Transcript Highlights:

• I don't want to have to call you back to this room after a terrorist attack and ask how did the IC miss
• The second disturbance was the cries of a small child.
• But he likely endangered American lives through his actions.

Committee: Senate Intelligence (Select) Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• You can tell we've missed each other.
• :45:02.880><c> because</c><00:45:03.120><c> they</c><00:45:03.240><c> might</c><00:45:03.400><c> endanger
• </c> facility because they might endanger facility because they might endanger other<00:45:04.520><c>
• So, how do you come up—are we missing people? Are we not collecting data?
• you</c><00:50:05.200><c> come</c><00:50:05.680><c> Are</c><00:50:05.800><c> we</c><00:50:05.920><c> missing

Committee: Joint Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• care of your child.
• You know, they've got a child. She obviously is extended the courtesy.
• When I was a child, no one taught me what grooming looked like.
• When I was a child, no one taught me what grooming looked like.
• costs for her child.

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Did you all miss me yesterday? Well, today is our last hearing of the year.
• We're going to miss you.
• We are going to miss you, but I know that you're not going to be far.
• Boy, you’re going to be missed. Congratulations on a successful tenure.
• Can we miss you? You're good? Questions? No. All right, public? Oh, good.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Child Protective Services Division of the department will then determine whether the report of child
• The Child Protective Services Division of the department will then determine whether the report of child
• The staff-to-child ratio and group size designated for the youngest child in the mixed group must be
• Agencies include child care businesses, child placing agencies, foster homes, group care facilities,
• to relatives of that child.

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 1544, which would require DCYF to study and improve the risk assessment tool used in child abuse and neglect investigations, including better identifying family strengths and needs, substance use-related risk, and service needs, and to certify the tool every three years. Staff explained the bill and noted it had passed the committee unanimously in substitute form last year. The prime sponsor, Representative Rule, said the tool would help reduce bias and support better decisions about child safety. Members raised questions about whether the bill would require new data systems or create a fiscal impact, and DCYF testified that the recertification process would focus on evidence-based literature and fidelity to the tool, though the agency acknowledged limitations in its data system. Support testimony from Partners for Our Children and DCYF emphasized that the current tool is not evidence-based and that the department is piloting the North Carolina Family Assessment Scale. The hearing on HB 1544 was then closed. The committee then received a lengthy work session from DCYF on juvenile rehabilitation. Juvenile Rehabilitation Assistant Secretary Jennifer Redman and security classification administrator Jeff Endermark described a growing JR population that is older, serving more adult-sentence youth, and projected to rise to about 481 by 2031. They said Green Hill School remains crowded, Harbor Heights is being brought online as a short-term option, and Echo Glen is near safe operational capacity. They explained JR’s classification system, behavior management process, and the role of multidisciplinary teams in placement decisions, as well as the expansion of community transition services (CTS), which uses electronic home monitoring for eligible youth. Staff described CTS eligibility, supervision expectations, and examples of successful placements, but also said the program needs more after-hours staffing and community supports. Members questioned the validity and equity of the risk tools, the availability of community resources, the impact of behavior policies and escapes, the use of single bunking, and broader concerns about lawsuits and sexual abuse in the system. JR reported an escape rate increase from 1.78 per 100 youth in 2001 to 3.92 in 2025 and said additional capacity and staffing are still needed. The committee then heard House Bill 2219, which would allow child care centers more flexibility in mixed-age grouping during parts of the day and waive repeated DCYF pre-service orientation for people who have already completed it. The prime sponsor, Representative Ortiz-Self, said the bill is meant to ease burdens on small providers. Testifiers from SEIU 925, a family child care provider, the Washington Child Care Centers Association, a child care center director, and the Children’s Campaign Fund supported the bill as a practical way to improve staffing flexibility and reduce duplicative licensing requirements, though one association asked that the bill’s daily time caps on mixed-age grouping be revised or removed. The committee then heard House Bill 2253, an agency-request technical corrections bill for DCYF licensing. Staff said it would allow child-specific licenses for certain relatives under interstate placements, exempt kinship caregivers from blood-borne pathogen training, remove licensing exemptions for physicians and lawyers, allow termination of inactive licenses, revise crisis residential center staffing ratios, and eliminate state monitoring requirements for the Washington School for the Deaf residential program. Members asked about how inactivity would be defined and whether the School for the Deaf inspections had historically produced savings. DCYF said the bill would help right-size licensing workloads after budget cuts and would let the agency work with stakeholders to define inactivity in rule. Testimony from DCYF, Community Youth Services, and Partners for Our Children supported the bill, especially the staffing ratio fix for crisis residential centers and the child-specific licensing changes for relatives.

