Transcript Highlights:

• This bill requires DCF to create a treatment foster care pilot program that will increase family-like
• Is there a funding mechanism for this program?
• Is there a funding mechanism for this program?
• care pilot program?
• , appropriately named the FARM program.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of introductions recognizing FSU Day at the Capitol, Catholic lay leaders, seniors advocates, Broward County school officials, and veterans-related guests. The chamber then moved through its special order calendar, beginning with several Florida Statutes revision bills. SB 36 adopted the 2025 Florida Statutes and prior session law; SB 38 conformed statutory terminology for the Division of Criminal Investigations; SB 40 removed repealed provisions; and SB 42 cleaned up obsolete language, cross-references, and typographical errors. Each passed unanimously or nearly unanimously after brief explanations and no substantive debate. The Senate also passed CS/SB 50 on nature-based coastal resilience, as amended to strengthen the Florida Flood Hub’s role under USF and clarify research and modeling responsibilities; CS/SB 116 on veterans, which expanded veteran awareness and coordination efforts, added mental health training, and authorized adult day health care; SB 118 on presidential libraries, which preempted local regulation to give a future Florida presidential library maximum flexibility; CS/SB 126 on prescription hearing aids, allowing mail distribution for adults after appropriate professional evaluation; SB 150 on abandoning restrained dogs during natural disasters, amended to conform to the House; SB 294 limiting collaborative pharmacy practice from being expanded to certain serious cardiac conditions; and SM 314 urging Congress to increase Florida National Guard force structure. Most of these measures passed with strong bipartisan support, though SB 118 drew questions about local zoning, parking, and safety and passed 36-3, with one senator later changing to a no vote over local control concerns. Later, the Senate approved CS/CS/SB 322 creating a nonjudicial process for removing unauthorized persons from commercial property, and CS/SB 348 on ethics, which would penalize false claims of military rank or honors for material gain and require paycheck withholding for delinquent ethics fines owed by public employees. The chamber also passed CS/CS/SB 7012 on child welfare, which included a CPI/case manager recruitment program, a treatment foster care pilot in two judicial circuits, and improved data collection and capacity analysis for commercially sexually exploited children. CS/SB 108 on administrative procedures was adopted after a detailed explanation of rule review, transparency, and rulemaking deadlines, and CS/SB 160 on public accountancy passed after an amendment clarifying contracted services and discussion of CPA licensure pathways. The longest and most celebratory debate centered on CS/SB 110 for rural communities. The bill created an Office of Rural Prosperity, a Renaissance grant program, housing and road funding, school and health care investments, and related rural support measures. Amendments refined transportation priorities in the Everglades agricultural area and clarified the FARM road program. Senators from across the chamber praised the bill as a long-awaited investment in rural Florida, agriculture, broadband, health care, and quality of life. After extensive debate and emotional closing remarks from the sponsor and leadership, the bill passed overwhelmingly.

Transcript Highlights:

• Are you looking for either a program, a non-profit program, or Medicaid-paid set aside... ...cooling
• The New Mexico Care Program is a pilot program that provides financial assistance to caregivers for being
• That's where you take treatment.
• Our current program services continue to seek enhancements and sustainability of these services and programs
• It was known as the Husky program, Husky A and Husky B.

Transcript Highlights:

• . program. program.
• </c><00:42:19.520><c> for</c><00:42:19.640><c> the</c> Um the program is great for the Um the program
• , not county health programs.
• , not county health programs.
• </c> For for treatment. All right. For for treatment. All right.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Health Professions and Program Subcommittee will now come to order.
• that's been created, so you have to create the program.
• After that, it's three years in a dental therapy program. So it's most likely a four-year program.
• Having said that, there are four-year program...
• But because the program is broken, they can't get the services they need. ...program.

Summary: The Health Professions and Programs Subcommittee heard and advanced three bills. HB 21 would create a new licensed profession of dental therapy under the Department of Health and Board of Dentistry, allowing trained dental therapists to provide a limited scope of care under a supervising Florida-licensed dentist through a collaborative management agreement. Sponsor Rep. Cheney argued the bill would help address severe dental shortages and improve access in underserved areas; opponents from the Florida Dental Association and oral surgery groups warned that the bill would allow irreversible procedures by less-educated providers and could compromise patient safety. Supporters, including dentists, hygienists, and community health center leaders, said dental therapists would expand access and free dentists to handle more complex care. An amendment was adopted to require proof of local anesthesia training, adverse-incident reporting, and updated background screening language. The bill was reported favorably as amended by a 14-1 vote. The committee then considered HB 27, which creates the Social Work Licensure Interstate Compact to allow licensed social workers to practice across member states, including through telehealth, and to help military families and address workforce shortages. Supporters from the National Association of Social Workers and other advocates said the compact would improve mobility, reduce administrative burdens, and expand access to mental health services, especially in underserved and rural areas. A technical amendment restoring model language and setting an effective date of July 1, 2025 was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably as amended on a 15-0 vote. Finally, the committee heard HB 29, the public-records companion to the social work compact, which creates exemptions needed for compact compliance and allows the compact commission or its committees to meet in closed session when discussing information exempt under law. After a technical amendment authorizing closed meetings for exempt matters was adopted, the bill was reported favorably as amended on a 15-0 vote. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• HIV antiviral drugs are used for the treatment of HIV to suppress the virus and for the prevention of
• HIV antiviral drugs are used for the treatment of HIV to suppress the virus and for the prevention of
• If the FDA has approved one or more therapeutic equivalents for the prevention or treatment of HIV, a
• While telehealth is an important option as a treatment modality, and we agree the decisions should be
• and will have a choice between the public and private programs, asking for a yes.

Summary: The committee held public hearings on Substitute Senate Bill 6183, which would require health plans to cover all FDA-approved HIV antiviral drugs without prior authorization, step therapy, or other utilization management, with only one therapeutically equivalent option required if equivalents exist. The prime sponsor said the bill is part of Washington’s effort to end HIV/AIDS, citing ongoing new diagnoses and the need for immediate access to treatment, especially for late-stage cases. No one testified in person or remotely, and public testimony was closed with written comments invited. The committee also heard Substitute Senate Bill 6226, which limits the Board of Hearing and Speech from adopting rules that would prevent licensed audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and hearing aid specialists from using clinical judgment to choose telehealth or in-person care. Supporters said teleaudiology improves access, especially in rural areas and for patients with mobility barriers, and that the bill preserves professional autonomy. Some testifiers raised patient-safety concerns about first-time hearing aid fittings and asked for amendments or more time to study safeguards, while others said the bill should move forward to protect access. In executive session, the committee advanced several measures. It adopted amendments and reported out Substitute Senate Bill 5185 on international medical school graduate physician licensing, Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5845 on claims payment timing and refund requests, Senate Bill 5915 on the health technology assessment program, Senate Bill 6025 on the definition of fetal death, and Senate Joint Memorial 8802 requesting federal Medicare changes. The committee recessed briefly for caucus before taking final votes, and each bill or memorial was reported out with a do pass recommendation; 5845 and 5185 were reported out as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Retinoids are basically the cornerstone of acne treatment.
• "We use anti-aging creams as part of your treatment, right?"
• or anti-aging treatments, there's a list of ingredients, as we all know.
• state program to fill the gap.
• that can be adapted for a state program.

Summary: The committee heard a series of environmental safety and toxic materials measures, with several bills moving forward on unanimous or near-unanimous votes to Appropriations. Early in the meeting, the consent calendar was approved, including AB 372, AB 455, AB 1096, AB 1102, and AB 754. AB 362 by Assembly Member Ramos, which would recognize tribal beneficial uses of water and strengthen consultation and protection for tribal water uses, drew strong support from tribes and environmental groups. Water agencies and local government representatives opposed unless amended, raising concerns about CEQA requirements, co-management language, and conflicts with existing water law. The bill advanced to Appropriations, with some members voting aye and others not voting or absent. AB 728 by Assembly Member Lee would require age verification for the sale of certain anti-aging skin care products to minors. The author and a youth witness described social media-driven use of adult skin products by children and alleged skin damage, while supporters argued age checks are a reasonable consumer protection. Dermatologists and retailers opposed the bill, saying it could restrict legitimate acne and other medical uses of over-the-counter products, create compliance problems, and lacked a clear scientific basis. The committee discussed possible ambiguity in the bill’s definition of anti-aging products, but the measure still passed to Appropriations. AB 532 on low-income water rate assistance, AB 773 on copper-based anti-fouling paint, AB 998 on household hazardous waste disposal of vape pens, AB 1031 on geothermal hazardous waste fees, and AB 864 on solar panel hazardous waste and recycling all received strong support and advanced to Appropriations. Supporters for AB 532 emphasized water affordability and local program authority; AB 773 supporters said conflicting state water and pesticide rules are creating confusion for harbors and cities; AB 998 was presented as a practical way to let schools and local facilities dispose of confiscated vape devices safely; AB 1031 was framed as reducing DTSC fee burdens on geothermal development in Imperial County; and AB 864 would ease recycling and reuse of end-of-life solar panels. The committee also began hearing AB 1264 on ultra-processed foods in school meals, with the author and supporters arguing it would phase out the most harmful ultra-processed foods from school meals by 2032, but the transcript cuts off before the full discussion and any action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, I also have to say that when these kids went to a foster home, went to a treatment program
• Madam Chair, I also have to say that when these kids went to a foster home, went to a treatment program
• I'm also a person with lived experience. program called Out Impact Coalition.
• I've developed a very intentional program. program. contract with DOC for three years.
• How can we start treatment immediately? I've got people that want sex offender treatment.

Bills: SB6239, SB6074, SB5886, SB6041, SB6190

Keywords: tort claims, state liability, Washington law, government accountability, legal process, parole, criminal justice reform, felony, recidivism, rehabilitation, public safety, personality rights, right of publicity, publicity rights, name image likeness, NIL, deepfake, AI-generated content, digital impersonation, forged digital likeness

Transcript Highlights:

• They determine the appropriate treatment, what the appropriate treatment is, and they have the ability
• uh what the the appropriate treatment uh what the appropriate<00:06:32.479><c> treatment</c><00:06:32.960
• ability to dispense that treatment the ability to dispense that treatment at<00:06:36.720><c> the</c
• ,</c><01:05:05.119><c> its</c> resident expert on the program, its resident expert on the program, its
• </c> supports the operation of the program supports the operation of the program paid<01:07:45.119><c

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Also, the Payette form notes you can only opt out for limited treatment.
• Most programs in the state are not countywide.
• Most programs in the state are not countywide.
• With our constituents to make the program work for the people we deal with.
• It's noticeable when they do treatments and when they do not.

Summary: The House Local Government Committee approved the minutes from February 2, 4, and 18, then held a follow-up hearing on HB 747, a bill dealing with mosquito abatement districts, opt-outs from spraying, public notification, aerial applications, and enforcement. The sponsor, Representative Byswinger, said the revised bill was intended to make opt-outs explicit, improve transparency about chemicals used, clarify that drone spraying would not count as aerial abatement, and add accountability for districts he said were not honoring existing law. Supporters argued the bill protects property rights, informed consent, and residents who want to avoid chemical exposure, while several testified that some districts have confusing opt-out procedures or have not respected opt-outs. Opponents, including Canyon County Mosquito Abatement Director Jim Lunders, Madison County Mosquito Director Jared Arnold, Bannock County Commissioner Jeff Huff, and technical advisor Daniel Markowski, said the bill would create major administrative and financial burdens, shift responsibilities to county commissioners without funding, require publication of an impractically large list of possible products, and restrict effective mosquito control. They also warned that requiring a public health emergency before aerial applications would delay response to outbreaks and that limiting access to public lands or making opt-outs permanent through property sales could hinder operations. Supporters from Gem County and elsewhere described health concerns, chemical exposure, and alleged failures by districts to honor opt-outs. After testimony and questions, Representative Hostetler moved to send HB 747 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. Representative Weber offered a substitute motion to hold the bill in committee, citing local control and unintended consequences. The committee rejected the motion to hold the bill on a 9-6 roll call vote, then approved the original motion to send HB 747 to the floor with a due pass recommendation on a 9-6 roll call vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• program.
• I am the program analyst for our elderly program, and I strongly urge that we do not cut our funding
• The funding we maintained that we retained in the program is to continue funding the existing programs
• The program requires a 30-year covenant to continue serving ISTs for 30 years, and for some programs,
• understanding of program costs.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :14.639><c> top</c> Programming continuity remains a top Programming continuity remains a top priority
• incarceration program placement, and incarceration program placement, and specialized<00:13:36.320><c
• programming beds are being specialized programming beds are being fully<00:13:38.399><c> utilized</c
• </c> substance use disorder treatment substance use disorder treatment program. program. program.
• programs.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:16.919><c> on</c> properly house animals for treatment on properly house animals for treatment
• </c><00:10:13.839><c> and</c> preventative medicine treatments and preventative medicine treatments and
• </c> efficiency upgrading treatment efficiency upgrading treatment facilities<00:20:18.200><c> to</c>
• is the emerging finally the new program is the emerging contaminants<00:29:48.799><c> program</c><00
• is the emerging contaminants program, and this is a grant program designed to supplement the federal

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to capture waste heat from program to capture waste heat from wastewater<00:29:05.279><c> treatment<
• . program. program.
• There was the ARR version of the program, the VOS version of the program.
• There was the ARR version of the program, the VOS version of the program.
• > started</c> program, green energy program started program, green energy program started with<01:31:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Tom Horne has not complied with an audit of the ESA program that dates back prior to the universal program
• Basically, this program says these schools that are in the pilot program do not have to go along with
• This is an opt-out program.
• I have a feeling that there are a couple schools that are using this program.
• This is an opt-out program.

Summary: The caucus reviewed a large Minority Caucus Calendar and moved quickly through many bills, with staff often noting whether items were unanimous, party-line, or pulled from consent. Early items included HB 2130 on ADOA personnel financial systems, HB 2749 on felony sentence-completion designation, HCR 258 on Medicaid claim audits, and several agency or board continuation bills. Members also discussed HB 2745 on legislative subpoenas, HB 4027 naming Loop 202 the Charlie Kirk Highway, HB 2601 on Interstate 11 studies, and a number of education, health, labor, and public safety measures. Several bills were pulled from consent or flagged for later discussion, including HCR 258, HB 4027, HB 2375, HB 2601, HB 2408, HB 2444, HB 2923, HB 2182, HCR 2048, HB 2750, HB 2765, HB 2838, HB 4043, HB 2290, HB 2940, and others. Testimony and caucus debate focused on a range of policy concerns. Members objected to bills involving school strikes, weapons detection systems, public records fees for legislators, union activity, school safety felony penalties, and restrictions on school clubs. Education bills drew extended discussion, including HB 2423 on automatic advanced math placement, HB 2478 creating a student outcomes commission, HB 2579 for free school meals, HB 2992 on child sexual abuse prevention, HB 4041 on spending authority for low-reading-performing districts, and HB 4043 requiring CPR/AED training. Health and professional regulation bills also prompted debate, including HB 2408 on nursing board investigations and expungement, HB 2444 on pharmacist testing authority, HB 2697 on expired opioid antagonists, and HB 4010 establishing a genetic counselors board. Members raised concerns about fiscal impacts, stakeholder opposition, and whether some measures were unfunded mandates or needed more amendment work. The caucus also discussed immigration, labor, and public safety measures, including HB 2416 for DPS local border support, HB 2811 on obstructing governmental operations during lawful arrests, HB 2862 on unlawful masking penalties, HB 4070 on nonprofit incorporation restrictions tied to offenses, and HB 4117 creating a crime for disturbing religious services. Water, energy, and land-use bills were reviewed as well, such as HB 2099, HB 2263, HB 2330, HB 2341, HB 2492, HB 2757, HB 2782, HB 2912, HB 2918, and HCR 2020. The meeting ended with announcements, including an Affordability Award for Brian Garcia and a March 12 breakfast update on the Colorado River, before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• But it is a grant program, million. Mhm.
• They would be left out of this program.
• So, we accurate and efficient program.
• </c><00:57:29.839><c> that</c> treatment program to the phrase that treatment program to the phrase that
• </c> I know you guys remodeling the treatment I know you guys remodeling the treatment plant,<01:08:58.159

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee opened its Health and Human Services calendar, noted quorum, and first took up HB 194. The chair explained amendments to add an exemption for a person invited by a patient to attend a birth outside an accredited birth facility when no compensation is involved, remove a date reference in section 9, and accept Department of Health amendments. Members raised no objections, and the committee voted to pass HB 194 with amendments. The committee then heard HB 139 on insurance, with the Attorney General flagging possible unlawful delegation issues and suggesting clarifying language, while the Insurance Division stood on written testimony. A number of health organizations and advocates, including HMSA, Hawaii Association of Health Plans, oncology and fertility groups, testified in support. HB 613 on homeless youth drew broad support from state agencies, counties, youth advocates, and community groups; testimony emphasized the need for permanent safe spaces and more attention to unaccompanied minors, with one witness asking for clarity on funding and shelter capacity. HB 71 on a tax credit for family caregivers drew support from AARP, Alzheimer’s and children’s advocates, and several individuals, while the Tax Foundation raised concerns about blank provisions and the cost-effectiveness of administering a small credit. The Department of Taxation said a prior version with a $5,000 nonrefundable credit would have cost the general fund about $397.4 million. HB 716 on health care technology support received strong support from SHPDA, OHIN, and many provider groups, who described it as a one-time investment of roughly $20–25 million to connect rural and neighbor island providers to electronic health records; members questioned how the grant program would be allocated. HB 799 on physician hospital privileges also drew mixed testimony: supporters said it would align Hawaii with updated CMS rules and improve access, especially on Maui, while Maui Health and some members worried it could reduce on-call coverage and hospital safety, leading to discussion of a possible report and sunset date.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> mean borine is the treatment for opioid mean borine is the treatment for opioid use<00:36:28.319
• Also, I think there's a community trust and awareness program here.
• Also, I think there's a community trust and awareness program here.
• Also, I think there's a community trust and awareness program here.
• Also, I think there's a community trust and awareness program here.

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Roll Call: 00:00:09 SB 64: 00:01:20 SB 73: 00:05:33 HB 662: 00:09:40 HB 320: 00:20:17, 958, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee met with a quorum and first approved Senate Bill 64, as amended, on a 14-0 vote. The bill was described as a copper theft prevention measure aimed at protecting key infrastructure assets, including telecommunications and electrical highway infrastructure. Testimony in support came from Senator Brandon Storm and representatives from Charter Communications and law enforcement, who said copper theft and related vandalism are damaging fiber and other infrastructure across the state. A committee substitute was adopted before the vote. The committee then considered Senate Bill 73, relating to sexual extortion. Senator Julie Rocky Adams and Kentucky Youth Advocates testified that sextortion is a fast-growing crime against children and that the bill would make sexual extortion a felony, create civil remedies for victims, and require school-based education and resources. The bill passed 15-0 and was reported favorably for floor consideration. House Bill 662, relating to personally identifiable information, was also approved after discussion and a committee substitute. Representative John Blanton said the bill would help protect judges and certain medical review personnel from public disclosure of personal information while preserving provider access needed for appeals and communications. The Kentucky Medical Association supported the concept but stressed the need to preserve provider-facing information so doctors can conduct peer-to-peer reviews and appeals. The bill passed 15-0 with one pass vote. House Bill 320, relating to controlled substances on hospital property, was taken up for discussion only and no vote was taken. Representative Mike Klein and a St. Elizabeth nurse testified that hospitals are seeing illicit drug use and trafficking on campus and argued for a drug-free zone to protect staff, patients, and visitors. Committee members raised concerns about how the bill would apply to unconscious overdose patients, lawfully prescribed medications, emergency situations, and whether possession should be treated differently from trafficking. The chair ruled a motion out of order because the item was for discussion only, and the bill remained under consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• First of all, we have a very robust T-CUP program, probably the most robust T-CUP program in the nation
• You said that the TCUP program in Texas is the most robust program in the nation.
• But that said, the TCUP program...
• We also support the TCUP program.
• I stand—I have had my business for five years, and the TCUP program is not a robust program.

Bills: SB5, SB11, SB12, SB 5, SB 11, SB 12

Keywords: hemp regulation, consumable products, cannabinoids, occupational licenses, criminal offenses, SB 11, Texas attorney general, election crimes, election law enforcement, criminal prosecution, Election Code, Government Code Chapter 402, local prosecutors, county attorney, district attorney, grand jury, probable cause reports, state election offenses, voter fraud, election integrity

Transcript Highlights:

• During his treatment, Jane wrote a series of sonnets, one each day.
• Health care employers to develop and implement programs to prevent workplace violence.
• Montigny, mental health treatment. Senator Tarr. Senator Lovely.
• This amendment simply clarifies that medical treatment may include treatment for acute mental health
• This program has been successful in caring and uplifting our seniors since 1990.

Summary: The Senate took up a series of local and statewide measures, including bills on parking fines in Scituate, a conservation restriction in Middleton, park and field dedications in Boston, toxic-free medical devices, a regional school district vote, and several local personnel and land-use matters. It also approved or engrossed bills concerning the Dalton Fire District, fire and police employment in Conway, reclassifying Beverly fire alarm operators, a Waitley Water District dissolution, a Dighton conservation land/public way issue, Milton liquor licenses, Billerica bike path land transfer, and an easement exchange involving Eversource. Several of these were advanced by suspending rules, ordering third readings, or concurring in House amendments; the Senate also accepted a committee report consolidating S. 545 with H. 899 and passed the consolidated park-dedication bill to engrossment. A major focus was the bill requiring health care employers to develop and implement workplace violence prevention programs. Senators and sponsors described the measure as a compromise aimed at protecting health care workers through annual risk assessments, prevention plans, paid leave, reporting requirements, privacy protections, and a narrow warrantless-arrest provision for assaults on health care workers. The Senate adopted a number of amendments, including changes to employee definitions, complaint protections, disfigurement language, paid leave coverage, federally qualified health center exemptions, de-escalation and community-based response language, mental health treatment coverage, and a one-year pause for certain DDS-related provisions. Some proposed amendments were adopted, while others were rejected or withdrawn, and the bill was ultimately ordered to third reading and passed to be engrossed. The Senate also considered the home care and long-term services bill, with members emphasizing home care licensure, oversight, and planning for long-term care financing. Amendments added or modified provisions related to home care training, evacuation procedures, minority-party representation on commissions, MassPACE participation, and representation for people living with dementia; one amendment on family caregiving was withdrawn after discussion. The chamber likewise advanced an economic development bond and appropriation package through a Ways and Means substitute and adopted a conference committee process on a separate energy affordability bill after the House disagreed with the Senate’s version. The session included ceremonial moments honoring guests and memorializing Jane Yolen and Charlene M. Naylor, and it ended with the Senate adjourning to meet again the following Monday.

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Tommy DeLuna, and I'm a program manager at the Exodus Project here in Sacramento, which supports
• receive reimbursement from CalVCB for medical expenses, including counseling and mental health treatments
• Lira, and I'm the Assistant Director for the UC Davis Center for Advocacy Resources and Education Program
• help my community, as well as given me a glimpse into what is lacking in the various systems and programs
• evidence-based overdose prevention education, not ...keep people safer: expanding peer outreach programs

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Behavioral health treatment services include applied behavior analysis, commonly referred to as ABA treatment
• of any release program nationwide.
• This program is called the elderly parole program because that's what the science says these people are
• This isn't about denying anyone treatment.
• I believe mental health treatment changes lives.

Keywords: 988, house, all