Transcript Highlights:

• We have Aaron Di Petri family, Florida family voice waives in support.
• In 2024, Florida was the leader and hostile acts in 2024. Or 25 reported attacks.
• My name's pastor, Joshua Bernard, from campus Church in Pensacola, Florida.
• Dana Ferguson, Florida, Animal Control Association waives in support. >> All right.
• David Rambo, Florida Automotive Dealers Association is a proponent waive in support.

Transcript Highlights:

• Florida is leading the way and is actually ahead of a lot of the states.
• Florida is leading the way and is actually ahead of a lot of the states.
• It's not nearly as robust as what Florida has. Utah's already changed.
• As robust as what Florida has. Utah's already transitioned to something closer to the Florida bill.
• So right now, Utah and Florida are leading.

Bills: SB1052 , SB1115 , SB1118 , SB1120 , SB1121 , SB1124 , SB1171 , SB1172 , SB1174 , SB1175 , SB1214 , SB1233 , SB1235 , SB1316 , SB1345 , SB1372 , SB1399 , SB1458 , SB1494 , SB1496 , SB1564 , SB1602 , SB1621 , SB1628 , SB1630 , SB1631 , SB1668 , SB1672 , SB1814 , SB1821

Committee: House Health & Human Services

Keywords: assisted living, health care, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, physician orders, informed consent, AHCCCS, remote work, state agency, employment, public health, housing, zoning, middle housing, urban development, duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, townhomes, historic preservation, radiation protection

Transcript Highlights:

• We have over 20,000 preschoolers in Florida who are diagnosed with autism.
• And they don't live in Florida; they're over there in California.
• This neuroscience center at the University of Florida is absolutely key.
• This neuroscience center at the University of Florida is absolutely key.
• We have many institutions across the state of Florida.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the pledge, and several introductions recognizing visitors and groups in the gallery, including Moffitt Cancer Center for “Moffitt Day,” students from Lakeland Christian School, representatives from the space industry for Space Day, Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity members, licensed investigators, and local delegations from Groveland, Polk County, Auburndale, and the College of the Florida Keys. The chamber then moved to the special order calendar with Committee Substitute for Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 112, relating to children with developmental disabilities. Senator Harrell presented the bill as a major autism-focused measure aimed at earlier diagnosis and expanded services. The bill would expand autism screening and referral grants, extend Early Steps services to age four with a federal waiver, designate the University of Florida Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment as a coordinating research hub, create grants for autism-focused charter schools and summer programs, and establish a microcredential for teachers, health workers, and daycare workers serving children with autism. Senators Davis, Jones, Osgood, Duma, and Wright spoke in support while raising concerns about provider recruitment, Medicaid managed care coverage, the need for technology and research, and the importance of early intervention and adult services. Harrell closed by saying the bill was only “step one,” addressed provider and funding questions, and emphasized research and statewide coordination. The Senate passed CS/CS/SB 112 by a vote of 38-0 and then adopted a motion to waive the rules and immediately certify the bill to the House. Senators also co-introduced Senate Resolution 1856 honoring the life and legacy of Senator Geraldine Thompson, with 38 co-introducers recorded. In addition, Senate Bill 1324 by Senator Simon was withdrawn from further consideration, and the Senate adjourned until the following Wednesday.

Transcript Highlights:

• The legislature has a key role to play in reorienting this project towards success.
• In addition, we do not know whether, if faced with options and tradeoffs, the Legislature would adopt
• And we work with them in counties in Florida as well as in Nevada.
• The legislature recognized the importance of local expertise when it created the system.
• That should be the biggest concern and should be looked at by the Legislature.

Committee: House Emergency Management

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We definitely want to keep Florida the veteran-friendly state. Any other questions, members?
• And they get funding from both the Israel Airspace Company and our Florida company through Space Florida
• And keep Florida a leader in aerospace. Any other questions? All right. Thank you very much.
• We have Lindsay Pierce with Space Florida waving in support. Thank you.
• And we have Colton Maddill with the Florida Chamber of Commerce waving in support.

