Transcript Highlights:

• So that was one of the development.
• development.
• agriculture hunting and resource agriculture hunting and resource development<01:09:28.319> ensuring
• Defends multiple use, responsible development of resources, agriculture, grazing, than 1500 workers across
• of resources,<01:21:41.040> agriculture,<01:21:41.679> grazing, Resources, agriculture

Bills: SF0025, SF0027, SF0043, SF0066

Keywords: landowner licenses, hunting, wildlife management, quota hunt areas, game and fish commission, game management, hunting regulations, black bear, tracking dogs, wildlife conservation, conservation, contracting, supervisor, funding, districts, hunting licenses, donated licenses, life-threatening illness, vision impairment, nonprofit organizations

Transcript Highlights:

• It goes to SFA for the developer formula. Yeah, it's all the developers at the county.
• It goes to SFA for the developer formula. Yeah, it's all the developers at the county.
• We develop the academic character development and social-emotional well-being of our students.
• Students can ...” help develop the um continue to develop help develop the um continue to develop financial
• have resourced have resourced SRO<03:59:52.760> resource<03:59:53.159> officers<03

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The developer develops the land, gets them prepped for the elementary school or the high school that
• What about the develop? You guys... Them. What about the developer? You guys understand?
• c> a Development Corporation to develop a Development Corporation to develop a plan<00:48:54.240>
• Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation<00:49:
• Um having oriented development.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees heard several housing-related bills and resolutions. HB 1298 HD3 would create a government employee housing revolving fund and a government employee 99-year leasehold rent-to-own program; testimony was generally supportive from HHFDC, labor groups, and the Maui Chamber, with the Tax Foundation and Budget and Finance raising concerns about the revolving fund. The committees recommended passage with non-substantive amendments for clarity and consistency, and the motion was adopted. HB 741 H2, which would exempt certain affordable housing projects financed by a certified nonprofit CDFI from prevailing wage requirements, drew support from housing advocates and opposition from several construction unions; the chairs said they were concerned about the labor objections and deferred the measure, with the labor committee agreeing to defer it as well. The housing committee then took up HB 417 HD1, which creates a housing efficiency and innovation subaccount in the rental housing revolving fund and allows HHFDC to transfer funds between the subaccount and the main fund without legislative approval. Testimony was largely supportive. The chair described a series of amendments, including changing the funding-efficiency standard, adding perpetual affordability language, allowing any land tenure type, broadening eligible financing tools, adding priority criteria for mixed-income projects and government-employee projects, and inserting blank appropriations tied to a requested $75 million per year and a $75 million subaccount appropriation for the HCDA 99-year leasehold project. The committee recommended passage with amendments, and the recommendation was adopted. HB 422 HD1, which would repeal school impact fees and move remaining balances to the school facilities special fund, drew broad support from housing and taxpayer groups and opposition from the Department of Education and some individuals. The School Facilities Authority and DOE argued the current system had not produced enough usable land or school sites and suggested narrowing the exemption to government housing projects’ construction costs instead of repealing the fee entirely. Members pressed DOE and SFA on how much land had actually been obtained and whether the fee had been effective; the discussion highlighted concerns about unused balances, school overcrowding, and the role of the Land Use Commission and county zoning in securing school sites. The committee did not take final action on the bill in the portion shown. The committee also heard STR 60/SR 45, urging HHFDC to develop a plan to meet housing demand, and STR 77/SR 60, addressing continued eligibility for housing credits for certain projects after repeal of Act 31; both sets of resolutions had HHFDC support, with DHHL supporting STR 77/SR 60 and Johnny May Perry opposing both.

Transcript Highlights:

• Development Act of 2026.
• <00:13:58.560> development<00:13:58.959> act and the water resources development act
• and the water resources development act of<00:13:59.440> 2026.
• Development Act of 2026.
• economic development. So moved. economic development. So moved.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And as we build this budget, as we talk about what agencies should be doing, what resources should be
• And then our third ranking budget is our transportation and economic development silo with 15% of the
• state budget. transportation and economic development silo with 15% of the state budget.
• The Community Development Block Grant for disaster recovery is $73 million.
• Way with more resources than what the state has previously provided.

