Transcript Highlights:

• It was a great deal of work and it required a lot of processes to be changed.
• It is more, I think, more resource-heavy, which we still sometimes struggle with. It needs more.
• It needs a lot of magistrates. It may need some more case managers.
• It can always be improved.
• It was good. Got all the information out there. Thank you. Appreciate it.

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met with a quorum present and heard several Office of the State Courts Administrator presentations. Judge Mark Mahan discussed the impact of 2023’s HB 837 litigation reforms on court operations, explaining that the law’s changes to comparative negligence, filing deadlines, collateral source evidence, premises liability, bad faith claims, attorney’s fees, and offer-of-judgment rules triggered a major March 2023 civil filing surge. He described how filings tripled statewide, with especially large increases in auto negligence and premises liability cases, and outlined how circuits responded through active case management, added resources, and workflow changes. Members asked whether the bill’s immediate effective date contributed to the surge and whether clearance rates would normalize over time; Judge Mahan said the court system viewed its response as a success and expected rates to settle as the backlog is worked through. The committee then received a presentation on problem-solving courts from Jennifer Grandal and Judge Nina Richardson. Grandal reviewed Florida’s drug courts, mental health courts, veterans courts, dependency and early childhood courts, noting statewide best-practice standards, annual reporting requirements, funding sources, and data collection systems. Judge Richardson gave a local perspective on treatment courts, emphasizing that they address underlying mental health and substance use issues, rely on judicial supervision and sanctions as well as incentives, and help participants achieve recovery and avoid reoffending. She said the programs are accountable, transparent, and effective, and thanked the Legislature for continued support. Finally, Judge Rachel Nordby and Eric McClure outlined the judicial branch’s legislative agenda. Nordby summarized the Supreme Court workgroup’s recommendations to expand Florida’s vexatious litigant law, including broader coverage, fewer qualifying adverse cases, a longer lookback period, and a public records exemption for stricken defamatory or sham material. McClure then highlighted additional agenda items: modernizing the duty-judge statute, expanding senior management retirement eligibility, authorizing additional judgeships based on workload studies, removing the statutory cap on court-ordered nonbinding arbitration compensation, protecting appellate clerks’ personal information, allowing alternative authentication for certain judicial notarizations, and creating a hearsay exception for guardian ad litem reports and testimony. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after member introductions and staff introductions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Would it?
• That's how you want to show it.
• Appreciate it. Thank you. Members, any questions? Thank you so much. Appreciate it.
• Appreciate it. Thank you.
• Yes, sir, it is. Please proceed.

Bills: HB16, HB16, HB1618, HB2692, HB2712, HB2970, HB3609, HB3628

Keywords: judicial administration, court reform, juvenile diversion, court security, mental health services, drug offenses, constitutional amendments, water infrastructure, Texas Water Development Board, financial assistance, water supply projects, rural municipalities, water access assessment, aquifer storage, Edwards Aquifer, water injection, environmental regulations, groundwater management, San Antonio River, pollution control

Transcript Highlights:

• I appreciate it.
• I would definitely consider it.
• I implore you to support this bill and its companion bill when it comes back. Thank you.
• I implore you to support this bill and its companion bill when it comes back. Thank you.
• It is a proven one.