Transcript Highlights:

• development so we're just so very child development so we're just so very grateful<00:10:39.519><c>
• <00:31:45.679><c> bang</c> Miss bang Miss bang Mo<00:31:48.279><c> thank</c><00:31:48.440><c> you</c>
• And I apologize if I missed this part of your presentation because I came in a little bit late.
• </c> real quickly and I apologize if I missed real quickly and I apologize if I missed this<01:15:27.600
• I don't want to miss anybody else. I think we're good with that. Not seeing any other...

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Transcript Highlights:

• He was headed to heal a child who was dying. And in the middle of it, he stopped.
• He was headed to heal a child who was dying.
• But we know now that the child he was going to heal was already dead.
• And those providers get $28 a day for child care.
• If any of the members here have a young adult child who's...

Transcript Highlights:

• This came, I've been part of the Child Welfare Oversight, the Child Protection Oversight Committee for
• Claim of abuse or neglect with that child.
• Family and kin first to place a child in any situation where a child is placed into foster care and their
• Because I didn’t want more trauma to this child.
• And we took the child from that mom, the foster mom. That child, I saw photos. She disintegrated.

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:42:37.200><c> a</c> projects to hopefully not miss a projects to hopefully not miss a construction
• However, MCEA thinks HF 8, as introduced, misses the point entirely.
• </c><01:14:15.600><c> the</c> introduced MCA thinks it misses the introduced MCA thinks it misses the
• </c><01:18:22.760><c> any</c> their application is missing any their application is missing any information
• </c><01:59:32.239><c> here</c> obvious thing that we're missing here obvious thing that we're missing

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• socially and economically disadvantaged business owners can receive legal, accounting, and financial advisory
• socially and economically disadvantaged business owners can receive legal, accounting, and financial advisory
• objections any of those items you know objections items k2 or all the items in k2 are reviewed thank you miss
• This is due to rising caseloads, staff vacancies, and emergency child protection demands that occur outside
• This is due to rising case lows staff vacancies and emergency child protection demands that occur outside

Committee: All ALC-PEER

Summary: The committee reviewed a large slate of appropriation, transfer, and continuation requests across multiple sections. In Section B, members considered temporary FY27 appropriations for agencies including Health, DHS, Education, Treasury, Public Safety, State Police, Emergency Management, Aeronautics, Military, Economic Development, Game and Fish, and others, covering items such as maternal health outreach, LIHEAP overpayment returns, Wynne High School tornado rebuilding, senior food services, cybersecurity, crime victim claims, airport grants, conservation incentives, and emergency tower maintenance. Questions focused on the DHS senior services carry-forward and Treasury custodial banking fees tied to lower balances after COVID funds were spent down. All Section B items were approved. The committee then approved continuation requests, ARPA reallocations, and federal grant-related items in Sections B2, C1A, D1, D2, D3, E1, E2, E3, F1A, G1, H1A, I1A, J1/J2, K1/K2/K3, L1/L2, M1/M2, N1/N2, O1A, and P1A. These included university nursing and workforce programs, environmental and recycling grants, highway safety and emergency management grants, a transfer to the Merit Teacher Incentive Program, restricted reserve transfers for military, agriculture, UAPB, Game and Fish, and AETN, and various cash-fund and budget classification transfers. Several members asked for more detail on the State Police highway safety grant, VOCA victim compensation funding, the NSGP nonprofit security grant, and the Office of State Technology’s E-Rate-related transfer; agency officials explained the uses and noted that some funding levels depend on federal awards and collections. A notable discussion occurred on the Department of Commerce reallocation, which shifts 68 positions and $3 million among divisions to support an organizational realignment and avoid shortfalls. The committee also reviewed a state central services deduction request to keep the rate at 2%, a DHS overtime request for child protection caseloads, and a year-end adjustments request authorizing up to $1 million in temporary actions to close FY26 books without disrupting payroll or vendor payments. Most items were approved or, in some sections, simply reviewed without objection. The meeting adjourned after completing the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• plaintiffs' specific objections, the remedy would be to incorporate language plaintiffs believe is missing
• At the same time, we are collaborating with the Math and Science Advisory the Math and Science Advisory
• for students who are struggling, and student assistance teams in every school who focus on the whole child
• I can teach a child till I'm blue in the face. How does the family feel about education?

