Transcript Highlights:

• There was some discussion about it with the federal shutdown.
• There was some discussion about it with the federal shutdown.
• authority for it to the federal government to move forward.
• And we've been at a standstill with the federal government.
• The state of Pennsylvania just decreased theirs from 500% to 350% of federal poverty limit.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services heard presentations on the governor’s proposed FY 26-27 budget for the health and human services silo, which totals $48.5 billion within a $117.4 billion state budget. Agency leaders outlined major spending priorities, including AHCA’s behavioral health redesign, APD waiver enrollment and facility needs, DCF’s integrity and self-sufficiency systems, opioid response, community-based care and mental health bed expansion, DOEA’s Alzheimer’s, home care, and community care programs, DOH’s cancer research, public health, EMS blood-transfusion initiative, and lab feasibility study, and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs’ facility, cybersecurity, and medication-management investments. Members generally praised several proposals, especially increased reimbursement for private duty nursing, behavioral health funding, Alzheimer’s support, and the EMS blood program. Senator Sharief raised concerns about the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), warning that changes could leave many Floridians without coverage for HIV medications and asking whether manufacturers could provide rebates directly to patients. Surgeon General Ladapo said the issue was driven largely by funding and federal changes, not a legal barrier, and said the department had explored alternatives but could not fill the gap with current resources. Senator Rouson asked about the Office of Minority Health and Health Equity, and DCF said its budget includes about $7 million for the substance abuse and mental health data dashboard required by prior legislation. Public testimony focused heavily on ADAP. Former program leaders and advocates said the proposed changes would reduce enrollment and remove key drugs and insurance-premium support, calling the situation a crisis and criticizing the department for lack of transparency and stakeholder engagement. They urged a pause and collaborative review of the program’s finances. The committee also discussed KidsCare implementation, with AHCA saying federal conditions and litigation have delayed the expansion. The meeting ended after the chair noted the budget would still need to be adjusted for updated Medicaid caseload estimates, and the committee adjourned without taking any formal votes or other action on the budget items.

Transcript Highlights:

• There was some discussion about it with the federal shutdown and the projected increase in premiums from
• There was some discussion about it with the federal shutdown, and the projected increase in premiums
• In terms of a solution, it is more of a federal issue. Mr. Chair, yeah, I have a few.
• authority for it to the federal government to move forward.
• And we've been at a standstill with the federal government.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services heard a presentation on the governor’s proposed fiscal year 2026-27 budget for the health and human services silo, which totals $48.5 billion. Agency leaders outlined major requests for AHCA, APD, DCF, DOEA, DOH, and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, including behavioral health redesign, Medicaid rate changes, developmental disability services, child welfare and opioid programs, senior services, cancer research, public health initiatives, and veterans’ facility and technology needs. The committee also received an overview of the overall state budget, which was described as $117.4 billion, up 1.1% from the current year. AHCA’s presentation focused on $71.6 million for a Medicaid behavioral health redesign, including funding for residential treatment, a serious mental illness waiver, and higher inpatient psychiatric rates for youth, plus $7.1 million to raise private duty nursing reimbursement in fee-for-service Medicaid, $2.5 million for the background screening clearinghouse, and $124.4 million for the Health Care Connection System (FX). APD requested funding to continue moving people off the pre-enrollment list and to support developmental disability centers, a new forensic facility, an electronic health record system, and higher operating costs. DCF highlighted $81.9 million for eligibility and system integrity, $187.5 million for opioid prevention and treatment, $35.5 million for community-based care lead agencies, and $72.7 million to expand behavioral health bed capacity, including 474 new beds at state hospitals. DOEA sought additional funding for Alzheimer’s services, home care, and community care for the elderly. DOH emphasized $278 million for cancer research and innovation, $5 million for food and product safety testing, $5 million for the Florida FIRST blood-on-ambulance initiative, and $5.7 million for a public lab feasibility study. Veterans Affairs requested funds for facility improvements, cybersecurity, and medication management equipment. Members asked detailed questions about several items, especially the proposed changes to the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), which would reduce eligibility and the number of people served. Senators and public witnesses criticized the lack of transparency and urged the department to pause the changes and work with stakeholders; the Surgeon General said the issue was driven by funding constraints and federal changes, not a legal barrier, and that the agency was exploring alternatives. Questions also addressed the Office of Minority Health and Health Equity, the Kids Care/CHIP expansion implementation, the cancer research funding structure, and the timeline and cost of the FX system. Public testimony focused heavily on ADAP, with speakers warning that thousands could lose medication access and calling for community involvement and a review of the program’s finances. The committee adjourned after the presentations and questions, with no votes taken on the budget items during this meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• There was some discussion about it with the federal shutdown, and the projected increase in premiums
• There's just much less resources available. about it with the federal shutdown.
• authority for it to the federal government to move forward.
• And we've been at a standstill with the federal government.
• “The state of Pennsylvania just decreased theirs from 500% to 350% of federal poverty limit.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services heard presentations on the governor’s proposed fiscal year 2026-2027 budget for the health and human services agencies. Kendall Kelly outlined the overall HHS budget at $48.5 billion, with AHCA accounting for the largest share, and agency heads then highlighted major proposals for Medicaid behavioral health redesign, APD waiver enrollment and facility needs, DCF child welfare, opioid, and mental health investments, DOEA funding for Alzheimer’s, home care, and community services, DOH funding for cancer research, public health initiatives, and lab capacity, and VA funding for facility improvements, cybersecurity, and medication management. Several members praised specific proposals, including increased reimbursement for private duty nursing, Alzheimer’s supports, and the Florida FIRST blood-in-ambulance initiative. Senators also questioned the proposed changes to the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), with the Surgeon General explaining that the department expects a reduction in covered patients from about 30,000 to about 20,000 because of funding pressures tied to rebates, federal changes, and premium tax credit issues. Public testimony strongly criticized the ADAP changes, citing lack of transparency and warning that many patients could lose access to medications. Other questions focused on the Office of Minority Health and Health Equity, DCF’s substance abuse and mental health data dashboard, Kids Care/CHIP expansion implementation, APD bed and facility planning, and the FX Medicaid technology project. DCF said about $7 million is set aside for the dashboard system, and AHCA said the governor’s budget includes $124.4 million for FX maintenance and continued module development, with $13.5 million to begin claims processing work. The committee did not take a substantive vote on the budget presentations and adjourned after questions and public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, so we will maintain that facility in cold shutdown once all of the population and the staff and
• So a cold shutdown would be maintaining, you know, the permits that we need for anything that we have
• So that cold shutdown is very minimalist.
• would likely look first, as opposed to our closed facilities, because they are just in that cold shutdown
• I'd have to— you mean in deactivated status or a closed shutdown?

