Transcript Highlights:

• The bottom line is that we oppose a system that will discourage people from using curbside voting or
• We have not seen widespread abuse of the curbside voting system.
• Arlington, Texas is the largest city without a mass public Emily French: transit system in the United
• I do not see a problem with the current system, and I urge you not to pass this bill.
• Representative Hayes: permitted the receipt of ballots after Federal Election Day.

Transcript Highlights:

• that support this, such as ZDHC's MRSL, our wastewater guidelines, our chemical inventory tracking system
• Using EPA and state data, we estimate that 264 drinking water systems in California could be subject
• to the new standard, or just 9% of California's systems.
• Many of these systems have already adopted treatment to address other contaminants and will only have
• Our water systems are investing.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so the problem happens, the unintended consequence is that we clog up our court system.
• And everybody knows that we've got a clogged up court system. And I see it every day.
• They are doing business without a license and they have not gotten the proper permit from the permitting
• If they're not selling alcohol, they don't need a permit to do that. Okay.
• And under this law, they wouldn't be permitted to do so. They can still have their parties.

Bills: SB210, SB225, HB280, HB287, HB94, HB88, SB157, HB7, HB8, HB42

Keywords: hospital liens, medical billing, government healthcare, insurance claims, patient rights, blood tests, DUI, law enforcement, traffic offenses, chemical analysis, public nuisance, event liability, local government, community health, legal action, transparency, reporting, public safety, regulation, accountability

Transcript Highlights:

• It is a bad reflection on the court system as a whole.
• and there are some flaws in the system and there are some flaws in the system in<01:03:26.880>
• with Um judicial system, acts with Um judicial system, acts with compassion,<01:11:31.200>
• environmental permitting. environmental permitting.
• navigating a complex system. navigating a complex system.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Housing projects take a long time because of permits. This bill helps because of permits.
• And in their testimony, they suggested, and we would like to adopt, that any kind of expedited permitting
• Displacement can mean losing multi-generational homes, support systems, and connections to communities
• Displacement can mean losing multi-generational homes, support systems, and connections to communities
• Displacement can mean losing multi-generational homes, support systems, and connections to communities

Bills: HB1700

Keywords: housing, expedited permits, disabilities, access, functional needs, local government, affordable housing, reporting requirements, 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees on Housing and Health and Human Services, along with related committees, heard and later took action on three housing bills. HB 1700 HD1, relating to housing and expedited permitting, received support from disability advocates, including the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities and a self-advocate who said faster permitting would help people with disabilities access more independent living options. The chairs said they would add amendments to ensure expedited permitting would not compromise ADA or Fair Housing Act protections and to require reporting on the number, type, and geographic distribution of projects so the program could be evaluated over time. The measure was recommended and adopted with amendments by the participating committees. HB 1777 HD2, which would require tenant protections for residents displaced by HHFDC-supported redevelopment projects, drew support from HHFDC, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Parents and Children Together, and numerous other organizations. Testimony emphasized the need for a right of first offer, replacement housing payments, relocation information, and tracking procedures to reduce displacement harms, especially for Native Hawaiian and public housing residents. In decision-making, the committees amended the bill to incorporate the Senate companion measure, rename the working group as the tenant protection working group, broaden its duties, and include a $75,000 appropriation for working group expenses. The committees also noted concerns about unequal treatment between tenants in publicly supported projects and private redevelopments, and referenced the KPT low-rise redevelopment as an example where required relocation assistance still did not proceed smoothly. The bill was recommended and adopted with amendments. HB 1975 HD1, relating to kupuna housing, would repeal the sunset on the state rent supplement program for kupuna, appropriate funds to HPHA, and add positions to support the program. HPHA, the Executive Office on Aging, OHA, Catholic Charities Hawaii, AARP Hawaii, Aloha Independent Living Hawaii, and others testified in support, with Catholic Charities describing how the subsidy helped a senior remain housed through major medical issues. The committees later recommended passage with amendments, including a technical correction to the number of positions and a date fix, and the recommendation was adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,<00:03:33.040> improved include a new railing system, improved include a new railing system
• I recognize that within your system.
• <00:21:58.080> in County for approvals and permits in County for approvals and permits in
• We have a huge system. the right road. We have a huge system.
• turnbacks, the 60-day temporary permit turnbacks, the 60-day temporary permit vehicle,<02:15:18.239

