Transcript Highlights:

• I like this week I'd like to introduce three new interns from Iolani School.
• House of Representatives. three new interns um from three new interns um from Iolani<00:15:32.120><c> School
• </c> Iolani School. First is Mingon Shin. Iolani School. First is Mingon Shin.
• ><00:20:02.160><c> middle</c><00:20:02.960><c> and</c><00:20:03.160><c> high</c><00:20:03.320><c> schools
• </c> and is in 18 middle and high schools and is in 18 middle and high schools across<00:20:04.280><c

Bills: HR206, SB3083, SB2377, SB2816, SB3248, SB2436, SB2259, SB2928, SB2577, SB2697, SB2399, SB2665, SB2851, SB3102, SB2521, SB3157, SB3255, SB3016, SB2765, SB1432, SB17, SB2401, SB2972, SB3014, SB3032, SB3137, SB847, SB2261, SB2271, SB2272, SB2804, SB3007, SB3019, SB3250, SB2603, SB3022, SB2256, SB2147, SB2014, SB2114, SB2115, SB2117, SB2246, SB2519, SB3055, SB3095, SB3144, SB3264, SB2325, SB2211, SB3245, SB2090, SB2803, SB2866, SB2250, SB2497, SB2032, SB2487, SB3136, SB2756, SB2615, SB3262, SB2024, SB2177, SB2552, SB2319, SB2407, SB2153, SB2321, SB2805, SB3010, SB2892, SB2781, SB2489, SB2174, SB2169, SB3123

Keywords: Robert Bob Toyofuku, Hawaii legal community, House Resolution, commendation, honorary resolution, legal education, continuing legal education, CLE, William S. Richardson School of Law, University of Hawaii law school, Pacific Law Institute, attorney training, legal ethics, professional responsibility, legal mentorship, legal profession, court-annexed arbitration, alternative dispute resolution, appellate decisions, Hawaii Supreme Court

Transcript Highlights:

• would have different rate increases for child care providers, state preschool providers who work in school
• Many of our school districts have signed on to a letter asking for our support and the support of other
• For instance, our pharmacists currently use an online pharmacy form that provides them with the most
• The problem that we've run into is we may have something like the online pharmacy formulary, right?
• I am a pharmacy technician at Highland Hospital, a part of Alameda County.

Summary: The committee first heard May Revision child care and human services items. The Department of Child Support Services described two technical adjustments, which the analyst supported. The Department of Social Services then walked through child care proposals, including a reduction in federal and Proposition 64 funding absorbed through a shift from General Child Care to the Alternative Payment program, a 2.01% child care COLA, disaster-related infrastructure grants, a new administrative support cost structure for Alternative Payment agencies, the removal of prospective pay funding after a federal rule change, a reappropriation for existing infrastructure grants, and estimates of unspent child care funds. The Legislative Analyst’s Office recommended asking for more justification for shifting reductions to CAP, supported the COLA reduction but wanted consistency across programs, recommended removing prospective pay funding, opposed the administrative cost shift, and suggested further review of disaster grant alignment. Members pressed the administration on why more slots would be cut for the same savings, why the COLA was reduced, and whether the administrative percentage would grow over time. The administration said the changes were intended to avoid disrupting currently enrolled families, reflect point-in-time relinquishments and unspent funds, and stabilize contractor operations. Public commenters, including providers, advocates, and county representatives, urged full COLA funding, rejection of child care slot reductions, preservation of prospective pay, and continued investment in child care infrastructure and access. The subcommittee then recessed before moving to health items. In Part B, the Department of State Hospitals presented its May Revision proposals, including a central utility plant replacement project at Metropolitan State Hospital, funding for a continuum electronic health record system, reduced county bed billing authority to reflect phase-in of additional LPS beds, limited contract exemption authority for online clinical subscription services, reversion of prior-year unspent operating funds, and a workforce development proposal to use Behavioral Health Services Act funds instead of General Fund for training programs. The department said the EHR would modernize records and improve continuity of care, and that the contract exemption would prevent delays in essential clinical information services. No votes were taken in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Senior at Newcastle High School in Newcastle.
• Senate Enrolled Act Number 65, being Original Senate File 121, Wyoming Pharmacy Act Amendments, an act
• relating to the Wyoming Pharmacy Act.
• Members of the Casper Christian School. Kim Kelbert is up there. I think these are our seniors.
• Seniors at the Casper Christian School.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• FSU School of RMI is great, and we do pull a lot of graduates from there.
• But it’s a limited talent base for that kind of school. You really need those kinds of resources.
• FSU School of RMI is great, and we do pull a lot of graduates from there.
• But it's a limited School of RMI is great, and we do pull a lot of graduates from there.
• But it's a limited talent base for that kind of school.

