Transcript Highlights:

• proud to have doubled the size of the LGBTQ contingency in our Jewish caucus and look forward to increasing
• This federal administration is waging a full-scale campaign to roll back decades of civil rights gains

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, heard a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and approved the previous day’s journal. Procedural motions were adopted to allow certain members to speak on adjournment in memory and to host guests on the floor, and the chamber suspended Joint Rule 61 to allow the Appropriations Committee to meet and consider AB 1533. The majority leader also requested that SB 272 and HR 44 be removed from the consent calendar. The main floor action was the Assembly’s Pride Month observance, centered on HR 43, which recognizes June 2025 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Pride Month. Assembly Member Ward and members of several caucuses spoke in support, emphasizing LGBTQ+ history, civil rights, community contributions, and current political attacks on LGBTQ+ rights. Assembly Member DeMaio spoke in opposition, arguing the resolution was divisive and included controversial policy references. After debate, 49 coauthors were added and the resolution was adopted by voice vote. The chamber then held a Pride Month ceremony honoring 14 distinguished individuals for contributions to the LGBTQ+ community, followed by guest introductions recognizing APICA fellows, family members, educators, and community leaders. The Assembly later adopted the consent calendar, with SB 61, SB 66, SB 846, SB 229, and SCR 3 approved, and then heard adjournment-in-memory tributes for John E. Brison and former Assembly Member William T. Bagley. The House adjourned until Thursday, June 26, 2025, at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• IN CLOSING, THESE NOTICES INCREASED TRANSPARENCY IN LEAN SALES GIVING THE PUBLIC A WINDOW INTO WHAT WOULD
• WITH LIFETIME LOST WAGES OF 365 TO $570,000.

Transcript Highlights:

• He questions policies most of Americans take for granted, a minimum wage, paid sick leave, reasonable
• Do you support increasing transparency and accuracy in the cost-benefit analysis aspect of SBA's rulemaking

Committee: Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee

Keywords: SBA, small business, nominations, Bill Briggs, Casey Mulligan, regulations, capital access, public support

Summary: The Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship convened to consider the nominations of Bill Briggs for Deputy Administrator of the SBA and Dr. Casey Mulligan for Chief Counsel for Advocacy. The discussions highlighted the critical role of the SBA in promoting small businesses, with emphasis on overcoming challenges posed by excessive regulations and the need for improved access to capital. Several committee members expressed their concerns over recent layoffs within the SBA and the closure of district offices, which they believe undermine support for small businesses across the nation. The committee meeting saw extensive dialogue about the implications of regulations on small business operations and how the nominees plan to address these issues if confirmed. Public support for the nominees was acknowledged through letters from various stakeholders who advocate for small business interests.

Transcript Highlights:

• Founded in 1848, it now boasts over a hundred and eighty... 85,000 residents with a 7.6% increase in
• Manufacturing jobs are high-quality and high-wage jobs.

Bills: SJR1 , SB9 , SB40 , SJR36 , SJR1 , SJR5 , SB9 , SB40

Transcript Highlights:

• had to be dramatically increased and that infrastructure had to be put in place.
• to be that was the wages had to be dramatically<00:57:12.000><c> increased</c><00:57:12.480><c> but</
• c><00:57:12.720><c> that</c> dramatically increased but that dramatically increased but that infrastructure
• </c> problem with that is is is the increased problem with that is is is the increased operating<01:29
• </c> lot of problems in terms of increasing lot of problems in terms of increasing the<01:58:27.840><

Summary: The meeting began with roll call, adoption of the minutes, and brief remarks, including birthday recognition for Representative Maseroni and a moment of reflection for a soldier who died during training at Fort Knox. The committee then heard a presentation from Tony Hatton, commissioner of the Department for Environmental Protection and acting director of the Kentucky Division of Water, with Amanda Lefer, deputy commissioner, on the state’s water and wastewater programs and planning. Hatton described Kentucky’s water resources and the Division of Water’s responsibilities, including watershed and nonpoint source work, KPDES discharge permitting, PFAS response, engineering review of water infrastructure, inspections, public outreach, and sampling. He said Kentucky has 428 public water systems, 263 water treatment plants, about 1.9 million service connections, and nearly 97% of the population has access to municipally treated water. He also noted that the state has 43 systems receiving awards for EPA areawide optimization and emphasized operator training, regionalization, and use of GIS mapping and Kentucky Infrastructure Authority data to support planning and funding decisions. Members raised concerns about aging infrastructure, water loss, staffing shortages, and wastewater problems in local systems. Representative Blandon described severe failures in a city system, including major water loss and sewer backups, and asked whether the state could intervene; Hatton said the division inspects treatment facilities and provides compliance assistance but is not authorized to manage delivery systems, though third-party help and emergency funding can be used in some cases. Senator Smith and others shared similar experiences with line loss and system failures, while Hatton pointed to regionalization and funding support as the main tools available. The discussion also highlighted PFAS as an emerging issue, with Hatton saying the department is working with systems to meet anticipated federal requirements by 2029.

Transcript Highlights:

• a rate increase occurs. a rate increase occurs. &gt;&gt; Yeah,<00:23:28.320><c> Mr.
• increase.
• go up, the job opportunities our wages go up, the job opportunities increase.<00:44:54.880><c> How</
• </c><00:44:55.760><c> Well,</c> increase. How do we do that? Well, increase. How do we do that?
• We never think year just increases.

Committee: Joint Minerals, Business & Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• By 1930, James was living with his wife, Lillian, and worked in the automotive sales industry as a wage-earning
• </c><00:37:01.040><c> industry</c><00:37:01.440><c> as</c><00:37:01.599><c> a</c><00:37:01.839><c> wage
• </c> automotive sales industry as a wage automotive sales industry as a wage earning<00:37:02.400><c>

Transcript Highlights:

• Staff hasn't received a cost of living wage in two consecutive years.
• received a<00:35:51.040><c> cost</c><00:35:51.200><c> of</c><00:35:51.359><c> living</c><00:35:51.520><c> wage
• 00:35:51.760><c> in</c><00:35:51.920><c> two</c><00:35:52.160><c> consecutive</c> a cost of living wage
• in two consecutive a cost of living wage in two consecutive years.<00:35:53.440><c> Um,</c><00:35:54.480

Bills: SB115 , SB131 , SB93 , HB319 , HB163 , HB268 , SB115 , SB131 , SB93 , HB319 , HB163 , HB268 , HB181 , HB153 , SB132 , SB26 , SB189 , SB196 , HB140 , SB197 , HB117 , HB181 , HB153 , SB132 , SB26 , SB189 , SB196 , HB140 , SB197 , HB117

Committee: Senate County and Municipal Government

Keywords: SB115, Alabama, impersonating a peace officer, peace officer, law enforcement impersonation, police impersonation, unauthorized police officer, fake cop, certification revoked, certification suspended, Alabama Peace Officers' Standards and Training Commission, APOSTC, Class C felony, law enforcement hiring, appointment of officers, federal law enforcement, arrest authority, public order, criminal offenses, Judiciary Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Exposure to these chemicals can lead to increased hospitalizations, worsening health conditions, and
• The opposition has stated that the DPC increases have historically been accompanied by new dealership
• However, we feel that the increase is on To $350.
• Texas increased their document fee to $225, substantially less.
• After two points on a person's license, a person's insurance rate increases by 20%.

Summary: The committee first took up SB 712, which would expand California’s smog-check exemption for classic vehicles by adding model years 1976 through 1986 in phases, with a sunset in 2032. The author and supporters, including lowrider advocates and the Specialty Equipment Market Association, argued the bill would preserve car culture, support a small class of rarely driven collector vehicles, and reduce burdens on owners who struggle to find equipment for older smog tests. Opponents, including air district officials, the American Lung Association, and other environmental groups, warned the bill would weaken an important emissions-control program and increase pollution. After discussion, the committee adopted the motion to do pass as amended to Appropriations on a roll call vote of 10-0, with the roll held open for additional votes. The committee then heard SB 800, which requires Caltrans, working with local governments, to assess mitigation measures for suicide prevention on locally owned overpasses crossing state highways. The bill was presented as a response to recent tragedies in Rancho Cucamonga and was supported by local officials, health organizations, and suicide-prevention advocates, who said the measure would help identify high-risk locations and lead to life-saving interventions. There was no registered opposition. The committee members expressed support, and SB 800 was passed to Appropriations on a unanimous roll call vote, with the roll held open. Next, the committee considered SB 30, which would prohibit California public entities from selling, donating, or transferring decommissioned diesel locomotives and railroad equipment with Tier 1 or older engines unless the engine is removed, while allowing Tier 2 and newer transfers under certain conditions. The author and supporters framed the bill as a climate and public-health measure to prevent older, dirtier locomotives from continuing to pollute elsewhere, while transit agencies opposed it, arguing it could limit useful transfers of equipment that still supports passenger service and could be better handled through case-by-case air-quality review. After debate, the committee voted 6-4 to pass SB 30 as amended to Appropriations, with the roll held open for later additions. The committee also heard SB 791, which replaces the flat dealer document processing charge cap with a 1% fee capped at $350, along with new disclosure requirements. Dealers and industry groups supported the bill as a way to recover costs and improve transparency, while consumer advocates opposed it as an unjustified increase that would burden buyers. The committee approved SB 791 on a 8-? roll call vote and held the roll open. The meeting then moved on to SB 34, a port-air-quality bill presented by Senator Richardson, but the transcript ends during testimony and debate on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 6089 relates to increasing coordination and alignment throughout the P20W system, including
• The nonprofit must facilitate increased coordination in this system and convene an advisory group to
• The nonprofit must facilitate increased coordination in this system and convene an advisory group to
• And you can't live on minimum wage. And so what's the point?
• I'm on the equity team working to increase and retain our educators of color to better represent our

Bills: SB6078 , SB6089 , SB5859 , SB5861 , SB6065 , SB5956 , SB5901

Committee: Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education

Keywords: SB 6078, child care, childcare, daycare, licensed child care provider, Department of Children, Youth, and Families, DCYF, prelicensing, licensing support, resource guide, child care center, family home child care, family home provider, outdoor nature-based child care, school-age child care, early learning, provider application, local permit notice, city permit, county permit

Transcript Highlights:

• How would you anticipate we can increase engagement on southbound traffic, slowing the flow of guns and
• As a result, they've lost... lost out on promotions, pay increases, increased retirement pay, and why
• And certainly in Wyoming we've seen this increased opportunity for businesses to expand their reach far
• , the economy- this is Franklin County in northern Vermont- is really benefited, obviously, by the wages
• It will result in an increase in vehicular and pedestrian traffic and I can tell you it's going to help

Committee: Senate Finance Committee

Keywords: Customs and Border Protection, Rodney Scott, border security, asylum, transparency, Hernandez Rojas, migrant treatment, public testimony

Summary: The meeting centered on the nomination of Rodney Scott to serve as the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Throughout the session, various senators expressed concerns regarding CBP's recent practices, including issues related to border security and the treatment of migrants. Questions were raised about Scott's involvement in previous incidents, particularly surrounding the controversial death of Mr. Hernandez Rojas while in custody, which sparked a heated discussion about accountability and transparency in current border policies. Senators emphasized the importance of balancing efficient border security with humane treatment of individuals seeking asylum.

Transcript Highlights:

• requires truth in labeling for meat, milk, poultry, and eggs while also protecting consumers from increased
• The bill increases the residential housing supply in our state by allowing agricultural producers to
• New York, likewise had a ban and brought it back, and they had seen the same kind of incredible increase
• . ...and we saw a 700% increase in dental injuries.
• I presume that there would be a cost associated with that as it relates to taxpayers, perhaps an increase

Summary: The Senate opened with a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, doctor and gallery introductions, and several recognitions, including USF Day at the Capitol and visitors from Miami Gardens, Teach For America Florida, and Pathways to Prosperity. The chamber then moved to the special order calendar and considered a series of bills, with several measures temporarily postponed and others passed after debate and roll call votes. The Senate unanimously passed several Open Government Sunset Review bills, including SB 7010 and SB 7008, which preserve public records exemptions related to insolvent insurance company receiverships and financial technology sandbox applications. It also passed SB 1430 on post-judgment execution proceedings for terrorism victims, SB 910 on veterans benefits assistance, SB 796 on general permits for distributed wastewater treatment systems, SB 28 and SB 22 as claims bills involving South Broward Hospital District, SB 8 for relief related to a Pasco County School Board accident, SB 1718 preserving a public records exemption for minors seeking abortions without parental consent, and SB 994 on driver’s license education requirements. SB 832 on former phosphate mining lands also passed, but with two amendments and some opposition. A major portion of the meeting focused on SB 700, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services bill, which included technical updates, restrictions on certain additives in public water systems, limits on ESG practices in farm lending, drone-related penalties, truth-in-labeling provisions for meat, milk, poultry, and eggs, charity registration requirements, agricultural worker housing, and support for FFA and 4-H. The most contentious debate centered on fluoride provisions in the bill: multiple amendments by Senators Berman and Polsky to remove the fluoride language, require targeted fluoride assistance, or order an OPAGA study were all defeated, while a technical amendment by Senator Truenow was adopted. The bill remained on the calendar for third reading after extensive debate and questioning. At the end of the session, the Senate adopted motions to certify passed bills to the House, retain postponed bills on the special order calendar, and return CS for SB 7016 to second reading, then adjourned until April 16.

Transcript Highlights:

• This was done with a goal of increasing benchmarks equally over five years to provide institutions with
• And increasing completion by 20% generates $7.5 billion.
• So we see here that throughout the years, it looks like there's an increase.
• In 2022, 2023, there's a slight increase. Is there a reason for that?
• I'm speaking just for myself, but, you know, I would love to entertain an increase in that.

Summary: The Higher Education Budget Subcommittee heard and advanced House Bill 1145, which clarifies that public charter schools may participate in the CAP Grant Fund. The bill’s amendment expanded a separate “money-back guarantee” concept for state colleges, requiring participating institutions to offer six eligible programs and refund tuition if graduates do not find qualifying employment within six months under standardized job-search requirements. Members asked about refund rates, student notification, fiscal impact, and whether the proposal accounted for disability or out-of-state job searches. Public testimony on the amendment and bill was in support from Nathan Hoffman of the Foundation for Florida’s Future, and the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably as a committee substitute by a 16-1 vote, with Representative Aristide voting no over the charter school issue. The committee then received presentations on the William L. Boyd IV Effective Access to Student Education (EASE) Grant and the private nonprofit college sector. Department of Education staff explained that EASE, created in 1979, provides tuition assistance to eligible full-time undergraduates at participating private institutions, with a 2024-25 maximum award of $3,500 and an additional EASE Plus incentive of up to $850 for students in high-demand fields. The department reviewed the program’s funding history, disbursement process, and accountability metrics, including access, affordability, graduation, retention, and postgraduate employment/continuing education. Members asked about award proration, eligibility for other aid, religious-program restrictions, and why some institutions had low or unavailable graduation-rate data. ICUF President Robert Boyd argued that EASE is a strong return on investment and described ICUF institutions as not-for-profit, four-year schools serving many Pell-eligible, adult, military, and minority students. He said the sector produces a significant share of Florida’s bachelor’s, graduate, nursing, and education degrees, and highlighted ICUF’s dashboard with additional transparency metrics, program earnings data, and net price calculators. Boyd and members discussed graduation and completion rates, NCLEX passage rates, affordability, institutional flexibility, and whether schools with lower graduation rates should be compared differently because of their student populations. The presentations ended with no further business, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Air pollution is directly linked with increased rates of asthma, cancer, and other diseases.
• Air pollution is directly linked with increased rates of asthma, cancer, and other diseases.
• Air pollution is directly linked with increased rates of asthma, cancer, and other diseases.
• Medicaid budget has increased 40% over the last 5 years and is out of control.
• ><c> 40%</c><08:07:31.920><c> over</c> Medicaid budget has increased 40% over Medicaid budget has increased

Transcript Highlights:

• We also are seeing increased payment rates, so both in nursing homes through value-based reimbursement
• We also are seeing increased payment rates, so both in nursing homes through value-based reimbursement
• We also are seeing increased payment rates, so both in nursing homes through value-based reimbursement
• We also are seeing increased payment rates, so both in nursing homes through value-based reimbursement
• I do We're also seeing increases in racial diversity in the long-term care programs under the waiver

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> increases,</c><00:50:08.640><c> and</c> state grant spending increases, and state grant spending
• </c> increase in enrollment of almost 5%. increase in enrollment of almost 5%.
• </c> education increase. education increase.
• ,</c> cyclical um countercyclical increase, cyclical um countercyclical increase, but<00:55:09.440><c
• So that's a big increase.

Bills: HF4362 , HF4252 , HF4440

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Before you is a bill that will help to move forward the wages for their 300 ISP troopers.

Committee: House Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• King spoke powerfully about poverty, labor rights, and exploitation, calling for fair wages, the right
• He condemned wars waged abroad and at home, and he condemned wars against poor people, against Black

Transcript Highlights:

• Much was that increase that you are increasing for your investment officers? Mr.
• , and we should see an increase.
• We're increasing our impact and we're increasing our customers. Thank you very much, Chair.
• That's almost a 20% increase. The increase accounted for increased costs and personnel.
• Increase of 4.1% or $640,000.

Transcript Highlights:

• 10.5% increase.
• 10.5% increase.
• And so you're seeing a pretty big increase on the general fund this year, largely because of the increase
• A 26% increase on premiums, right?
• What accounts for that $31 million increase? What accounts for that $31 million increase? Mr.

Summary: The committee received a broad budget overview from Legislative Services staff on the state’s fiscal position, focusing on the general fund, structural balance, cash reconciliation, and the governor’s budget recommendations for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. Staff explained that projected revenues are below the current budgeted level, creating a need for either budget reductions or the use of cash balances and reserve funds to maintain balance. They reviewed major drivers of spending growth over recent years, including Medicaid expansion, public schools, the State Public Defender, IT services, and water resources, and noted that these statutory and ongoing obligations are crowding out other spending. Members also discussed the governor’s proposed use of interest earnings and reserve balances from several funds, the Budget Stabilization Fund cap, and the policy question of whether changes to fund interest allocations would require legislation or could be handled through appropriation language. The committee also reviewed current-year adjustments, including supplementals, rescissions, deficiency warrants, and the governor’s proposed holdbacks. Specific items discussed included public school enrollment adjustments, the proposed rescission of Empowering Parents funding, Medicaid growth and provider rate changes, Department of Corrections costs tied to inmate placement and medical services, invasive species treatment funding, and a possible tax conformity impact tied to federal law changes. Members asked about fire suppression deficiency funding, the use of reserve balances, and the difference between current-law and governor-recommended spending levels. Staff emphasized that the governor’s budget relies on short-term money and reserve transfers to smooth the current deficit, while the legislature must decide whether to follow that approach or make deeper structural changes. Later, staff provided an overview of the budget hearing process and the Legislative Budget Book, explaining the standard reports, agency organization charts, fund analyses, performance measures, and five-year snapshots that committees will use during hearings. Another presentation clarified the difference between deficiency warrants and supplemental appropriations, noting that deficiency warrants cover certain last-year expenses authorized by statute, while supplementals adjust the current-year appropriation and can apply to general, dedicated, or federal funds. The committee then heard a detailed presentation on state health insurance costs, including rising medical claims, reserve balances, the 80/20 employee-employer cost split, and projected FY 2027 premium increases. Members asked about school district participation in the state plan, the role of the insurance carrier contract, and whether broader participation could lower costs. No votes were taken during the meeting, and the committee adjourned after the presentations and questions.