Transcript Highlights:

• We've been putting in purple pipe, helping with water efficiency so that those can function better.
• Helping with water efficiency so that those can function better and longer throughout the season.
• landowner and the entity responsible for maintaining the wetlands and keeping them operational and functional

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee heard the administration’s spending plan for Proposition 4’s climate smart agriculture and biodiversity chapters, along with related trailer bill language. CDFA outlined proposed funding for existing programs such as SWEEP, Healthy Soils, Urban Agriculture, and invasive species work, plus new or phased-in programs including year-round and mobile farmers’ markets, tribal food sovereignty, and regional farm equipment sharing. The Department of Conservation described funding for the California Farmland Conservancy Program and Working Lands and Riparian Corridors Program, while the Department of Finance and LAO discussed pending allocations and generally found the overall approach reasonable, though LAO suggested the Legislature may want more statutory guidance and reporting, especially for new programs. Members focused on implementation details, equity, and accountability. Questions covered how programs would serve vulnerable and disadvantaged communities, whether new solicitations would be reopened for previously oversubscribed grants, how outcomes are tracked, and how to structure guidance for new programs such as farm equipment sharing. The chair emphasized that the Legislature wants clearer direction on program design and noted that AB 2313 should guide implementation of the regional farm equipment sharing allocation. The committee also discussed the administration’s request to directly appropriate bond funds to departments and to exempt bond program guidelines from the Administrative Procedures Act; LAO supported the APA exemption with possible legislative guardrails for public notice and comment. The committee then heard on the farm-to-school proposal, with CDFA requesting $24.9 million General Fund for incubator grants, technical assistance, and network support. CDFA said the program has reached nearly half of California schoolchildren and has shown strong demand and positive evaluation results. LAO supported the core program but recommended rejecting the $3 million technical assistance component as too broad and suggested the Legislature consider using Proposition 98 for some of the funding. Members debated that point, with some expressing concern about using General Fund dollars for a new discretionary request during a tight budget year. The biodiversity and nature-based solutions chapter included funding for the Wildlife Conservation Board, state conservancies, and tribal nature-based solutions. WCB described major recent investments and proposed projects tied to 30 by 30, habitat restoration, tribal partnerships, and public access. Members raised concerns about long-term stewardship, the size of the WCB allocation, and whether the Legislature should receive more detail on how funds will be distributed. The committee also heard requests for Bolsa Chica wetlands maintenance and Rincon Island decommissioning funding from the State Lands Commission, with members questioning long-term liability, remediation costs, and the role of private oil operators. No votes were taken, and the hearing ended with public comment from stakeholders largely supporting the APA exemption, farm-to-school funding, biodiversity investments, and related conservation programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Zoom chat function will allow you to chat with the technical staff only.
• conduct a study, and I guess to address it on a broader level, within the division we have certain key functions
• , core functions, that we undertake: protecting consumers, making sure our licensees live up to regulations

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce heard three resolutions focused on condominium management, insurance, and landlord-tenant issues. For HCR 24/HR 23, which sought a follow-up Sunrise review of condominium association managers, Hawaii Realtors and the Real Estate Commission supported the measure, while several condo owners and advocates described alleged embezzlement, misconduct, and lack of accountability in association management. The Real Estate Commission suggested using a more current bill, HB 1312, as the basis for the review. In decision-making, the committee adopted an HD1 to direct the auditor to conduct a Sunrise analysis on HB 1312 instead of the older cited bills, and the measure passed with amendments by unanimous votes, with one member excused. For HCR 85/HR 79, which asked the Insurance Commissioner to study alternative insurance models for condominium associations and unit owners, the acting insurance commissioner said the division supported the concept but warned the study could be costly and time-sensitive, estimating roughly $1.5 million based on the breadth of the requested work. A committee member and the commissioner discussed whether the scope could be narrowed, and the commissioner said a narrower study could reduce costs. The committee ultimately deferred the measure for possible revision and future discussion. For HCR 158/HR 153, which proposed an Attorney General-led working group to improve landlord-tenant code provisions, the Attorney General’s office said another agency with housing expertise would be better suited to convene the group and suggested LRB for legal research support. Hawaii Realtors supported the idea but said the chairing agency could be changed, while Maui Tenants and Workers Association urged stronger tenant representation and warned against framing the effort in a way that favors investors over tenants. A mediator also noted procedural gaps in court filing requirements for tenants and landlords. In decision-making, the committee adopted an HD1 to shift the convening role from the Attorney General to the judiciary, narrow the scope, and make technical changes; the amended resolution passed unanimously, with one member excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• that when the cities are unable to access that particular type of funding to address what CRAs, the function
• guidance and that clarity to local governments, whom we are stripping away the ability for CRAs to function
• And so this amendment does not clarify anything for cities or CRAs to function under going forward.