Transcript Highlights:

• if that's what you're asking. >> No, I'm not asking about following the child, but would that money
• House Bill 2 incorporates many recommendations from the Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board that we
• House Bill 2 incorporates many recommendations from the Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board that we
• </c> the Medicaid oversight and advisory the Medicaid oversight and advisory board<00:43:06.880><c> that
• Miss Chisum, I just need to chime in.

Committee: House Appropriations & Revenue

Transcript Highlights:

• Our Citizens Advisory Committee takes part in nearly every step of our budget process.
• Our Citizens Advisory Committee takes part in nearly every step of our budget process.
• Our Citizens Advisory Committee takes part in nearly every step of our budget process.
• It requires the union to ...union 30 days to provide the missing information.
• I heard that rent is hard to make, that child care is expensive, that groceries are expensive.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and took up a long agenda of bills, many of them amended. Early action included PCS for CS for HB 639, which would expand an existing Fraternal Order of Police specialty license plate to all Floridians, tighten specialty plate rules for future applicants, require financial projections and reporting, and create several new specialty plates. After questions about Florida nexus requirements and a successful amendment adding a Florida Film Legacy plate, the bill was reported favorably 26-0. PCS for CS for HB 1169, limiting local governments’ use of excess building-code enforcement funds for construction of the code-enforcement building, also passed unanimously after testimony from the Florida Home Builders Association. The committee then approved HB 139, expanding whistleblower protections for state, local, and contract employees who file ethics complaints, with support from the Florida Commission on Ethics. PCS for HB 273, which would make special districts eligible for certain state and federal grants and direct pay options, passed 24-1 after testimony from both supporters and opponents. Members also approved CS for HB 1087, a public-records exemption for certain stablecoin issuer information, and CS for HB 1085, updating the local government cybersecurity grant program by moving it to Cyber Florida at USF, adding a sunset, and limiting consecutive awards. Several environmental and local-government transparency measures drew extended debate. CS for CS for HB 1417, a broad environmental bill, was amended to remove several provisions, retain others on the Environmental Regulation Commission, springs, solar facilities, Indian River Lagoon septic deadlines, and coastal resiliency partnerships, and then passed 24-0 amid mixed testimony from DEP, water management districts, and environmental advocates. CS for HB 1457, creating a framework for regional stormwater management systems and water quality enhancement areas, passed 24-0 after discussion of port impacts. CS for HB 1329, requiring local budgets to be posted earlier, retained longer, and made searchable, and adding a 10% budget-cutting exercise, passed 17-6 after strong opposition from local-government groups who argued it would be costly and duplicative. The committee also approved CS for HB 4091 creating a special district for stormwater and flood control in Sarasota and Manatee counties, and then took up CS for HB 995, a major overhaul of Public Employees Relations Commission and union-related procedures, including registration, dues disclosure, election rules, leave-time limits, and expedited bargaining over legislatively appropriated salary increases; that bill was still under questioning when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those are the sectors in the bottom in orange that are crucial: child care, housing, health care. child
• The makeup of the advisory council, which is in statute, has a seat for Black media.
• One is about child care. California loses an estimated $35 to $38 billion about child care.
• California loses an estimated $35 to $38 billion annually to child care shortages.
• So if you don't mind just stating your restating the issue and anything that she missed.