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You'll note it's rigorous; a lot of small systems can They have to meet their needs in small systems.
• They need the same permits; they need to get contractors in the same way, and procurement for small systems
• You know, maintain the system; it doesn't really matter, and those volunteer systems are getting grayer
• You know, 10% of the systems. There's almost 1,100 public water systems.
• As these neighboring water systems are recognizing the reality that they can't have four or five systems

Transcript Highlights:

• Signs and placards are not permitted in the hearing room.
• Signs and placards are not permitted in the hearing room.
• <00:45:45.079> in from all the pension systems in from all the pension systems in Minnesota
• <00:47:26.920> overall these systems overall these systems overall liabilities<00:47:28.839
• contribution plans to permit contribution plans to permit distributions<01:10:44.560> as<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Do they have permitting or regulatory problems? Do they have access problems?
• And we have the best higher education system in the world, right?
• And we have the best higher education system in the world, right?
• So, you know, and again, we have the best higher education system.
• In this case, it’s dollars that have been put into the system by teachers.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The research is there, yet our system refuses to act.
• The research is there, yet our system refuses to act.
• The research is there, yet our system refuses to act.
• <01:08:39.640> which nicotine device Delivery Systems which nicotine device Delivery Systems
• relating to Water catchment Systems relating to Water catchment Systems chair's<01:13:41.080>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Health and Human Services Committee heard testimony on several measures related to child welfare, health care access, overdose response, disability services, and waste management. For SB 710 on child welfare, the Department of Human Services, the Office of Wellness and Resilience, the Attorney General’s office, and multiple advocacy groups testified in support, with the Governor’s office noting support but deferring to the Attorney General on implementation because of separation-of-powers concerns. For SB 952 on child welfare services, DHS, the Governor’s office, and child- and trauma-informed care advocates supported the bill, saying it would help families access services, provide basic material support, and reduce strain on the child welfare system. SB 954 on a home health services rate study also drew support, including from DHS, the Hawaii Healthcare Association, and a public testifier who said the study would help ensure funds reach low-income, disabled, and kupuna recipients. SB 957 on overdose prevention received support from the Department of Health and the Attorney General, who said overdose prevention centers are evidence-based but raised federal-law concerns and recommended amendments; the Hawaii Health and Harm Reduction Center and others also testified in support. The committee then moved to the 1:00 regular calendar and heard SB 850 on disability health disparity, which was supported by the Executive Office on Aging, the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Hawaii Disability Rights Center, self-advocates, and others. Testimony emphasized that a disparity study could improve workforce development, training, and services for people with disabilities. SB 838 on continuous glucose monitoring drew support from health agencies and advocates, with testimony stressing that monitors can be critical for some diabetes patients. SB 829 on health care was supported by the Department of Health and health care stakeholders, who said it would help rotating physicians serve neighbor islands without local hospital privileges and align with CMS rules. SB 446 on waste management drew mixed testimony: the Department of Health and several public entities provided comments, the County of Maui opposed, and environmental advocates urged stronger aquifer protections and limits on ash reuse. During decision making, the committee adopted recommendations to pass SB 298, SB 322, SB 299, SB 450, SB 451, SB 949, SB 710, SB 957, SB 69, and SD 952 with various amendments, including technical changes, blank appropriations, and defective dates. SB 323, SB 324, SB 712, SB 950, SB 954, and SB 959 were deferred, largely because companion House measures were moving or similar Senate measures had already passed. The chair also announced recesses to find quorum and noted that some bills from the earlier Monday calendar were being deferred to avoid duplication.

