Transcript Highlights:

• This replaces that, and across the board: roads, housing, law enforcement.
• This replaces that, and across the board: roads, housing, law enforcement.

Summary: The Committee on Fiscal Policy met and first considered CS/SB 7012 on child welfare, presented by Senator Graal. The bill addressed three areas: child welfare workforce shortages, higher-acuity children in out-of-home care, and services/data for commercially sexually exploited children. It would create a CPI and case manager recruitment program aimed at former public safety and service workers, convene a workforce work group, establish a four-year treatment foster care pilot in two judicial circuits identified by DCF based on removal and placement data, and require more detailed, extractable child-level data on commercially sexually exploited children along with a bed capacity study and service gap analysis. Two amendments were adopted: one clarified record retention for redacted assessments, and another attached the appropriation. The committee then heard CS/SB 110 on rural communities from Senator Simon. The bill proposed a broad rural development package, including a state office of rural prosperity, a Renaissance grant program for counties with declining populations, increased housing support, major rural road funding, school consortium funding, and additional health care resources for rural facilities and training. A delete-all amendment was adopted that expanded and refined several provisions, including local sales tax trust fund distributions, county connectivity projects, agritourism marketing support, disaster-impacted rural infrastructure eligibility, insurance and provider eligibility changes, and increased funding for critical access hospitals and rural medical education reimbursement. Both bills drew broad support from local government, education, health care, housing, and rural advocacy representatives. Supporters said the rural bill was especially comprehensive and would help small counties, schools, roads, housing, and health care, while one witness cautioned that road expansion should be balanced with protection of agricultural and natural lands. Senator Bradley and Senator Simon emphasized local control and the importance of strengthening rural Florida without imposing mandates. CS/SB 7012 and CS/SB 110 were both reported favorably, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• From Finance, which would just basically replace one line to state that it is not within the State Treasury
• Then replace line 376 with line 14, where it states the words "procure supplies and services" in the

Bills: HB159, HB110, HB114, HB115, HB116, HB123, HB125

Keywords: U.S. Space and Rocket Center, Alabama Space Science Exhibit Commission, public facilities, space exploration, education programs, bond issuance, Governor involvement, pharmacy, pharmacist licensure, Alabama State Board of Pharmacy, renewal fees, continuing education, disciplinary actions, sessions, 2025-R, 1, 219

Transcript Highlights:

• We have concerns that replacing a fixed $70 million cost with a 1.5 percentage point increase to the
• This project will replace the CUP, which currently...
• This project will replace the CUP, which currently supplies steam for hot water and central heating,
• The project will install new chillers, boilers, pumps, and controls at the central plant and replace
• The—and I agree that if we are taking a budget solution off the table, we have to replace it with a budget

