Transcript Highlights:

• Today, I want to thank the Arizona agriculture producers and suppliers for our fresh produce that we
• Today, I want to thank the Arizona agriculture producers and suppliers for our fresh produce that we
• Our agriculture is a $31 billion industry in this state and needs to be recognized for its contributions
• Irrigated agriculture must be seen as a beneficial use of the state's water resources, both surface water
• Agriculture needs to be supported and protected as a vital industry, not only for the state but for our

Summary: The House opened with prayer led by Erica Kirk and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a proclamation sponsored by Representatives Teresa Martinez and Matt Gress recognizing Charlie Kirk on National Freedom Day. Several members then gave personal remarks honoring Kirk’s civic engagement, First Amendment advocacy, and legacy, and the chamber also welcomed the Doctor of the Day, visiting students from Carl Hayden High School, and guests from Arizona agriculture and local government. The House then moved through Committee of the Whole action on several bills. In the first committee of the whole, HB 2091, HB 2104, and HB 2105 received do-pass recommendations, while HB 2016 and HB 2022 were retained on the calendar. In the second committee of the whole, members debated HB 2008, with supporters saying it would prevent public money from funding politically biased or sectarian library-related institutions and opponents calling it part of a broader effort to censor and defund libraries; the bill received a 33-23 do-pass recommendation. HB 2046, HB 2116, and HB 2132 also received do-pass recommendations, while HB 2142 was retained. On third reading, HB 2148, a bill amending Title 41 to add provisions relating to federal monies, passed the House by a vote of 33-25 with two not voting and was transmitted to the Senate. The House also adopted the Committee of the Whole reports, referred several bills to engrossing, announced committee meetings and bill referrals, and adjourned until Monday, February 2, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today, I want to thank the Arizona agriculture producers and suppliers for our fresh produce that we
• Today I want to thank the Arizona agriculture producers and suppliers for our fresh produce that we all
• Our agriculture is a $31 billion industry in this state and needs to be recognized for its contributions
• Irrigated agriculture must be seen as a beneficial use of the state's water resources, both surface water
• Agriculture needs to be supported and protected as a vital industry, not only for the state but for our

Transcript Highlights:

• is its origins back to 1876 when it was established by the 15th legislature, its ultimate Vista Agricultural
• At that time the Board of Directors of the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Bryan was responsible
• as a normal school for training. teachers, but after it was approved as a branch campus of the Agricultural
• Agriculture, Mechanical Arts, and Nursing.
• college was introduced in 19 and a division of graduate studies would offer the master's degree in agricultural

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I will begin with the Department of Agriculture.
• So, I will begin with the Department of Agriculture.
• So, I will begin with the Department of Agriculture.
• So, I will begin with the Department of Agriculture.
• </c> uh from the egg egg from the Agriculture uh from the egg egg from the Agriculture Fund<02:14:39.520

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• It also has two parameters concerning agriculture that, I believe, align more with the states around
• It also has two parameters concerning agriculture that, I believe, align more with the states around
• So this regulation, this bill will help those agriculture businesses continue to operate efficiently.
• It is a privilege to sit on your committee in agriculture to have heard this bill, as was mentioned,
• And let's keep that streak going and fix another issue and help out our agriculture industry.