Summary: The subcommittee heard an overview from Go-Biz Director D.D. Myers on the administration’s economic development strategy, centered on the California Jobs First framework. Myers described regional planning across 13 regions, the Jobs First Council, and pilot sectors including ag-tech, space and defense, life sciences, and semiconductors. She also outlined budget requests for CalCompetes, CalExport, the California Film Commission, innovation/emerging technologies, and the California Civic Media Fund, along with the new California brand campaign. Committee members raised questions about misinformation about California, regulatory burdens, tourism versus broader economic messaging, and how the brand campaign would highlight underrepresented communities. No vote was taken; the item was informational. The committee then reviewed CalOSBA’s work on small business support, including California RISE, the Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund, and TAP/SIP technical assistance and capital infusion programs. CalOSBA reported that California RISE’s first cohort awarded $16.9 million to 61 employment social enterprises, with growth in revenue, contracts, and jobs; the performing arts payroll fund paid all 100 recipients but was heavily oversubscribed; and TAP supported more than 112,000 businesses in the past year, helping leverage federal and local funds. Testimony from program partners emphasized the importance of small business counseling, community-based outreach, and support for arts organizations facing post-pandemic and AB 5-related cost pressures. Senators pressed for more data on long-term job retention, better outreach to smaller and ethnic media, and possible program changes to speed grants and stretch funding further. Finally, the committee heard Go-Biz’s request for additional staff and funding for the California Film and Television Tax Credit Program. Staff said the request would support application review, DEIA implementation, and data tracking. The Film Commission reported that about 147 productions had been approved and roughly 90% were opting into the new diversity provisions, with career pathways reporting to include demographic and participation data and a future report expected in 2027. Senators asked about accountability, apprenticeship and internship hours, and whether the program was producing real career pathways and inclusive hiring outcomes. The item remained informational, with no vote or action taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I missed the minutes. Where does it say that here? Oh, there it is.
• And Sandy, feel free to add anything I might have missed.
• We also do survey work for the child care system.
• So we're going to miss each other. Maybe we'll see each other more now. Maybe fishing.
• Murphy and some of you from work on the advisory council in 2020, during that time.

Summary: The Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee met to review prior minutes and hear a series of presentations on advanced nuclear technology and state readiness. The committee approved the April 21, 2022 minutes. Nucleon’s William Bridge outlined the advanced nuclear landscape, distinguishing near-term light-water SMRs from more advanced Gen 4 reactors and microreactors, and emphasized that fuel supply, especially HALEU, remains a developing supply chain. He said light-water designs are the most deployable in the near term, while advanced reactors may be better suited for industrial heat applications and could face a 2- to 3-year delay from fuel availability. Representatives from NASEO described how other states are supporting advanced nuclear through task forces, roadmaps, pilot programs, financing tools, workforce and supply-chain efforts, and regional coordination. They highlighted the Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative and stressed that states are focusing early on emergency preparedness, community engagement, waste management, affordability, and consumer protections. They also noted that some states are creating nuclear-ready community programs and cost-recovery guardrails, while public utility commissions are examining long-term lifecycle costs and rate impacts. North Dakota agencies then outlined their potential roles. The Public Service Commission said it would likely be involved in public-interest review, siting, and rate regulation, but noted current statutes may not fully address long-term nuclear projects, co-location, or decommissioning. The Department of Environmental Quality said it would continue to regulate radioactive materials and likely support emergency planning, while fission reactor oversight remains federal. The Department of Emergency Services said it would serve as the lead off-site preparedness agency, needing a radiological emergency program, training, exercises, equipment, and possibly industry funding. The Department of Water Resources said North Dakota has sufficient surface water, especially from the Missouri River, but that water planning would be important; it did not recommend statutory or budget changes at this time. The committee recessed for lunch after these presentations, with no additional votes or actions taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think Miss Carol… help me out with your last name? Carol Gunlock?
• Uh, next we have Miss Linda Lee. How are you, Miss Lee? Hi, I'm great.
• Thank you, Miss Lee. Appreciate it.
• Miss Carol Gunlock, you get a second bite. Miss Carol Gunlock, you get a second bite at the apple.
• Uh, Miss April Hartsville, did I get your name correct? Yes, that's correct.

Bills: SB245 , SB246 , HB30 , HB30

Committee: Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund

Keywords: SB245, public assistance, Medicaid, SNAP, food assistance, Alabama Medicaid Agency, Department of Human Resources, eligibility verification, self-attestation, data matching, fraud prevention, improper payments, program integrity, benefit eligibility, income verification, residency verification, asset verification, electronic benefit transfer, EBT, cross-checks

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, Miss Fredman. Thank you. Good afternoon, Madam Chair and committee members.
• Thank you so much, Miss Fredman.
• In my school, when a child becomes dysregulated, we must often clear the classroom.
• </c> the other students they're missing the other students they're missing instruction<00:59:31.880><
• And, Miss Sers, would you like to add some things? So, I was just here in support.

