Transcript Highlights:

• So we will begin with House Bill 49, increased felon firearm penalty. Thank you.
• I'm here to present House Bill 49. It's to increase the felon firearm penalty. See.
• I'm here to present House Bill 49. It's to increase the felon firearm penalty.
• What HB 49 proposes has been considered for several years and has never been enacted.
• However, we do stand in respectful opposition to House Bill 49.

Committee: House House Consumer & Public Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• I rise in strong opposition to AB 49.
• I urge a no vote on AB 49. Thank you, Assemblymember DeMaio.
• Speaker, I rise in support of AB 49.
• I rise in support of AB 49.
• House Resolution 49 HR 42 by Assemblymember Al-Hawari, the clerk will read.

Transcript Highlights:

• They looked at the facts and they cited the driver for violating 49-615, failure to exercise due care
• The way that 49-615 is written, it says that every driver shall exercise due care to avoid colliding
• So this RS would also amend 49-714 to make it clear that traffic laws also apply to electric-assisted
• And then lastly, section 49-715, this was the last section of code where it was clear that we probably

Committee: House Judiciary, Rules and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, I just, yeah, so it's lines 42 to 48, 49. You're recognized. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• So at lines 42 to 49, we use the word a decedent spouse.
• If I understand this bill correctly, the decedent here, as defined in lines 48 to 49, is an unborn child
• As defined in lines 48 to 49, is an unborn child. How is it that an unborn child can have a spouse?
• So we're not—the block of text you're discussing, lines 42 to 49, is not new statutory language in its

Summary: The Civil Justice and Claims Subcommittee met to consider one measure, PCS for HB 289, which would amend Florida’s wrongful death statute to allow parents of an unborn child to recover damages for the child’s wrongful death and to include parents in the definition of survivors. The sponsor said the bill is intended to give parents a remedy when a wrongful act, negligence, breach of contract, or breach of warranty causes the loss of an unborn child, while also preserving existing protections for lawful medical care and the mother. Members questioned the bill extensively about the meaning of “survivors,” whether it could reach surrogacy situations, friends or family who assist someone in obtaining abortion care, paternity issues, and whether abusive or unqualified fathers could bring claims. The sponsor repeatedly said the bill is limited to parents, does not authorize suits against the mother or lawful medical providers, and would still require the normal wrongful death procedures, including appointment of a personal representative. He cited Duncan v. Flynn as the case holding that current law does not allow recovery for the death of an unborn child. Representative Gottlieb offered an amendment modeled on criminal-law protections, aimed at expanding explicit immunity for a pregnant woman and for persons providing medical care or abortion-related conduct with consent. Supporters of the amendment said it would better align civil law with criminal protections; opponents argued it was overly broad and could shield unlicensed conduct. The amendment failed on a voice vote. Public testimony was divided, with supporters from pro-life and Catholic organizations backing the bill and some asking to remove the health care exemption, while opponents from ACLU, Equality Florida, Planned Parenthood affiliates, Florida Voice for the Unborn, Voices of Florida, and others warned the bill could chill reproductive health care, increase liability for doctors and hospitals, and invite lawsuits involving surrogates, family members, and abortion-related care. In debate, supporters said the bill simply recognizes the value of unborn children and gives parents a remedy for wrongful loss, while opponents argued it could create unintended consequences in family law, surrogacy, IVF, and medical practice, and could empower abusive partners or rapists. After closing remarks, the committee voted 13 yeas and 3 nays to report PCS for HB 289 favorably. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• :39.000><c> be</c><01:49:39.239><c> below</c><01:49:39.679><c> the</c><01:49:39.880><c> governor's</c
• ><c> comfortable</c><01:49:46.840><c> at</c><01:49:47.080><c> that</c> number<01:49:50.400><c> so</c>
• <01:49:50.920><c> that's</c><01:49:51.159><c> the</c><01:49:51.320><c> number</c><01:49:52.040><c> we're
• /c><01:49:52.880><c> is</c> shooting 4 is shooting 4 is 133<01:49:54.719><c> it's</c><01:49:54.920><c
• stone<01:49:57.639><c> so</c><01:49:57.840><c> what</c><01:49:57.920><c> do</c><01:49:58.080><c> we<

