Video & Transcript : 'disability rights' :
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MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session (Full Formal without Calendar) Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- You know, all of our communities right now are struggling financially.
- If we were to visit it right now, there would be portions of it with caution tape that are unsafe.
- As the Senate chair on the Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities, I too
- I want to give a special shout-out to Melissa. people, including those with disabilities.
- Embracing disability as a natural and valued part of the human experience.
Summary:
The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, adopted two resolutions recognizing the town of Sturbridge on the nation’s 250th anniversary and congratulating Zachary Erich on becoming an Eagle Scout, and then took up several committee reports and extension orders. The chamber suspended rules multiple times to act immediately on committee extensions for Financial Services and State Administration and Regulatory Oversight, and it referred a House petition on cleft lip and cleft palate treatment to Financial Services. Members also adopted an order extending the Financial Services committee’s reporting deadline on credit union and mortgage financing matters.
The Senate then considered and passed House No. 4361, a bill on teacher retirement benefits, after extensive debate in support of a one-time window for certain teachers who were excluded from Retirement Plus due to administrative errors. Senators described the measure as a long-overdue fix for more than 8,500 educators, noting that eligible teachers would have to pay the difference in contributions. The bill was ordered to a third reading, passed to be engrossed by a 39-0 roll call, and sent on for further action. The chamber also passed Senate No. 3106 on toxic-free medical devices and Senate No. 3107 on commercial interior design licensure, both after supportive remarks about patient safety and professional regulation.
A major item was the conference committee report on H. 5280, the FY26 fair share supplemental budget. Supporters highlighted funding for municipal winter relief, MBTA operations and capital needs, education initiatives, housing incentives, home heating assistance, and collective bargaining agreements, while opponents raised concerns about MBTA subsidies, legal defense funding, and tax policy implications. After roll call, the report was approved by a 37-3 vote. The Senate also adopted the emergency preamble and passed H. 5470, the FY26 supplemental appropriations bill, and later enacted local bills including Berkeley recall authority, a Milton school deadline extension, a Lexington parkland exchange, and long-term municipal roads and bridges financing.
Near the end of the session, the Senate recognized guests from the Caribbean diplomatic corps and the Authentic Caribbean Foundation, who spoke about Caribbean American Heritage Month and partnership agreements with Massachusetts. The chamber then concurred in a House amendment to Senate No. 2563, a bill updating disability-related terminology in the general laws, with senators emphasizing the importance of person-first language and dignity for people with disabilities. The Senate adopted the emergency preamble and enacted the bill. The session concluded with an adjournment order to meet again the following Monday and with adjournment in memory of Richard Louis Volpe of Sturbridge.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Finance Division I (05/13/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- right? right?
- Right. Right.
- Right. Right.
- And as a side benefit, it’s also better for disabled people, right?
- Right? Is it specifically there to help disabled people?
Summary:
The committee took up House Bill 74, which would require agencies issuing certain real-property-related permits to track and report how many permits they issue and how long the process takes. Representative Carol McGuire introduced the bill and said the goal is to gather data on permit timing and fees, especially for DES and DOT permits involving wetlands, alteration of terrain, driveway permits, and similar approvals. Supporters argued the state needs better visibility into permitting delays and whether statutory deadlines are realistic; they also noted the bill had passed the House on a voice vote with no debate.
Adam Crapo of the Department of Environmental Services said DES is generally supportive of the reporting concept but warned that the agency’s data are spread across many separate, partly manual databases. He said DES can already do this for some land resources permits through its new system, but not across all of its more than 90 permit types without additional help. DES estimated it would need two part-time positions to compile the reports, especially for waste management and water programs, and said otherwise existing permitting staff would have to do the work, potentially slowing permit processing. He also said the agency is already working to simplify rules and move more permits onto a new online platform, but could not meet the bill’s 2026 reporting deadline with current staffing and systems.
Committee members questioned whether delays are often caused by incomplete applications rather than agency inaction, and Crapo said that is frequently the case. He said DES already tracks timelines to some extent for management and statutory compliance, but not at the individual-permit detail the bill would require. He also said some letters and records are captured in One Stop, but not all are. Members expressed support for the bill’s transparency goals while also worrying about added workload and possible slowdowns. The discussion then moved to DOT, where Susan Clawson said DOT is neutral on the bill because it recently implemented Salesforce and now has good data for reporting; DOT’s fiscal note reflects software-related costs, but the agency can already track the required information in its system.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Right.