Summary: The Senate Rules Committee met to consider several governor’s appointments and routine agenda items. It first approved, on call, appointments not required to appear for Olivia May Assuncion to the Commission on Disability Access, William Adams to the California Exposition and State Fair Board of Directors, and two California Law Revision Commission nominees, with one of the law revision appointments drawing a split vote. The committee also approved reference of bills to committees and floor acknowledgments before moving to appointments required to appear. Brian Bishop, nominated to lead the Division of Adult Parole Operations at CDCR, testified that he would emphasize public safety, accountability, rehabilitation, and staff well-being. In questioning, senators focused on risk assessment for higher-risk parolees, GPS monitoring, coordination with local law enforcement, victim protections, supervision of unhoused parolees, and oversight of private reentry/housing contractors. Bishop said DAPO uses data-driven supervision, risk tools, compliance sweeps with law enforcement, exclusion zones and administrative transfers to protect victims, and contract monitoring through invoices, site visits, and utilization reports. Public commenters from reentry and justice organizations supported his confirmation, and the committee voted 5-0 to send the nomination to the full Senate. Sarah Larson, nominated to direct CDCR’s Facilities Management and Construction, described her CDCR background and said she wanted to help modernize the department’s aging infrastructure to support staff and incarcerated people. Senators asked about aligning facilities with a declining prison population, cooling and heat mitigation, safety during construction, prison closures such as Norco, disaster planning, and how closed facilities are maintained or could be reopened. Larson said CDCR has reduced its footprint, is piloting cooling upgrades at several sites, maintains closed facilities in cold shutdown with minimal upkeep, and uses emergency planning and mutual aid for disasters. She also said the department is exploring infrastructure master planning and more substantial, targeted improvements, and the committee again heard supportive public testimony before voting 5-0 to advance her nomination to the full Senate.

Transcript Highlights:

• have a plan for moving that facility from being an active facility to being in what's called cold shutdown
• Yes, so we will maintain that facility in cold shutdown once all of the population and the staff and
• So that cold shutdown is very minimalist.
• would likely look first, as opposed to our closed facilities, because they are just in that cold shutdown
• I'd have to— you mean in deactivated status or a closed shutdown?