Summary: The committee first heard CS/HB 69, which would preempt local land-use decisions for presidential libraries to the state. The sponsor said the bill was intended to make it easier to site a presidential library in Florida. Members asked about whether the bill could affect nontraditional uses such as hotels or casinos, and the sponsor said it only addressed land-use and development-order decisions. There was no public testimony, and the bill was reported favorably 16-7. The committee then took up CS/HB 289, “Lucy's Law,” on boating safety. The bill expands boating education requirements, aligns boating penalties more closely with driving offenses, prohibits false information in vessel accident reports, and requires certain nonresidents to obtain boating safety cards. An amendment requiring boating safety courses for those convicted of civil boating infractions was adopted. The committee heard emotional testimony from Lucy Fernandez’s mother, who described the fatal 2022 boating crash that inspired the bill, along with support from industry and local-government witnesses. Members from both parties spoke in favor, emphasizing accountability, education, and enforcement. The bill passed unanimously, 25-0. HB 7003, an open-government/sunshine bill, preserved a public-records exemption for sensitive business information submitted with applications to the Office of Financial Regulation’s financial technology sandbox. It drew no public testimony or debate and was reported favorably. HB 4007, a local bill for Martin County, capped reimbursement for inmate emergency health care at 110% of Medicare, mirroring the Department of Corrections standard; it also passed favorably after supportive public testimony. The longest discussion was on HB 991, which would prohibit creation of new community redevelopment agencies after July 1, 2025, bar current CRAs from starting new projects or issuing new debt after October 1, 2025, and sunset existing CRAs by 2045 or their charter date, whichever is earlier. The sponsor argued CRAs have become long-lived funding vehicles used beyond their original anti-blight purpose and said local governments have other tools. Many members from both parties objected that CRAs remain important for affordable housing, small business support, infrastructure, and redevelopment in blighted areas, and several said the bill would harm ongoing or multi-phase projects. Three amendments were offered: one defining “new project,” one striking the new-CRA prohibition, and one striking the new-debt/new-project language; all were defeated except the first, which was adopted. Public testimony was split, with redevelopment groups, cities, and the Florida League of Cities opposing the bill and Americans for Prosperity supporting it. The committee did not reach final disposition in the portion provided, but the debate showed substantial opposition and concern about the bill’s impact on local redevelopment efforts.

Transcript Highlights:

• seventy-eighth legislative session when the Department of Economic Development was abolished and its functions
• It captures the flood and releases it slowly, and that it has to function that way in order to provide
• that basically the flood control gates that exist on the sides, if they exist, you know, weren't functioning

Bills: HB294

Keywords: energy efficiency, tax exemption, residential properties, sustainability, real estate

Transcript Highlights:

• Unless it impedes their job function, I will make an exception to bring in exceptional talent.
• And in a committee that needs transparency in order to function properly, seeing these dollars going
• And in a committee that needs transparency in order to function properly, seeing these dollars going

