Transcript Highlights:

• Whereas education is essential to individual opportunity, economic opportunity, economic mobility, and
• programs statewide; and whereas 4-H youth development programs are diverse and help participants acquire
• And I developed enormous respect for what it takes to become an Eagle Scout.
• development, improve infrastructure, and transportation systems.
• Development District; J.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• development programs evaluation done by the Office of Economic and Demographic Research and the Office
• development programs evaluation done by the Office of Economic and Demographic Research and the Office
• development programs evaluation done by the Office of Economic and Demographic Research and the Office
• In terms of economic development, In terms of economic development, compared to our original bill, the
• Representative Schof: Questions of Representative Schof and the transportation and economic development

Summary: The House convened on the final day of session, observed a moment of silence for the Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, and for Representative Rosenwald’s father, then swore in and seated new members Boyles and Hodgers. The Speaker also outlined the chamber’s end-of-session priorities, including action on the budget and related conforming bills. The House then took up H.J.R. 5019, a constitutional amendment to expand Florida’s budget stabilization fund by raising the cap, requiring annual transfers, and allowing withdrawals for critical state needs. After sponsor explanations and questions about what would qualify as a critical need and how the fund might respond to possible federal funding cuts, the House adopted an amendment that added more flexibility for suspending transfers and withdrawals. The joint resolution then passed on final passage. Members next considered HB 7031, the tax package conference report. The bill repeals the business rent tax and aviation fuel tax, delays the natural gas fuel tax, creates or extends several sales tax exemptions and holidays, and makes changes affecting property taxes, local taxes, pari-mutuel taxes, and revenue distributions. Debate focused heavily on the new permanent exemption for ammunition and hunting-related items, the elimination of recurring housing trust fund and transit-related distributions, and the shift of some funding from recurring to nonrecurring status. Supporters argued the package provides tax relief and preserves annual budget flexibility, while opponents criticized the ammunition exemption and the reductions in recurring housing and transit support. The conference report was adopted and the bill passed. The House then passed HB 5017, which creates a debt reduction program funded by a recurring transfer from general revenue to retire state bonds early, and HB 5015, the state group insurance conforming bill, which directs DMS to develop a formulary management plan and codifies the administrative health insurance assessment. Finally, the chamber began explanation and questions on the General Appropriations Act conference report for fiscal year 2025-26, described as a $115.1 billion budget that is down from the current year and includes more than $12 billion in reserves. Subcommittee chairs summarized major budget areas, including K-12 education, health care, transportation and economic development, agriculture and natural resources, higher education, state administration, justice, and information technology, highlighting funding for school choice, Medicaid, housing, transportation infrastructure, Everglades restoration, workforce programs, cybersecurity, and technology modernization.

Transcript Highlights:

• geothermal energy projects developers geothermal energy projects developers who<00:28:46.000>
• sense safeguards for energy development. sense safeguards for energy development.
• land owners use to work with developers land owners use to work with developers to<00:32:53.679>
• <00:52:02.079> This geothermal energy development. This geothermal energy development.
• make it work with the economic effects. make it work with the economic effects.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, April 23, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our economic foundations have been shaken by the ever-changing, tumultuous political environment in D.C
• So-called consensus revenue, that begins being developed last December.
• What actually helps the budget grow is economic growth, and taxes, in fact, operate as something that
• stands in the way of economic growth, like weeds.
• development as we always do to feed... ...herbicides and to support our economic development as we always

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, adopted two commendatory resolutions honoring the Plimpton Historical Society’s Deborah Sampson Day recognition and Megan’s Light’s Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month observance, and suspended Joint Rule 12 to refer several House petitions to committee. The chamber also briefly recognized Diane Talk of the South Shore Regional Emergency Communication Center on her retirement after 30 years of dispatch service. Later, the Senate passed two local bills to enactment: House No. 4006, authorizing Dartmouth to grant an additional all-alcoholic beverages license, and House No. 473, relating to the charter of Westwood. The main business was the Senate Ways and Means presentation of the fiscal year 2027 budget, totaling about $63.3 billion. The chair described the budget as balanced, with no new taxes or tax cuts, based on a consensus revenue estimate of $986 million in growth over FY26 (2.4%), and including about $15.8 billion in federal financial participation and roughly $2.7 billion from the Fair Share surtax. The budget emphasized record local aid, including $1.376 billion in unrestricted general government aid, $7.66 billion for Chapter 70 education aid, increased minimum school aid, higher regional school transportation reimbursement, rural aid, and the revival of the Foundation Budget Review Commission. It also highlighted major investments in MassEducate free community college, food security, housing, and support for vulnerable residents. Members then engaged in extended colloquy on the budget’s major cost drivers and policy choices. Questions focused on debt service, pension and OPEB liabilities, MassHealth caseload and rising per-enrollee costs, child care funding, and program integrity in DTA and other benefit programs. The chair said debt service would be about $2.67 billion, pension payments would be $5.1 billion, OPEB would receive a $150 million payment, and MassHealth enrollment was projected at about 2 million with costs driven by acuity and medical inflation. He also said the budget includes no collective bargaining agreements and no state tax changes. Senators supporting the budget praised its investments in education, local aid, homelessness prevention, public health, libraries, and housing, while minority leaders and others stressed the need for fiscal discipline, transparency, and further work on affordability and municipal support. The Senate also received a House message on House No. 5316, which the House had nonconcurred in, and a conference committee was appointed on the disagreement.

