Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, I move adoption of the report at the proper time. Thank you for your motion.
• Senator Davis had a motion to consider and adopt the full report.
• report.
• Now, my understanding is not everybody in your 35-person staff got a raise.
• As a position, not the person, just as a position.

Summary: The committee first reviewed a list of bills already ready for “do pass,” including several House bills (HB 1010, 1018, 1020, 1023, 1041, 1055, 1077) and Senate bills (SB 4, 16, 23, 24, 55, 59). It then took up the JBC Personnel Subcommittee report (B1), where a substitute motion to separate out the governor’s staff-related item for a separate vote was debated at length. Members raised concerns about transparency, a requested appearance by a governor’s staff member, and whether the administration should be compelled to testify. The substitute motion failed on a roll-call division vote, and the committee then adopted the subcommittee report as presented. The committee next questioned Treasurer John Thurston on House Bill 1034 and his office’s budget request, focusing on salary increases for his executive team, the size of raises under the new pay plan, office hours, and whether the increases were justified. Thurston said the request was to fully fund the approved pay plan, later reduced to a 10% increase after discussion with legislative leaders, and explained that salaries were set within the approved plan. Several members criticized the raises as too large or unfair, while others noted the compromise and thanked him for cooperating. The committee then adopted the HB 1034 letter. After that, the committee reviewed Schedule C and several special-language items, including amendments to SB 4, SB 58, HB 1052, and SB 77. It discussed a new item allowing DFA to establish a GAMP program for agricultural extension office improvements, with no funding attached, and adopted it. The committee then passed or adopted a series of measures, including SB 29, SB 51, HB 1034, and the remaining ready bills listed at the start of the meeting. SB 4 was set aside as not ready. The meeting ended with notice that the committee would reconvene in 15 minutes in another room to handle special language.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, I move adoption of the report at the proper time. Thank you for your motion.
• Senator Davis had a motion to consider and adopt the full report.
• report without the other.
• Now, my understanding is not everybody in your 35-person staff got a raise.
• That's personal. That's no. Okay. That's okay. I appreciate the honesty.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is cross-reported to law enforcement, and if law enforcement receives that child protection report
• It is cross-reported to law enforcement, and if law enforcement receives that child protection report
• It is cross-reported to law enforcement, and if law enforcement receives that child protection report
• transparency much of this personal transparency much of this personal information<01:29:19.560><
• Reporting will actually help her or further devastate her life, and the person causing the harm is a

Bills: HF1662, HF1224, HF1836, HF1367, HF1168, HF1999, HF1792, HF102, HF2127, HF104

Keywords: veterans, veterans affairs, State Soldiers Assistance Program, Veterans Stable Housing Initiative, MAXIS, human services data, data sharing, eligibility verification, informed consent, private data, benefits coordination, veteran housing, veteran assistance, Department of Human Services, Children Youth and Families, state benefits, federal benefits, privacy, public assistance, foreclosure

Transcript Highlights:

• And most of this was me realizing and letting them know the kind of person I am.
• And most of this was me realizing and letting them know the kind of person I am.
• So the report that I believe you're referring to is a result of a report that is required by statute
• The report includes the mission, the values, and a strategic plan.
• I would like you to look into that, please, and report back to this committee.

Summary: The committee first considered the confirmation of Dr. John Lattell to the Board of Medicine. In questioning, senators focused heavily on his views about abortion, vaccines, ivermectin, and the role of CDC/FDA guidance in board discipline cases. Dr. Lattell said the board applies Florida statutes and works through probable cause panels and legal counsel, but he also expressed strong pro-life views, skepticism of federal health guidance, and criticism of vaccines and some medical practices. Supporters praised his long medical career, military service, and family medicine background, while opponents argued his views could prevent him from being objective in disciplinary matters. The committee voted to recommend him for confirmation to the full Senate, with Senators Polsky and Ruson voting no. The committee then took up the confirmation of Taylor Hatch as Secretary of the Department of Children and Families. Hatch described her background in state human services and outlined priorities centered on accountability, data, lived experience, and improving service delivery. Senators asked about SNAP error rates, Hope Florida, legislative analyses, staffing, and the department’s handling of child welfare and medically complex cases. Hatch said the department was reducing SNAP error rates, that Hope Florida uses navigators to connect people with community resources and self-sufficiency supports, and that DCF is working with the Department of Health and other partners to improve investigations and accountability in child welfare. She also said the agency is reviewing medically complex cases and strengthening oversight of community-based care providers through contracts, audits, and proposed funding-model changes. A substantial portion of the Hatch discussion centered on whether the department had been responsive to legislative requests and whether it had provided timely bill analyses. Senators also pressed her on Hope Florida staffing, the number of participants served, and the Hope Florida Foundation’s compliance and legal oversight. Hatch said the foundation is undergoing a financial audit and that the department is relying on required reports and ongoing investigations. The transcript ends amid continued questioning about a community-based care contractor’s finances, related-party transactions, and whether further forensic audits or repayments are needed.

