Transcript Highlights:

• </c> right a bill of rights for emergency right a bill of rights for emergency room<03:41:47.120><c>
• 27:29.680><c> are</c> know that emergency departments are know that emergency departments are struggling
• </c> prevention, school EOPS, emergency prevention, school EOPS, emergency operating<05:38:11.280><c>
• And some of the reasons why we're not seeing those numbers boarding in hospital emergency rooms is because
• And some of the reasons why we're not seeing those numbers boarding in hospital emergency rooms is because

Committee: House Education Policy and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• for testimony, you may sign up to speak on forms provided by committee staff outside of the hearing room
• The difference being that in an emergency, a national health service...
• The difference being that in an emergency, a national emergency or a public health emergency, whether
• However, in emergency, unexpected, or urgent situations, both military services, again, are available
• Their service strengthens military readiness, addresses emerging health challenges, and helps ensure

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs

Summary: The Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs held its fourth public hearing of the 2025-26 session on recognitions, definitions, and designations related to veterans. Chairs John Velis and Joseph McGonagle opened the hybrid hearing with housekeeping rules and noted the committee’s reporting deadlines. The hearing focused on several bills honoring veterans and military-related service, including H. 3825 to include reserve components in flag half-staff recognition for service members killed in action, S. 2499 to place a State House marker honoring three Medal of Honor recipients from the war on terror, S. 2498 to add Merchant Marine recognition at veterans cemeteries and the State House and create a Massachusetts merchant mariner medal, and H. 2500/S. 2500 to have Massachusetts fly the Honor and Remember flag for Gold Star families and fallen service members. A major portion of the hearing centered on H. 3871 and S. 2467, which would update the Commonwealth’s definition of “veteran.” Testimony came from the Office of Veterans Services, veterans organizations, Public Health Service and NOAA representatives, National Guard and Reserve veterans, and Gold Star advocates. Witnesses argued the current state definition is inconsistent with federal law and excludes some service members who should be recognized, especially members of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps, reservists, and some National Guard members. Supporters said the bills would improve fairness, consistency, and access to benefits and services, while several speakers emphasized that service in uniform should be honored regardless of branch. Some testimony also urged a broader moral recognition of all who raised their right hand, while others focused on aligning state law with federal definitions and closing gaps in eligibility. Committee members asked questions about the practical and fiscal effects of broadening the definition, including how the proposed language would interact with existing federal standards and state benefit programs. Witnesses explained that the bills would remove the current 180-day and 90-day active-service calculations and instead recognize certain active service and six-year reserve or Guard commitments, though some members noted that this could create a broader state standard than the federal one. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing, and the committee concluded after hearing from the final witness and adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• The amendment simply adds an emergency to the bill.
• The emergency clause vote is then taken, and the clerk announces the result. Mr.
• The clerk will activate the machine for a recorded vote on the emergency clause.
• You two get a room. You are recognized for follow-up. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• The call of the chair: majority caucus will meet in Room 10 at 3:25.

Bills: HB4420 , HB3974 , HB3016 , HB3062 , HB3021 , HB3145 , HB4128 , HB3131 , HB3015 , HB3472 , HB3453 , HB1638 , HB4126 , HB2696 , HB2710 , HB3552 , HB3031 , HB3544 , HB3521 , HB4490 , HB4488 , HB1746 , HJR1069 , HB4428 , HB4429 , HB1170 , HB3538 , HB4124 , HB3904 , HB4106 , HB2999 , HB3982 , HJR1077 , HB3464 , HB2588 , HB3462 , HB4440 , HB3674 , HB3345 , HJR1067 , HB4326 , HB4331 , HB4337 , HB4338 , HB4359 , HB4392 , HB3557 , HJR1076 , HB4003 , HB3495 , HB3497 , HB3501 , HB3505 , HB3749 , HB3011 , HB4336 , HB4346 , HJR1087 , HB3240 , HB3647 , HB3796 , HB3969 , HB3972 , HB3983 , HB3984 , HB3989 , HB3383 , HB3130 , HB4358 , HB3327 , HJR1055 , HB3386 , HJR1089 , HB3087 , HB2970 , HB3314 , HB4129 , HB4199