Summary: The committee first heard May Revision child care and human services items. The Department of Child Support Services described two technical adjustments, which the analyst supported. The Department of Social Services then walked through child care proposals, including a reduction in federal and Proposition 64 funding absorbed through a shift from General Child Care to the Alternative Payment program, a 2.01% child care COLA, disaster-related infrastructure grants, a new administrative support cost structure for Alternative Payment agencies, the removal of prospective pay funding after a federal rule change, a reappropriation for existing infrastructure grants, and estimates of unspent child care funds. The Legislative Analyst’s Office recommended asking for more justification for shifting reductions to CAP, supported the COLA reduction but wanted consistency across programs, recommended removing prospective pay funding, opposed the administrative cost shift, and suggested further review of disaster grant alignment. Members pressed the administration on why more slots would be cut for the same savings, why the COLA was reduced, and whether the administrative percentage would grow over time. The administration said the changes were intended to avoid disrupting currently enrolled families, reflect point-in-time relinquishments and unspent funds, and stabilize contractor operations. Public commenters, including providers, advocates, and county representatives, urged full COLA funding, rejection of child care slot reductions, preservation of prospective pay, and continued investment in child care infrastructure and access. The subcommittee then recessed before moving to health items. In Part B, the Department of State Hospitals presented its May Revision proposals, including a central utility plant replacement project at Metropolitan State Hospital, funding for a continuum electronic health record system, reduced county bed billing authority to reflect phase-in of additional LPS beds, limited contract exemption authority for online clinical subscription services, reversion of prior-year unspent operating funds, and a workforce development proposal to use Behavioral Health Services Act funds instead of General Fund for training programs. The department said the EHR would modernize records and improve continuity of care, and that the contract exemption would prevent delays in essential clinical information services. No votes were taken in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The agency intends to replace that language. That language is meant to be a catch-all.
• The agency would like to amend that language orally today to replace that highlighted language, which
• They want to replace that with not identified in ENB-SW2304.02.
• </c><01:06:58.240><c> that</c> language orally today to replace that language orally today to replace
• They<01:07:04.960><c> want</c><01:07:05.120><c> to</c><01:07:05.200><c> replace</c><01:07:05.720><c>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and consent calendar, then moved through several Department of Health and Human Services Medicaid-related rules. Rule 25-220 from the Department of Energy was postponed until June so stakeholders would have more time to review revised language. Rule 25-240, involving Medicaid income verification and deductible provisions for medically needy applicants, was adopted after staff noted the cited sections had expired but the agency said it had continued operating under federal law and the state plan; the agency also said it had begun rulemaking on the cited provision. Rules 25-265 and 2633 were also adopted, with staff explaining that although parts of the rules had expired, the agency had continued implementing the policies through the Medicaid state plan, billing manuals, and related rules. The most extended discussion centered on rule 25-304 from the Bureau of Aging and Adult Services, which covers case management services for the CFI program. Staff and the agency explained that the amended conditional approval request clarified how case management agencies indicate staffing capacity, how telehealth decisions are evaluated, and that the department—not the case management agencies—sets the timeline for accepting or denying cases. The agency said the rule is intended to ensure participants are not pushed into telehealth when they do not want it or cannot use it, while leaving technical and clinical telehealth decisions to the provider. A case management provider testified in opposition to parts of the rule, arguing that the committee should not require agencies to admit unverified patients, that reimbursement-rate issues belong in legislation, that the quality-management section duplicates existing licensure oversight, and that the telehealth language improperly gives case managers authority over how other licensed providers deliver services. Committee members questioned whether the telehealth language was simply allowing case managers to determine whether telehealth fits a person’s care plan, and agency representatives responded that this was the intent. No final vote on rule 25-304 is shown in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• This backup provider system, this permanent statewide one, was established in 2022 as a replacement for
• This backup provider system, this permanent statewide one, was established in 2022 as a replacement for
• Yes, lawyers and accountants have value, but no spreadsheet can replace the insight of a parent who has
• No professional credential can replace the wisdom of a self-advocate who has lived through segregation
• It does not replace or supersede the option for in-person support, and it does not alter the existing

Summary: The subcommittee heard an overview of the governor’s IHSS budget proposals and extensive testimony from the Department of Social Services, Department of Finance, the Legislative Analyst’s Office, county representatives, labor, consumer advocates, and advocates for older adults and people with disabilities. The administration described IHSS as a large and growing program serving more than 900,000 recipients, and outlined three proposals: shifting the cost of growth in authorized hours per case to counties, eliminating the backup provider system, and aligning IHSS terminations with Medi-Cal terminations. The LAO said the overall budget estimates appeared reasonable but raised concerns about the hours-per-case proposal, including the lack of a comprehensive root-cause analysis, the limited control counties have over statewide cost growth, and uncertainty about how the baseline and savings would work. CWDA, SEIU, and consumer advocates strongly opposed the hours cost shift, arguing that counties use state-designed tools, that demographic changes and rising need explain much of the growth, and that the proposal would pressure counties to cut services and destabilize care. The chair and members repeatedly questioned the administration about the proposed baseline, the claimed savings, and whether the measure effectively circumvents the county maintenance-of-effort agreement. On the backup provider system, the administration said the statewide program is underutilized and administratively expensive, and proposed eliminating it to save about $3.5 million. The LAO suggested the Legislature consider whether administrative costs could be reduced while preserving some version of the program. County and consumer advocates opposed the cut, saying the system is a critical safety net when regular providers are unavailable, especially in rural areas and for people with complex needs. They argued that low utilization reflects the difficulty of finding emergency backup care, not lack of need, and that many counties already rely on local backup systems or other models. Committee members also pressed for better data on requests, fulfillment, and administrative costs, and discussed whether the state could support local alternatives instead of eliminating the program. The final topic was the proposal to align IHSS terminations with Medi-Cal terminations by automating the process when recipients fail to complete Medi-Cal redeterminations. The administration said this would reduce General Fund costs by about $86 million by preventing payment of IHSS in the residual program when recipients are no longer eligible for Medi-Cal, while also automating reinstatement when Medi-Cal is restored. The LAO noted the proposal has been rejected in prior years and suggested improved notice and communication to recipients as an alternative. CWDA and advocates warned that the change could create gaps in care, especially for people who lose Medi-Cal for procedural reasons, and urged additional safeguards such as better notices, faster reprocessing, and automatic reinstatement. Members questioned how many people would be affected, how the residual program currently works, and whether providers could go unpaid during the gap; the department said the automation is already built and would be activated if the proposal is approved. No votes were taken during the discussion, and the committee moved through public comment and questioning without final action on the proposals in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, if a TV is broken, they might not be able to replace it, which is unfair for the other roommates
• Um, if a TV is broken, they might not be able to replace it, which is unfair for the other roommates
• Um, if a TV is broken, they might not be able to replace it, which is unfair for the other roommates
• Um, if a TV is broken, they might not be able to replace it, which is unfair for the other roommates
• </c> broken they might not be able to replace broken they might not be able to replace it<00:54:17.119