Summary: The subcommittee met to review agency travel, budget reduction exercises, and member reports from agency meetings. Early discussion focused on the Department of Management Services (DMS), where members questioned the cost of travel for four out-of-state data/cyber staff and the secretary’s absence. DMS defended the hires as highly specialized enterprise cybersecurity and data personnel, said the positions were lawfully paid and posted, and explained that the staff work on statewide data cataloging and cyber risk reduction rather than agency-by-agency systems. Members also raised concerns about fleet inventory discrepancies and requested follow-up information on hiring, travel, and data inventory timelines. The chair said she would consider travel guardrails and possible reductions, and noted that DMS, the Lottery, and the Florida Commission on Human Relations did not meet the requested reduction target, while the Public Employee Relations Commission did not submit reductions. The committee then heard from the Florida Lottery about the secretary’s trip to Paris for the World Lottery Convention. Lottery staff said the trip was reimbursed through the multi-state lottery organization and was intended to share best practices and improve operations, though members questioned the value of the travel and requested reimbursement records and the trip agenda. The subcommittee also reviewed agency reduction exercises from several agencies. The Department of Revenue exceeded its target and was praised for frugality; DFS, the Florida Gaming Control Commission, the Office of Financial Regulation, the Office of Insurance Regulation, the Public Service Commission, the Division of Administrative Hearings, and the Department of Business and Professional Regulation each described how they met or approached their reduction goals, often through vacancies, reversions, or expense cuts. OIR warned that further reductions could hurt insurance regulation capacity, while OFR and PSC said their reductions were based on historical reversions and lower post-COVID travel or vacancy levels. Members then reported back on agency meetings. DMS members raised fleet tracking, real property audits, salary studies, and health plan savings ideas, and asked for follow-up on the Florida PALM project, cybersecurity grants, and state IT modernization. DFS members said the agency was efficient and that its Palm-related work and insurance consumer programs were important. Lottery members emphasized the agency’s revenue generation for education and its low administrative overhead. Gaming Control members highlighted storage costs for seized gaming equipment and suggested technology-based alternatives. PERC members said a union-related law had doubled their workload and asked for more staffing and possible AI assistance. OIR members stressed the need for a Tampa satellite office and more resources to recruit and retain specialized staff. The chair closed by saying the committee would continue reviewing travel, staffing, and reductions with an eye toward taxpayer value and transparency.

Transcript Highlights:

• are the ones connecting people to the benefits, and then of course the in-migration is a forcing function
• the ones connecting to the people to the benefits and then of course the emigration is a forcing function
• So that is where the forcing function is.

Summary: The committee took up SB 116 by Senator Burgess, a veterans bill aimed at several FDVA-related changes. The bill would reduce annual nominations to the Florida Veterans Hall of Fame from 20 to 5, expand FDVA’s survey work to assess veterans’ awareness of available programs and their health literacy, add mental health training to the veterans suicide prevention pilot, strengthen coordination and reporting between Veterans Florida and FDVA, direct FDVA to develop a plan for adult day health care facilities statewide, and allow the Florida Veterans Foundation to use a portion of Gadsden flag plate proceeds for administrative costs. Senator Burgess said the measure builds on prior “Forward March” efforts and helps close service gaps for aging veterans and others who may not know about available benefits. Testimony on SB 116 was uniformly supportive. FDVA leadership said adult day health care could be added at existing facilities such as Port St. Lucie and Lake City, and that the state would need authority and funding to move forward. A veterans legal collaborative, AARP Florida, and Endeavors all voiced support, with speakers emphasizing the importance of better outreach, mental health awareness, and care options that allow veterans to remain at home. The committee then voted favorably on SB 116. The remainder of the meeting was devoted to agency and stakeholder presentations. Florida National Guard officials described a high operational tempo, deployments at home and abroad, hurricane response efforts, and the need to grow the force and infrastructure. FDVA’s adjutant general reported Florida now has the nation’s second-largest veteran population, rising in-migration of younger veterans, a large and aging Vietnam-era population, strong claims and outreach activity, declining veteran homelessness, and improved suicide prevention outcomes. The Florida Veterans Foundation outlined its emergency relief, dental, transportation, and license-plate-funded programs, while Veterans Florida and CareerSource Florida detailed workforce, apprenticeship, SkillBridge, entrepreneurship, and job-fair programs for veterans and spouses, along with efforts to expand recurring funding and better protect customer information.

