Transcript Highlights:

• Remote location pursuant to Rule 40.7. Senators Carlson and Mann.
• ,</c><00:58:52.960><c> our</c> It is adding one more location, our It is adding one more location, our
• </c><01:08:51.199><c> throughout</c> complex and new locations throughout complex and new locations throughout
• . contracts. contracts.
• </c><02:18:52.160><c> to</c> we're talking about public contracts to we're talking about public contracts

Transcript Highlights:

• We have 24 colleges, right, so 130 locations?
• </c> colleges right so 130 locations colleges right so 130 locations &gt;&gt; so<00:48:09.760><c> what
• Eli Lilly started with 300 locations, and they trimmed that location down to three.
• <c> trimmed</c><00:58:35.599><c> that</c><00:58:35.760><c> location</c> locations and they trimmed that
• location locations and they trimmed that location down<00:58:36.480><c> to</c><00:58:36.720><c> three

Transcript Highlights:

• Contract increases in $16.1 million offset rising food service costs, driven by inflation and increased
• So Section 150 prohibits state agencies from contracting with any organization who...
• Section 150 prohibits state agencies from contracting with any organization who employ media reliability
• I see a provision in here that says that we are basically extending the plan contract from six years
• Does it make it harder for us to hold them accountable if we extend this to a 10-year contract?

Summary: The Senate took up the conference report on House Bill 501E, the General Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2026-27, with Chair Hooper and the appropriations chairs walking through the $114.5 billion budget. Major highlights included pay increases for state law enforcement, firefighters, park rangers, and correctional officers; funding for teacher salary increases and K-12 enrollment stabilization; workforce and university funding in higher education; major Medicaid, nursing home, waiver, and opioid-related investments in health and human services; corrections and prison-capacity funding; transportation, housing, and emergency management spending; and large environmental appropriations for Florida Forever, Everglades restoration, and water quality projects. Members then asked detailed questions about specific items. Senators pressed on the Hamilton Center at UF, the difference between assistant state attorney and public defender pay, declining student enrollment funding, private school scholarship vouchers, mental health funding in schools, the lack of preeminence funding, APD’s iBudget waiver wait list and provider rates, ADAP premium assistance and the return of Biktarvy to the formulary, prison staffing and air conditioning, Florida Forever land-buying versus easements, SNAP and Sun Bucks funding, Hope Florida, election audit funding, and the IDD managed care program. Chairs generally explained the negotiated compromises, noted where funding was flat or omitted, and in several cases said items would be revisited next year or depended on agency implementation. Several senators used debate to praise the budget while also criticizing major policy choices. Leader Berman argued the state should have expanded Medicaid, invested more in public schools instead of vouchers, and accepted federal summer EBT funds. Other senators highlighted local wins such as Biscayne Bay restoration, Tri-Rail, housing assistance, ADAP funding, and declining enrollment support. The transcript ends with debate remarks thanking Chair Hooper for his work on the budget; no final vote is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have group home contracts with a couple of places, Vera Lloyd, Consolidated Youth Services are the
• We have group home contracts with a couple of places, Vera Lloyd, Consolidate Youth Services are the
• The regions are divided up, and we have contracts with them.
• We brought to you a few months ago a contract with Care Solace, a care coordination company.
• And so through our Care Solace contract, we're really trying to help identify that.

Summary: The Senate and House Joint Committee on Children and Youth met to approve prior minutes, confirm Representative Mary Bentley to the Child Maltreatment Investigations Oversight Committee, and receive several presentations. The Arkansas Infant and Child Death Review team reported on unexpected child deaths in Arkansas, saying its 2023 review covered 148 of 170 non-natural deaths, with the remainder unavailable due to criminal investigations or missing records. Of the reviewed deaths, 69 were accidents, 14 suicides, 18 homicides, and 47 undetermined, and members discussed how the report’s recommendations could be used by agencies and nonprofits for prevention work and grant applications. Committee members also asked about age breakdowns and how the data could be shared without identifying individual cases. The committee then took up HCR 1010 and a broader discussion of juvenile justice reform. Representative Shepard said the resolution was intended to confront data on juvenile incarceration and system outcomes. Senator Missy Irvin, judges Troy Braswell and Kathy Hess, and AOC Juvenile Division Director Burke Steen described the state’s long-running reform efforts, including the SAVRY risk assessment, diversion programs, and efforts to keep more youth in their communities. They said the reforms have reduced delinquency filings, DYS commitments, and revocations, while increasing diversions, but also emphasized ongoing gaps in mental health, substance abuse, and school-based supports. Members raised concerns about school data sharing, behavioral health access, and how to better identify youth with disabilities or trauma earlier. Judge Braswell and others stressed that many youth in the system have significant trauma, family instability, or unmet treatment needs, and that judges need individualized information to make decisions. Several members discussed the role of schools, the school safety dashboard, and the need for stronger community providers, especially in rural areas. The committee then heard from DYS Director Michael Crump, who provided data on commitments, facility use, demographics, offense levels, length of stay, education outcomes, recidivism, dual DCFS/DYS custody, and costs. He said commitments rose after the pandemic and then began to decline, while secure and detention costs increased with the need for more beds; he also noted that most youth in custody have behavioral health needs and that DYS works closely with DCFS, courts, and providers. No final action was taken on HCR 1010 during the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• The defibrillator must be available in a clearly marked and publicized location.
• The defibrillator must be available in a clearly marked and publicized location.
• The location must be registered with the local emergency medical service director.
• The officer's information about how to locate them and their family would continue to be confidential
• Senate Bill 1076 expands the scope of work allowable for a roofing contractor, creates some contract