Summary: The committee held a public hearing and work session on House Bill 25/25A, the capital improvements budget. Representative David Mills introduced HB 25A, which makes appropriations for capital improvements for the biennium and extends certain lapses from prior appropriations, noting it is based on Governor Ayotte’s budget. The hearing then focused on requests to add or restore funding for several projects, including community college capital needs, Veterans Home ADA and safety upgrades, career and technical education renovations in Milford, and airport infrastructure funding. Shannon Reed of the Community College System of New Hampshire asked for an additional $2.6 million for IT infrastructure, critical maintenance, and energy management systems, citing failing boilers, roof work, cybersecurity needs, and a recent costly water damage incident at Lakes Region Community College. John Graham, representing the New Hampshire Veterans Home, requested $1.5 million for ADA compliance and safety improvements such as floor replacement and wider doors, saying the work would help the home before an upcoming VA inspection and protect federal funding. Lance Whitehead testified for Milford CTE, asking the committee to keep $9.9 million in the budget for a scaled-down renovation; members discussed the town’s failed vote, the need for local matching funds, and the possibility of another vote next year. Tim Thompson of Concord and Margaret Burns of NHMA urged restoration of airport matching funds, arguing that about $3.6 million in state money would leverage roughly $62 million to $65 million in federal FAA funds for safety and infrastructure projects. Trisha Lambert and Andrew Pomroy of the Bureau of Aeronautics and airport management association explained the airport program, the 12 federally funded airports, and how projects are selected through airport master plans and a capital improvement program. After public testimony, the committee closed the hearing on HB 25A. In the work session that followed, staff distributed supporting documents, including cost breakdowns and comparison sheets. The chair indicated the committee would work from the governor’s $143 million capital budget as a baseline and proposed reducing it by about $10 million, largely by removing the Milford CTE item because both towns had voted it down and would not have another vote for a year. The chair said the goal was to bring the overall budget to about $133 million and then repurpose the remaining funds through straw polls and further committee action.

Transcript Highlights:

• :13.080><c> them</c><01:49:13.239><c> on</c><01:49:13.520><c> Furlow</c><01:49:14.520><c> uh</c><01:49
• :14.639><c> get</c><01:49:14.840><c> them</c><01:49:15.000><c> on</c><01:49:15.400><c> on</c> put them
• ><01:49:17.040><c> the</c><01:49:17.239><c> time</c><01:49:18.199><c> uh</c><01:49:18.400><c> because
• of because<01:49:19.280><c> of</c><01:49:19.440><c> the</c><01:49:19.639><c> policy</c><01:49:20.040
• causing</c><01:49:24.719><c> us</c><01:49:24.920><c> to</c><01:49:25.040><c> see</c><01:49:25.320><c>

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• :49.640><c> help</c><00:49:50.400><c> um</c> will help um will help um attract<00:49:51.760><c> uh</c
• ><00:49:51.840><c> more</c><00:49:52.320><c> of</c><00:49:52.440><c> those</c><00:49:52.680><c> social
• </c><00:49:53.080><c> workers.
• Uh<00:49:54.600><c> moving</c><00:49:54.960><c> to</c><00:49:55.080><c> the</c><00:49:55.200><c> next
• :49:59.360><c> all</c><00:49:59.800><c> of</c><00:49:59.880><c> these</c><00:50:00.520><c> you've</c>

Bills: HB517 , HB98 , HB235 , HB236 , HB237 , HB238 , HB239 , HB240 , HB241 , HB242 , HB565 , HB517 , HB98 , HB235 , HB236 , HB237 , HB238 , HB239 , HB240 , HB241 , HB242 , HB565 , SB380

Committee: Senate Finance and Taxation Education

Keywords: underground damage prevention, one-call notification system, utility locating, excavation safety, dig safe, call before you dig, utility lines, underground utilities, pipeline safety, gas pipeline, electric utility, telecommunications, water utility, wastewater, cable television, locate request, premark, tolerance zone, positive response, contract locator

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, I want to be clear, House Bill 49 is not about. ownership.
• Respectfully testifying against House Bill 49.
• For these reasons, TLMA respectfully opposes House Bill 49.
• I'm testifying only on HB49. 49, right now. Against HB.
• HB 49 will be left pending.

Bills: HB48 , HB49 , HB 1169 , HB1971 , HB2584 , HB2663 , HB2890 , HB48 , HB49

Committee: House Energy Resources

Keywords: HB 48, oilfield theft, organized theft, petroleum products, oil and gas equipment, DPS, Department of Public Safety, Texas, Railroad Commission, criminal justice, energy resources, theft prevention, organized crime, border region, El Paso, law enforcement task force, asset recovery, pipeline theft, drilling equipment, equipment theft

Transcript Highlights:

• When we were engaged by Pog, we were asked to conduct a performance review of the 49 independent soil
• And in that regard we didn't prepare. 49 individual reports that were provided to Oppaga.
• You had more staff and the ability to provide the services touch on staffing for the 49 districts as
• But I think it's somewhat not as easy to see when you take all 49 in.
• So the 400 spread across the 49 districts about 8 recommendations or so per district.

Bills: HR119 , HR120 , HR121 , HR122 , HR123 , HR124 , HR125 , HR126 , HR127 , HR128 , HR129 , HR130 , HR131 , HR132 , HCR53 , HCR54 , HCR55 , HCR56 , HR115 , HR116 , HR117 , HR118 , SCR19 , SCR26 , SB102 , SB222 , SB255 , SB270 , SB273 , SB314 , SB418 , SB420 , HB21 , HB24 , HB29 , HB31 , HB39 , HB45 , HB49 , HB77 , HB136 , HB150 , HB211 , HB263 , HB273 , HB299 , HB315 , HB324 , HB376 , HB377 , HB422 , HB431 , HB444 , HB450 , HB519 , HB533 , HB538 , HB549 , HB559 , HB562 , HB663 , HB664 , HB715 , HB717 , HB805 , HB822 , HB823 , HB834 , HB864 , HB867 , HB1011 , HB1017 , HB1018 , HB1068 , HB1134 , HB1137 , HB1234 , HB1235 , HB1236 , HB310 , HCR6 , HCR19 , HCR10 , HR74 , HCR26 , HCR35 , HCR7 , HB51 , HB82 , HB143 , HB145 , HB160 , HB180 , HB192 , HB393 , HB430 , HB445 , HB506 , HB515 , HB521 , HB565 , HB590 , HB614 , HB638 , HB670 , HB672 , HB685 , HB692 , HB752 , HB773 , HB781 , HB799 , HB860 , HB874 , HB887 , HB917 , HB937 , HB956 , HB965 , HB972 , HB977 , HB982 , HB1006 , HB1010 , HB1044 , HB1072 , HB1088 , HB1179 , HB1200 , HB76 , HB132 , HB181 , HB210 , HB250 , HB265 , HB275 , HB291 , HB322 , HB342 , HB475 , HB486 , HB616 , HB635 , HB639 , HB690 , HB740 , HB757 , HB761 , HB774 , HB808 , HB855 , HB872 , HB883 , HB886 , HB903 , HB949 , HB962 , HB996 , HB1003 , HB1036 , HB1054 , HB1071 , HB1076 , HB1078 , HB1113 , HB1132 , HB1146 , HB1232 , HB1233 , HB140 , HB750 , HB911 , HB52 , HB154 , HB400 , HB463 , HB570 , HB631 , HB637 , HB870 , HB952 , HB961 , HB399 , HB868 , HB905 , HB401 , HB901 , HR20 , HB9 , HB58 , HB151 , HB193 , HB284 , HB459 , HB476 , HB577 , HB582 , HB605 , HB615 , HB682 , HB733 , HB915

Keywords: condolences, public service, environmental justice, sustainability, local government, military service, World War II, veteran, community, Italian Festival, cultural celebration, Tickfaw, Italian-American, community pride, heritage, Miss Louisiana Teen USA, Heaven Riley Breaux, recognition, youth empowerment, community service

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will close the machine: 50 yeas, 49 nays. Does the member desire to give notice? Yes.
• The vote was 50 yeas, 49 nays.
• , House Bill 24 favorably, House Bill 31 with amendments, House Bill 45 with amendments, House Bill 49