Bills: S7010

Keywords: Roth contributions, deferred compensation, retirement savings, Florida Statutes, tax benefits

Summary: The Senate Committee on Appropriations met to take up SB 7010 by Senator Mayfield, which would authorize Roth post-tax contribution options in state and local deferred compensation plans. The bill was briefly explained, received one appearance in support, had no debate, and was reported favorably by roll call vote. The committee then heard a lengthy presentation from the Governor’s Office of Policy and Budget on the governor’s recommended $117.4 billion “Floridians’ First Budget.” The presentation highlighted major spending areas including education, health care, public safety, transportation, environmental restoration, and economic development. Key proposals included increased FEFP funding for K-12 schools, teacher salary funding, higher education support, Everglades and water quality funding, emergency preparedness reserves, corrections staffing and pay increases, law enforcement recruitment bonuses, cybersecurity, and affordable housing and infrastructure investments. Members asked extensive questions about property tax reserve planning, litigation funding, emergency response fund balances and expenditures, the use of federal reimbursement for the Everglades detention facilities, the animal abuse hotline, Hope Florida, corrections staffing, and the proposed reduction in ADAP eligibility for HIV/AIDS medication assistance. A member of the public also testified at length about concerns that the ADAP changes would harm access to life-saving medications and alleged improper shifting of program funds. Committee members and the presenter acknowledged follow-up questions on several items, but no additional votes or formal actions were taken beyond the favorable report on SB 7010 and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, we've got the, the, uh, we, we have developed.
• Um, since November 2024, we've been developing and distributing.
• Why would we spend time and resources doing that?
• So those are ideas that we continue to develop.
• Where do we need some additional resources perhaps to come back?

Transcript Highlights:

• , workforce development, adult education, community energy efficiency development block grants, and made
• Of course, April and May, when the work plan was being developed, we stayed focused.
• How much money do you think we have in total, dealing directly with state resources, federal resources
• Chairman, members of the committee, I'm Tammy Wiebekorn with Western Resource Advocates.
• On behalf of Mesa del Sol Development Group, we strongly support this legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• where those needs are, and especially during turbulent times, where people aren't maybe using the resources
• These resources support a projected total of 910 million meals in 2026-27.
• However, given federal policy impacts, the proposal also allows funds to support resources and implement
• They connect families to resources and strengthen their communities.
• , and critical family resources.

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education heard the Governor’s proposals for universal school meals, the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP), and community schools. On universal meals, the Department of Education supported continued funding for the Universal School Meals Program and a fourth round of Kitchen Infrastructure and Training Grants, citing meal-count growth, improved meal service, and the need to offset federal uncertainty, inflation, and reduced direct certification tied to immigration-related policy changes. The LAO recommended rejecting another kitchen grant round, arguing prior rounds are still being spent and the state has not clearly defined unmet need. Members also raised concerns about the state’s ability to backfill federal meal funding and about how federal requirements affect programs like Summer EBT/SUN Bucks. Public commenters largely supported school meals and kitchen investments, with some urging support for plant-based milk options and continued infrastructure funding. For ELOP, the Department of Finance proposed $4.7 billion ongoing Proposition 98 funding, including $62.4 million to set a minimum Tier 2 rate of $1,800 per pupil. The LAO recommended going further and fully fixing the Tier 2 rate, saying rate uncertainty complicates district planning. CDE supported the proposal and said the program has improved attendance and academic outcomes, while noting new CalPADS reporting will provide more data soon. Senators discussed whether ELOP should remain a standalone program or be folded into LCFF, and whether the state should require stronger outcome reporting. Public testimony generally backed stabilizing Tier 2 funding, but some speakers urged more support for older youth and more timely, user-friendly reporting. On community schools, the administration proposed $1 billion ongoing Proposition 98 funding to expand the model to thousands more schools and to support existing grantees, along with stronger technical assistance, statewide alignment, and an accreditation/self-certification framework. The LAO recommended continuing the current one-time grant approach instead of creating a new ongoing categorical program, warning about reduced flexibility, administrative burden, and the state’s capacity to support a much larger cohort. CDE supported the ongoing investment but asked for additional county office and technical assistance funding. Senators and public commenters were broadly supportive of community schools, emphasizing improved attendance, graduation, and student engagement, while also debating accountability, accreditation, and whether non-classroom-based charter schools should be eligible. Public testimony strongly favored ongoing funding and highlighted community schools’ role in mental health, family engagement, and wraparound supports.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is relating to the expeditious redevelopment and development of affordable rental housing.
• <00:06:57.639> Corporation Finance and Development Corporation Finance and Development Corporation
• um we'll in section ones a development um we'll in section ones a subsection<00:07:56.400> one
• of planning and sustainable development of planning and sustainable development to<00:09:12.920>
• Department of land and natural resources Department of land and natural resources recommendations