Summary: The subcommittee met to review agency travel, budget reduction exercises, and member reports from agency meetings. Early discussion focused on the Department of Management Services (DMS), where members questioned the cost of travel for four out-of-state data/cyber staff and the secretary’s absence. DMS defended the hires as highly specialized enterprise cybersecurity and data personnel, said the positions were lawfully paid and posted, and explained that the staff work on statewide data cataloging and cyber risk reduction rather than agency-by-agency systems. Members also raised concerns about fleet inventory discrepancies and requested follow-up information on hiring, travel, and data inventory timelines. The chair said she would consider travel guardrails and possible reductions, and noted that DMS, the Lottery, and the Florida Commission on Human Relations did not meet the requested reduction target, while the Public Employee Relations Commission did not submit reductions. The committee then heard from the Florida Lottery about the secretary’s trip to Paris for the World Lottery Convention. Lottery staff said the trip was reimbursed through the multi-state lottery organization and was intended to share best practices and improve operations, though members questioned the value of the travel and requested reimbursement records and the trip agenda. The subcommittee also reviewed agency reduction exercises from several agencies. The Department of Revenue exceeded its target and was praised for frugality; DFS, the Florida Gaming Control Commission, the Office of Financial Regulation, the Office of Insurance Regulation, the Public Service Commission, the Division of Administrative Hearings, and the Department of Business and Professional Regulation each described how they met or approached their reduction goals, often through vacancies, reversions, or expense cuts. OIR warned that further reductions could hurt insurance regulation capacity, while OFR and PSC said their reductions were based on historical reversions and lower post-COVID travel or vacancy levels. Members then reported back on agency meetings. DMS members raised fleet tracking, real property audits, salary studies, and health plan savings ideas, and asked for follow-up on the Florida PALM project, cybersecurity grants, and state IT modernization. DFS members said the agency was efficient and that its Palm-related work and insurance consumer programs were important. Lottery members emphasized the agency’s revenue generation for education and its low administrative overhead. Gaming Control members highlighted storage costs for seized gaming equipment and suggested technology-based alternatives. PERC members said a union-related law had doubled their workload and asked for more staffing and possible AI assistance. OIR members stressed the need for a Tampa satellite office and more resources to recruit and retain specialized staff. The chair closed by saying the committee would continue reviewing travel, staffing, and reductions with an eye toward taxpayer value and transparency.

Transcript Highlights:

• serve as the executive officer for the Board of Medicine, the Board of Nursing, and the Board of Pharmacy
• The Idaho Board of Pharmacy administers the regulatory provisions of the state's Uniform Controlled Substances

Summary: The Senate Health and Welfare Committee heard House Bill 777, which updates Idaho’s Controlled Substances Act. Testimony from the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses explained that the bill adds several substances to Schedule I and two opioids to Schedule II, makes clarifying and cleanup changes, updates registration to biennial registration, and expands limited prescription drug monitoring program access for certain federal and tribal investigators. The bill was described as having no expected fiscal impact and no public opposition was reported. The committee voted to send HB 777 to the floor with a do pass recommendation. The committee also approved the minutes from February 11, 2026. It then took up House Concurrent Resolution 30, which seeks legislative authorization to hire an independent consultant to assist the Medicaid Legislative Review Panel as Idaho moves toward comprehensive managed care under House Bill 345. Senator Van Orden said the panel is facing a large volume of contract and RFP material tied to a roughly $5.5 billion Medicaid budget and needs help meeting an October deadline. Supporters argued an independent consultant would provide needed oversight on a complex contract, while opponents questioned whether the work would duplicate the Department of Health and Welfare’s consultant and raised concerns about added spending and the broader direction of Medicaid managed care. After debate, the committee voted by roll call 6-3 to send HCR 30 to the floor with a do pass recommendation. The meeting ended with notice that the committee would meet again the next day on additional bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the school. the school. &gt;&gt; Representative<00:55:58.960><c> Weber.
• </c> school nurses, the school nurse school nurses, the school nurse association,<01:04:07.280><c> and
• </c> school entry is practical and useful. school entry is practical and useful.
• </c> specifically for school nurses. specifically for school nurses.
• They go to school, kindergarten.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, from John Rolfe Middle School. Welcome to the Capitol. Welcome to the Capitol.
• Today in the gallery is an outstanding group of students from Surrey County High School.
• Today in the gallery is an outstanding group of students from Surrey County High School.
• Warm House welcome to the Surrey County High School Class of 2026.
• They'll pull into the schools; schools are closed.