- Right.
- Right?
- Right? Last year, the asset limits MABD. Right?
- All right.
Committee:
Senate Human Services
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee Feb 4th, 2026
Budget and Fiscal Review
Transcript Highlights:
- Okay, so, but the money is following the patient, right?
- is the woman's right.
- is the woman's right.
- of Californians to access abortion, not just as a theoretical civil right, the right of Californians
- right real.
Committee:
Senate Budget and Fiscal Review
Summary:
The Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee heard AB 106, an early-action budget bill providing $90 million one-time General Fund to support reproductive health providers affected by the federal H.R. 1 prohibition on Medicaid funding. Department of Finance staff explained that the money would be administered as grants through the Department of Health Care Access and Information because affected providers can no longer bill Medi-Cal during the federal restriction, which lasts through July 4, 2026. Members also discussed why the amount increased from an earlier $60 million estimate, with Finance saying the figure was updated based on additional claims data and provider information.
The committee debate focused heavily on the policy implications of the funding. Supporters argued the bill is an emergency response to a targeted federal attack on Planned Parenthood and related family planning services, emphasizing that the funding would backfill non-abortion services such as cancer screenings, contraception, STI testing, mammograms, and prenatal care. Opponents questioned the use of General Fund dollars, the grant structure versus loans for other distressed providers, the Public Records Act exemption, and the bill’s priority compared with rural hospitals, developmental services, public safety, and other budget needs. Finance clarified that the federal funds at issue do not pay for abortion services and that the grant program would be open to eligible providers meeting criteria set by the department.
Public testimony was overwhelmingly in support from Planned Parenthood affiliates, Essential Access Health, Western Center on Law and Poverty, the California Medical Association, family physicians, OBGYN groups, and others, while some commenters used the opportunity to raise unrelated budget concerns such as Medi-Cal dental cuts, IHSS, and CalHome funding. After discussion, the committee approved AB 106 on a 12-4 vote and reported it out. The chair also noted that a later hearing would examine broader H.R. 1 impacts in more detail.
ID
Idaho 2026 Regular Session
Agenda Jan 19th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Our secretary will take a silent roll for us right now.
- No, I've got it right here. Yeah. And I am going to add. No, I've got it right here. Yeah.
- Developmental disability agencies. Please. No worries.
- They're notified of their appeal rights, Disability Rights Idaho, etc., and the ombudsman gets involved
- They're notified of their appeal rights, disability rights of Idaho, etc.
Summary:
The Senate Health and Welfare Committee reviewed several Idaho Department of Health and Welfare administrative rule dockets, mostly zero-based rewrites intended to reduce duplication, simplify language, and align rules with current statutes or federal guidance. On the reportable diseases docket, the department said the rewrite cut the chapter by about 40 percent, added viral hemorrhagic fevers as reportable diseases, and lowered the lead-reporting threshold to 3.5 micrograms per deciliter to match CDC standards. Members asked about incorporation by reference, the history of using federal guidelines, and why COVID was not listed; department staff explained that COVID was handled under broader public health authority and extraordinary-occurrence provisions rather than the reportable disease list. That docket was approved by voice vote after some discussion about whether more health policy should be placed in statute versus rule.
The committee then approved the radiation control rules, which were rewritten to shorten the chapter substantially, remove incorporation by reference, and require out-of-state licensees to register within 30 days. Next, members considered a consolidated chapter for developmental disability agencies and related provider types, including residential habilitation agencies and adult residential care providers; the department said the rewrite would streamline licensing requirements and had broad stakeholder support. The committee approved that chapter, then approved a repeal docket for residential habilitation agencies because those provisions had been moved into the new consolidated chapter.