Summary: The House began with a quorum call and several introductions, including Wagner Student Council, Heartland Homeschool educators, Northwest Technology Center leadership students, Leadership Oklahoma Class 37, and guests from domestic violence and sexual assault service providers. The chamber then took up House Bill 3131 on homeless shelter standards. The bill, as amended, would set baseline health, safety, sanitation, incident reporting, and fiscal transparency standards for shelters receiving state-administered federal funds, with a limited board to help write rules and local officials notified of issues. Supporters said it was aimed mainly at smaller communities lacking resources, while opponents argued it added state oversight without collaboration or funding and could burden nonprofits and faith-based shelters. The bill passed 65-31. Members then passed several other measures: House Bill 3015 authorizing Service Oklahoma to issue and manage electronic credentials; House Bill 3472 on environment and natural resources; House Bill 3453 on eminent domain, shifting the burden of proof in court to the condemning authority while carving out utilities and oil and gas; House Bill 1638 expanding the Governmental Tort Claims Act definition of public trust to include trusts overseeing county jail facilities; House Bill 4128 on Game and Fish, adjusting bear hunting rules in selected eastern counties; and House Bill 4126 limiting liability for motocross and similar recreational tracks. House Bill 2710 created a 15-member committee to review future statewide radio system needs, and House Bill 2696, an open records bill for school district security and cybersecurity information, was amended and passed. House Bill 3552, giving child care providers flexibility to bridge subsidy reimbursement and tuition rates, also passed, though its emergency clause failed. Later, House Bill 3031 was amended to create a workforce development fund in the Department of Commerce and passed, but its emergency clause failed. House Bill 3544 was narrowed to regulate social AI companions and protect minors from harmful interactions, and passed unanimously. House Bill 3521 modernized money transmission law, updated fees, and added rules for digital asset kiosks. House Bill 4488 established a standardized appraisal process for first-party motor vehicle damage disputes under insurance law. House Bill 1746 allowed juvenile detention facilities for high-risk youth to adopt safety plans. Finally, House Joint Resolution 1069 updated constitutional county boundary language and county-seat references, including adding Cotton County to the Constitution and making other boundary cleanup changes; it passed 74-14. The House then recessed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, **Representative Dow**, are you still in the room? She just stepped out, Madam Chair.
• You come into a room and think you have the greatest idea in the world.
• When you're responding to emergencies in these areas, volunteer fire personnel are the ones that are
• responding to our emergencies.
• Madam Chair, when there is an emergency, we know to...

Committee: House House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• They're going to be detailing who their emergency contacts are, what their family outline is, what their
• They're going to be detailing who their emergency contacts are, what their family outline is, what their
• They do everything they can when they're trying to build that emergency contact.
• If they have an emergency and they cannot stay, we move to the next person on the roster and we just
• would have than the people in this room.

Summary: The Criminal Justice Subcommittee heard an informational presentation from the Florida Department of Corrections on how the prison and community supervision systems operate after sentencing. Assistant Deputy Secretary Hope Gartman described the reception process for new inmates, including intake, medical and mental health screening, classification, custody and housing levels, gain time, and the department’s academic, vocational, substance abuse, chaplaincy, visitation, and communication programs. She emphasized that reentry begins on day one and that program placement is driven by risk and needs assessments, with facilities matched to inmates’ medical, mental health, and security requirements. Members also asked about family contact, visitor applications, inmate welfare trust funds, tablet access, private prison placement, staffing shortages, overtime, contraband interdiction, and waiting lists for programs; several follow-up materials were requested for distribution to all members. Mr. Winkler then outlined community corrections, explaining the different supervision types under Florida law, including probation, drug offender probation, community control, sex offender supervision, conditional release, and addiction recovery supervision. He described the department’s monitoring tools, such as office and field visits, warrantless searches, alternative sanctioning for technical violations, telephone reporting for low-risk offenders, employment assistance, and mobile probation and reentry units. He said the department’s supervision success rate is about 62%, with more than 91% of successful completers not returning to custody within three years. Members questioned officer workloads, the use of radios and GPS check-ins, the rollout of uniforms and firearms, how violations are handled, and whether all circuits participate in alternative sanctioning; Winkler said the program is statewide and that the department is seeking funding for radios. During public comment, Florida Cares Charity urged the committee to consider evidence on deterrence, parole, and recidivism, arguing that community supervision is less costly than incarceration and can be effective. James Beardy of the Florida PBA emphasized the dangers faced by correctional and probation officers, including long shifts, field searches, and working alone, and argued for higher pay and better support comparable to other law enforcement. The meeting concluded with the chair thanking the presenters and public speakers, and the subcommittee adjourned without taking any legislative votes or formal actions.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Speaker's rooms, Washington, DC, July 14, 2025.
• </c><02:11:39.599><c> I</c> emergency medical technician. I emergency medical technician.
• </c> and with emergency responders is vital. and with emergency responders is vital.
• From the the room that was rising.
• It will make emergency room wait times longer, close local doctor's offices, and mean that Black students

Transcript Highlights:

• room, perhaps an overdose, may trigger a family member, again, or the individual themselves. ...trigger
• Another emerging technology is the ability to use rapid DNA technology, and that can give limited DNA
• Another emerging technology is the ability to use rapid DNA technology and that can give limited DNA
• To identify 27 sets of remains last year alone through extensive research and emerging technology with
• That is just a big word for saying we bring the people who know into a room from different disciplines

