Transcript Highlights:

• So the actual populations of the districts might be more balanced now than before.
• So that's simply just part of the balancing of all of the standards.
• But, Jason, trying to convince my mom to move down here so we can balance it out.
• So in that respect, they are balanced completely to the 2020 census data.
• There was no way to actually balance all of that.

Summary: The Committee on Rules met with a quorum present and took up a presentation from the Governor’s office on proposed congressional reapportionment. Executive Office of the Governor counsel Mo Jazeel argued that mid-cycle congressional redistricting is legally permissible, that race should not be used in drawing districts, and that the Florida Fair Districts provisions are inconsistent with federal equal protection principles and, in the executive branch’s view, are inseverable. Jason Parada then presented the proposed map, explaining that it was drawn using 2020 census block data, with county growth estimates used only as a guide, and that the plan was designed to be race-neutral while also considering compactness, county and municipal boundaries, and other traditional redistricting criteria. He said the map keeps 48 counties and 382 municipalities whole, has compactness scores comparable to the current map, and makes the largest changes in South Florida, with some districts remaining unchanged and others reconfigured around population shifts and geographic boundaries. Members questioned both presenters extensively about the legal basis for disregarding the Fair Districts Amendment, the use of partisan data, the absence of racial analysis, and whether the map truly reflects population growth. Jazeel said the executive branch’s position is that race-based provisions in the state constitution cannot be used if they conflict with the U.S. Constitution, and that the forthcoming U.S. Supreme Court decision in Louisiana v. Calais could further clarify the law. Parada said he did not use race in drawing the map, did use partisan information as one of several traditional criteria, and relied on 2020 census data for population equality. Senators also pressed him on who reviewed the map, why the public and legislators had limited time to review it, and whether the plan was intended to favor Republicans; Parada denied partisan intent and said he was the only person who moved lines on the map, though he consulted with other Executive Office of the Governor staff and counsel. Several senators raised concerns that the map did not clearly reflect Florida’s recent population growth, that some districts remained highly irregular, and that the plan appeared to be based on a legal theory contingent on future court rulings. The presenters responded that congressional districts must be equal to the person, that growth estimates can only guide orientation rather than replace census data, and that the map was designed to preserve as much of the existing structure as possible while making the largest adjustments in South Florida. No vote or final action on the map was taken during the excerpted portion of the meeting, and the committee continued with questions and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• And second, this isn't about pendulum swinging back to balance.
• Something has to be done, and I think that this brings balance.
• I think that the effort to bring balance to I think that the effort to bring balance, to slow down and
• And at some point, we have to find the balance. We have to find the balance.
• We have to find the balance.

Summary: The committee met to hear five banking and insurance-related bills. HB 1549, an Office of Financial Regulation agency bill to help more efficiently regulate financial institutions, was amended to match Senate companion language and then passed unanimously. HB 1231 would extend physician payment and prior-authorization protections similar to a prior dental law, including limits on virtual credit card payments as the sole payment method; physicians and medical groups supported it as a way to reduce fees and retroactive denials, while insurers were not heard in opposition, and the bill passed unanimously. The committee then heard HB 999, which would make gold and silver legal tender and allow transactions in bullion through electronic debit mechanisms. The sponsor and several proponents framed it as an inflation hedge and economic freedom measure, while questions focused on definitions, transaction costs, and vendor participation. The bill passed on a mostly party-line vote, with one member voting no. The committee also approved HM 4363, a memorial urging Congress to establish a sovereign wealth fund; the sponsor described it as a way to steward national wealth, and the memorial passed with one dissenting vote. Finally, the committee took up HB 1551, which would create a prevailing-party attorney fee framework in insurance contract disputes. The sponsor argued it would restore balance, deter meritless litigation, and help consumers with valid claims recover fees, while insurers, business groups, and defense attorneys warned it would revive one-way fee shifting, increase litigation, and raise premiums. Consumer advocates and some members supported it as necessary to give policyholders meaningful recourse. After debate, the bill passed favorably, with one member voting no.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that what you, is that your preferred balance?
• I definitely think we've gotten that balance wrong.
• Talking about balancing ambition and affordability is easy.
• We know this is a difficult balance that needs to be done.
• We know this is a difficult balance that needs to be done.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And there's a question about whether this strikes your preferred balance.
• Is that what you, is that your preferred balance?
• I definitely think we've gotten that balance wrong.
• Talking about balancing ambition and affordability, Talking about balancing ambition and affordability
• We know this is a difficult balance that needs to be done.