Transcript Highlights:

• who causes the death of a person before abandoning or concealing the dead human body or part.
• They can serve the order of protection, let the person know you need to get out.
• HB 2108 increases those classifications to a Class 4 felony if a person commits unlawful flight from
• person be falsely named as the sperm donor, whoever is donating the sperm.
• It provides that all qualified electors have the right to vote in person on Election Day.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The caucus began with introductions from pages and interns, followed by a procedural reminder on consent calendars and how bills can be pulled for floor debate or amendment. Members were told that third-read consent bills bypass caucus debate, while caucus consent bills may have committee amendments adopted together unless pulled. The meeting then moved into Minority Caucus Calendar No. 2. A large number of bills were briefly presented, with several members pulling measures from consent or voicing opposition. Topics included appropriations and federal monies accounting (HB 2148), a Buffalo Soldiers memorial (HB 2062), school library funding restrictions (HB 2008), prayer at school governing body meetings (HB 2110), school safety center administration (HB 2142), parental rights and social transitioning disclosures (HB 2249), insurer assessments (HB 2091), agricultural property classification and inspection rules (HB 2104 and HB 2105), firefighter workers’ compensation definitions (HB 2138), truth-in-taxation bond notices (HB 2289), late tax filing penalties (HB 2016), engineering and professional licensing reciprocity (HB 2122), felony murder involving an unborn child (HB 2043), body concealment and mutilation penalties (HB 2044), domestic violence order-of-protection service rules (HB 2048), mandatory reporting of partial-birth abortions (HB 2074), unlawful flight sentencing enhancements (HB 2108), weapons trafficking and fentanyl sentencing changes (HB 2131 and HB 2132), drive-by shooting forfeiture rules (HB 2045), probation review notice changes (HB 2046), venue changes for cases involving court employees (HB 2126), and child support for pre-born children (HB 2144). Members repeatedly criticized several abortion-related bills, the library bill, and the tax and agriculture measures as harmful, unnecessary, or unfunded mandates. The latter part of the meeting focused on water and election legislation. Water bills included snowpack augmentation funding (HB 2024), water conservation grant disclosures (HB 2029), removal of education/research as an eligible water grant use (HB 2030), stormwater recharge mapping with an appropriation (HB 253), cesspool remediation assistance (HB 2096), groundwater pumping limits in INAs (HB 2097), Colorado River litigation funding (HB 2116), and natural resource conservation board changes (HB 2117). Election-related items included moving the primary date earlier and changing signature cure timelines and observer rules (HB 2022), a memorial urging designation of the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization (HCM 2001), a memorial urging review of CAIR for terrorist designation (HCM 2002), and a constitutional amendment on citizenship, voter ID, foreign contributions, and early voting limits (HCR 2001). Members raised concerns about voter access, anti-Muslim rhetoric, and the practical effects of the election changes. The caucus concluded with birthday acknowledgments and an announcement for Muslim Day at the Capitol before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um so those are malreatment reports.
• And what would be the uh reports?
• and finishes his report, his or her<00:10:50.000> report, her report, her report, uh uh uh can
• "Report?" "Report?" >> Miss Gro. >> Mr. Chair, Senator Liur, I'm not certain.
• person. I'm not a special interest. person. I'm not a special interest.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You should have that report.
• I know we didn't, you have a report, this report, which graphically and visually is very easy to follow
• and the 2023 report.
• This is a very basic question that I was not able to capture from the report. The report.
• This is a very basic question that I was not able to capture from the report. The report.