Transcript Highlights:

• systems.
• systems.
• distributed water treatment systems.
• in the system.
• be lowered if they're not putting fluoride in the system.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government heard a presentation on its 2025-2026 budget recommendations and adopted the proposal as a recommendation to the full Senate Appropriations Committee. The chair highlighted major funding items including more than $1.2 billion for water quality and Everglades work, citrus recovery, food bank and pantry grants, wastewater and drinking water loans, beach restoration, flood and sea level rise projects, rural land protection, disaster loans, state facilities repairs, SLERS, accounting system replacement, and continued funding for My Safe Florida Home. Staff were authorized to make technical adjustments, and members were told final proviso project lists would be printed later in the week. The committee then considered several bills and reported them favorably, including SB 796 on DEP general permits for distributed wastewater treatment systems to help local governments address failing septic-related water quality problems; SB 1162 expanding boating improvement and water access facilities programs; SB 466 implementing the Florida Museum of Black History task force’s selection of West Augustine as the museum site; SB 178 creating a FAMU agronomic study on viable crops for land taken out of production; CS/SB 678 allowing pawnbroker transaction forms to be printed or digital; and CS/SB 736 updating the Brownfields program, with a technical amendment adopted. Testimony on these bills was generally supportive, with speakers from affected industries, local governments, and advocacy groups. The committee also took up CS/CS/SB 700, the comprehensive Florida Farm Bill, which included technical agency changes and major policy provisions such as restrictions on additives to public water supplies, labeling requirements for meat, milk, poultry, and eggs, drone-related protections for farmland, disaster recovery loan updates, an honest services registry for charities, FFA scholarship and school infrastructure provisions, and a mechanism for state purchase of former solar-converted agricultural land. The water-additive provisions drew extensive debate and testimony from supporters and opponents, including dental professionals, public health advocates, and groups arguing for medical freedom and local control. Despite the controversy and a no vote from Senator Arrington, the bill was reported favorably. Finally, SB 1226 creating a regulatory framework for pet insurance was also reported favorably, and the committee adjourned after members recorded additional votes on several bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• prosecuted, and thrown in jail for months simply for refusing to participate in a government surveillance system
• Subject to one comment that I would ask to be permitted to make regarding House Bill 2110.
• legislative in its nature, thus entitling the considerations to be given under the legislative exception, permitting
• legislative in its nature, thus entitling the considerations to be given under the legislative exception, permitting

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• General Services to convene a cooperative working group to address state projects that require county permitting
• <00:01:19.520> Uh<00:01:19.640> first that require county permitting.
• Uh first that require county permitting.
• > have<00:01:28.480> on Anybody have any questions of DAGS and trying to help us get permitting
• And this is requesting state agencies to utilize bi-level lighting systems in all newly constructed state

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard several resolutions related to state facilities and agency procedures. SCR 177/SR 172 asked the Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS) to convene a cooperative working group to address state projects requiring county permitting; DAGS supported the measure, and it was adopted unanimously. SCR 37/SR 36 requested a study on the costs and benefits of creating an Office of the State Architect; DAGS offered comments, but the chair deferred the resolution, citing a similar bill and lack of funding for a study. The committee then considered SCR 86/SR 77, which would require bi-level lighting in newly constructed state buildings and facilities beginning in 2028. DAGS and the State Energy Office provided comments, while DLNR, Citizens Climate Lobby, and Climate Future Forum testified in support. The committee amended the measure to apply to state buildings and facilities with designs finalized on or after January 1, 2028, and adopted it. SCR 122/SR 114, which would require written notice before final administrative action affecting protected liberty or property interests, drew comments from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and written comments from DOE, but was deferred due to limited support and time constraints. In the joint GVO/HHS portion, the committee heard SCR 87/SR 79, encouraging the state to examine requiring AEDs in all state-owned buildings and to pursue existing AED programs. The State Health Planning and Development Agency, DOE, the American Heart Association, the Department of Health, an individual testifier, and DAGS all supported the measure; DAGS also described ongoing installation and training efforts in its facilities. The measure was adopted without amendment by both committees, with members noting broad support and no reservations.

