Transcript Highlights:

• audit is that we are likely to be delayed in our audit as well because we are awaiting a federal compliance
• But there is a federal compliance statement that's required as part of the audit that is delayed.
• Chairman, so you have already selected A contractor? Mr. Chair, Senator, yes. Okay, and Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• petitions for 90 days but also requires petitions gathered from the effective date to be delivered in compliance
• the process to go before the Governor and Cabinet to restore complete civil rights, or is it in compliance
• what they say is the arrests and the subpoenas are hard to enforce because they are out-of-state contractors

Bills: HB 9 , HB 22 , HB 908 , HB 1392

Transcript Highlights:

• line, where it starts to say, mention that FBT was a design team, and Franken was the geotech and contractor
• The contractor failed to coordinate testing per specifications.
• The design team, the contractor, and the geotechnical team that were responsible to try and maintain
• The contractors will become involved as well and be responsible for their part of the schedule.
• updates do take place, but it will take the cooperation of our design professionals and general contractors

Transcript Highlights:

• We hired a contractor to help us obtain that right-of-way.
• /c> working with a contractor working with a contractor um<02:40:16.880><c> to</c><02:40:17.240><c> write
• c><02:55:46.120><c> no</c> we tell contractors, "Sorry, no we tell contractors, "Sorry, no construc-<
• contractor contractor mess<03:17:45.680><c> that</c><03:17:45.840><c> we</c><03:17:45.920><c> got</c
• Contractors coming out here and know.

Committee: Joint Select Committee on Tribal Relations

Transcript Highlights:

• The act allows voluntary withholdings from independent contractors for purposes of an approved Department
• voluntarily contribute to the plans, including by withholding a percentage of pay given to the contractor
• if the contractor agrees.
• The Act allows voluntary withholdings from independent contractors for purposes of an approved Department
• if the contractor including by withholding a percentage of pay given to the contractor if the contractor

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• The remediation contractors had experience with these situations, but they still needed to know what
• I reached out to people in state government, contractors, and other others who had experience with this
• The remediation contractors<00:04:12.080><c> had</c><00:04:12.319><c> experience</c><00:04:12.720><c>
• with</c><00:04:12.959><c> these</c> contractors had experience with these contractors had experience
• </c><00:05:26.720><c> The</c><00:05:27.199><c> contractors</c> To connect to the city, the contractors

Transcript Highlights:

• Certain payments are considered trust funds, ensuring that contractors and suppliers are paid properly
• I assure you, registered as Jeffrey, testifying on behalf of Associated Builders and Contractors.
• I represent contractors of Texas, a statewide trade association representing more than 1,600 merit shop
• contractors.
• Under current law, a contractor or subcontractor who pays a party downstream only to discover that the

Bills: HB2226 , HB2269 , HB2343 , HB2760 , HB3621 , HB4079 , HB4204 , HB4518 , HB4531 , HB4555 , HB4850 , HB4876 , HB4903 , HB4996 , HB5122

Committee: House Trade, Workforce & Economic Development

Keywords: construction trust funds, Property Code, Chapter 162, construction payments, mechanics lien, contractors, subcontractors, laborers, material suppliers, materialmen, real property improvement, assignment of payment rights, unpaid trust funds, trust fund beneficiaries, construction industry, payment protection, Texas construction law, property owners association, landscaping, grass maintenance

Transcript Highlights:

• Insurance and property management companies, board members, and contractors should be required to disclose
• :13:56.000><c> board</c><00:13:56.279><c> members</c><00:13:56.759><c> and</c><00:13:56.959><c> contractors
• </c> companies board members and contractors companies board members and contractors should<00:13:57.759
• They're a tool to ensure compliance with community rules that protect property values and quality of
• From residents and board members to property management companies, lawyers, contractors, and everyone

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, funds are drawn down by an owner to pay contractors, and the contractor pays the subcontractors.
• The best way to do that is to pay it as it's drawn by the contractors. To not break the law, right?
• He said that in a very real but informal way that these contractors are essentially loaning money.
• I'm the president and owner of Eleanor Electric, a small family-owned commercial electrical contractor
• That's not what general contractors want. ...contractors want. That's frankly not what owners want.