Summary: The Transportation and Economic Development Budget Subcommittee met with a quorum and heard two member bills. House Bill 313, by Representative Fabricio, would exempt Florida tolls for veterans who received a Purple Heart in combat and have a Purple Heart license plate. The sponsor said there are about 9,000 such plateholders in Florida and noted support from the veteran community; there was no public testimony or debate, and the bill passed unanimously. The committee then heard House Bill 793, by Representative Kendall Kuhl, which creates the Aerospace Innovation Fund to be administered by Space Florida. The sponsor described it as a $0 bill establishing a framework for collaborative aerospace R&D, workforce, commercialization, and international partnerships, with funding potentially coming from state, federal, or private sources. Space Florida and the Florida Chamber of Commerce appeared in support, and the bill also passed unanimously. After both roll calls, the committee concluded its agenda and adjourned without further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're not like Florida, Louisiana, California, where there is significant Risk where one side or the
• That's why I brought this specific bill forward is because they're asking the legislature to clarify
• So we need the legislature to belt and suspend this one and pass this bill and make sure that consumers
• I also just want to step back and say the legislature doesn't generally mandate how we design benefits
• Uh, they're certainly, uh, you know, watching what, what will happen with this legislature because what

Committee: House Insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a tremendous partnership with the University of South Florida, along with the University of Florida
• But University of Florida, South Florida has partnered with us over the summer. 375 attendees for the
• So it really keys in on the standards being met in the state of Florida.
• So it really keys in on the standards being met in the state of Florida.
• We would be over at the University of South Florida.

Summary: The Committee on Education Pre-K through 12 held a panel discussion on artificial intelligence in K-12 education. Dr. Maya Israel of the University of Florida gave an overview of AI literacy, emphasizing that AI can support personalized learning, school operations, and teacher efficiency, but also raises concerns about data privacy, overreliance, mental health, and the need for human oversight. She described the Florida K-12 AI Task Force, which has produced guidance on policy, ethics, privacy, cybersecurity, classroom integration, and professional development, and is now working on district surveys, webinars, case studies, and teacher/family resources. Superintendents Van Ayers of Hillsborough County and Kevin Hendrick of Pinellas County described district-level implementation. Hillsborough outlined a governance council, a district AI policy, and an implementation guide; it prohibits generative AI for students below eighth grade, allows limited use for older students with teacher permission and district-vetted tools, and uses models for classroom AI expectations. The district also reported growing student enrollment in AI courses, teacher training through summer academies and quick learns, and pilots with tools such as Magic School and Microsoft Copilot. Pinellas emphasized academic integrity, student data privacy, digital responsibility, and the importance of human interaction in learning; it said state assessments already limit technology use and that districts need clear governance and parent transparency. Committee members asked about whether AI improves academic performance, the risk of student dependence, the possibility of returning to more paper-based testing, and who should set guardrails. Witnesses said reliable achievement data is still limited because the technology is new, though districts reported anecdotal gains in tutoring and early literacy. They also said there is no established statewide baseline for teacher AI training yet, so districts are using professional development, stipends, and partnerships with universities to build capacity. The committee also heard from Drew Andrew of FSU’s Inspire program, who argued that industry is moving faster than schools and that education should focus on teaching how AI works, building teacher confidence, and aligning training with workforce needs. No bills were considered and the meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, which was adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• Kimberly Cox, Voices of Florida.
• Barbara Devane, Florida NOW waives in support.
• Barney Bishop, Florida Smart Justice Alliance waives in support.
• Let's do right by the children of the state of Florida. Thank you.
• God bless the great state of Florida.

Transcript Highlights:

• Florida law governing licensed funeral and cemetery service providers.
• I'm a senior at North Florida Christian School here in Tallahassee.
• So that's not just in Florida; that is across the country.
• I appreciate you bringing us into the 21st century in Florida.
• I appreciate you bringing us into the 21st century in Florida.

Committee: Senate Banking and Insurance

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our next speaker is William Smith, Florida PBA, speaking in favor. Thank you.
• So Florida would be a leader in the domestic violence arena.
• Florida NOW waves in support. Florida NOW waves in support of the bill. Thank you, Ms. Devane.
• What this does is it changes Florida statutes, which is long overdue.
• bill, we're removing that good provision of Florida law.

