Transcript Highlights:

• I spent six hours yesterday in the budget sub-hearing on health, where we are going to make some very
• I spent six hours yesterday in the budget sub-hearing on health, where we are going to make some very
• I will be accepting the committee amendments today, which broaden eligible debt and strengthen oversight
• We fully support and always have supported appropriate oversight. Thank you.
• I think... tries to make a decision independent of, you know, typical human oversight.

Committee: House Health

Transcript Highlights:

• Yet the budget will still be balanced, and policies improving the lives of all Floridians will still
• Whether it was helping me understand the intricacies of our complex budget or the dynamics of our FFP
• Its culture is not the other, but also its budget is not the other.
• That a stronger oversight similar to other regular enforcement frameworks such as tag agency.
• Members, this bill is more than oversight. It's about public safety.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for Army Sergeant Benjamin Pennington, the Pledge of Allegiance, and quorum and journal business before taking up the special order calendar. Several bills were explained and moved through amendment and final passage, including CS/SB 590 on the statute of limitations for mandatory reporters’ child-abuse reporting violations, which was clarified on the floor to apply prospectively only and passed 111-0. CS/SB 418 on law enforcement interactions with individuals with autism spectrum disorder was amended to align with the House version and passed 111-0. The chamber also recognized Spina Bifida Week and guests in the gallery before considering additional measures. Members then passed CS/CS/SB 1668 on the Florida Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Association (NICA), described as preserving the program’s actuarial soundness, by a 112-0 vote; CS/SB 1246 on the Linking Industry to Nursing Education Fund, expanded to support broader health science education programs and non-health-care partner contributions, by 112-0; CS/CS/SB 1404 on memory care facility standards by 111-0; CS/CS/SB 1030 on recovery residences, including transfer-of-ownership and MAT-related provisions, by 168-0; CS/CS/SB 178 on athletics in public K-12 schools, allowing limited coach support for student welfare with parental consent and other guardrails, by 112-0; CS/CS/SB 422 on automatic dependent surveillance broadcasts, limiting use of ADS-B data for airport billing, by 108-2; and CS/CS/SB 598 on funeral, cemetery, and consumer services, modernizing licensure and exclusivity rules, by 111-0. The House also took up CS/SB 1134 on official actions of local governments and DEI-related restrictions. The sponsor argued the bill would prohibit counties and municipalities from official DEI actions and related funding while preserving numerous exceptions for holidays, observances, public safety, and other activities. Members asked extensive questions about how the bill would affect local programs, events, and offices, and Representative Gant offered an amendment to narrow the bill’s DEI definition by removing two prongs; debate centered on vagueness, enforcement, and local-government impacts. The transcript cuts off during consideration of that amendment, so no final action on the bill is shown. The session also included lengthy farewell remarks from Representatives Eskamani and Overdorf, reflecting on their service, staff, constituents, and policy priorities.

Transcript Highlights:

• We look forward to that as we get into the budget process.
• All states have health care boards, which are responsible for aspects of regulatory oversight and the
• OPAGA's presentation focuses on alternatives to Florida's approach to health care board oversight.
• Other states, however, authorize more direct legislative oversight of agency and board rulemaking.
• Other methods of health care board oversight include processes for halting board actions and removing