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Replacing an intense focus on recruitment and retention, but lack of staff can erode quality of care
• c> real</c> overtime and burnout is a real overtime and burnout is a real issue<00:05:07.919><c> replacing
• Do we need to have something happening that's replacing it? What is happening with Carlton?
• Do we need to have something happening that's replacing it? What is happening with Carlton?
• it what is happening with replacing it what is happening with Carol's<00:53:40.319><c> Carlton</c><00

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• You are the decision makers, and I think it's an easy decision on what to do today: replace Article 9
• c><00:20:49.559><c> today</c> easy decision on what to do today easy decision on what to do today replace
• article 9 the outdated version replace article 9 the outdated version with<00:20:52.919><c> the</c><
• Then we'll replace the provisions on the confidentiality of records in sections 508A and 510C-910A4 and
• the provisions on day then we'll replace the provisions on the<01:20:35.800><c> confidential</c><01:

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard SB 1231, which would repeal the Parentage Uniform Act of 1973 and update Hawaii’s parentage laws, including parts of the Uniform Parentage Act of 2017. Supporters said the current statutes are outdated and do not adequately address assisted reproduction, surrogacy, and modern family formation. The Attorney General’s office supported the bill with technical amendments, including conforming changes to the Probate Code and child support provisions, and several testifiers urged passage as a needed modernization of the law. A major point of disagreement was Part 10, which concerns donor anonymity. Some supporters, including members of the task force, the Uniform Law Commission, fertility and family law practitioners, and LGBTQ+ advocates, backed the bill as written or said it should move forward even if Part 10 is removed. Others, including donor-conceived adults, parents, and advocacy groups, opposed Part 10 and urged the committee to adopt the 2024 version of Article 9 or delete Part 10 entirely, arguing that anonymous donation harms donor-conceived people’s access to genetic, medical, and identity information and that anonymity is not realistic in the DNA-testing era. One task force member and attorney said she supported the bill but preferred removing Part 10 if necessary to pass the rest. The hearing included extensive public testimony both in support and opposition, with many individuals describing personal experiences with adoption, IVF, surrogacy, and donor conception. No committee vote or final action on the bill was taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Or tax labor on a replaced roof because that creates a product which includes the labor value.
• This bill specifically replaces our longstanding and voter-approved MCO tax, which was wiped out by House
• This program reduces higher education costs by giving community colleges the ability to replace expensive

Summary: The Senate opened with a quorum call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then honored astronaut Captain Victor J. Glover Jr. for his achievements as a Navy officer, NASA astronaut, and California native. Senators Weber Pearson and Rubio highlighted his historic space missions and his role as an inspiration for students, especially in STEM, before the chamber took a photo with Glover and his family. The body then took up SCR 183 on Juneteenth. Senator Weber Pearson presented the resolution as a commemoration of emancipation and a reminder of the ongoing struggle for racial justice. Senators Padilla, Smallwood-Cuevas, Valladares, and Becker spoke in support from the perspectives of the Latino, LGBTQ, Women’s, Hispanic, and Jewish caucuses, emphasizing historical memory, faith, and the need to continue fighting discrimination. The resolution passed unanimously, 39-0. The Senate next considered budget trailer bills SB 110, SB 122, and SB 125. SB 110 made technical budget amendments and passed 29-10. SB 122 expanded sales tax to electronically delivered prewritten software, extended and limited business tax credits, adjusted LLC minimum taxes, and included other revenue changes; supporters said it helped balance the budget and protect services, while opponents argued it would raise costs for businesses, hospitals, and families. It passed 27-9. SB 125 created a federally compliant managed care organization tax to support Medi-Cal and avoid deeper cuts; supporters said it was necessary after federal changes eliminated the prior tax, while opponents warned premiums could rise. It also passed 27-9. The chamber also adopted SR 114 designating June 15-21, 2026 as AVID Week, and SJR 14 urging a Congressional Gold Medal for World War II Army and Navy nurses, both by unanimous roll call. SCR 187 recognizing Father’s Day in California also passed unanimously. The Senate then approved a large consent calendar and closed with remarks about Juneteenth and the next session scheduled for June 22, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• But we also have to work to find reasonable replacement solutions because these things are necessary.
• If this were just Styrofoam, this is a slam dunk, because Styrofoam can largely be replaced by a number
• From my understanding, almost all plastics can be replaced with hemp-derived products.