Summary: The joint hearing focused on CARB’s proposed April amendments to California’s cap-and-invest regulations, adopted under AB 1207 and SB 840. Committee members repeatedly framed the issue as a balance between climate ambition, affordability, leakage prevention, and the Legislature’s budget priorities. Several senators argued the proposal would weaken the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF), reduce funding for transit, affordable housing, drinking water, wildfire prevention, and other programs, and potentially undermine the Legislature’s intent in last year’s reauthorization. Others emphasized that the program’s core purpose is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and that any changes should preserve the cap’s integrity and the state’s climate targets. CARB Chair Lauren Sanchez said the amendments were designed to implement legislative direction while responding to public comment and economic uncertainty. She described four main changes: increasing electric bill credits, expanding the manufacturing decarbonization incentive (MDI) to $4 billion, adding about $800 million in additional compliance support for industry, and removing post-2030 allowance allocations from the current rulemaking. CARB said the proposal would still maintain declining caps aligned with 2030 and 2045 targets, provide near-term affordability relief, and support businesses and jobs while reducing emissions. In response to questions, CARB said the MDI has guardrails, is limited to emissions-reducing projects, and would require reporting and repayment if projects do not materialize. The Legislative Analyst’s Office said the amendments are significant and could affect several legislative priorities. LAO highlighted that the MDI would add allowances above the cap, creating uncertainty about environmental ambition and 2030 compliance, while also shifting more allowances to industry and fewer to the GGRF. LAO said the proposal could significantly reduce GGRF revenues and noted that, if revenues fall to CARB’s estimated level, some tiered programs could go unfunded. The Department of Finance explained that GGRF revenue estimates are updated three times a year and are difficult to predict because they depend on auction outcomes and market conditions. Senators pressed both agencies on whether the proposal would raise consumer costs, whether industry savings would be passed through, and whether the Legislature should receive updated revenue estimates before voting on the budget.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:21:59.679><c> of</c> legislation and reserve the balance of legislation and reserve the balance
• </c> reserve the balance of my time. reserve the balance of my time.
• And I yield back the balance of my time.
• </c> I yield back the balance of my time. I yield back the balance of my time.
• I yield back the balance wholeheartedly.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Friday, March 27, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• carry-in balance at the beginning of the year.
• I'm okay that we have to balance the budget.
• And in the end, we do that with a balanced budget.
• What has to be sacrificed to balance the budget?
• for a balanced budget.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee heard opening remarks on the Governor’s 2026-27 budget, which the Department of Finance described as balanced in the budget year but still facing out-year structural deficits of more than $20 billion. Chair Laird emphasized the budget’s $23 billion in reserves and said the state must work with the Legislature and administration to address long-term fiscal stability. Vice Chair Niello argued the revenue forecast was overly optimistic, called the structural deficit alarming, and criticized the lack of a full January proposal on some major issues, including Proposition 36 and the state’s $20 billion unemployment insurance debt. The Department of Finance presented the budget’s main features: about $350 billion in total spending, roughly $250 billion General Fund, a projected $2.9 billion budget-year deficit, and $42 billion in higher revenues driven largely by stock market gains and capital gains-related tax receipts. Finance said the budget relies on constitutional obligations such as Proposition 98 and the rainy day fund, maintains strong reserves, and is a “workload” budget with few new programs or cuts. It also highlighted higher education funding, climate investments including wildfire resilience and a new zero-emission vehicle incentive, health and human services costs tied to federal HR1 changes, child care funding, and three tax proposals involving marketplace facilitators, renewable aviation fuel, and an extension of the California Competes tax credit. The Legislative Analyst’s Office focused on risks to the budget, especially downside risk in the revenue forecast and the state’s chronic multi-year deficits. The LAO said its revenue estimate is about $30 billion below the administration’s because it is more cautious about the stock market and AI-driven gains, and it recommended using the LAO revenue forecast, rejecting the proposed suspension of the rainy day fund deposit, and setting aside the proposed Proposition 98 settle-up in reserve rather than spending it. The LAO also urged the Legislature to begin addressing the structural deficit now rather than waiting until the May Revision, warning that delaying could force rushed decisions later. Members raised concerns about health care cuts, HR1 impacts, CalFresh and Medi-Cal eligibility changes, county administrative burdens, the MCO tax extension, wildfire funding, the Olympics and Exposition Park, courthouse maintenance, and worker displacement from refinery closures and AI. Finance said it would begin discussions with legislative leadership before the May Revision and acknowledged that federal funding losses could not simply be backfilled, though it said it was working with counties and federal agencies on implementation details. No votes or formal actions were taken; the hearing consisted of presentations and member questioning.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm proud to be carrying this budget bill, which takes responsible steps to balance our financial aid
• We've allowed any balance to remain available until fiscal year 29 to mitigate the impact of potential
• of 25 million uh at the end of a balance of 25 million uh at the end of fiscal<00:01:07.439><c> year
• </c><00:01:11.280><c> until</c><00:01:12.000><c> uh</c> balance to remain available until uh balance
• that they can maintain that balance and that they can maintain that balance and carry<00:41:44.079><c