Summary: The Senate Health Policy Committee met with a quorum and considered several health-related bills, most of them focused on drowning prevention and public safety. SB 428, by Senator Yarborough, would expand Florida’s swim lesson voucher program from children ages 0-4 to ages 1-7. The sponsor and supporting testimony from a pediatric emergency physician and YMCA representatives emphasized Florida’s high drowning rates, especially among very young children, and argued that swim lessons can significantly reduce risk. Senator Harrell noted the need to revisit the funding allocation as eligibility expands. The bill was reported favorably. The committee also heard SB 606, by Senator Smith, which adds drowning prevention and safe bathing practices to postpartum education provided by hospitals, birthing centers, and, after amendment, no longer requires home birth providers to maintain proof of compliance. A parent who lost a child to drowning and Senator Berman spoke in strong support, stressing that the bill would educate new parents at a critical time. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably as a committee substitute. SB 162, by Senator Davis, would require hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to adopt policies using smoke evacuation systems during procedures that generate surgical smoke. The sponsor said the equipment is relatively low-cost and already used in many facilities, while several witnesses supported the bill as a worker-safety measure. Other senators raised concerns about the lack of data, possible rural hospital impacts, and whether the mandate could add costs without clear evidence of harm. Despite those concerns, the bill was reported favorably. The committee also passed SB 340, by Senator Harrell, requiring nursing students to complete a two-hour human trafficking course before licensure, after amending the bill to shift the requirement from nursing programs to the students themselves. Testimony from a trafficking survivor and nursing advocates supported the measure, and it was reported favorably as a committee substitute. Finally, SB 192, presented by Senator Trumbull on behalf of Senator Martin, removed the $1,500 cap on advances chiropractic physicians may collect for examinations or treatment; chiropractic industry representatives supported the change, and the bill was reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• Treatments the oversight committee composed of nine members appointed by the governor the lieutenant
• The oversight.
• The Program Integration Committee consisting of members of the Oversight Committee and the Health and
• Process and final grant awards must be approved by the Oversight Committee.
• It was budget time. A lot of heavy hearts in the building today. Mr.

Bills: SJR3 , SB5 , SB21 , SB72 , SB703 , SB764 , SB790 , SJR36 , SJR3 , SJR34 , SJR18 , SCR9 , SB616 , SB565 , SB384 , SB5 , SB21 , SB72 , SB140 , SB262 , SB370 , SB372 , SB495 , SB627 , SB703 , SB764 , SB842 , SB971 , SB790 , SB767 , SB480 , SB1066 , SB929 , SB765 , SB523 , SB62 , SB19 , SB18 , SB666 , SB688 , SB707 , SB888 , SB687 , SB706 , SB847 , SB869 , SB890 , SB992 , SB1145 , SB494 , SB290 , SB766 , SB11 , SB10 , SB13 , SB263 , SJR3 , SB5 , SR172 , SR176 , SR177 , SR190 , SR193 , SR194 , SR202 , SR203 , SR208

Transcript Highlights:

• 25:15.440><c> by</c> Again, ultimately that's oversight by Again, ultimately that's oversight by the<
• Uh was there a budget funded.
• Um, the Medicaid budget is complex.
• ; So the current budget &gt;&gt; So the current budget &gt;&gt; correct?
• </c> budget, it it would help me. budget, it it would help me.

Summary: The committee first approved the April 13 minutes and then turned to a large agenda of contracts. Chairman Douglas said there were 52 contracts totaling about $369.3 million, and noted that most vendors were registered with the Secretary of State except for item 118 on the routine personal services green list and item 19 involving Morehead State University and Kentucky State University. The committee voted to defer item 118 to the June 26 meeting and later also deferred the Kentucky State University contract on the deferred list to the June 26 meeting. The main discussion centered on a deferred personal services contract for the Kentucky Board of Optometric Examiners, involving outside legal counsel. Senator Meredith raised concerns about KRS 320 and whether the board had authority to hire outside counsel when the statute says the Attorney General shall provide legal services to the board. Dr. Mary Beth Morris, the board president, and Christopher Thacker of the Attorney General’s office testified after being sworn in. Thacker explained that the statute and related law allow both Attorney General assistance and independent counsel, and argued that outside counsel is appropriate for day-to-day legal work because it avoids conflicts, especially on open records issues, regulatory advice, and disciplinary hearings. Senator Meredith said he agreed with approving the contract but questioned how the board had reached this point and whether the current statutes reflect modern practice. He raised concerns about transparency and accountability, referencing a prior advisory opinion involving the board’s handling of exam requirements during COVID and saying the board should have consulted the Attorney General before acting. Thacker responded that the Attorney General’s office serves the Commonwealth as a whole, not as counsel to one board, and that the board’s use of outside counsel is a reasonable and economical arrangement. The exchange ended with Meredith suggesting that broader legislative action may be needed to clarify reporting relationships and oversight for the board.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:15:17.279><c> budget.
• Because I know that the department's budget is over half the state budget. >> Yes.
• Because I know that the department's budget is over half the state budget. >> Yes.
• Because I know that the department's budget is over half the state budget. >> Yes.
• , there's the budget our budget this year, there's the budget and<00:37:33.280><c> then</c><00:37:33.440