Keywords: April 22, 2026 - Reconvened Session, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That allowed charter schools, and if districts wanted to participate, they could, but charter schools
• Schools are for academic studies.
• Charter schools, by the way, and many schools, if they want to do elective instruction in any topic or
• , day versus those schools being run by people who really genuinely care. ...into the charter schools
• So not taking away the school lunches, I do appreciate that as a school board member.

Summary: The House convened, opened with prayer and the Pledge, approved the journal, and welcomed several guests in the gallery, including a high school student and an advocate connected to the domestic violence bill HB 2995. The chamber then moved through multiple Committee of the Whole calendars, first advancing HB 4155, HB 4156, and HB 4157, then HB 4164, HB 4165, and HB 4166, all with do-pass recommendations and no substantive amendments on those calendars. Later, the House also considered SB 1326, a victims’ rights measure, adopted a floor amendment, and reported it out as amended. The House corrected an earlier clerical error regarding HB 4155-4157 being referred to engrossing rather than third reading. The House then took up a long series of final passage votes on Senate bills. SB 2174, SB 2611, SB 1011, SB 1012, SB 1016, SB 1018, SB 1038, SB 1039, SB 1040, SB 1053, SB 1055, SB 1057, SB 1060, SB 1061, SB 1068, SB 1069, SB 1075, SB 1100, SB 1113 on reconsideration, SB 1160, and SB 1170 all passed. SB 2873, SB 1004, SB 1009, SB 1042, SB 1043, SB 1049, SB 1093, and SB 1143 failed. SB 2995, the emergency family-law/domestic-violence bill known as the Alec and Lydia Act, passed with the required two-thirds vote after extensive debate; supporters said it would better protect children and clarify judicial standards, while opponents argued its definitions were overly broad and could harm families. SB 1018 on foreign laws also drew extended debate over Sharia law, with supporters framing it as a defense of American values and opponents calling it unnecessary and discriminatory. Several votes included explanations focused on policy concerns. SB 1004 on sex-offender registration and monitoring drew debate over whether electronic monitoring is effective. SB 1040 on voter registration transparency prompted arguments over public access to voter rolls versus privacy and security. SB 1118 on municipal zoning and historical homes was debated as a property-rights and local-control issue, with supporters saying it could help preserve affordable housing and opponents warning it would override local decisions. The House also adopted motions to reconsider prior actions on SB 1043 and SB 1100, and it requested the Senate return SB 1552 for reconsideration. The session ended with the House still processing additional Committee of the Whole business, including HB 4158, HB 4159, HB 4160, HB 4161, HB 4162, and HB 4163, with HB 4162 and HB 4163 receiving floor amendments and do-pass recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've got high school kids that are using these small nicotine alternative nicotine pouches and putting
• We've got high school kids that are using these small nicotine alternative nicotine pouches and putting
• My understanding is that this bill is brought to us by the School Board Association.
• I don't see it in pharmacies. I don't see it in alcohol.
• While I appreciate the ISBA, this school board association being one of the stakeholders in drafting