Bills: SB1468 , SB1612 , SB1789 , SB2530 , SB2571 , SB2717 , SB2967

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• Somehow a contractor thought that it was reasonable to just pour grout into the drains, and you know
• thought that it was somehow a contractor thought that it was reasonable<00:21:31.799><c> to</c><00:21
• </c><00:43:40.319><c> to</c><00:43:40.440><c> make</c><00:43:40.640><c> these</c> original contractor
• to make these original contractor to make these repairs<00:43:41.680><c> because</c><00:43:42.040><c
• Other contractors are being brought in to make some of these corrections.

Summary: The committee held an informational briefing on construction defects and operational problems at the newly opened Hawaii State Hospital Halola building, a $160 million facility with 144 beds for forensic patients. Department of Health and DAGS officials described ongoing issues identified before and after occupancy in April 2022, including anti-ligature safety defects, roof and building-envelope leaks, drainage problems, plumbing failures, HVAC corrosion and moisture-control issues, mold, and corroding materials. They said the problems have affected patient areas, showers, hallways, the gym, and other parts of the building, creating daily operational and safety challenges for staff and patients. Officials said the state believes the defects are the responsibility of the design-builder, Hensel Phelps, but that they are working with the company and its subcontractors to address the problems while preserving the state’s legal position. The Attorney General’s office said it is conducting an inquiry and asked agencies to limit comments to factual matters. Witnesses explained that some defects appear to be latent and that repairs are being documented through photos, invoices, and testimony. They also said some work is being done by Hensel Phelps and some by other contractors, with efforts to preserve evidence for possible future claims. Committee members questioned how the defects were missed during design-build inspection, whether the state should pursue litigation sooner, and how evidence would be preserved if outside contractors make repairs. Officials said the state has two funding requests pending: about $8 million for emergency repairs and about $28.8 million for longer-term repairs, for a total near $40 million, while noting that additional defects may still be discovered. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• is that we have scopes that are separated from the general contractor.
• contractor.
• And we and on-call and the contractor capacity to do 6 billion worth of projects.
• There were three contractors that submitted bids.
• The general contractor included Various work packages were included in the bid.

Committee: House Public School Capital Outlay Oversight Task Force

Transcript Highlights:

• Our contractors did work all winter. They hauled aggregate, got ready to install pipe.
• Our contractors did work all winter. They hauled aggregate, got ready to install pipe.
• Our contractors did work all winter. They hauled aggregate, got ready to install pipe.
• We did have a contractor that actually went into four years.
• We did have a contractor that actually went into four years.

Summary: The Water Topics Overview Committee met with a quorum and received updates from the Department of Water Resources and the State Water Commission, followed by presentations from Deloitte on two legislative studies required by House Bill 1020. Director Reese Haas reviewed major project and budget updates, including the Northwest Area Water Supply and Southwest Pipeline projects, Resources Trust Fund balances, carryover spending, project prioritization, bid conditions, regional water system coverage, and department process improvements. Members also discussed how the commission prioritizes projects, maintenance expectations, and the impact of limited municipal water supply funding. No formal committee action was taken during the DWR update; the commission’s municipal funding decisions were described as pending its April 8 meeting. Deloitte then presented the cost-share policy study, which found that under current policy and forecasted revenues, North Dakota faces an estimated $1.3 billion shortfall over 14 years, with a near-term gap of about $1.8 billion through 2031. The firm outlined seven recommended options, including tighter definitions and a 25% cost share for eligible replacement projects, caps and financing strategies for the Mouse River and Red River Valley projects, aligning cost share with commission priority guidance, delaying lower-priority projects, using available lines of credit, and adjusting reimbursement timing for revolving loan funds. Committee members questioned inflation assumptions, affordability, user fees, and the use of legacy fund earnings for bonding, but no decisions were made. In the governance and finance study, Deloitte said final recommendations are still being refined, with a final report due May 29. The study examined the Southwest Pipeline, NAWS, and Red River Valley systems using governance and finance criteria such as decision authority, transparency, affordability, risk, and access to funding. For Southwest, Deloitte outlined options ranging from improved state-authority coordination to transferring ownership to the Southwest Water Authority; for NAWS, options focused on strengthening the authority’s role and potentially transitioning operations and maintenance; and for Red River, options ranged from enhanced facilitation to formal state oversight or state ownership. Members asked follow-up questions about ownership transfer, capital repayment streams, and why NAWS was not considered for transfer, and Deloitte said NAWS’s limited organizational maturity made that option less viable in the near term.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have contractors, and this is an area where people may ask, why did it come to the Agriculture Department
• is to take information in from the citizens that might have challenges, and we assign them to a contractor
• that we work with—different independent contractors—to carry out that service.
• We do not spend any dollars unless we assign a contractor to it.
• As far as negotiations and best practices, we do review state requirements for compliance just to ensure

