Transcript Highlights:

• I appreciate the time you have all given me prior to this hearing to engage in conversation and hear
• I appreciated that conversation.
• It's an entirely different conversation.
• In that conversation, Madam Chair and Senator, it was talked about the— acequias.
• I'm trying to force that into this conversation. Conversation this year.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I, I'm struggling with this slide specifically, because we're having very serious conversations about
• Um, As you know, we've had, you and I've had several conversations on a whole bunch of issues throughout
• You and I've had several conversations about that.
• You didn't talk a bunch about charter schools, uh, and I know you and I have had this conversation, and
• Uh, so I would encourage you, uh, to return so that we can proceed with this conversation and, and, and

Transcript Highlights:

• And so this is—we've had many conversations about it, and I appreciate this bill because there are many
• And so this is—we've had many conversations about it, and I appreciate this bill because there are many
• had many conversations about it and<00:12:49.079> I<00:12:49.320> appreciate<00:12:50.000
• And I think through some of the conversations that we're having, Eastern Kentucky has been a place that
• that we're having Eastern conversations that we're having Eastern Kentucky<00:19:53.440> has<

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee heard extended testimony from Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell and several senators about using agriculture economic development funds to make Kentucky farms more profitable and attract related businesses. Discussion focused on expanding markets for corn, soybeans, beef, dairy, and other products through biofuels, sustainable aviation fuel, feedlots, processing plants, transportation, and other infrastructure that would keep more value in-state. Members also discussed the profitability pressures on farmers, high land prices, and the need for small-farm support and aggregation programs such as Kentucky Proud, BCAL, KOAP, CAP, food-is-medicine efforts, LFPA, and farm-to-school initiatives. Senators raised specific ideas and concerns, including raw milk and food-freedom innovation, support for 5-acre and other small farms, and the possibility of a beef processing plant in Kentucky. Shell said raw milk testing is not currently a department function but could be explored with legislative direction, and he emphasized that Kentucky must first prove it can feed cattle at scale before a processor is likely to locate here. He also argued that changing conditions in the West and Midwest, including water limits, workforce shortages, and regulatory pressure, could make Kentucky increasingly competitive for beef processing and feedlot operations. Several senators shared personal farming experiences to underscore the difficulty of making a living in agriculture and the need for off-farm income or value-added businesses. They cited examples such as grain storage, dairy products, chicken and hog operations, and restaurant or rental income supporting farm operations. Commissioner Shell said the fund is intended to fill gaps and attract businesses that need Kentucky agricultural products, creating premium markets and more local jobs. After questions concluded, the committee took up the bill, with a motion by Senator Richardson and a second by Senator Nunn. The roll call was taken, and the bill passed unanimously. The committee then moved to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• Open to conversation anytime. >> Um, thank you, Mr. Chair.
• to have it be a part of the conversation to have it be a part of the conversation as<00:30:20.399
• Open to conversation Raspersonson. Open to conversation anytime. anytime. anytime.
• Conversely, when treatment is delayed.
• <02:06:09.920> author conversation with the bill author conversation with the bill author regarding

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• with them when uh for at conversation with them when uh for at least<00:58:20.520> the<00:58:
• in a that conversation shifting in a different different different direction<01:00:28.440> but
• We would love to continue to be part of those conversations.
• <02:05:46.880> in-depth a very lovely conversation in-depth a very lovely conversation in-depth
• > spring<02:05:49.679> and conversation with them last spring and conversation with them

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There was no conversation. There was no conversation with us.
• There was no conversation from the director or anyone else in the administration saying, hey, we think
• None of those conversations were held.
• That's good book conversion, Jared. Madam Chair, Senator. Thank you very much for your time.
• I'm short; it does not conclude the conversations we are going to have in this room and beyond, and that's