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met in decision-making only session and took up a series of bills, mostly approving them with amendments. SB 1032 on campaign finance passed with amendments to change the certification process for business entities, add a severability-type provision if foreign-influence conditions are struck down, and note a related Minnesota federal case. SB 401 on firearms passed with amendments to exclude shotguns, grandfather legally registered devices in place as of the effective date, and add committee report findings; SB 382 on procurement confidentiality passed as is; SB 598 extending deadlines for administrative driver’s license revocation review decisions passed as is; SB 771 on HHFDC board leadership passed as is; and SB 1318 clarifying water pollution enforcement jurisdiction passed as is. The committee also approved SB 1657 with an amendment removing authority to condemn public property, SB 1102 with an amendment making the Fire Council the source of nominees for the aircraft rescue fire fighting chief, and SB 100 with amendments replacing the original substance with a prohibition on fingerprinting nonprofit liquor-license board members during background checks and limiting the bill to counties under 500,000 population. SB 170 and SB 1296, both related to special management area exemptions for affordable housing and disaster-related reconstruction, passed with amendments incorporating Office of Planning, Sustainable Development, and Attorney General changes to narrow and clarify the exemptions. Finally, SB 363, a cleanup bill related to firearm parts and ghost gun laws, was considered with amendments that deleted a proposed new penalty section, revised existing firearms statutes, removed an unnecessary definition, and expanded penalties to include indeterminate imprisonment terms. Despite the amendments, the measure was not adopted because the Vice Chair voted no. The committee then adjourned and announced a later joint hearing with Ways and Means.

Transcript Highlights:

• Darren Hoff, Senate Human Resources Director.
• Um, with that, I'll have a motion. developed and already through the LCC developed and already through
• It's really just several sentences in length and would permit the development of a written statement
• And I think development of a policy like this will actually improve what we can do in that regard.
• to be developed in an open transparent<00:10:27.920> manner<00:10:28.560> where<00:10:

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules and Administration met virtually on January 6, 2026, and took up four administrative policy items. Darren Hoff, Senate Human Resources Director, presented updates to the Legislative Coordinating Commission benefit book, including insurance changes tied to SEGIP, mental health and substance use office visit cost sharing, dental plan updates, dependent eligibility clarifications, a new voluntary legal services benefit, a 17% increase in Medicare premiums, and multiple leave-policy revisions to conform with the new paid leave law and other employment rules. Senator Pappas moved adoption of the benefit book with the LCC’s November 10, 2025 changes and staff technical corrections, and the motion passed. Secretary Tom Bern described a proposed Senate Policy 1.56 allowing written rules of conduct for visitors in Senate spaces, aimed at setting clear expectations for behavior such as not blocking hallways or using shouting and profanity, while being developed with consultation to address First Amendment concerns. Senator Marty moved adoption, and the committee approved the policy. Council Lexi Stangle then presented a change to Senate Policy 2.47 on severe weather emergencies that would allow employees who work remotely on severe weather days to accrue compensatory time with supervisor approval; Senator Johnson moved adoption, and the motion passed. The committee also considered a modernization of the Senate information systems policy. Secretary Bern and staff explained that the policy had not been substantially updated in about 20 years and was being condensed and updated to reflect current technology and practices. The revisions reduced the policy from 29 pages to 10, removed obsolete references, added a purpose statement, clarified email inspection and hardware/software procedures, updated website rules and accessibility guidance, and removed the secondary member page option. Senator Coleman moved adoption of the Senate information systems update, and it was approved. After the Rules Committee adjourned, the Subcommittee on Committees met and approved two appointments: one public member to the Legislative Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources through December 31, 2030, and Senator Gustafson to the Financial Crimes Advisory Board Task Force. Members asked about the task force’s scope and the public appointee’s background; staff explained the task force advises on identity theft and financial crimes, and identified the public appointee as Sha Lang of Preston, Minnesota. Senator Pappas moved adoption of the appointment list, and the subcommittee approved it before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• of work in developing the framework for a brand new coalition that was to accurately and adequately
• As the brand new coalition came to development, the body of the board of directors, which was comprised
• That immediate structure that was developed at that time was developed under pressure, and yet it remains
• That immediate structure that was developed at that time was developed under pressure, and yet it remains
• We did invite HHS to Florida as we were growing and developing.

Summary: The committee held a panel discussion on Florida’s domestic violence system, focusing on how state and federally funded services are coordinated, the role of the Florida Partnership to End Domestic Violence (FPEDV), the Florida Domestic Violence Collaborative, DCF, and certified domestic violence centers. Members reviewed the post-2020 restructuring after the dissolution of FCADV, the current hotline, legal services, training, and technical assistance contracts, and the Legislature’s recent work on lethality assessments under SB 1224. Panelists also described prevention, shelter, counseling, child advocacy, and legal support services, along with the statewide network of 41 certified centers serving all 67 counties. Testimony highlighted both collaboration and tension. FPEDV and Women in Distress described overlapping training and technical assistance roles, but FPEDV said its relationship with DCF has been difficult and at times obstructive, while DCF said communication and coordination are ongoing. Women in Distress and other providers emphasized the importance of direct services, the statewide hotline, injunction assistance, child welfare co-located advocates, and prevention programs. Several members asked about funding flows, certification, and whether the current structure is sufficient for rural counties; witnesses said federal FVPSA funds are formula-based, DCF contracts directly with centers, and rural programs face staffing and fundraising challenges that limit beds and services. A major portion of the discussion centered on the lethality assessment work group and implementation of the new statewide tool. FDLE explained that the work group concluded the Maryland model was copyrighted and costly to replicate exactly, so Florida adopted a statutory assessment that is not evidence-based in the same way, with training available online and 46 of about 400 law enforcement agencies having completed it so far. Senators raised concerns about multiple assessments, redacted police reports, and whether the tool will be useful without better coordination and data collection. Witnesses also discussed rising domestic violence, teen dating violence, and strangulation cases, with providers reporting increased demand, full shelters, and greater use of hotels and mobile crisis responses. No formal votes or actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• had the great fortune of the relationships we've had with the legislature in moving the needle on development
• Many times it's adult career development or training for industry that makes that worker a lot better
• and professional development services across the state.
• We brought all the resources to them.
• It's hard for them to call the arts co the humanities Council and find all those resources.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to begin by thanking you for your ongoing commitment to ensuring the PUC has the resources needed
• Corona, I know last session we bumped up a lot of the resources for the agency.
• So this is to the water development board is really looking at the water, the water water needs that
• a low-code development platform.
• Was a sunset recommendation last session and they recommended we take the current biennium to develop

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Also allow for more embedded professional development. What's happened with that policy?
• This is a way to recover idle resources.
• But we do have an inventory of economic development.
• So, focusing resources in these places should have the greatest impact.
• How do we help make sure that they get those resources. That's what I'd really like to see.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:03:57.280> and Employment and economic development and Employment and economic development
• also uh is pretty is very resource also uh is pretty is very resource intensive<00:36:27.280>
• <00:48:59.520> to dedicating our limited resources to dedicating our limited resources to
• We'll share resources.
• <01:01:29.039> to because we don't have the resources to because we don't have the resources

