Transcript Highlights:

• We first met him as a legislative aide to Senator Charlie Bean afternoon isn't to Senator Dean.
• He was elected in 2012 Senator Hayes to finish his term in the Senate in 2016 was then elected to the
• Senator Hayes.
• Thank you, Senator Grall.
• The Senator Hayes just said.

Transcript Highlights:

• Schuyler Kulas, Senate Democratic staff intern. Ada Martinez, Senate Democratic staff intern.
• Andrew Montenegro, Senate Democratic staff intern. Lucas Mooney, Senate Democratic staff intern.
• Katie Binsbacher, Senate Republican staff intern. Skylan Flores, Senate Research staff intern.
• Sierra Jones, Senate Research staff intern. Kendall Mullins, Senate Research staff intern.
• Tatum Ross, Senate Research staff intern. Michelle Young, Senate Research staff intern.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, and several guest recognitions, including a student honored for a national Mandarin speech contest, a Ms. Black Arizona candidate, and a Madison Elementary School reusable-tray pilot program. The body also recognized interns and approved the prior journal. The chamber then moved through Committee of the Whole calendars and adopted committee reports recommending passage of a series of budget-related bills. The main legislative business centered on the 2026-27 budget package and related omnibus measures, including appropriations, budget implementation, capital outlay, commerce, criminal justice, environment, health care, higher education, human services, K-12 education, state property, revenue/taxation, and transportation bills. Most of these measures were advanced with do-pass recommendations, with repeated debate focused on the tax omnibus and the overall budget’s policy choices. Supporters argued the package provided affordability, tax relief, conformity with federal tax changes, reduced government spending, and reforms to entitlement and other programs; opponents argued it favored corporations and wealthy taxpayers, cut health care, food assistance, housing, tourism, wildfire response, and education, and would forfeit federal matching funds. Several members specifically criticized the failure to close the data center tax exemption and to raise sports betting taxes, while supporters defended those provisions as pro-business and pro-growth. There was also discussion of fund sweeps, including university research funds, housing trust funds, and other agency balances, with opponents saying the sweeps targeted encumbered or already-committed money. After debate, the Senate adopted Committee of the Whole reports and advanced the bills, and later took up House bills introduced and placed on third reading, with members explaining their votes on HB 4138, the General Appropriations Act, largely along party lines. At the end of the session, the Senate processed messages from the House requesting the return of SB 1160 and SB 1786 for reconsideration, and the Senate requested the House return HB 2415 for reconsideration. The chamber also introduced and placed several House budget bills on third reading, including HB 4138 through HB 4153, continuing the budget process.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Arrington, Senator Avila, Senator Bernard, Senator Bracey Davis, Senator Grall, Senator Leek,
• Senator Martin, Senator Mayfield, Senator McClain, Senator Smith, Senator Truenow, Senator Wright, Vice
• Senator Avila? Yes. Senator Bernard? Yes. Senator Bracey Davis? Yes. Senator Graal? Senator Leak?
• Senator Martin? Senator Mayfield? Yes. Senator McLean? Yes. Senator Trunow? Senator Wright? Yes.
• Senator Bernard? Yes. Senator Bracey Davis? Yes. Senator Graal? Senator Leak? Yes. Senator Martin?

