00:04:30.560><c>
• Senator, we've talked about what the state can do, we've talked about the federal agency.