Summary: The Senate convened with an opening prayer by Rabbi Moshe Umatz, the Pledge of Allegiance led by pages, and several introductions and recognitions, including guests from Miami Northwestern Senior High School, Clay County, and a moment of silence for Pope Francis. The chamber then moved to the special order calendar after a motion to reconsider SB 1080, which was temporarily postponed. Several bills were also set aside during the day, including measures on social media use by minors, veterans’ nursing homes, Parkinson’s disease, mental health and substance use disorders, education, educator preparation, and school social workers. The Senate passed a series of bills, often substituting House companions for Senate bills. These included funding for expedited DNA testing grants for local law enforcement (SB 1072/HB 847), additional aggravating factors in capital cases involving religious, school, or government gatherings (SB 984/HB 693), fertility preservation coverage for cancer patients (SB 924/HB 677), commuter rail indemnification for Miami-Dade and Broward counties (SB 916/HB 867), restrictions on disposing of migrant vessels in Florida waters (SB 830), specialty license plates including Miami Northwestern and several colleges and institutions (SB 824), an Alzheimer’s and dementia awareness campaign (SB 398), relocation of the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys to Florida Memorial University (SB 364), charter school changes allowing parent conversion and municipal job-engine charter schools (SB 140), sex offender registration reporting changes (SB 1654/HB 1351), penalties for assaulting utility workers (SB 1386), juvenile justice revisions and truancy process updates (SB 1344), reporting of student mental health outcomes (SB 1310/HB 969), foster home license transfer simplification (SB 1174/HB 989), water access facility funding and boating industry incentives (SB 1162/HB 735), Florida Virtual School operational changes (SB 1122), school readiness program support for children with disabilities (SB 1102), sexual image offenses involving minors (SB 1180/HB 757), age-related defenses in child sex offense cases (SB 1136/HB 777), tampering with electronic monitoring devices (SB 1054/HB 437), certified recovery residences and local zoning accommodations (SB 954), and the FSU Election Law Center (SB 892). Most of these bills passed with strong bipartisan support, though SB 984 and SB 140 drew some opposition. One of the most extensive debates centered on SB 820, codifying the Office of Faith and Community. Senator Polsky offered an amendment to bar political activity by office staff, citing emails and campaign-related communications tied to Amendment 4; the amendment failed on a 13-23 vote. Senators then debated the bill’s relationship to state election law, free speech, and the role of faith-based outreach. Supporters emphasized the office’s service network and reported benefits to children and families, while some senators raised concerns about interfaith representation and political use of government resources. The bill was then read a third time and the Senate proceeded toward a final vote as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• When the contract is over, he's free and clear.
• When the person signs a contract.
• </c> contract is over, he's free and clear. contract is over, he's free and clear.
• Currently, our highway patrol location.
• </c> one location. one location.

Bills: HB0026 , HB0042 , HB0067 , HB0069

Committee: House Transportation, Highways & Military Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• And the reason I'm asking<00:30:45.200><c> this</c> asking this goes back to the proposal to locate an
• RFP and we contracted with a nonprofit<01:02:40.240><c> in</c><01:02:40.400><c> New</c><01:02:40.559
• , and we were told those five locations were identified. >> Question.
• locations.
• Go up, Mike. five locations were identified report five locations were identified report that<01:17:00.320

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of this argument stems from location to extremely rule on a lot of these.
• The Class A, I believe, has parameters in there on where that's located and location.
• The Class A, I believe, has parameters in there on where that's located and location.
• forced to indemnify the state before their work even begins or as a condition of being awarded the contract
• forced to indemnify the state before their work even begins or as a condition of being awarded the contract