Bills: S0048

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development heard the Governor’s proposed FY 2026-27 budget for the TED silo and presentations from Commerce, Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Military Affairs, the State Guard, State, Transportation, and Emergency Management. The Governor’s office outlined a $117.4 billion overall budget, including $18.3 billion for TED agencies, with major allocations for FDOT, Commerce, emergency management, tourism, military affairs, and state operations. Agency heads emphasized priorities such as housing and disaster recovery, workforce and rural infrastructure, law enforcement recruitment, defense support, tourism marketing, aerospace and spaceport investment, election audits, historic preservation, road and bridge maintenance, aviation safety, and emergency preparedness systems. Members asked several questions about the use and effectiveness of funding. Visit Florida officials said the public-private match is essential and that they exceeded the required match last year. Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles discussed trooper pay, vehicle replacement, aviation support, and transparency tools such as vehicle camera systems, with senators praising the department’s recruitment efforts. Military Affairs and the State Guard described readiness, recruiting, facility construction, and support for domestic missions, including hurricane response and perimeter security at the Everglades detention site; questions focused on deployment tempo, staffing, and costs. The Department of State explained funding for automated election audits, a conservation lab, and historic preservation, and said its arts grant changes were intended to standardize scoring rather than cut programs. Transportation highlighted a $15.4 billion total budget, major work program funding, safety initiatives, seaport and aviation investments, and the elimination of Florida Rail Enterprise funding due to reduced documentary stamp revenues. The committee also heard and passed CS/SB 48 by Senator Gates, which requires local governments to allow accessory dwelling units on a voluntary basis, while preserving local authority over setbacks, construction, and permitting. An amendment removed reusable tenant screening reports and clarified that conforming ADUs are allowed by right without separate hearings. The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association and several industry and business groups supported the bill, citing the need for long-term rental housing for workers. After debate, the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably by roll call vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to be meeting with the Senate again.
• in the Senate.
• </c> we're going to be meeting with Senator we're going to be meeting with Senator uh<00:07:07.039><c
• is probably follow with Senator join is probably follow with Senator gon's<00:07:12.840><c> Bill</c>
• </c><01:07:18.720><c> into</c> puts the entirety of the IG staff into puts the entirety of the IG staff

Transcript Highlights:

• The joint hearing on the California Assembly and Senate Select Committees on the nonprofit sector is
• Senator, well, thank you. I'm sorry, Jeff, that I missed your presentation.
• And I appreciate Senator McNerney's leadership on the Office of Nonprofit Empowerment.
• I want to thank my staff and the Assembly members, Hart's staff, for helping run this.
• So it's all our office staff that are organizing these hearings. So I want to thank them.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Wendrow was recognized. Senator Wendrow said she had a motion.
• Senator Groh. Aye. Senator Cook. Aye. Senator Beirke. Senator Hart. Senator Carlson.
• Senator Ciderveld. Senator Kaiser. Senator Ward Engel King. Senator Winchrow.
• Senator Groh. Aye. Senator Cook. Aye. Senator Beirke. Senator Hart. Senator Carlson.
• Senator Ciderveld. Senator Kaiser. Senator Ward Engel King. Senator Winchrow.

Summary: The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee met to consider several Department of Health and Welfare Medicaid items, Idaho State Police budgets, the Department of Juvenile Corrections, and the Department of Administration and Military Division. The committee first approved a FY 2026 Medicaid forecast supplemental, then approved a budget-neutral FY 2026 hospital assessment fund shift and creation of a separate hospital assessment budgeted program. For FY 2027 Medicaid, members heard extensive discussion of MMIS procurement, estate recovery, program integrity, purchasing staff, hospital assessment alignment, population forecast adjustments, and proposed reductions tied to provider rates and RESHAB. After debate among three competing motions, the committee rejected two alternatives and passed the original motion, which included the governor’s recommended Medicaid adjustments and the $22 million reduction concept, sending it with a do pass recommendation. The committee then approved Idaho State Police Brand Inspection replacement items for trucks and equipment, as well as Idaho State Police division requests for a commercial vehicle safety grant increase, a mobile live scan pilot, and replacement patrol vehicles and equipment. POST Academy replacement items were also approved. For the Department of Juvenile Corrections, members approved clinician service transfer funding from Health and Welfare, replacement items, IT hardware, and restoration of six FTPs and related funding for direct care staff and substance use disorder mentoring services. In the Department of Administration budget, the committee debated Medicaid procurement staffing and related transfers. A substitute motion to fund three FTPs failed, and the committee ultimately approved a compromise motion funding two FTPs, utilities alignment, program transfers, inflationary utilities, IT hardware, and a prior rescission adjustment. The Military Division enhancement request for indirect cost recovery for emergency management and state education assistance funding was also approved. The committee adjourned after announcing its Monday agenda, which included DEQ, public school support and financing, services for the deaf and blind, Idaho Digital Learning Academy, the State Board of Education, and the Department of Education.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:11:07.279><c> whose</c> goal here in engaging the staff whose goal here in engaging the staff
• Senator Drazkowski.
• Senator M. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• </c> making commissioner uh Mr chair senator making commissioner uh Mr chair senator may<00:26:10.520
• Senator M.