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice met to continue its review of performance measurement in the criminal justice system. The first presentation, from State Courts Administrator Eric McClure, described how the court system uses multiple data sources to track filings, dispositions, clearance rates, workload, and support services, and how those data inform judge need, budget requests, resource allocation, and court administration. He also discussed ongoing efforts to improve case-level reporting, the use of case management systems in trial and appellate courts, and performance efforts in problem-solving courts and civil case management. McClure noted that the legislature provides dedicated funding for problem-solving courts and for medication-assisted treatment, and that the courts are required to report outcomes and monitor compliance with contract requirements. Melanie Brown-Whor of the Florida Behavioral Health Association then reviewed the medication-assisted treatment program funded through the courts budget. She said the program combines medication with counseling and behavioral supports, serves people involved in or at risk of criminal justice involvement, and has expanded over time to include additional medications and more counties. She reported improved engagement and retention, with more than 10,000 people screened over five years, about 9,200 receiving medication, and over 6,600 successfully discharged. Senators asked about racial and ethnic demographics, hospital referrals, and how services are delivered; Brown-Whor explained that local community providers deliver treatment under contract and that the program is working to improve data reporting and consistency. The Department of Law Enforcement then presented on investigations, forensics, and criminal justice information services. Deputy Commissioner Vaden Pollard outlined FDLE’s strategic plan and major investigative priorities, including cybercrime, targeted violence, crimes against children, mutual aid, and the SAFE fentanyl eradication program. He said SAFE has led to major seizures, arrests, and a reported decline in fentanyl deaths. Director Jason Bundy described FDLE’s forensic laboratory operations, DNA and rapid DNA capabilities, cold case and missing persons work, and the staffing and turnaround-time challenges tied to complex evidence testing. Director Lucy Saunders reviewed FDLE’s criminal history, biometric, incident-based crime reporting, and criminal justice transparency systems, noting that Florida is still transitioning agencies from summary reporting to incident-based reporting. The committee raised questions about Rapid DNA deployment, cold case coordination, and the slow pace of NIBRS/FIBRS adoption. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today, as we look around this room, there's so many patriotic colors. The flag is on our jackets.
• I think it's also fitting that we're discussing this bill while there are tornadoes and emergency weather
• And this bill is making Missouri safer in emergencies and supporting the emergency first responders in
• Speaker, your Committee on Ways and Means will meet in Hearing Room 5 immediately after session.
• Your Committee on Rules Administrative will meet at 9:00 a.m. tomorrow morning in Hearing Room 4 to hear

Transcript Highlights:

• . $10 million is for an emergency flood response for the Public Works Board, and there's $42 million
• They are, although not officially designated, the state's strategic stockpile for emergency food.
• They are, although not officially designated, the state's strategic stockpile for emergency food.
• And Aya, since you're in the room in person, I won't make you sit through the other remote testimony.
• I'm here advocating on behalf of the recreation slash emergency center project.

Summary: The committee first heard a briefing on the proposed Senate capital budget, Substitute Senate Bill 6003, which would spend about $723 million total using debt-limit bonds, Climate Commitment Act funds, and other cash resources. Staff described major investments in housing and homelessness, human services, local infrastructure, flood response, water conservation and clean energy, K-12 school modernization and seismic work, and higher education projects. Members then took public testimony from a wide range of advocates and project sponsors, most of whom urged the Senate to preserve or increase funding for specific projects in the final budget, including affordable housing, permanent supportive housing, child care facilities, food banks, behavioral health and substance use treatment centers, tribal courthouse relocation, school modernization, community colleges, university projects, floodplain restoration, community forests, and local civic or cultural facilities. Several witnesses also asked the Senate to match or approach House funding levels on items such as the Housing Trust Fund, permanent supportive housing, the Community Forest Program, Floodplains by Design, and CCA-supported clean energy and water projects. The chair noted that amendments to the capital budget were due the next day at noon. The committee then received a briefing on Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2251, which would restructure Climate Commitment Act accounts by repealing three existing accounts and replacing them with two new accounts: a CCA operating account and a CCA capital account. Staff explained that the bill would preserve most existing uses while changing revenue distribution formulas, capping Ecology administrative costs, expanding allowable uses for EV-related costs, housing, and carbon capture/sequestration, and changing reporting and tribal consultation provisions. The bill also shifts some reporting from annual to biannual and modifies the thresholds for tribal-supported and overburdened-community investments. The fiscal note was described as relatively small, with the main impact being the revised revenue allocation structure. Public testimony on the CCA bill was mixed. Supporters, including the League of Women Voters, said the restructuring better aligns spending with the intent of the CCA and could improve investments for tribes and overburdened communities. Critics, including the Washington Policy Center, argued the bill still lacks strong requirements to ensure CCA spending is effective and objected to reducing the frequency of the state’s climate-spending report. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• In California, we partnered with the California Office of Emergency Services.
• It also provides capacity that can be helpful with emergency communications.
• And it should not be lost on any of us in this room that we are discussing And it should not be lost
• on any of us in this room that we are discussing the dismantling of a system from a place, this place
• We ensure state resources and emergency messaging reach Californians who might otherwise miss out and

Committee: House Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism

Summary: Assembly Member Chris Ward and Senator Akela Weber Pearson convened an informational hearing at KPBS and San Diego State University on the impact of the federal rescission of Corporation for Public Broadcasting funding on California public media. Opening remarks emphasized public media’s role in education, local news, arts and culture, emergency alerts, and service to rural and underserved communities, with local officials from San Diego and La Mesa voicing support. Panelists from PBS SoCal, KCRW, and Rebuild Local News described major operational and content impacts from the funding loss, including layoffs, reduced staff and programming, threatened children’s and educational content, and pressure on smaller stations that rely heavily on CPB support. They also discussed public media’s role in disaster response, local arts coverage, and the shrinking local news ecosystem, while noting possible responses such as shared services, philanthropy, corporate partnerships, and state policy support. A second panel focused on labor and production perspectives. NPR veteran Jack Speer and filmmaker Nate Dappen said the cuts threaten journalism jobs, documentary production, and science programming, and warned that fewer resources mean less fact-checking, less on-the-ground reporting, and weaker public understanding of science and technology. They urged continued support for public media as a trusted, noncommercial source of information. The final panel featured KPBS, Radio Bilingüe, and KVPR. KPBS said federal funding made up 12% of its budget and that reserves have only delayed possible future reorganization; Radio Bilingüe reported losses to both CPB and FEMA-related infrastructure funding affecting Spanish- and indigenous-language service; and KVPR said it lost CPB and FEMA grants but offset the loss through an emergency fundraising drive. No formal votes were taken; the hearing was informational and ended with questions about state policy options and future support.