Summary: The House convened after a quorum call and received a Senate message refusing to concur in House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 994, leading the House to refuse to recede and appoint a conference committee. The chamber then reconsidered and amended Senate Bill 1019, stripping out earlier language and replacing it with a narrower substitute amendment focused on Lyme disease and alpha-gal, before giving the bill third read and passage. Members also adopted Senate Substitute for House Bill 1740, known as Melanie’s Law, after extensive debate about ignition interlock devices, affordability for low-income drivers, and the bill’s goal of reducing drunk-driving deaths; it passed overwhelmingly after emotional testimony from sponsors and family members affected by impaired driving. The House next passed Senate Bill 1033, which included a DNR solvency fix and agriculture provisions affecting farm truck inspections and cotton gin permitting/air-dispersion modeling. Supporters said it would help keep environmental programs solvent and better align Missouri rules with neighboring states, while some members raised concerns about future funding and EPA oversight. The chamber then passed Senate Bill 916, which limits contractor indemnity obligations before work begins or after final acceptance on public projects while preserving liability for contractor negligence; supporters said it would reduce costs and protect contractors from being sued before mobilization, while one member objected to expanding immunity language for MoDOT-related agents. The House also adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 21, encouraging Missouri participation in America 250 celebrations in 2026. Later, it adopted a conference committee report on House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 975, described as restoring a local-state system and giving local districts options for organizing and electing board members. The session ended with announcements about committee meetings and a motion to stand at recess until additional conference committee reports and Senate bills were ready, with adjournment set for the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB40 by Schofield relating to the authority of sheriffs and constables to enter into contracts to provide
• HB192 by Oliverson relating to the funding of contracting with and employment of four law enforcement
• there is no requirement for a youth camp to share with parents or guardians when the facility is located
• in a floodway and a camp located in a floodplain.
• We need to make sure that as we ask these camps to have evacuation plans, they are located in places

Bills: HB1 , HB2 , HB3 , HB5 , HB20 , HB22 , HB1 , HB2 , HB3 , HB5 , HB20 , HB22

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:31:32.320><c> at</c> 916 uh Mame Academy is co-located at 916 uh Mame Academy is co-located at
• within the athletic venue or located within a 1- to 3-minute walk of the athletic venue.
• within the athletic venue or located within a 1- to 3-minute walk of the athletic venue.
• The CER plan itself is also determining where the appropriate locations are.
• </c> cancelled over $13 million in contracts cancelled over $13 million in contracts for<02:01:34.040

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• We did just sign a contract with DVS for $25,000.
• That is the same contracted third party that the Department of the VA uses.
• I don’t know the exact location.
• You have Pacheco Steele on contract for storing it, is that correct?
• Chair, what happens when the contract period of performance ends? What happens then?

Transcript Highlights:

• While we are historically based in New Orleans, we have numerous service locations along the Gulf Coast
• I also want to note that there is no state-administered portal online to help locate treatment services
• I also want to note that there is no state-administered portal online to help locate treatment services
• Now the state has no liable surety who was paid and contracted to be responsible for that defendant,
• of that obligation altogether and still collect the full premium for which they contracted for.

Committee: House Administration of Criminal Justice

Summary: The Committee on Criminal Justice met on April 14, 2026, and first handled several voluntary deferrals, including HB 343, HB 491, HB 523, HB 426, HB 439, HB 378, and later HB 1025. HB 676 by Rep. Spell, which creates the crime of fraudulent patient referrals or “body brokering,” was amended and reported favorably. Testimony from Louisiana Blue, Odyssey House, and others described the practice as exploiting vulnerable addiction and mental health patients for profit, while supporters said the bill targets organized fraud and protects patients, families, and insurers. The committee also reported HB 394 by Rep. Chenevert, which extends the conditional parole period from nine months to 24 months for offenders who must complete programming before release. Supporters, including the Louisiana Parole Project, said the change gives the parole board more flexibility and does not create new parole eligibility, while the bill was amended to remove some language tied to rehabilitation programming review. HB 622 by Rep. Coates, dealing with confidentiality and handling of criminal history records, was reported favorably after testimony that it is needed to align state law with federal FBI/CJIS requirements and tighten safeguards on background-check information. HB 396 by Rep. McMakin, concerning admissibility of autopsy photographs, was amended to apply to criminal proceedings generally and then reported favorably. HB 772 by Rep. Martinez, which modernizes notice requirements for arrest warrants by allowing electronic notice and clarifying mailing procedures, was also reported favorably despite concerns from Orleans Parish prosecutors about costs and surety liability. HB 1038 by Rep. Boyer, addressing marshal authority to issue deputy commissions and related liability/insurance issues, drew substantial testimony from marshals, city officials, and local government groups; after amendments requiring insurance coverage and clarifying funding and applicability, it was reported favorably on an 8-2 vote. HB 1025, which would have created an exception allowing reconciliation after a protective-order violation, drew strong opposition from domestic violence advocates and prosecutors and was voluntarily deferred by the author.

Transcript Highlights:

• By the A&M System, and because of its location, the airport serves as a vital lifeline during emergency
• Easterwood Airport and the RELLIS campus turn out to be pretty good locations where you can stack all
• When we are not utilizing our aircraft, we put them into that pool so that other states can contract
• We have 520 personnel located around the state in 59 offices, with 38 being staffed and equipped. to
• So, in general, when you look at where y'all are located and the growth that... y'all have seen.