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The House Revenue and Taxation Committee met on March 12, 2026, and took up three introduction-only RS drafts. RS 33573, sponsored by Representative Raymond, would create a permitting and licensing framework for vape and alternative nicotine products, define contraband, require out-of-state bonding, allow permit denial for fraud or felony issues, and impose a modest excise tax on vape and alternative nicotine products, with revenue split between Health and Welfare, public education for cessation, and the general fund. Raymond said the measure was developed with multiple stakeholders and was intended for introduction only this session. Representative Barbieri opposed the policy as overregulation and argued it could double-tax a cessation product, while other members asked for fiscal comparisons to tobacco taxes. The committee ultimately voted to introduce the RS. The committee then considered RS 33664, sponsored by Representative Raibold, which would establish a state property tax tied to occupancy and direct the revenue back to counties and cities for law enforcement, fire, EMS, property tax reduction, infrastructure, and maintenance. Several members said their votes to introduce were not endorsements and expressed opposition to a statewide property tax, though they supported discussing the idea. The motion to introduce passed. Finally, RS 33659, also by Representative Raibold, would clarify homestead exemption verification by requiring matching Idaho ID/address documentation, allowing an Idaho income tax statement in some cases, and tightening rules to prevent claiming similar exemptions in other states while preserving exceptions for active military and religious missions. Members discussed how counties would verify out-of-state exemptions, and Raibold said the bill formalizes practices already used in some counties. The committee voted to introduce this RS as well, then adjourned and announced a meeting for the following day at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• He earned a bachelor's degree from Georgetown University School of Foreign Service. In 1962, Mr.
• Members, I'd like to congratulate Notre Dame Preparatory High School in Scottsdale, Arizona, and their
• Rural economic development. 2947 public school student. 2948 pricing coverage good.
• Development. 2947 public schools. 2948 pricing. $2953. Pharmacy Board. $2958.

Summary: The House convened, opened with prayer and the Pledge, approved the prior journal, and recognized the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Timothy Beger. Members also introduced several guests and groups in the gallery, including rare disease advocates, community leader Roberto Apodaca Revelez, Lucid Motors representatives, and a pediatrician visiting for Pediatrics Day at the Capitol. Attendance was recorded at 55 present, 0 absent, and 5 excused. In Committee of the Whole, the House considered HB 2022, HB 2122, and HB 2138. HB 2022, dealing with election procedures, was amended to extend the overseas military voter deadline fix and clarify that party observers may be present at all voting locations; it received a do pass recommendation. HB 2122, a technical reciprocity correction for engineers, also received a do pass recommendation. HB 2138, a cleanup bill clarifying that firefighters are covered under workers’ compensation alongside police officers, was amended and recommended do pass. On third reading, the House passed HB 2022 as an emergency measure by 56-0, HB 2046 on probation by 56-0, and HB 2116 appropriating $1 million to the Colorado River Litigation Fund by 56-0. Members speaking on HB 2116 emphasized protecting Arizona’s Colorado River water rights and described the fund as a bipartisan effort. The chamber also heard commemorative remarks recognizing Notre Dame Prep’s hockey championship, proclaiming February 2 as Mexican American Heritage Day, and honoring Mary Green as an early Black pioneer in Arizona. After recess, the House received committee and first-reading reports, announced several temporary committee replacements, and then adjourned until 1:15 p.m. Tuesday, February 3, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Dentists receive extensive training in head and neck anatomy, both in dental school and throughout their
• Dental schools across the country, including Texas, already teach these techniques for both therapeutic
• They train alongside you in medical school, so they're doing the same cadaver labs with you, anatomy
• So is that like medical school?
• I do want to clarify that as dental students in dental school, dentists actually get more hands-on head

Transcript Highlights:

• to earn paid work experience and college credit while still in high school.
• I'm here today on behalf of Schools Insurance Authority as a member of CCWC.
• That must be paid, and schools can regrettably only spend each dollar once.
• Schools, cities and counties, and the state itself.
• Carlos Lopez with the California School Employees Association in support.