Committee: House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> has a much bigger state Medicaid budget has a much bigger state Medicaid budget than<00:11:44.080
• </c> was set when our state Medicaid budget was set when our state Medicaid budget was<00:11:53.760><
• </c> similar budgets. similar budgets.
• ,</c> and then a percentage of budget, and then a percentage of budget, and<00:18:13.800><c> then</c>
• </c> we're not talking about your budget we're not talking about your budget today. today. today.

Bills: HF1338

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Antonio Najera with the legislative budget board and I'll be presenting a summary of budget
• Please turn to page 7. 426.27, recommendations by budget driver.
• I'm Emily Navarrete with the Legislative Budget Board and I'll be laying out the introduced budget for
• other budgets, is not a budget for the future. before it has been prioritizing tax cuts over the children
• only thing that's within a district's budget.

Committee: House Appropriations - S/C on Article III

Transcript Highlights:

• budget we are considering.
• budget we are considering.
• that in this budget.
• school budgets.
• This is a kind of a budget.

Committee: Senate Budget and Fiscal Review

Transcript Highlights:

• Payments include strong reporting and oversight requirements.
• I've submitted a pending budget request to establish separate funding for this credit.
• To promote transparency, accountability, and oversight, the auditor recommended all three departments
• AB 1810 is a smart, targeted approach to improve oversight of California's firearm industry and crack
• I rise to present Assembly Bill 2760 with strengths its oversight of local public safety systems.

Summary: The Assembly convened, established a quorum, and proceeded through a large House of Origin floor file, with the Speaker repeatedly urging members to be at their desks and keep support bills brief. Early actions included dispensing with the journal, re-referring AB 2285 to the Banking and Finance Committee, and then taking up dozens of third-reading items, with many bills passed by voice or recorded vote and others passed temporarily or retained on file. The floor debated and passed a wide range of measures on land use, housing, labor, public safety, health care, utilities, taxation, and consumer protection. Among the bills approved were measures on land surveyor review (AB 1933), nurse midwife access for pregnant and postpartum patients (AB 1696), historic-district transit zoning flexibility (AB 2415), EV charging infrastructure fees and timelines (AB 1820), foreclosure bidding protections (AB 1957), tribal cannabis commerce (AB 2506), outdoor advertising permitting (AB 2024), commercial building permit timelines and third-party plan checkers (AB 2418), DUI penalties (AB 1685 and AB 1687), utility rate transparency (AB 1715), CalWORKs work-penalty changes (AB 1755), dynamic electricity rates (AB 1787), interior designer licensure (AB 1796), compost labeling and contamination rules (AB 1812), modular housing standardization (AB 1815), small claims limits for businesses (AB 1827), Native American Day as a paid state holiday (AB 1841), hospital staffing and maternity access bills (AB 1868 and AB 1882), protective orders tied to release dates (AB 1889), and a series of public health, missing persons, and teacher credentialing measures later in the file. Several high-profile bills drew extended debate. AB 2624, expanding Safe at Home privacy protections to immigrant service providers, prompted sharp disagreement over free speech and alleged limits on online posting, but supporters said it protected workers facing threats and doxing; it ultimately passed 49-19. AB 2023, creating a framework for regulating AI chatbots used by children, was framed as a child-safety measure after testimony about chatbot-related harms and suicide risks, and passed 58-8. Other notable votes included AB 2208 on Medi-Cal protections against federal cuts, AB 2299 on CalFresh/SNAP losses, AB 2115 apologizing to California Native peoples for historic state harms, and AB 2311 on public hospital physician employment; the transcript ends as the Assembly continues working through the remaining file.

Transcript Highlights:

• No, I don't agree that all SAUs have little oversight from their SAU boards.
• I in fact think there are many SAU boards that provide diligent oversight. >> I also disagree.
• >> Well, there certainly, I believe, there's at least budgeting authority. >> It's budgeting at different
• </c><00:22:34.880><c> Yeah,</c> at least budgeting um, authority.
• Yeah, at least budgeting um, authority.