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's privately owned by a developer.
• So thank you for the resources for that project.
• So thank you for the resources for that project.
• Or has there been special resources set aside?
• The professional development, all of them have reported the professional development, the bringing them

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And as we build this budget, as we talk about what agencies should be doing, what resources should be
• And then our third-ranking budget is our transportation and economic development silo with 15% of the
• state budget. transportation and economic development silo with 15% of the state budget.
• The Community Development Block Grant for disaster recovery, $73 million.
• Way with more resources than what the state has previously provided.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee first took up SB 7010, which would authorize Roth contributions in state and local deferred compensation plans. Senator Mayfield explained that current law only allows pre-tax contributions, and the bill would let the Department of Financial Services and local governments offer post-tax Roth options. The bill had one support appearance card, no debate, and was reported favorably by roll call vote. The committee then received a lengthy presentation from the Governor’s Office of Policy and Budget on the governor’s recommended “Floridians First” budget, totaling $117.4 billion and $53.2 billion in general revenue. The presentation highlighted reserves, debt paydown, tax relief, and proposed reductions and efficiencies, along with major spending areas in education, health care, public safety, corrections, transportation, and economic development. Key proposals included higher K-12 funding, teacher salary increases, funding for Everglades and water quality projects, emergency preparedness, corrections staffing and facility funding, cybersecurity, law enforcement recruitment bonuses, and affordable housing and infrastructure investments. Members asked extensive questions about property tax reserves, litigation funding, emergency response fund balances and spending, the Alligator Alcatraz detention facility and federal reimbursement, the Second Amendment sales tax holiday, animal abuse hotline funding, Hope Florida, corrections staffing, and teacher pay. A major portion of the discussion focused on the Department of Health’s planned changes to the ADAP HIV medication program, with senators and a public witness expressing concern about access to life-saving medications and possible misuse or redirection of funds. The committee did not take further action on the budget presentation, and the meeting ended after additional comments supporting the budget and the corrections funding, with SB 7010 already approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• Going back to the description of our program, we're within the Department of Natural Resources of the
• It was initiated in 2014 for the developed a The Safety Committee was initiated in 2014 to develop a
• It goes into the realm of our natural resources management and enhancement for fisheries resources and
• irrigation and water resources as well.
• And the feedback that I got back helped guide how we focus our resources.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee met in Yakima to focus on tribal traffic safety, with members and Yakima Nation leaders emphasizing the importance of safety, the right to travel, and continued partnership on U.S. 97 corridor improvements. Yakima Nation Vice Chair Christopher Wallachie and engineering staff described the Tribal Traffic Safety Committee, the U.S. 97 safety project, heritage connectivity trails, roundabout construction, and the use of federal grants and advanced sensing technology to identify hazards before crashes occur. They highlighted collaboration with WSDOT, the Traffic Safety Commission, the University of Washington, and other regional partners, and explained that the goal is to move from reactive crash response to proactive risk reduction. The Yakima Nation engineering team and AI Vision presented the MUST sensor project, which uses compact AI-enabled devices to collect traffic counts, speeds, near-miss events, roadway conditions, and pedestrian activity, with data transmitted to a dashboard and used for real-time warnings and longer-term planning. Committee members asked about speed tracking, driver behavior, enforcement, and partnerships with WSDOT and counties. Yakima Nation staff said the relationship with WSDOT has improved over time, especially after community outreach on proposed roundabouts, and that the tribe now supports several roundabout projects and broader safety coordination. The Washington Traffic Safety Commission then presented statewide fatality trends and tribal traffic safety data. Mark McKekney said 2024 showed a roughly 10% decrease in fatalities statewide, though recent years remain among the highest in decades. He noted that race and ethnicity data are only available for people who die in crashes, and that many American Indian and Alaska Native fatalities involve passengers, pedestrians, or bicyclists rather than drivers. Penny Rerick outlined tribal traffic safety coordinator grants and other state-funded tribal projects, including work with Yakama Nation, Colville, Kalispel, Makah, Port Gamble S'Klallam, Muckleshoot, Lower Elwha, and Puyallup, stressing that flexible state funding helps fill gaps left by federal programs and supports community-led solutions. The final presentation covered impaired driving enforcement and ignition interlock compliance in Yakima County. Yakima Police Chief Sean Boyle said the city created a DUI enforcement and education officer program that helped reduce serious injury and fatal impaired-driving crashes, supported by state funding and social media outreach. Yakima County District Court’s Nick Bazan described a supervision program for DUI offenders and interlock compliance, reporting more than 1,000 DUI convictions in 2024-25 and about 3,800 noncompliant interlock users countywide. He said the court is using a two-pronged approach—pretrial assistance for indigent clients and post-conviction accountability and case planning—to improve compliance and reduce impaired driving. The committee expressed support for the work, noted the progress made, and adjourned the work session after thanking presenters for their updates.