Transcript Highlights:

• The defense market is functionally a monopsony, where a sole buyer shapes the market with prescriptive
• I think over time, we've let the function...
• can't kill the things that aren't performing for whatever reason, then you You won't have a highly functioning

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, usually their executive function is so impacted um they're not in a condition to work.
• Basically meeting a clock um showing up to work on time um as executive functioning begins to heal.
• Um usually their<01:38:12.719> executive<01:38:13.199> function<01:38:13.520> is
• <01:38:13.760> so<01:38:14.000> impacted their executive function is so impacted their
• Um so I'm functioning begins to heal.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our state spends a lot of money on things that are not core functions of government.
• Our elections are a core function of government.
• While maybe that was how SAVE functioned before, in our experience at the state, I can tell you that
• I don't think that that's how it functions. I think it exists, and you could do it anywhere.
• It's making sure that equipment was functioning the way it needed to.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, that's clearly a function of the fact that we either didn't plan properly or we deliberately created
• Well, that's clearly a function of the fact that we either didn't plan properly or we deliberately created
• Well, that's clearly a function of the fact that we either didn't plan properly or we deliberately created
• means, and if a compelling case is made that we need more revenue for a particular governmental function
• , for a particular governmental function, for a particular governmental function, then<02:52:02.160

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• their removal from the impact of alumni association and everything, to actually work as a fully functioning
• Um, we got to get this institution up and working and functioning to bring it back to where it was at
• <00:52:37.080> fully actually work as a full a fully actually work as a full a fully functioning
• board that freely thinks for functioning board that freely thinks for itself<00:52:41.040> without
• to bring it back working and functioning to bring it back to<00:54:18.440> where<00:54:18.600

Bills: HF4252

Keywords: higher education, student aid, financial aid, grant programs, scholarships, Office of Higher Education, Minnesota State, University of Minnesota, community college, technical college, postsecondary institution, college affordability, student fees, athletic facilities, competitive athletics, developmental education, remedial courses, pregnant students, parenting students, priority registration

Transcript Highlights:

• access to care, and our focus is on keeping our hospitals across the state open and pharmacies functional
• across the state open<00:16:24.160> and<00:16:24.320> pharmacies<00:16:25.000> functional
• open and pharmacies functional. open and pharmacies functional.
• If there are alterations that need to be made to ensure that the 340B program is functioning appropriately
• appropriately, that it is functioning appropriately, that it is not<00:30:44.320> overcharging

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:33:13.240> to whether or not it can continue to whether or not it can continue to function
• . function. function.
• , MEMA and the administrator, whoever that may be, but I want you to know that it's two separate functions
• <02:26:57.760> You've<02:26:57.880> got<02:26:58.040> the separate functions
• You've got the separate functions.