Transcript Highlights:

• The oil and gas emergency school tax was increased. Insurance premium taxes were increased.
• The oil and gas emergency school tax was increased. Insurance premium taxes were increased.
• On March 20, the governor issued a stay-at-home public health emergency order.
• I don't mean just your land, but your bed and your dining room table were also taxed.
• Okay, so dining room chairs, you know, might be, we're going to tax dining room chairs at a penny a chair

Summary: The committee’s final day focused first on a historical overview of New Mexico tax packages by Pam Stokes of Legislative Council Services. She described how tax packages have alternated over the decades between tax relief, revenue raising, and tax reform, with examples ranging from the creation of the gross receipts tax in 1966 to major packages in 1981, 1986, 1991, 1994, 2005, 2019, 2022, 2024, and the vetoed 2025 package. Members discussed how tax policy often tracks revenue conditions, how packages can combine increases and decreases, and how local government gross receipts taxes and hold-harmless distributions have affected communities differently. Several members reflected on past packages, especially the 2004 food tax repeal and the 2013 film tax and manufacturing changes, and noted that tax policy can have major economic and political effects even when it is not “sexy” legislation. The committee then heard a proposal to expand the health care practitioner gross receipts tax deduction to include co-insurance, and to extend the sunset date. Sponsor Senator Figueroa said the bill was intended to help recruit and retain medical providers and build on prior deductions for co-pays and deductibles. Testimony explained that co-insurance is the patient’s share after the deductible, that providers currently absorb the gross receipts tax on those payments, and that the proposal would cost about $30 million to the state plus about $20 million to municipalities and counties, with the exact fiscal impact likely to be updated. Members raised concerns about the effect on local governments, whether insurers could be required to reimburse providers, whether the bill would actually attract doctors, and whether better evaluation measures and sunsets should be added. The sponsor said the bill was part of a broader set of efforts to address provider shortages and that the discussion would continue. Representative McQueen then presented a bill to update the Land Conservation Incentives Act. He and conservation partners said the program has protected more than 500,000 acres but has not kept pace with rising land values, especially for irrigated agricultural land in the Middle Rio Grande. The proposal would increase the percentage of conservation value eligible for the credit, raise the per-transaction cap from $250,000 to $2 million, and make the credit refundable rather than only transferable. Testimony emphasized that the program is voluntary, keeps land in private ownership and production, and helps land-rich, cash-poor landowners preserve farmland and water rights. Members asked about average credit amounts, how easements work, whether landowners could effectively buy land and then use the credit, and whether there should be inflation indexing or a statewide cap. The discussion also touched on water rights, fencing, and the role of conservation easements in protecting agricultural land and compact water deliveries. Finally, Senator Sharer previewed his 2% tax proposal with a historical presentation on New Mexico tax law, using props to illustrate the evolution from early territorial tax codes to the modern tax system. He argued that the state’s current tax structure is overly complex and that recent federal changes have disrupted the personal income tax base. The committee did not take any votes on the day’s presentations; the meeting was primarily informational, with members offering feedback and raising policy concerns for future sessions.

Transcript Highlights:

• The House bill calls the Public School Cardiac Emergency Plan, the plan for urgent lifesaving emergencies
• The Senate calls the plan the Cardiac Emergency Response Plan, CERP.
• Most notably in that is for emergency room physicians who decide they want to go practice in a rural
• We had another bill by Senator Harrell, which requires all hospitals that have emergency rooms to meet
• And so I'm going to look around this room, I'm going to talk to the general public.