Summary: The Energy Development and Transmission Committee met in interim session and approved the November 6 minutes. Chair Novak outlined the committee’s study agenda, including large energy users such as data centers, geothermal, landowner relations, wind and solar, and other energy topics across the state. The meeting was framed as informational only, with no bills or formal legislative action taken beyond the minutes approval. Testimony focused first on landowner relations. Oliver County Commissioner Dave Berger described the county’s energy history and local support for coal and related development. North Dakota Farmers Union President Matt Perdue emphasized proactive, face-to-face communication with landowners, respect for property rights, and the need for developers to be transparent about tradeoffs; he also discussed insurance and liability concerns tied to easements. Committee members asked about eminent domain, local versus state authority, and how communities can better understand the revenue and infrastructure implications of energy development. Department of Agriculture Deputy Commissioner Tom Bodine then described the department’s ombudsman programs for pipeline restoration and reclamation, wind restoration, and royalty oversight. He said the programs provide confidential, third-party assistance on reclamation and royalty disputes, but do not provide legal advice. Senators raised concerns about post-production deductions in royalty leases and whether the ombudsman can explain them; Bodine said the program can clarify statements and deductions but cannot resolve legal disputes. He also said the department has not received requests related to fiber lines. Representatives from Grid United and One Oak described their project development and landowner engagement practices. Grid United’s Brent Johnson discussed the North Plains Connector transmission project, its route selection process, voluntary acquisition approach, and efforts to avoid eminent domain by working closely with regulators, counties, townships, and landowners. One Oak’s Danette Welsh and Tom Giltner described the company’s midstream operations, extensive North Dakota footprint, and emphasis on direct landowner communication, consistent local regulation, careful construction practices, and post-construction reclamation. Members asked about setbacks, zoning consistency, invasive species prevention, outside advocacy groups, and eminent domain use; One Oak said it has not used eminent domain on its North Dakota projects, largely because most gathering lines are negotiated easements.