Summary: The committee heard extensive testimony on AB 1729, which would update California state telework policy. The author and many unionized state workers argued that telework has improved productivity, reduced emissions and commuting costs, saved the state money on office space, and should be governed by written, evidence-based departmental policies rather than blanket return-to-office mandates. Supporters emphasized flexibility, morale, and the need for transparency through a public dashboard. There was no opposition testimony, and the bill was later moved on a 2-1 vote, with the item placed on call. Members also heard AB 805, which would create a Career Apprenticeship Bridge Program to connect high school career technical education with registered apprenticeships. The author and supporters said the bill implements recommendations from the California Youth Apprenticeship Model report and would expand earn-and-learn pathways, especially for youth facing barriers. The bill passed the committee 3-0 and was placed on call. Two workers’ compensation and labor-relations bills drew sharp opposition. AB 1576 would reform the Subsequent Injury Benefit Trust Fund; supporters said it would reduce litigation and employer assessments, while opponents argued it did not go far enough and preferred the administration’s trailer bill. AB 1582 would make it an unfair labor practice for UC or other higher education employers to disregard arbitration decisions on contracting out; supporters said it would protect arbitration outcomes for service workers, while UC argued it would interfere with bargaining agreements and threaten patient and student services. Both bills were moved on 2-1 votes and placed on call. After quorum was established, the committee also advanced AB 1630, allowing union representatives to invite bargaining-unit members to observe meet-and-confer sessions remotely; AB 2650, a CalSavers cleanup bill to improve retirement savings access and administration; AB 2054, expanding paid family leave eligibility for relatives of military service members on domestic duty; AB 2157, making permanent the Displaced Oil and Gas Workers Fund pilot program; and AB 1838, requiring bidders on local public works projects to disclose recent wage-and-hour violations. AB 1630 and AB 2157 were both placed on call after divided votes, while AB 2650 and AB 2054 passed 2-1 and 3-0 respectively, and AB 1838 was placed on call after a 1-1 vote. The transcript ends as the committee begins AB 2682, which would conform the appeal process for transportation network company driver unionization law.

Transcript Highlights:

• If this was something that would be offered in a school, would there be a package rate for the school
• We had a chance this session to talk about emergency preparedness at schools and having AEDs at schools
• We had a chance this session to talk about emergency preparedness at schools and having AEDs at schools
• If this was something that would be offered in a school, would there be a package rate for the school
• If this was something that would be offered in a school, would there be a package rate for the school

Keywords: 916, all

Summary: The committee opened by explaining it would work through a long list of interim topics one at a time and asked members to complete a selection form at the end. The first topic, long-term care, drew testimony from AARP Wyoming and the Wyoming Long-Term Care Association. AARP emphasized Wyoming’s aging population, the state’s roughly $200 million annual Medicaid spending on long-term care, and the need to examine whether more support for home-based care could reduce nursing home use and costs. The association agreed with supporting people at home as long as possible, but asked that any study also consider increased support for nursing homes and assisted living when home care is no longer feasible. Committee discussion also touched on adult day care and PACE-like services, with Mr. Laycock noting prior Department of Health discussion and limited adult day availability due to reimbursement concerns. The committee then heard proposals for neonatal intensive care unit family leave, expanded midwifery scope, and a modification to workers’ compensation law. The NICU leave idea, presented by the Wyoming Women’s Foundation, would explore leave options for families with premature infants in intensive care, potentially paid or unpaid, while considering business size and the burden on families who may need out-of-state care. The midwifery topic was framed as a way to address rural maternity and women’s health gaps by allowing midwives to practice to the full extent of their training. On workers’ compensation, the Wyoming Association of Municipalities sought to classify dispatch personnel as first responders so they could receive mental health coverage under workers’ compensation; the Department of Workforce Services explained that current law covers dispatchers under workers’ compensation generally, but the first responder mental health provision added in 2018 applies to law enforcement and firefighters and does not currently include dispatchers. Other topics included problematic gaming and program funding, breast cancer diagnostic and supplemental exams, prescription drug coverage for advanced metastatic cancer, SNAP education, behavioral health workforce clinical training site shortages, CPR in schools, and broader midwifery oversight. The behavioral health workforce proposal, brought by a WICHE commissioner, focused on increasing psychology internship slots in Wyoming, noting that the state currently has only three and that expanding placements could improve recruitment and retention. The CPR in schools topic drew strong support from the American Heart Association, which argued that CPR training in high school could improve bystander response in a rural state with long EMS response times; committee members asked about cost and curriculum fit, and the witnesses said hands-only CPR could be taught by school staff rather than requiring expensive certification. The midwifery discussion later broadened into concerns about oversight and standards after a representative described a constituent’s pregnancy loss and said complaints involving midwifery practice and staffing delays in investigations warranted a deeper review. No votes were taken during the portion provided, and most topics were simply introduced, discussed, and left open for further testimony or later committee selection.

Transcript Highlights:

• from the hospitals To that kind of thing from the hospitals, maybe from the providers, from the pharmacies
• He fixed my broken leg and gave me my physical for high school football and all of that stuff.
• How is that going to be provided to the hospitals and to Walmart's pharmacy or any of the pharmacies?
• Any of the pharmacies?