Committee: Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> targeted by the federal targeted by the federal government<00:21:05.039><c> being</c><00:21:05.360
• </c> start talking about things on a federal start talking about things on a federal level<01:16:14.400
• </c><02:02:38.000><c> cuts</c> will be um and have been federal cuts will be um and have been federal
• </c> food shelves at a time when federal food shelves at a time when federal government<02:42:19.280>
• </c> government shutdown. government shutdown. Senator<02:59:12.800><c> Miller.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> billion so this excludes the federal billion so this excludes the federal funding<00:05:26.160><
• We've got the potential for a federal shutdown coming up.
• We've got the potential for a federal shutdown coming up.
• We've got the potential for a federal shutdown coming up.
• </c> um we've got the potential for a federal um we've got the potential for a federal shutdown<00:51

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Most of that is federal or other funds.
• Most of that is federal or other funds.
• The other is federal and other funds.
• The other is federal and other funds.
• The other is federal and other funds.

Transcript Highlights:

• The potential to build more vessels is going to be complicated by what's going on on the federal level
• And so that's a shutdown on your service. So we helped create a staffing model that prevented that.
• And again, they'll be working at night to really avoid those shutdowns.
• But this will mean we can't do this without shutdowns.
• But this will mean we can't do this without shutdowns. So we're working with, shutdowns.

Committee: House Transportation

Summary: The committee met to hear an update from Washington State Ferries on its capital program and workforce efforts. WSF leaders reviewed the long-term fleet and terminal strategy, explaining that the system has built relatively few new vessels over the past two decades, now operates a smaller fleet than planned, and must keep aging boats in service longer than typical marine operators. They said the agency is moving ahead with hybrid-electric conversions, new vessel construction, and terminal electrification to support a 26-vessel long-range fleet plan and reduce emissions and operating costs. On new vessel construction, WSF announced the award of a contract to Eastern Shipbuilding Group for up to three 160-car hybrid-electric ferries. Officials said the first vessel is a new design, with about a year of production design work before steel cutting, and that the first boat is expected to cost about $400 million overall, including shipyard work, owner-furnished equipment, engineering, and contingency. Members raised concerns about the decision to build in Florida, transport risk, cost escalation, tariffs, liquidated damages, and whether the contract adequately protects the state. WSF said it will maintain on-site oversight, that the shipyard bears transit risk until delivery at Eagle Harbor, and that the contract includes incentives for early delivery and liquidated damages for late delivery. The committee also discussed the Wenatchee conversion, which WSF said is nearing completion and will enter service soon as the prototype for converting the Jumbo Mark II class to hybrid-electric operation. Officials said the project took longer and cost more than originally planned because it was the first conversion of its kind, required preservation and propulsion upgrades that would have been needed anyway, and revealed unforeseen conditions during work. Members questioned the cost-effectiveness of the conversion and asked for more detailed emissions and savings data. WSF said the three Jumbo Mark II vessels account for roughly a quarter of system diesel use and emissions, and that lessons learned from Wenatchee should reduce costs on future conversions. Siegel consultants then presented a workforce update, saying earlier studies found overtime and staffing problems were driven by seasonal staffing patterns, limited recruiting sources, weak career progression, and a difficult workplace culture. They reported substantial improvement since 2021, including a larger workforce, better retention, more diverse hiring, improved respect from supervisors, and better access to career pathways such as paid pilotage and advancement from entry-level positions. They said challenges remain around communication, HR access, scheduling, accountability, and labor forecasting, and outlined ongoing initiatives including a culture campaign, quarterly pulse surveys, succession planning, and improved workforce data analysis. The meeting then moved to terminal projects, beginning with a presentation on Fauntleroy Terminal and its planning and environmental review process.

Transcript Highlights:

• the governor tell you he's concerned about having to start making preparations for a government shutdown
• 00:10:32.959><c> for</c><00:10:33.200><c> a</c><00:10:33.360><c> government</c><00:10:33.760><c> shutdown
• ,</c> preparations for a government shutdown, preparations for a government shutdown, at least<00:10:
• So, you're not concerned about the shutdown?

Transcript Highlights:

• Coming into session, my highest priority was to pass a budget that would prevent a government shutdown
• Coming into session, my highest priority was to pass a budget that would prevent a government shutdown
• 00:06:39.600><c> a</c><00:06:39.840><c> government</c> prevent a government prevent a government shutdown
• While there is much work to do shutdown.
• </c><00:19:24.640><c> Bipartisan</c> and federal government. Bipartisan and federal government.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's about being clear that Minnesota will not accept an industrywide shutdown slipped into federal legislation
• And it's about federal ban stands.
• </c><00:03:50.319><c> clarification,</c> demand immediate federal clarification, demand immediate federal
• ><c> framework,</c><00:16:20.160><c> one</c> need a sensible federal framework, one need a sensible federal
• We are so lucky to this federal mess.