Summary: The House convened after a quorum call and received a Senate message refusing to concur in House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 994, leading the House to refuse to recede and appoint a conference committee. The chamber then reconsidered and amended Senate Bill 1019, stripping out earlier language and replacing it with a narrower substitute amendment focused on Lyme disease and alpha-gal, before giving the bill third read and passage. Members also adopted Senate Substitute for House Bill 1740, known as Melanie’s Law, after extensive debate about ignition interlock devices, affordability for low-income drivers, and the bill’s goal of reducing drunk-driving deaths; it passed overwhelmingly after emotional testimony from sponsors and family members affected by impaired driving. The House next passed Senate Bill 1033, which included a DNR solvency fix and agriculture provisions affecting farm truck inspections and cotton gin permitting/air-dispersion modeling. Supporters said it would help keep environmental programs solvent and better align Missouri rules with neighboring states, while some members raised concerns about future funding and EPA oversight. The chamber then passed Senate Bill 916, which limits contractor indemnity obligations before work begins or after final acceptance on public projects while preserving liability for contractor negligence; supporters said it would reduce costs and protect contractors from being sued before mobilization, while one member objected to expanding immunity language for MoDOT-related agents. The House also adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 21, encouraging Missouri participation in America 250 celebrations in 2026. Later, it adopted a conference committee report on House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 975, described as restoring a local-state system and giving local districts options for organizing and electing board members. The session ended with announcements about committee meetings and a motion to stand at recess until additional conference committee reports and Senate bills were ready, with adjournment set for the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• and fish to approve the use of game and fish funds for predator management in the Department of Agriculture
• :04:50.200><c> the</c><00:04:50.320><c> Department</c><00:04:50.760><c> of</c><00:04:50.880><c> Agriculture
• </c> in the Department of Agriculture. in the Department of Agriculture.
• ,</c><00:08:09.440><c> the</c><00:08:09.520><c> Dry</c><00:08:09.760><c> Bean</c> Department of Agriculture
• , the Dry Bean Department of Agriculture, the Dry Bean Commission,<00:08:11.000><c> the</c><00:08:11.120

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first addressed an unintended consequence in the Joint Conference Committee report involving dual and concurrent enrollment funding. Staff explained that a dollar-for-dollar reduction tied to Senate File 81 would have fully funded public school dual/concurrent enrollment while leaving no funds for non-public school students. Senator Salazar moved to strike that provision, the motion was seconded, and it carried. Budget and Fiscal Administrator Don Richards then walked through the conference committee report and the major adopted amendments. He reviewed Senate and House amendments affecting items such as sign language interpreters, rural veterinary education, predator management authorization, petroglyphs and pictographs, senior services, community college funding, school district entitlement payments, the School Foundation Program reserve transfer, a tourism-related rodeo museum change, archaeological work on human remains, a jet airplane reduction, abortion-related language, livestock ear tags, provider rates for developmental disabilities, student-athlete endorsement restrictions, a forensic audit for the Wyoming Business Council, and the Yellowstone tree inscription. He also described several deleted sections and policy changes, including removal of spending-policy provisions, flex authority language, and other budget sections. Richards further summarized new or revised appropriations and conditions, including funding for local cybersecurity, stormwater fees, the Wyoming Natural Resource Trust Fund, lab services, IT modernization, Wyoming Public Television, matching funds, cloud services, and restored governor FTE requests. He noted a compromise on the outdoor trails matching program, a conditional $10 million University of Wyoming operational review appropriation tied to future cost savings, and a stablecoin appropriation. He also explained that the report retained the base-bill reversion language, discussed the remaining general fund balance and statutory reserve, and said the committee would circulate the amendment and signatures for floor action later that day. The meeting then adjourned without further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• from the criminal penalty provisions of the Clean Air Act for odors or fugitive dust caused by agricultural
• activities consistent with good agricultural practices, for outdoor burning that is done in compliance
• since the last time we talked, including as a result of some of the advocates that are in the agricultural
• I am not bringing this bill to attack any specific industry or to attack our agricultural partners, quite
• I really do enjoy the Weights and Measures Department of the Washington State Department of Agriculture

Committee: House Environment & Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• Water Conservation Fund, expanding its scope to include flood control and agricultural conservation.
• Water Conservation Fund, expanding its scope to include flood control and agricultural conservation.
• The bill also allows the Texas Water Fund to be used for flood control, wastewater, and agricultural
• But for agriculture, that need is now.
• Israel recycles 90% of its wastewater, and 45% of that is used for agriculture.

Bills: HB16 , HB1618 , HB2692 , HB2712 , HB2970 , HB3609 , HB3628 , HB16

Committee: House Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• Commissioner of Agriculture and former Senate President Wilton Simpson. Thank you.
• wife, Michelle, former President and returning Senator Don Gaetz, and for the second time, current Agriculture
• Florida agriculture was heavily impacted.
• Commerce, transportation, support agriculture, and its supply chain.
• Number six, if you eat, you're involved in agriculture because food matters.