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 12 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, opened with prayer and the pledge, and then dispensed with the reading of the journal, committee reports, and bill titles. The chamber also recognized several guests and groups, including the doctor of the day, visitors from Quebec, the Sumrall High School boys soccer team, Starkville public safety officials, and the Hattiesburg High School choral arts program. A resolution honoring the long-standing partnership between Quebec and Mississippi was read and adopted, and Ms. Nathalie Rivard of Quebec addressed the Senate about historical ties and economic cooperation between Quebec and Mississippi. The Senate then moved through a series of procedural actions on the calendar, including multiple motions to table reconsideration on medical cannabis and ARPA-related bills, and several motions to not concur and invite conference on workforce and budget measures. Among those were Senate Bill 2294, the Mississippi Future Innovators Act, Senate Bill 2288 on workforce training, Senate Bill 2401 on workforce development, Senate Bill 2189 on budget transfers, Senate Bill 2895 on ARPA funds, and Senate Bill 2917 on appropriations transfers. These motions were adopted, sending the measures to conference or otherwise advancing them as noted. A major portion of the meeting focused on appropriations bills. House Bill 1935, the Education Department appropriation, was explained in detail and adopted after a strike-all amendment; the bill includes funding for the student formula, teacher and assistant pay raises, special education supplements, school attendance officers, testing contracts, early learning coaches, and CTE instructor raises, with offsets from reduced or eliminated line items such as school safety platforms and certain vendor programs. The Senate also adopted strike-all amendments and passed House Bills 1936 and 1937 for Mississippi Public Broadcasting and the Library Commission, and then moved on to House Bill 1933 for the Bureau of Building. The Senate recessed until 2:30 p.m. and announced an appropriations meeting shortly after recess, while leadership noted that many supplemental appropriations bills would be considered later with attention to whether they contained reverse repealers and would go to conference or final passage.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Yeah, given that it's uniquely within the prosecution function and the executive branch function
• <00:24:06.480> and<00:24:06.640> the the prosecution function and the the prosecution
• function and the executive<00:24:07.280> branch<00:24:07.600> function<00:24:08.240>
• > that<00:24:08.480> we<00:24:08.720> wanted executive branch function that we wanted
• executive branch function that we wanted to<00:24:09.120> make<00:24:09.200> sure<00:24

Bills: HF962, HF3541, HF2936, HF3762, HF2879

Keywords: Capitol security, public safety, emergency management, state buildings, law enforcement, corrections, legislative approval, rule-making, financial impact, jail regulations, expungement, firearm eligibility, criminal records, organized retail crime, retail theft, supply chain theft, theft enterprise, organized theft, cargo theft, shoplifting

Transcript Highlights:

• When they talk about that right-of-way function, they are trying to acquire those real property interests
• 46.480> trying<01:14:46.719> to<01:14:47.520> uh<01:14:47.920> acquire function
• , we're trying to uh acquire function, we're trying to uh acquire those<01:14:50.400> uh<01:14
• ><01:34:02.960> of<01:34:03.120> that<01:34:03.920> uh any change in in the function
• of that uh any change in in the function of that uh as<01:34:04.320> it<01:34:04.480> is

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met for its sixth and final interim meeting after a brief technical delay, approved the October 14 minutes, and heard a presentation on a proposed Kentucky hands-free driving bill. The main discussion centered on distracted driving and a draft measure modeled on South Carolina law that would prohibit holding or supporting a mobile electronic device while driving on public roads, while allowing limited exceptions for parked/stopped vehicles, navigation, emergency reporting, dispatch systems, first responders, and certain hands-free call functions. The bill would make a violation a $100 fine plus court costs, with the draft allocating fine revenue to the traumatic brain injury trust fund, Kentucky trauma care system, and veteran program trust fund. The sponsor also said the bill would address prior concerns about enforcement and clarify that officers need a clear, unobstructed visual observation before stopping a driver, and that they may not search or seize devices or make custodial arrests solely for the violation. Alyssa Burns gave emotional testimony in support of the bill, describing the death of her young daughter Kimberly in a crash she attributed to a distracted driver and urging lawmakers to pass the measure to improve roadway safety. The sponsor cited Kentucky traffic fatality statistics, including 814 deaths in 2023 and an estimated 20% involving distracted driving, and argued that the bill could reduce preventable deaths. Several members voiced support and sympathy, including remarks comparing the effort to past seat belt legislation and suggesting possible future additions such as community service. One member raised concerns about enforcement and whether officers could reliably observe phone use inside vehicles, while another asked about the bill’s interaction with existing texting-while-driving penalties and whether points would still apply. The sponsor said the draft was still being refined, acknowledged gray areas, and invited further changes as the bill moves forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, you said they sold out and I was curious if that was a function of like the budget, like you only
• If it's a function of how much farmers can grow, like if everyone in a county were to sign up for a CSA
• and I was curious if that was a function and I was curious if that was a function of<00:42:34.800
• If it's a<00:42:38.800> function<00:42:39.040> of<00:42:39.280> how<00:42:39.520
• of how much farmers can grow, a function of how much farmers can grow, like<00:42:40.880> if<