Transcript Highlights:

• California successfully through some very challenging and difficult times, including a pandemic, economic
• And so it is incredibly important to me that we hear what our educators are experiencing and develop
• I think we should realize that as we continue to develop towards Autonomous vehicles, and I think it
• a huge economic driver for the state.
• These grants would allow tribal governments to fund effective self-governance, economic development,

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through a long daily file with numerous guest introductions and recognitions, including tributes to outgoing University of California President Michael Drake, student and community advocates, and visitors connected to foster care, military appreciation, and college savings. The chamber also took up several procedural items, including concurrence in Senate amendments to ACR 75 on California Farm Week, which passed 59-0. Members then adopted AJR 7 on protecting federal special education funding and services for students with disabilities, with broad bipartisan support and a 65-0 vote after 63 co-authors were added. The Assembly also adopted ACR 82 recognizing Foster Care Month and ACR 85 recognizing 529 College Savings Day by voice vote after adding co-authors, and ACR 89 recognizing Military Appreciation Month, also adopted by voice vote after co-authors were added. These resolutions featured testimony and remarks emphasizing support for vulnerable children, foster youth, military families, and access to higher education. On policy bills, the Assembly passed AB 929 on groundwater and managed wetlands (41-14), AB 1026 on utility connection timelines for housing projects (52-0), AB 1332 on direct shipment of medicinal cannabis under specified conditions (55-0), AB 1356 on follow-up reporting in DHCS death investigations at treatment facilities (54-0), and AB 671 on streamlining restaurant openings through self-certification of certain plans (62-0). The chamber also approved AB 715 on anti-Semitism and school climate after extensive debate and cross-caucus support, 64-0, and AB 33 on autonomous vehicle deliveries requiring a human safety operator, 52-6. Later, AB 5 on election ballot-counting timelines passed 66-0, AB 27 and AB 28 addressing the Chiquita Canyon landfill disaster passed 61-0 and 44-6 respectively, and the Assembly began consideration of AB 43 to extend state authority over wild and scenic rivers.

Transcript Highlights:

• It supports economic development by enabling workforce participation.
• It supports economic development by enabling workforce participation.
• stability, and healthy child development.
• to career, understanding that it's also an important part of our economic development.
• development.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Human Services heard a long agenda focused largely on child welfare, child support, homelessness, and child care. Early items included AB 2083, which would authorize a regional child care special district for Marina Valley and Paris; AB 1579, which would expand the Children’s Crisis Continuum Pilot Program to allow additional CDSS-approved residential models; and AB 1628, which would extend California’s safe surrender window for infants from 72 hours to 30 days. AB 1579 drew strong support from county human services agencies and providers who said the current crisis residential model has been financially and operationally unworkable, and opposition from youth advocates who argued the bill would move away from the original small, community-based crisis model. AB 1628 was supported by fire chiefs and child abuse prevention advocates as a way to give parents more time to make safe decisions after childbirth. The committee also took up AB 1634 on the “Have a Heart, Be a Star, Help Our Kids” specialty license plate program, AB 1643 on automatic enrollment into child support services after a support order is finalized unless a parent opts out, and AB 1708 on the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) program. AB 1634 sought to raise specialty plate fees and change the distribution formula to generate more funding for child safety and injury prevention; the chair raised concerns about reallocating money away from CDSS, and the bill received a no recommendation from the chair but still advanced on a 5-0 vote with some members not voting. AB 1643 was backed by child support agencies and anti-poverty advocates as a way to reduce barriers and increase participation, while opponents argued it could undermine parental choice and raise concerns for families with domestic violence or informal arrangements; it passed 6-0 as amended. AB 1708, supported by many cities, would require more meaningful engagement with smaller jurisdictions in HHAP planning and funding decisions; the committee emphasized that it does not guarantee funding but creates a process for smaller cities to be considered, and it passed 5-0. Later, the committee heard AB 2395, which would standardize and expand access to the state child support debt reduction program for low-income parents with government-owed arrears. Supporters said the current program is inconsistent across counties and leaves eligible parents unaware of relief options, while opponents, including receiving parents and child support officials, warned that reducing arrears could harm families who are owed support and that the program should remain case-by-case. Members discussed the tension between relieving uncollectible debt and protecting custodial parents; the bill advanced 4-0. The final item shown was AB 1914, which would require local governments to include child care in planning efforts, including general plans or separate child care plans. The author and witnesses argued that child care is essential infrastructure tied to workforce participation, economic development, and disaster planning, and the bill drew support from child care and planning advocates as the committee continued its hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• To me, the economic damages are so speculative.
• development.
• But if you we are a rural area of economic critical concern.
• development office and our citizens.
• They be more than happy to talk to you about the kind of work they've done economic development and affordable