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:04:40.040><c> I</c> growing balance their local budgets.
• I growing balance their local budgets.
• So, I do want to strike that balance.
• And we just haven't had time to look at the system and say, what is the fair balance?
• We don't know balance?

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I yield back the balance of my time.
• </c> support HR 872 and I reserve the balance support HR 872 and I reserve the balance of<03:55:57.199
• </c> legislation and I yield back the balance legislation and I yield back the balance of<04:14:10.399
• I reserve the balance of my time.
• </c> Safety legislation I reserve the balance Safety legislation I reserve the balance of<04:18:26.720

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, March 3, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, any CBC that has, you've heard the term, carry forward balance, that they're allowed to
• So first, we want to use your current balance.
• Right now, most of that balance is related to Level 1 and to child care.
• So we're taking those surplus balances of like $35 million, $36 million, that's here, and applying it
• due to census growths, has created in level one in childcare surplus balances due to census growths

Bills: S0042, S0578, S0624, S7018

Keywords: child protection, medical records, investigation, abuse, neglect, healthcare, Child Protection Team, diagnosis, Alzheimer's disease, Alzheimers, dementia, related dementias, brain health, early detection, caregiver support, elderly affairs, Department of Elderly Affairs, Department of Health, public health outreach, memory loss

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first heard SB 624, which would codify DCF’s current practice of allowing batterers intervention programs to offer supplemental faith-based activities so long as participation is voluntary. The bill drew support from faith-based and family organizations, which argued it would restore access to effective rehabilitation options and remove discriminatory barriers. SB 624 was reported favorably after a roll call vote. The committee then heard SB 42, which would require child protective investigators and child protection teams to rely on qualified medical professionals when a child has a documented pre-existing diagnosis or when a parent requests an exam, and would require clearer notice to parents and custodians at the start of an investigation. Testimony overwhelmingly came from parents, advocates, and disability rights representatives describing cases in which medically complex children were allegedly misdiagnosed as abuse victims and families were separated unnecessarily. Members expressed sympathy and support, and SB 42 was reported favorably. Next, the committee considered CS/SB 578, creating an Alzheimer’s disease awareness initiative within the Department of Elder Affairs to promote early detection, brain health education, research updates, and clinical trial awareness, with outreach focused on older adults and at-risk populations. An amendment was adopted to place the campaign within the Alzheimer’s Disease Initiative. A caregiver testified about the need for public education and early diagnosis, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee also took up SPB 7018, a committee bill on child welfare that would extend the definition of “visitor” for foster homes to reduce repeated background checks, make the Step Into Success foster youth workforce pilot permanent and statewide, and create a program through the Florida Institute for Child Welfare to catalog best practices among community-based care lead agencies. The bill was approved as a committee bill and reported favorably. Finally, the Department of Children and Families presented its 2025-26 final funding methodology and rates report for community-based care. Members questioned the proposed tiered model, including insurance costs, risk corridors, prevention funding, performance measures, and regional funding disparities. No vote was taken on the presentation, but members discussed the possible need for follow-up legislation and additional stakeholder input.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a balance.
• We're trying to balance that scale.
• And so I would just say, you know, balance the scales appropriately.
• Representative Rayner continued: "...we have to balance that with justice, right?
• So we really have to balance that.