Summary: The Conservation and Natural Resources Committee first took up Senate Bill 953, which was described as ensuring environmental protection funds remain dedicated to that purpose. The committee substitute added provisions from House Bill 1885, changing Clean Water Commission membership conflict rules, and Senate Bill 1397, giving certain reservoir water storage contract holders exclusive rights to return flows. Members discussed the conflict-of-interest language and the water-return provision, then adopted a House committee amendment and the amended substitute by voice vote. The committee then voted the House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 953 do pass by a 6-5 roll call, with Representative Wellenkamp voting no. The committee then heard House Bill 3193, a proposal by Representative Wellenkamp to reduce single-use plastic waste in state parks and historic sites by phasing out plastic bags, plastic water bottles, and Styrofoam/styrene containers, while allowing exemptions where needed. Supporters, including conservation groups, a Missouri River Bird Observatory representative, and others, said plastics harm parks, waterways, wildlife, tourism, and human health, and urged alternatives and better waste practices. Some members raised concerns about accessibility and the need for practical substitutes for people with disabilities and for emergency or park operations. The Missouri Beverage Association opposed the bill, arguing its plastics are recyclable and that education and recycling are better approaches than bans. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 3320, the Drinking Water Transparency and Accountability Act, which would assign Missouri public water systems A-F grades based on violations, finances, operations, and infrastructure, and would impose additional oversight and spending restrictions on systems graded D or F. The sponsor said the bill would make water-system problems easier for ratepayers to understand and help address chronic failures; supporters from Missouri American Water, Central States Water Resources, and the Missouri Chamber said it would improve transparency and support investment. Opponents from municipal utilities, the Missouri Municipal League, and the Missouri Water Association argued the bill oversimplifies a technical field, duplicates existing consumer confidence reports, could confuse customers, and may undermine trust in local systems. No vote was taken on HB 3193 or HB 3320 before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• The amendment that you’re replacing, so the one that came from the Judiciary Committee, even though I
• Now, we have, through our Judiciary Committee amendment, that hopefully yours would replace, then going
• If I'm a small employer, and small, we're now at 50 on the amendment you'd be replacing.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 688 revises Idaho's motor vehicle code by repealing the existing law on airbags and replacing
• starting to answer it, is it dawns on me, like if I have an accident, my car goes to the shop, they replace
• I'm at a loss at how else it would be replaced other than that.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee first approved a motion to print RS 33676, then heard Senate Concurrent Resolution 114 from Senator Guthrie. SCR 114 would limit the number of bill drafts and RSs a legislator may request in a year, with exceptions for leadership-approved additional drafting, appropriations, amendments, trailer bills, and interim committee legislation. Guthrie argued the measure would reduce backlog and improve focus; the League of Women Voters of Idaho testified in strong support, saying the legislature faces a “fire hose” of bills. The committee sent SCR 114 to the Senate floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then considered Senate Bill 1330, which would raise Idaho’s small claims court limit from $5,000 to $15,000. Senator Galloway and constituent Josiah Silva said the change would improve access to justice for small businesses and individuals with modest claims. Court counsel Jason Spillman said the courts anticipated added workload and noted the bill could increase appeals, but he supported an amendment removing the current $25 cap on attorney fees in appealed small claims cases to discourage frivolous appeals. The committee agreed to send the bill to the 14th order for possible amendment. House Bill 556, carried by Senator Foreman, would increase state reimbursement to counties for housing state inmates in county jails from the current $55/$75 per-day structure to a flat $80 per day. County officials and sheriffs testified that the current reimbursement does not cover actual costs, which they said average well above the proposed rate and are compounded by overcrowding, medical expenses, and long waits before transfer to state prisons. Several senators supported the bill while also raising broader concerns about incarceration rates and jail overcrowding. The committee sent HB 556 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee also advanced House Bill 540, which gives the Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections public-records protections similar to those already afforded to the Department of Corrections for certain safety, security, transport, and intake records. Finally, it heard House Bill 688, which updates Idaho’s airbag laws to define prohibited conduct involving counterfeit or non-functional airbags, set a misdemeanor penalty, and align state law with federal safety standards. Supporters said the bill targets bad actors and consumer fraud; the committee sent HB 688 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 688 revises Idaho's motor vehicle code by repealing the existing law on airbags and replacing
• starting to answer it, is it dawns on me, like if I have an accident, my car goes to the shop, they replace
• I'm at a loss at how else it would be replaced other than that.

Summary: The Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee first approved a motion to print RS 33676 without taking testimony, noting it would receive a hearing in another committee. The committee then heard SCR 114 from Senator Guthrie, which would limit the number of bill drafts legislators may request in a year, with exemptions for appropriations, amendments, trailer bills, interim committee legislation, and additional drafts approved by legislative leaders. Guthrie and supportive testimony from the League of Women Voters argued the measure would reduce legislative overload and improve quality; the resolution was sent to the Senate floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee next considered SB 1330, sponsored by Senator Galloway, to raise the small claims court limit from $5,000 to $15,000. Galloway and a constituent testified that the current limit is too low for common disputes and burdens small businesses and individuals. Administrative Office of the Courts counsel Jason Spillman said the courts expected additional workload and noted the bill could affect magistrate court jurisdiction; Galloway said he would take the bill to the 14th order to add an amendment removing the $25 cap on attorney fees in small-claims appeals. The committee voted to send the bill to the 14th order for possible amendment. House Bill 556, carried by Senator Foreman, would increase state reimbursement to counties for housing state inmates in county jails from the current $55/$75 daily structure to a flat $80 per day. County officials and sheriffs testified that counties are still subsidizing the state, that actual costs are higher than reimbursement, and that overcrowding and delayed transfers create safety and operational problems. Several senators supported the bill while also raising broader concerns about Idaho’s incarceration rates and sentencing policies. The committee sent HB 556 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee also advanced HB 540, presented by Representative Bingham, which would extend public-records protections and related safety/security exemptions to the Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections similar to those already available to the Department of Corrections. No opposition was offered, and the bill received a due pass recommendation. Finally, HB 688, presented by Senator Kaiser, would update Idaho’s airbag laws to define counterfeit and non-functional airbags, prohibit knowingly selling or installing them to mislead buyers, and set misdemeanor penalties. Testimony from the automotive industry supported the bill as a consumer-protection measure addressing counterfeit airbags; the committee sent HB 688 to the floor with a due pass recommendation before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• in fiscal year 27, a $500,000 generator at the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum, and $382,500 for replacement
• remains secure and trusted by Louisiana voters, the equipment is 35 years old and really needs to be replaced
• And what will be, you think, the ultimate cost to replace all the machines?

Summary: The committee heard a budget presentation for the Department of State. House Fiscal Division said the FY27 recommended budget is $128.6 million and 367 positions, with elections making up the largest share. Secretary of State Nancy Landry said the office is implementing Louisiana’s first closed party primary, continuing voter education efforts, and moving toward procurement of a new voting system that would produce a voter-verifiable paper ballot and support risk-limiting audits. Members asked about polling place confusion, machine replacement costs, election commissioner pay, and the cost of educating voters about the new primary system. Landry said polling places are not changing because of the new primary law, the new system is expected to cost about $100 million total, and a bill this session would raise election commissioner pay by $100 per day. Fiscal staff also estimated the closed primary law will add about $31.5 million in costs over five years, mostly from converting local elections to statewide elections and voter outreach. The committee then reviewed the Department of Veterans Affairs budget, which was presented at about $105.2 million with a mix of federal, state, self-generated, and interagency funds. The department said most costs are tied to personnel and veterans’ homes, and that the homes are funded largely by federal dollars plus self-generated revenue. Members focused heavily on delays in processing National Guard disability claims and payments to veterans. Representatives said constituents had waited about a year for claims to be resolved, while the department said it had increased staffing and was processing a backlog of more than 400 claims, but still had about $950,000 in approved claims awaiting funding. The department said the payout program is governed by statute and that additional supplemental funding has been requested. Members also discussed veterans’ home care, including how service-connected disability status affects eligibility and costs, and whether chronic wound care and related complications could increase long-term costs. The department said veterans with higher service-connected ratings receive care with federal support, while others pay fees. Several members urged the department to provide clearer timelines and better communication to claimants, and one member suggested a separate oversight hearing to address the disability claim process and any needed statutory changes. The committee adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 556 proposes replacing the current level with $80 a day.
• House Bill 556 proposes replacing the current level with $80 a day flat for anyone who's sentenced to
• that's coming forward that is $18 million that deals with county jails and out-of-state prison replacements