Bills: SB1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 2858, state contract. HB 2870, residents of sex offenders. HB 2858, state contract.
• HB 2450, contract public worker apprentice; Commerce.
• HB 2457, public attitude supply construction, co-location; AI and Innovation.
• HB 2496, revaluations district's construction contract; Commerce.
• HB 2023, private prisons contracts prohibition; Public Safety and Law Enforcement.

Transcript Highlights:

• and the wall that's faced that you can see is the space that we've determined would be the best location
• would be the recommendation, Madam Chair, coming from the work group for both the portrait and the location
• And basically, what it would be is a request for an exemption for contracting with the artists, but also
• Madam Chair, I move the adoption of the work group's recommendation, both in location and the selection

Transcript Highlights:

• It really varies contract by contract.
• </c> it really varies contract by contract. it really varies contract by contract.
• 20% contracting goal?
• 20% contracting goal?
• 20% contracting goal?

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• do the contract or whatever.
• They got a 5-year transportation contract. The cheapest one they got was 10% per year.
• The cheapest one they got was contract.
• This is a standard requirement in most government contracts.
• </c> going to be in a very remote location going to be in a very remote location and<03:09:48.160><c>

Committee: House Election Law

Transcript Highlights:

• The services have been provided at seven different locations since back to 2015, and so that what you'll
• The services have been provided at seven different locations since back to 2015, and so that what you'll
• The services have been provided at seven different locations since back to 2015, and so that what you'll
• um and um seven different locations um and um since<00:05:26.199><c> back</c><00:05:26.400><c> to</c
• As I said, the weight loss drugs, we're finding that we had to update our managed care contracts as a

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Consider a manufacturer evaluating where to locate a new facility.
• If California requires a labor peace agreement just to act, ...where to locate a new facility.
• There will be billions in contracts let go to make sure that our region, our state, is protected.
• So the state has a contract with Equifax in order to accomplish that in the near term.
• They contract with employers who now have these employees working for them.

Summary: The Assembly Labor and Employment Committee heard several bills focused on labor standards, worker safety, and public transparency. SB 954 by Senator Blakespear would revise last year’s CEQA exemption for advanced manufacturing by adding worker protections such as prevailing wage, a skilled and trained workforce, high-road employment standards, and environmental guardrails. Supporters from labor, environmental justice, and conservation groups said the bill restores promised safeguards after SB 131, while business groups argued the added requirements would undermine the exemption and discourage investment. The committee voted 5-0 to do pass and re-refer SB 954 to Appropriations, leaving the roll open for absent members. The committee then considered SB 966 by Senator Gonzalez, which would codify refinery worker participation and safety protections adopted in 2017 after the 2012 Chevron Richmond fire. Supporters, including United Steelworkers and a former refinery worker, said the bill would preserve workers’ ability to report hazards, select representatives, and stop unsafe work, preventing future disasters. The Western States Petroleum Association opposed the bill, arguing it could be preempted by federal labor law and would add regulatory uncertainty. The committee passed SB 966 3-0 and re-referred it to Appropriations, with the roll left open. Next, SB 1203 by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas sought to modernize private security guard training, expand de-escalation instruction, strengthen accountability, and create a clearer professional pathway for the industry. The author and many security workers testified that guards are often first responders in volatile situations and need more practical training and better standards; opponents from industry and business groups warned the bill would raise costs, worsen staffing shortages, and create implementation problems, especially around third-party training and a new wage order. The committee voted 4-1 to do pass and re-refer SB 1203 to Public Safety, with one no vote and the roll left open. The committee also heard SB 1284 by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas, a transparency bill requiring DHCS to publish the names of large employers with workers enrolled in Medi-Cal and the estimated taxpayer cost. Supporters said the measure would show how low wages and unaffordable coverage shift health costs to the public, while opponents argued Medi-Cal enrollment depends on many factors and that naming employers would be misleading and amount to public shaming. After discussion, the committee voted 4-2 to do pass and re-refer SB 1284 to Appropriations, leaving the roll open. The transcript then began discussion of SB 1054 by Senator Cabaldon, which would improve workforce data collection and sharing to better evaluate job-training pathways, but the excerpt cuts off before testimony or action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• goal with nearly four months left of the contract.
• Just to be really clear, that's a deed contract that we negotiate after what happens here.
• goal with nearly four months left of the contract.
• </c> in jobs which is 80% of our contract in jobs which is 80% of our contract goal<00:59:27.599><c>
• /c><00:59:33.240><c> we</c> clear that's a deed contract that we clear that's a deed contract that we

Bills: HF500 , HF718 , HF1096 , HF1246 , HF1469

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy