Transcript Highlights:

• Because we're reducing property taxes, insurance, P&I, right? Okay.
• about property insurance that could help lower people's rates?
• Does that get taxed on that 20% that no longer has property insurance taxes?
• Number two, property insurance. Thank you.
• Instead of eliminating property taxes, why not cap property insurance?

Summary: The Committee on Appropriations took up SJR 2-F, a proposed constitutional amendment to reduce property taxes by lowering assessment caps on non-homestead property, expanding homestead exemptions over time, and allowing local governments to increase exemptions further. The sponsor argued the measure would provide broad property tax relief while requiring revenues to be directed to core services such as public safety, education, infrastructure, and natural resource projects, with a trust fund intended to help local governments transition. Senators raised concerns about the lack of a fiscal score, the effect on counties, cities, school districts, and special districts, and whether the proposal would shift costs to fees or other taxes. Several amendments were debated. Senator Polsky’s amendment to explicitly authorize user fees and non-ad valorem assessments to offset lost property tax revenue failed. Senator Avila’s amendment broadening permissible uses of ad valorem revenue to include county constitutional officers and other expenditures approved by local governing bodies was adopted after debate over whether the bill would otherwise underfund essential functions. Senator Smith’s sunset amendment, which would have made the constitutional changes expire after five years, failed. Senator Smith’s amendment to allow tourism development tax revenue to support public safety and education also failed. Senator Graal’s amendment removing the constitutional trust fund language was adopted, with supporters arguing the Constitution should not promise an unfunded account. Additional late-file amendments were considered. Senator Berman’s proposal to change the ballot title to more neutrally describe the measure as affecting property taxes and local community service reductions failed. Senator Trumbull’s amendment removing school board ad valorem taxes from the proposal was adopted, preserving school taxes. Senator Smith’s amendment narrowing the non-homestead assessment cap reduction to small businesses only failed. The committee then returned to the bill as amended and continued questioning the sponsor about eligibility, fiscal impacts, and whether the proposal could lead to local governments offsetting lost revenue through special assessments or other charges.

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, the ballot language says, 'insuring funding for core services.'
• Do you feel like it's insured? Do you feel like we've insured funding for police? I don't.
• Because we're reducing property taxes, insurance, P&I, right? Okay.
• If insurance doesn't cover it, then it ends up self-pay.
• Number two, property insurance. Thank you.

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Summary: The Committee on Appropriations took up SJR 2-F, the proposed constitutional amendment on property tax relief, which would reduce assessment growth on non-homestead property, expand homestead exemptions, create a new exemption for new homesteaders, and direct counties, cities, and school districts to use property tax revenues for specified core services. Senator Avila presented the measure as the governor’s plan to provide historic relief and argued that local governments should tighten budgets and prioritize core functions. Senators raised concerns about the lack of fiscal scoring, the breadth and ambiguity of the permitted uses, the effect on special districts and local services, and whether the proposal would shift costs to fees or other taxes. The committee adopted several amendments, including Avila’s amendment clarifying that ad valorem revenues could be used for county and municipal operations and administration and other expenditures not prohibited by law, and Trumbull’s amendment removing school board ad valorem taxes from the proposal. Other amendments failed, including proposals to allow user fees and non-ad valorem assessments, add a sunset, redirect tourism development taxes, narrow the small-business provision, and change the ballot title to reference local service reductions. Grall’s amendment removing the constitutional trust fund requirement was adopted, while the committee also rejected Berman’s title-change amendment and Smith’s sunset and tourism-tax amendments. The committee then returned to the bill as amended for questions, including extended debate over whether the proposal would affect noncitizen residents, the impact on local government finances, and whether local governments would respond with higher fees or special assessments. The meeting ended with the bill still under discussion after the final round of questions, with Avila saying he would continue working with the governor’s office on the language before the next vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• and self-insured employers already transmit their payments via EFT.
• And the vast majority of insurers and self-insured employers already transmit their payments via EFT.
• employers and the insurance companies and to the state.
• Unemployment insurance is my next question. All right, okay.
• These are the insurance needs of our state. This is what it's going to cost.

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 5 held an informational hearing on the Governor’s May Revision proposals for labor, public safety/judiciary, and transportation, and no votes were taken. In Part A on labor, the Employment Development Department described funding for EDD Next document management work, updated UI loan interest costs, disability insurance and paid family leave benefit increases, WIOA adjustments, UI and school employee benefit changes, an EMT training reappropriation, and a technical correction tied to an EDD Next reversion. PERB discussed reduced funding requests for AB 288 due to litigation and a proposal to implement AB 1 covering legislative employees. DIR presented proposals for legal unit reclassifications, two major IT modernization projects, a new Cal/OSHA emerging technologies unit, a COIA reappropriation, and trailer bill language requiring electronic payment of employer assessments and removing a salary cap for the DWC administrative director. CalHR proposed consolidating employee assistance services into a statewide contract with enhanced support for first responders, and CalPERS and CalSTRS presented budget adjustments tied to investment costs, state contributions, and benefit overpayments. Members focused heavily on the unemployment insurance debt and interest payments, asking why the administration had no concrete plan to pay down principal. Finance and LAO explained that the state’s UI tax structure has long been insufficient and that any long-term solution would need to address both the outstanding federal loan and the structural imbalance in employer taxes. Questions also centered on EDD Next costs and timelines, with the chair asking for clearer long-term project cost estimates and Finance noting that future maintenance and operations costs will continue after implementation. On DIR’s emerging technologies unit, members asked whether it would address AI-driven workplace harms; DIR said the unit would focus on physical workplace safety issues involving AI, robotics, autonomous equipment, and related guardrails, while LAO noted broader labor-practice questions would likely fall outside Cal/OSHA’s scope. In the CalPERS discussion, members raised concerns about transparency in private equity and external management fees, while CalPERS said higher fees reflect a strategy of greater private-market and active-management exposure and are offset by higher net returns. Members urged more information on specific investments and future reporting. For CalSTRS, Finance presented routine contribution and overpayment adjustments, but members also raised broader transparency concerns that CalSTRS staff said they would follow up on separately. Public comment in Part A was dominated by strong support for an immigrant worker emergency relief fund, along with support for apprenticeship and workforce proposals and PERB staffing. The chair and members said they would follow up on where the immigrant relief proposal should be considered, noting it may belong in another policy area. The hearing then moved into Part B with an overview of Judicial Branch-related May Revision items, including court interpreter funding, appellate court security, workload cap changes, lactation room implementation delays, and a reduction to the state court facility construction backfill.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, I don't think there was any evidence supportive of actual insurance claims or insurance cost
• Insurance claims or insurance cost dropping.
• It's to protect big insurance companies. This is about you.
• Big insurance companies want you to run out of time.
• So they’re not necessarily for insurance.

Transcript Highlights:

• . insurance. insurance.
• They'll be half-time, but insurance.
• .<01:38:51.000><c> And</c><01:38:51.160><c> I</c> insurance.
• And I insurance.
• That's insurance benefit, many of them.

Transcript Highlights:

• But it’s good insurance in case there’s a bank failure in the future. And that’s the bill.
• But it’s good insurance in case there’s a bank failure in the future. And that’s the bill.
• account effectively that will insurance account effectively that will provide<00:42:26.960><c> funds
• So if a traditional bank fails, they have FDIC insurance.
• </c> could meet needs without FDIC insurance could meet needs without FDIC insurance requirement.<00:

Bills: SF0021 , SF0022 , SF0054 , SF0055

Committee: Senate Minerals, Business & Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• First up, Insurance Division, DCCA, providing comments. >> Okay, thank you very much.
• SB 3045 relating to health insurance. First up, DHS in support. >> Not present. Chair. >> Okay.
• First up, DHS in health insurance.
• If the liability insurance um available.
• If the liability insurance of<00:26:22.000><c> like</c><00:26:22.640><c> Department</c><00:26:23.120>