Keywords: This meeting was pulled from back ups and uploaded in it's entirety due to technical issues., 958, all

Summary: The Make America Healthy Kentucky Task Force met with a quorum, approved the minutes, and then heard a presentation on the state’s “food is medicine” work from Kentucky Hospital Association and Kentucky Department of Agriculture leaders, including Jim Muser, Holly Harris, and Commissioner Jonathan Shell. The chair framed the discussion around personal wellness, injury prevention, and the broader goal of improving health through better sleep, nutrition, and activity, then asked the presenters to describe current initiatives and any policy changes needed. The witnesses described a partnership linking hospitals and Kentucky farmers to improve health outcomes while supporting rural agriculture. They said the effort has moved beyond the pilot stage and now includes more than 40 hospitals statewide, with programs such as healthier hospital cafeterias, grab-and-go options, farmers markets at hospital sites, subsidized CSA boxes for employees, and medically tailored meals or groceries for patients with chronic conditions. ARH was highlighted as a leading model, with local food procurement, employee wellness efforts, and measurable outcome pilots, including a Russell County Hospital project focused on diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. They also emphasized barriers to scaling the model, including fragmented short-term funding, lack of reimbursement for food-as-medicine programs, and burdensome procurement and testing requirements that can make it difficult for small farmers to participate. The presenters said hospitals are using their own funds or temporary grants to sustain programs and argued that policy changes are needed to simplify sourcing, expand reimbursement pathways, and support clinical measurement of outcomes. No votes or formal actions beyond approving the minutes were taken during the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, I'm Sheila Hemphill with Texas Right to Know and I've had the privilege of working with functional
• Is that part of the reason why we separate those two functions when it comes to pharmacy?
• experience prior to applying for their master's program and do not have a. the training required to function
• All right, let's go, page eight, line eight says they are trained basically to function as a direct..
• So, they are going to have to function independently, and they're not trained to do so. Thank you.

Bills: HB3772, HB1656, HB4504, HB1896, HB4420, HB4421, HB4076, HB3708, HB2806, HB3540, HB1586, HB5459, HB4553, HB4535, HB3811, HB3749, HB4255, HB4051, HB5098, HB3554, HB4539, HB5274

Keywords: e-cigarettes, health and safety, regulations, directory, penalties, regulation, certification, compliance, manufacturers, FDA, nicotine, mental health, emergency detention, paramedic authority, mental illness, healthcare facility, public health, covenants not to compete, health care practitioners, physicians

Transcript Highlights:

• They use our boat ramps, but they want them to function so they can get on and off the lakes safely.
• /c><00:37:17.680> want<00:37:17.839> them<00:37:18.000> to<00:37:18.240> function
• <00:37:18.720> so ramps, but they want them to function so ramps, but they want them to function
• fish<00:37:33.520> hatcheries<00:37:34.160> that<00:37:34.400> are functional
• fish hatcheries that are functional fish hatcheries that are going<00:37:34.720> to<00:37:35.280

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• the activities of the State Patrol, and of course I'm not talking at all about the State Capitol function
• the activities of the State Patrol, and of course I'm not talking at all about the State Capitol function
• the activities of the State Patrol, and of course I'm not talking at all about the State Capitol function
• the activities of the State Patrol, and of course I'm not talking at all about the State Capitol function
• <01:30:00.000> that's about the state capital function that's about the state capital function

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The chair asked what the oral amendment would functionally accomplish: whether it would address the concern
• <00:41:21.440> that 11 and Mr Hopkins what would that 11 and Mr Hopkins what would that functionally
• do would that accomplish functionally do would that accomplish the<00:41:24.359> concern<00:41
• Currently, we support three primary functions: long-distance college education, workforce and trades
• support three primary functions support three primary functions long-distance<01:14:10.600> college

Keywords: 1183, house