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• > the</c><00:40:24.000><c> staff</c><00:40:24.240><c> that</c><00:40:24.640><c> helped</c> Senator Klein
• , Commissioner, Miss Boyd, all the staff that helped Senator Klein in putting this together.
• </c> Senator Marty, no. Senator Frentz, no. Senator Pratt, yes. Senator Champion, no.
• Senator Draheim, no. Senator Howe, yes. Senator Jasinski, yes. Senator Mohamed, no.
• Senator Murphy, no. Senator Pappas, no. Senator Wiklund, no.

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Block. Here. Senator Charlie, Senator Gallegos, Senator Knob. Senator Lopez. Here.
• Senator Tobiassen, House Bill 65? You're the Senate sponsor, okay.
• Senator Block, Senator Charlie, Senator Gallegos, then her Nava, Senator Pinto, Senator Pope, Senator
• Scott, Senator Wilson, Senator Hicke, Senator Hickey, Senator Lopez, yes.
• Senator Charlie, thank you, Madam Chair. Hey, Senator.

Summary: The Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee heard several measures focused on health and child welfare. House Bill 65 would codify and fund CYFD’s foster care plus short-term stabilization pilot for children in state custody with behavioral health needs, using clinical experts and specialized foster parent training to reduce office stays, hotel placements, and multiple placements. CYFD and child welfare advocates supported the bill, while senators raised concerns about cultural competency, ICWA/IFPA compliance, LGBTQ youth placement, and the need to spell out protections in statute. The bill passed 9-0 to the next committee. The committee then considered House Bill 13 and House Bill 14, joining the occupational therapy compact and the dentist/dental hygienist compact. Both bills drew support from health agencies, chambers of commerce, and professional groups as workforce tools to improve licensure portability and recruitment. Members, however, were uneasy about late-arriving amendments, venue provisions, commission authority, and how much control New Mexico would retain over compact rules and enforcement. After debate, HB 13 advanced 6-3 and HB 14 advanced 7-3, both to Judiciary. House Bill 256, which would require school emergency response plans to include cardiac emergencies during athletic activities, received support from the American Heart Association and nursing advocates, who cited survival benefits from rapid AED use and CPR. Questions centered on travel across state lines, private and religious schools, homeschool athletics, and enforcement, but the bill passed 10-0. House Bill 66, which updates the health care professional loan repayment program to increase physician awards and broaden recruitment incentives, was backed by provider groups and business organizations; dentists noted concerns about equity, but the bill passed 5-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Senator. Senator Johnson, Blake Johnson, you're recognized.
• Thank you, Senator.
• Thank you, Senator.
• Thank you, Senator Hammer. Senator Rice and Senator Dotson, our last two questions.
• "Thank you, Senator." "Senator Irving, you're recognized."

Committee: All ALC-ADMINISTRATIVE RULES

Transcript Highlights:

• Further message from the Senate, the clerk will read. One more. Further message from the Senate.
• Speaker, the Senate has adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 8404. Colleen Pahar, Deputy Secretary.
• Senate.
• Further message from the Senate. Message received. Further message from the Senate.
• Senate Concurrent Resolution 8404, engrossed Senate Bill 5194, and engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5195