Transcript Highlights:

• Over the years, some non-ARPA federal dollars did make its way in this bill.
• Again, virtually all that federal dollars, and I ask for the body's support.
• These other two programs also pull down partnering federal funds.
• We've seen more divorces since the shutdowns.
• filing date will be the next day that is not a state or federal holiday.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior day’s journal by a 124-1 vote, and numerous introductions of student groups, health professionals, and other guests. Committee reports were then read, including several bills recommended “do pass.” The chamber also heard a personal privilege speech from a St. Louis County member responding to a North St. Louis County school track meet shooting, calling for stronger action on gun access and firearm safety. The main floor work focused heavily on appropriations and capital projects. House Bills 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 were debated and passed, covering reappropriations, maintenance and repair projects, new capital improvements, and remaining ARPA pandemic funds. HB 2017 passed 137-9, HB 2018 passed 127-21, HB 2019 passed 98-48, and HB 2020 passed 127-24. Members emphasized that the bills largely used previously appropriated or federal funds, while some Democrats raised concerns about general revenue spending and one-time infrastructure projects. The House also adopted and finally passed Senate-amended HB 2641 on hemp/cannabis-related regulation, with changes on privacy, worker organization, effective date, and age restrictions; it passed 125-21 on adoption and 126-23 on final passage. HB 2423, dealing with Department of Finance staffing and capacity, passed unanimously after Senate adoption. Other measures passed included HB 1919 on electronic filing parity with IRS rules, HB 1768/2060 on short-term rental property tax classification, HB 1855 adding Alpha-Gal Syndrome to reportable conditions, HB 2355 creating a Food is Medicine pilot option, HB 1717/1643 on psilocybin therapy for veterans and first responders, HB 2372, a broad health care package, HB 2408 on the deaf-blind fund, HB 3000 on auditor/siganture-related procedures, HB 2898 restoring land bank tools, and HB 1740, “Melanie’s Law,” strengthening DWI penalties and ignition interlock requirements. Not all bills advanced: HB 3239, which would have expanded and funded the workforce diploma program through MoCAP, failed 55-95 after criticism that it shifted K-12 formula money and stripped vendor standards. HB 2760, the “Praise Act” on treatment of houses of worship during emergencies, drew extended debate on religious liberty, public health, and consistency in emergency orders; the transcript cuts off before the final vote is shown. Throughout the day, members frequently cited bipartisan support for health, public safety, and administrative bills, while several measures drew sharper partisan or policy disagreements over funding, regulation, and local control.

Transcript Highlights:

• government for for the last federal government for for the last several<00:04:43.520><c> years</c><00
• , and the lack of stability federally, what will happen to her and people like that.
• He said this is not as easy as it sounds because of state and federal law, but he hopes the provision
• We have an authoritarian occupying the executive branch federally, and we have a legislative branch federally
• :03.120><c> federally</c><00:31:03.600><c> that</c><00:31:03.840><c> is</c> legislative branch federally

Transcript Highlights:

• We've spent billions of dollars, not only in federal, but... state dollars for the COVID pandemic relief
• The federal government dispersed $190 billion to school districts around the country over the four year
• is that states and districts should double down on academic catch-up efforts previously funded by federal
• And our ask at the state level of the federal government has never prioritized that need.
• With shutdown in 2020, the California partnership conducted a needs assessment with over 600 students

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• But they are very tied to federal programs because we leverage federal funding to make those programs
• program to match the federal dollars.
• As we are still in the federal government shutdown, there are a number of services that these offices
• And I know they do it at the federal level.
• It's all federal land, state land, and private land.