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the journal, and received messages and committee reports before moving through a long third-reading calendar. Several bills were introduced or advanced, including measures on restroom access and indecency (HB 752), assertive community treatment (HB 753), foreign law in Idaho courts (HB 602), police dog protections expanded to electronic storage detection dogs (HB 654), hospital taxing district petition procedures (HB 549), legislative candidate residency requirements (HB 673), driver’s education options in urban districts (HB 628), and redesign of the agricultural license plate supporting Ag in the Classroom (HB 663). The House also passed HB 652, which would make hunting the official state sport of Idaho, after brief debate about its cultural significance and nonexclusive nature. Debate centered most heavily on HB 556, which would raise county jail reimbursement for state inmates from the current structure to a flat $80 per day. Supporters argued counties are absorbing large unreimbursed costs, jails are overcrowded, and the state should pay more of its own incarceration expenses; opponents cited the bill’s $3.1 million ongoing fiscal impact and the state’s tight budget. Despite those concerns, HB 556 passed 59-10 with one abstention. HB 602 also drew discussion over whether limiting foreign law could recreate prior problems with enforcing out-of-country child support orders; the sponsor said the bill was narrower and preserved constitutional and treaty protections, and it passed 61-6. HB 673, which would require legislative candidates to have lived in their district for 120 days in the year before filing, generated the most extended debate. Supporters said it would ensure candidates are actually part of the communities they seek to represent, while opponents raised concerns about retroactivity, military service, travel for family care, and the burden of proving residency. Rather than defeat the bill, the House voted 63-6 to send it to General Orders for further work. The House then passed HB 628 on parent-taught driver education in urban districts despite safety objections, and HB 663 on the Ag in the Classroom license plate redesign. The chamber adjourned after announcements and committee scheduling notices.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's just I don't know who's going to replace me. That doesn't answer your question, senator.
• Concurrently, we're replacing our legacy disease surveillance... system and have successfully upgraded
• fundamentally transform rural healthcare delivery per CMs these funds are designated for innovation not for replacing

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What I'll tell you is we've replaced it with good faith, right?
• So I think what you're saying is that that protection kind of replaces this other protection for citizens
• consumer rights to report nonconforming equipment, and requires manufacturers or agents to repair or replace

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It requires an employer to keep records of notices for three years, and it replaces the definition of
• of the health care benefits, the injured worker is not going to receive enough to actually pay, to replace
• of the health care benefits, the injured worker is not going to receive enough to actually pay, to replace

Bills: HB2188, HB2563, HB1571, HB2144, HB2191, HB2218, HB2243, HB2372

Keywords: transparency, industrial insurance, insurance rate increases, financial disclosure, regulatory oversight, unemployment, electronic notices, compensation, digital communication, order processing, workers' compensation, occupational disease, firefighters, fire investigators, law enforcement officers, first responders, heart disease, cardiac conditions, respiratory disease, cancer presumption

Transcript Highlights:

• It requires an employer to keep records of notices for three years, and it replaces the definition of
• of the health care benefits, the injured worker is not going to receive enough to actually pay, to replace
• of the health care benefits, the injured worker is not going to receive enough to actually pay, to replace