Summary: The House considered several end-of-session measures. House Resolution 4662 was adopted to continue House operations during the interim, including standing committee work and the Chief Clerk’s Office. House Concurrent Resolution 4404 was also adopted to return bills that had not fully passed both chambers to the highest stage reached in their house of origin, and it was immediately transmitted to the Senate. Representative Fitzgibbon and Representative Corey spoke in support of both resolutions, and both passed by voice vote. The House then received messages from the Senate indicating action on Substitute Senate Bill 5195, Substitute Senate Bill 5161, House Concurrent Resolution 4404, and Senate Concurrent Resolution 8404. The Speaker signed several measures, including engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5161 and House Concurrent Resolution 4404, and later signed Senate Concurrent Resolution 8404, engrossed Senate Bill 5194, and engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5195. The House also suspended the rules to place Senate Concurrent Resolution 8404, which adjourns the legislature sine die, on the third reading calendar. Senate Concurrent Resolution 8404 was then adopted after brief remarks from Representatives Fitzgibbon and Corey, who urged support for adjournment sine die. The resolution was immediately transmitted to the Senate. After a brief recognition of staff and approval of the journal by consent, Representative Fitzgibbon moved that the 2025 regular session of the 69th Legislature adjourn sine die, and the motion was adopted by voice vote, ending the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Armstrong. Senator Higdon. Representative Branscum. Here. Representative Bridges. Here.
• Senator Mays Bledsoe. Senator McDaniel. Representative Blanton. Representative Bowling.
• Senator<00:01:13.920><c> Armstrong.</c> Senator Armstrong. Senator Armstrong.
• Senator<00:01:15.840><c> Higdon.</c> Senator Higdon. Senator Higdon.
• Thank you, Senator Higdon.

Summary: The committee met for the first interim meeting of the 2025 Budget Review Committee on Transportation and heard from Bobby Jo Lewis, commissioner of Rural and Municipal Aid at the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. She reviewed the new County City Bridge Improvement Program, created in the 2024 regular session, reporting that phases one and two are complete, 45 bridges have been funded so far, and about $18.45 million has been authorized. She said roughly $6.549 million remains for phase three in the current fiscal year, with about $26.445 million in bridge applications still pending. For fiscal year 2026, the program will again have $25 million and will use four application phases. She also described a training resource, Local Bridges 101, and said a new executive advisor, Greg Meredith, has been brought in to help with the bridge program. Members asked how rollover applications would be handled, whether they would be re-evaluated with new applications, how the program would account for bridge longevity and load posting, and how isolated communities would be prioritized. Lewis said applicants not funded in FY25 would be contacted and could choose to roll their applications into FY26, and all applications would be evaluated together at the end of each phase. She said preservation projects are assessed for how much they extend a bridge’s life, and isolated community access bridges or closed bridges with no detour access receive priority. She also said the department aims for equitable distribution across regions and plans to produce a map showing where funds have been awarded. Lewis then turned to the County Priority Projects Program and the Local Assistance Road Program established in House Bill 546 and related resolutions. She said the application cycle opened June 1 and closes October 1, with 106 memoranda of agreement being prepared for awards in House Joint Resolution 46. She described updated application and reporting forms, a scoring matrix, and a County City Pavement Evaluation Manual used to rate projects based on preservation of assets, average daily traffic, recent improvements, safety, cost, and district priority. She said projects must be rehabilitation projects designed to restore the original condition of the road, cannot exceed $500,000, and must use local match percentages tied to the economic development grant program formula. She also reported on funding status for prior road projects, including completed, partially completed, pending, and underrun amounts that may be reauthorized. Committee members asked about photo documentation, online access to project materials, how to measure whether projects truly restore roads to original condition, and what happens when project costs exceed estimates. Lewis said the department is still working on how best to store and share the large volume of photos, and that projects are certified through district offices and local sign-off after completion. She said overages are the responsibility of the applicant because the state does not have additional money beyond the awarded amount. No formal votes were taken during the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Carroll, Senator Givens, Senator Higdon, Senator Meredith, Senator Neal, Senator Rawlings, Senator
• Reed, Senator Thomas, Senator Williams, Senator Wilson, and Senator Wise.
• Senator Thomas here. Senator Williams here. Senator Wilson here. Senator Wise here.
• Senator Higden hi Senator Senator Higden hi Senator Meredith<00:30:25.120><c> Senator</c> Meredith Senator
• Senator Carroll. Senator Givens. Senator Higdon. Senator Meredith. Senator Neal. Senator Reed.