Committee: House Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• I had years of experience and a solid plan, but the shutdown reduced demand for child care.
• I had years of experience in a solid plan, but the shutdown reduced demand for child care.
• Robert Harrell, Executive Director of the Consumer Federation of California, in strong support.
• Jennifer Finger with the California Public Banking Alliance and Tristan Brown with the California Federation
• Good morning, Nalia Griffin with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees in

Summary: The Assembly Banking and Finance Committee met and first approved the consent calendar, which included AB 2028, AB 2425, and committee bill AB 2795, all sent to the Committee on Appropriations. The committee also noted that AB 2558 and AB 2746 had been pulled from the agenda. The chair reviewed hearing procedures, including acceptance of written testimony and rules against disruptive conduct. The committee then heard AB 2116, which would require registration and basic conduct standards for certain small-business financing providers, including merchant cash advance companies, and prohibit confessions of judgment and power-of-attorney provisions before default. Supporters argued the bill would close an oversight gap and improve transparency for small businesses; a small business owner testified that a purported 13% loan turned out to have a 235% APR. Opponents said the bill mixed consumer and commercial regulation and could restrict access to capital, though they supported banning confessions of judgment. The bill passed on a roll call vote and was sent to Appropriations. AB 2243, by Assembly Member Haney, proposed creating a state bank commission to study whether California should establish a state bank or other public financing tools. Supporters said a public banking model could reduce borrowing costs, keep more public money in-state, and better finance housing, infrastructure, and other public priorities; opponents from banking groups raised concerns about taxpayer exposure, deposit guarantees, and the use of public funds and existing lending structures. The bill passed and was sent to Appropriations. The committee also heard AB 2350, which would set guardrails on rent-now-pay-later products for rental housing; supporters said these products can lead to high fees, debt, and eviction risk, while industry groups opposed the bill unless amended. AB 2350 passed as amended and was sent to Appropriations. At the end of the meeting, the committee completed roll calls for absent members and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I had years of experience and a solid plan, but the shutdown reduced demand for child care.
• I had years of experience in a solid plan, but the shutdown reduced demand for child care.
• Robert Harrell, Executive Director of the Consumer Federation of California, in strong support.
• Jennifer Finger with the California Public Banking Alliance and Tristan Brown with the California Federation
• Good morning, Nalia Griffin with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees in

Committee: House Banking and Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• It has nothing to do with the federal VA. The federal VA is forward funded.
• So even in this most recent government shutdown, our programs that rely on federal funding were not impacted
• </c> with the federal VA.
• The federal VA is with the federal VA.
• ><c> our</c><00:41:43.760><c> our</c> recent government shutdown, our our recent government shutdown,

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• No, simply because that's federal construction.
• of one small business. ...project that went on for 18 months ultimately caused the shutdown of one small
• We've got Nancy Stewart with the Federation of Manufactured Home Owners of Florida, Inc.
• My name is Nancy Stewart, and I represent the Federation of Manufactured Homeowners of Florida.
• And also, most importantly, we're kind of aligning with the federal standard and FARA that already exists

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development met to consider a full agenda of bills, beginning with CS/CS/SB 1662, the Department of Transportation agency bill. Senator Collins presented a strike-all amendment that retained creation of the Florida Transportation Academy, clarified the Florida Transportation Research Institute, restored legislative budget commission review for certain work program amendments, adjusted small-business and supply-chain grant provisions, added airport and seaport accountability measures, and allowed special blanket permits for oversized cranes to travel at night under FDOT safety protocols. The committee adopted the amendment and then reported the bill favorably. The committee also favorably reported SB 574, allowing Florida Purple Heart license plate holders to pass tolls free, and CS/SB 824, creating a specialty plate supporting Florida Highway Patrol troopers and scholarships. The committee then took up CS/SB 324, which creates a revolving low-interest loan program at the Department of Commerce for small businesses harmed by significant public works construction. Senator Smith described a local example involving prolonged sewer work in Orlando that hurt businesses in the Lake Ivanhoe district. Members raised concerns about fiscal impact, eligibility standards, proof of loss, business age, and whether financial records should be protected from public disclosure. The bill was amended to remove a hotline, add a webpage, and refine liability language, and the committee reported it favorably. The committee also favorably reported CS/SB 1714, requiring local housing assistance plans to include support for mobile home owners, including lot-rent assistance; CS/SB 766, revising registration requirements for agents and organizations tied to foreign countries of concern; and CS/SB 1024, creating specialty plates for the U.S. Military Academy and U.S. Naval Academy. Additional measures approved included CS/SB 1246, authorizing a Save Coastal Wildlife specialty plate with proceeds going to the Zoo Miami Foundation; CS/SB 1644, expanding warning light use for volunteer firefighters, medical staff, and organ transport vehicles, with discussion focused on Hatzalah emergency services; SB 1152, increasing the Florida Wildflower specialty plate fee to support conservation, research, and native seed industry development; and CS/SB 532, exempting 100% disabled veterans from tolls. An amendment to SB 532 also added Purple Heart recipients to the toll exemption. Several members requested to be recorded voting in the affirmative on selected tabs, and the committee adjourned after all bills were reported favorably.