Summary: The Criminal Justice Committee met with several members excused and first took up SB 350, which clarifies public records protections for crime victims and extends temporary confidentiality to law enforcement officers involved in use-of-force incidents for 72 hours, with a possible written extension up to 60 days. Senator Graal said the bill was intended to align with the Florida Constitution’s victim definition and to address privacy concerns without allowing indefinite withholding. Testimony from Marsy’s Law and the Florida PBA supported the measure, though there were questions about the 60-day period. The committee reported SB 350 favorably. The committee then considered two domestic violence-related bills by Senator Berman. CS/SB 296, after a delete-all amendment, directs a study of a secure web-based alert platform that would give domestic violence victims a unique phone number and code-based emergency alert system, and it expands Florida’s address confidentiality program to dating violence victims. Several speakers, including survivors and advocates, described the need for safer ways to seek help without alerting abusers. The bill was reported favorably. CS/SB 298 similarly expanded confidentiality protections for the Haven Coordinating Council records to cover dating violence victims, and it was also reported favorably. Later, the committee heard SB 398, which updates Florida statutes by replacing the term “child pornography” with “child sexual abuse material,” including conforming changes to the offense severity ranking chart. The bill was reported favorably. The committee also heard SB 156, the Jason Raynor Act, which changes resisting-an-officer language, removes references to lawful or unlawful duty in favor of “any duties,” and adds manslaughter of a law enforcement officer to offenses requiring a life sentence. Law enforcement groups supported the bill, while the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers raised concerns about removing judicial discretion and eliminating a statutory protection against force when an officer knows an arrest is unlawful. Despite those objections, the committee reported the bill favorably. Finally, the committee approved SB 168 on public nuisances, which expands nuisance law to include gambling houses, increases penalties, allows attorney fees, and authorizes foreclosure for unpaid fees, and CS/SB 54, which after amendment focuses on medical examiner procedures and reporting related to violent offenders and toxicology/psychotropic drug review. Both bills were reported favorably. The meeting ended after members recorded additional affirmative votes and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is the sixth leading cause of death in our nation and in the state of Florida.
• This bill is really important to a lot of people here in Florida.
• Karen Morillo, waiving in support, AARP of Florida.
• The state of Florida is better for your service, and the Florida Senate is better for you being here,
• The state of Florida is better for your service, and the Florida Senate is better for you being here,

Bills: S0578

Committee: Senate Fiscal Policy

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease, Alzheimers, dementia, related dementias, brain health, early detection, diagnosis, caregiver support, elderly affairs, Department of Elderly Affairs, Department of Health, public health outreach, memory loss, cognitive decline, healthy aging, clinical trials, community resources, underserved communities, nonprofit, awareness campaign

Summary: The Committee on Fiscal Policy heard CS for SB 57A, the Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Initiative by Senator Simon. The bill would create a statewide public health awareness campaign through the Department of Elder Affairs to promote early detection and diagnosis, brain health education, awareness of research and clinical trials, and outreach to older adults and higher-risk populations, with the department contracting with nonprofits for education and awareness efforts. Senator Simon and the bill’s supporters emphasized Florida’s high Alzheimer’s prevalence and the need for public education and early intervention. John Strader, representing the Alzheimer’s Association in South Florida and speaking as a caregiver, testified in support and described how early diagnosis and recent medical advances make awareness campaigns more important. He said a local pilot campaign in Miami-Dade led to a more than 30% increase in calls to the association’s helpline. Karen Morillo of AARP Florida and Tyler Jefferson of the Alzheimer’s Association waived in support. Several senators voiced support and personal reflections on the impact of Alzheimer’s on families and caregivers. Senator Osgood asked about funding and whether the initiative would require new appropriations, and Senator Jones urged that the bill be fully funded and recognized Senator Simon’s personal connection to the issue. In closing, Senator Simon spoke emotionally about his mother’s diagnosis and the need to help families find resources earlier. The committee then approved the bill by roll call vote and reported CS for SB 57A favorably before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Both the legislature and the state have consistently recognized the importance of economic development
• The legislature, we can change... Review based on us.
• The legislature, we can change things so quickly.
• In 2007, I am responsible, and I in a group came to the legislature to pass 48, 3340.
• Florida and Arizona are two of those states.