Bills: SR107 , SCR53 , SCR54 , SCR55 , SCR12 , HB167 , HB181 , HB243 , HB316 , HB321 , HB335 , HB492 , HB578 , HB624 , HB708 , HB864 , HB906 , HB968 , HB969 , HB978 , HB985 , HB1005 , HB1032 , HB1077 , HB1095 , HB1104 , HB1118 , HB1157 , HB1187 , HB1189 , HB1195 , HB1198 , HB1220 , HB221 , HCR58 , SB283 , SB338 , SB488 , SB520 , HB90 , HB127 , HB138 , HB150 , HB201 , HB268 , HB273 , HB285 , HB315 , HB354 , HB355 , HB360 , HB376 , HB445 , HB506 , HB606 , HB649 , HB665 , HB681 , HB721 , HB746 , HB757 , HB781 , HB835 , HB844 , HB857 , HB872 , HB886 , HB889 , HB892 , HB972 , HB982 , HB987 , HB1037 , HB1068 , HB1072 , HB1078 , HB1085 , HB1132 , HB1137 , HB1167 , HB1174 , HB1232 , HB1238 , SB68 , SB76 , SB149 , SB191 , SB196 , SB318 , SB162 , SB382 , SCR33 , SCR30 , SB112 , SB194 , SB307 , SB341 , SB346 , SB363 , SB495 , SB503 , SB507 , SB509 , SB513 , SB408 , SB131 , SB145 , SB333 , SB464 , SB466 , SB500 , SB35 , SB65 , SB215 , SB228 , SB246 , SB249 , SB268 , SB269 , SB282 , SB296 , SB312 , SB319 , SB323 , SB369 , SB431 , SB474 , SB484 , SB490 , SB492 , SB501 , HCR14 , HB537 , HB652 , HB653 , HB661 , HB726 , HB756 , HB851 , HB964 , HB966 , HB34 , HB35 , HB48 , HB474 , HB553 , HB758 , HB852 , HB10 , HB16 , HB36 , HB44 , HB46 , HB52 , HB61 , HB78 , HB98 , HB102 , HB124 , HB126 , HB131 , HB135 , HB141 , HB142 , HB164 , HB170 , HB171 , HB179 , HB194 , HB231 , HB245 , HB280 , HB292 , HB294 , HB297 , HB305 , HB336 , HB337 , HB351 , HB436 , HB594 , HB789 , HB956 , HB957 , HB995 , HB1040 , HB50 , HB117 , HB120 , HB122 , HB139 , HB148 , HB149 , HB185 , HB199 , HB247 , HB271 , HB286 , HB301 , HB358 , HB359 , HB384 , HB413 , HB428 , HB450 , HB462 , HB547 , HB613 , HB631 , HB657 , HB669 , HB675 , HB680 , HB691 , HB712 , HB716 , HB720 , HB723 , HB727 , HB728 , HB735 , HB747 , HB759 , HB825 , HB842 , HB845 , HB846 , HB903 , HB904 , HB907 , HB923 , HB929 , HB941 , HB962 , HB965 , HB1036 , HB287 , HB370 , HB515 , HB521 , HB570 , HB1200 , HB119 , HB129 , HB677 , HB850

Keywords: condolence resolution, memorial resolution, tribute, sympathy, Joel Parker Sr., Louisiana Senate, rodeo, cowboy, horse trainer, stock and rodeo producer, black cowboy, African American history, community recognition, funeral resolution, celebration of life, Lottie Stampede Arena, Easter Sunday Rodeo, ranching, plantation work, faith community

Transcript Highlights:

• CCBHCs and other DMH contractor providers can get reimbursed for peers, but not CHWs. Okay.
• Rodney may have more eloquent terms, but essentially look-alikes are required to meet all of the compliance
• So we've seen some encouraging signs, actually, from voluntary compliance.
• So we've seen some encouraging signs, actually, from voluntary compliance.
• Today, for the first time, I can share that our office has entered into an assurance of voluntary compliance

Committee: House Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Task Force

Transcript Highlights:

• CCBHCs and other DMH contractor providers can get reimbursed for peers, but not CHWs.” “Okay.
• But essentially, lookalikes are required to meet all of the compliance expectations of a full FQHC.
• So we've seen some encouraging signs, actually, from voluntary compliance.
• I think it's fair to say that the market for these drugs is constricting, but because compliance.
• Today, for the first time, I can share that our office has entered into an assurance of voluntary compliance