Summary: The meeting focused on reviewing and amending draft minutes and then discussing a draft report on SAU consolidation and school administration efficiency. Members first corrected a disputed statement in the minutes about who starts charter schools, and agreed to mark it as disputed. They also noted a donation figure mentioned in the meeting but not reflected in the notes, and then approved the minutes as amended. The committee then reviewed supporting materials, including a Census Bureau education spending table and a 1993 report on eliminating SAUs. The chair argued New Hampshire ranks very high in administrative spending and used that as evidence for reducing administrative costs. Other members pushed back, noting that education costs are largely borne locally and that the committee should stay focused on its charge. Several members also objected to characterizations of SAU boards and to relying heavily on an old report or on the School District Governance Association’s proposal. The draft report itself drew repeated edits. Members objected to language suggesting the testimony from associations was simply that change was not needed, and proposed more neutral wording about concerns over the impacts of changes. There was also disagreement over a proposed model in which a county-level school administrator would be elected; some members said that would be inappropriate and premature, while others argued the committee had not yet fully developed a consolidation model. The discussion ended with a call from some members for more time and for a future joint legislative committee to continue refining any proposal before legislation is introduced.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's, I think that might have been an oversight. So let's just leave it flat.
• I think that might have been an oversight.
• So it didn't affect last year's budget? No. All right. Thank you. Other questions? Other questions?
• It would authorize the Office of Management and Budget to reprogram these funds.
• Also, I want to acknowledge our partners from the Office of Management and Budget.

Committee: Joint Finance

Summary: The Joint Finance Committee met to review and vote on the fiscal year 2027 Grants and Aid Act, which was expected to be pre-filed as Senate Bill 337. Members first reviewed Section 1, covering county seat payments, paramedic operations, senior center allocations, senior center transportation, and Homeland Security grants. They approved Section 1 after discussion of how senior center transportation is being moved from DART to grant-in-aid and how some organizations can appear in both the senior center formula and the general aging category. The committee then worked through Section 2, which included one-time appropriations and the various grant categories for aging, arts/historical/recreation, economic housing or labor services, family and youth services, health or disability services, and neighborhood and community services. Members discussed several specific items, including New Castle County reassessment-related funding, Friends of Cooch’s Bridge, Slaughter Neck Community Action Organization, Plastic-Free Delaware, Love, Inc. of the Delmarva, and the Southern Delaware Horse Retirement Association. One aging line for Slaughter Neck was reduced back to flat funding after members questioned a large increase, and the revised category total was adjusted accordingly. Each of the Section 2 subcategories was then adopted. Section 3, covering fire companies and public service ambulance companies, was approved with increases across apparatus, ambulance, rescue truck, aerial truck, rescue boat, substation, and insurance rebate equalization funding. Section 4, for veterans organizations and youth programs such as Boys State, Girls State, and Trooper Youth Week, was also adopted. The committee then approved the epilogue sections, which included eligibility, audit, payment, and reporting rules; special provisions for the Wilmington Senior Center contingency; conditions tied to several one-time appropriations; withholding funding from Merri-Dell Volunteer Fire Company pending a corrective report; and reprogramming $1,485,000 from a prior SMART food program appropriation toward SNAP/WIC-related food access initiatives. The meeting ended with remarks thanking staff and noting that it was likely the last JFC meeting for two members, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• ’ve said at this point they don’t feel like they will need it, but we know that they’re always in budget
• 00:26:40.000><c> they're</c><00:26:40.200><c> always</c><00:26:40.399><c> in</c><00:26:40.559><c> budget
• </c> know that they're always in budget know that they're always in budget issues<00:26:41.320><c> and
• Right now, their customers are paying for oversight, if you will, and that's not there.
• by reducing the level of oversight by reducing the level of annual<00:51:08.760><c> assessments</c><

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• It does not expand authority or change oversight. These are small operational accounts.
• . oversight. oversight.
• I operate two stations, five apparatus, on an annual budget of a little over $60,000.
• </c> budget of a little over $60,000. budget of a little over $60,000.
• ><c> that</c><00:36:13.440><c> your</c> this budget of revenue that your this budget of revenue that

Committee: House County and Municipal Government

Transcript Highlights:

• It’d be on a voluntary basis. then we can re-evaluate the budget, then we can re-evaluate the budget,
• </c> as part of the whole budget process. as part of the whole budget process.
• I believe part of the reason why was there was not enough oversight in the building or oversight from
• </c> budget which the fiscal note addresses. budget which the fiscal note addresses.
• </c> doesn't fit within the budget. doesn't fit within the budget.

Summary: The committee took up HB 1563, a special education aid formula bill, after a brief recess. Members reviewed a replace-all amendment that would keep the current reimbursement lag structure but make the bill effective July 1, 2028, with districts beginning to collect the new data in the next biennium. The amendment changes the reimbursement tiers from a dollar-based system to one tied to average per-pupil spending: districts would pay 100% below 2.5 times average per-pupil spending, 85% from 2.5 to 3.5 times, 20% from 3.5 to 10 times, and 10% above 10 times, with the state covering the remainder. Speakers emphasized that the bill is intended as an incremental step to gather better data before any larger expansion of state participation. A major new section would create a risk-based monitoring program for reimbursement claims. Instead of reviewing every claim individually, the department would review at least 20% of districts each year so every district is reviewed at least once every five years, with additional random or targeted reviews based on risk indicators, anomalies, prior findings, or other department criteria. Members discussed whether the audit sample should be district-based or student-based, and whether the bill should more specifically define the type of audit and the meaning of “other” criteria. Department witnesses said the current process already involves confidential information and that the new approach would not worsen privacy concerns; they also said the department would follow federal and state privacy laws and adopt rules to implement the process. Several members supported the bill as a practical first step to improve data collection and eventually expand aid, noting that districts currently do not track lower-cost special education students well. Others raised concerns about the lack of a fiscal note, possible local costs, and whether the new monitoring language gives the department too much discretion. The discussion ended with no vote taken in the excerpt, and members indicated they may need more time to review the final amendment before proceeding.

Transcript Highlights:

• Fifteen people is almost half of this body, and exercising oversight with a board that large is very
• , exercising oversight I'm sorry, exercising oversight<00:42:14.400><c> with</c><00:42:14.600><c> a</
• with a board that large is oversight with a board that large is very<00:42:15.840><c> difficult.
• There may be more discussion. include operating and capital budgeting, include operating and capital
• budgeting, fair<00:46:53.200><c> revenue</c><00:46:53.760><c> and</c><00:46:54.000><c> subsidy</c><00

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill... ...requirements for staff, no consistent standards, and no oversight.
• This bill requirements for staff, no consistent standards, and no oversight.
• and Criminal Justice, the Collective for Liberatory Lawyering, California's United for Responsible Budget
• and Criminal Justice, the Collective for Libertory Lawyering, California's United for Responsible Budget
• SB 1401 seeks to fix that oversight by adding to the felony statute the same timeframes that currently