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• YOU WILL SEE A POSITIVE ECONOMIC IMPACT BECAUSE OF THIS.
• DEVELOPED A STRATEGY AROUND KEY FOCUS AREAS. ONE IS DATA.
• IT'S A HUGE JOB CREATION, HUGE ECONOMIC GROWTH AND GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.
• SO WE DEVELOPED THIS DASHBOARD.
• THE CURRICULUM HAS NOT BEEN DEVELOPED.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• THE CITIZENS OF FLORIDA MADE IT CLEAR YOU DO NOT WANT TO SEE OUR STATE PARKS DEVELOPED.
• AT THE SAME TIME OVER 100 ACRES ARE BEING DEVELOPED EVERY DAY.
• PASSING THIS BILL IS AND JUST GOOD ENVIRONMENT A POLICY, IT'S A GOOD ECONOMIC POLICY.
• THEY BELONG TO THE PEOPLE, NOT TO DEVELOPERS.
• IT IS NOT LOST ON ME THAT THERE ARE DEVELOPERS WHO SEE OPPORTUNITY.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We believe it's a consensus bill. that asks the PUC to develop, through rulemaking, an alternative to
• Out of the last 24 certificates... that have been issued, only two have been through economic planning
• However, it allows for an alternative to look over a longer planning horizon, and if it's economic and
• All new economic...
• Projects, economic development projects are highly energy-intensive, and what we do now has worked to

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that this bill is very important because we have created a Sierra Blanca Regional Task Force for economic
• So this, this works out and not only as a monetary and an economic driver and building jobs, you know
• development.
• This is a pro-economic development, pro-jobs bill.
• House Bill 20 establishes the Technology and Innovation division uh at the Economic Development Department

Transcript Highlights:

• Development.
• <00:06:35.440> development.
• <00:06:36.479> There committee on economic development.
• There committee on economic development.
• Senate Economic Development, Housing, and General Affairs will meet at 9:50.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have no, nothing has developed on the lawsuit on the...
• No, nothing has developed on the lawsuit on the closure bill of left one.
• And if that were possible, what would the economic impact be?
• And assuming they all made the option, what would the economic...
• It's too great of an economic impact. So what does that look like?

Summary: The executive committee approved the May minutes by roll call vote, then received an actuarial update from Sarah Baker of the State Actuary’s Office. Baker explained the office’s annual work, including the DRS pension actuarial evaluation, support for state financial reporting, cash flow analysis, a six-year pension contribution outlook, interim support for GIT and WAL CARES, and an upcoming actuarial evaluation of the volunteer firefighters pension plan. She also responded to questions about bills allowing members to transfer into PERS, noting that such transfers have historically increased PERS costs and that any added cost would be borne by PERS members and employers depending on bill structure and affected demographics. Kate Adams of the Attorney General’s office reported no new developments in the cases the committee is monitoring. She said the Dawson case is still in its early stages, with a judge assigned and a discovery plan due at the end of July. The committee asked for continued updates on that litigation. The committee then discussed interim work planning, focusing first on animal control officers’ eligibility for PERS and asking staff to continue researching definitions, comparable treatment in nearby states, and the cost and service-credit implications for affected employees. Members also discussed Plan 3 issues, including comparisons of Plan 2 and Plan 3 membership and data, and possible future briefing topics. The largest discussion centered on Plan 1 COLAs: members and retiree representatives debated whether to pursue a permanent COLA or an ad hoc COLA, and whether budget language should require future budget writers to consider a COLA. Retiree groups said they preferred a permanent COLA but were open to further discussion; staff was asked to continue work on possible language and policy options. The committee reviewed correspondence on four topics: Plan 1 COLA requests, a request to study LEOFF 2-style medical reimbursements for Washington State Patrol survivors, and a request to allow certain members to change survivor option elections after the federal Social Security Fairness Act. The committee agreed to bring the State Patrol medical reimbursement issue and the Social Security Fairness Act issue back for July, with staff to gather more information and provide an informational briefing. The July agenda was approved and includes the OSA annual update, the LEOFF 2 Board annual update, a PERS/TRS Plan 1 ad hoc COLA item, and the two survivor-related topics.