Transcript Highlights:

• Are the ones who have the opportunity to have enough flows to be able to preserve water resources for
• and be able to protect our broader resources for the future.
• But if we put water down 3,000 feet deep, you're wasting the resources.
• that is Tampa Bay, which is an invaluable resource.
• This is a lost resource. I think publicly owned treatment works in general recognize that.

Summary: The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources met to hear a panel discussion on implementation of Senate Bill 64 (2021), which requires elimination of non-beneficial wastewater discharges to surface waters by 2032. Department of Environmental Protection staff reported that utility plans have been approved, about 570 million gallons per day are expected to be eliminated under the plans, and roughly 176 million gallons per day have already been eliminated. The department emphasized ongoing annual reporting, continued coordination with utilities, and the need for projects such as reuse, indirect potable reuse, wet-weather backup discharges, groundwater recharge, and other beneficial uses to meet the law’s 90% reuse requirement in applicable cases. Representatives from Flagler Beach, Atlantic Beach, JEA, and Hillsborough County described how the law affects different utilities. Smaller and coastal systems said they face major cost, space, salinity, and infrastructure constraints, with limited reuse opportunities and expensive alternatives such as deep well injection or regional transfer. Larger systems described substantial capital programs already underway, including public access reuse, indirect potable reuse, regional recharge projects, and saltwater intrusion barrier wells, with costs ranging from tens of millions to billions of dollars. Members and witnesses discussed the need for flexibility, regional solutions, and case-by-case permitting, and the Florida Rural Water Association asked the committee to consider hardship provisions and funding or exemption adjustments for smaller systems. The committee then took up SPB 7002, a proposed bill by the Environment and Natural Resources Committee relating to water management districts. Senator Broder explained that the bill would increase transparency, improve planning and budgeting oversight, create a gift ban, support local referendum authority for certain ad valorem funding, and provide record-level funding for Everglades restoration. After a question from Senator Smith about whether the ad valorem language was expansive or restrictive, Senator Broder said it would add a new funding tool for districts. The committee adopted a motion to submit SPB 7002 as a committee bill, and it was reported favorably by roll call vote. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• You want to be able to respond and have the resources necessary to do so.
• Hearing none, there are resource witnesses. The chair opens the vote.
• We have a resource from the Texas Department of Information Resources.
• There are resource witnesses. Thank you, members. We have two.
• Clayton Chandler, oh, that's a resource, I'm sorry.

Bills: HB146, HB150, HB1500, HB1545, HB1562, HB2067, HB2520, HB2818, HB3214, HB3250, HB3466, HB3512, HB3623, HB4063, HB4395, HB4464, HB4668, HB4690, HB5331, HB3833, HB146, HB150

Keywords: HB 146, Texas Capitol, State Capitol, State Preservation Board, Congress Avenue, Travis County, traffic lanes, lane closure, road closure, municipal authority, local control, Capitol area, downtown Austin, special events, construction traffic plan, pedestrian safety, public works, transportation policy, government code chapter 443, cybersecurity