Transcript Highlights:

• deliver enterprise IT services and telecommunications for executive agencies, perform oversight and compliance
• We are modernizing the private cloud to meet NIST 800-53 compliance and revising the New Mexico rate
• At Spaceport America, we are in discussions with 30 prospects, including major defense contractors who

Committee: House Science, Technology & Telecommunications Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• The second is to monitor compliance of that condition. And third, and most importantly, like...
• The second is to monitor compliance of that condition.
• As an explanation, industry represents a rapid credential offered by contractors currently coming inside

Summary: The Justice Budget Committee heard detailed presentations from the Department of Juvenile Justice and the Department of Corrections on staffing, services, and budget needs. DJJ Secretary Hall emphasized that the agency’s main public safety strategy is education, along with prevention and recidivism reduction. He described major staffing improvements after pay increases for probation, detention, residential care, and prevention workers, and outlined DJJ’s mental health, aftercare, and education continuum, including the Florida Scholars Academy and Florida Youth College. He said the new statewide education model is showing early gains in progress monitoring, high school graduation, and postsecondary enrollment, while also noting ongoing operational issues such as IT connectivity, rural staffing gaps, and the need for geographic pay adjustments for teachers. He also discussed detention center replacement plans in Hillsborough, Broward, and Palm Beach, and said DJJ would transition the Broward JAC to a security contractor after the sheriff’s office pulls sworn officers from the site. Members asked about campus performance differences, teacher pay, detention education quality, and concerns about the rollout and leadership of the Scholars Academy. Hall said some campuses face rural access and infrastructure problems, but the blended learning model provides continuity when internet or staffing issues arise. He defended the superintendent’s qualifications and said early problems with inappropriate online content were addressed. Representative Porras raised concerns about educational quality and the superintendent’s past disciplinary history, while Representative Barrera urged more mentorship and fatherhood-focused programming in juvenile facilities. DOC Secretary Dixon said the prison system is under pressure from rising inmate populations, staffing shortages, and overtime costs. He argued that the system needs funded posts for every functioning housing unit, noting that the department has added housing units without enough staff and now relies heavily on overtime, mobile officer deployments, and shift conversions to keep facilities operating safely. He highlighted that many officers are new, that outside-hospital transports have risen sharply, and that mental health units require additional staffing. DOC’s mental health chief described a large and growing treatment system with outpatient, inpatient, intensive outpatient, and court-ordered services, saying about a quarter of the prison population has a diagnosed mental illness. Community corrections staff described treatment programs, employment specialists, mobile probation and reentry units, and a new mental health first aid training initiative. Reentry staff reported expanded substance abuse, education, CTE, chaplaincy, and digital learning programs, including Edovo and a forthcoming Work Bay platform. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, with me is fellow attorney Jimmy Lawson, who is the director for the Contractors Licensing Board
• and the Residential Contractors Committee, which are the next two rules.
• A proposed amendment to an existing rule of the Residential Contractors Committee mirrors the rule on
• And as long as there's somebody responsible, the licensed contractor being responsible for all work?
• Is there some work, or is this for contractors?

Committee: All ALC-ADMINISTRATIVE RULES

Transcript Highlights:

• So we may need some clarity that these are truly contractors.
• We're declaring these people by law as independent contractors.
• Just provides a clearer and different definition of what an independent contractor is.
• Just provides a clearer and different definition of what an independent contractor is.
• There would be a, here's this type of contractor, this type of contractor.

