Transcript Highlights:

• So fertilizer, working with producers to become as efficient as possible in fertilizer use, putting it
• So fertilizer, working with producers to become as efficient as possible in fertilizer use, putting it
• That’s for our water control structures.
• We manage 84 water control structures.
• Our route is flood control and water supply.

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

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government heard budget presentations from all five water management districts for FY 2026-2027: Northwest Florida, Suwannee River, St. Johns River, Southwest Florida, and South Florida. Each district described its preliminary budget, major funding sources, staffing levels, and how most of its spending is tied to the four core missions of water supply, water quality, natural systems, and flood protection. Several directors noted budget reductions from the prior year largely because major projects were completed or because grant/appropriation funding is not yet fully reflected in preliminary budgets. Committee members repeatedly asked how districts project operations and maintenance costs, how projects are selected, and what share of staff and spending is devoted to core missions versus administration or regulatory work. Northwest Florida Water Management District said its preliminary budget is $93.4 million, down about 15%, with 97% of spending tied to core responsibilities and a request for additional regulatory services funding. Suwannee River Water Management District presented a $70.4 million budget, emphasized its rural/agricultural character and spring protection work, and highlighted the Water First North Florida reclaimed-water recharge project; members also discussed its need for an additional FTE to handle consumptive use permit reviews tied to a new lower Santa Fe rule. St. Johns River Water Management District presented a $181 million budget, highlighted major water supply, water quality, flood protection, and land management projects such as Taylor Creek Reservoir, Water First North Florida, Black Creek, Crane Creek, and Lake Jessup restoration, and said about 93% of its budget supports core missions. Southwest Florida Water Management District presented a $227.6 million budget, with major spending on alternative water supply, water control structure repairs, watershed projects, and land management; officials said 93.4% of the budget supports core missions and discussed rising construction costs for aging infrastructure. South Florida Water Management District presented the largest budget at $1.05 billion, focused on Everglades restoration, flood control, water supply, and ecosystem recovery; the director described major reservoirs and treatment projects, the EAA Reservoir, and ongoing efforts to improve water quality and restore flows to the Everglades and Florida Bay. The committee took no formal votes on the district budgets and adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so there were looking maybe more a controlled release, fertilizer.
• The controller these fertilizer program is one where if we can, if we can use a type of fertilizer that
• Well, the blue dyes moving towards the fertilizer and we were able to track that.
• This the ability of this blue dye is equal to nitrogen seibel nitrogen fertilizer sources.
• year in the types of fertilizer that we used to accomplish to go to grow the crop.

Transcript Highlights:

• Air Pollution Control District. Have they done an assessment? Yes.
• Beneficial uses such as a nutrient-rich fertilizer Beneficial uses such as a nutrient-rich fertilizer
• And AB 643 proposes to allow 1383 procurement credit based on organic waste processed into fertilizer
• Are there not exemptions for recycle and for actually fertilizer beneficial use?
• Are there not exemptions for recycle and for actually fertilizer beneficial use?

Summary: The committee heard several natural resources bills focused on wildfire resilience, recycling, forest management, and organic waste diversion. AB 442 would remove a requirement that a harvest area be limited to a single watershed for working forest management plans; the author and supporters from the California Forestry Association and Pacific Forest Trust said it would reduce barriers to forest resiliency work, and there was no opposition. AB 623 would require state agencies to report on the use of CEQA and Coastal Act suspensions for wildfire and fuel-management projects after the governor’s emergency proclamation; the author said the bill would provide data on how well the suspensions are working, and it drew support with no opposition. AB 35 would exempt Proposition 4-funded programs from the Administrative Procedures Act to speed implementation of climate, water, wildfire, and environmental projects; the author and a large coalition of local governments, water agencies, conservation groups, and fire organizations argued the exemption would help get funds out faster, while no opposition was present. The committee also discussed AB 3333, which would create a market-development payment to support end users of non-container glass, such as ground glass pozzolan used in cement, in order to divert glass from landfills and reduce carbon emissions. Supporters said the bill would create a productive use for hard-to-recover glass, while opponents from the Glass Packaging Institute, Californians Against Waste, and waste management interests argued it would divert beverage container recycling funds away from the bottle-to-bottle system and could undermine existing recycling investments and recycled-content goals. Members raised questions about the fund’s revenue sources, the purpose of the beverage container recycling program, and whether the bill would amount to “downcycling”; despite those concerns, the bill advanced on a due-pass-as-amended recommendation, with members noting fiscal and policy issues for further work. AB 643 would allow certain diverted organic material used as a beneficial agricultural amendment, including CDFA-licensed fertilizer products made from biosolids, to count toward SB 1383 recovered organic waste procurement targets. Supporters from wastewater agencies and Clean Water SoCal said the change would expand options for meeting procurement requirements and help move biosolids out of landfills, while Californians Against Waste and other opponents argued the bill could expand procurement credit beyond SB 1383’s original intent and weaken investments in composting infrastructure. Committee members questioned what kinds of biosolids would qualify, how the procurement credit would work, and whether the bill could be narrowed to historically landfilled materials; the author said she would continue working with opponents and wait for CalRecycle technical assistance. The committee adopted the bills’ amendments and passed AB 35 with urgency, AB 3333, AB 442, AB 623, and AB 643 to Appropriations, and also approved consent-calendar AB 946. After roll calls, all of the measures were reported out of committee, and the hearing adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Their input costs are high because fertilizer costs are out of control.
• Their input costs are high because fertilizer costs are out of control.
• Their input costs are high because fertilizer costs are out of control.
• Their input costs are high because fertilizer costs are out of control.
• A foreign entity controlling your food supply will control your nation.