The final docket covered residential assisted living facilities. The department said the rewrite reorganized application, resident activity, discharge, and medical review requirements, removed duplicative statutory language, and eliminated a separate NFPA building standard reference because the International Fire Code already covers it. Senators focused on discharge protections for vulnerable residents, asking about emergency discharges, nonpayment, Medicaid-related placement issues, and the role of the ombudsman and appeal rights. Department staff said residents generally receive written notice, often 30 days, and can access appeals and ombudsman assistance; immediate discharge can occur in limited situations such as nonpayment or inability to meet care needs. The committee approved the docket by voice vote and then adjourned, with a note that budget presentations would likely begin the following week.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- All right.
- So we're right there. We're right there.
- Right on. Right on. I don't know how much. It's just a man. I don't know. I don't know.
- Yeah, I said, quite all right, quite all right. But, you know, your family is so lucky.
- Absolutely, this is right.
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, opening with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions, including recognition of the day’s doctor of the day, an intern, and a resolution honoring the late Bob Graham and firefighter Roger Timmy Miley. The chamber also adopted a resolution designating August 9, 2026, as Bob Graham Day. After routine announcements, the Senate moved to the special order calendar and took up a series of bills, many of them with House companion bills substituted in place of Senate versions.
The first major floor action was passage of a tax-related bill conforming Florida’s Internal Revenue Code to federal changes while excluding certain provisions from H.R. 1; it passed 34-0. The Senate then considered CS/SB 1758 on public assistance and Medicaid, which proposed stronger fraud enforcement, a Medicaid work requirement for able-bodied adults, expanded behavioral health services, pharmacy and drug rebate reforms, and SNAP fraud reduction measures. A Berman amendment to require Medicaid expansion before work requirements was rejected, as was an Osgood amendment to add photo-ID protections and exemptions for certain SNAP users. The bill remained on the calendar for third reading after extensive debate and questioning about implementation, exemptions, and potential impacts on beneficiaries.
The chamber also passed bills on technology education and AI instruction, a Parkinson’s disease registry and related public records exemption, designation of the SS American Victory as Florida’s official flagship, electronic payments for local governments, repeal of the sunset on gold and silver legal tender, public records exemptions for financial institutions and custodians, a Florida stablecoin pilot program, local government finance transparency, digital voyeurism, and insurance customer representative licensing. Most of these measures were adopted after brief explanation, minor amendments, or substitution of House companions, with votes generally in favor and several passing unanimously or by wide margins.
Later, the Senate took up CS/SB 1756 on medical freedom, which would expand parental vaccine information requirements, add a conscience-based exemption, allow behind-the-counter ivermectin access, and repeal the sunset on the mRNA mandate prohibition. The bill’s first amendments clarified anti-kickback rules for vaccine manufacturers and required informational materials to address risks, benefits, safety, and efficacy; the transcript ends during consideration of this bill, before final passage is shown.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- All right.
- All right.
- So we're right there.
- Right on. Right on. I don't know how much. It's just a man. I don't know. I don't know. Right on.
- Absolutely, this is right.
Summary:
The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions, including a resolution honoring the late Bob Graham and a moment of silence for firefighter Roger Timmy Miley. The chamber also adopted a resolution designating August 9, 2026, as Bob Graham Day in Florida. Later, the Senate adopted a memorial-style recognition of the Florida Channel’s 30 years of legislative coverage. Several bills were temporarily postponed, including measures on health care coverage, veterinary licensure, and affordable housing.
The most extensive debate centered on CS/CS/SB 1758, a public assistance/Medicaid and SNAP reform bill. The sponsor described five major changes: stronger anti-fraud authority, a Medicaid work requirement for able-bodied adults, expanded behavioral health services through a waiver, pharmacy program changes to reduce costs, and a SNAP fraud-reduction plan with photo ID and work requirements. Democrats offered amendments to condition the work requirement on Medicaid expansion and to add protections for SNAP photo ID use by caregivers, seniors, disabled people, and domestic violence survivors; both amendments failed. Senators then questioned implementation details, exemptions, and eligibility impacts. The bill was placed on the calendar for third reading. The Senate also passed CS/HB 7031 on taxation, substituting it for the Senate bill and adopting a technical amendment, by a vote of 34-0.