Bills: HB135 , HCR64 , SCR3 , SCR30 , SB500 , SB739 , SB816 , SB898 , SB1283 , SB1351 , SB1423 , SB1531 , SB1540 , SB1666 , SB1721 , SB1886 , SB1931 , SB2001 , SB2075 , SB2154 , SB2173 , SB2217 , SB2284 , SB2375 , SB2383 , SB2386 , SB2398 , SB2448 , SB2476 , SB2540 , SB2580 , SB2589 , SB2693 , SB2707 , SB2776 , SB2786 , SB2801 , SB2864 , SB2927 , SJR84 , SCR30 , SB243 , SB324 , SB393 , SB457 , SB511 , SB529 , SB547 , SB636 , SB646 , SB659 , SB715 , SB731 , SB735 , SB800 , SB801 , SB904 , SB1065 , SB1141 , SB1181 , SB1224 , SB1241 , SB1242 , SB1250 , SB1266 , SB1285 , SB1359 , SB1434 , SB1442 , SB1467 , SB1502 , SB1524 , SB1528 , SB1551 , SB1585 , SB1640 , SB1754 , SB1757 , SB1777 , SB1844 , SB1863 , SB1972 , SB2007 , SB2035 , SB2046 , SB2055 , SB2069 , SB2082 , SB2119 , SB2139 , SB2154 , SB2200 , SB2201 , SB2269 , SB2310 , SB2330 , SB2357 , SB2366 , SB2401 , SB2422 , SB2514 , SB2530 , SB2533 , SB2543 , SB2544 , SB2550 , SB2568 , SB2589 , SB2660 , SB2693 , SB2695 , SB2707 , SB2717 , SB2721 , SB2742 , SB2753 , SB2807 , SB2846 , SB2891 , SB2925 , SB2938 , SJR3 , SJR18 , SB5 , SB326 , SB767 , SB769 , SB783 , SB914 , SB963 , SB1035 , SB1197 , SB1271 , SB1415 , SB1437 , SB1619 , SB1637 , SB1786 , SB1806 , SB494 , SB530 , SB2312 , SB1 , SB260 , HB135 , HB 1109 , HB1392 , HB22 , HCR64 , SJR36 , SJR50 , SJR63 , SJR84 , SJR59 , SCR12 , SCR39 , SCR48 , SCR19 , SCR30 , SCR3 , SB2023 , SB62 , SB666 , SB847 , SB284 , SB854 , SB1073 , SB810 , SB1505 , SB583 , SB1502 , SB507 , SB1434 , SB1376 , SB1585 , SB1772 , SB2016 , SB1163 , SB1122 , SB731 , SB397 , SB508 , SB1436 , SB287 , SB261 , SB1882 , SB393 , SB1791 , SB209 , SB2429 , SB1999 , SB511 , SB2309 , SB510 , SB1085 , SB1975 , SB2717 , SB1262 , SB1524 , SB636 , SB2056 , SB884 , SB517 , SB1200 , SB1845 , SB1863 , SB2681 , SB2200 , SB2199 , SB1757 , SB2458 , SB2201 , SB801 , SB2533 , SB3014 , SB3013 , SB758 , SB1721 , SB1013 , SB2797 , SB2383 , SB2119 , SB2448 , SB1777 , SB1283 , SB2076 , SB2786 , SB2876 , SB2284 , SB1540 , SB2929 , SB2540 , SB2595 , SB2217 , SB715 , SB500 , SB1640 , SB2001 , SB2514 , SB2753 , SB2398 , SB1241 , SB2927 , SB2173 , SB2538 , SB898 , SB1449 , SB2529 , SB2846 , SB2476 , SB986 , SB1181 , SB2075 , SB2154 , SB2864 , SB1359 , SB2386 , SB2550 , SB1351 , SB1423 , SB1931 , SB2245 , SB2589 , SB2707 , SB410 , SB2776 , SB2580 , SB1886 , SB1234 , SB739 , SB456 , SB1666 , SB2801 , SB2055 , SB1012 , SB2926 , SB2138 , SB1242 , SB2615 , SB2310 , SB1224 , SB2972 , SB2841 , SB3016 , SB2139 , SB1856 , SB2035 , SB1528 , SB1141 , SB2401 , SB2530 , SB2375 , SB547 , SB1266 , SB1373 , SB1467 , SB2069 , SB2269 , SB2480 , SB672 , SB904 , SB2695 , SB2891 , SB2422 , SB2543 , SB1854 , SB317 , SB2539 , SB2532 , SB2925 , SB1250 , SB2082 , SB2203 , SB457 , SB2357 , SB2721 , SB243 , SB1285 , SB2568 , SB1959 , SB1442 , SB1454 , SB2520 , SB2541 , SB1708 , SB1237 , SB1844 , SB1586 , SB1551 , SB3039 , SB2819 , SB66 , SB629 , SB1015 , SB2342 , SB2903 , SB2933 , SB1965 , SB2477 , SB3029 , SB2605 , SB2419 , SB1957 , SB375 , SB250 , SB777 , SB628 , SB2523 , SB2367 , SB2703 , SB2608 , SB2778 , SB3044 , SB2965 , SB2521 , SB865 , HB2525 , HB3093 , SB1032 , SB2165 , SB2501 , SB2675 , SB2452 , SB2835 , SJR84 , SB457 , SB547 , SB904 , SB1467 , SB1757 , SB1777 , SB2055 , SB2069 , SB2139 , SB2401 , SB2530 , SB2543 , SB2695 , SR349 , SR367 , SR468 , SB3064 , SB3065 , HJR7 , HB 119 , HB 130 , HB163 , HB166 , HB201 , HB272 , HB331 , HB380 , HB654 , HB694 , HB718 , HB865 , HB 1266 , HB1397 , HB1500 , HB1552 , HB1576 , HB1583 , HB1584 , HB1760 , HB1894 , HB1965 , HB2018 , HB2029 , HB2286 , HB2340 , HB2427 , HB2455 , HB2467 , HB2508 , HB2523 , HB2730 , HB2756 , HB2791 , HB2970 , HB3016 , HB3096 , HB3248 , HB3255 , HB3336 , HB3623 , HB3698 , HB3699 , HB3803 , HB3804 , HB3805 , HB3806 , HB4129 , HB4187 , HB4236 , HB4238 , HB4643 , HB4738 , HB4739 , HB5333 , SCR3 , SCR30 , SB500 , SB739 , SB898 , SB1283 , SB1351 , SB1423 , SB1540 , SB1666 , SB1721 , SB1886 , SB1931 , SB2001 , SB2075 , SB2154 , SB2173 , SB2217 , SB2375 , SB2383 , SB2386 , SB2398 , SB2448 , SB2476 , SB2540 , SB2580 , SB2589 , SB2707 , SB2776 , SB2786 , SB2801 , SB2864 , SB2927 , HB135 , HCR64 , SB2284 , SB3064 , SB3065 , HJR7 , HB 119 , HB 130 , HB163 , HB166 , HB201 , HB272 , HB331 , HB380 , HB654 , HB694 , HB718 , HB865 , HB 1266 , HB1397 , HB1500 , HB1552 , HB1576 , HB1583 , HB1584 , HB1760 , HB1894 , HB1965 , HB2018 , HB2029 , HB2286 , HB2340 , HB2427 , HB2455 , HB2467 , HB2508 , HB2523 , HB2730 , HB2756 , HB2791 , HB2970 , HB3016 , HB3096 , HB3248 , HB3255 , HB3336 , HB3623 , HB3698 , HB3699 , HB3803 , HB3804 , HB3805 , HB3806 , HB4129 , HB4187 , HB4236 , HB4238 , HB4643 , HB4738 , HB4739 , HB5333