Summary: The committee’s first major discussion focused on higher education facilities across UC, CSU, and the community colleges, with Chair Alvarez framing the issue as a final budget hearing before the May Revise. The LAO presented findings that campuses have grown substantially in buildings and square footage, while classroom and lab utilization remains below legislative standards and deferred maintenance backlogs continue to rise. The LAO also emphasized that the state and segments lack comprehensive data on capital renewal spending and recommended better reporting, clearer funding targets, and long-term planning for renewal and maintenance. UC, CSU, and community college representatives each described large five-year capital plans, aging facilities, seismic and deferred maintenance needs, and the role of student housing, while noting that construction costs are rising faster than inflation. Members questioned the segments about debt service, utilization rates, and how projects are prioritized. UC said its debt service tied to state support is about $665 million annually and described a $30 billion five-year capital financial plan, including housing, medical centers, and building renewal. CSU said it has about $31 billion in five-year needs and more than $8 billion in deferred maintenance, with funding coming from a mix of state-related and one-time sources since the state shifted capital responsibility to CSU. Community colleges said their unmet facilities needs total about $33.5 billion and explained their use of a scoring matrix and FUSION system to rank projects. The chair and members pressed all three systems to better distinguish between projects that are truly shovel-ready and those that are long-term needs, and discussed whether facilities condition data, total cost of ownership, and more standardized metrics should guide future bond proposals. The committee then turned to Proposition 2 and the Governor’s proposed community college capital outlay projects. The Department of Finance said Prop. 2 provides $1.5 billion for community colleges and that the Governor’s budget proposes 29 projects, with two continuing Prop. 51 projects also included. The LAO supported the overall use of the funds but raised concerns about the current 65/35 split between modernization and growth, the unusually large share of gymnasium projects, and some scoring metrics that favor larger campuses and certain regions. Community college officials said the scoring system was developed through participatory governance and would take one to two years to revise, but they supported the funding and agreed to follow up on questions about project categories and the rationale for the weighting. Members also suggested giving more weight to modernization, regional access, and intersegmental or collaborative projects. A final item addressed the CalKids program. The Department of Finance proposed $56,000 ongoing General Fund for three positions, while the LAO recommended approving two positions but rejecting a manager position until the current $7.5 million marketing campaign is evaluated. ScholarShare’s executive director said CalKids has enrolled more than 5 million children, with nearly 600,000 claims and over $45 million distributed, and argued that additional staff and outreach are needed to reach a goal of 1 million claimed scholarships by the end of 2025 and to implement AB 2808. Members asked about marketing effectiveness, data sharing, and eligibility rules, and the program said it is expanding partnerships with Cradle to Career and CSAC. No final vote was taken in the hearing, and the chair indicated the facilities item would be held open.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have an executive nominations report, report number seven. Clerk will read the report.
• their personal property. their personal property.
• amendment the committee report. amendment the committee report.
• the report. the report.
• committee report. committee report.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Monday, April 6, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, received an invocation from Pastor Shannon Watkins of Souls One Outreach Cathedral in Cumberland, and welcomed several guests and student pages. The chamber also announced the week’s schedule for the final days of session, including likely double sessions later in the week and a possible Saturday hold. Administrative items included the reading of House messages, a favorable executive nominations report that was special ordered for Tuesday, and the introduction of several House bills and Senate bills on the calendar. The main floor debate centered on Senate Bill 841, the Utility Relief Reducing Energy Load Information for Every Family Act. Senators discussed energy affordability, ratepayer relief, utility costs, data center growth, in-state generation, and the role of programs such as RGGI, EmPower, and the RPS. Supporters said the bill provides a comprehensive short- and long-term response, including consumer transparency and low-income relief, while critics argued it did not go far enough and should have included stronger relief or pauses on renewable energy mandates. After debate and several explanations of vote, the Senate passed SB 841 by a constitutional majority, 38-affirmative votes. Earlier in the session, Senate Bill 213 on state procurement transparency and procedures also passed with 40 affirmative votes. After SB 841 passed, the Senate took up House Bill 1532, a conforming companion to the utility relief measure. The committee offered an amendment to align HB 1532 with SB 841, the amendment was adopted without objection, and the bill then passed on third reading. Senators who explained their votes largely echoed the same themes from the SB 841 debate, with some emphasizing the need for more relief and others stressing the bill’s broader policy changes and regional energy-market constraints.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're here in person. And then is there any in person...
• Anyone here in person? Anyone here in person?
• and report starting in person<00:29:32.640> and<00:29:32.880> naturally<00:29:33.360><
• Anyone<02:56:13.439> in<02:56:13.760> person? Anyone in person? Anyone in person?
• in person? in person?