Summary: The Senate Business, Trade, and Economic Development Committee met for its first session under the committee’s new name and heard a work session on Washington’s economic development policy from the Department of Commerce. Commerce described its Office of Economic Development and Competitiveness, including small business finance, export assistance, business attraction, and sector development work, and emphasized the need for a statewide economic development strategic plan with regular review, stakeholder input, and attention to rural and regional needs. Members asked about foreign trade offices, federal funding uncertainty, tax competitiveness, workforce programs, and the role of the Keep Washington Working program. Commerce said the state’s trade and investment efforts are valuable but face funding challenges, and that Washington must compete on more than taxes, including its business ecosystem and workforce. The committee then heard public testimony on Senate Bill 5919, which would encourage fire districts and insurers to develop voluntary incentives for wildfire mitigation best practices related to agricultural activities. The sponsor described the bill as a way to reward farmers for practices such as defensible space, fire breaks, equipment storage, and avoiding high-risk work during red flag conditions. A fire chief testified in support, citing recent standing grain fires and the need for practical incentives in rural areas. The bill was described as having no appropriation and no requested fiscal note. Members also heard testimony on Washington in the Making 2040 from the Association of Washington Business and a business owner. Supporters said the 16-year economic vision plan was built from broad public engagement and focuses on workforce, business climate, infrastructure, housing, and community. They argued Washington needs more housing, a more competitive regulatory and tax environment, and reliable energy to support growth. Senators questioned how the plan would achieve its housing goals and what specific regulatory changes were needed; AWB said it would provide a regulatory study soon. The committee also received a wildfire mitigation work group update from the Office of Insurance Commissioner, which recommended stronger community mitigation, better data sharing, consumer transparency, and a possible grant program for home hardening, though it did not reach full consensus on a single property mitigation standard. Finally, the committee held a public hearing on Senate Bill 5871, which would prohibit assignment of benefits in property and casualty insurance and set new rules for motor vehicle glass repair claims, including ADAS-related disclosures and limits on steering and inducements. The sponsor and supporters, including the Office of Insurance Commissioner, Safelite, NAMIC, and the Northwest Insurance Council, said the bill would reduce auto glass fraud, improve transparency, and help stabilize premiums. Independent glass shop owners and the Independent Glass Association opposed the bill as written, arguing it would favor large vertically integrated companies, restrict small businesses, and fail to address insurer steering and conflicts of interest. Several witnesses requested technical amendments, and the committee took no final vote before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Adam Basford, Associated Industries of Florida, waiving in support.
• Brian Joggers, Florida Bar Elder Law Section, waiving in support.
• I've been a resident of Florida for 39 of my 40 years.
• This bill helps to support our legal aid in Florida.
• This bill helps to support our legal aid in Florida.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and heard several insurance and banking bills. HB 1399, relating to property insurance affiliates, would increase Office of Insurance Regulation oversight of transactions between property insurers and affiliates, require fair-and-reasonable documentation, review of dividends and asset pledges, contract termination clauses, affiliate registration, and penalties for violations. Members from both parties generally supported the goal of transparency and accountability, though some raised concerns about costs and whether the bill would actually return money to insureds. The bill was reported favorably. HB 427, on public adjuster contracts, would allow vulnerable adults or their legal representatives to rescind public adjuster contracts without penalty, reflecting the sponsor’s personal concerns about protecting elderly and otherwise vulnerable family members from predatory contracting. Public testimony included support from several industry and elder-law groups, while the public adjuster association warned the bill could unfairly target one profession and urged broader language. Members debated whether the bill should be expanded to cover other solicitations and whether legal representatives should be treated differently, but the bill was ultimately reported favorably. The committee also approved HB 893, which aligns bank handling of law-firm trust accounts with Florida Supreme Court rules and supports legal aid funding, and HB 767, a transparency bill requiring insurers to provide consumers with plain-language explanations of rate increases and related factors. Members emphasized consumer education and clearer disclosures, and HB 767 passed 2-0. Later, HB 381, the Office of Financial Regulation agency bill, was amended and reported favorably; it updates financial regulation provisions including cybersecurity-related requirements, money services business rules, credit union and financial institution provisions, and fee timing. HB 777, a related public-records bill protecting nonpublic personal information submitted to OFR, was also heard and moved forward without opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• Allie McNair with the Florida Sheriff Association in support.
• Barney Bishop with Florida Smart Justice Alliance in support.
• Jennifer with the Florida Police Chief Association in support.
• Chair: Alec McNair, Florida Sheriffs Association, in opposition.
• Barney Bishop, Florida Smart Justice Alliance, in support.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair Koster: Tripp Hunter, Florida Farm Bureau, in support.
• The version we have in Florida is not very good.
• Benjamin Stearns, Florida Insurance Association.
• plant a flag in Florida.
• Amy Diaz, Business Law Section of the Florida Bar, in support.

Transcript Highlights:

• Jason Hand, Florida Senior Living Association, is a proponent of the bill. Thank you very much.
• interstate compact and enacts the provisions of the compact into Florida law.
• Sue Hay-Tuckler, Florida Society of Respiratory Care, is a proponent of the bill.
• Sue Hay-Tuckler, Florida Society of Respiratory Care, is a proponent of the bill. Good morning.
• Florida already participates in multiple interstate compacts for other health care professions.