Transcript Highlights:

• A short time later, they're getting billed for a system that doesn't work. The contractor's gone.
• One is that there's been a permit sign-off and that the consumer has confirmed the thing is working.
• And that there's been a lot of permitting delays, right?
• If they can show that the thing is working, even before permit sign-off, and even if the consumer doesn't
• I believe that some of these folks do not have the capacity to manage the permitting process and not

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , repairing and updating electrical systems, and repairing and replacing roofs at many of the key sites
• As with any new fee system, the dust needs to settle and work out the kinks.
• It's a relatively small tonnage in our grand system of hazardous waste across the state, as far as the
• that recently replaced the department's labor-intensive paper-based system.
• We are transitioning away from a weight-based system to a payment-by-count system, and there's an administrative

Summary: The subcommittee heard presentations on the administration’s Proposition 4 spending plans for extreme heat mitigation and outdoor access, then took up SB 54 implementation, SB 707 textile producer responsibility, and recovery needs related to the Los Angeles fires at state parks. For the extreme heat chapter, agencies described funding for the Extreme Heat and Community Resilience Program, urban greening, urban forestry, fairground upgrades, and technical assistance for community-based climate programs. Witnesses emphasized that these are existing programs with strong demand, that technical assistance is important for reaching disadvantaged and tribal communities, and that the proposed funding would expand outreach and implementation capacity. Members asked for more detail on where funds have gone geographically, examples of successful projects, tree-planting totals, and how fairgrounds could better support fire staging and emergency preparedness. The LAO said the timing of the administration’s proposed funding generally made sense because the programs are already established, and no votes were taken. For outdoor access, State Parks, Fish and Wildlife, and Natural Resources described funding for new parks in underserved communities, deferred maintenance, state lands access, and several new or pending programs. State Parks said the park development program would fund roughly 48 projects and that deferred maintenance funding would address high-priority health, safety, and access needs. Fish and Wildlife said its lands program would improve visitor amenities and access on properties that often lack basic facilities. The Natural Resources Agency also outlined three newer outdoor-access proposals: expanding recreation in disadvantaged communities, enhancing natural resource values and trail access, and a nature/climate/education facilities grant program. The LAO distinguished between existing programs, which are ready to move forward, and the newer proposals, where the Legislature may want more input before funds are allocated. Members also raised concerns about park police vacancies, the need to track outcomes for accessibility investments, and whether Prop. 4 could help with wildfire-related recovery at state parks. CalRecycle then presented on SB 54, the plastics and packaging producer responsibility law, and members pressed hard on the delay in regulations. CalRecycle said it has held workshops, formed an advisory committee, selected the producer responsibility organization, and completed required baseline and covered-material reports, but needs more time to address complex comments and novel features such as source reduction and eco-modulated fees. Members expressed frustration that a statutory deadline was missed and asked for a concrete timeline; CalRecycle said it expects regulations in place by 2026, ahead of the PRO’s January 1, 2027 plan deadline. Finance said the Beverage Container Recycling Fund is currently healthy enough to support short-term loans for implementation. The committee also reviewed SB 707, the textile EPR law, which would create the nation’s first textile producer responsibility program; staff said the proposal would add positions and loan authority, and members noted the statutory deadlines for PRO approval, needs assessment, and later regulations. The hearing ended with discussion of the January Los Angeles fires’ damage to Topanga State Park and Will Rogers State Historic Park, where State Parks described extensive losses, emergency response work, and ongoing damage assessment. Members asked about FEMA eligibility, state funding sources, and community engagement in rebuilding, and the department said it is still assessing costs and will work with the public on reimagining the parks.