Summary: The subcommittee first heard HB 6507, a claims bill for Marcus Button, who suffered severe permanent injuries in a 2006 school bus crash. Representative Andrade explained that a jury awarded Button more than $2 million in 2009, but only a small amount was paid under sovereign immunity limits. He said Pasco County later reached a settlement with Button, but believed it lacked legal authority to pay without legislative approval. The bill would give the county that authority. There was no opposition testimony, and the bill passed unanimously, 18-0. The committee then took up HB 301, which would substantially revise Florida’s sovereign immunity framework. Representative McFarland said the bill would raise liability caps for state and local governments from $200,000/$300,000 to $1 million/$3 million, with a later increase in 2030, align statutes of limitations with private suits, allow governments to settle above the caps without a claims bill, and prevent insurance policies from conditioning payment on legislative approval. She framed the bill as a way to reduce the need for the claims bill process and provide faster redress to injured people. Testimony on HB 301 was sharply divided. Local governments, school districts, counties, cities, hospital groups, and insurance representatives opposed the bill, arguing the higher caps would sharply increase insurance and taxpayer costs, especially for small or fiscally constrained entities, and that the claims bill process and special masters provide useful review and leverage. Supporters, including the Florida Justice Association and several members, argued the current system is too slow and political, leaves seriously injured people waiting years for compensation, and should be modernized to better hold government accountable. No vote was taken on HB 301 in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So OSPI ideally would like schools to have an 8% fund balance.
• So OSPI ideally would like schools to have an 8% fund balance.
• You've got an ending fund balance. It's a one-time issue...
• It's going to take a hit to your ending fund balance. That's explainable.
• And I think a minimum fund balance or some type of fund balance threshold would definitely be one of

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: The House Education Committee heard testimony on several Senate bills. Substitute Senate Bill 6222 would let school districts and educational service districts sell or grant surplus technology hardware, such as laptops and tablets, directly to public school students, with priority for students from low-income families. Staff and the prime sponsor said the bill is meant to reduce waste and help students keep devices they already use for school and for postsecondary or job access. Testifiers from Zero Waste Washington and the Issaquah School District supported the measure, and the committee noted a request for side-by-side language differences between the House and Senate versions before executive action. The committee also heard Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6247 on school district financial management. The bill would expand ESD oversight and support for districts showing financial distress, require new financial training for school directors, strengthen penalties for knowing budget violations, and require hiring disclosures for budget and accounting positions. Senator Dozier said the bill responds to multiple districts facing declining fund balances, failed levies, and rising costs. ESD, WSSDA, WASA, WOSBO, and OSPI testified, generally supporting stronger financial training and early intervention, while raising questions about funding, who should provide the training, and how oversight should be structured. Members also asked for a comparison with House Bill 2593, a related bill on district financial monitoring. Finally, the committee heard Second Substitute Senate Bill 5969, which would better integrate individualized education program transition plans with the statewide online IEP system and the universal online high school and beyond plan platform to reduce duplication. Staff explained the bill as a technical alignment measure for special education transition planning. The chair asked about the fiscal note and whether IEP transition plans are required under IDEA, and staff said they would follow up. The committee also heard brief public testimony on the bill, then closed public hearings and announced upcoming executive session deadlines and meeting times.

Transcript Highlights:

• On page 3, you'll see our general fund financial summary, which is our state balance sheet.
• It usually has a pretty low balance. It's high right now, higher than it has been.
• So, some of that is contributing to higher balances that are kind of on a treadmill.
• The treasurer can choose that balance based On what they think the cash needs will be.
• They can't exceed 20% of the balance of the fund at the time of the approval.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, there has to be some sort of balancing there.
• And the governor of balancing there.
• balance, and it's going from 1.1 to 800.
• </c><01:04:49.440><c> the</c><01:04:49.680><c> balance</c> budget last year in the ENT. the balance budget
• </c> surpassed a billion now or the balance surpassed a billion now or the balance I'll<01:05:06.799>

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• large carry-in balance at the beginning of the year.
• I'm okay that we have to balance the budget.
• I mean, when you don't overspend, that's a balance.
• What has to be sacrificed to balance the budget?
• for a balanced budget.

Summary: The Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee heard opening remarks on the Governor’s 2026-27 budget and presentations from the Department of Finance and the Legislative Analyst’s Office. Chair Laird described the proposal as roughly balanced with $23 billion in reserves, while Vice Chair Niello argued the revenue estimates were overly optimistic and warned of a structural deficit, calling for a deeper review of programs and concern over the state’s $20 billion unemployment insurance debt. Finance said the budget is balanced in the budget year but still leaves a roughly $2.9 billion deficit, with out-year gaps above $20 billion, and characterized the plan as largely a workload budget with limited new spending or cuts. The LAO said its office sees substantial downside risk to the revenue forecast, emphasized the volatility of stock-market-driven revenues, and urged the Legislature to begin addressing the structural deficit now rather than waiting until May. Members focused on the implications of federal policy changes, Medi-Cal, CalFresh, and the MCO tax, as well as the state’s reserve strategy. Senators Menjivar and Richardson raised concerns about health coverage reductions, county costs, hospital finances, and the lack of a broader revenue solution, while Finance said the state cannot fully backfill federal cuts and is still assessing the impacts. The LAO recommended rejecting the proposal to suspend the rainy day fund deposit and setting aside the proposed Proposition 98 settle-up rather than using it for spending. Finance defended both proposals as necessary to balance the budget year and said it plans to begin discussions with legislative leaders before the May Revision. The committee also discussed climate and transportation funding, including cap-and-trade/GGRF allocations for Cal Fire, interest earnings from the fund, zero-emission vehicle incentives, and AB 617 air quality investments. Senator Reyes questioned the focus on light-duty ZEV incentives instead of heavy-duty vehicles, and Finance said the proposal is intended to partially replace the federal consumer tax credit and that some heavy-duty funding remains from prior years. Senator Richardson also raised concerns about Olympics-related infrastructure, courthouse repairs, and displaced workers, while other members stressed homelessness funding and the need for more immediate action on out-year budget problems. No formal votes or actions were taken during the portion provided; the hearing was informational and moved into member questions after the presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because we're trying to balance things in our own minds and have conversations with our constituents
• And as senators, we set forth to do that and to say, okay, how do we balance this then?
• forward from 2022, and the balance available in 2024.
• This is about responsibility, balancing those responsibilities. And although I appreciate the cost.
• Balancing of those responsibilities, and although I appreciate the call to kind of relitigate what we

Summary: The Senate took up several local and special bills on third reading and final passage. It amended and passed to be engrossed Senate 1831, a Rutland bill providing killed-in-the-line-of-duty benefits for Joanne Saundi as the surviving spouse of Detective John DeSongy, and also passed to be engrossed two Haverhill bills exempting Nick Santos and Anthony Morales from the maximum age requirement for police officer appointments. The chamber then enacted bills concerning police age requirements in Newton and Stonem, sending them to the Governor. It also adopted two congratulatory resolutions, including one for the Florence Community Band’s 25th anniversary and another recognizing the Italian Consulate in Boston and Italian National Day. The Senate suspended Joint Rule 12 to refer a House petition from Rep. Carol Fiola to the Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies, proposing a temporary pilot to let municipalities extend liquor-license hours and allow public consumption in designated districts during summer 2026. The chamber also addressed House 5501, the fiscal year 2027 state budget, after the House nonconcurred in a Senate amendment; the Senate insisted on its amendment and appointed a conference committee, naming Senators Rodrigues, Comerford, and O’Connor. A major floor debate centered on Senate 3104, a resolution responding to the Supreme Judicial Court’s May 7, 2026 order regarding the State Auditor’s request for Senate financial records. Supporters said the resolution would provide documents in four clarified categories—budgets, audits, balance-forward transactions, and monetary settlement agreements—while preserving constitutional separation-of-powers objections to broader requests. Opponents argued the Senate should have sought the court’s guidance earlier and that the documents should be produced without further delay. The resolution was adopted on a roll call vote, 33-6. The Senate then adjourned in memory of William F. Howard of Beverly and set its next meeting for Monday at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the ending balance in fiscal year 29.
• Ending fund balance was 0.7 billion, so around $700 million.
• In this case, that actually helped the balance.
• In this case, the balance improved. So it was about $1.1 billion.
• So row one, this is just the near general fund beginning balance.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee held a work session covering the state revenue outlook, caseload forecasts, wildfire costs, budget balance, tort liability, water supply, and pension policy. The Economic and Revenue Forecast Council reported modest near-term U.S. growth, no near-term Washington employment growth in 2026, continued personal income growth, and elevated inflation, with tariffs and federal policy cited as major risks. Revenue forecasts were slightly improved for the current biennium by about $105 million but down about $185 million for the next biennium. Members asked about income inequality and housing permits; staff said personal income is an aggregate measure and housing production remains below long-term needs. The Caseload Forecast Council then reported that most forecasts were unchanged or only slightly changed, but several programs increased, including Washington College Grant, Working Connections, aged/blind/disabled cash grants, nursing homes, home and community services, and developmental disabilities personal care. The largest policy-driven change was in Medicaid low-income adult caseloads, where federal H.R. 1 was projected to reduce coverage substantially through narrower eligibility, community engagement requirements, and shorter eligibility periods. The committee also heard a wildfire funding update and a 2025 fire season review. Staff explained that the state budgets $93 million annually for suppression and uses supplemental appropriations for costs above that level, with an estimated state supplemental need of about $139 million for the current year. Department of Natural Resources officials said 2025 fire activity remained below the 10-year average in acres burned, but fires were more complex and closer to communities, contributing to higher residence loss. They described expanded use of aircraft, firefighters from other states, corrections crews, and the Arcadia 20 hand crew, and said the state did not need National Guard ground support this year. A budget preview then showed that the near general fund outlook had worsened after vetoes, lapses, and forecast changes, and that maintenance-level costs alone would leave a projected negative balance by fiscal year 2027 and about $4.3 billion by fiscal year 2029, before any policy decisions. Jason Seams, the state risk manager, reported a sharp rise in tort claim costs, with indemnity expenses nearly doubling from fiscal year 2023 to 2025 and DCYF accounting for most of the increase. He said the state self-insurance liability account has run deficits for four straight biennia and is now facing nearly $600 million in deficits, driven largely by a surge in DCYF claims, especially juvenile rehabilitation and long-running sex abuse cases. Members asked about the role of old claims, comparisons with other states, excess insurance, and whether more Attorney General staff could reduce special assistant attorney general costs. The committee then shifted to water policy, hearing from tribal leaders, Ecology, and the Washington Water Trust. Tribal witnesses emphasized overappropriation, declining flows, climate impacts, and the need for legislative oversight and tribal participation in water policy. Ecology described major projects in the Odessa sub-area, Yakima Basin, and Dungeness, along with the need for storage, recharge, conservation, and policy changes to support water supply development. The Washington Water Trust argued that climate change is reducing summer flows and that the state needs more funding, enforcement, and long-term commitment to restore instream flows. The final item was a pension update on LEOFF 1 surplus assets; staff reviewed two 2025 bills that would have merged or restructured the plan and used surplus assets, but neither passed, and instead the budget directed the Select Committee on Pension Policy to study the issue and report back.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><02:55:02.319><c> forward</c> not to carry a negative balance forward not to carry a negative balance
• So the House is a balanced budget, and that's the purpose of this surplus statement: to show a balanced
• </c><03:19:38.239><c> of</c> uh resulting in a negative balance of uh resulting in a negative balance
• ><c> about</c><03:19:52.880><c> 11.3</c> ending balance estimated about 11.3 ending balance estimated
• </c> million26 resulting in an ending balance million26 resulting in an ending balance uh<03:20:33.920

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to share the current transactions to AFERS monthly, but the rest of the university sent only some balance
• Income statement activity and most balance sheet activity will all be included, and excluded will, again
• We used to provide annual balance sheet updates, but with our implementation of Workday, which we've
• We're one of the schools that sends balance information annually. We would like to move to monthly.
• We're one of the schools that sends balance information annually. We would like to move to monthly.

Summary: The Joint Higher Education Committee met for a work session on higher education accounting practices and financial transparency. OFM Deputy Director Sarah Rupp explained how state accounting rules and higher education reporting differ, including what data is captured in AFRS today and what will move into Workday, with universities generally reporting summary-level fund data, mandatory codes, and most balance sheet and income statement activity, but not transaction-level detail or vendor payment information. Representatives from the University of Washington and Washington State University described the complexity of their own accounting systems, the many entities and business lines they must track for audits and compliance, and the need to reconcile university-level accrual accounting with state reporting requirements. The committee also heard from the Education Research and Data Center on the public four-year finance dashboard created under Senate Bill 5512; ERDC said the dashboard is based on publicly available data, is best used to examine institutions individually rather than compare them directly, and will be updated with additional metrics in 2025 and 2026. The committee then received a presentation from the Washington Student Achievement Council on the Workforce Education Investment Account (WIA). Joel Anderson reviewed WIA’s creation under House Bill 2158, its revenue sources, and its intended uses for higher education, financial aid, and workforce development. He said recent legislation significantly increased WIA revenues and that, in the 2025–27 budget, the account is being used in new ways, including to replace general fund support for University of Washington operations and to fund a larger share of the Washington College Grant and some faculty compensation costs. Anderson said roughly 98% of current WIA appropriations go to higher education, but the share used to supplant other higher education funding has grown, and he estimated about 60% to 70% of current spending still aligns with the account’s original intent. He also described a new effort to track WIA appropriations across biennia in more detail and noted the WIA Oversight Board’s role in recommending uses of the account and monitoring outcomes. No votes were taken; the committee ended by moving into executive session for staffing issues and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Doctors cannot balance those two things.
• Lobbyists claim caps create balance.
• Caps create balance.
• So how do we balance that? You can balance two things.
• You can have a situation of making sure... ...balance that? You can balance two things.

Summary: The Civil Justice and Claims Subcommittee considered one bill, HB 603, which would repeal section 768.21(8), the Florida medical negligence wrongful death exception often referred to by supporters as the “Free Kill” law. The sponsor argued the current statute unfairly bars certain families—especially adult children or parents of unmarried adults without minor children—from recovering non-economic damages when a loved one dies from medical negligence, while such damages are available in other wrongful death cases. Supporters, including family members, AARP, and some legal advocates, testified that the law is discriminatory and denies equal access to justice for grieving families and vulnerable adults. Opponents, including physicians, hospital and insurer representatives, and business groups, argued that repeal would increase malpractice exposure, raise premiums, worsen access to care, and accelerate physician retirements or departures from Florida. Several urged that if the bill moves forward, it should be paired with caps on non-economic damages to balance the impact on the health care system. Supporters countered that negligence must still be proven, that the law creates unequal treatment, and that existing tort reforms have not lowered premiums. The sponsor closed by rejecting claims that the bill is “jackpot justice” and emphasizing that families deserve court access and accountability. After debate, the committee voted on HB 603 and passed it 16-2. The meeting then adjourned.