Transcript Highlights:

• emergency clause, 820A with the emergency clause, 826 with the emergency clause, 838 with the emergency
• emergency clause, 935 with the emergency clause, 935, 972, 986 with the emergency clause, 1010, 1029
• , With the emergency clause, 1010, 1029, 1048, 1057 with the emergency clause, 1086 with the emergency
• 958 with the emergency clause, 9658 with the emergency clause, 962. 958 with the emergency clause, 962
• 1096, 1114E with the emergency clause, 1165 with the emergency clause, 1165A with the emergency clause

Bills: LB764 , LB815A , LB839 , LB888 , LB955 , LB972A , LB1029 , LB1087 , LB1091 , LB1126A , LB1181A , LB1237A , LB1261A , LB304A , LB762 , LB889 , LB929 , LB966 , LB1022 , LB1187 , LR508

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'm just going to reiterate that I run a very strict room.
• Is Shamp still in the room? Yes. I approve of that message. Is Shamp still in the room? Yes.
• Okay, looking around the room, are there any colleagues in the room?
• rooms, homelessness, death.
• There's more on the list than they're in the room, so this doesn't seem right.

Summary: The Judiciary and Elections Committee approved the January 21, 2026 minutes and held SB 1208. It then heard SB 1211, which would allow victims of felony aggravated harassment involving domestic violence to seek a lifetime injunction against a convicted defendant. Supporters from victim advocacy organizations and a survivor described the bill as an important safety measure that would reduce repeated court appearances and trauma. The committee voted 7-0 to give SB 1211 a do pass recommendation. The committee next considered SB 1239, which removes the statute of limitations for failing to register as a sex offender or providing false registration information. The sponsor said the bill closes a public-safety loophole and was requested by DPS, while opponents argued existing warrant procedures already address the issue and raised due process concerns. After discussion, the committee voted 4-3 to recommend SB 1239 do pass. SB 1240 would exclude probationers convicted of dangerous crimes against children from the probation incentive payment formula. The sponsor tied the bill to a recent child sexual assault case and said the change would keep those cases separate from probation performance incentives; defense attorneys warned it could discourage treatment and push more people into prison. The committee voted 4-3 to recommend SB 1240 do pass. The committee also heard and approved SB 1095, as amended, which bans gender transition procedures and referrals for minors and restricts public funding and facilities for such care; supporters called it necessary child protection, while opponents said it was discriminatory. The committee then heard SB 1243 and SB 1244, both related to court-ordered mental health treatment. SB 1243 adds notice to guardians and lets them seek continued treatment, while SB 1244 creates a continuing court-ordered treatment process after repeated annual reviews. Supporters, including family members of seriously mentally ill patients, said the bills would close gaps and prevent dangerous lapses in care; opponents raised due process concerns and warned about expanded involuntary treatment. Both bills received do pass recommendations, with SB 1243 passing 7-0 and SB 1244 passing after amendment and roll call vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're here in Room 329 and on Zoom.
• We only have one item on the agenda today: HCR 37, requesting the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency
• collaborate with relevant agencies to develop initiatives and outreach programs to inform kupuna about emergency
• Programs to inform kupuna about emergency preparedness. We have in person today in support AARP.