Summary: The task force heard extensive testimony on recovery support, harm reduction, and community-based care. Dan Haniken of Into Action described his own recovery from addiction and incarceration and argued that treatment alone is not enough; he said recovery housing, peer support, employment, accountability, and stable housing are what help people stay sober and avoid relapse. Members asked about funding, housing shortages, transportation, treatment courts, and support for medication-assisted treatment (MAT). Haniken said Into Action relies on a braided mix of federal, state, county, city, foundation, and private funding, and that recovery housing needs longer-term support than many current funding streams provide. He also said Missouri should expand recovery housing, peer recovery support, and recovery community centers, and improve awareness and access to MAT in recovery settings and after incarceration. Matt Cushman, a community paramedic with Raytown Fire Protection District, urged Missouri to expand harm reduction, including syringe service programs and broader access to clean needles and drug-checking tools. He argued that stigma and abstinence-only approaches keep many people from seeking help, and said harm reduction reduces disease transmission, overdose deaths, hospitalizations, and other harms while creating pathways to recovery. He cited naloxone distribution as a successful example and said similar strategies should be decriminalized and expanded. Members asked about naloxone access, community paramedicine funding, and whether safe consumption sites should be considered; Cushman said syringe exchange should be a near-term priority, while safe consumption sites are a longer-term policy question. Representatives from Ozarks Medical Center/COMC and Four Rivers Community Health Center focused on the need to reimburse peer support specialists and community health workers, especially in rural and underserved areas. COMC’s Monet Lehman shared her trauma and recovery story and described her jail reentry work, helping incarcerated people with housing, benefits, IDs, employment, MAT, and community supports before release. Four Rivers said its care coordinators and CHWs provide wraparound services such as transportation, housing help, Medicaid enrollment, clothing, and same-day MAT access. Members and staff discussed confusion over reimbursement rules, noting that CCBHCs can bill for peer services through Medicaid while FQHCs generally cannot, and that CHWs are often funded through grants rather than reimbursement. No votes were taken; the meeting consisted of testimony and member questions, with several requests for follow-up information on funding, transportation, and reimbursement rules.

Transcript Highlights:

• If so, what assurances has the Kentucky DOC received from Wellpath about uninterrupted compliance with
• program administrators are state staff members who currently oversee the medical program and ensure compliance
• These positions currently provide oversight and ensure contract compliance and would continue to do so
• And obviously, we would want to ensure contract compliance once a contractor is on the ground providing

Summary: The committee heard from the Department of Corrections first about Wellpath’s medical services contract and the contractor’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy. DOC officials said Wellpath’s reorganization plan was confirmed in May 2025, the contract was automatically assumed, and services have continued without lapses. They said DOC has not seen any reduction in care, staffing problems, or known impact on Kentucky operations, and that DOC and health services staff meet with Wellpath almost weekly. Members asked whether “emergence” meant discharge from bankruptcy; staff clarified that Wellpath has not yet been discharged and is still in the process of paying debts. The discussion then shifted to the Department of Juvenile Justice’s proposed high-acuity juvenile mental health treatment facility. DJJ said the facility is still in the conceptual and preliminary programming stage, with no full design funding yet and no entry into the formal A/B process with DECA. The proposed facility would have 24 beds total, split into 16 clinical beds and 8 assessment/stabilization beds, and would need to separate males and females as well as high- and low-risk youth under Senate Bill 162. Officials said the concept was developed with DJJ and CHFS mental health staff and outside design experts, and that the project was submitted in the capital plan for consideration. Members questioned the need for the facility, the estimated construction and staffing costs, and whether the state has enough youth to justify it. DJJ said the number of youth needing this level of care changes frequently, that they currently have one youth in Pennsylvania and typically send one to five youth out of state each year, and that out-of-state placement is increasingly difficult. Officials argued that a dedicated facility would reduce delays, keep youth closer to home, and avoid the need to retrofit multiple detention centers. Some members expressed concern that the projected operating costs seemed high compared with the small number of current out-of-state placements, and asked for more information on annual out-of-state spending and the number of youth who would qualify for the facility.

Transcript Highlights:

• hoping more small businesses access funding for environmental upgrades, seismic safety, and ADA compliance
• took, it took, was able to receive its certification in June of 2024, meaning they were out of compliance
• always presumed that the State Water Resources Control Board will hand off at some point the work of compliance
• It does so by strengthening compliance with housing element laws, which is basically the guide for what
• a bond is a type of surety used in construction projects to protect against financial loss if a contractor

Summary: The Assembly Local Government Committee heard a long agenda of housing, water, and local finance bills, with the chair repeatedly reminding attendees about hearing rules and noting that several measures were being heard without a quorum at first. Early items included AB 407, which would broaden eligibility for state-run loan and financing programs to help small businesses fund environmental, seismic, and ADA upgrades, and AB 93, which would require data centers to estimate and report water use and follow state best practices. AB 93 drew support from water advocates and local government groups, while the Data Center Coalition opposed it, arguing the bill could be overly restrictive, difficult to retrofit, and raise trade secret or security concerns. The committee also heard AB 650 on housing element review, AB 1044 on creating a new Tulare County groundwater sustainability agency, and AB 523 on allowing proxy voting for single-representative member agencies on the Metropolitan Water District board; all drew broad support from local agencies and related stakeholders and no recorded opposition in the room. Several housing bills were presented as part of a broader fast-track housing package. AB 507 would streamline adaptive reuse of office buildings into housing, especially in downtowns with high vacancy; supporters said it would revive urban cores and help meet housing and climate goals, while the League of California Cities and a few cities opposed it unless amended, citing concerns about one-size-fits-all by-right approval and fee limitations. AB 1294 would create a universal housing application and limit early application requirements; it drew strong support from housing and business groups, with the American Planning Association and League of California Cities seeking more flexibility and input. AB 610 would require local governments to disclose housing constraints in their housing elements and limit new constraints after certification for three years unless disclosed; supporters said it would improve transparency and certainty, while opponents warned it could chill legitimate local policy choices and inclusionary housing requirements. Both AB 610 and AB 698, which would require analysis of the housing and property tax impacts of proposed transfer taxes, were moved out of committee on 7-0 votes after discussion and amendments. The committee also heard AB 1112, which would repeal an outdated Riverside County property tax provision affecting Rancho Mirage; the city argued it was the only qualifying no-low property tax city not receiving the standard minimum and sought equal treatment. After quorum was established, the bill was passed 6-0 with amendments and sent to Appropriations. AB 1021, heard later, would make it easier for school districts and other local education agencies to build employee housing, with the author citing teacher recruitment and retention problems and support from education stakeholders. Throughout the hearing, members and witnesses repeatedly emphasized the need to balance housing production, local fiscal tools, and infrastructure needs, and several authors accepted committee amendments and committed to continued negotiations with opponents.

Transcript Highlights:

• hoping more small businesses access funding for environmental upgrades, seismic safety, and ADA compliance
• resources, the city was able to receive its certification in June of 2024, meaning they were out of compliance
• always presumed that the State Water Resources Control Board will hand off at some point the work of compliance
• It does so by strengthening compliance with housing element laws, which is basically the guide for what
• A bond is a type of surety used in construction projects to protect against financial loss if a contractor

