Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:41:12.079><c> So</c> divided legislature that this Okay.
• So divided legislature that this Okay.
• One of the states is Florida, where every county is part of the 287(g) program.
• One of the states is Florida<01:34:02.000><c> where</c><01:34:02.239><c> you've</c><01:34:02.480><c>
• ><c> entering</c><01:34:32.560><c> an</c> Florida Keys without entering an Florida Keys without entering

Bills: HF3405 , HF3413 , HF3769 , HF3768 , HF3771 , HF3465

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Keywords: Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, BCA, Use of Force Investigations Unit, federal agents, Department of Homeland Security, DHS, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE, Customs and Border Protection, CBP, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, USCIS, officer-involved death, use of force, law enforcement accountability, police oversight, independent investigation, criminal sexual conduct, sexual assault, peace officers

Transcript Highlights:

• Current Florida law allows challenges to this sworn oath.
• This bill is critically necessary to clarify Florida law so that we don't have any confusion.
• There's a candidate in Florida who has bounced around the state, who has run from different parties,
• There's a candidate in Florida who has bounced around the state, who has run from different parties,
• So then she appealed that to the Florida Supreme Court.

Summary: The Government and Operations Committee met and first heard C.S. for HB 4003, relating to the City of Marco Island in Collier County. Representative Benaroch said the bill addresses how city council vacancies are filled: if a vacancy occurs more than one year before a general election, the council must call a special election within 130 days or the governor must do so; if the vacancy occurs within one year of a general election, the council has 60 days to appoint a qualified replacement or the governor must appoint. The bill was reported favorably with a roll-call vote. The committee then considered HB 91 on candidate qualification, sponsored by Representative Tant. The bill requires candidates to swear they have been registered in the relevant party for 365 consecutive days before qualifying, and clarifies who may challenge that oath and where such challenges must be filed. An amendment changing the effective date to upon becoming law was adopted. Representative Tant and others argued the bill would clarify election law and prevent abuse of the challenge process; a county clerk waived in support. HB 91, as a committee substitute, was reported favorably. The committee next took up three proposed committee bills extending public-record exemptions. PCB GOS 26-06 preserves exemptions for certain aquaculture records held by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, with Representative Gentry citing theft concerns involving harvest locations and production records; it was reported favorably. PCB GOS 26-07 preserves exemptions for information received by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles related to potential violations involving title certificates, licenses, and inspection providers; it also passed favorably. PCB GOS 26-08 extends exemptions tied to investigations involving social media platforms and antitrust or speech-restriction issues, with Representative Greco noting the underlying law has been enjoined by the courts; it too was reported favorably. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Did Florida stop their COVID vaccine back in the height of it, I think?
• Just curious, did Florida actually end all vaccine Florida actually end all vaccine mandates?
• If people want them, I think they can still get them in Florida.
• Florida Surgeon General Dr.
• The Florida Surgeon General... ...called for a quote halt to the use... Sorry.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Special Committee on COVID Response Efficacy met to review its mission, approve prior minutes at a future meeting, and discuss materials related to COVID-19 vaccination guidance. Members examined a pediatric vaccination handout from a private pediatric practice and compared it with New Hampshire DHHS and AAP/AAFP immunization guidance, focusing on how COVID-19 vaccine recommendations are presented for children and adults. Committee members also discussed the scope and accuracy of the committee’s endnotes and supporting documents. The main business was a draft letter urging the governor to direct state agencies to stop recommending COVID-19 mRNA vaccines. Members revised the letter paragraph by paragraph, including changing wording about age ranges for children, clarifying references to the American Academy of Pediatrics, and adding discussion of vaccine safety concerns, alleged suppression of safety data, and federal investigations. They also debated whether to reference specific reporting systems such as VAERS and V-safe, and whether to include examples from other states, including Tennessee, Arizona, Minnesota, and Florida, as evidence of broader concern about mRNA vaccines. After the edits were completed, Representative Villio moved to accept the letter as amended, Representative Leroy seconded, and the committee approved it by voice vote 4-0. The chair said the revised letter would be finalized and distributed later in the week. The meeting then adjourned at approximately 11:57 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, members, established by an act of the legislature in 1860.
• This legislation, that this mimics, has passed in Florida.
• So we do what Florida does.
• As a legislature will it help us in fewer future sessions as we?
• It's been done in Florida and it's working very successfully. I agree Mr.

Bills: HB 120 , HB20 , HB150 , HB6 , HB 100 , HB 124 , HB210 , HB215 , HB1393 , HB1587 , HB 1151 , HB 1268 , HB142 , HB451 , HB39 , HB 102 , HB 126 , HB290 , HB300 , HB2143 , HJR2 , HB147 , HJR6 , HB 120 , HB20 , HB150 , HB6 , HB 100 , HB 124 , HB210 , HB215 , HB1393 , HB1587 , HB 1151 , HB 1268 , HB142 , HB451 , SB1

Keywords: career readiness, education reform, workforce training, public schools, financial aid, applied sciences, career education, high school diploma, certificate program, work-based learning, job placement, high-growth jobs, technical training, cybersecurity, state command, information resources, data protection, incident response, mental health, telehealth

Transcript Highlights:

• an equal voice in the working group's recommendations and the ability to provide feedback to the legislature
• Provide feedback to the legislature in case the department's report is not consistent with the working
• And ongoing stakeholder group with authority to bring suggestions to the legislature in future.
• </c> may recall, in 2021, the legislature may recall, in 2021, the legislature passed<00:07:52.800><c
• ,</c><00:54:44.000><c> in</c> practicing in Tennessee, in Florida, in practicing in Tennessee, in Florida

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not nearly as robust as what Florida has.
• Utah's already changed. ...as robust as what Florida has.
• Utah's already transitioned to closer to the Florida bill.
• Utah's already transitioned to closer to the Florida bill.
• So right now, Utah and Florida are leading.

Committee: House House Health & Human Services Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee heard several bills related to radiation protection in cardiac catheterization labs and later a stem cell/regenerative therapy bill. On SB 1121, which would allow hospitals with radiation protection systems to let clinicians forgo lead aprons if they work in the designated safety area and use real-time dosimetry, testimony was largely supportive or neutral after a late amendment gave radiation safety officers discretion to require protective gear if exposures approach thresholds. The committee adopted the amendment and passed SB 1121 on a 9-1 vote. SB 1120, a more prescriptive bill requiring at least 50% of cath lab rooms in hospitals to be equipped with the radiation protection system, drew divided testimony: sponsors and several physicians argued it would reduce orthopedic injury and radiation exposure and improve recruitment and retention, while hospital and radiology groups objected to the mandate, cost, limited vendor pool, and lack of clarity in the bill’s definitions. After adopting an amendment excluding children’s hospitals, the committee deadlocked 6-6 and SB 1120 failed to pass. The committee then considered SB 1118, which would appropriate $3 million to help rural hospitals install radiation protection systems in cath lab rooms. The sponsor said the funding would help rural facilities meet the same safety goals, and the committee passed the bill 6-5. The committee also heard SB 1214, a “guardrails” bill regulating non-FDA-approved stem cell and regenerative therapies, requiring informed consent, sourcing and reporting standards, advertising limits, and civil penalties for violations. Supporters said it would protect patients while allowing access to promising therapies; some members raised concerns about evidence and commercialization, but after adopting a technical amendment, the bill passed 9-3. The transcript ended as the committee moved on to SB 1630, which would seek federal approval for a home- and community-based service benefit for adults with serious mental illness; the sponsor described it as a capped, Medicaid-based community care option, and Access testified neutral while estimating a fiscal impact, but no final action on SB 1630 appears in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll begin with Senate Bill 1768, which authorizes Florida license physicians to offer certain FDA of
• Data bank reports if the report and action does not constitute a violation of Florida law, a role the
• therapists in fiscal year. 24 25, there were a total of 8,293 licensed massage establishments in Florida
• The 3 courses are provided by the Florida Pharmacy Association, the University of Florida's College of
• A Florida resident and have a family income of more than 200% of the federal poverty level.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then in Florida, we offer what we call a 2 plus 2 medical school. What does that mean?
• </c> a four-year program and then in Florida a four-year program and then in Florida we<00:03:53.280>
• And in totality here at the legislature, starting in '23, the legislature was trying very hard to have
• </c> and in totality here at the legislature and in totality here at the legislature starting<00:18:39.039
• ><c> was</c> starting in 23 the legislature was starting in 23 the legislature was trying<00:18:40.960

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And then, regarding the approval of the legislature, we recommend, to avoid any potential separation
• Right, let's say best-case scenario: this bill passes through the legislature and becomes law.
• </c> legislature becomes law. legislature becomes law.
• He said he cited evidence from Florida, a 2026 working paper that studied Florida's similar reform.
• Third, I cited evidence from Florida,<00:51:06.680><c> a</c><00:51:06.760><c> 2026</c><00:51:08.160><

Committee: House Labor

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Labor met on February 19, 2026, and heard a series of bills largely focused on public employment, staffing, and professional licensing. Early measures included HB 2276 and HB 2472, both relating to Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund staff salaries, which were supported by trust fund representatives and received no opposition or questions. The committee also heard HB 1714 HD1 on housing, where the Hawaii Public Housing Authority testified with comments and the Deputy Attorney General raised concerns about the scope of autonomy, civil service, collective bargaining, and a possible separation-of-powers issue involving legislative approval of long-term contracts. The committee then considered several personnel and civil service bills. HB 2325 HD1, relating to civil service exempt positions at DLNR, drew support from DLNR and the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, but HGEA opposed it and urged the department to seek other recruitment and retention solutions while keeping employees in civil service. HB 1541, relating to Department of Health positions, was supported by DOH on the grounds that the positions serve vulnerable populations and require specialized expertise, while HGEA opposed. HB 2140 HD1, relating to essential permanent positions, received support from OPSD, HGEA, and the Chamber of Commerce, with written comments from the city Department of Budget and Fiscal Services. HB 2315 HD1, relating to state employment benefits, was strongly supported by DOH, UPW, and HGEA as a recruitment and retention incentive; members questioned the pilot program, and DOH explained it would allow employees to cash out vacation leave earlier than current policy allows. The committee also heard HB 2295 on government contracting, with DOE support not present and IBEW 1186 in opposition. HB 1720, relating to professional engineers, drew strong support from the City and County of Honolulu’s planning department, which argued the bill would help with affordable housing review and only affect eligibility to sit for the licensure exam, but strong opposition from engineering industry and licensing board representatives, who warned it would lower licensing standards and harm reciprocity; members questioned both sides about plan review experience and licensure requirements. HB 2367, relating to employment earnings and pay transparency, received strong support from the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, AAUW, the Commission on the Status of Women, and others, who said transparency helps small businesses and retention, while written opposition came from the Maui Chamber of Commerce and NFIB. Finally, HB 1935, relating to personal information, drew comments from the Attorney General and the Campaign Spending Commission about implementation burdens and disclosure requirements, with UPW supporting the home-address redaction portion but opposing the broader disclosure process; additional written testimony was noted from OIP, the League of Women Voters, Public Press Law Center, HGEA, and DCCA.

Transcript Highlights:

• And if I could just add, two states in our country, Utah and Florida, have banned just a total ban in
• </c><00:23:40.640><c> have</c> our country, Utah and Florida have our country, Utah and Florida have
• >> They'd be required to have the same knowledge that we would as a legislature.
• Our legislature has taken steps recently to help improve that workforce, and I want to thank you all
• um is doing things now the legislature um is doing things now to<00:44:23.040><c> improve</c><00:44:

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:10 Roll Call 00:00:24 HB 108 Discussion 00:03:45 HB 108 Vote 00:05:15 HB 194 Discussion 00:07:13 HB 194 Vote 00:09:45 HB 276 Discussion 00:11:53 HB 276 Vote 00:13:35 HB 290 Discussion 00:15:32 HB 290 Vote 00:18:29 HB 103 Discussion 00:20:31 HB 103 Vote 00:46:59 Adjournment 00:50:36, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• She, um, she got elected and started in the legislature the year I was born and, uh, in, in my area.
• or in all of Florida, New York and California.
• I just that was just something I know that they ran into in Florida.
• Similar laws in Florida 2 years ago was halted by the appellant court for plaintiffs.
• You know, I first came to the legislature in 2021 when this crisis was unfolding.

Bills: HB 256 , HB 1308 , HB 1554 , HB 1743 , HB 2308 , HB 2351 , HB 2858 , HB 3676 , HB 3784 , HB 4312 , HB 4552 , HB 4823 , HB 4852 , HB 5007 , HB 5010 , HB 5520 , HB 5524 , HCR 19

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: E-verify, employment verification, illegal employment, state contracts, government entities, license suspension, immigration compliance, state grant funding, E-Verify, compliance, penalties, immigration, government contracts, employee status, state contractors, E-verify program, legally present, employment practices, legal services, public money

Transcript Highlights:

• Tab Two to start - SB 1382, Florida Tax Scholarship by Senator Rodriguez.
• Kyler Nixon coming from Jacksonville, Florida, come up and speak for the bill.
• Chair: Karen Massoud, Florida Parent Teacher Association, waiving in support of the bill.
• That does not fall on deaf ears here in the Florida Senate.
• Welcome to the Florida Senate.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For what purpose does the gentleman from Florida seek recognition?
• </c> purpose does the gentleman from Florida purpose does the gentleman from Florida seek<02:12:17.360
• </c> Florida is recognized for one minute. Florida is recognized for one minute.
• </c> gentleman from Florida seek recognition? gentleman from Florida seek recognition?
• </c><02:22:13.200><c> National</c> States Army and the Florida National States Army and the Florida National

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, in 2023, the Florida legislature passed a bill where the death penalty would apply to crimes against
• Yes, because Florida and Tennessee have already passed this bill.
• So when Florida issues a brief to the Supreme Court, they can say there are other states that are doing
• It's not just Florida. It's not just Florida; it's not just Tennessee.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• With a part time legislature, look at the legislature as just an inconvenience. to the two years that
• by the legislature and y'all are an agency that cannot exist but for the legislature creating, right,
• And I can say, as a member of the legislature, Right, because the legislature, the people of Texas act
• At least one of our stores is operating in Florida.
• Legislature passed it.

Bills: SB 28 , SB 687 , SJR 34 , SCR 9 , SB 523 , SB 62 , SB 847 , SB 706 , SB 869 , SB 890 , SB 992

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: lottery, gambling, internet gaming, mobile application, criminal offenses, SB 687, land surveyor, land surveying, surveying services, construction contract, anti-indemnity, indemnity, hold harmless, defense obligation, standard of care, professional negligence, civil practice and remedies code, local government code, governmental agency, public contracts

Summary: The meeting was a crucial session for discussing several important bills including SB992, which aims to establish a clear time frame for the Attorney General's approval on outside legal counsel for state agencies. Senator Nichols presented the bill, emphasizing its necessity for timely responses to ensure efficient legal processing. Another notable discussion centered around SB523, which seeks to allow parole and probation officers to use a business address on their driver's licenses for safety and security purposes. This bill passed favorably out of the committee, with public testimony supporting the need for such provisions due to the risks these officers face.

Transcript Highlights:

• that provided additional protections for contractors in states that have very similar entities, like Florida
• that provided additional protections for contractors in states that have very similar entities, like Florida
• The issue came before the legislature last year and before this committee.
• The issue came before the legislature last year and before this committee.
• Representative Diaz, the bill started out very, I would say, very strong in the beginning of last year's legislature

Committee: House House Commerce Committee of Reference

Summary: The Commerce Committee considered several bills and advanced all of them. House Bill 2174, as a strike-everything amendment, would redefine “advisory organization” as a modeling and data organization and allow insurers to file models with DIFI, with DIFI able to request supporting data to verify compliance. Representative Livingston said the measure was the product of extensive stakeholder negotiations and was technical in nature. The committee adopted the strike-everything and returned the bill with a due-pass recommendation on a 10-0 vote. House Bill 2496 would require construction contracts entered into by revitalization districts to include payment protections allowing contractors to pause or terminate work if the district fails to pay. Supporters said the bill was a fairness measure to prevent contractors and subcontractors from being forced to continue working without payment. Opponents, including bond counsel and the League of Arizona Cities and Towns, argued existing public prompt-pay laws already protect contractors and warned the bill could disrupt financing and delay public infrastructure. After debate, the committee passed the bill 9-1 with one present vote. House Bill 2910 would extend from 10 to 20 days the time a contractor has to contest an ROC recovery fund claim after notice. The sponsor described it as a minor procedural change, and the committee approved it 10-1 with one present vote. House Bill 2938, the “penny bill,” would require Swedish rounding of cash transactions to the nearest five cents when pennies are unavailable, with an amendment clarifying tax calculation and compliance protections. Representative Martinez said the bill was prompted by inconsistent business practices and the need for statewide uniformity; business groups supported it. The committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill with broad support. Finally, House Bill 2744 would authorize the Industrial Commission of Arizona to investigate and adjudicate overtime wage violations at the state level. Supporters from the carpenters’ unions said the bill would provide a faster path for workers to recover unpaid overtime than the backlogged federal process. The Industrial Commission testified it would need additional FTE authority and funding to handle the workload, but not general fund money. Despite some concern about expanding administrative authority, the committee passed the bill 10-1.

Transcript Highlights:

• It doesn't allow for modulation year over year, except by changes by the legislature, which, as we all
• It doesn't allow for modulation year over year, except by changes by the legislature, which, as we all
• used to have this three-commissioner structure and was changed to a single commissioner by the legislature
• early examinations when those insured showed signs of financial distress, such as what happened in Florida
• And if you look at the numbers when they do the modeling for The PML, you're looking at Florida, which

Committee: House Insurance

Summary: The committee first took up several bills and voted them out favorably without amendment: SB 2857, relating to prescription drug purchasing proof for certain health benefit plan issuers and employers; SB 1307, relating to the biennial health coverage reference guide; and SB 527, relating to health benefit coverage for general anesthesia for certain pediatric dental services. Each of those motions passed on a 7-0 roll call. The main discussion centered on SB 1643, which would require prior approval from the Texas Department of Insurance for property and casualty rate changes above 10% from a previously filed rate. The chair framed it as a response to rate volatility and rising homeowners and auto premiums, while several members questioned whether it would slow a market that is already stabilizing and could encourage insurers to file repeated increases just under the threshold. Witnesses from consumer groups supported tighter oversight and argued for a lower threshold, while insurance industry representatives opposed the bill, saying Texas’s file-and-use system and competitive market work better and that the proposal could increase costs or create uncertainty. After testimony, SB 1643 was left pending. The committee then heard SB 1642, which would replace the single Texas Department of Insurance commissioner with a three-commissioner structure and an executive director. Supporters said it could improve accountability and transparency, while opponents argued the current single-commissioner model is more efficient and avoids confusion and added cost. Witnesses also raised concerns about open meetings issues, administrative expense, and the lack of a clear model from other states. SB 1642 was also left pending. Finally, the committee heard SB 2530, the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association omnibus bill. The bill would make a number of changes to TWIA’s governance and finances, including exempting TWIA from certain taxes, moving its headquarters to a coastal county, changing board composition and voting rules, and lowering the probable maximum loss standard from 1-in-100 to 1-in-50. Supporters said the bill would strengthen TWIA’s reserve funding and improve local relevance, while opponents warned it could increase assessments, reduce reinsurance protection, and create operational risks by relocating the headquarters to the coast. The bill was left pending, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Last session, HB 3993, the legislature created a... ...formula that allowed non-traditional students
• It builds on the work the legislature began in 2015 and updated in 2023.
• In this bill, you know, not that I like to model a lot of things out of Florida, but...
• Out of something that's come out of Florida, they now have 34 programs offered at 33 different universities
• The state legislature must establish guardrails to protect our secure research apparatus from hostile

Bills: SB750 , SB2995 , SB1716 , SB2430 , SB203 , SB1679 , SB2683 , SB1414

Committees: Senate Education , Senate Education K-16

Keywords: tuition exemption, paramedics, higher education, public institutions, laboratory fees, education code, financial aid, education, student support, scholarships, nontraditional education, student enrollment, financial assistance, Texas students, foreign adversaries, trade secrets, research integrity, security measures, international agreements, student privacy

Transcript Highlights:

• Maney: The investigation portion will be placed with the Florida Commission on Human Relations.
• Carrie from Florida Commission on Ethics waves in support. Thank you for being here.
• Lopez: House Bill 603 makes an update to Florida ethics laws by recognizing foster families as family
• Lopez: The definition of relative in Florida law is already quite broad.
• This recommendation comes directly from the Florida Commission on Ethics which concluded that gifts and

Transcript Highlights:

• Explanation: Allows the legislature to enact reasonable, nondiscriminatory laws concerning elections
• So this is going to open the door for future state legislatures to completely dismantle...
• It weakens voting by mail because it allows the legislature to completely eliminate it.
• It would allow the legislature also—this is very important to note—it would allow the legislature to
• The State of Florida, taking such actions as these—Florida has all kinds of rural communities.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, and routine journal and calendar actions, including a gubernatorial nomination referral and bill references. Members also introduced guests in the gallery before the chamber resolved into the Committee of the Whole to consider several election, health care, and child welfare measures. In Committee of the Whole, senators considered SB 1038 on cast voter records and public records, SB 1133 on nominating procedures and candidate financial disclosures, SB 1247 on assisted living centers, and SCR 1001, a constitutional election-requirements referral. Each measure was amended and given a do-pass recommendation. SB 1133 received a floor amendment exempting certain statewide and legislative candidates in an emergency-related provision, SB 1247 was amended to allow a person not receiving care services to live with a resident in an assisted living center, and SCR 1001 was amended to make major election changes, including proof-of-identity requirements, changes to early ballot and drop-off rules, and language affecting mail voting and election administration. Debate on SCR 1001 was extensive, with supporters saying it would improve election security and speed results, and opponents warning it would reduce access, create confusion, and disproportionately burden voters, especially those who vote by mail or in rural and communities of color. On third reading, SB 1038 passed 17-12, SB 1133 passed 23-6 with the emergency clause, SB 1247 passed 28-1 with the emergency clause, and SCR 1001 passed 17-12-1. The Senate also passed SB 1172 and SB 1175 by 28-1 votes. The Committee of the Whole report was adopted, the measures were properly assigned, committee meeting announcements were made, a moment of silence was held for Jesse Jackson, and the Senate adjourned until the next day.