Summary: The Postsecondary Education & Workforce Committee held courtesy hearings on three bills before moving to executive session. House Bill 2443 would create an Armed Forces Reserve post-secondary education grant for members of the Armed Forces Reserve and their spouses or dependents, with repayment required unless the reservist serves one year for each year of benefit received. The prime sponsor said the bill is intended to extend educational support similar to what Washington National Guard members already receive. Testimony was generally supportive, emphasizing military readiness, recruitment, and fairness to reservists; one clarification was made that the bill applies to Armed Forces Reserve members broadly, not just the Army Reserve. House Bill 2567 would restore Washington College Grant and College Bound Scholarship award amounts for students attending four-year private, not-for-profit institutions. The sponsor and many students, school leaders, and private college representatives argued the 2025 cuts were inequitable, harmed low-income and first-generation students, and limited student choice. Supporters said the state’s dedicated financial aid account has grown and that the cuts disproportionately affected students at private institutions. Opponents, including representatives from public universities, argued state dollars should prioritize public institutions and questioned whether aid should be shifted away from state schools. Testimony was mixed but heavily pro, with sign-ins reported at 1,584 total, including 1,572 in support. House Bill 2498 would change nursing education oversight by limiting the Board of Nursing’s authority where programs are nationally accredited and by expediting approval for new programs. The sponsor and several community college leaders said the bill would reduce unnecessary barriers, speed program expansion, and help address the nursing shortage, especially in rural areas. The Board of Nursing, nursing educators, employers, and professional associations opposed the bill, arguing that state oversight is needed for public safety, Washington-specific workforce needs, and consistent standards, and that the board is already revising its rules through an open process. The committee then took executive action on two other bills: it passed Second Substitute House Bill 2363, allowing supervised music therapy practice for up to six months while exam results are verified, with an amendment delaying implementation to January 1, 2028; and it passed Substitute House Bill 2422, shifting private security guard license fees from applicants to employers and delaying implementation to November 1, 2026, by a 9-7 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• It feels like each year we kind of try to reinvent the wheel with it, and I think that's in part... .
• It just happens to not be any of us here. It is a very good program, though.
• Our proposal is to start fixing it.
• Our proposal is to start fixing it.
• So it is true.

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on House Bill 2070, which would create state funding parity for Western Washington University by tying appropriations to a per-student funding ratio. The prime sponsor and Western officials said Western has long been the lowest-funded public four-year institution on a per-student basis, leading to budget cuts, reduced student services, and delayed graduation. Students, faculty, and university leaders testified in support, while some members questioned whether the bill should instead address a broader higher-education funding formula for all institutions. Central Washington University also supported the bill but suggested a broader approach. No vote was taken on HB 2070. The committee then heard House Bill 2671, which would expand eligibility for state financial aid to certain nonprofit out-of-state branch campuses operating in Washington if they meet specified accreditation, duration, and authorization requirements. Rep. Timmons said the bill is intended to help students in an accelerated nursing program at Northeastern University in Seattle access aid and support workforce needs. Northeastern’s dean testified in support, saying the bill would align financial aid law with prior changes to degree-granting statutes and would not increase state spending. The hearing on HB 2671 was then closed. House Bill 2617, dealing with the higher-education “fund split,” drew extensive testimony. The bill would gradually shift more of employee compensation increases and central services costs to state funding, and would require a study of essential student services. The sponsor and many university, faculty, staff, and student witnesses argued that the current funding practice shifts costs to tuition, contributes to layoffs, program cuts, larger classes, and reduced student support, and creates instability across public higher education. Community and technical college representatives also said underfunding COLAs harms operations and students. The committee then moved to executive session on Senate Bill 6258, which would authorize the Washington Medical Commission to create a non-disciplinary pathway for voluntary license relinquishment; the committee approved it 14-0 with a due-pass recommendation, with three members excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't know, but maybe it was more acceptable and it wasn't as stigmatized.
• Is it time-limited? Is it ongoing? Is this a question for me? Yes, please. Yeah.
• We're glad to hear it. Go right ahead.
• But it gets really messy, really fast, and this bill does not distinguish in a way that would make it
• And I'll note with this proposed substitute, it would remove any cost for the PEP program, so it would