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Patients being cared for primarily by CNMs consistently report higher satisfaction rates and feel more
• <00:14:14.240> higher CNM and CNM consistently report higher CNM and CNM consistently report
• 2024 March of Dimes Minnesota report 2024 March of Dimes Minnesota report that<00:14:44.839>
• Next we have in-person testifiers, Christina Zzy and Kate Rickard.
• Next we have in-person testifiers, Christina Zzy and Kate Rickard.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This agenda item is our compliance report.
• This agenda item is our compliance report.
• I know it's not part of our legislative management reports, but will you have an opportunity to report
• And then it still required the report.
• I've applied for permit fees personally.

Summary: The committee first received a general fund and revenue update from the Office of Management and Budget. Staff reported that the state started the biennium about $176 million above prior estimates, but year-to-date revenues were now running below legislative forecast, mainly due to lower individual income tax and sales tax collections. The budget stabilization fund was above its cap, the legacy fund continued to grow, and oil revenues were slightly above forecast overall. Members also asked about federal funding uncertainty and mineral leasing variability, and OMB said agencies would be asked to address potential federal reductions case by case during budget preparation. The committee then reviewed compliance reports and trust fund analysis materials, followed by a bill draft for a fixed-route city transportation grant program. Testimony from transit officials in Fargo and Minot supported the proposal, saying state aid would help match federal transit funds and support operations, but members raised questions about the funding source, fare structures, and whether the program should be limited to the current four fixed-route cities or allow future eligible cities. Several members asked for more time to study the formula and possible funding options before moving the bill forward. Next, the committee approved a bill draft repealing obsolete language related to a proposed North Dakota-South Dakota bi-state authority. Staff explained the provision had been unused for about 30 years and that existing law likely already allowed joint powers agreements without the specific language. The committee voted to adopt the repeal bill draft. The Department of Commerce and the Northern Plains UAS Test Site then provided an update on uncrewed aircraft system initiatives, including the Vantis radar data enclave, the drone replacement program, and future revenue models. Officials said North Dakota had received FAA approval to operate the radar data pathfinder, had begun replacing non-compliant drones from restricted foreign sources, and was working on phased procurement and cost-recovery plans. Members asked about deadlines, funding, supply-chain issues, and how the system would be used; staff said the federal restrictions were already in effect and that Vantis was being positioned as infrastructure for future beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations. Finally, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation presented on the design of a new minimum-security prison and on a reentry housing task force. The new facility is planned for the penitentiary grounds, with a reduced estimated cost of about $263 million, 600 beds initially, possible expansion to 732 beds, and completion projected around 2031 if funded in 2027. The reentry housing task force described a data-driven effort to identify housing needs for people leaving incarceration, with the goal of reducing homelessness and recidivism through targeted housing support and possible subsidies. Members asked about staffing, site selection, housing duration, and whether employment and transportation needs would be included in the assessment.

Transcript Highlights:

• With a vote of eight aye and zero nay, we'll report your bill out as do pass. Thank you very much.
• So if I'm getting this, he's reading it as no person, or the exact language is such persons, No person
• , or the exact language is such persons—God, I can't speak today—such person shall also be prohibited
• We'll report your bill as do pass. That was the most votes so far. All right.
• With a vote of 10 aye and 0 nay, we'll report your bill as do pass. Thank you very much.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yesterday it was reported that Mr.
• Washington Post reported that Mr.
• Would you reinstate the in-person dispensing requirement, as well as reporting requirements for adverse
• there be a day one in-person administration of the drug, a day three in-person administration of the
• They're not in-person dispensing.

Keywords: nominations, labor, health, veterans, Social Security, Elon Musk, transparency, government accountability

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on various executive nominations and their implications on labor and health affairs. Significant discussions surrounded the nomination of Mr. Sonderling as the Deputy Secretary of Labor, with members expressing concerns about workforce cuts affecting veterans and Social Security employees. There was also a debate led by a member regarding the authority and influence of private individuals, specifically citing Elon Musk's involvement in government decisions. Such discussions raised questions about transparency and accountability within governmental agencies, leading to a proposal for Mr. Musk to provide testimony before the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• He did not know this person.
• As you're aware, we do a lot of reporting in the state, and there was a report that came out from the
• coming into the facility to the person coming into the facility to the person if<00:38:08.880>
• person providing health care services. person providing health care services.
• , if you assault just a random person, if you assault just a random person, that<00:54:52.240>