Transcript Highlights:

• Fund it's called the de Development Fund it's called the renewable<00:08:02.879> Development<
• um was to make the renewable development um was to make the renewable development account<00:11:
• <00:14:08.560> impact there was a a biomass economic impact there was a a biomass economic
• now since the renewable Development Fund now since the renewable Development Fund now the<00:18:
• c> which the renewable development account which the renewable development account which was<00:18

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• stabilization, measures to economic stabilization, measures to economic stabilization, every<00:
• stabilization and workforce development stabilization and workforce development grants<00:14:33.760
• Development.
• department of employment and economic department of employment and economic development.<00:21:45.600
• I'm deputy commissioner at the Department of Employment and Economic Development.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• , the author warned that, and I quote, Hawaii's economic growth is threatened by federal disruption.
• We continue to strengthen Hawaii's economic foundation, business climate, and essential industries.
• We continue to strengthen Hawaii's economic foundation, business climate, and essential industries.
• We continue to strengthen Hawaii's economic foundation, business climate, and essential industries.
• We continue to strengthen Hawaii's economic foundation, business climate, and essential industries.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Jack and Jill of America is dedicated to nurturing and developing future African American leaders through
• I rise to present SB 1228, a bill that is narrowly tailored to preserve existing economic activity in
• It is a much-needed measure that provides economic development in many of these local cities that rely
• I commend the author for bringing this forward and her fight to make sure that we have economic development
• Earlier this year, the Labor Commissioner cited Los Angeles developers for more than $2.3 million in

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, guest recognitions, and approval of the journals. A motion by Senator Strickland to withdraw SB 1035 from committee for a floor vote, described as a temporary gas tax suspension to lower gas prices, was debated procedurally and failed on a 22-aye, 22-no vote. The body then moved through Governor’s appointments, confirming Siva Gunda to the California Energy Commission, Tony Sertich as Executive Director of the California Housing and Finance Agency, and Craig Snellings to the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board, all by unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The Senate also adopted several commemorative resolutions. SCR 151 designated May 2026 as ACL Injury Awareness Month; SR 105 declared May as National Tennis Month; SCR 175 recognized Behavioral Health Awareness Month; SCR 176 designated Small Business Month; and SCR 178 recognized Jewish American Heritage Month. These measures drew extensive floor remarks, especially SCR 178, with senators from multiple caucuses speaking about Jewish history, contributions, diversity, and the need to oppose anti-Semitism and hate. All of these resolutions passed, with SCR 178 adopted 38-0. The chamber then considered a series of policy bills, many of which passed with broad support. Measures approved included SB 922 on local cost recovery for street damage from public service operations, SB 932 on litigation transparency, SB 971 on older adult community connections, SB 1400 on Alameda Health System governance, SB 1228 on certain existing outdoor advertising displays in former redevelopment areas, SB 997 on groundwater agency authority, SB 1115 on reforming the Tulare County Public Cemetery District, SB 1088 on advance care planning forms, SB 1242 on family participation in CARE Court, SB 1364 on parental rights in rape-related child custody cases, SB 993 on protecting mental health professionals’ identifying information, SB 1094 on prescription drug biosimilar use, SB 1117 on ADU fee calculations, SB 1244 on broker compensation disclosures for public agency health plans, SB 1315 on autonomous vehicles, SB 1398 on Green Globes building certification, SB 1085 on water supply assessments for large projects, and SB 1316 on wage theft and labor enforcement. SB 1177 on high-speed rail reporting drew opposition from Senator Strickland, who argued the project should be ended, but the bill still passed after debate. The transcript ends as the Senate begins consideration of SB 1146, which would require disclosures for AI-generated health advertisements.

Transcript Highlights:

• and economic growth.
• Higher education is not only a pathway to personal advancement, but it's a cornerstone of economic development
• Higher education is not only a pathway to personal advancement, but it's a cornerstone of economic development
• I serve, by the way, on Team Volusia, which is the economic development organization for our county.
• And the connection between the college and economic development cannot be overstated.

Summary: The committee heard and voted on two higher education bills before moving to a long series of university and college board appointment confirmations. CS/SB 742 would let charter schools directly access the Workforce Development Capitalization Incentive Grant Program for career and technical education programs tied to industry certifications, and would expand the money-back guarantee requirement from three to six programs at career centers and Florida College System institutions. A question was raised about whether the charter school access could reduce district funding or grant availability; the sponsor said it could, depending on available funds. The bill was supported by one appearance form and was reported favorably. The committee also heard SB 892, which codifies the Florida State University Election Law Center so it can continue and receive recurring funding. The sponsor and FSU witnesses said the center is nonpartisan and focused on evidence-based research, especially on election administration issues related to natural disasters and public confidence in elections. After testimony and questions, including about the center’s scope and funding, the bill was reported favorably. The remainder of the meeting consisted of testimony from numerous appointees to boards of trustees for state colleges and universities, including Tallahassee State College, Valencia College, New College, Pensacola State College, Florida Gulf Coast University, University of North Florida, St. Johns River State College, Palm Beach State College, Santa Fe College, Daytona State College, and Florida Atlantic University. Most nominees emphasized their personal ties to the institutions, support for workforce education, student success, and local economic development. Several highlighted priorities such as keeping tuition affordable, expanding internships and career pathways, strengthening nursing and other workforce programs, and improving graduation and retention rates. Some appointees also described campus-specific goals, including research growth at FAU and Harbor Branch, community engagement at New College, and continued support for health care workforce partnerships at FGCU. The most notable exchange came during testimony from Dr. Joel Rudman for the Pensacola State College board, where Senator Leek questioned him extensively about prior public comments that appeared to reference threats and drug testing legislators. Rudman said his remarks were aimed at Florida House members and not the Senate, denied any knowledge of illicit drug use by current or former senators, and said he was speaking candidly as a private citizen. Public testimony on his nomination included both support and strong opposition, with one speaker praising his community service and another warning about his alleged disruptive behavior and social media posts. The committee also heard from several supporters and appointees who were not questioned further, and the meeting ended with plans to vote on the appointments after all testimony was completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 808, Caballero, housing development actions, do pass out on an A roll call.
• SB 545, Cortese, high-speed rail economic planning, holding committee.
• SB 774, Committee on Business, Professions and Economic Development, Sunset Review, Department of Real
• SB 775, Committee on Business, Professions and Economic Development, Sunset Review, Psychology Board
• SB 776, Committee on Business and Professions and Economic Development, Sunset Review, Board of Optometry

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee held its August 29, 2025 suspense hearing on Senate bills, with the chair emphasizing the state’s ongoing budget constraints and the need to make difficult choices among 261 bills on the suspense file. After establishing a quorum, the committee began taking action bill by bill, with many measures receiving do pass or do pass with amendments recommendations, while others were held in committee or designated as two-year bills. The chair noted the agenda was organized alphabetically by author and that results would be posted later on the committee website. The hearing covered a wide range of topics, including insurance and claims data, wildfire relief and prevention, water planning, energy and utility regulation, housing and land use, health care, labor and employment, criminal justice, education, environmental policy, and election-related measures. Several bills were amended before passage, often to narrow scope, remove sections, adjust definitions, delay implementation, or clarify funding and enforcement provisions. Some notable actions included moving bills on AI regulation, transit-oriented housing, paid family leave, wildfire mapping, chemical hair relaxers, and pharmacy benefit managers, while other bills on subjects such as controlled substances, high-speed rail, and certain education or housing proposals were held. The committee also took formal roll-call votes on selected bills, with some passing on A roll calls and others on B roll calls; a number of measures were advanced with Republicans not voting. One highlighted vote was SB 79 by Senator Wiener, which passed after amendments and a recorded roll call. At the end of the hearing, the committee reported that 190 bills were moved to the Assembly Floor, either as do pass or do pass with amendments, concluding the suspense hearing for the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• development.
• Workforce development is one of the most important investments we can make in the future of our young
• House Bill 3173 takes a comprehensive approach to ensure that workforce development programs are not
• Requiring local workforce development boards to develop strategies for opportunity youth with clear goals
• Texas has always led the nation in job creation and economic growth.