Committee: House Human Services & Homelessness

Summary: The Committee on Human Services and Homelessness met on April 1, 2025, to hear one resolution, HCR 37, which asks the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency to work with other agencies on initiatives and outreach to help kupuna prepare for emergencies. Supporters, including AARP, Hawaii Family Caregiver Coalition, Be Ready Manoa, Aloha Care, and the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs, emphasized that older adults are especially vulnerable in disasters and pointed to the Lahaina fire as an example of the need for targeted preparedness efforts. They said the resolution would help focus outreach on kupuna, caregivers, and others who may need assistance. No opposition was presented, and there were no questions from members. The committee moved to decision making and recommended passing HCR 37 as is. The measure was approved unanimously by the members present, with Rep. Takunuchi excused. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• emergency medical technicians, or EMTs.
• It's more what they're seeing is almost all that or do I need to go to an emergency vet?
• We're a rural critical access hospital with 25 beds and an emergency room.
• And the list goes on to include trauma, OB emergencies, and pain management.
• When care is delayed, minor issues can quickly become emergencies.

Summary: The Senate Health and Long-Term Care Committee held public hearings on several House bills and later took executive action on two others. The committee heard testimony on House Bill 2242, which would let the Department of Health issue immunization recommendations and tie preventive-service coverage to federal recommendations as of June 30, 2025, while preserving access to vaccines and other preventive services. Supporters, including the Governor’s office and the Insurance Commissioner, said the bill would protect access, affordability, and stable vaccine purchasing; opponents argued it politicizes vaccine policy and gives too much influence to state agencies and outside groups. The committee also heard testimony on House Bill 2152, allowing terminally ill patients in hospitals, nursing homes, and hospice facilities to use medical cannabis under facility policies, with supporters emphasizing dignity, symptom relief, and safeguards, and House Bill 2088, joining the dietitian licensure compact, which supporters said would help military spouses, telehealth, and workforce shortages. House Bill 2110, on ambulance inter-facility specialty care transports, drew support from rural hospitals seeking more staffing flexibility and opposition from nurses and EMS personnel concerned about training, accountability, and patient safety. House Bill 2247, on veterinarian-client-patient relationships and telemedicine, drew support from the sponsor and some stakeholders as a workforce and access measure, but also criticism from the state veterinarian and others who said it could conflict with federal VCPR requirements and public health protections. House Bill 2340, expanding substance use disorder monitoring program eligibility to nursing assistants and stipend support, was presented as a way to help low-wage health workers stay in the workforce; there were no in-person testifiers against it. In executive session, the committee considered House Bill 2155, concerning the use of nursing titles, and House Bill 2531, aligning the ambulance transport fund quality assurance fee with federal regulations. Both bills received do-pass recommendations and were sent to the Rules Committee. For the public hearings, no final committee votes were taken on the other bills in this transcript, and testimony concluded on each measure after the committee heard from sponsors, agency officials, advocates, and opponents.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, and the governor has declared an emergency, yes.
• How long ago did he declare that emergency? You're recognized. Thank you.
• How long ago did he declare that emergency? Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• Senator Gruders, we started a little bit on emergency situations for state of emergency for immigration
• what can be done during a state of emergency?

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Summary: The Appropriations Committee took up SB 2B, a major immigration bill by Senator Gruters, described by supporters as a Trump-aligned package to strengthen Florida’s role in immigration enforcement. The bill would create a grant program for local law enforcement, expand jail-ICE agreements beyond sheriff-operated jails, establish a chief immigration officer and a state immigration enforcement council, require more coordination on E-Verify and detention-bed reporting, allow immigration status to be considered in bail decisions, increase penalties for certain offenses tied to illegal reentry and voting, and repeal in-state tuition waivers for undocumented students. Much of the sponsor’s presentation and debate emphasized focusing on criminal offenders, improving coordination with federal authorities, and using state resources to support detention and enforcement. Committee questioning focused heavily on the tuition-waiver repeal, reimbursement for jail costs, E-Verify coverage, and whether the bill could lead to street-level immigration enforcement in schools or churches. Senator Smith, Senator Pizzo, Senator Polsky, Senator Sharief, and others challenged the tuition repeal as unfair to students who were brought to Florida as children and argued for grandfathering current students or studying the fiscal impact first. Senator Fine defended the repeal as ending a state subsidy for people who are not lawfully present and argued the change would save tens of millions of dollars. Sheriff Bob Gualtieri testified that the bill was limited to jail-based enforcement, said there was no current street-level 287(g) program in Florida, and stated he did not believe the bill raised concerns for law enforcement or schools/churches. A representative of the Florida Supervisors of Elections supported the voting-related section, while a Florida Highway Patrol representative said state agencies would need additional funding if they were expected to take on more enforcement duties. The committee adopted Senator Gruters’ late-filed amendment correcting a drafting error. Senator Smith’s amendment to require an OPAGA study on the tuition-waiver policy was withdrawn after discussion, and his handwritten amendment to delete the repeal of in-state tuition for undocumented students failed on a roll-call vote. The bill then advanced as amended, with several members speaking in debate both for and against it. Supporters framed it as a focused public-safety and enforcement measure; opponents criticized the special-session process, the cost, and the tuition repeal’s impact on students already enrolled.

Transcript Highlights:

• We must ensure that there is no room for this type of hatred to ever rear its ugly head ever again, whether
• Simple and straightforward training in the administration of emergency epinephrine, or EpiPen.
• This bill requires every public school to have a cardiac emergency response plan.
• the community's emergency response protocols.
• The location must be registered with the local emergency medical service director.