Committee: House Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• The budget provides $46 million for the Department of Fish and Game to support land conservation, endangered
• species protection, The Department of Fish and Game will support land conservation, endangered species

Summary: The House met in a session centered on the FY26 budget, especially the Energy and Environmental Affairs and Labor/Economic Development sections, while also taking time to recognize several championship teams and other guests. Early in the day, the chamber adopted a set of commemorative resolutions, including observances for Apraxia Awareness Day, International Celiac Awareness Day, and Jewish American Heritage Month. Members also welcomed Franklin High’s cheerleading and boys basketball champions, Winthrop boys hockey champions, St. Mary’s of Lynn girls basketball champions, Holy Trinity School students, and later Boston Celtics guard Drew Holiday and Lauren Holiday. The most contentious debate involved amendments related to Massachusetts’ climate and clean-car policies. Representative Lombardo offered amendments to delay or repeal ACC2/zero-emission vehicle requirements and to convert climate mandates into goals rather than requirements, arguing the rules were unrealistic, costly, and harmful to dealers, consumers, and the economy. Opponents said the House had already addressed the issue, and that climate and energy policy should remain under review through a public process. The House rejected Lombardo’s ACC2-related amendments, including after a ruling of the Chair was upheld by roll call, and later adopted a consolidated Energy and Environmental Affairs amendment by a wide margin. The House then adopted a consolidated Labor and Economic Development amendment and ultimately passed the FY26 budget to be engrossed. Supporters highlighted major funding for environmental protection, parks, fish and game, clean energy, food insecurity programs, agricultural support, economic development, tourism, and an immigration legal assistance fund. The chamber also observed a moment of silence for Molly McGovern, and at the end of the session adopted an order to meet the next day at 11 a.m. before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• So line 1714 allocates $35 million for acquisition of environmentally endangered and unique lands.
• So line 1714 allocates $35 million for acquisition of environmentally endangered and unique lands.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government heard and reported favorably several bills. CS/SB 800 would increase penalties for repeated unlicensed engineering practice and create an engineering student loan assistance program funded by licensure fees and fines; Senator Sharif asked about restitution for victims, and the sponsor said the bill does not create a reimbursement mechanism. CS/SB 576 would create a local government cybersecurity protection program administered by Florida Digital Service, with state purchasing support, grant access, and data-sharing requirements; local government and cybersecurity groups waived in support. CS/SB 1078 would establish transition procedures between gubernatorial administrations, including liaisons, briefing books, office space, IT access, and access to agency records under a signed confidentiality agreement. The committee also reported favorably CS/SB 314 on payment stablecoin issuers, CS/SB 530 updating lottery operations and security rules, CS/SB 1614 giving JAC/LAC-related audit findings more enforcement effect for local governments seeking state funds, SB 990 authorizing protective cell captive insurance companies, SB 1588 beginning implementation of the prior gold-and-silver legal tender law, CS/SB 1440 adding cybersecurity-related exemptions and reporting provisions for financial institutions, and CS/SB 1568 creating a stablecoin pilot program for DFS fee payments. Several bills had support testimony from state agencies and industry groups, and some included technical or guardrail amendments that were adopted without objection. The committee also received a budget overview highlighting major funding items, including more than $350 million for Florida Forever, $738 million for Everglades restoration, more than $500 million for water quality projects outside the Everglades, $60 million for Farmers Feeding Florida, and more than $250 million for citrus recovery. Members asked questions about school lunch funding, state park improvements, land acquisition, water quality funding, gaming enforcement offices, and staffing for PERC. After the bills and budget discussion, members recorded a few affirmative votes on selected tabs, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:08:07.520><c> is</c> you have a scenario where the child is you have a scenario where the child
• Slowly, his grades did start to go up, and I noticed that he wasn't missing quite as much recess.
• quite as much that he wasn't missing quite as much recess.
• Protecting recess ensures that every child has that opportunity.
• </c><01:33:33.440><c> times,</c> academic times andor advisory times, academic times andor advisory times

Committee: Senate Education