Summary: The committee met on April 14, 2006, but began without a quorum and repeatedly recessed while members were summoned. The hearing covered several public safety and criminal justice bills, with testimony largely focused on juvenile justice, mental health, property fraud, prostitution/trafficking, and child exploitation. SB 1157 (Archuleta) would create a framework for less restrictive juvenile probation placements by directing the Judicial Council to develop rules of court; supporters argued it would add needed safety, staffing, background check, zoning, and notice standards, while opponents said it would impose rigid standards on a diverse set of placements and that the Judicial Council was the wrong body to set substantive program rules. The bill drew support from county probation and local government groups and opposition from youth defense and public defender organizations. SB 1012 (Smallwood-Cuevas), the Fire Camp to Career Act, would connect incarcerated fire camp participants to apprenticeships and recognize their training toward eligibility. The author and supporters from labor, fire-related workforce programs, and formerly incarcerated workers said the bill would turn emergency-response service into real career pathways and reduce recidivism; committee members generally supported the concept, with one member emphasizing that certification should still require demonstrated skill. SB 1306 (Cortese) would align state law with federal exemptions for certain low-concentration GBL chemical mixtures used in semiconductor manufacturing and research. Supporters said the bill would remove unnecessary regulatory burdens without affecting pure GBL or public safety, and members described it as a practical competitiveness measure. SB 1401 (Stern) would align felony incompetent-to-stand-trial procedures with existing misdemeanor procedures by adding timeframes, information-sharing provisions, and conservatorship referral tools. Supporters, including a district attorney representative and a family member, said it would help ensure timely treatment and prevent people from being released without care; opponents, including Disability Rights California and public defender groups, argued it would expand court control, weaken confidentiality, and increase conservatorship referrals. The committee approved SB 1401 on a due-pass motion to Appropriations. SB 1027 (Strickland), as amended, would create a task force to study street prostitution and human trafficking, with amendments adding survivor-focused language, a prevalence study, broader membership, and more time for the task force; it passed as amended to the Governmental Organization Committee. The consent calendar, including SB 962, SB 1001, SB 1100, and SB 1211, was approved. Later, SB 1307 (Jones) was heard to speed up clearing fraudulent or forged real estate documents from the record; supporters said it would let courts void false deeds more efficiently without replacing quiet title actions, and the bill passed as amended to the Senate Floor. Finally, SB 1276 (Rubio), the In Child Exploitation Act, was presented to clarify that knowingly viewing livestreamed or AI-generated sexual exploitation of a child is a crime; the author and witnesses from prosecution and forensic nursing said the law must keep pace with technology and close loopholes that let offenders avoid accountability.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><02:44:00.560><c> of</c> our commitment to stringent oversight of our commitment to stringent oversight
• </c> where oversight matters the most. where oversight matters the most.
• c> estimates</c> Congressional Budget Office estimates Congressional Budget Office estimates that<05:
• </c> budget and behind schedule. budget and behind schedule.
• And the VA's budget and years behind.

Transcript Highlights:

• The default budget is supposed budget.
• </c> body budget and the default budget. body budget and the default budget.
• </c> budget committee get the default budget budget committee get the default budget in<03:20:28.479>
• budget to the default budget?
• </c> operating budget. operating budget.

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Transcript Highlights:

• But what you are providing is much-needed oversight and accountability for these Chapter 8 sales.
• But what you are providing is much-needed oversight and accountability for these Chapter 8 sales, and
• Then, in the 2011-12 state budget, that appropriation was eliminated.
• So I want to... ...determination on whether that amount gets included in the state budget.
• [Alyssa Anderson, California Budget and Policy Center] Make $20,000 or less a year.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation held its first regular hearing of the 2025-26 session, adopted its proposed committee rules on a 5-0 vote, and reinstated a suspense file for bills with fiscal impacts over the committee threshold. The chair explained that only AB 418 would be eligible for an immediate vote, while several other measures would be held for suspense consideration because of budget constraints. AB 330 was pulled by the author. AB 418 by Wilson, which would create a clearer process and administrative remedy for county Chapter 8 tax sales, received support from county tax collectors and housing and taxpayer groups. Supporters said the bill would add transparency, due process, and a noticed public hearing for negotiated sales of tax-defaulted properties, while helping counties dispose of low-value or problematic properties more efficiently. The committee voted 6-0 to send AB 418 to Appropriations. Several other bills were heard and then referred to suspense: AB 27 by Chau, which would exclude Chiquita Canyon landfill relief payments from gross income and protect recipients’ eligibility for public benefits, drew strong support from affected residents and environmental advocates; AB 258 by Conley would increase funding for California fairs, with supporters emphasizing fairs’ emergency-response role; AB 397 by Gonzalez would expand the California Young Child Tax Credit into a broader child tax credit for older children; and AB 398 by Aaron would set a $300 minimum refundable Cal EITC benefit. The committee also heard AB 231 by Tye, which would offer a tax credit to microbusinesses that hire formerly incarcerated people, and it too was referred to suspense after supportive testimony from reentry and small-business advocates.