Committee: House Local Government

Summary: The Assembly Local Government Committee heard a long slate of bills, with the chair opening by outlining hearing rules, noting in-person testimony only, and identifying several bills for the consent calendar. The committee repeatedly operated without a quorum for much of the hearing, so several authors closed with requests for aye votes before formal action could be taken. AB 407 (Jackson) was heard first and would broaden eligibility in state loan and financing programs to help small businesses fund environmental, seismic, and ADA upgrades; it drew support from the Treasurer’s office and no opposition. AB 93 (Papan) would require state and local agencies to develop best practices and reporting around data center water use; supporters emphasized water scarcity and transparency, while the Data Center Coalition opposed it as overly restrictive and potentially burdensome. The League of California Cities and water agencies were generally supportive or neutral with amendments. The committee also heard several housing-related bills. AB 650 (Papan) would give cities earlier RHNA information and require HCD to provide clearer, more actionable housing element feedback; it received broad support from cities, planning groups, and housing advocates, with no opposition. AB 507 (Haney) would streamline adaptive reuse of office buildings into housing, especially in downtowns, and AB 1294 (Haney) would create a more standardized housing application process; both drew strong support from housing and business groups, while local government groups raised concerns about one-size-fits-all mandates and local discretion. AB 610 (Alvarez) would strengthen housing element transparency and limit new local housing constraints and fees after certification; supporters said it would improve certainty, while legal aid and city groups opposed it as too rigid and potentially harmful to inclusionary housing and local fee authority. AB 610 ultimately received a 7-0 do-pass recommendation to Appropriations. Other measures included AB 1044 (Macedo), which would create a new groundwater sustainability agency structure for Tulare County to help the region comply with SGMA; it was backed by county and agricultural water representatives and had no opposition. AB 523 (Irwin) would allow proxy voting for single-representative member agencies on the Metropolitan Water District board, with support from several water districts and no opposition. AB 1112 (Wallace) would repeal an outdated property tax carve-out affecting Rancho Mirage; the city supported it as restoring equity, and the committee called the roll after reaching quorum, then moved the bill do pass as amended to Appropriations by a 6-0 vote with the roll left open. Finally, AB 698 (Wicks) would require analysis of the housing, market-rate, and property tax impacts before a local transfer tax is adopted; supporters said it would inform local decision-making, while opponents, including a coalition tied to Los Angeles’ Measure ULA, argued it could undermine local revenue tools and housing funding. The committee discussed that the bill was forward-looking and not retroactive, and then moved it forward as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Jeff Sharkey, National Electrical Contractors Association, waves in support.
• Secretary of State is not considered properly effectuated unless and until a proper affidavit of compliance
• do think that when lawyers get letters that say, 'It appears your IOTA trust account is not in compliance
• because, of course, the Bar can't regulate the bank, and if they decide not to allow you to get into compliance
• receipt of the submittal under the bill, the designees must review the plat or replat submittal for compliance

Committee: Senate Rules

Summary: The Rules Committee took up a large agenda of bills, with many measures reported favorably after brief explanations, amendments, and testimony. Early bills included CS/SB 658 on lien waivers and releases, which was amended to preserve enforceability despite form differences and then passed; CS/CS/SB 736 on brownfields redevelopment, which drew support from business and redevelopment interests and passed; and CS/SB 1002 on utility service restrictions, which was amended to bar certain building or fire code provisions affecting fuel-source choices and then passed despite opposition from environmental advocates. The committee also advanced CS/CS/SB 1132 on right-to-repair for certain equipment, where manufacturers, dealer representatives, and industry groups warned the bill could undermine dealer networks and existing repair programs, while supporters argued it would improve consumer access and help farmers and equipment owners. The bill still passed. Other measures reported favorably included CS/SB 1378 on restitution for leaving the scene of property-damage crashes, CS/CS/SB 768 on foreign-country controlling interests in health care licensing, CS/SB 772 on school access to glucagon for diabetes emergencies, CS/SB 1400 on removal of nonconsensual altered sexual depictions, and CS/SB 1696 on transportation network company impersonation and transit funding. A major portion of the meeting focused on affordable housing. CS/SB 1730, a follow-up to the Live Local Act, made several changes to zoning, height, density, parking, moratorium, and enforcement provisions, with members raising concerns about parking reductions, attorney’s fees, local control, and impacts in the Keys and other sensitive areas. Supporters said the bill closes loopholes and improves workforce housing implementation, while some witnesses urged additional exemptions for areas of critical state concern. The bill was reported favorably after amendment. Later, the committee considered several bills from Senator Leak, including CS/SB 576 on service of process, CS/SB 606 on public lodging and food service establishments, and CS/SB 1164 on electronic delivery of landlord-tenant notices. CS/SB 606 drew substantial debate over whether hotels and extended-stay properties should be able to remove nonpaying guests without treating them like residential tenants; the sponsor said the bill clarifies transient occupancy and removes mandatory arrest provisions, and it passed. CS/SB 1164, which allows email notice delivery by agreement, passed despite concerns from tenant advocates that the bill should include clearer consent and safeguards. The committee also approved CS/SB 1374 on school district reporting of educator arrests and misconduct, CS/SB 940 on third-party restaurant reservation sales, and began hearing CS/SB 1690 on surrendered infants, which would authorize infant safety devices or “baby boxes” as a legal surrender option, with supportive testimony from proponents describing crisis situations and the need for anonymous surrender options.