Bills: HR115 , HR116 , HR117 , HR118 , HR112 , HR113 , HR114 , HCR51 , HCR52 , SCR18 , SCR20 , SB14 , SB76 , SB118 , SB142 , SB156 , SB170 , SB197 , SB234 , SB258 , SB287 , SB288 , SB313 , SB315 , SB393 , SB396 , SB426 , SB427 , HCR7 , HB76 , HB84 , HB132 , HB181 , HB210 , HB250 , HB265 , HB275 , HB291 , HB322 , HB342 , HB457 , HB475 , HB477 , HB486 , HB616 , HB635 , HB639 , HB690 , HB740 , HB757 , HB761 , HB766 , HB774 , HB808 , HB855 , HB866 , HB872 , HB883 , HB886 , HB903 , HB949 , HB962 , HB996 , HB1003 , HB1036 , HB1054 , HB1071 , HB1076 , HB1078 , HB1113 , HB1132 , HB1146 , HB1232 , HB1233 , HR15 , HR20 , HCR14 , HCR6 , HCR19 , HCR10 , HR74 , HCR26 , HCR35 , HB98 , HB108 , HB131 , HB151 , HB161 , HB288 , HB294 , HB305 , HB310 , HB320 , HB336 , HB380 , HB392 , HB403 , HB420 , HB459 , HB476 , HB540 , HB615 , HB631 , HB637 , HB648 , HB665 , HB682 , HB789 , HB813 , HB815 , HB835 , HB870 , HB905 , HB915 , HB933 , HB938 , HB987 , HB1040 , HB51 , HB82 , HB143 , HB145 , HB160 , HB180 , HB192 , HB393 , HB430 , HB445 , HB506 , HB515 , HB521 , HB565 , HB590 , HB614 , HB638 , HB670 , HB672 , HB685 , HB692 , HB752 , HB773 , HB781 , HB799 , HB860 , HB874 , HB887 , HB917 , HB937 , HB956 , HB965 , HB972 , HB977 , HB982 , HB1006 , HB1010 , HB1044 , HB1072 , HB1088 , HB1179 , HB1200 , HB81 , HB400 , HB154 , HB410 , HB463 , HB827 , HB868 , HB952 , HB953 , HB140 , HB750 , HB911 , HB52 , HB961 , HB399 , HB401 , HB901 , HB9 , HB58 , HB193 , HB284 , HB570 , HB577 , HB582 , HB605 , HB733

Keywords: Kappa Alpha Psi, fraternity, Louisiana, commemoration, community engagement, recognition, state championship, basketball, sports achievement, school commendation, commendation, athletics, team sports, youth, community recognition, water utility, tax credit, excessive rates, residential service, subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• H.G. 49 by Representative Fisher to memorialize Congress to take action necessary to include the Doctor

Bills: HR112 , HR113 , HR114 , HCR51 , HCR52 , HR94 , HR95 , HR96 , HR97 , HR98 , HR99 , HR100 , HR103 , HR104 , HR105 , HR106 , HR107 , HR108 , HR109 , HR110 , HR111 , HCR46 , HCR47 , HCR48 , HCR49 , HCR50 , SCR25 , SB17 , SB300 , HCR35 , HB51 , HB82 , HB143 , HB145 , HB160 , HB180 , HB192 , HB393 , HB430 , HB445 , HB506 , HB515 , HB521 , HB565 , HB590 , HB614 , HB638 , HB647 , HB670 , HB672 , HB685 , HB692 , HB752 , HB773 , HB781 , HB799 , HB839 , HB860 , HB873 , HB874 , HB887 , HB917 , HB937 , HB956 , HB965 , HB972 , HB977 , HB982 , HB1006 , HB1010 , HB1044 , HB1072 , HB1088 , HB1157 , HB1179 , HB1200 , HR15 , HR20 , HCR14 , HCR6 , HCR19 , HCR10 , HR74 , HCR26 , HCR45 , HB54 , HB67 , HB73 , HB125 , HB133 , HB158 , HB168 , HB169 , HB191 , HB195 , HB245 , HB280 , HB283 , HB296 , HB319 , HB339 , HB399 , HB407 , HB448 , HB550 , HB591 , HB826 , HB995 , HB1085 , HB1086 , HB98 , HB108 , HB131 , HB151 , HB161 , HB288 , HB294 , HB305 , HB310 , HB320 , HB336 , HB380 , HB392 , HB403 , HB420 , HB459 , HB476 , HB540 , HB615 , HB631 , HB637 , HB648 , HB665 , HB682 , HB789 , HB813 , HB815 , HB835 , HB870 , HB905 , HB915 , HB933 , HB938 , HB987 , HB1040 , HB827 , HB953 , HB796 , HB352 , HB463 , HB735 , HB780 , HB882 , HB81 , HB400 , HB140 , HB750 , HB911 , HB961 , HB401 , HB901 , HB9 , HB52 , HB58 , HB154 , HB193 , HB284 , HB410 , HB570 , HB577 , HB582 , HB605 , HB733 , HB868 , HB952

Keywords: commendation, community service, religious leadership, New Orleans, anniversary, Martha's Vineyard, African-American Film Festival, Black excellence, cinema, cultural celebration, Black voices, film industry, Hannuh Ray, Louisiana, youth development, pageant, leadership, community, recognition, compensation

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:49:47.640><c> Um</c><00:49:47.880><c> what</c><00:49:48.080><c> you</c><00:49:48.240><c> have
• </c><00:49:48.640><c> here</c><00:49:49.200><c> is</c><00:49:49.880><c> a</c> and members.
• Um what you have here is a very<00:49:50.800><c> modest</c><00:49:51.640><c> supplemental</c><00:49:52.480
• ><c> bill</c><00:49:53.240><c> that</c><00:49:54.400><c> um</c><00:49:54.880><c> we</c> very modest supplemental
• </c><00:49:56.080><c> We</c><00:49:56.240><c> know</c><00:49:56.440><c> that</c><00:49:56.960><c> we<

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• So,<00:49:02.480><c> we're</c><00:49:02.720><c> going</c><00:49:02.880><c> to</c><00:49:03.040><c> try
• </c><00:49:03.440><c> as</c><00:49:03.760><c> best</c><00:49:04.000><c> we</c><00:49:04.319><c> can</
• can to um<00:49:06.000><c> be</c><00:49:06.319><c> concise</c><00:49:06.880><c> if</c><00:49:07.599>
• <c> uh</c><00:49:07.920><c> if</c><00:49:08.240><c> everyone</c><00:49:08.640><c> can</c><00:49:08.880
• :09.440><c> So,</c><00:49:10.160><c> welcome</c><00:49:10.480><c> to</c><00:49:10.720><c> the</c><00:

Bills: HF3661 , HF2380 , HF3468 , HF3483

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.000><c> a</c><00:49:00.480><c> tow</c><00:49:00.880><c> truck</c><00:49:01.440><c> would</c><00:49
• ><c> trying</c><00:49:03.599><c> to</c><00:49:03.760><c> get</c><00:49:03.839><c> there</c><00:49:04.160
• I<00:49:04.800><c> think</c><00:49:04.880><c> that's</c><00:49:05.760><c> irrelevant,</c><00:49:06.319
• </c><00:49:08.640><c> And</c><00:49:08.800><c> as</c> does happen sometimes.
• And as Representative<00:49:09.520><c> Flannry</c><00:49:10.000><c> said,</c><00:49:10.800><c> every<

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from the Kentucky Aviation Association on the importance of general aviation airports in Kentucky and their economic and public-safety role. Witnesses said the state has more than 50 general aviation airports that support jobs, agriculture, tourism, medical transport, disaster response, and law enforcement, and they urged continued support for aviation infrastructure and workforce development. They asked the legislature to again provide $200,000 per general aviation airport for operating and basic infrastructure costs, to route the money through the Kentucky Department of Aviation for accountability, to revisit a special-purpose governmental entity audit requirement they said is too costly for small airports, to create a long-term appropriations process for the roughly $100 million in unmet capital needs, and to fund the Arrow Act for aviation education and scholarships. Members asked about a dedicated aviation fuel tax and about local training partnerships, simulators, and school or community college programs; the witnesses said they preferred an appropriations-based solution and offered to help connect interested communities with aviation education resources. The committee then took up “Troy’s Law,” sponsored by Representatives White and Flannery, which would allow tow trucks to use blue lights while stationary and actively removing vehicles or debris from highways. Sponsors and tow operators said the bill is intended to improve worker safety after the deaths of tow operators Troy Cwell and Hubert Mosley in highway hit-and-run incidents, and they emphasized that tow operators often work in dangerous conditions at night, in bad weather, and near fast-moving traffic. They said the proposal would not apply while driving or towing and noted that other states have adopted similar measures. Witnesses from the towing industry, including Bubba Johnson and Barbara Maguire, supported the bill as an added layer of protection and described tow operators as first responders who help motorists in emergencies. Representative Flannery and other members expressed support for the safety goal and invited further discussion, but no vote or final action was taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• :49:02.319><c> from</c><00:49:02.559><c> a</c><00:49:03.280><c> that</c><00:49:03.599><c> is</c> not
• </c><00:49:04.319><c> a</c><00:49:04.559><c> medical</c><00:49:04.880><c> facility.
• :54.920><c> 144A</c><00:49:55.920><c> piece</c><00:49:56.240><c> on</c><00:49:56.400><c> it.
• </c><00:49:56.800><c> But,</c><00:49:57.440><c> you</c><00:49:57.599><c> know,</c><00:49:57.760><c> it
• But, you know, it this<00:49:58.800><c> lays</c><00:49:59.040><c> in</c><00:49:59.200><c> with</c><00