Summary: The Senate Land Use Committee met in hybrid format but did not have a quorum, so it did not approve minutes or take formal votes. The committee first heard House Bill 457, which would raise the appraisal threshold for certain DELDOT real property dispositions from $10,000 to $25,000 to match federal highway standards and reduce the time and cost of selling small surplus properties. There was little discussion and no public comment on that bill, and the chair indicated it would be circulated. The committee then took up House Bill 451, which would codify a disparate impact framework under Delaware’s Fair Housing Act. The bill was described as clarifying that housing policies or practices can violate the law even without discriminatory intent if they have an unjustified discriminatory effect on a protected class, using a burden-shifting test similar to federal law. The sponsor and DHSA said the measure was intended to preserve fair housing protections amid uncertainty at the federal level, and an additional amendment was discussed that would delay implementation for 180 days and require DHSR, with DSA and stakeholders, to conduct outreach, education, and training. Public testimony was divided. Supporters, including Housing Alliance Delaware, YWCA Delaware, and the Delaware Human and Civil Rights Commission, said the bill would protect against discriminatory outcomes, align state law with longstanding fair housing principles, and preserve recourse if federal enforcement changes. Opponents and housing-provider groups, including the Delaware Association of Realtors, Greater Wilmington Housing Providers, and the Delaware Apartment Association, argued the bill could create liability for neutral policies, rely on statistical outcomes landlords cannot easily measure, and increase litigation and costs; several asked for more time, a right-to-cure process, or further amendments. The committee adjourned without taking a formal vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I just encourage those conversations, and I'm happy to support the bill today. Anybody else?
• We've appreciated conversations over the past few months with the Assembly Member and with the sponsors
• And we look forward to continuing those conversations. Thank you.
• We've appreciated conversations over the past few months with the assembly member and with the sponsors
• And we look forward to continuing those conversations. Thank you.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'm wondering if, in terms of us doing our work, having those conversations with folks like that could
• So I'm wondering if like in terms of us doing our work, having those conversations with folks. doing
• our work, having those conversations with folks like that to kind of help so that we could kind of bypass
• But we can also have special commission conversations as well. What do you think, Jaffa?
• But definitely I would love to have time to kind of do that kind of conversation because I think it would

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Cape Verdean Cultural Commission met to approve the May 11 meeting minutes and receive a legislative update. The commission reported that Senator Miranda’s FY27 budget amendment secured $125,000 for the commission, pending final conference committee and gubernatorial approval, with funds expected to become available in the fall if retained. A separate part of the amendment that would have allowed commissioners to be appointed at any point in the commission’s history was not adopted, leaving one vacancy unresolved for now. The commission then finalized its subcommittee structure. Members discussed the originally proposed communications and outreach, survey and data collection, and fundraising/resource development groups, but after discussion and a motion, the body voted to establish four subcommittees: Communications and Outreach, Survey and Data Collection, Organizational Development, and History and Culture. Members also raised ethics concerns about legislators serving on the fundraising-related group, and the title was broadened to organizational development. The chair asked members to sign up within about two weeks so subcommittees could meet before the next full commission meeting. The meeting also focused on an upcoming visit by President José Neves of Cabo Verde. Commissioners were invited to attend a smaller 10:30 a.m. meeting with the president and delegation, followed by a larger community gathering from 11 a.m. to noon, with capacity limited and RSVPs encouraged. Members emphasized using the visit to reinforce support for the cultural center project and to highlight the importance of Massachusetts’ Cape Verdean diaspora. In public comment, members discussed gathering event listings for Cape Verdean summer celebrations, including Independence Day events, and suggested future meetings could include presentations from other cultural institutions about how they developed their projects. The commission adjourned after a motion and vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Have y'all had any of that conversation? Yeah, thank you, Representative.
• We are going to have some more conversations after the session. Thank you.
• We are going to have some more conversations after the session to talk about maybe some planning that
• We've had a number of bills that have come through here, and I've had lots of conversations with our
• I was just having a conversation with an Inspector General. I also called Rep. Carver yesterday.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The House Municipal, Parochial, and Cultural Affairs Committee heard and advanced a series of local and statewide measures. SB 430 would renew, every 12 years by voter approval, the Shreveport-Bossier hotel occupancy tax that supports tourism and sports-related entities; SB 286 updates the New Orleans Downtown Development District statute by clarifying its status as a political subdivision, streamlining tax collection, removing staggered board terms, and clarifying bond-election boundaries; SB 198 requires government projects in historic districts to follow local historic district guidelines for new construction; and SB 172 expands a planning-commission provision so smaller municipalities can waive certain subdivision formalities and costly studies in limited family land-split situations. Each of these bills was described as largely technical or permissive, with supporters emphasizing efficiency, local control, or reduced costs. The committee also advanced SB 439 to add pre-screening for esophageal/Barrett’s esophageal cancer for firefighters and fire service employees, with firefighters’ representatives explaining the test can detect pre-cancerous cells and prevent later, more serious cancer. SB 458 would allow a local tax for a proposed St. Tammany Parish Inspector General/ethics entity to be allocated and, if excess remains, transferred to the district attorney’s office; members discussed the parish-wide referendum process and the connection to state-required funding obligations. SB 447 changes Bossier City Police Department promotional seniority and civil service classification from competitive seniority to promotional seniority, and SB 281 expands the Baker Economic Development District boundary to include additional commercial areas near the airport and support blight removal and growth. Additional measures moved favorably included SB 385, which changes appointments to the New Orleans City Park Improvement Association board and allows City Park to opt out of certain state insurance coverage because it carries private insurance; HR 84, which urges Shreveport to create an interest-free loan program for TSA agents at the regional airport during federal shutdowns; and SB 417, which adds two members to the St. Mary Parish Consolidated Gravity Drainage District No. 2A board. In each case, the committee heard brief testimony from sponsors and local officials or advocates, asked clarifying questions, and then approved the bills without objection. One member, Representative Murray, recused himself from the City Park bill because of his board membership. The committee then took a short recess, noting a few remaining bills would be deferred if sponsors did not appear.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we put a delayed effective date so that we could continue conversations with them about their process
• So we put a delayed effective date so that we could continue conversations with them about their process
• we had work out the details of the bill, we had a<00:08:55.840> great<00:08:56.080> conversation
• > came<00:08:57.000> up<00:08:57.120> with<00:08:57.240> a a great conversation
• and came up with a a great conversation and came up with a great<00:08:57.560> piece<00:08:57.760

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:12 Discussion HB 527 00:47 Vote HB 527 02:26 Discussion HB 265 04:46 Vote HB 265 06:49 Discussion HB 164 08:19 Vote HB 164 10:25, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• is my ideas for eradication are not exclusively from the movie Terminator, but there really is conversation
• And so there is conversation about using...
• And so there is conversation about using basically spray drones to do more targeted herbicide and pesticide
• They don't have the results yet, but that's an active conversation. Cool question. Yeah.
• And actually, they just... they were having a conversation.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I've had a number of conversations with a number of interested stakeholders.
• Thank you for all your time and your conversation to try to explain what you're trying to do.
• So I appreciate you answering the questions, but on the fee reasonableness conversation of it all, maybe
• But first committee stop, full support, but just want to have maybe some further conversations on what
• Some further conversations on what that looks like, but I’m happy to vote yes today.

Summary: The Commerce and Tourism Committee heard and reported favorably several bills. SB 386, by Sen. Trumbull, would create consumer rights and manufacturer obligations for defective farm equipment, modeled on lemon-law concepts, and passed without opposition. SB 528, also by Sen. Trumbull, would strengthen Florida’s manufacturing sector through Department of Commerce responsibilities, a chief manufacturing officer role, workforce grants, and reporting requirements; it drew questions about whether it differed from last year’s bill and was supported by several appearance forms before passing favorably. SB 806, a right-to-repair bill for portable wireless devices and agricultural equipment, drew the most testimony: supporters said it would expand consumer choice and repair access, while dealers and industry representatives argued existing manufacturer agreements already provide access and warned the bill could disrupt dealer/manufacturer relationships and future technology; it nevertheless passed favorably. The committee also approved SB 696 on trademark registration, which would modernize the trademark classification system, allow online applications, and clarify document verification procedures, and SB 930, which creates a 15-member Florida Retirement Savings Task Force to study retirement coverage gaps and recommend policy options without imposing employer mandates. SB 826, by Sen. Leak, would address reward cards that function like gift cards but expire, while excluding loyalty programs; the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association raised concerns about unintended consequences and the need for tighter definitions, but the bill was reported favorably after the sponsor said the language would be refined. SB 874 would expand professional licensure reciprocity for experienced out-of-state surveyors and mappers to address workforce shortages, and it also passed favorably. After a pause, the committee took up CS/SB 838 on electronic payments of retail installment contracts. Sen. Yarbrough said the bill clarifies that reasonable convenience fees for optional electronic payments are permissible, provided they are disclosed and a fee-free option remains available, to reduce ambiguity and litigation. Members questioned whether the bill could authorize or expand fees and whether the “reasonable” standard was sufficiently clear; the sponsor said the fees are tied to processor costs and are not intended as revenue. An amendment adding the word “retail” was adopted, and the committee substitute was reported favorably. Several members later asked to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on bills they had missed, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• As we all know, conversations around property taxes raise many complex issues.
• I am hopeful that in the weeks ahead, we can have meaningful and productive conversations about what
• I am hopeful that in the weeks ahead, we can have meaningful and productive conversations about what
• a potential constitutional amendment should look like. and productive conversations about what a potential
• So no conversation on school district funding is complete without talking about the FEFP, the Florida

Summary: The Senate Committee on Finance and Tax met for its first meeting of the session, with a quorum present and several members excused. Chair Avila opened by framing the committee’s main focus as property tax relief and housing affordability, noting the complexity of any changes to Florida’s long-standing property tax structure and emphasizing the need to preserve funding for schools and local public safety. He also introduced new committee staff member Tamisha Black and thanked staff for summer work supporting analysis of potential proposals, including constitutional amendment concepts and other property tax relief ideas. Staff director Azar Khan then presented an update on the General Revenue forecast, explaining that collections remained above estimate but at a slower pace than the prior year, with recent economic indicators slightly weaker than earlier forecasts. He said the new forecast mostly reflected modest adjustments, with a notable share of the increase coming from earnings on investment rather than the usual drivers such as sales tax or corporate income tax. Khan also gave a detailed presentation on ad valorem millages, explaining the different millage types used by school districts, counties, municipalities, special districts, and water management districts; the rollback rate; TRIM notice and hearing timelines; voting thresholds for adopting higher millages; and long-term trends showing millage rates declining over time even as total taxes levied have increased. Members used the presentations to discuss property tax relief options and the relationship between local property taxes and state revenue. President Passidomo praised staff and Senator Bernard’s summer work on proposals. President Gaetz asked about converting homestead property tax revenue to sales tax and was told the rough equivalent could be around a 2.8-cent sales tax increase, though with important behavioral and distributional caveats. Senator Rouson asked about the decline in corporate income tax estimates, and Khan said it likely reflected changes in national corporate profit expectations and collection patterns, promising a follow-up. The Department of Revenue’s Lizette Kelly confirmed that TRIM data, including adopted millages, rollback rates, and maximum millage calculations, are collected by jurisdiction and can be provided to the committee. No bills were taken up and no votes occurred beyond adjournment, which was adopted by motion.

Transcript Highlights:

• . should say the back channel conversation.
• You know, in a frank conversation, Shauna and I shared earlier this year, I frankly said, look, there
• This is just sort of through conversation we've had with GSD. Thank you, Madam Secretary.
• So I think as we continue the conversation, right, and as we're looking for, you know, as we're trying
• We don't like that idea for a lot of reasons, but I won't bog down the conversation here because I like

Transcript Highlights:

• inhumane they believe this concession that the Republicans wanted is, and that there's a lot of conversation
• :03:15.519> to<00:03:16.319> um<00:03:16.640> try<00:03:16.800> to conversation
• still going on to um try to conversation still going on to um try to convince<00:03:17.360> Republicans
• So, um, we'll probably have that conversation. Okay. Thank you.
• So um we'll probably have that conversation.<00:09:26.560> Okay.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This committee deals with other revenue, other funds that are outside of the general fund conversation
• But my aspiration as we approach this conversation that we're going to have over the next less than 24
• I know not super detailed quite yet, but we're going to get into that conversation.
• > into<00:09:17.839> that we're going to get into that we're going to get into that conversation
• Thought I would throw the conversation.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have had some conversations with Michael Swanson on this.
• Swanson was a participant in the conversations around this bill.
• I appreciate the conversation today by members; it was respectful and thoughtful.
• I just wanted to say thank you to our members for having a respectful conversation and questions about
• I look forward to future conversations about this, and thank you for the work that you've put into this

Bills: HF2543, HF2566, HF2627

Keywords: garnishment, wage garnishment, earnings levy, bank levy, execution, judgment debtor, judgment creditor, exemption notice, exempt property, bank account freeze, financial institution levy, employer disclosure, garnishee, writ of execution, debt collection, consumer debt, collections, bankruptcy exemptions, public benefits, means-tested benefits