Summary: The Florida Senate convened for its organizational session with prayer, presentation of colors, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the national anthem, followed by a moment of silence for the mother of Senator Fine. The chamber then received special guests and administered oaths to newly elected senators after reading certificates of election from the Secretary of State. Tracy Campbell Cantella was nominated and unanimously elected Secretary of the Senate, then sworn in. Ben Albritton was nominated, seconded, and elected as President of the Senate for the 2024–2026 term, and Jason Brodeur was later nominated, seconded, and elected President Pro Tempore. Both leaders were sworn in and delivered extended remarks about faith, service, Florida’s economy and education, hurricane recovery, insurance, rural communities, agriculture, water quality, Israel, veterans, and the need for data-driven, accountable government. After the leadership elections, the Senate adopted its rules for the new term and authorized the Secretary to make technical and conforming changes. The chamber also adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 2-O-RG, which establishes the joint rules of the Florida Legislature for 2024–26. A committee was appointed to notify the House that the Senate had convened for organization, and the committee later reported back that the House had been informed. The Senate then received a communication from the Democratic caucus certifying that Senator Jason Pizzo was elected Democratic leader and Senator Tracie Davis Democratic leader pro tempore for the term. The session included additional remarks recognizing Senate staff and security personnel, as well as tributes to the late John Pasidomo and a moment of silence for him. The meeting concluded with a performance of “Amazing Grace,” brief closing comments, and an attempted motion to adjourn sine die that was briefly tabled until the House confirmed it was convened and ready to transact business. The Senate then adjourned sine die.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the statistic taking my question.
• It's<03:07:07.920><c> statistically</c><03:07:08.800><c> zero.
• And that's with It's statistically zero.
• statistics statistics for<03:11:39.600><c> you.
• Um as our statistics clearly show birth.

Committee: House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• excited about the future, and whether we're doing research in engineering and aerospace or looking at agriculture
• and how we produce products and what we're doing there, I think Texas can... ...agriculture and how
• There were some incredible statistics in there.

Bills: SB 1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Summary: The committee began with Article I budget items for the Secretary of State. LBB staff outlined recommendations that would reduce the agency’s appropriation by about $40.3 million, including changes to HAVA funding, removal of one-time business system replacement money, and a rider directing the agency to use Fund 5095 first. Secretary Jane Nelson and staff then defended several exceptional items, especially additional staffing for elections and business filings, a new website, digitization of records, cybersecurity tools, and renovation of the James Earl Rudder Building. Members focused heavily on election administration, cross-checking voter rolls, Harris County complaints, call-center response times, and whether online voter registration should be expanded. No votes were taken; the discussion was informational and budget-focused. The committee then heard the Office of the Governor and trustee programs. LBB presented a recommended $2.4 million decrease for the governor’s office proper and a much larger decrease in trustee programs driven by one-time funding and unexpended balances, while still preserving major border security funding and victim assistance funding. Governor’s staff emphasized Texas’ economic growth, the importance of border security, and efforts to seek federal reimbursement for the roughly $11 billion Texas has spent on border operations. Members discussed whether shifting National Guard deployment to federal control could reduce state costs, and they also reviewed the music incubator program, the Governor’s University Research Initiative, and the semiconductor innovation consortium. Staff highlighted a $5 million late-added request for grants to protect nonprofits from violence and terrorism. Again, the exchange was largely explanatory, with no formal action. Finally, the committee took up the Texas Facilities Commission and lease payments for revenue bonds. LBB recommended major reductions overall, including removal of border wall construction funding and capital complex bond funding, but added money for higher utility costs, renovation of the Rudder Building, and additional facilities staff. George Purcell also noted stable maintenance-and-renewal funding and new riders related to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission building, tenant communications, and space utilization. For lease payments, LBB recommended a smaller appropriation tied to revenue-bond costs allocated across agencies. The discussion was informational, with members asking about the Rudder Building renovation, border wall progress, and capital complex construction timelines; no votes were recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• B is a letter from the Division of Agriculture at the University of Arkansas.
• The letter notes this project will bridge Arkansas agriculture and the food industry.
• The first one in L1 is Department of Agriculture.
• L is Agriculture, $2.5 million.
• The largest request comes from Parks and Tourism at $500,000 and Agriculture at $395,000.

Committee: All ALC-PEER

Summary: The committee met to review a large slate of fiscal year 2026 and 2027 appropriation, transfer, and continuation requests across multiple sections. Early items included temporary appropriations for agencies such as Health, DHS, Education, Public Safety, State Police, Emergency Management, Aeronautics, Military, Economic Development, and Game and Fish, covering items like maternal health outreach, energy assistance repayments, Wynne High School tornado rebuilding, senior food services, cybersecurity, crime victim reparations, aviation grants, conservation incentives, and emergency tower maintenance. Members asked questions on several items, including DHS aging carry-forward funds and Treasury custodial banking fees tied to COVID-era balances; the committee also approved a disclosure by the chair on the Game and Fish-related item before voting to approve the section. The committee then approved continuation requests, CARES Act and ARPA reallocations, and federal grant appropriations. Notable discussion included the Boonville developmental disability project, ALIGN program reallocations at several universities, a small business technical assistance grant at UA Little Rock, and a Department of Public Safety highway safety grant, for which members requested more detail on operating expenses and professional fees. Additional approvals covered a transfer to the Merit Teacher Incentive program, restricted reserve fund transfers for military medical command and university projects, and a state central services deduction held at 2%. The Department of Commerce also received approval for a reallocation of positions and spending authority tied to its organizational realignment. Later sections included shared technology and higher education transfers, cash fund appropriations for school Medicaid reimbursements, corrections, youth mental health, narcotics detection canines, bike safety equipment, a state motor pool pilot, and law enforcement safety costs. The committee also reviewed budget classification transfers, including a Governor’s Office legal fee transfer related to a California lawsuit, and heard explanations about E-Rate reimbursements affecting the Office of State Technology. Members asked about VOCA funding levels for crime victim services and about the National Security Grant Program for nonprofits and faith-based organizations; officials said federal funding had declined from prior highs but appeared to have stabilized, and that the nonprofit security grant is an annual federal program. The meeting concluded with review of pay plan requests, DHS overtime funding for child protection caseloads, and a year-end adjustment request allowing DFA to make up to $1 million in transfers to close the books, after which the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because farm worker housing must be located near agricultural land, often miles from services such as
• Amenity proximity scoring assumes dense service patterns that agricultural communities where farm workers
• That agricultural communities where farm workers must live to access employment rarely meet.
• Assembly Muramila, farm worker housing by necessity must be located near agriculture jobs, often in rural
• This creates structural barriers for housing projects for farm workers in agricultural regions.

Summary: The Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee heard a series of bills focused on nonprofit tax status, housing, tribal land return, tax relief, economic development, journalism, reparations, manufacturing investment, and pawned property sales tax. The chair explained the committee’s suspense file process and noted that only AB 2270 and AB 2641 were eligible for immediate votes; other measures were referred to suspense after presentation. AB 2084 (Bauer-Kahan) would give the Franchise Tax Board discretion to delay or review revocation of state nonprofit tax-exempt status when federal status is revoked, and AB 2167 (Macedo) would clarify that tribally chartered corporations are eligible for existing tribal conservation land return tax exemptions. Both drew support from nonprofit and tribal representatives and were sent to suspense. AB 2270 (Arambula) sought to improve farmworker housing access to low-income housing tax credits by adjusting scoring criteria to reflect rural agricultural realities. Supporters said current amenity-based scoring disadvantages projects near farmland; the bill passed the committee 4-1 and was sent to Housing and Community Development. AB 2336 proposed excluding the first $25,000 of overtime pay and pension income from taxation; supporters framed it as affordability relief, while an opponent warned of major General Fund losses and a member raised the lack of an income cap. AB 2205 would reinstate the New Employment Credit to encourage hiring in high-unemployment areas, and AB 2222 would create refundable tax credits for local news organizations hiring journalists; both received strong support from business, labor, and media advocates and were referred to suspense. The committee also heard AB 2186, which would exclude future reparations payments from state income tax, with supporters arguing reparations should not be reduced by taxation; it was sent to suspense. AB 2377 would accelerate depreciation deductions for manufacturing equipment, with a larger benefit in high-need areas, and AB 2641 would extend the sales tax exemption for people repurchasing their own property from pawnbrokers, with the author agreeing to a five-year sunset amendment. AB 2641 passed 4-0 and was sent to Appropriations. After taking up the remaining roll calls for absent members, the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• sustainable rangeland management is to protect soils, vegetation, biodiversity, as well as supporting agriculture
• Idaho Legislature that all temporary and pending rules adopted by the Idaho State Department of Agriculture
• Affairs Committee, with the exception of IDAPA 02.06.01, Department of Agriculture rules governing the
• The state agencies included in this bill include the Department of Agriculture, The previous year.
• The state agencies included in this bill include the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• This is agricultural land owned by the City of Davie—the Town of Davie, my apologies—and what they want
• Gottlieb: this agricultural land which will support local businesses and community communication needs
• Before you today is a bill that aims to streamline the certificate process for agricultural enclaves
• Amina Speaks: I'm concerned about this bill because it would effectively turn agricultural land into
• would take the community out of community planning as it threatens to consume large portions of agricultural

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair and members, HB 2104, Agricultural Property Classification Inspection, outlines the reasons
• a county is unable to reclassify agricultural property in the case an owner prevails in an appeal.
• Madam Chair Members, HB 2104, Agricultural Property Classification Inspection outlines the reasons a
• county is unable to reclassify agricultural property.
• Madam Chair, members, House Bill 2105, Agricultural Property Inspections Notice, adds new inspection

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:

• HB 2104, Agricultural Property Classification Inspection, outlines the reasons a county is unable to
• reclassify agricultural property in the case an owner prevails in an appeal.
• Madam Chair Members, HB 2104, Agricultural Property Classification Inspection outlines the reasons a
• county is unable to reclassify agricultural property.
• Madam Chair, members, House Bill 2105, Agricultural Property Inspections Notice, adds new inspection

Summary: The caucus meeting began with introductions from pages and interns, followed by a procedural reminder from Rhonda about caucus consent and third-read consent calendars. She explained that bills coming out of rules can be placed on consent if they are not amended, and that pulling a bill from consent means members should be prepared to speak to it on the floor. The meeting then moved through a long Minority Caucus calendar of bills, with staff giving brief descriptions and members frequently noting bills for no further comment, pulling several from consent, or stating opposition. The bills discussed covered a wide range of topics, including appropriations and federal monies (HB 2148), a Buffalo Soldiers memorial (HB 2062), school library funding restrictions (HB 2008), prayer at public school governing body meetings (HB 2110), school safety administration (HB 2142), parental rights and social transitioning notifications (HB 2249), insurer assessments (HB 2091), agricultural property classification and inspection rules (HB 2104 and HB 2105), firefighters’ workers’ compensation status (HB 2138), truth-in-taxation bond notices (HB 2289), tax filing penalties (HB 2016), engineer and architect reciprocity (HB 2122), felony murder involving an unborn child (HB 2043), body concealment and related felony classifications (HB 2044), domestic violence order-of-protection service rules (HB 2048), mandatory reporting for partial-birth abortions (HB 2074), unlawful flight sentencing enhancements (HB 2108), weapons trafficking penalties (HB 2131), fentanyl sentencing thresholds (HB 2132), drive-by shooting definitions and forfeiture (HB 2045), probation review notices for sex offender hearings (HB 2046), venue changes in superior court when judicial employees are parties (HB 2126), and child support for pre-born children (HB 2144). Water-related bills included snowpack augmentation funding (HB 2024), WIFA grant disclosures (HB 2029), removing water conservation education as an eligible 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 board changes and education funding (HB 2117). Election-related measures included moving the primary date and adjusting cure periods and observer rules (HB 2022), and a proposed constitutional amendment on citizenship, ID, foreign contributions, early voting, and mail voting (HCR 2001). The committee also heard two memorials urging federal terrorist designations for the Muslim Brotherhood and CARE (HCM 2001 and HCM 2002). Members and staff offered substantive objections to many bills, often arguing they were anti-student, anti-abortion, overly punitive, unfunded mandates, or unfair tax policy. Several bills were pulled from consent for further discussion, including HB 2008, HB 2110, HB 2142, HB 2249, HB 2043, HB 2074, HB 2108, and HB 2144. Supportive remarks were also made for some measures, such as the cesspool remediation bill, which was noted as having unanimous support, while other bills were flagged for stakeholder meetings or future amendments. The meeting ended with announcements recognizing members’ birthdays and noting Muslim Day at the Capitol, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• For instance, agriculture is not a sector where there are equity private venture funds in New Mexico
• that specialize, but agriculture is incredibly important to the New Mexico economy.
• Particularly on the agricultural one, where their only expertise is agriculture, and the only thing they're
• making loans for are agricultural production.
• And I'm just, and I'm thinking, and agriculture, of course, is.

Committee: House Investments & Pensions Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• purchased that property, but under the statute, I guess, it says that they can, anything that's agriculture
• Anything that's agriculture, they can put their land on.
• But just let you know it is a problem and needs to be addressed. anything that's agriculture, they can
• We're known for our agriculture, watermelons, peanuts, corn, dairy, but also our springs, our rivers.
• We're known for our agriculture, watermelons, peanuts, corn, dairy, but also our springs, our rivers.

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries met with a quorum and heard several bills, with SB 1742 on condos temporarily postponed. SB 1298 on building construction was reported favorably after sponsor testimony about continuing education for building professionals, rural sharing of building officials, residential inspector limits, a planning examiner internship, permitting modernization, and contractor transition liability. SB 638 on home inspectors was also reported favorably after discussion of increasing required education from 120 to 200 hours, adding subject-specific exam and course requirements, and requiring $300,000 in errors and omissions insurance. SB 960 on elevator accessibility requirements was reported favorably, allowing additional shorter support rails in elevators while keeping the existing 42-inch rail requirement. The committee also unanimously recommended confirmation of a block of board and commission appointees. The committee adopted amendments and reported favorably CS/SB 940 on third-party restaurant reservation platforms, aimed at stopping bots and unauthorized resale of restaurant reservations; the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association and Booking Holdings supported the bill, and members discussed how the measure would preserve direct restaurant-platform relationships like OpenTable and Resy while targeting third-party marketplaces that resell reservations. CS/SB 196 on foods containing vaccines or vaccine materials was reported favorably after amendments that defined mRNA vaccine use and added a cosmetics-related amendment addressing harmful chemicals such as PFAS, phthalates, formaldehyde-releasing agents, and mercury compounds; the Florida Retail Federation raised concerns but said it was working with the sponsor. CS/SB 1418 on heated tobacco products was reported favorably after an amendment clarifying the definition of heated tobacco products and excluding hookah, with support from the Florida Retail Federation and comments that the bill would distinguish these products from cigarettes for tax purposes. The committee also adopted a strike-all amendment and reported favorably CS/SB 1262 on construction contracting, which adds consumer protection and financial literacy topics to contractor continuing education, increases penalties for unlicensed contracting, creates a standardized disciplinary reporting system, and requires timely refunds and project completion standards; the Florida Home Builders Association supported the measure. Finally, CS/SB 1304 on solar facilities was reported favorably after extensive testimony from county commissioners and local officials supporting greater local oversight and decommissioning requirements for utility-scale solar on agricultural land; the bill would remove the current statewide by-right treatment for solar on agricultural land and authorize counties to adopt decommissioning ordinances. The meeting ended with members recording additional affirmative votes on selected bills and adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• with artificial intelligence and applying it to agriculture.
• So, that X for us would be agriculture.
• We work a lot in the realm of digital agriculture and Dr.
• The opportunity is for New Mexico to brand itself as a leader in smart agriculture.
• Smart agriculture: rural co-ops are accessible statewide.

Committee: House House Rural Development, Land Grants And Cultural Affairs