The chamber passed a series of other bills, generally after substituting House companions and adopting technical amendments. These included a computer science education bill adding digital literacy and AI instruction, a Parkinson’s disease registry bill and related public records exemption, a bill designating the SS American Victory as Florida’s official flagship, a local government electronic payments bill, a legal tender bill repealing a sunset on gold and silver recognition, public records exemptions for gold/silver custodians and stablecoin-related entities, a stablecoin pilot program, local government spending transparency requirements, a digital voyeurism bill expanding privacy protections to private fenced yards, an insurance licensing bill allowing high school students to complete insurance/personal finance coursework, and a medical freedom bill addressing vaccine information, conscience exemptions, ivermectin access, and the mRNA mandate sunset. Most of these measures passed with little or no opposition, with recorded votes ranging from 31-3 to 34-0.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House/Senate DFL Media Availability 3/6/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- All right, uh, my name is Erin Murphy. I'm the Senate Majority Leader.
- Their budget would hurt schools, hospitals, seniors, and children, farmers, people with disabilities,
- </c><00:02:28.840><c> veterans</c> people with disabilities veterans people with disabilities veterans
- Of the $17.5 billion surplus, there's $6.2 billion sitting around right now available to be used, $3.5
- </c> available for spending right available for spending right now<00:14:12.560><c> do</c><00:14:12.759
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Committee Apr 10th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- All right, good morning, everybody. Welcome to the Assembly Budget Committee.
- All right. Well, thank you. Thank you for joining us this morning.
- And so... ...that they qualify again, we're finding that they all qualify, right?
- disabilities.
- The actions you're taking today really help stabilize the program right now.
Summary:
The Assembly Budget Committee held an informational hearing on SB 100/AB 100, the early action budget bills, with a focus on Medi-Cal funding, wildfire recovery, and several smaller budget adjustments. The Department of Finance explained that the bill would add $2.8 billion General Fund and $8.3 billion federal funds for Medi-Cal, along with other items including wildfire-related local assistance for Los Angeles County, property tax backfills for fire-damaged local agencies, Cal OES wildfire monitoring authority, nonprofit security grants, the Property Tax Postponement Fund, FARMER and Clean Cars for All funding, foster family home insurance claims, Proposition 98 technical assistance for LA wildfire-impacted schools, teacher credentialing authority, and Proposition 4 climate bond appropriations for wildfire and forest resilience projects.
Much of the member discussion centered on rising Medi-Cal costs, the recent $3.4 billion cash-flow loan, and whether the new appropriation would cover payments through June. Finance said the new funds were for program costs and cash flow, not repayment of the loan, and that no additional loan authority remained. Members also debated the causes of higher Medi-Cal spending, including expanded eligibility, higher enrollment, pharmacy costs, and federal policy changes. The LAO noted that forecasting errors are not unusual but that current revisions are somewhat higher than typical, though not unprecedented. Several members emphasized that Medi-Cal supports access to care and hospital stability, while others raised concerns about sustainability and future federal cuts.
Public commenters largely supported the bill, especially the Medi-Cal funding and wildfire-related provisions. Health and labor advocates argued that the program is functioning as intended by covering more low-income Californians and preventing uncompensated care. Representatives of special districts and the Altadena Library District supported the property tax backfill provisions tied to the Eaton fire. The hearing ended without a vote, with the chair noting that the committee would adjourn for floor session and that the Assembly would vote on one of the early action bills later that morning.
AL
Alabama 2026 Regular Session
Alabama House Military and Veterans Affairs Committee Jan 21st, 2026
Military and Veterans Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Once you're 100% disabled in the military, you're that for life.
- Once you're 100% disabled in the military, you're that for life.
- Chairman, I got a for -- >> All right, Representative Wood.
- . >> That's right. >> And I think that's a great opportunity.
- </c> >> All right. Any questions on the bill? >> All right. Any questions on the bill?
Committee:
House Military and Veterans Affairs
Keywords:
homestead exemption, disabled veterans, tax relief, annual verification, property tax, state holidays, federal holidays, public holidays, legal holidays, office closures, state employees, personal leave, compensatory leave, bank closures, school closures, Mardi Gras, Mobile County, Baldwin County, Rosa Parks Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Municipal and County Government (03/04/2025)
Municipal and County Government
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:16:11.079><c> Act</c> about uh Americans with Disability Act about uh Americans with Disability
- </c><00:17:26.199><c> now</c> testimony that uh that this right now testimony that uh that this right
- </c><00:17:33.720><c> now</c> about 1300 beds in the state right now about 1300 beds in the state right
- <00:28:11.399><c> represent</c> right represent right represent Frank<00:28:13.679><c> so</c><00:28:14.159
- and they have the right number toilets and they have the right number of<00:40:07.720><c> of</c><00:
Committee:
House Municipal and County Government
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, May 21, 2025 - Part 2)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- , further protecting it from taxation like the right to speak and the right to vote.