Bills: SB4465 , HB7147 , HB2424 , HB7567

Keywords: FISA, intelligence, surveillance, national security, privacy, extension, law enforcement, excise tax, heavy trucks, clean vehicles, environmental policy, heavy truck excise tax, truck and trailer tax, federal retail excise tax, FET, highway trust fund, commercial trucks, Class 8 trucks, tractor-trailer, semi-truck

Transcript Highlights:

• to their lawn with either fertilizer to their lawn with either fertilizer<03:37:06.239><c> that</c><
• </c> them about it when they buy fertilizers them about it when they buy fertilizers still<03:37:28.399
• Local control exists for good reason.
• Local control exists for good load.
• I am not a hardliner on local control.

Transcript Highlights:

• Air Pollution Control District. Have they done an assessment?
• With AB 643, it's narrow and it allows for an agricultural fertilizer product to be added to the two
• Beneficial uses such as a nutrient-rich fertilizer...
• Beneficial uses such as a nutrient-rich fertilizer are a priority.
• Are there not exemptions for recycle and for actually fertilizer beneficial use?

Committee: House Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• We do a lot of fertility care now.
• You have been a critic of hormonal birth control.
• If there was only one birth control pill, there would be no birth control pills.
• You have been a critic of hormonal birth control.
• If there was only one birth control pill, there would be no birth control pills.

Committee: Senate Ethics and Elections

Summary: The committee first considered the confirmation of Dr. John Lattell to the Florida Board of Medicine. In questioning, senators focused heavily on his views on abortion, vaccines, ivermectin, hormonal birth control, and the role of CDC/FDA guidance in board discipline cases. Dr. Lattell said the board should apply Florida statutes, described himself as strongly pro-life and skeptical of some federal health guidance, and said he would be sympathetic when judging fellow physicians because of his own experience in practice. Supporters praised his medical background, military service, and family medicine experience, while opponents argued his stated views could affect his ability to fairly discipline other doctors. The committee voted 5-2 to recommend confirmation, with Senators Polsky and Rouson voting no. The committee then took up the confirmation of Taylor Hatch as Secretary of the Florida Department of Children and Families. Hatch outlined her background at DCF and APD and described department priorities including streamlining services, improving child welfare and behavioral health systems, expanding peer support, and reducing SNAP error rates. Members asked detailed questions about Hope Florida, the number and role of Hope Navigators, agency responsiveness on bill analyses, and accountability for community-based care contractors. Hatch said Hope Florida is a partnership-based navigation effort aimed at self-sufficiency, that 143 Hope Navigators are in place, and that the department is working to improve transparency and oversight through contracts, audits, and a proposed funding model. Senators also pressed Hatch on the Hope Florida Foundation’s compliance history and on forensic audits of community-based care agencies, especially Northwest Florida Health Network. Hatch said the foundation is now in compliance and under audit, and that the contractor had completed corrective actions and was operating within current accountability limits. She said DCF had not yet conducted new forensic audits under her tenure but was preparing another round and was considering using contracted-services dollars to support that work. The discussion ended with continued questioning on oversight, staffing, and whether the agency could provide more formal bill analyses going forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:18:27.039><c> product</c> but using it as a fertilizer product but using it as a fertilizer product
• </c><00:19:14.679><c> the</c> traditional imported fertilizers the traditional imported fertilizers the
• our fertilizer significant amount of our fertilizer moves<00:21:26.640><c> up</c><00:21:27.080><c> uh
• So obviously if it's energy related, it's not a green fertilizer.
• </c> plants can make fantastic uh fertilizer plants can make fantastic uh fertilizer products<00:25:29.600

Bills: HF1621 , HF1701 , HF1796 , HF1676 , HF40 , HF1428 , HF1540

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Keywords: HF1621, CelluComp, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, appropriation, grant, commercialization, fiber-based barrier packaging, packaging materials, PFAS, perfluoroalkyl substances, polyfluoroalkyl substances, plastic reduction, sustainable packaging, environmental health, materials innovation, bio-based packaging, food packaging, agriculture finance, one-time grant, state subsidy

Transcript Highlights:

• And a third choice is local control for them, which...
• They can't control the weather, commodity prices, or input. prices, but they can control their management
• Fertilizer costs have doubled or tripled.
• Then that's what they analyze, that lone variable. in a controlled environment.
• From drought, to overuse of chemicals, to overuse of fertilizers, to...

Bills: HB3032 , HB3434 , HB3574 , HB5339 , HB5646

Committee: House Higher Education

Keywords: nursing education, clinical sites, health facilities, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, legislative study, healthcare training, tuition, financial assistance, higher education, public institutions, student support, nonresident students, Texas Education Code, resident tuition, scholarships, regenerative agriculture, grants, sustainable farming, soil health, bioremediation

Transcript Highlights:

• Tom Johnson, Government Relations Director for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, said he did not
• </c><00:33:51.880><c> agency</c><00:33:52.240><c> Mr</c> maybe the pollution control agency Mr maybe
• the pollution control agency Mr chair<00:33:53.240><c> I</c><00:33:53.360><c> see</c><00:33:53.559><c
• agency uh Mr Minnesota Pollution Control agency uh Mr chair<00:34:50.879><c> representative</c><00:34
• He would like both the Department of Agriculture and the Pollution Control Agency to come forward and

Bills: HF44 , HF2102 , HF2279 , HF2280 , HF2281

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Keywords: HF44, Casey Jones State Trail, Pipestone Trailhead, Currie Loop, Minnesota bonding bill, capital investment, state bonds, bond proceeds fund, Department of Natural Resources, DNR, trail rehabilitation, trail reconstruction, recreational trail, bike trail, hiking trail, infrastructure, state trail, Pipestone, Currie, bonding authorization

Transcript Highlights:

• who manufacture fertilizers and sell fertilizers in the past.
• You don't want to be over-fertilizing.
• </c> snow pack over it so nobody's fertilized snow pack over it so nobody's fertilized it<03:35:14.720
• on your way home, and you buy your fertilizer there, you might be buying a legal fertilizer and you
• of fertilizer down.

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• It also requires pest control business licenses that perform fumigations to hold either a $1 million
• And once they leave the treatment facility, they're regulated as a fertilizer product by the Department
• And once they leave the treatment facility, they're regulated as a fertilizer product by the Department
• And as far as looking at whether or not it's regulated, fertilizer is regulated.
• Class AA material will be treated as fertilizer and regulated as such.

Summary: The Committee on Fiscal Policy heard and approved two bills. First, it took up CS for SB 290, an agriculture and consumer services bill, and adopted a strike-all amendment that covered a wide range of issues: density limits for certain small municipalities, a delay in biosolids rule changes from July 1, 2026 to July 1, 2028, higher insurance and penalty requirements for fumigation businesses, longer payment timeframes for contractors to pay subcontractors and suppliers, restrictions on county agritourism permitting ordinances, and renaming the Bonifay Forestry Station. Senators raised concerns about the contractor penalty increase, local government preemption, and the biosolids provisions. Audubon Florida testified in opposition to the state lands and biosolids sections, while several industry and agriculture groups waved in support. The committee then voted the bill favorably, with Senator Bracey Davis voting no. The committee next heard SB 320 on administrative efficiency in public schools. The bill would reduce district-level requirements in areas such as assessments, personnel, facilities, and budgeting; expand teacher apprenticeship and multi-year contracts; streamline salary supplements and testing calendars; give districts more flexibility with Title I and capital funds; update facility planning rules; and shift oversight of district-run VPK programs. Supporters from several school districts and education groups waved in favor. Senators generally supported the goal of reducing administrative burdens, though one question was raised about remedies if charter schools fail to respond directly to Department of Education inquiries. The sponsor said the bill is intended to create a more direct reporting path and reduce unnecessary layers of regulation. SB 320 was reported favorably, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also requires pest control business licenses that perform fumigations to hold either a $1 million
• And once they leave the treatment facility, they're regulated as a fertilizer product by the Department
• And as far as looking at whether or not it's regulated, fertilizer is regulated; double A material will
• be treated as fertilizer and regulated as such.
• Class AA material will be treated as fertilizer and regulated as such.

Bills: S0290 , S0320

Committee: Senate Fiscal Policy

Keywords: agriculture, landscape equipment, gasoline-powered, ecologically significant parcels, local government regulations, educational efficiency, public schools, district school boards, budget transparency, school accountability, instructional personnel

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:30:20.480><c> that</c> as compost basically as fertilizer that as compost basically as fertilizer
• So it felt like fertilizer for fields.
• And we're not controlling it because we're not turning off the tap.
• </c> that from people by not not controlling that from people by not not controlling this<00:57:38.880
• 57:39.839><c> it</c> this and we're not controlling it this and we're not controlling it because<00:57

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• People who are deciding how to control their own fertility, whether to use IVF to create a family or
• People who are deciding how to control their own fertility, whether to use IVF to create a family or
• People who are deciding how to control their own fertility, whether to use IVF to create a family or
• People who are deciding how to control their own fertility, whether to use IVF to create a family or
• People who are deciding how to control their own fertility, whether to use IVF to create a family or

Transcript Highlights:

• One of them is doing things to help bend the cost curve and help control costs, and on the other side
• So I will go into more detail as far as what we've done to help control cost on slides five and six.
• But like I mentioned previously, our charge has always kind of been controlling cost and how do we get
• We're on to Bill Draft 120, related to public employee fertility health benefits. Thank you, Mr.
• This draft requires the PERS Board to provide coverage for the diagnosis of infertility and fertility

Committee: Joint Employee Benefits Programs Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Since the bill starts at a fertilized embryo, a fertilized egg, and goes up from there, wouldn't myself
• Because human life begins at fertilization, there are many fertilized human eggs on hand that have been
• ...and services when it's—we're just talking about a fertilized egg.
• She lost the fertilized embryo, and she doesn't want to pursue a case.
• They want women to have no control because it's the fertilized embryo who has the rights and not the

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The Judiciary Committee took up two bills. SB 98, by Senator Harrell, would let self-storage facilities advertise lien sales either in a newspaper or on a qualifying website, while keeping other notice requirements in place and updating contact information provisions. Supporters, including the Florida Press Association and several newspaper/storage owners, argued print and digital newspaper notices already provide broad public notice and that the bill could reduce notice effectiveness; the sponsor said the bill is an optional modernization and does not affect government notices. After debate, the committee voted 8-1 to report SB 98 favorably. The committee then heard SB 164, by Senator Grall, which expands Florida’s Wrongful Death Act to allow parents to recover civil damages for the death of an unborn child at any stage of development, with carve-outs for the mother and lawful medical care. The sponsor said the bill aligns civil law with Florida’s criminal protections for unborn children and gives families a remedy where current law may not. Opponents, including the ACLU of Florida, health care workers, and others, warned it could invite lawsuits against doctors, hospitals, friends, family members, and people involved in abortion access, and could worsen OB-GYN shortages and deter care. Supporters said it recognizes unborn life and should be treated consistently with existing wrongful death law. The committee approved SB 164 on a 4-3 vote and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Controlled substances to the Department of Justice, which can then oversee their proper disposal.
• We agree it's important to ensure that these controlled substances are managed...
• It's important to be clear that AB 2447 doesn't seek to prevent the use of these fertilizers.
• They are required to report how much nitrogen fertilizer... ...implemented.
• They are required to report how much nitrogen fertilizer they actually apply.

Committee: House Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials

Transcript Highlights:

• As a part of the project, the crane will receive new electronic power, new command controls, cab and
• </c><00:24:59.919><c> This</c> cons power supply, and controls.
• This cons power supply, and controls.
• </c> port there's only so much fertilizer port there's only so much fertilizer those<00:35:45.280><c>
• ><c> businesses,</c><00:35:56.320><c> but</c> growth for fertilizer businesses, but growth for fertilizer

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Transportation met on July 15, 2025, approved the June 4 minutes, and heard updates on aviation and riverport funding programs. Commissioner Mark Carter of the Kentucky Department of Aviation reported on the $200,000 grants for general aviation airports included in House Bill 1, saying the money is being used mainly for hangar projects, fuel trucks, parking lot resurfacing, airport equipment, crew cars, and public education efforts. He said about 25 hangar-related projects were reported, with an estimated 60 T-hangars and four or five box hangars supported, and noted that the grants are often used to match federal funds. He also said the state’s jet fuel tax revenue generates about $23 million annually, up from about $19 million in 2021, and that most airports are now compliant with the ADS-B/VOR-related reporting system required in budget language, which has improved reported operations and may help airports qualify for FAA grants. Members asked about the pace of airport projects, the limited number of contractors for hangar construction, and whether airports could finance hangars themselves. Carter said timing has generally been good, though federal projects have slowed somewhat and contractor capacity remains a challenge, and he said there is no statute preventing airports from financing part or all of a hangar project. Questions also focused on the long-term need for hangars and the effect of the jet fuel cap, with Carter saying general aviation airports still have significant hangar demand and rely on state assistance because hangars are a key revenue source. Jeremy Edgeworth of the Transportation Cabinet and Brian Wright of the Kentucky Association of Riverports then reviewed riverport projects funded through House Bill 265 and House Bill 1. Edgeworth said the cabinet’s riverport grant program awarded $500,000 in each of fiscal years 2025 and 2026 for 13 projects under an 80/20 match, and that House Bill 1 provided $7.5 million per year for public riverports with no local match. He described completed or underway projects at multiple ports, including equipment replacements, dock and road repairs, material handling upgrades, mooring cell rehabilitation, and a waterline loop at Owensboro. He said $12.6 million of the KPRCM funds had been awarded across 20 projects, with about $2.4 million still to be awarded later in the fall. Wright said the riverport investments are helping ports replace aging assets, expand capacity, and match federal dollars, but he also said the statewide capital need remains large, with the current list of top projects already in the $90 million range and longer-term needs still estimated at $60 million to $90 million. Members asked about timelines and future needs, and Edgeworth said many of the larger projects will take two to five years because of permitting and coordination with the Army Corps of Engineers. No additional votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair and members, Senate Bill 1347 requires a health insurer to provide coverage for standard fertility
• Supporting SB 1347 ensures that when doctors say fertility preservation is medically necessary because
• For many of us, we are forced to face the negative and potentially permanent impacts on our fertility
• Supporting fertility preservation is about protecting hope at a time of great personal vulnerability
• As difficult as cancer was, my deepest grief has been around the uncertainty of my fertility, and I would

Committee: Senate Senate Finance Committee of Reference

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee considered a lengthy agenda of bills covering consumer lending, insurance coverage, professional scope of practice, property tax administration, digital assets, and aviation tax policy. The committee first approved prior committee amendments, then heard SB 1689 on consumer loan thresholds and rates. After sponsor testimony that the bill modernizes outdated lending caps and lowers rates on larger loans, the committee adopted an amendment but the bill failed on a 3-1 vote, with Senator Epstein arguing the structure would shift costs onto smaller borrowers. The committee then passed several health-related measures. SB 1347, requiring insurance coverage for fertility preservation services for cancer patients, was amended and passed 4-2 after testimony from the sponsor and cancer survivors; Senator Epstein opposed the religious-employer definition. SB 1165, eliminating cost-sharing for diagnostic and supplemental breast exams, passed 5-1 after testimony from Senator Angus and Susan G. Komen, with supporters saying it would reduce barriers to follow-up screening. SB 1212, barring insurers from reimbursing providers differently based on vaccination status, also passed 4-2 despite concerns that it could undermine vaccination incentive programs. Other bills advanced or failed after similar debate. SB 1206, addressing contractor and public adjuster conduct after property losses, passed 5-1 with an amendment and support from State Farm. SB 1291, limiting county reassessment and inspections of agricultural property for four years after a successful appeal, passed 5-1 over assessor opposition and farm group support. SB 1649, creating a digital assets strategic reserve fund, passed 4-2 after debate over civil asset forfeiture and whether crypto should be treated as a strategic reserve. SB 1516, expanding an aviation-related tax exemption to aircraft maintenance and repair property, passed 4-1 amid sharp disagreement over whether it was economic development or a tax break for private jets. SB 1554, changing chiropractic statutory language from x-rays to diagnostic imaging, initially failed 3-3 but was reconsidered and later passed 3-2 after additional discussion about its practical effect.