Summary: The Senate Education Committee met with a quorum and heard a presentation from Parker Keys, Northern Kentucky State Vice President for Kentucky FFA, on the value of career and technical education (CTE). He highlighted enrollment of more than 143,000 secondary students in CTE, work-based learning, dual credit, industry certifications, and the role of student organizations such as DECA, FBLA, FCCLA, FFA, Educators Rising, TSA, and SkillsUSA. Senators praised CTE as important for workforce readiness and resume building, and encouraged continued engagement with the committee. The committee then considered Senate Concurrent Resolution 43, sponsored by Senator Steve West, supporting a Southern Regional Education Board initiative to expand crisis counseling and recovery support for schools and colleges after tragedies and disasters. Dr. Steven Puit and Linda Tyrie described a regional network of trained counselors modeled on Kentucky’s response after Marshall County, emphasizing long-term recovery, psychological first aid, and deployment support for up to a year after an event. Members spoke in strong support, citing the lasting impact of Marshall County and Heath, and the resolution passed 13-0 and was reported favorably. Finally, the committee took up Senate Bill 77, a cleanup bill relating to the Education Professional Standards Board. Senator Matt Deneen and Association of Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universities representative Mr. Dyer explained that the bill clarifies that small independent colleges and universities may designate a qualified education department representative, not only a chief academic officer, to serve on the board. The committee adopted a committee substitute by voice vote, and the substitute was approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that enough staff to cover statewide?
• Thank you, Senator.
• It's just that hopefully we'll have more staff and a better qualified staff to work with those kids,
• I think the Senator, yeah. Thank you. And Mr.
• If the Senate bill is exactly...

Committee: House House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you Senator Wyden.
• No, Senator.
• Mansfield in the Senate, ultimately serving as Secretary of the Senate.
• No, Senator Warren.
• Senator Lutnick.

Committee: Senate Finance Committee

Keywords: Commerce, International Trade, Tax Policy, Nominees, Inflation, Middle-class, Trade Practices, Economic Concerns

Summary: The committee convened to discuss various bills and nominees, including the critical nominations of William Kimmett for Undersecretary of Commerce for International Trade and Ken Keyes for Assistant Secretary for Tax Policy at the Treasury Department. Discussions highlighted the nominees' roles in managing critical trade and tax policies amidst rising economic concerns, particularly focusing on inflation and its impact on American families. Members expressed both support and skepticism, emphasizing the significance of fostering fair trade practices and ensuring tax policies that benefit the middle-class amidst claims of an agenda favoring affluent individuals and corporations.

Transcript Highlights:

• of Ways and Means, the Speaker of the House and his staff, the Chair of Ways and Means, and his staff
• I'd like to thank my staff of election laws, my chief of staff, Aaron Walsh, Karen Rooney, My chief of
• And certainly to my staff who have dug into these issues that, quite frankly, are pretty common.
• House of Vietnam, paper from the Senate.
• It comes from the Senate with the endorsement.