Committee: Senate Retirement

Summary: The Senate Committee on Retirement met on May 5 with four members present. HB 41 was deferred until the following week, and the committee approved the April 20, 2026 minutes. The committee then took up several retirement-system bills, many of them negotiated measures involving municipal police, firefighters, teachers, district attorneys, and judges. HB 45, by Rep. Bacallat, was amended and reported favorably. It makes changes to the Municipal Police Employees Retirement System, including retention bonuses, recognition of out-of-state police service, benefits for three officers killed in the line of duty before full enrollment, a DROP fix, and more competitive accrual rates. Testimony from the Louisiana Municipal Association, MEPERS, police representatives, and Mayor Helena Marino was strongly supportive, emphasizing that the bill resolves longstanding disputes and litigation. HB 1237, also by Rep. Bacallat, was reported favorably after testimony that it eliminates partial dissolution penalties for municipal police and adjusts related firefighter provisions; witnesses said it was a negotiated fix supported by municipal and fire stakeholders. HB 42, concerning phased retirement in the Teacher Retirement System, was reported favorably as a permissive framework allowing universities to offer phased retirement options. HB 17, by the District Attorneys’ Retirement System director, was reported favorably to add the Louisiana District Attorneys Association to the definition of employer and require annual reporting on the rehire statute. HB 21, a cleanup bill for the Municipal Employees Retirement System, was also reported favorably. HB 1134, creating a backdrop retirement option for certain judges whose positions are abolished, was amended and reported favorably after LASERS raised questions about early retirement eligibility and the need to bar future judicial candidacy. HB 24, by Rep. Owen, drew the most discussion. It would allow retired or certified teachers to return to work through contracts with school systems, with a three-year sunset. The sponsor argued it would help keep qualified teachers in classrooms and avoid midyear departures, while TRSL, the Louisiana School Board Association, and committee members raised concerns about fiscal impact, contractor status, workers’ compensation, leave rules, and overlap with a separate bill being worked on by the chairman. After an amendment clarifying the independent-contractor definition was adopted, the committee chose to hold the bill in committee for further work rather than advance it immediately. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• It would allow Sound Transit to establish a qualified pool of contractors.
• Finally, and critically, HB 2552 supports contractors in the workforce.
• Deliver projects faster, supports our contractors and workforce, and protects taxpayers.
• It's not to get away from competition or to close the number of contractors off.
• It's not to get away from competition or to close the number of contractors off.

Bills: HB2467 , HB2495 , HB2552

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: HB 2467, fifth-wheel travel trailer, fifth wheel trailer, travel trailer, RV, recreational vehicle, trailer length, vehicle length limits, oversize vehicle, truck and trailer, tractor-semitrailer, semi-trailer, kingpin, Washington RCW, Department of Transportation, WSDOT, highway safety, commercial trucking, towing, motor home

Transcript Highlights:

• There's more work to do from our stakeholders, including with the contractors.
• I have worked with the contractors.
• WSDOT is regarded by contractors as a fair and professional owner.
• The contractor is not at fault, yet this provision would still publicly penalize contractors for those
• Contractors respond rationally to risk.