Summary: The Health Care Budget Subcommittee met to hear three member bills before turning to budget discussion. First, the committee considered HB 1295 on memory care, which would set baseline operating standards for memory care providers and facilities, clarify resident contract requirements, and restrict facilities from advertising themselves as memory care providers unless they meet the bill’s criteria. AARP, the Alzheimer’s Association, and the Florida Senior Living Association supported the measure, and it was reported favorably with no debate. The committee then heard HB 1235, which would authorize Florida to join the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact. Representative Conerly and a representative of the Florida Society for Respiratory Care said the compact would improve workforce flexibility and patient access while preserving state oversight and using licensure fees rather than taxpayer dollars. The bill received favorable testimony and was reported favorably. Next, HB 933 was presented by Representative Rosenwald to add two new children’s initiative sites, one in Bay County and one in Broward County, expanding a program that coordinates education, health care, employment, and housing supports for children in disadvantaged communities. The bill had support from Florida Children’s Initiative and was also reported favorably. After the bill presentations, members were told the agenda would move to budget discussion, and the chair noted that budget recommendations had been submitted to Chair McClure. With no further business, Representative Redondo moved to recess.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> whole lot of time and the legislature whole lot of time and the legislature spent<01:40:11.600><
• </c> Southern Legislatures. Southern Legislatures.
• </c> honor of Bob Florida. honor of Bob Florida.
• Bob well-lived, the life of Bob Florida.
• But Bob Florida was a role those days.

Keywords: Several minutes after the convene vote and before the introduction failed to properly steam. This version was pulled from a local back up., 958, all

Summary: The House convened with 97 members present, declared a quorum, approved excusing absent members, and suspended the rules to allow co-sponsorships and vote modifications. The journal for February 25, 2026 was approved. The clerk also reported that the Senate had passed Senate Bills 98 and 122 and requested concurrence. The House then received second-reading reports on a range of bills, including measures on prison educational programs, respiratory care, dietitians, wildlife depredation, temporary structures, military families, civil rights, local boards of education, light pollution, controlled-substance prescribing licenses, youth health services, class sizes for exceptional children, the athletic trainer compact, limited commercial driver’s licenses, and Senate Bill 145 relating to the Department of Agriculture and Alcohol Beverage Control. Committee reports moved several bills forward, including the main budget bills House Bill 500 and House Bill 504, along with measures on workforce investment, data centers, domestic violence, guardians ad litem, domestic relations, health delivery and “food is medicine” initiatives, state personnel, open records, and fish and wildlife resources. House Bill 500 and House Bill 504 were taken from the Rules Committee and placed on the orders of the day. House Bill 500, the executive branch budget bill, was then taken up for third reading and explanation. Members presented extensive floor explanations of House Bill 500 and House Committee Substitute 1, describing it as a “good first draft” of the executive budget. Supporters said the proposal emphasizes restrained spending growth, base reductions with exemptions for key areas, employee salary increments, and deposits to the Budget Reserve Trust Fund for future one-time investments. They highlighted funding for K-12 education, postsecondary aid and workforce training, Medicaid and behavioral health, public health infrastructure, pensions, veterans, public safety, economic development, tourism, and state technology and facility maintenance. The budget substitute was adopted by voice vote, and the discussion continued with detailed descriptions of the bill’s provisions; no final passage vote was shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• CAP was created by the legislature to provide technical and advisory assistance to governmental entities
• Oklahoma, Georgia, Florida. Florida is a little bit too short.
• Certainly Maryland and Florida have lots of deal flow, like exponentially more.
• It all needs to happen as the legislature needs to say It all needs to happen as the legislature needs
• As the legislature, there is a framework that we could use.

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've already seen this in California, Florida, Texas, and Tennessee.
• I do have some other information here on Florida. Florida has steps.
• It just has to do with unnecessary delays that, you know, they've done this in Florida now for five years
• It just has to do with unnecessary delays that, you know, they've done this in Florida now for five years
• And, you know, the committee and the legislature may want to have this oversight body, which I think

Committee: House Government Efficiency

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have reciprocity with Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, Louisiana, and working on South Carolina.
• And without the graciousness of the legislature in 2024, we would not have been able to pass new laws
• It's out of Texas, which is where Yes Care is based, and the bankruptcy is out of Florida.
• Florida. Florida.
• Additionally, yes Care the Florida part.

Keywords: 924, joint, all