Summary: The Senate Health and Long-Term Care Committee met on January 27 and heard extensive public testimony on several bills before moving into executive session. Senate Bill 5921 would create a Department of Health medical psilocybin program for adults with qualifying conditions, with licensed producers and clinician participation requirements, training, background checks, and program standards. Supporters, including the sponsor and many clinicians, veterans, first responders, and patients, described psilocybin as promising for treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, trauma, and end-of-life anxiety, while opponents and some medical groups raised concerns about missing safeguards, contraindications, monitoring, cost, and the bill’s narrow medical model. Testimony was split sharply, with many also urging broader decriminalization or community-use protections. The committee later heard Senate Bill 6115, which would have the Department of Health contract for age-appropriate cancer education for grades 6-12; supporters from Cancer Pathways, educators, and families said it would improve prevention and risk awareness, while the bill drew substantial opposition in sign-in counts, and the hearing was ultimately closed without action that day. The committee also heard Senate Bill 5185, a pilot pathway for international medical graduates to obtain full unrestricted primary care licensure after supervised clinical practice, completion of exam and competency requirements, and annual reporting. The sponsor, Washington Medical Association, the Medical Commission, and IMG advocates said the proposal would expand access to primary care while maintaining patient safety, and the bill received supportive testimony. In executive session, the committee adopted proposed substitutes and advanced Senate Bill 5916 on non-opioid pain drugs, Senate Bill 5985 on endometriosis, Senate Bill 6019 on home care rate statutes, Senate Bill 6161 on dementia information, and Senate Bill 6183 on HIV antiviral drug coverage. For Senate Bill 5981 on the 340B drug pricing program, the committee adopted an amendment adding reporting and transparency requirements before moving the bill forward. The committee then adjourned, and the remaining hearing items were rescheduled for a later date.

Transcript Highlights:

• Does it make Vermont more affordable? And does it protect our most vulnerable?
• And if it doesn't satisfy at least one of the three, it doesn't move forward.
• Does it grow the economy? themselves. Does it grow the economy?
• It affects all of us.
• It was a mistake. [applause] It was a mistake and we need to change course.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It took an hour to do it and didn't cost the consumers anything.
• State loves to start to do its own computer systems, and this computer system was sold on the basis it
• State loves to start to do its own computer systems, and this computer system was sold on the basis it
• So go for it. Good afternoon.
• So go for it. Good afternoon.

Summary: The committee held a public hearing and briefing on several bills, with House Bill 2441, House Bill 2159, House Bill 2521, House Bill 2531, House Bill 2543, and House Bill 1607 discussed in that order after agenda changes. HB 2441 would expand reimbursement from the LEO retirement fund for survivors of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty, covering Medicare Parts A and B premiums and retroactive health insurance premiums during the period before a death is officially determined to be work-related. Staff described a relatively small number of affected survivors and modest actuarial impacts, and the prime sponsor spoke emotionally in support. A representative from the L&I Board also testified that the board had studied the issue and endorsed the bill. HB 2159 would create the Pre-K Promise Account to receive philanthropic funds for ECEAP expansion. Staff explained ECEAP eligibility and the proposed non-appropriated account structure, noting Governor Ferguson’s budget included $34.5 million in non-appropriated authority for about 2,000 new school-day slots. Testimony was strongly supportive from Ballmer Group, DCYF, Head Start/ECEAP advocates, a Yakima provider, and the governor’s office, all emphasizing the public-private partnership, expanded access, and support for children furthest from opportunity. HB 2521 would remove the $18 cap on the State Patrol’s firearm background check fee and allow the fee to be set to cover total program costs. Staff said the fee could rise to about $33 per check based on current costs, and the State Patrol testified that the cap no longer matches actual expenses and threatens staffing and service levels. One member of the public opposed the bill, arguing the state system should be scrapped or capped and that consumers would face higher costs. HB 2531 would freeze the ambulance quality assurance fee at its July 4, 2025 level to comply with federal law and adjust Medicaid add-on payments accordingly; the Washington Ambulance Association strongly supported it as essential to preserving federal matching funds and improving wages and benefits. HB 2543 would update county clerk fees and modernize outdated references, with county officials supporting the changes as necessary to reflect current electronic-record practices. HB 1607, the Recycling Refund Act, drew the most extensive testimony. Staff described a 10-cent refund system for covered beverage containers, a producer responsibility organization, Ecology oversight, and fiscal impacts tied to program administration and lost tax revenue. Supporters, including environmental groups, youth advocates, Seattle Public Utilities, and some industry voices, argued the bill would reduce litter, increase recycling rates, support reuse systems, and complement the existing recycling reform law. Opponents from recycling haulers, grocers, beverage interests, counties, and solid waste providers argued it would function like a tax, raise consumer and retailer costs, duplicate or undermine curbside recycling and EPR, and create siting and implementation problems. No votes were taken on the bills in this transcript; the hearing concluded with public testimony and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• it to be the public policy of this Commonwealth to ensure the right of its citizens to have notice of
• its argument on the word or and held that the procedural matter, The court hinged its argument on the
• takes it away from them.
• I'm not saying we shouldn't do it, but this bill We do not have to do it.
• Until Penn State demonstrates that it is putting students, taxpayers, and its Commonwealth mission ahead

Keywords: Scheduler, 973, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's no penalty; it just says you can't do it.
• It also makes it available for anyone who wanted to do it to put themselves under, with certain circumstances
• If your company wanted to keep it that way, they could keep it that way. It was written to be...
• It looks like to me that it kind...
• They don't have resources, so it just expands what it allows and puts it under that governing body so

Bills: HB68, HB140, HB168

Keywords: foreign investment, agriculture, property rights, critical infrastructure, sanctions, HB140, private sewer systems, wastewater utilities, Public Service Commission, PSC jurisdiction, utility regulation, rate setting, rate consolidation, affiliated systems, common ownership, private utilities, sewer rates, wastewater management, Alabama utilities, Jefferson County Board of Health

Transcript Highlights:

• It will modernize the way Florida purchases, manages and oversees our major IT projects and programs,
• procurement threshold of IT. acquisition so in the standard categories anything that's specific to IT
• it.
• I think it is good.
• Continue to engage on it.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was deeded to the Grange in 1909.
• I'm just saying that it would be nice if it was changed that it became effective January 1st of 2027.
• Got it. So when we're done at the end of the year, we can prepare for it properly. Okay, got it.
• But I do support it. I do support it. It's a timing that doesn't work. Okay, got it.
• But I do support it. I do support it. I just, it's a timing that doesn't work. Okay. Sounds good.

Summary: House Finance held public hearings on two Senate bills. On Senate Bill 5252, staff explained that the bill would remove the one-acre limit on a property tax exemption for nonprofit public assembly halls, beginning with property taxes due in 2027. Staff said the fiscal impact would be minimal, with no loss to the state levy and only a small local property tax shift, though the Department of Revenue anticipates a one-time administrative cost. Senator Shoemaker and a grange representative testified in support, saying the change would help rural granges that serve as community gathering places and are facing rising costs and property tax burdens. The committee then heard Senate Bill 5994, which would change how timber tax revenues are distributed to school districts. Staff said the bill would extend distributions to districts that had qualifying levies in either of the prior two years, even if they do not have such a levy in the current year, and that it would take effect immediately with no state revenue impact but an indeterminate effect on school district funding. A county assessor testified that he supported the policy but was concerned the immediate effective date would disrupt current levy distribution calculations and suggested a January 1, 2027 effective date instead. No votes were taken, and both hearings were closed before the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you wish to give testimony, please fill out a witness card, completely sign it, and hand it to our
• It has been posted online and is in your folders.
• It really just tries to modernize our code relative to how we do referrals.
• That it would eliminate a, that it would stop them from being able to, I guess it's more with the direct
• With agreeing to it, Lobby, I believe, is in support of this bill. So that's what it does.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If you wish to give testimony, please fill out a witness card, completely sign it, and hand it to our
• It has been posted online and is in your folders.
• It really just tries to modernize our code relative to how we do referrals.
• That it would eliminate a, that it would stop them from being able to, I guess it's more with the direct
• With agreeing to it, Lobby, I believe, is in support of this bill. So that's what it does. Okay.

Summary: The House Insurance Committee met on Tuesday, March 31, with 11 members present for a quorum. The committee first took up House Bill 826, which would modernize insurance referral rules to allow referrals by website or email address rather than only by name or phone number. After adopting a technical amendment set, the bill’s sponsor’s representative said the measure had been worked out with independent agents and that prior concerns had been addressed; the committee reported HB 826 as amended without objection. The committee then considered House Bill 591, a bill creating a voluntary private-market paid family leave insurance product. The sponsor explained it would not create a state program or use taxpayer dollars, but would allow insurers to offer coverage for wage replacement tied to birth, adoption, caregiving, or military-related leave. The committee adopted a technical amendment and then a second amendment clarifying that benefit payments are not wages in lieu of workers’ compensation and do not interrupt claim prescription; after that, HB 591 was reported with amendments without objection. Before adjourning, the committee announced that House Bill 625 would be voluntarily deferred to the following week, and House Bills 751 and 771 would also be deferred until next week or possibly the next day if the sponsor provided notice. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It focuses on education, enforcement, and data. So we're going to do that. It is about.
• So it's much easier for law enforcement to collect it because they'll be enforcing.
• So it's much easier for law enforcement to collect it because they'll be enforcing.
• CS for HB 679 modernizes Florida's trademark registration system by aligning it with the federal standards
• That's it. All right. We are in debate. Members, any debate?

Summary: The Transportation and Economic Development Budget Subcommittee met with a quorum and heard two member bills. The first, CS for HB 243 on electric bicycles, was presented as a safety and data-collection measure prompted by fatalities and serious injuries involving e-bikes and similar devices. The sponsor said the bill would create a task force, require law enforcement crash data collection, and focus on education and enforcement rather than licensing changes. Testimony in support came from law enforcement, AARP, and local officials, who said statewide data is inconsistent and current classifications do not reflect the speed and use of newer devices. Members discussed the need for better reporting and bike safety, and the bill passed favorably by roll call vote. The committee then took up CS for HB 679, which would modernize Florida’s trademark registration system by aligning it more closely with federal standards, requiring clearer identification of goods and services, proof of use in commerce, and allowing streamlined online filing and renewal. The only public testimony was a supportive appearance from the Florida Bar’s business law section. There were no questions or debate, and the bill also passed favorably by roll call vote. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you wish to give testimony, please fill out a witness card, sign it, and hand it to the sergeant at
• It will modernize an existing 6,000-square-foot building and include HVAC and electrical improvements
• Yes, sir, and those numbers are our office, LED, and the state economist all look at it.
• to come back for next session, anything that we can do to bolster this program, put more money into it
• It says we will reimburse you when the funding becomes available.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works met to receive public testimony and act on port priority applications for inclusion in the FY 2027-2028 Port Priority Construction and Development Priority Program. After approving the March 9, 2026 minutes, the committee heard from Commissioner Andrew Kilshaw of the Office of Multimodal Commerce on two applications from the Avoyelles Harbor and Terminal District: a building addition and waterfront industrial improvements project, and a Workforce Training Center redevelopment project. He said both met program criteria and projected substantial state benefits, jobs, and high benefit-cost ratios. Committee members asked about the projected jobs, the unusually high benefit-cost ratio, and the status of other port projects. Kilshaw and DOTD’s Molly Bergoin said the program has a backlog of more than $200 million, but the department is working through it, with some projects nearing closeout. They also said the annual request cap has been increased and that a tiered funding approach is being considered to help projects compete for federal dollars. Members expressed support for expanding investment in ports and for a statewide strategic plan. Chairman Boriak moved to accept the port priority applications received through March 1, 2026, for inclusion in the FY 2027-2028 program. There was no objection, and the committee accepted the projects. The meeting then adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• submitted it, or is it any...
• We remove these provisions, all of which are very modern, that it would somehow break the Constitution
• </c> done, how it should be done, when it done, how it should be done, when it should<02:33:00.720><c
• It uh it prior it mandates nothing.
• </c><04:36:39.920><c> might</c> question, but it it sounds like it might question, but it it sounds like

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> clicked</c><02:47:43.920><c> after</c> know, it clicked it clicked after know, it clicked it clicked
• It works on small modular reactors. It works on nuclear. It works on fusion. It works on coal.
• It works on small modular reactors. It works on nuclear. It works on fusion. It works on coal.
• It it it's just it doesn't do committee.
• It does feel a little it often rhymes.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> shows</c> want to say it is 11 11 um and it shows want to say it is 11 11 um and it shows the<00
• </c> support um both it it and plant and support um both it it and plant and property<00:56:52.240><c
• was</c><00:59:20.839><c> uh</c> really see it here because it was uh really see it here because it was
• I mean, it doesn't look like it from my point. No, it didn't.
• and it it it is that you have before you and it it it is a<04:48:19.718><c> should</c><04:48:19.958>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard the Banking Department’s fiscal year 2026-2027 budget presentation from Commissioner Amelia Galeri. She described the department as a self-funded consumer protection regulator overseeing two main areas: the Banking Trust Division, which supervises state-chartered banks, credit unions, and trust companies, and the Consumer Credit Division, which oversees more than 7,000 licensees including mortgage and money transmitter businesses. She said the department’s budget is about 86% salaries and benefits, with 53 positions all filled, and explained that the agency funds itself through fees, fines, and end-of-year assessments on regulated entities. Galeri said the department is facing workload growth from several directions: continued growth in the trust industry, increased fintech supervision, and a new requirement to regularly examine auto dealers that take finance applications, which adds about 300 exams over two fiscal years. She said the department was directed to flat-fund its budget based on 2025 levels but was allowed to increase travel and training. To stay within that limit, she said the department reduced office space, went paperless, converted administrative and licensing positions into examiner positions, and expects to defund an embedded DOJ database administrator position once a new SharePoint system is fully implemented. Members asked about how the department’s revenue and assessments work, including whether fees were increasing and how much existing banks would pay. Galeri said fees are not being raised, most banks pay little or no fines, and assessments are based largely on asset size, with trust companies paying the bulk. She also explained that fines are set by statute, generally capped at $2,500 per violation for consumer credit entities, and said she would not recommend increasing that cap. The committee then voted to accept the Banking Department’s budget proposal as presented in HQ1, with a motion and second and no discussion. The transcript then moved to the Department of Energy budget. Commissioner Jared Chakin and Chief of Operations Lenny Radio discussed federal program funding, including LIHEAP fuel assistance and weatherization. They said the apparent drop in fuel assistance funding from FY 2024 actuals to the budgeted amount is due to the loss of ARPA and CARES Act supplemental funds, while weatherization remains a federally constrained program with a waiting list and limited flexibility. Members also asked about a proposed transfer from the renewable energy fund; staff said the transfer would still allow the department to carry out its statutory duties for the year, though the committee deferred deeper discussion until House Bill 2.

Transcript Highlights:

• PLEASE FILL OUT APPEARANCE FORM AND GIVE IT TO THE SERGEANT IF YOU WISH TO SPEAK.
• WHY IS IT NEEDED? AND WHY'S IT SO IMPORTANT?
• IF ANOTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY NEEDS IT BUT CANNOT AFFORD IT OR PAY IT WITH PUBLIC DOLLARS THAN THEY
• Michael: RIGHT NOW THIS IS IT. AND, AGAIN, THANK YOU MR. CHAIR.
• SYSTEMS AND MODERNIZING AGENCY EQUIPMENT.

Transcript Highlights:

• It would say it would be 50; it could not be more than 50 feet.
• it is and it have to have the more cost it is and it starts<00:10:45.560><c> uh</c><00:10:45.760><c>
• It just makes it more difficult.
• </c> um it it does um I'm reading it a little um it it does um I'm reading it a little bit<00:33:11.200
• </c> offset it yes it would offset it yes it would offset<01:10:22.080><c> other</c><01:10:23.080><c>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all