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• then medication management, we're looking for how medications flow from the provider's order to the pharmacy
• Another big cost area is pharmacy. Our pharmaceuticals tend to go up and down.
• to save us $10 million this year, is what we're projecting, and saving on the rebate program in pharmacy
• . ...on the rebate program in pharmacy.
• Again, often because of the restrictions on where they can reside—so many 2,000 feet from schools and

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 247, prohibiting network exclusion for pharmacies that refuse to dispense a prescription
• There was another part of the pharmacy that I didn't, you know, there was another middleman that I didn't
• </c><00:10:44.880><c> What</c> never even heard of these pharmacy.
• What never even heard of these pharmacy.
• Well, yes, I went to high school in the 70s. Okay.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee began by discussing 15 retained bills and the chair’s preference to keep them alive through interim study rather than kill them, using them as vehicles for further discussion and possible later amendments. The chair said the bills would be executed out by November and then move to the House floor in January, and members generally agreed that interim study was the prevailing motion for the retained bills. Several health-related bills were then discussed. On Senate Bill 247, concerning pharmacy network exclusion when PBM reimbursement is below acquisition cost, members said the issue had been presented differently in prior discussions and noted unfamiliar intermediaries such as PSAOs; the bill was viewed as too complex to resolve immediately, so interim study was favored. A bill on treatment alternatives to opiates was said to need an amendment from the Insurance Department, and a bill on self-funded employer access to claims data was described as having changed substantially through amendment; the sponsor explained it was intended to incentivize self-funded plans to opt into the state’s all-payer claims database (CHIS) so their data could be used for cost analysis, and members indicated a separate bill would be brought later. The committee spent the most time on a glucose monitoring bill, with testimony from a sponsor and a parent of a type 1 diabetic describing the medical benefits of continuous glucose monitors, especially for preventing dangerous lows and managing fluctuations. Opponents and committee members raised concerns about the cost of a mandate, the effect on premiums in the individual and small-group markets, and whether the bill should require coverage without a prescription; one member cited medical literature suggesting limited evidence for non-insulin users. The chair concluded the bill was headed to interim study and said the committee would do further homework on the economic impact, especially for type 1 coverage. The meeting then moved on to a bill about insurer audits and clawbacks, where the Insurance Department commissioner explained that the issue involved several separate provider-payment problems that had recently come to the department’s attention and that the department would provide a report and work with the sponsor on next steps.

Transcript Highlights:

• and the pharmacy doesn't have it, then they'll issue a partial refill and then I have to go back and
• and the pharmacy doesn't have it, then they'll issue a partial refill and then I have to go back and
• and the pharmacy doesn't have it, then they'll issue a partial refill and then I have to go back and
• So, it's if they go to the pharmacy and there's been a refill ordered and they go to pick it up, then
• ><c> been</c><00:19:36.400><c> a</c><00:19:36.640><c> refill</c> pharmacy and there's been a refill pharmacy

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I get invited to graduations where incarcerated people are receiving high school equivalency diplomas
• I get invited to graduations where incarcerated people are receiving high school equivalency diplomas
• I moved to Spokane months after my release to begin law school, and I can assure you, after almost 30
• ... ...knowing that their children probably never went to law school.
• He constantly has to remind the pharmacy to order his monthly injections.