Summary: The Labor and Workplace Standards Committee met on January 28, 2026, first hearing staff briefings and then taking executive action on House Bills 1571, 2144, 2191, and 2372. HB 1571 would make heart conditions a presumptive occupational disease for certain firefighters and law enforcement officers; members spoke in support of the bill as a response to the stresses and exposures of those jobs, and it was reported out 8-1 with a do-pass recommendation. HB 2144 would require notice to employees when employers use electronic monitoring for performance evaluations. The committee considered several amendments to a proposed substitute, adopting an amendment clarifying private communications protections but rejecting amendments to broaden emergency exceptions and remove the private right of action. The bill, as amended, passed 6-3. HB 2191 concerns wages in the construction industry and employer/contractor liability for unpaid wages. The committee considered a proposed substitute and several amendments. Members rejected amendments to include public entities as owners and to extend the right to cure to subcontractors, but adopted amendments removing Attorney General enforcement authority and making additional clarifying changes. Supporters emphasized accountability for unpaid wages and protecting vulnerable workers; opponents raised concerns about the scope of liability. The amended bill was reported out 6-3. HB 2372 would require workers’ compensation time loss benefits to include the full employer health care premium contribution rather than a partial percentage. An amendment to add L&I invoice and notice requirements and bar attorney fees on the health-care-premium portion was rejected, and the bill was then reported out 6-3. The committee also held public hearings on HB 2563 and HB 2188. HB 2563 would allow the Office of Administrative Hearings to automatically serve unemployment-case notices electronically during a pilot period ending July 30, 2029. OAH testified that the change would reduce mailing costs and improve service, while the Unemployment Law Project warned it would harm claimants with limited digital access and create procedural barriers; no action was taken during the hearing. HB 2188 would require L&I to publish actuarial indicated workers’ compensation rates and explain when rate caps shift costs to other classes. Business groups supported the transparency measure, and L&I testified it could provide the information and that the bill would have no fiscal impact; the hearing was closed without action.

Transcript Highlights:

• The current Intoxilyzer 8000 devices are no longer in production and are being replaced by the Intoxilyzer
• the growing population, we are demolishing some inefficient old housing units—32-person units—and replacing
• assistant positions to an entry-level staff attorney position based on available funding, $1.5 million to replace

Bills: S0054, S0156, S0296, S0298

Keywords: cognitive function, psychotropic drugs, violent offenders, autopsy procedures, medical records, school safety, public records, open government, sunshine law, victims of dating violence, domestic violence, address confidentiality program, confidential address, voter registration, voting records, elections, supervisor of elections, Department of State, Attorney General, privacy

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation on the Governor’s fiscal year 2026-27 public safety budget, which totals about $8.2 billion within a $117.4 billion overall state budget. Caitlin Dawkins of the Governor’s Office of Policy and Budget outlined funding and reductions across the public safety silo, including the Department of Corrections, Juvenile Justice, FDLE, Legal Affairs, the courts, and related entities. Agency heads then presented their requests, with FDLE seeking funding for fentanyl enforcement, career offender registry staffing, alert system upgrades, alcohol testing equipment, officer mental health, criminal alien detection, and statutory staffing needs; DJJ requesting money for the Florida Scholars Academy, uniforms, residential contract rate increases, a new Broward detention center, and facility maintenance; and DOC requesting major funding for correctional officer pay increases, 500 additional FTE, facility construction and maintenance, communications and security technology, offender information system modernization, inmate health care, pharmaceuticals, and food service. Members discussed staffing shortages, prison conditions, immigration enforcement, public records burdens, mental health and substance use treatment, and the need for continued investment in corrections. A member of the public also testified about poor conditions in some prisons, including clothing, food, medical care, and maintenance issues. The committee then considered and passed CS/SB 156, the Jason Rayner Act, which would clarify that a person may not resist a law enforcement officer with violence when the officer is performing official duties and would increase penalties in cases involving violence against officers. The bill sponsor described the case of Officer Jason Rayner and said the measure was intended to prevent defendants from using claims about unlawful detention or arrest to justify violence. An amendment conforming the bill’s language was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably after support was noted from several law enforcement and municipal groups. Next, the committee passed CS/SB 54, which addresses use of substances affecting cognitive function. An amendment narrowed the medical-records language to records relevant to investigations of violent offenders and clarified privacy protections. The bill was then reported favorably. The committee also passed CS/SB 296, the Haven Act, which would direct a study of a secure web-based alert system for domestic violence victims so they can contact 911 without alerting an abuser, and would expand the Address Confidentiality Program to include dating violence victims. Testimony from survivors and advocates emphasized the danger victims face when trying to leave abusive situations. Finally, the committee passed CS/SB 298, the public-records companion bill, which extends confidentiality protections for participants in the Address Confidentiality Program to dating violence victims as well. All three bills were reported favorably, and the committee adjourned after no further business.