Bills: HF2358, HF3496, HF3504, HF2169, HF3440

Keywords: public safety, coercion, criminal penalties, law enforcement, victim protection, HF3496, supervision abatement, earned compliance credit, earned compliance credits, conditional release, supervised release, corrections, Minnesota Department of Corrections, restitution, willful nonpayment, probation-like supervision, release supervision, community supervision, lifetime conditional release, early termination of supervision

Transcript Highlights:

• > now<00:21:49.480> gives So, the reporting statute now gives So, the reporting statute
• If this if assault reporting statute.
• <00:46:49.400> 21 legalizing cannabis for the persons 21 legalizing cannabis for the persons
• Um, then we also have reports of um you might have a report of a domestic violence incident um or other
• I personally learned a grandchildren.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:59:56.799> liberties Kelly's point about personal liberties Kelly's point about personal
• Uh, Representative Groa, would you like to report? You're going to write the committee report.
• And with that, report. >> Uh yes. Is there a minority report? >> Yes. Okay.
• And they said that a person with the context of my situation, where a person like me who had been, by
• He was like, "No, I..." went to report what happened to him, he went to report what happened to him,

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• committee report?
• The appropriations committee report is passed to the judiciary committee report.
• committee rise and report. committee rise and report.
• to the committee of the whole report. to the committee of the whole report.
• . report. report.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The committee first debated amendments to Senate Bill 35, a road safety measure increasing penalties for improper passing and related dangerous driving offenses. Amendment L17, which would have exempted certain emergency situations and volunteer first responders from the penalties, was opposed by the bill sponsor and others and failed on a voice vote. Amendment L18, which broadened the exemption for first responders en route to emergencies, also failed after discussion. Supporters of the bill argued it targets some of the state’s most fatal crashes, while opponents said the penalties were too harsh and could disproportionately affect rural and working-class drivers. The committee then passed Senate Bill 35 as amended. The committee next considered House Bill 1273 on transportation network companies and driver compensation. Supporters said the bill responds to reduced driver earnings under app-based pricing models and seeks to require a larger share of fares to go to drivers, while opponents warned it could harm the industry, reduce service, and interfere with business decisions. The bill passed after debate. Senate Bill 114, concerning spirituous liquor manufacturers’ sales rooms, then passed with supporters describing it as a limited, locally controlled permit to help distillers offer additional on-premise options while preserving local approval authority. Finally, House Bill 1138 on organized retail theft prevention advanced through committee reports and was presented as a grant-and-advisory-board program housed in the Department of Public Safety. Sponsors said it would fund investigations, prosecutions, technology, training, and prevention efforts aimed at organized retail theft and gift card fraud, modeled after Colorado’s auto theft grant program. The bill was described as targeting felony-level organized theft rather than ordinary shoplifting, with annual reporting and a sunset date built in. The transcript ends during discussion of the bill, after the committee reports were adopted and the bill was introduced for final passage discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• The chair moves to SB 378 without amendment be reported favorably, the full House.
• The chair moves that SB 917 without amendment be reported favorably. Full House.
• And they're working individually with one person, very close.
• Lottery ticket sales were always meant to be in person.
• As current statute prohibits a person from playing a lottery game by telephone.

Bills: SB 28

Keywords: groundwater, groundwater conservation district, Water Code, Water Development Board, modeled available groundwater, aquifer, water permit, groundwater transfer, export groundwater, out-of-district transfer, management area, desired future conditions, well permit, retail public utility, potable water, emergency interconnect, subsidiary, controlled entity, aquifer management, water resources

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:27:15.520> and<00:27:15.640> investigation reporting and investigation reporting and
• <00:44:29.040> who state interest for the young person who state interest for the young person
• <00:58:58.200> state A person who left the state A person who left the state um<00:58:59.640
• objection, all personal Without objection, all personal privileges<01:27:31.320> or<01:27:31.520
• <01:28:00.080> and processing enrolled bill reports and processing enrolled bill reports and

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have internal controls such that one person does it and a second person reviews them.
• It rolled such that one person does Bush and a second person reviews them.
• We do ask them to report on activities that they are doing for free.
• I personally am hoping that we can start seeing members' bills.
• I personally I'm hoping that we can start seeing members bills.

Keywords: 1183, house