Summary: The committee began with a work session on the Washington State Transportation Commission’s route jurisdiction transfer study. Commissioners and staff said the current state highway system is generally well connected and that wholesale realignment is not needed, but they recommended clarifying statutory criteria, improving the transfer process, increasing interagency coordination, and making data analysis more transparent. Members asked about why transfers occur, who pays for maintenance after a transfer, how often transfers happen, and how the Legislature’s role should be understood. Staff said there have been only 16 RJT transfers since 1991, with a net transfer of about 10 miles of state highway to cities, while DOT abandonments happen more often but are not tracked as consistently. The committee then held a public hearing on House Bill 2172, which would fold longer abandonments and bridge-related abandonments into the RJT process, require pre-request conferences, expand legislative review of costs and risks, and update highway criteria. Tacoma officials, the Transportation Commission, counties, cities, and the Transportation Improvement Board testified in support, citing transparency, local input, and the need to address large bridge and corridor transfers; the bill sponsor said a substitute would allow agreed transfers to proceed without final legislative approval, but send disputed cases to the Legislature. The bill was also described as having an indeterminate fiscal impact, with WSDOT estimating possible added maintenance costs if transfers are delayed. The committee next heard House Bill 1367, which would allow motorcycles to use the right shoulder of limited-access highways under specific congestion conditions. The bill and a proposed substitute would limit shoulder use to wide shoulders, require hazard lights, cap speed at 10 mph over adjacent traffic, and bar passing other vehicles on the shoulder; the fiscal note projected costs for driver education and possible maintenance and signage impacts. The sponsor argued the bill would reduce rider fatigue, heat stress, and rear-end risk in stop-and-go traffic, while opponents from law enforcement and WSDOT said shoulders are intended for emergencies, debris and visibility create safety risks, and the proposal could increase maintenance and enforcement burdens. Several motorcyclists and advocates supported the bill as a safer alternative to lane splitting, while a student and some agencies said it would give riders a more predictable option; the committee then closed the hearing. The committee also heard House Bill 2174, which would create “crash prevention zones” in areas with repeated serious collisions or fatalities. The bill would allow cities, counties, towns, or WSDOT to designate zones after a public hearing, require engineering and traffic studies, increase enforcement, and impose a $73 penalty for certain infractions within signed zones, with revenue dedicated to safety work in the zone. The sponsor pointed to dangerous stretches of Highway 395 and Highway 12 in eastern Washington and said the bill is intended as a temporary safety tool until long-term fixes are completed. Counties and cities supported the concept and asked for liability protections and language from a Senate companion bill; the committee then moved to House Bill 2718, a transportation permitting and project-delivery bill. Staff said HB 2718 would impose timelines and deemed-approval rules for certain state and federal permits, require early outreach to affected governments and tribes, create a public contractor-rating website, and direct WSDOT to report on permit-streamlining options by December 1, 2027. The sponsor said the bill is meant to reduce delays and costs in transportation projects by improving accountability, coordination, and permitting efficiency.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because it seemed frustrating that we couldn't do anything for independent contractors.
• This is an important issue regarding independent contractors...
• Contracted with the independent contractor, and there was no way for there to be any type of ability
• If I leave the service as a contractor or independent contractor of a particular company and I go over
• contractors.

Bills: SB86

Committee: Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund

Keywords: independent contractors, portable benefits, employee benefits, tax deductions, employment relationship

Transcript Highlights:

• Able to have contractors work longer.
• So, it’s those contractors that make that.
• Also, I have a quick question related to contractors.
• My concern is how do we vet contractors so that we avoid contractors that might not be quite up to snuff
• We vet the contractors to make sure that they are solid.

Transcript Highlights:

• Being that LOGA has members that are oil and gas operators, contractors, insurance underwriters, and
• Being that LOGA has members that are oil and gas operators, contractors, insurance underwriters, and
• I anticipate you may hear similar observations from our contractors and insurance brokers.
• Importantly, group is defined by our own agreement between the operator and contractor, removing any
• This addresses both operators and contractors, as whoever chooses to purchase the additional insured

Committee: House Insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• , I guess we are technically in compliance with that, but it is not currently sitting in a way that's
• with that but it is not compliance with that but it is not currently<01:40:28.159><c> sitting</c><01
• </c><02:59:12.479><c> at</c> being worked on by our contractors at being worked on by our contractors
• So whether it's construction, environmental, liquor license, NCAA compliance, we have to service the
• , NCAA compliance, we we have<03:11:56.000><c> to</c><03:11:56.240><c> service</c><03:11:56.479><c> the

Transcript Highlights:

• It adds that alarm contractors can hardwire a service.
• Doug Bell, Associated General Contractors, waves in support.
• Carol Bowen, Associated Builders and Contractors, waves in support.
• Doug Bell, Associated General Contractors, waves and support.
• Carol Bowen, Associated Builders and Contractors, Waves and Support.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government