- We're going to get this right. This bill finally starts to right the ship of state.
- I HAVE A SUGGESTION, START RIGHT THERE. START RIGHT THERE.
- All right.
- ALL RIGHT.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
JHA Public Hearing - Thu Mar 5, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST
Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Right? The main intent of hazardous. Right?
- Right.
- </c><01:38:30.480><c> I</c> That's right. That's right. I That's right. That's right.
- Is Hawaii Disability Rights Center here? No.
- The only one present is Invisible Disabilities Association. Okay. All right. No questions.
Committee:
House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Summary:
The committee first took up House Bill 1531, HD1, which would require the governor or county mayors to provide American Sign Language interpreters during official emergency announcements broadcast on television or the internet, ensure the interpreter is visible, and provide a primary pool feed with picture-in-picture so rebroadcasters would not need to add the feature themselves. Testimony from the Disability and Communication Access Board and the State Council on Developmental Disabilities strongly supported the bill, emphasizing effective communication for deaf and hard-of-hearing residents and noting that interpreter placement and size can make broadcasts inaccessible. The council requested an effective date of July 1, 2027 to allow implementation time. Members raised concerns about interpreter availability and emergency logistics on Hawaiʻi Island, but the chair moved to pass the bill with amendments reflecting the picture-in-picture recommendation and the later effective date. The committee adopted the motion, with several members voting aye and others voting with reservations.
The committee then heard House Bill 1880, HD2, which would prohibit, beginning January 1, 2027, the use or application of pesticides containing 1,3-dichloropropene, such as Telone. The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity explained that pesticides are already regulated at both the federal and state levels, with EPA risk assessments and state enforcement of label restrictions, reporting, and school-buffer requirements. The Hawaii Public Health Institute supported the bill, citing cancer and respiratory risks and arguing that safer alternatives exist. In opposition, Dole Food and the Hawaii Farm Bureau said Telone is important for controlling nematodes in pineapple production, that it is applied underground under EPA conditions, and that no comparable registered alternative exists for pineapple; they also said the bill’s 2027 start date is too short for growers to adjust. A representative from the Y Alliance for Progressive Action and Support supported the measure, citing statewide usage data and concerns about drift and chronic health impacts. Committee members questioned both sides about drift monitoring, groundwater impacts, alternative methods, and whether a transition period or research into resistant varieties could reduce reliance on the chemical.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
MN House passes omnibus workforce, labor, and economic development policy and finance bill 5/5/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Education Policy and Administration (01/12/2026)
Education Policy and Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- >> Right. >> Right. >> Right.
- I'm the policy director at the Disability Rights Center, and I'm here to testify in opposition to this
- /c><03:22:12.399><c> Rights</c><03:22:12.800><c> Center</c> director at the Disability Rights Center
- director at the Disability Rights Center and<03:22:13.760><c> I'm</c><03:22:14.000><c> here</c><03:22
- of students with outlines the rights of students with disabilities.<04:26:44.880><c> Tangentially</c
Committee:
House Education Policy and Administration
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- All right, good morning, everybody. Welcome to the Assembly Budget Committee.
- All right. Well, thank you. Thank you. Thank you for joining us this morning.
- All right, would you like to speak some more?
- , and numerous seniors with disabilities.
- The actions you're taking today really help stabilize the program right now.
Committee:
House Budget
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery
Transcript Highlights:
- I work within it, right?
- advocacy for the rights of residents with disabilities, has documented hundreds of cases of forced medication
- Am I right on that? Thanks. All right. Maine laid the framework for this.
- fundamental rights.
- Jonathan Dosick: The right without a remedy is not a right at all.