Transcript Highlights:

• that we have now, the payment systems that we have now, the transactions<00:14:38.800> would<
• They're called permitted payment coins.
• They're called permitted payment stable<00:15:05.839> coin<00:15:06.000> issuers.
• know we're looking at those and whether they are competitive with the current electronic payment system
• <00:19:23.360> fees, current electronic payment system fees, current electronic payment system

Bills: HB259, HB206, HB207, HB259, HB206, HB207

Keywords: income tax credit, tax incentive, recruitment, remote work, remote worker, recruited worker, rural counties, small counties, county population tiers, opportunity zone, teacher recruitment, nurse recruitment, law enforcement recruitment, workforce development, economic development, relocation incentive, Alabama Department of Revenue, nonrefundable tax credit, tax carryforward, state income tax

Transcript Highlights:

• The woman that returned faith to the criminal justice system in Hillsborough County.
• Currently if they have a concealed weapons permit, they have had training.
• It was not required to have training in order to get our concealed carry permit.
• The transparency is not there in our correctional system and it worries me greatly.
• Is that money coming from the public to us system or is that just within their own system?

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the Agricultural and Food Systems hearing today, committee hearing.
• <00:15:02.959> Please to continue if time permits. Please to continue if time permits.
• University of Hawaii Hawaii system.
• <00:33:57.440> Concurrent system supports the House Concurrent system supports the House Concurrent
• Welcome back to the House Committee on Agriculture and Food Systems.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a fantastic transportation system.
• System. We adopt the next, we are at the forefront of adopting technology.
• It requires local governments to open a permitting office as soon as reasonably possible, where we can
• It prohibits building permit and inspection fees from being increased 180 days post-storm and it requires
• I think any time there's checks and balances, it upholds our system of government and is prudent policy

Summary: The Transportation and Economic Development Budget Subcommittee met and first took up CS/HB 567, a broad transportation bill by Rep. McFarland. The bill, as explained, covered a range of transportation policy changes including higher speed limits, local regulation of e-bikes and e-scooters, parking accommodations for pregnant women, advance land acquisition for DOT projects, changes to FDOT contracting, elevation of roads in capacity projects, MPO quality metrics, and repeal of the Metropolitan Planning Organization Advisory Council. Two amendments were adopted: one added a prohibition on driving too fast through flooded roads and creating excessive wake, and another updated language to allow for future technology in traffic management systems. The strike-all removed several items from the original bill, including utility-right-of-way language, private-public-use airport funding, and an electric vehicle tax redirect, and added MDX board changes. The bill then passed favorably on a recorded vote. The committee next considered CS/HB 1535, also by Rep. McFarland, a lengthy hurricane recovery and preparedness measure. It requires local governments to post storm-preparedness and recovery information online, expands special needs shelter information, mandates emergency management training, improves debris removal planning, and adds provisions for fiscally constrained counties. It also addresses shelter access, rebuilding rules, permitting timelines and fees after storms, homestead rebuilding limits, and election flexibility after disasters, including a process for supervisors of elections to request emergency changes through the Secretary of State. Members asked several questions about local rebuilding ordinances, election “super sites,” and the request/approval process. The bill drew support from several groups, including disability advocates, builders, waste and recycling interests, crane owners, and restaurant and lodging representatives, and it passed favorably. The committee then heard CS/HB 561 and CS/HB 563 from Rep. Cobb on manufacturing. HB 561 would elevate a chief manufacturing officer within the Department of Commerce, create a voluntary Florida manufacturing promotional campaign, and require biennial reporting on manufacturing efforts; an amendment removed the grant portion of the program, and the bill passed favorably with support from industry groups. HB 563 established an annual fee, capped at $100, for participants in the voluntary manufacturing promotional campaign and also passed favorably. Finally, Rep. Spencer presented HB 827, which directs a statewide study on the impact of automation and artificial intelligence on Florida’s workforce, to be updated every three years and developed with business, academic, and local input; it too passed favorably. The meeting then adjourned with notice that the subcommittee would meet again the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• Finally, regarding technology, our requests aim to create or modernize systems to improve transparency
• This includes funding for a case management system for contested cases, which is currently handled manually
• We've also requested funding for an electricity outage mapping system.
• The second request is for funding for three additional license and permit specialists.
• Our third request is for one licensed permit specialist to conduct the statutorily required permit background

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all