Summary: The committee began with a Department of Corrections update focused on agency culture, staff safety, reentry, and health services. Secretary Tim Lang highlighted DOC’s “Washington Way” approach, expanded visitation reforms, safety summits, community-corrections sanction changes, education and transportation improvements, partial confinement expansion, and efforts to increase volunteer and peer-led programming. Assistant Secretaries Danielle Armbruster and David Flynn described progress on Pell Grant implementation, reentry transportation, partial confinement, behavioral health standards, HIPAA compliance, the 1115 Medicaid waiver, telehealth expansion, and budget requests for opioid use disorder treatment, close-custody capacity, and staffing relief. Members asked about veterans’ units, telehealth for substance use treatment, women’s placement on the east side, correctional industries, and firefighting training. The new Office of Correction Ombuds director, Jeremiah Bourgeois, then outlined the office’s mission and limited resources, saying he would focus on the most serious complaints and continue building accountability with DOC. He described recent OCO reports, including findings of excessive force at the women’s prison, and said DOC had agreed to implement all recommendations. He also noted a new process for referring possible criminal misconduct to DOC leadership and law enforcement. Committee members praised the DOC-OCO partnership and Bourgeois’s appointment. The committee then heard Senate Bill 5895, which would add a new basis for extraordinary medical placement when DOC cannot meet an incarcerated person’s basic medical care needs. Senator Saldana said the bill is intended to provide a compassionate, workable path for people with serious or end-of-life medical needs while maintaining public safety. Testifiers in support included family members, Disability Rights Washington, and the League of Women Voters, who said the current EMP process is too restrictive and rarely results in release. DOC testified that it supports the EMP framework but has concerns about the bill’s definition of “basic medical care.” A former DOC physician suggested extending the qualifying time period and adding “approximately” to the language. The committee also heard Senate Bill 5873, which would expand escorted leaves of absence to include reentry-focused outings and broaden the family definition for funeral or bedside visits. Senator Wilson said the bill is meant to support a “slow release” and better prepare people for community reentry. DOC supported the concept, and witnesses from public defense, DOC reentry, and Amend said escorted reentry outings are consistent with evidence-based and international correctional practices. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 5945, which would limit persistent offender sentencing to convictions occurring after age 18 and require resentencing for affected people. Supporters argued the bill aligns with youth brain-development research and would address racial disparities; opponents, including prosecutors, victim advocates, and sheriffs’ representatives, said it would reopen painful cases, undermine finality, and impose costs. The hearing on that bill was still underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• receives the benefit of us securing, or making sure, that state-required licensure for programs like pharmacies
• receives the benefit of us securing or making sure that state required licensure for programs like pharmacies
• Everyone knows who they went to high school with and who they went to college with.
• Everyone knows who they went to high school with and who they went to college with.
• Oh, I would say go to the city of the Pasadomo school of housing. Yeah, yeah.

Summary: The Committee on Community Affairs met with a quorum present and took up SB 122, which would repeal Chapter 205 on local business taxes while allowing municipalities to continue imposing a gross-receipts-based business tax on merchants. Senator Trumbull presented the bill for the sponsor, and committee members questioned what services local governments fund with local business tax revenue and whether the bill should be considered alongside broader property tax changes. County and city representatives opposed the bill, arguing that local business taxes are capped home-rule revenues used for general fund services such as public safety, zoning and licensure checks, economic development, and business support, and warning that repeal would shift costs to residential taxpayers and reduce local flexibility. Senator Shreve said he would vote no because of ongoing property tax discussions, while Senator Pizzo said he would support the bill but wanted clearer accounting of how the revenue is spent. The committee voted 5-1 to report SB 122 favorably. The committee then held a housing panel discussion focused on Florida’s housing shortage, affordability, and supply constraints. Dr. Samuel Staley said Florida is in a housing crisis driven largely by insufficient supply, arguing that the state needs roughly 100,000 additional units per year just to keep up with in-migration and that local planning systems often do not prioritize housing enough. He urged more emphasis on measurable impacts, streamlined permitting, accessory dwelling units, smaller lot sizes, and other market-responsive tools. Ann Ray of the Shimberg Center said Florida is seeing more single-family and multifamily construction but that production is concentrated in a handful of counties, while condo construction remains limited; she also noted that rents and home prices spiked sharply in the early 2020s and remain above pre-2020 levels, with nearly 905,000 low-income renters cost-burdened. Leslie Deutsch of John Burns Research said the national housing market is slow, Florida has a severe affordability problem, and builders are lowering prices and offering incentives but still face high land, labor, materials, and insurance costs. In committee discussion, senators focused on whether Florida should encourage more density, including townhomes, build-to-rent products, modular housing, and redevelopment of existing sites rather than relying on large new subdivisions. Members also discussed the role of local zoning, impact fees, density bonuses, and state incentives tied to housing targets. Several senators said Florida’s growth and affordability challenges require updating land development codes and planning for where future residents will live without overbuilding rural or environmentally sensitive areas. The chair closed by emphasizing that density can support affordability and that Florida should use existing footprints more efficiently.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is an assault on every young American who went to public school like me.
• This is an assault on every child who gets school lunches in America.
• THIS IS AN ASSAULT ON EVERY YOUNG AMERICAN WHO WENT TO PUBLIC SCHOOL LIKE ME.
• THIS IS AN ASSAULT ON EVERY CHILD WHO GETS SCHOOL LUNCHES IN AMERICA.
• I see them at the grocery store, farmers markets, school drop-off.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, 1012, house, all