Summary: The House first suspended Joint Rule 12 to send a petition naming the Dorchester Division of the Boston Municipal Court as the Judge Leslie E. Harris Courthouse to the Judiciary Committee. It then took up two Ways and Means bills on election integrity: House Bill 76, renamed House Bill 5093, to protect against election misinformation, and House Bill 846, renamed House Bill 5094, to enhance disclosure requirements for synthetic media in political advertising. Supporters said both bills were a response to AI-generated deepfakes and misleading election content, emphasizing transparency, disclosure, and protection of voters without banning political speech. Opponents argued the measures could be overbroad and raise First Amendment concerns, especially for smaller campaigns and organizations. House Bill 5094 was amended to exempt certain broadcasters and streaming services when paid to air materially deceptive election-related communications, and a separate amendment to move Massachusetts primaries earlier was rejected 131-25. Another amendment narrowing the bill’s scope was also defeated 145-12. After debate, House Bill 5094 passed to be engrossed by a vote of 153-3. House Bill 5093, which prohibits deceptive AI use in the 90 days before an election, also passed to be engrossed after debate and the defeat of amendments. The House also passed several engrossed local bills to enact: a Rockland charter amendment, a Williamstown senior property tax exemption measure, and a Rochester bill allowing continued employment of Fire Chief Scott Royal. Later, the House rejected Senate amendments on a teacher preparation and student literacy bill, declined concurrence, and appointed a conference committee. The chamber also observed a moment of silence for former Quincy public servant Arthur Tobin before adjourning until the next day at 11 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Speaker of the House and his staff, the Chair of Ways and Means and his staff, my vice chair, the
• I'd like to thank my staff of election laws, my chief of staff, Aaron Walsh, Karen Rooney, My chief of
• And certainly to my staff who have dug into these issues that, quite frankly, are pretty common.
• House of Vietnam, paper from the Senate.
• It comes from the Senate with the endorsement.

Transcript Highlights:

• we're go to Senator we're go to Senator man<01:09:51.400><c> okay</c><01:09:51.679><c> Senator</c><01
• Thank you, Senator Abeler.
• Thank you, Senator Abeler.
• Thank you, Senator Abeler.
• Thank you, Senator Abeler.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• One thing I will note on the Senate is the Senate budget includes the debt service on their new building
• </c><00:18:55.600><c> includes</c><00:18:56.200><c> The</c> Senate is the Senate budget includes The
• Senate is the Senate budget includes The Debt<00:18:56.600><c> Service</c><00:18:57.039><c> on</c><00
• our IT staff, our general counsel, our HR folks, and our support staff.
• ><c> uh</c><00:36:45.599><c> general</c> that's our IT staff our uh general that's our IT staff our uh

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Amy Skate, committee staff.
• For the record, David Monarchy, staff to the committee.
• I'm staff to the committee.
• Valdez's bill, Senate Bill 6262.
• Valdez's bill, Senate Bill 6262.

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several transportation-related bills. On Substitute House Bill 2251, staff explained changes to Climate Commitment Act accounts and revenue distribution, including new operating and capital accounts and a revised split of auction proceeds among transportation, capital, operating, and air quality accounts. Members asked about the bill’s effect on CERA funding, the air quality account, and whether the bill responded to projected revenue declines. Testimony was mixed but generally supportive of the bill’s goal of clearer, more predictable budgeting; tribal testimony requested clearer protections and a dedicated tribal set-aside, while other witnesses supported the bill for its transparency and climate/transportation benefits. No action was taken on the bill during the hearing. The committee then heard House Bill 2588, which would allow county ferry districts to operate and finance vehicle ferries, not just passenger-only ferries. The prime sponsor and county officials from Whatcom and Pierce described the bill as a local option to help fund aging ferry systems without raising taxes, and public testimony from island residents, county representatives, and advocacy groups strongly supported it as a way to stabilize essential ferry service. The committee also heard House Bill 2722, which would raise the vehicle weight threshold for Transportation Benefit District fees from 6,000 to 10,000 pounds. Staff said the change would modestly increase TBD revenue statewide, and the sponsor argued the current law unfairly exempts heavier trucks while lighter vehicles pay the fee. Cities and local officials supported the bill, while the trucking association said it would support a compromise at 9,000 pounds instead of 10,000. The committee also heard House Bill 2727, creating an Educational Transit Access Grant Program for transit agencies and community and technical colleges to pilot free or reduced fares for students; the sponsor and transit advocates said it would improve affordability and access, and testimony emphasized equity and student retention benefits. In executive session, the committee considered Second Substitute House Bill 1923, which would expand who can form passenger-only ferry service districts and where they can be formed, with added intent language related to southern resident orcas and a revised effective date. After discussion, the committee voted 23-4 to pass the bill out of committee with a do pass recommendation. The chair also announced a deadline extension for amendment requests on bills heard that day and thanked staff before adjournment.