Transcript Highlights:

• So thank you for starting this conversation with this bill. Closing comments, Representative Vang.
• So that we can continue the conversation, as we know almost every day something new happens.
• So by putting the A1 amendment on, it gives us some flexibility for the conversation to continue.
• We just discussed it upstairs, so we continue to have conversations with the department, but it is not
• We continue to have conversations, Representative Anderson and I, on if we can get another committee

Bills: HF2784, HF2785, HF2778, HF2281, HF2576, HF2280, HF2579

Keywords: beginning farmers, agriculture, loans, economic opportunity, farmers' equity, agriculture appropriations, farm to school, early care, child care food program, school lunch program, local food, Minnesota agriculture, food access, farm-to-institution, limited market access, county fairs, biofuels, E25, ethanol, meat processing

Transcript Highlights:

• Rep, thank you for the conversation last night.
• Rep, thank you for the conversation last night.
• So if you would be open to it, I would really, or are you open to having a conversation and going through
• Always open to having conversations.
• Always open to having conversations.

Summary: The committee first temporarily postponed HB 381, then heard and passed HB 1015 by Rep. Hunschofsky, which expands flood disclosure requirements to long-term rental tenants in addition to homebuyers and clarifies that renters’ insurance does not include flood coverage. An amendment changed rental disclosure language to “dwelling unit,” and the bill received support from the American Flood Coalition, Audubon Florida, and the Florida Association of Realtors. Rep. Robinson praised the bill’s added protections, and the measure passed favorably on a unanimous roll call. The committee then considered HB 247 by Rep. Connerly, an affordable housing bill requiring local governments to adopt ordinances allowing accessory dwelling units in single-family residential areas without added parking requirements, while limiting ADUs in planned unit developments and master-planned communities. Two amendments were adopted: one removed mezzanine financing language and another added certain newer manufactured homes to the ADU definition. Testimony was generally supportive, including from AARP, Florida Realtors, Americans for Prosperity, the Florida Chamber, and the Florida Manufactured Housing Association, but several members raised concerns about parking, infrastructure, historic neighborhoods, and short-term rentals. The bill passed favorably, though Ranking Member Cross voted no. Next, the committee took up HB 913 by Rep. Lopez, a broad condominium reform package addressing governance, financial transparency, reserves, insurance, voting, recalls, structural safety, and related issues. Three amendments were adopted: requiring seven years of posted meeting minutes online, allowing reserve contributions to be paused if a building is deemed uninhabitable, and clarifying that certain 2024 condo-law amendments do not apply retroactively to pending matters. Support came from AARP, the Florida Land Title Association, the Florida Bar’s Real Property section, Association Reserves, the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, Marriott, and others, while speakers urged continued work on reserve-account clarity and caution on hotel-condo provisions. Members praised Rep. Lopez’s work, and the bill passed unanimously. Finally, the committee heard HB 579 by Rep. Overdorf on development permits and orders, which would require clearer application requirements, hold local governments to existing review timeframes, provide fee refunds when deadlines are missed, and prevent local governments from arbitrarily limiting quasi-judicial hearings. Members asked about incomplete applications, substantive changes that restart timelines, and whether the bill should address additional land-use changes; the sponsor said he was open to continued discussion but believed the bill’s definitions were broad enough. Public testimony supported the bill, and after debate from Rep. Hunschofsky and Rep. Cross noting some remaining concerns, the bill passed favorably. The chair then reminded members to engage sponsors early on future bills and moved to rise from committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• that came up recently in a conversation that came up recently in a conversation with<01:10:34.640
• and really, you know, being a conversation starter.
• And so really appreciate the conversation from everyone. >> Okay.
• > uh<01:34:49.760> conversation<01:34:50.159> that appreciate the uh conversation
• <01:35:10.880> from appreciate the conversation from appreciate the conversation from everyone

Bills: HF3700, HF3982, HF3927, HF3933, HF3949, HF4238, HF4275, HF4476, HF4504

Keywords: Duluth, Lake Superior Zoo, capital improvements, funding, bonds, appropriations, capital investment, port development, grant caps, state assistance, navigation facilities, Dakota County, state bonds, park improvements, infrastructure, transportation, safety, congestion, water infrastructure, bond issuance