Summary: The Senate convened with an opening prayer by Rabbi Moshe Umatz, the Pledge of Allegiance led by pages, and several introductions and recognitions, including guests from Miami Northwestern Senior High School, Clay County, and a moment of silence for Pope Francis. The chamber then moved to the special order calendar after a motion to reconsider SB 1080, which was temporarily postponed. Several bills were also set aside during the day, including measures on social media use by minors, veterans’ nursing homes, Parkinson’s disease, mental health and substance use disorders, education, educator preparation, and school social workers. The Senate passed a series of bills, often substituting House companions for Senate bills. These included funding for expedited DNA testing grants for local law enforcement (SB 1072/HB 847), additional aggravating factors in capital cases involving religious, school, or government gatherings (SB 984/HB 693), fertility preservation coverage for cancer patients (SB 924/HB 677), commuter rail indemnification for Miami-Dade and Broward counties (SB 916/HB 867), restrictions on disposing of migrant vessels in Florida waters (SB 830), specialty license plates including Miami Northwestern and several colleges and institutions (SB 824), an Alzheimer’s and dementia awareness campaign (SB 398), relocation of the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys to Florida Memorial University (SB 364), charter school changes allowing parent conversion and municipal job-engine charter schools (SB 140), sex offender registration reporting changes (SB 1654/HB 1351), penalties for assaulting utility workers (SB 1386), juvenile justice revisions and truancy process updates (SB 1344), reporting of student mental health outcomes (SB 1310/HB 969), foster home license transfer simplification (SB 1174/HB 989), water access facility funding and boating industry incentives (SB 1162/HB 735), Florida Virtual School operational changes (SB 1122), school readiness program support for children with disabilities (SB 1102), sexual image offenses involving minors (SB 1180/HB 757), age-related defenses in child sex offense cases (SB 1136/HB 777), tampering with electronic monitoring devices (SB 1054/HB 437), certified recovery residences and local zoning accommodations (SB 954), and the FSU Election Law Center (SB 892). Most of these bills passed with strong bipartisan support, though SB 984 and SB 140 drew some opposition. One of the most extensive debates centered on SB 820, codifying the Office of Faith and Community. Senator Polsky offered an amendment to bar political activity by office staff, citing emails and campaign-related communications tied to Amendment 4; the amendment failed on a 13-23 vote. Senators then debated the bill’s relationship to state election law, free speech, and the role of faith-based outreach. Supporters emphasized the office’s service network and reported benefits to children and families, while some senators raised concerns about interfaith representation and political use of government resources. The bill was then read a third time and the Senate proceeded toward a final vote as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• The vast majority of my clients have ended up in emergency rooms, homeless shelters, or their parents
• </c><00:17:32.880><c> Again,</c> ended up in emergency rooms. Again, ended up in emergency rooms.
• Again, emergency<00:17:33.840><c> rooms,</c><00:17:34.720><c> homeless</c><00:17:35.120><c> shelters,
• </c><00:17:35.840><c> or</c> emergency rooms, homeless shelters, or emergency rooms, homeless shelters
• You should have room.

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Room and probably in the mayor's office in Fargo.
• The next Emergency Commission meeting will likely be held early September, so that is something just
• There is a risk the Emergency Commission said no, you might not get your $200 in reimbursement.
• I mean, the room is generally pretty full. We're in Brunhild-Hoglund. It's a big, long day.
• The room is full. We're in Brunhild-Hoglund. It's a big, long day.

Summary: The Legislative Procedures and Arrangements Committee met with a quorum and approved the minutes from the previous meeting. The committee first considered and adopted a Joint Rule 211 change clarifying the deadline and statutory references for bill drafts involving health insurance mandates, after discussion that the process is still somewhat cumbersome but improved by the clarification. The committee then reviewed a revised draft addressing confidentiality protections for certain legislators and candidates, but members expressed concerns about the breadth, enforceability, and transparency implications of the proposal, and the committee chose not to advance it at this time. The committee received an informational update on the new NCSL Legislator Security Fund. Staff explained that North Dakota is applying for the grant, which could provide about $200 per legislator for home security or related safety expenses, subject to Emergency Commission approval and reimbursement procedures. Members asked about eligible expenses, administrative burden, and whether new legislators would be covered; staff said guidance would be provided if funding is approved. The committee also approved the 2027 timing for the State of the Judiciary, tribal-state relationship message, and State of the State address on January 5, and set the Commerce Department and agricultural commodity reports for January 13 and 14, respectively, as required by statute. A major portion of the meeting focused on legislative staffing and organizational planning. The committee approved a recommendation for 36 Senate staff positions and 41 House staff positions, along with a 3% compensation increase for session staff. Discussion centered on replacing some procedural clerk duties with permanent policy analyst staff, retaining quality assurance roles for now, and adding or repurposing positions in IT, program evaluation, legal, and administration. Members also discussed expanding program evaluation capacity and the need for clearer oversight of new programs, with staff noting upcoming training and model-sharing with other states. Finally, the committee reviewed a proposed new legislator orientation day on November 30 and broader organizational session training changes, including mock committee and floor sessions, security training, and more robust budget/appropriations instruction, but took no final action on the agenda items and adjourned after completing the budget-related recommendations.