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.520><c> that</c><00:49:00.799><c> we</c><00:49:01.760><c> um</c><00:49:01.880><c> we're</c><00:49
• we um we're relying on state<00:49:02.960><c> facilities</c><00:49:03.799><c> that</c><00:49:04.079>
• if state facilities that a constituent if any<00:49:05.240><c> of</c><00:49:05.400><c> ours</c><00:49
• :06.040><c> um</c><00:49:06.280><c> could</c><00:49:06.480><c> be</c><00:49:06.839><c> committed</c><
• </c><00:49:09.559><c> we're</c><00:49:09.680><c> serving</c><00:49:10.079><c> folks</c><00:49:10.599>

Bills: HF2196 , HF2586 , HF2187 , HF2037

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.160><c> this</c><00:49:00.359><c> tool</c><00:49:00.880><c> provide</c><00:49:01.520><c> this</c>
• <c> provides</c><00:49:02.400><c> a</c><00:49:02.520><c> tool</c><00:49:02.760><c> in</c><00:49:02.880
• :49:04.400><c> keep</c><00:49:04.559><c> their</c><00:49:04.799><c> victims</c> human traffickers to
• ><c> trapped</c><00:49:07.079><c> Minnesota</c><00:49:07.640><c> is</c><00:49:07.720><c> a</c> scared
• :49:08.760><c> in</c><00:49:08.960><c> combating</c><00:49:09.440><c> Sex</c><00:49:09.760><c> and</c

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• the state paid hundreds of thousands of dollars for Opaga to review the operations and performance of 49
• That particular looked at all 49 districts across the entire state.
• That particular looked at all 49 districts across the entire state.
• Why are we abolishing just 35 out of the 49?
• And the 49 individual OPPAGA reports on soil and water districts is frankly embarrassing, if you read

Summary: The Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Subcommittee met and first took up CS/HB 973, a broad special districts bill focused heavily on soil and water conservation districts. The bill would dissolve 35 soil and water districts effective December 31, 2025, based on an OPAGA review that found widespread problems such as lack of revenue, inactive boards, poor notice practices, public records issues, and late financial reporting. It also would let special districts use state contracts, authorize FDLE background checks for district employees, preserve fire district taxing/service authority after annexation, extend liability protections for outdoor recreation on certain district lands, tighten eligibility for soil and water supervisors, and shift complaint review to the Commission on Ethics. Supporters argued the districts are often inactive, duplicative, and costly to review, while opponents said many districts provide local conservation, water quality, outreach, and volunteer services and should be given more time to remediate. Public testimony on HB 973 was mixed. Several soil and water district chairs and related advocates opposed the bill, saying their districts provide local conservation, flood, invasive species, education, and coordination services at little or no taxpayer cost, and that abolishing them would remove local representation and collaboration. The bill’s proponent, the Florida Association of Special Districts, supported the measure as a limited-government and accountability reform, arguing that districts with no revenue or contracts should not continue. Members debated whether the bill was relying on the OPAGA report while also eliminating future performance reviews, whether the Department of Agriculture could absorb the added responsibilities, and whether the districts should have been given more time to correct deficiencies. The committee ultimately voted the bill favorably, with one no vote from Representative Hinson. The committee then considered CS/HB 995, which applies to Monroe County and the Florida Keys. The bill would exempt Habitat for Humanity in the Keys from construction performance bond requirements for affordable housing, extend the Florida Keys land acquisition/set-aside authority in Florida Forever for 10 more years, and extend the hurricane evacuation time frame from 24 hours to 24.5 hours to allow up to 825 additional residential permit allocations, phased in over 10 years and directed largely toward vacant buildable lots and workforce housing. An amendment was adopted to codify the 825-unit allocation and the distribution framework. With no opposition offered on the bill, the committee reported HB 995 favorably by unanimous vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• :02.400><c> okay</c><00:49:03.400><c> and</c><00:49:03.520><c> then</c><00:49:03.680><c> all</c><00:49
• :06.440><c> sorry</c><00:49:06.839><c> Start</c><00:49:07.359><c> you</c><00:49:07.520><c> can</c><00
• you can do the rooll<00:49:10.599><c> jerck</c><00:49:11.480><c> quam</c> no<00:49:16.000><c> Vice</
• Gearing. yes<00:49:53.160><c> all</c><00:49:53.319><c> right</c><00:49:53.520><c> there's</c><00:49:53.880
• ><c> six</c><00:49:54.440><c> Nos</c><00:49:55.400><c> and</c><00:49:55.839><c> five</c> yes all right

Bills: HF484 , HF483 , HF1447 , HF1496 , HF554

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations