Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, so we will have our, and for those of you on Zoom and listening on the web, we kind of scrambled
• Department of Health, and the Health Care Authority.
• Thinking about the youth-serving workforce and the network of providers, we should address licensing
• We had a lot of conversations within PED and also the Department of Health, which oversees the school-based
• There are only about 430 manufacturers and virtual manufacturers licensed in the state of New Mexico.

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• And there have been a lot of studies on this, and a lot of them, quite frankly... ...of us, and there
• And there have been a lot of studies on this, and a lot of them, quite frankly, of us and there have
• and those types of things and all.
• They've lived here, they have a driver's license, and proof of who they are.
• Chair, the state of California issues driver's licenses to non-citizens, and we do as well—Mr.

Summary: The committee heard several transportation-related appropriation and policy bills. SB 1273 would appropriate $14 million in FY2027 for pavement rehabilitation of Olga Frontage Road between Bowie and San Simon; after brief discussion about the road’s length and whether it was on a rural transportation priority list, the bill was reported out 3-2 with a do pass recommendation. SB 1452 would create a cargo theft task force in the Attorney General’s office, modeled on the retail theft task force, with reporting and investigative duties; Tony Bradley of the Arizona Trucking Association testified in support, describing cargo theft as a growing, sophisticated problem and noting the funding would come from the consumer fraud protection fund rather than the general fund. The committee adopted an amendment making the task force subject to appropriations and then passed the bill 5-0. The committee also considered SB 1332, which would require the Auditor General and an independent transportation research entity to study Maricopa County light rail expansion and compare it with other transit technologies. Senator Kavanaugh argued the study was needed before committing billions more to light rail and said the governor’s office was open to the concept. Supporters, including local business owners, said the study would provide needed transparency and reflect concerns about business impacts and changing transportation options. Opponents, including Valley Metro, the City of Phoenix, and transit advocates, argued the state should not second-guess locally approved transit plans and pointed to existing studies, ridership, and economic development along light rail corridors. The bill passed 4-3. SB 1059 appropriates $9.2 million for an additional right-turn lane at State Route 87 and State Route 260, and Senator Wendy Rogers used the hearing to describe several rural road projects she and Representative Blackman were pursuing, emphasizing safety, congestion, and local requests from mayors and councils. Members broadly supported the need for rural infrastructure, and the bill was reported out unanimously. The committee then took up SB 1209, which would exempt homeless individuals and others without a residence address from non-operating ID fees if they prove U.S. citizenship. Testimony from the Homeless ID Project and ADOT focused on how IDs help people obtain work and services, how citizenship and authorized presence are verified, and whether the amendment would create operational or fiscal issues; the discussion continued as the transcript ended, with no final vote shown for that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• , commercial crab permits, commercial whelk or conch licenses, marine and coastal district party and
• charter boat licenses, and certain temporary authorizations for certain licenses and permits.
• now addressing reforestation areas and now, of it, out of the fact that we're now addressing reforestation
• If they have a billion dollars of revenue and at least one million dollars of that revenue is produced
• and providing remedies for violations of those provisions.

Committee: Senate Environmental Conservation

Summary: The Environmental Conservation Committee, chaired by Senator Pete Harckham, met with a quorum and took up a 19-bill agenda, largely consisting of repassed environmental measures. Bills discussed included standards for ambient lead in soil, restrictions on false recyclability claims and plastic labeling, environmental restoration projects, commercial fishing and marine licenses, bans on unencapsulated foam flotation on docks and floating structures, indirect source review for warehouse operations, nuisance wildlife operator disclosure requirements, waterfront revitalization for Doodle Town Brook, a ban on fuel oil grade No. 4, renewable energy development rights on reforestation areas, fee exemptions for veterans and active-duty service members, a ban on mercury-added lamps, designation of water development representatives, bans on cleaning products containing triclosan or triclocarban, a composting symbol, bans on paper receipts for certain purchases, climate corporate data accountability, PFAS product restrictions, and prohibitions on tampering with emissions control devices. Members raised several policy concerns during the meeting. Senator Palumbo questioned the PFAS bill’s inclusion of cookware and suggested an incremental approach, while the sponsor defended keeping cookware in the bill because heating PFAS can increase exposure through food and inhalation. On the renewable energy/reforestation bill, Senator Stec noted implementation concerns about allowing solar development in reforestation areas, and Senator May responded that the bill is intended mainly to facilitate transmission lines across state forest lands. There were also questions about the climate corporate data accountability bill’s scope, including revenue thresholds, overlap with existing DEC greenhouse gas regulations, and the source of fee revenue, with staff explaining it would apply to large companies doing business in New York and use registration fees to cover program costs. Most bills were advanced either to the calendar or to finance. Bills including the lead standards, marine license changes, foam flotation ban, mercury lamp ban, water development representatives, composting symbol, and emissions tampering restrictions were advanced to the calendar. Several measures, including the recyclability labeling bill, environmental restoration projects, warehouse indirect source review, veterans’ fee exemption, and climate corporate data accountability bill, were referred to finance. The paper receipt bill was advanced to commerce, and the committee concluded after voting to move the final bills, including the PFAS restrictions and emissions tampering measure, with technical date fixes noted for the climate accountability and PFAS bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair and members, Senate Bill 904 relates to the licensing and regulation of Hearing Instrument
• Licensing and regulation, and it would streamline regulations for hearing fitters and dispenser licensees
• Generally, Senate Bill 904 would allow the Texas Commission on Licensing and Regulation to consult only
• During the course of their work, the Department of Family and Protective Services caseworkers...
• In 2021, the Department of Family and Protective Services noted over 40 acts of theft and more than 120

Bills: SB128 , SB640 , SB672 , SB904 , SB1141 , SB1263 , SB1525 , SB1528 , SB2041 , SB2306 , SB2308 , SB2357 , SB2446 , SB2695 , SB2857 , SB2891 , SB2583

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• And we are still in waiting for the Department of Health 2 years later to get this settled.
• And the fact is the Department of Health rarely if ever fines against doctors after 5 years of advocacy
• The senator next year and present a bill really empowering the Department of Health.
• and what may or may not be happening behind closed doors at the Department of Health.
• University of Florida and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection have identified these contaminants

Transcript Highlights:

• gives the Department of Health the ability to revoke a license.
• And when they're found out of compliance, the Department of Health issues them a survey finding and tells
• And when they're found out of compliance, the Department of Health issues them a survey finding and tells
• And when they're found out of compliance, the Department of Health issues them a survey finding and tells
• And when they're found out of compliance, the Department of Health issues them a survey finding and tells

Bills: SF0023 , SF0057

Committee: House Labor, Health & Social Services

Transcript Highlights:

• He works at the Minnesota Health Department and was testifying on behalf of the Minnesota Health Department
• The department faces the real possibility of rejecting core if this bill isn't passed, and hundreds of
• As both the regulator of water use for the state and a co-rustee of the 3M PAS... manager for the city
• As both the regulator of water use for the state and a co-trustee of the 3M settlement, we fully appreciate
• ><c> and</c><00:30:41.360><c> uh</c> series of shredders and screeners and uh series of shredders and

Bills: HF1531 , HF4017 , HF3399 , HF4146 , HF4019 , HF3677

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• And that will be at the expense of our license.
• And that will be at the expense of our license.
• We are at the beginning of the process, and VETPAs will be licensed to practice under regulations established
• vessels and directs the Department of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to provide guidance
• and objectives, providing the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the St.

Bills: S0302 , S0394 , S0480 , S0546 , S0636 , S0774 , S0796 , S1028 , S1050 , S1066 , S1120 , S1230 , S1288 , S1682

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several bills, beginning with CS/SB 796, which would create Veterinary Professional Associates as a new supervised veterinary role, expand telehealth prescription timeframes, and set training and scope limits. Supporters said it would improve access to care, lower costs, and create a career path, while opponents argued the proposal lacked a clear regulatory framework, could create liability and federal-law conflicts, and would not address the real shortage in rural large-animal practice. After debate, the committee reported the bill favorably. Members also heard and favorably reported SB 1682 on local authority over derelict and abandoned vessels, CS/SB 1028 on a commercial Citizens clearinghouse for property insurance, SB 394 on exempting certain reinsurance underwriting managers from licensing, SB 636 on beach management and erosion designations, CS/SB 546 on public notice for conservation land sales or exchanges, CS/SB 302 on Biscayne Bay nature-based solutions and related coastal resiliency provisions, SB 1050 on pharmacy choice for pet medications, and SB 774 extending workers’ compensation benefits to 911 public safety telecommunicators for mental and nervous injuries. Testimony on these bills generally focused on access, regulatory clarity, environmental protection, or workforce support, with some concerns raised on insurance consumer protections and beach-management language. Senator Harrell’s bills were also taken up and reported favorably: CS/SB 480, a major overhaul of state IT governance creating DIGIT and new procurement, reporting, and workforce structures; CS/SB 1230, restricting PFAS-containing firefighting foam and adding testing, inventory, and disposal requirements; and CS/SB 1288, a naming bill designating the Andrew Red Harris Shoal and requiring markers. Finally, the committee heard extensive testimony on SB 1066 regarding restoration of the Oklawaha/Rodman system, with supporters emphasizing ecological restoration, flood-risk reduction, and economic benefits, and opponents warning about local impacts, water quality, and the loss of a world-class fishery. The transcript ends during testimony on that bill, before final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the Higher Education Department and the Department of Health.
• And seven of them had their licenses restored.
• are really dangerous, who are not being appropriately regulated, and who, because of our PCF, all of
• On one related item, in 2023, the legislature passed a bill making the Regulation and Licensing Department
• I would suggest that in the 2027 session, the legislature revisit that and give the Regulation and Licensing

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Retailers and marketing, the proper avenue for the intent of SB 936 is direct regulation of those retailers
• and abuse of so many women and girls and commit to holding them accountable to the fullest extent of
• and wrong and the sense of community and the sense of family.
• and wrong and the sense of community and the sense of family. and so we want to protect them. of community
• and the sense of family.

Committee: Senate Public Safety

Summary: The committee heard presentations on several bills and one resolution, with testimony largely focused on public safety, criminal justice, and victim/survivor protections. SB 936 by Senator Blakespear would restrict retail sale of larger nitrous oxide canisters to curb youth misuse and impaired driving; supporters included prosecutors, local officials, cities, counties, and environmental groups, while the ACLU opposed the bill unless amended to rely on regulation rather than criminal penalties. Members raised concerns about overbreadth and possible amendments, but the author said the bill would be narrowed and emphasized it would not create jail time, only escalating fines. SB 941 by Senator Padilla would cap commissary markups in private federal immigration detention facilities, mirroring a prior prison commissary law; it drew strong support from immigrant justice advocates and civil rights groups, with no opposition heard, and members expressed support for the measure. SCR 118 by Senator Gonzalez urged release of unclassified Jeffrey Epstein investigation files and greater transparency for survivors. The author and CAST testified in support, emphasizing survivor trauma and accountability; one committee member voiced concern that the resolution could imply facts not yet established and said he would likely abstain, while others supported the resolution as part of broader anti-trafficking efforts. SB 1009 by Senator Becker would require clear and convincing evidence before detaining youth in juvenile hall and would favor less restrictive alternatives; supporters included youth defenders, former system-involved youth, and many advocacy organizations, while probation and district attorneys opposed it, arguing it would limit judicial discretion, strain resources, and could jeopardize public safety. Members were split, with some emphasizing the harms of detention and others warning about home-environment risks and implementation challenges. AB 46 by Assembly Member Nguyen would revise mental health diversion law to give judges clearer authority to deny diversion when public safety is at risk. Support came from prosecutors, probation, and crime survivors who described cases where diverted defendants later committed serious violence; opposition from public defenders and civil rights groups argued that judges already have discretion, diversion is rarely granted, and the bill would reduce access to treatment and worsen outcomes. The author said the bill was a balanced compromise developed with stakeholders. Finally, SB 948 by Senator Aegean would require more comprehensive firearm safety training for firearm safety certificates and require new California residents to register firearms and obtain a certificate within 60 days; supporters from Brady and youth gun-violence prevention groups cited accidental shootings and child deaths, and the author noted possible future amendments on timing for new residents. Throughout the hearing, the chair repeatedly noted the committee lacked a quorum, so no votes were taken during the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• , and that this bill would preempt the regulation of use to the state of cups and bottles.
• billions of dollars and supports hundreds of thousands of jobs each year and millions of visitors who
• And dozens of municipalities in the state have adopted these regulations.
• And I think there's a notation in the two-thirds of our residents want regulation of plastics.
• And so... That two-thirds of our residents want regulation of plastics.

Summary: The Natural Resources and Disaster Subcommittee met and heard several bills on boating, anchoring, plastics, coastal resilience, and permitting. HB 735, expanding the Boating Improvement Program to fund boat-trailer parking at public ramps and offering a submerged land lease discount for manufacturers using environmental best practices, drew no opposition and was reported favorably. HB 371, a nature-based coastal resilience bill, was amended with a strike-all and then reported favorably with committee substitute. HB 287, allowing building or plumbing permits to move forward while septic system permits are still under review, also passed favorably after testimony from the onsite wastewater industry and a brief debate about construction delays and final occupancy certification. The committee also took up HB 565 on auxiliary containers, which would preempt local regulation of items like bags, cups, and bottles and maintain statewide uniformity. The sponsor argued it protects consumer choice and business consistency, while environmental groups, PTA representatives, and others warned it would worsen plastic pollution, microplastics, and local cleanup burdens. Despite opposition and a 13-5 vote with several members opposed, the bill was reported favorably. Members also discussed HB 565’s policy background, including prior DEP studies and the tension between state preemption and local environmental regulation. A major portion of the meeting focused on HB 565 in the transcript’s boating context, actually HB 565 on anchoring limitations in Biscayne Bay and other heavily impacted areas. Supporters from Miami Beach and North Bay Village said derelict and anchored vessels are harming waterways, seagrass, public safety, and enforcement efforts, while cruisers and boating groups argued the bill would displace responsible boaters and fail to solve derelict-vessel problems. The committee adopted an amendment, then reported the bill favorably with committee substitute by an 18-0 vote. The meeting concluded after all agenda items were completed and the subcommittee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• by a licensed health care provider and found by the county to be essential to the safety or health of
• and get out um residents kind of move up and get out of<00:14:44.160><c> housing.
• , SCR 93 requesting Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and Statewide Office of Homelessness and Housing
• uh requesting Department of Hawaiian Home<00:17:06.800><c> Lands</c><00:17:07.199><c> and</c><00:17:
• Moving on to our final SCR 93, requesting the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and Statewide Office

Bills: SCR63 , SCR8 , SCR160 , SCR90 , SCR93

Committee: House Human Services & Homelessness

Summary: The House Committee on Human Services and Homelessness heard several resolutions focused on disability access, housing, and support for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries. SCR 63 SD1 would have the Disability and Communication Access Board study communication needs in health care settings for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind and revise provider guidance; testimony was strongly supportive, including from the board, a physician, and a family member who described harmful delays in care, and the committee later recommended passage as is. SCR 8 would require counties to act within 45 days on completed permit applications for home modifications needed for an older adult or person with a disability; testimony noted delays in permitting and financing, and the committee recommended passage as is. The committee also heard SCR 160, which urges state housing agencies to create a “housing ladder” program to help individuals and families move from subsidized to unsubsidized housing. Hawaii Public Housing Authority and other agencies supported the concept, and DHS described its family self-sufficiency program and said prior federal resident-services funding had declined over the past 20 years. The committee acknowledged the program may already exist in some form but still recommended adoption of the resolution as is. SCR 90 would ask county planning departments to establish kupuna-friendly building permit requirements for parking accessibility in private businesses. The committee moved it forward with an HD1 for technical amendments; a member raised concern that the measure did not specify the age threshold for “kupuna,” and said they would vote with reservations. Finally, SCR 93 would direct DHHL and the Statewide Office of Homelessness and Housing Solutions to develop a coordinated support and stabilization pathway for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries experiencing homelessness or very low income. DHHL said it is already operating a transitional housing effort called Ka Leo Opu Mama for about 18 beneficiaries using more than $6 million in federal Nah Ho Sa funds, with no dedicated state funding, and the committee recommended passage as is. The meeting ended with the chair thanking testifiers and members and adjourning the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Legislative Analyst's Office, and the California Department of Education.
• Final panelist, Department of Education. Good afternoon, Chairs and members.
• Good afternoon, Chair and members. Christon Malhotra, Department of Finance.
• Department of Finance. George Harris, Department of Finance.
• And I believe Department of Finance is going to, we'll start with Department of Finance, then LAO and

Summary: The joint hearing focused on California’s child care, preschool, and transitional kindergarten oversight, with chairs emphasizing the state’s Master Plan for Early Learning and Care and the need to break down silos between programs. CDSS and CDE reported progress toward the plan’s goals, including universal access to TK for all four-year-olds next school year, expanded access for low-income three-year-olds, and more children with disabilities being served in state preschool. They also noted ongoing work on quality rating/review reform, funding structure changes, and the need to address rates, workforce shortages, and federal uncertainty around Head Start. Testimony from advocacy groups and providers largely supported expanding access while simplifying the system. Children Now, Every Child California, and the California Budget and Policy Center argued that California still has uneven access, especially for infants, toddlers, and three-year-olds, and urged investments in mixed delivery, inclusion, full-day options, and a cost-of-care rate methodology. Every Child California recommended consolidating part-day and full-day contracts, streamlining eligibility priorities, making the two-year-old option permanent, and funding staffing incentives. Parent testimony highlighted how child care gaps and county-to-county transfer delays can disrupt work, safety, and children’s stability, and providers described low reimbursement rates, the need for health and retirement benefits, and support for delinking subsidy rates from private pay. The second panel addressed universal transitional kindergarten. The Learning Policy Institute reported rapid TK expansion, with most districts now offering TK, but said access still depends on facilities, staffing, and whether programs are available at all school sites. The Department of Finance said the governor’s budget would fully implement TK by adding funding for all eligible four-year-olds and lowering the adult-to-child ratio from 12:1 to 10:1. The Legislative Analyst’s Office said the administration’s enrollment and cost assumptions were optimistic and estimated lower TK enrollment growth and lower costs for the ratio change. CDE supported the expansion and urged continued funding for UPK coordinators, teacher development, and mixed-delivery planning grants. Members questioned facilities shortages, staffing competition, and how to ensure TK expansion does not displace CSPP or Head Start classrooms. No formal votes or actions were taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• , and the City of, of course, Los Angeles.
• Last month, in March, the State of Washington signed legislation to regulate ALPR use and retain ALPR
• their policies, procedures, and monitoring for the use and retention of license plate images and corresponding
• the City of Union City and the City of Antioch.
• Chairman and members, Brian White here on behalf of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• of thousands of motans and to tens of thousands of motans and insurance<00:21:15.440><c> providers</
• So, what's kind of typically the difference in pay rate between a trainee and a licensed provider?
• </c> and a and a licensed provider? and a and a licensed provider?
• society and be a part of um of our to society and be a part of um of our world,<00:37:28.400><c> you
• Um, and and it was kind of at everybody.

Bills: SF1750 , HF4250 , HF3938 , HF3904 , HF3642

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• ensuring the safety of all of our fans and students, including trainings on safety pouring regulations
• ensuring the safety of all of our fans and students, including trainings on safety pouring regulations
• With me is the director of the Department of Safety and Inspections from the city of St.
• of the Department of is uh the director of the Department of Safety<00:35:42.240><c> and</c><00:35:42.440
• </c> My name is Dan Nielik, Department of Safety and Inspections, City of St.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• It adds a sentence that says the Department, being the Department of Labor, shall not retroactively apply
• Because, again, there's a lot of extra education that's required to obtain that secondary license, and
• Representative, you and I talked about this bill, and you answered a lot of my questions, and I told
• And of course, as we know, the chancellor and the director of Career Tech are both fall...
• lots of self-checkout lanes and not as many employees.

Bills: HB3239 , HB4317 , HB4321 , HB4322 , HB3832 , HB3673 , HB3783 , HB3800 , HB2956 , HB3960 , HB2471 , HB3338

Committee: House Business

Transcript Highlights:

• Jared Larson from the Department of Health and Welfare up.
• Chairman and committee. Jared Larson, Chief of Staff of the Department of Health and Welfare.
• able to work with the Department of Health and Welfare to dictate... ...to actually have oversight and
• Larson: Jared Larson, Chief of Staff at the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.
• governing authority over use and disclosure of department records?

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• "Department of Managed Health Care for a budget overview and budget change proposals and trailer bill
• The proposal specifies that plans licensed by the DMHC, health insurers licensed by the Department of
• health plan or California Department of Insurance-licensed insurer.
• AB 116 required the department to license PBMs, and those licensed PBMs to submit quarterly financial
• AB 116 required the department to license PBMs, and those licensed PBMs to submit quarterly financial

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health heard updates on five health-related budget items. First, members reviewed state support for distressed hospitals and health facilities. The California Health Facilities Financing Authority and HCAI described the Distressed Hospital Loan Program as a lifeline for 16 hospitals, many of which remain financially strained and are expected to seek loan forgiveness rather than repayment. Speakers cited reduced contract labor, new service lines, strategic partnerships, and the reopening of Madera Hospital as signs of progress, but also warned that federal policy changes under H.R. 1 will likely increase uncompensated care and pressure emergency departments. Public commenters from hospital, dental, and consumer groups supported additional funding, including a request to refresh the program with another $300 million. The committee then heard HCAI’s update on the California Rural Health Transformation Program, a five-year federal initiative funded at $233.6 million for California. HCAI said the program will focus on rural care models, workforce development, and health technology, with grants to be rolled out on a fast timeline and all funds obligated by October 30, 2026. Members raised concerns about rural provider capacity to apply for grants, and HCAI said it will use a third-party administrator, a technical assistance center, webinars, and other supports to help applicants. HCAI also presented its budget request for the health care payments database, seeking ongoing non-General Fund support to continue operations and expand data, including pharmacy benefit manager data. The Emergency Medical Services Authority presented three budget change proposals: funding to replace disaster medical services fleet vehicles, funding for IT security work, and additional positions for HR, enforcement, and legal workload. A member also raised concern that EMSA has not yet completed the annual ambulance rate reporting required by AB 716, and EMSA said it remains committed to the requirement but lost prior funding through later budget reductions. Covered California reported that it is still finalizing its own budget, but expects a lower operating budget due to efforts to reduce baseline costs and align spending with actual expenditures; it also projected enrollment declines tied to the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits, H.R. 1, and federal rule changes, while noting that revenues may still rise because premiums are expected to increase. Finally, the Department of Managed Health Care outlined budget proposals tied to menopause coverage and education, PBM licensure and enforcement under AB 116 and SB 41, credentialing reforms under AB 1041, and prior authorization reporting under SB 306. Public testimony generally supported the menopause and PBM proposals, while also urging clearer language and attention to Medi-Cal parity. The hearing concluded after public comment, including additional advocacy for sickle cell services and rural health workforce funding.

Transcript Highlights:

• is already highly regulated both federally and by other state wage and employer regulations, and that
• Will the economic benefits of reduced regulation outweigh potential risk to worker safety and their rights
• Unfortunately, because of the timing of the bill, several of the breweries that we go to and market and
• Unfortunately, because of the timing of the bill, several of the breweries that we go to and market and
• That is well regulated, some of the best access to market, and allows consumer choice. Thank you.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and heard seven measures, including four bills and three proposed committee substitutes. HB 6033, repealing the Labor Pool Act, was presented as a cleanup measure to remove duplicative regulation; supporters argued workers would still be covered by OSHA, wage laws, workers’ compensation, and liability insurance, while opponents raised concerns about losing specific protections for day laborers. The bill was reported favorably on a 4-? vote, with several members voting no over concerns about worker protections. HB 453, dealing with pool and spa contractors, was described as a technical update to Chapter 489 that would better align licensing scopes with current industry practice and allow contractors to perform related work without stopping for additional licensed trades. An amendment making only drafting changes was adopted, and the bill passed unanimously. CS/HB 277 on veteran benefits assistance was also reported favorably unanimously after testimony focused on protecting veterans from predatory claims-assistance practices while preserving choice and requiring disclosures, fee limits, and data-security safeguards. The committee then approved PCS for HB 291, which would require personal mobility device batteries sold in Florida to meet an IPX-7 certification standard, after the sponsor cited fire risks from lithium-ion batteries; the measure passed unanimously. PCS for HB 709, allowing valid pari-mutuel permit holders to lease facilities to nearby high-li permit holders, was amended to require a minimum of 59 live performances and then passed unanimously. CS/HB 4011, expanding who may serve as a building official on Palm Beach County’s Building Code Advisory Board, passed unanimously as a good-government fix to fill vacancies. Finally, PCS for HB 499, allowing small craft breweries under 31,000 gallons to self-distribute, drew extensive testimony from brewers and distributors about small-business growth versus the three-tier alcohol system; despite concerns about weakening distribution safeguards, the bill was reported favorably by a 13-2 vote. The meeting then adjourned with no further business.