Summary: The committee first took up SB 80, the Parks Preservation Act, which would define state park purposes around conservation-based recreation and public access, prohibit uses such as golf courses, tennis courts, pickleball courts, ball fields, and hotels, require more public notice and advisory input on land management changes, and mandate reporting on park spending and maintenance backlogs. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, with conservation groups, youth advocates, and other members of the public backing stronger protections for state parks. The bill was reported favorably. Members then approved SB 200, directing DEP to develop a statewide waste reduction and recycling plan, and CS for SB 496, which clarifies that timeshare facilities are governed by Chapter 721 and only need annual board meetings. CS for CS for SB 1404, dealing with illegal gambling, was amended to add reporting requirements, tighten penalties, preempt local gambling legalization, and create a process for vetting certain machines and veteran-service-organization gaming questions; the bill drew significant concern from veterans groups and others over vague machine definitions and the need for clearer standards, but it was still reported favorably. The committee also passed SB 622 to allow pari-mutuel permit holders to lease facilities across horse-racing classes. The committee next approved CS for CS for SB 712 after adopting a strike-all and amendment that covered synthetic turf rules, change-order timelines, public works scoring, elevator and alarm contractor issues, mass timber code updates, pool and spa contractor scope changes, spaceport building-code exemptions, and solar/energy-storage inspection provisions. Support came from timber, construction, and industry groups, while pool contractors objected to parts of the scope changes. The committee also reported favorably CS for CS for SB 1742, a major condominium reform bill that pauses reserve funding after milestone inspections, expands financial flexibility, adds disclosure and conflict-of-interest rules, and increases data collection and oversight; members from both parties praised the sponsor’s work on condo issues. Finally, the committee approved SB 1574 on renewable natural gas infrastructure and SB 1580 authorizing DEP coastal resiliency public-private partnerships. It also passed CS for SB 1760, which requires certain public officials and agency leaders to meet Florida residency or proximity requirements. The last bill, SB 820, would codify the Office of Faith and Community in the Governor’s office; while supporters said it would permanently support faith-based and community organizations and improve coordination, several senators raised concerns about church-state separation, the office’s ties to Hope Florida, and whether codifying it could make the program more political. Despite those concerns, the bill was reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• We had 50 union contractors in the room.
• </c> contractors.
• We had 50 union contractors contractors.
• We had 50 union contractors in<00:08:48.520><c> the</c><00:08:48.600><c> room.
• ><c> the</c><00:08:55.240><c> pitch,</c><00:08:55.560><c> we</c> Once the contractors heard the pitch

Transcript Highlights:

• Moving to B-5, Department of Labor and Licensing, Contractors Licensing Board.
• Yes, with me is fellow attorney Jimmy Lawson, who is the director for the Contractors Licensing Board
• and the Residential Contractors Committee, which are the next two rules.
• amendment to the residential contractors rule, but I'll let Jimmy explain those rules.
• Is there some worker, this is for contractors.

Committee: All ALC-ADMINISTRATIVE RULES

Summary: The Administrative Rules Subcommittee reviewed several agency rules and most were approved without objection. The Department of Agriculture moved to repeal rules tied to the now-repealed Arkansas Catfish Processors Fair Practice Act. The Department of Human Services updated Medicaid policy to clarify that pregnant women may still be referred to child support enforcement but will not be sanctioned during pregnancy and the 60-day postpartum period, removed the word “forcible” from rape/incest good-cause language, and eliminated a 90-day waiting period for ARKids B when group health coverage ends. DHS also received approval for a CMS cell and gene therapy model for sickle cell disease and a technical Medicaid medication-assisted treatment update that does not change coverage. The Department of Labor and Licensing presented several rules. One created procedures for the department to issue interpretations in local construction plan disputes under Act 591 of 2025. The Contractors Licensing Board and Residential Contractors Committee amended rules to raise the restricted commercial license threshold and light building project limit from $750,000 to $1.5 million, and to allow deferral of owner-complaint investigations while related civil litigation is pending. The HVACR Licensing Board presented broader cleanup and policy changes under Act 746 of 2025, including eliminating the Class C license by moving those holders into Class B, expanding work limits for Class A and B licensees, changing continuing education to eight hours per three-year code cycle, and keeping annual license renewal. Members asked detailed questions about impacts on businesses, training, youth working with parents, and whether any unintended burdens were created; the board said it had notified licensees and had received little pushback. The committee also granted the Department of Inspector General’s request for exclusion from rulemaking reporting for Act 473 of 2025, concluding that the statute was sufficiently detailed and did not require additional rules. In addition, the Arkansas State Library’s report was accepted, with the Department of Education stating that the library’s three existing rules should remain in effect. During the update on outstanding 2023-session rulemaking, Education explained that many delayed rules were held back because they were likely to be amended again in 2025, and members expressed concern about the length of time some rules have remained unfinished. The meeting ended after written 2025 rulemaking updates were noted, with no further action taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• What ACA provides is strict compliance guidelines.
• Question about this bill and the regulation of compliance that your entity covers.
• If people became certified under your program, would it be in compliance if this bill passes?
• And then, yeah, so what's the compliance? So how do we check this in state facilities?
• My work involves protecting the freedoms of this country for a well-known government contractor.