Summary:
The committee held a public hearing on a broad set of mental health, substance use, recovery, and patients’ rights bills. Early testimony focused on H. 2227, which would replace stigmatizing substance use terminology in the General Laws, and H. 3950, which would support parents in recovery involved with DCF by requiring more individualized recovery plans, clearer benchmarks for parenting time, access to recovery coaches or counselors, family counseling after sustained recovery, and staff training on addiction and lived experience. Speakers described the bills as ways to reduce stigma, increase accountability, and improve reunification outcomes for families.
A major portion of the hearing centered on S. 1386, which would transfer Bridgewater State Hospital from the Department of Correction to the Department of Mental Health. Advocates, family members, and disability groups testified that Bridgewater functions like a prison rather than a hospital, with excessive restraint, seclusion, involuntary medication, poor conditions, and racial disparities, and argued DMH should oversee a treatment setting. One DMH occupational therapist and MNA member opposed the transfer, saying the real issue is mixing forensic and continuing-care patients and that DMH should instead create designated forensic units under bills H. 228/S. 1408. Committee members asked about Bridgewater’s population, the history of DOC control, capacity, staffing, and how a transfer might be implemented.
The committee also heard testimony on modernizing the six fundamental rights for psychiatric inpatients, including expanding communication options, clarifying visitation and advocacy definitions, and improving access to gender-appropriate and culturally relevant items. Another bill, H. 2216, would require stronger oversight before antipsychotic medication is prescribed in nursing homes, prompted by concerns about inappropriate use. Finally, testimony supported H. 2240 and H. 2239 on sober homes, with supporters saying discharge and relocation policies are needed when a resident returns to active use or becomes unsafe, while preserving the recovery environment and resident rights. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 3 on Health and Human Services Mar 12th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Local aging and disability action plans.
- And so that's where our local aging and disability action plans have come in.
- And right now, that's the entire questions of the subcommittee.
- And people say you always bring out outlier issues, right?
- All right, we'll hand it back over to me.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, September 16, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- It should work right here in D.C.
- IT'S RIGHT THERE. IT'S LIVE RIGHT NOW. YOU CAN GO LOOK IT UP.
- This is not just a labor issue but a civil rights issue, a women's rights issue, it's a Disability issue
- In doing so, this administration Is turning back the clock on disability rights.
- Commission on Civil Rights and the National Council on Disabilities have called for an end to the practice
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Senate in Special Session E May 29th, 2026
Florida Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- , also known as the IDD, the intellectual developmental disabilities pilot program.
- All right, Chair Hooper, you're recognized to make Thank you, Mr. President.
- All right. All right.
- Senator Brodeur, you're right.
- All right, we're going to take a recess on the call.
Summary:
The Senate took up the conference report on House Bill 501E, the General Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2026-27, with Chair Hooper and the appropriations chairs walking through the $114.5 billion budget. Major highlights included pay increases for state law enforcement, firefighters, park rangers, and correctional officers; funding for teacher salary increases and K-12 enrollment stabilization; workforce and university funding in higher education; major Medicaid, nursing home, waiver, and opioid-related investments in health and human services; corrections and prison-capacity funding; transportation, housing, and emergency management spending; and large environmental appropriations for Florida Forever, Everglades restoration, and water quality projects.
Members then asked detailed questions about specific items. Senators pressed on the Hamilton Center at UF, the difference between assistant state attorney and public defender pay, declining student enrollment funding, private school scholarship vouchers, mental health funding in schools, the lack of preeminence funding, APD’s iBudget waiver wait list and provider rates, ADAP premium assistance and the return of Biktarvy to the formulary, prison staffing and air conditioning, Florida Forever land-buying versus easements, SNAP and Sun Bucks funding, Hope Florida, election audit funding, and the IDD managed care program. Chairs generally explained the negotiated compromises, noted where funding was flat or omitted, and in several cases said items would be revisited next year or depended on agency implementation.
Several senators used debate to praise the budget while also criticizing major policy choices. Leader Berman argued the state should have expanded Medicaid, invested more in public schools instead of vouchers, and accepted federal summer EBT funds. Other senators highlighted local wins such as Biscayne Bay restoration, Tri-Rail, housing assistance, ADAP funding, and declining enrollment support. The transcript ends with debate remarks thanking Chair Hooper for his work on the budget; no final vote is shown in the excerpt.