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a large number of health-related measures, with the most extensive discussion on SB 2283, which would expand mail-order pharmacy access for prescription drugs. Supporters including HMSA, the Board of Pharmacy, and health plan groups said mail order could lower costs, improve adherence, and reduce hospitalizations, while independent pharmacies and rural neighbor-island providers warned it could harm local pharmacies, reduce access for patients who rely on face-to-face service, and create delivery and storage problems for medications. No vote was taken on SB 2283 during the excerpt, and the chair moved on after hearing testimony. The committee also heard SB 2855 on opioid antagonists, with the Insurance Division and HMSA noting that medically necessary opioid antagonists are already covered and suggesting the issue may be addressed through education or administrative fixes. Fentanyl and substance abuse groups supported the measure. SB 3045 on health insurance coverage for continuous glucose monitors drew broad support from diabetes and health organizations; HMSA said it had already expanded coverage for members on injectable insulin but raised concerns about supply constraints and said it had not yet seen an auditor study referenced in discussion. Members asked whether the bill would extend coverage beyond current policy. SB 2843 on domestic violence received support from the Public Defender’s Office, prosecutors, and victim-related organizations, who said the pilot program for misdemeanor domestic violence cases had reduced backlogs and improved court efficiency. A prosecutor also supported retaining coercive control as a petty misdemeanor tool in larger domestic violence cases. SB 2845 on healthcare facility access drew strong support from many health, legal, and advocacy groups, who said it would protect patients and staff from disruptive interference at healthcare facilities; one opponent argued it would chill lawful speech and protest and unfairly exempt labor demonstrations. The committee then heard SB 2854 and SB 3202, both healthcare-related measures, with testimony largely in support. SB 2854 drew comments from health and dental groups, and SB 3202 focused on workforce and licensing issues, including support for retired physicians volunteering, preceptor tax credits, and adding advanced midwifery and physician assistant-related provisions. The chair repeatedly enforced a one-minute testimony limit and moved through the agenda without recorded votes in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• This allows insurers to send explanations of benefits electronically, paper, or both if members prefer
• We also have some updated regulation of health maintenance organizations to align with modern insurance
• Committee last week including allowing Committee last week including allowing insurers<00:02:57.480><
• c> provide</c><00:02:57.959><c> the</c><00:02:58.120><c> explanation</c><00:02:58.560><c> of</c> insurers
• </c><00:43:57.400><c> is</c> through the roof or insurance is through the roof or insurance is covering

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• system DLI is unemployment insurance system DLI is concerned<00:03:56.959><c> about</c><00:03:57.159
• Representative Frazier asked whether they were talking about the unemployment insurance program, not
• but because of unemployment insurance but because of earn<00:13:17.399><c> sick</c><00:13:17.600><c>
• insurance program we're talking<00:14:05.160><c> about</c><00:14:05.399><c> earn</c><00:14:05.680><c
• He said workers see this time as an insurance policy and want to save it for when they need it.

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• I spent the summer going around to a bunch of MRFs, and the insurance that they have to get for battery
• rates uh I spent and growing insurance rates uh I spent the<00:03:46.680><c> summer</c><00:03:47.080
• </c><00:03:51.239><c> that</c><00:03:51.439><c> they</c> murfs um and the insurance that they murfs um
• and the insurance that they have<00:03:51.760><c> to</c><00:03:52.120><c> get</c><00:03:52.400><c> for
• Insurance costs have skyrocketed, making it tough for us to stay in business.

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Transcript Highlights:

• He said he has long-term care insurance, but his understanding is that long-term care insurance is not
• He asked whether long-term care insurance would be eligible under this, because he thought that would
• care insurance and uh my<00:57:38.799><c> understanding</c><00:57:39.039><c> is</c><00:57:39.160><c>
• would that long longterm care insurance would it<00:57:58.480><c> be</c><00:57:58.799><c> eligible</
• ><c> their</c> that the insurer kind of has their that the insurer kind of has their definition<00:59

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• that were here when doing that. 26 and under, you can't be pulled over for it, and you have to have insurance
• we're here when doing that. 26 and under, you can't be pulled over for it, and you have to have insurance
• She's also got a lot of big insurance policy on me. She likes me to go ride more.
• She's also got a lot of big insurance policy on me. She likes me to go ride more.
• It should be about children, not about politics, not about lobbyists, not about insurance coalitions,

Committee: House Joint Committee on Transportation Oversight

Summary: The Transportation Committee first met in executive session on House Bill 2741. Members adopted a committee amendment correcting a wording error, then voted the House committee substitute do pass by a roll call of 9 ayes, 2 noes, and 1 present. Supporters said the bill addressed safety concerns, especially for commercial vehicles, while opponents objected to the subjective standard for proving proficiency and to the $3,000 penalty for violations. The committee then held a public hearing on House Bills 1831, 2328, and 2553, all related to motorcycle passenger safety for children. The bills would require young child passengers to wear helmets, be able to reach foot pegs, and ride on properly equipped seats; the discussion also focused on whether officers could stop motorcycles based on a reasonable suspicion that a child passenger was underage or improperly secured. Bill sponsors said the measures were intended to prevent child deaths and injuries, citing the death of Calvin James, a 4-year-old grandson of one witness, as the reason for “Calvin’s Law.” Testimony was mixed. Family members and several supporters, including emergency nurses, argued the bills were common-sense child protection measures and could prevent traumatic brain injuries or fatalities. Motorcycle advocacy groups and some witnesses said the bills were overbroad, could lead to arbitrary stops or family services involvement, and needed clearer definitions for terms like “proper passenger seat.” Several members raised questions about enforceability, age verification, and whether the fine structure was an effective deterrent. No votes were taken on the three motorcycle bills, and the committee adjourned after closing the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Most of those homes do not fall within a fire district, and many of them don't even have fire insurance
• because the insurance companies won't insure them any longer, unfortunately.
• That's very cheap fire insurance. The Department of Lands puts out their fires on average.
• Insurance. The Department of Lands puts out their fires on average of 10 acres.
• So if you don't want to pay for cheap fire insurance, that's up to you. Follow-up?

Transcript Highlights:

• you may remember last year you all passed legislation that increases the share of employee health insurance
• with other agencies, the Department has received a pretty significant increase in their liability insurance
• I will say the reason for that is, as I mentioned before, the insurance premium is 100% paid out of this
• It is that 5.1 million insurance premium increase.
• If you were to take that insurance increase out, that Only comes out of program support.

Transcript Highlights:

• These are premiums that are taxable under the insurance premium and surtax.
• This is seen as a risk because it could reduce the insurance taxable base, and therefore we could see
• There is a downside risk to insurance.
• This will have a direct impact on gross receipts tax and the insurance and healthcare taxable base because
• We are figuring out how to supplant federal funds in our Medicaid program, insurance coverage, rural

Committee: House Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• Our insurance rates and our primary caregivers are EMT's paramedics, the brave men and women of law enforcement
• Is that the insurance companies?
• So let me be clear, this bill not feeling because opposition from the insurance industry.
• listen to the will of the people to the voices of law enforcement and to the unanimous support of our insurance
• So people who are who are causing a lot of damage unless they have insurance bodily injury insurance,

Transcript Highlights:

• I do have a question, though, regarding health insurance.
• Do you feel, either of you, that more school employees would be able to have access to the health insurance
• believe that that's one of the critical things that we all have to consider and look at: health insurance
• Chair, and that's been discussed: you know, we get the increase and the health insurance goes up.
• Many still can't afford the health insurance provided by school districts.

Committee: House House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• hurricanes to unexpected tornadoes that carved a path literally through our state, to escalating property insurance
• hurricanes to unexpected tornadoes that carved a path literally through our state, to escalating property insurance
• the multiple hurricanes that have hit our communities this season and the cascading increases in insurance
• They understand that in a state battered by hurricanes, insurance will be a challenge.
• But they don't want our state's insurance laws to be written by insurance companies.

Summary: The House convened for its organization session, opened with prayer, the presentation of colors, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the national anthem. The Secretary of State’s certification of the 2024 election was accepted as prima facie evidence, the members-elect were seated, a quorum was established, and the newly elected and returning members were sworn in by Florida Supreme Court justices. The chamber also recognized the Governor, Cabinet members, former speakers, former members, and other guests in attendance. The main business of the session was the election of House leadership and adoption of the chamber’s rules. Representative Fentrice Driskell was nominated by the Democratic caucus and delivered remarks emphasizing constituent service, opposition oversight, and priorities such as hurricane recovery, insurance affordability, reproductive rights, gun violence, education, and poverty. Representative Daniel Perez was nominated by the Republican caucus, seconded, and then elected Speaker by unanimous vote after a motion to close nominations and dispense with a roll call. Perez was sworn in and said his priority would be serving Floridians through practical action, fiscal discipline, and reforms that reduce bureaucracy and special-interest influence. The House then adopted House Resolution 10, establishing House rules for the 2024-2026 term, and Senate Concurrent Resolution 20, establishing joint legislative rules. Representative Gottlieb spoke in opposition to the rules, arguing that recent changes restricted debate and reduced deliberation. The House also appointed a committee to notify the Senate that the House was organized, elected Representative Wyman Duggan as Speaker Pro Tempore by unanimous vote, and announced caucus leadership selections, including Duggan as Speaker Pro Tempore and Driskell as Democratic minority leader. The session concluded with administrative motions authorizing technical corrections to the rules, spreading the organization-session remarks upon the journal, and adjourning sine die.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you could jump on the desk, you would, in the middle of selling beekeepers insurance.
• Senate Bill 642, a bill to be entitled an act relating to foreign and alien bail bonds insurers.
• A bill to be entitled, an act relating to foreign and alien bail bonds insurers.
• House Bill 271, a bill to be entitled, an act relating to foreign and alien bail bonds insurers.
• Burgess. be entitled and act relating to foreign and alien bail bonds insurers. Is there a debate?