Committees: House Emerging Issues , House Emerging Issues and Professional Registration

Transcript Highlights:

• to AIDS virus in the '90s, and as the head of quality for a small research facility, I oversaw compliance
• When agencies rely on threats, compulsion, and exclusion, they may achieve compliance on paper, but they
• > on</c><02:29:53.680><c> paper,</c><02:29:53.920><c> but</c><02:29:54.160><c> they</c> achieve compliance
• on paper, but they achieve compliance on paper, but they destroy<02:29:54.720><c> trust.
• </c> my compliance with a medical procedure. my compliance with a medical procedure.

Committee: House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Compliance that has never been required.
• </c> shelves for compliance. shelves for compliance.
• </c> all compliance with everything it is. all compliance with everything it is.
• We got to be compliance with everything there is.
• Could that change in time as compliance moves toward 100%?

Committee: House Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• But all we're trying to say is at the end of the job, okay, being a general contractor, I'm responsible
• If I pull permit and I'm the general contractor, I'll give you a for instance, all right?
• , I'm responsible for general contractor, I'm responsible for the<00:12:42.959><c> job.
• If I pull permit and I'm the general<00:13:19.040><c> contractor,</c><00:13:20.480><c> I'll</c><00:13
• >> Yes. >> Or if it's commercial, maybe the contractor built the hotel or whatever has their phone.

Bills: HB610 , HB620 , HB582 , HB610 , HB620 , HB582

Committee: House Commerce and Small Business

Keywords: state bank, public bank, government funds, financial services, constitutional amendment, tax abatements, international headquarters, publicly traded companies, economic incentives, Alabama tax reform, social-emotional learning, education policy, parental consent, K-12 education, teacher training, student surveys, disciplinary action, automatic renewal, consumer protection, cancellation policy

Transcript Highlights:

• They do have a 15-year compliance, as well as involvement in burning off the tax credits, but beyond
• with the you know also compliance with the you know Federal<00:32:22.080><c> the</c><00:32:22.200><c
• And US Army Corps has actually been very helpful in helping us meet those types of compliance issues
• </c><02:09:37.440><c> or</c> core functional areas like compliance or core functional areas like compliance
• Okay, and if contractors don't meet those benchmarks, then they are not renewed.