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opening with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions, including recognition of the day’s doctor of the day, an intern, and a resolution honoring the late Bob Graham and firefighter Roger Timmy Miley. The chamber also adopted a resolution designating August 9, 2026, as Bob Graham Day. After routine announcements, the Senate moved to the special order calendar and took up a series of bills, many of them with House companion bills substituted in place of Senate versions. The first major floor action was passage of a tax-related bill conforming Florida’s Internal Revenue Code to federal changes while excluding certain provisions from H.R. 1; it passed 34-0. The Senate then considered CS/SB 1758 on public assistance and Medicaid, which proposed stronger fraud enforcement, a Medicaid work requirement for able-bodied adults, expanded behavioral health services, pharmacy and drug rebate reforms, and SNAP fraud reduction measures. A Berman amendment to require Medicaid expansion before work requirements was rejected, as was an Osgood amendment to add photo-ID protections and exemptions for certain SNAP users. The bill remained on the calendar for third reading after extensive debate and questioning about implementation, exemptions, and potential impacts on beneficiaries. The chamber also passed bills on technology education and AI instruction, a Parkinson’s disease registry and related public records exemption, designation of the SS American Victory as Florida’s official flagship, electronic payments for local governments, repeal of the sunset on gold and silver legal tender, public records exemptions for financial institutions and custodians, a Florida stablecoin pilot program, local government finance transparency, digital voyeurism, and insurance customer representative licensing. Most of these measures were adopted after brief explanation, minor amendments, or substitution of House companions, with votes generally in favor and several passing unanimously or by wide margins. Later, the Senate took up CS/SB 1756 on medical freedom, which would expand parental vaccine information requirements, add a conscience-based exemption, allow behind-the-counter ivermectin access, and repeal the sunset on the mRNA mandate prohibition. The bill’s first amendments clarified anti-kickback rules for vaccine manufacturers and required informational materials to address risks, benefits, safety, and efficacy; the transcript ends during consideration of this bill, before final passage is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c><00:48:50.319><c> our</c> funds, our health insurance, our funds, our health insurance, our pension
• The contractor/subcontractor does not pay the worker's comp, liability insurance, unemployment insurance
• ,</c><01:05:08.960><c> unemployment</c> liability insurance, unemployment liability insurance, unemployment
• comp and unemployment insurance.
• Security, and Medicaid and Medicare insurance.

Summary: The committee met on October 23, 2025, approved the September minutes, and heard testimony on a proposed “Kentucky by America” procurement preference bill. Representative Patrick Flannery described the concept as giving preference in public construction and public works contracts to iron, steel, aluminum, and other manufactured goods made in the United States, while emphasizing he wanted to avoid excessive taxpayer costs and was open to changes. Chad Connley of the United Steelworkers and Dustin Reinsteller of the Kentucky State AFL-CIO supported the idea, arguing it would strengthen domestic manufacturing, keep tax dollars in the local economy, and support jobs; Connley said the bill would include waivers for items not made domestically and noted Kentucky has opted out of the GPA trade agreement. Mike Buckington of Metals Innovation Initiative, testifying virtually, also supported the concept and said Kentucky’s metals sector has seen significant investment and can supply most construction needs, while stressing supply-chain reliability and national security concerns. Members generally expressed support but raised questions about implementation. Representative Branscum asked who would grant waivers and how contractors would know the rules during bidding; Flannery said he was open to revising the language and process. Representative Gentry supported the concept but said the bill would likely need editing to avoid harming businesses or markets. Senator Nun suggested aligning the bill’s definition of a U.S. good with industry country-of-origin standards to make compliance easier. Representative KC Carney asked for data on the impact of similar laws in other states, and Connley said he could provide numbers later but did not have them on hand. Senator Boswell supported the concept and asked about the cost threshold for waivers; Connley said the federal standard is a 25% cost increase, while the prior Kentucky version used 10%, and that the threshold is a key detail. The committee then shifted to an informational presentation on building trade apprenticeships. Eric Elie of the Kentucky State Pipe Trades Association, Nick Brown of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 502, and retired IBEW training director Steve Willinghurst explained how union apprenticeship programs work. Brown described earn-while-you-learn training, with apprentices placed on jobs by signatory contractors and attending classes two nights a week for five years. He outlined the work of plumbers, pipefitters, welders, and HVACR technicians, emphasizing that these trades support construction, industrial facilities, distilleries, and other critical infrastructure. No votes or formal actions were taken on the policy topics beyond approval of the prior minutes.