Summary: The joint Ways and Means and Hawaiian Affairs committee heard a budget presentation from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands on its biennium requests for critical projects, repairs and maintenance, and operations. DHHL described its role in administering the Hawaiian Home Lands Trust, noted the large beneficiary wait list, and said prior funding, including Act 279, has helped the department accelerate land development and reduce vacancies. Officials said they have about 47,219 applications involving 29,548 Native Hawaiians, roughly 28 projects underway, and that about $471 million of a $600 million appropriation has been encumbered, with the remaining lapse-fix funds expected to be resolved before the June 30, 2026 deadline. DHHL emphasized that its current request would support additional lot development and could help produce roughly 6,000 units from the existing project pipeline, with another phase of requests potentially adding about 2,000 more units. The department said it is prioritizing shovel-ready projects, accelerating lease awards and orientations, and using a mix of approaches including paper leases, rental-with-option-to-purchase, owner-builder, and loan programs. Officials also discussed a shift toward denser urban development, citing projects in West Oahu and Honolulu, and said the department is working to reduce its vacancy rate and move beneficiaries onto the land more quickly. Members questioned why Oahu, despite having the largest wait list, was receiving comparatively lower amounts, and DHHL responded that land availability and cost drive those decisions, with Oahu having limited developable land and very high acquisition costs. The department pointed to land acquisition on Kauai and other islands, and to urban high-rise projects that can yield far more units on small parcels. Members also raised long-term maintenance and wildfire risk, asking whether current acquisition and development choices account for future infrastructure costs; DHHL said maintenance is a growing concern, especially on large unused or isolated lands, and that it is pursuing Firewise planning, federal funds, and partnerships to reduce risk. The discussion also touched on mixed-use and community-led development, with DHHL explaining that it leases land to nonprofit homestead associations under general leases with milestones, business-plan requirements, and land-use restrictions to support local services and community goals.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the homeowner selects their contractor.
• I've been a contractor in Florida since 1998 and started under the Southern Building Code.
• we entice contractors, licensed contractors, to come from around the United States to get here.
• we entice contractors, licensed contractors, come from around the United States to get here.
• So now we've gone to a model where the homeowner can choose their own contractor.

Committee: Senate Banking and Insurance

Summary: The Banking and Insurance Committee heard a series of presentations focused on mitigation, flood and wind resilience, and insurance discounts. Kevin Guthrie of the Florida Division of Emergency Management outlined several funding streams for mitigation, including federal Hazard Mitigation Grant Program dollars, BRIC grants, flood mitigation assistance, and the state hurricane loss mitigation program. He emphasized the new Elevate Florida initiative, which will use about $400 million initially to elevate or reconstruct flood-prone homes, starting with National Flood Insurance Program properties and severe repetitive-loss homes, with no current per-home cap. Guthrie said the state will contract directly with licensed vendors and aims to reduce future flood losses, lower insurance costs, and keep properties on the tax rolls rather than relying on buyouts. Insurance Commissioner Mike Yaworski described Florida’s windstorm mitigation discount program, explaining that the 1802 inspection form is used to assess a home’s overall “envelope” and determine statutory discounts. He said the office is updating the program based on a new wind loss study, with likely changes including greater recognition of roof types such as metal roofs and possible territorial risk adjustments. He also said the Legislature now requires the office to revisit the study every five years. Stephen Fielder of the Department of Financial Services reported on My Safe Florida Home, noting that the program offers inspections and grants for roof and opening protections, has completed more than 100,000 inspections, and has reimbursed hundreds of millions of dollars. He said the department has validated its discount calculations with insurers and that the program is intended to help homeowners reduce premiums through verified mitigation work. Michael Newman of the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety said Florida’s building code is nationally leading and that post-Ian surveys found no wind-driven structural damage in buildings built after adoption of the code. He argued that mitigation should be treated as a system, not isolated upgrades, and suggested adding Fortified designation to the state’s mitigation form to better document verified resilience improvements. Bill Truex, a county commissioner and builder, stressed the need to educate homeowners about floodproofing and roof choices, citing examples where flood panels prevented damage and noting that asphalt shingles often do not last as long in Florida as their marketing suggests. In panel discussion, senators asked about program eligibility, outreach to elderly and digitally challenged residents, contractor vetting, roof-life disclosures, and whether flood insurance should be more broadly required. Officials said outreach will include call centers and in-person assistance, and several participants urged better consumer disclosure and more data-driven guidance on roof and mitigation choices.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's contractors.
• And that's contractors. In installation. And that's contractors.
• </c> as we can tell is the largest contractor as we can tell is the largest contractor in<00:24:22.960
• </c><00:26:19.840><c> all</c> problems with small contractors all problems with small contractors all
• </c><00:26:27.679><c> to</c> impossible for other contractors to impossible for other contractors to

Committee: Senate Labor