Transcript Highlights:

• It prohibits modifications to EALs unless certain procedural requirements are met.
• Sharing this photo and information with legislators led to the installation of changing tables in men's
• led to the installation of legislators led to the installation of changing<00:18:48.400> tables
• Um the bill<00:46:14.319> streamlines<00:46:14.800> the<00:46:15.040> procedure<
• 00:46:15.520> and bill streamlines the procedure and bill streamlines the procedure and shifting

Bills: SB2094

Keywords: toxic chemicals, environmental action levels, public notice, environmental safety, pollution control, Hawaii State Constitution, public participation, government transparency, environmental health, 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first took up SB 2094, which would require state agencies monitoring environmental toxins and pollutants to establish environmental action levels and limit changes to those levels without meeting procedural requirements. The chair recommended passing the bill with amendments, including inserting estimated costs for a secure portal website and webinars into the committee report and deferring the effective date to July 1, 2050. The motion passed unanimously among those voting, with excused members noted. The committee then considered several other measures and adopted recommendations to pass them with amendments, generally adding technical and clarifying changes and setting a defective date of 2525. SB 2862 was amended to broaden the preamble, make additional appointees confirmable, clarify reporting requirements for gubernatorial appointees, and was held for further discussion. SB 2781 on lei production created a working group to review existing studies and conduct a statewide study of Hawaii’s floriculture industry. SB 3015 adopted California’s definition of PII, applied it to government agencies and political subdivisions, created a private cause of action, and required a compliance report. SB 3230 removed a categorical prohibition on certain third-party project management procurements while preserving state oversight responsibility, in line with procurement office requests. The joint GVO Health and Human Services agenda then focused on two related bills requiring universal changing accommodations in public restrooms. SB 2932 would apply to new state building construction beginning July 1, 2026, and testimony from disability advocates, the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, and others supported the measure while asking for language clarifying that the requirement applies only where technically feasible and, in some cases, only to state-managed buildings. SB 2268 was described as broader, extending beyond government buildings into the private sector and including a private right of action; witnesses supported the concept but raised implementation concerns, especially for smaller businesses, and requested the same technically infeasible language and other clarifications. Both bills were advanced with amendments, and the committee noted adoption of the recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• We seek to protect the rights of all who participate in the legislative process so that we can have effective
• We seek to protect the rights of all who participate in the legislative process so that we can have effective
• we will not permit conduct that disrupts, disturbs, or otherwise impedes the orderly conduct of legislative
• We estimate implementation costs for this bill would exceed $2 million due to complex procedural outreach
• The bill makes an exception to legislation that I authored four years ago, AB 773, to allow different

Summary: The committee met on June 17, 2026, beginning without a quorum and initially proceeding as a subcommittee. Members heard several Senate bills, with testimony focused mainly on redistricting, Bay Area transit funding, and military/overseas voting access. The chair also announced committee membership changes and that SB 1369 had been pulled by the author. Written testimony was accepted through the committee portal, and public testimony was limited by the chair’s rules. SB 1414 by Senator Reyes would create an independent redistricting commission for San Bernardino County. Supporters, including Inland Empire United, Common Cause, and the League of Women Voters, argued the bill would improve transparency and reduce political influence in map drawing. Opponents, including San Bernardino County and several local government/election groups, said the county’s existing advisory commission already provided substantial public input and raised concerns about cost. The bill was moved do pass as amended and re-referred to Local Government, with one no vote from Assembly Member Lackey; it was later taken off call and passed 6-1. SB 830 by Senator Wiener made technical changes to the administration of the Bay Area regional transit sales tax measure authorized by SB 63, including uniform ballot naming and county-specific ballot arguments. Support came from labor, transit, business, and advocacy groups, who said the bill would help voters understand the measure and protect transit funding. Members emphasized the Bay Area’s transit funding crisis and the need for local action. The bill passed do pass as amended, 5-1, and was later recorded as out 6-0 on call. The committee also approved a consent calendar containing six bills. SB 970 by Senator Cervantes addressed military and overseas voting after the federal discontinuation of the Department of Defense fax service used for ballot return. Supporters, including county election officials and local government organizations, said California needed a secure replacement to avoid disenfranchising service members and overseas voters. The Secretary of State’s office and Verified Voting raised security concerns and suggested a task force or more detailed standards, but the author and supporters argued the bill was urgent and should direct the Secretary of State to develop secure regulations. The bill passed do pass and was re-referred to Military and Veteran Affairs, and the meeting adjourned after all agenda items were completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is common sense legislation. There are two other costs we anticipate. One is de-tracking.
• In 2024 the legislation passed the House 115-1.
• Twenty states have passed this legislation with zero adverse impact on hospital operations.
• We think the intent of the legislation is in the right place, but we think the approach is misguided
• The 2009 legislation said 200 nursing schools, many with private institutions, have a poor track record

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But, Madam Chair, I did have a few questions about the legislation.
• Yes, we tried to set this bill up so that they have their standard procedures of lending procedures of
• We stand in support of this legislation and thank the bill sponsors and Representative Borrego.
• And we really appreciate Representative Borrego bringing forth this legislation.
• I did have a few questions on the legislation. I know we kind of touched on it a little bit.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The board's complaint procedures require, under oath, a complainant to state, “I know this as a fact.
• The board's complaint procedures require, under oath, a complainant to state, “I know this as a fact.
• Having worked with hundreds of legislators and dozens of leadership on the Democratic side, but knowing
• Well, the Finance Cabinet doesn't have anything to do with legislative contracts.
• anything to do with legislative anything to do with legislative contracts. contracts. contracts.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The meeting began with roll call, where a quorum was confirmed, and the commission approved the July 8, 2025 minutes. The staff report was deferred to later in the agenda. The commission then took up a consolidated matter involving case numbers 24 LEC 3 and 24 LEC 6, centered on a pending motion to dismiss and a response that had been filed. Counsel for Representative Grossberg argued the case should be dismissed because the attorney handling the matter, Mr. Jenkins, allegedly lacked a properly approved contract under government contract review requirements. She also argued that the complaint process was flawed, that complainants relied on rumor and anonymous assertions, and that the matter reflected political retaliation and abuse of process. She said a renewed motion to dismiss had been filed and requested a hearing date and briefing schedule. Enforcement counsel responded that he had been authorized to proceed by the commission, that the contract issue had been disclosed before the preliminary hearing, and that the cited cases did not support dismissal. The chair allowed limited rebuttal, after which the parties clarified their positions on whether Mr. Jenkins had been authorized to act as enforcement counsel and for what period. The commission then voted to go into executive session under KRS 61.810 to discuss and deliberate the pending motion and any confidential complaints. The motion passed, and the meeting moved into closed session.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,<00:12:44.240> they legislature passes legislation, they legislature passes legislation,
• >> uh where I stand as a legislator uh on >> uh where I stand as a legislator uh on the<00
• not harmed by the legislation. Okay. not harmed by the legislation. Okay.
• uh our past legislation uh our past legislation to<01:31:14.960> reduce<01:31:15.440>
• >> You know, I like a procedure. Thank you. >> You know, I like a procedure.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• will be useful for further legislation will be useful for further legislation as<00:26:28.520>
• I wonder if someone supporting the legislation would help me better understand the connection between
• The inner workings of the contract—vacation days, grievance procedures, promotion procedures—to have
• <01:18:43.520> promotion days grievance procedures promotion days grievance procedures promotion
• <01:37:35.560> budget to have um the legislative budget to have um the legislative budget

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 313 and, on motion by Representative Perez, voted to retain the bill because members felt it needed further work and was not ready for final action. The motion passed 18-0, and no further action was taken on the bill. House Bill 391, an anti-SLAPP measure, was then discussed; supporters said it addressed a real problem and should move forward, while opponents raised concerns that it was too broad, could affect criminal cases, and might create procedural complications. The committee voted 18-0 to retain HB 391 as well, and it was placed on consent. The committee next considered House Bill 462, establishing a cause of action for unwarranted video imaging of residential properties. Representative McFarland moved OTP, saying the bill raised First Amendment and property-rights concerns. The motion passed 18-0, and the bill was also placed on consent. The committee then turned to House Bill 509, which would require reporting on forfeitures. Supporters argued the information was useful for future legislation, while opponents said the reporting would be costly, duplicative, and potentially split data across fiscal years. The committee voted 11-7 to recommend OTP, with a minority of members opposed. House Bill 520, authorizing Department of Education hearing officers to issue subpoenas, drew the most extended debate. Supporters argued DOE needed the same tools other agencies have, while opponents said DOE already had access to needed information, the Attorney General could handle subpoenas, and the bill would create an unbalanced process and raise due process and student-record concerns. Representative Tur offered Amendment 0842H to shift subpoena power from DOE hearing officers to the Attorney General; after debate, the amendment failed 10-8. The transcript cuts off as the committee begins the roll call on the underlying bill after rejecting the amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um so it's not really any<00:22:35.600> legislative. any legislative. any legislative.
• actual need for the legislation? actual need for the legislation?
• whom are legislators. whom are legislators.
• legislation? legislation?
• Um I'm wondering if um a legislator legislator legislator feels<01:00:45.599> that<01:00:45.760

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But I don't think it's the legislative intent to say only those in crisis in that category would qualify
• In terms of general maintenance, we have very set procedures.
• However, particularly because of the legislation that was passed last fiscal year, which reduced the
• And so we've designed procedures to test that.
• really audit procedures to go in and test that accumulation of the data.

Summary: The Health Care Budget Subcommittee took up two bills and then continued oversight discussions with APD and AHCA. CS/HB 27, the Social Work Licensure Interstate Compact, was presented as a way to let Florida social workers practice in other compact states and vice versa; AARP, the Florida Chamber, and NASW Florida supported it, and the bill passed favorably. HB 1127, a child welfare bill, would create a treatment foster care pilot for children with high behavioral needs, improve DCF data collection on commercially sexually exploited children, and expand recruitment for protective investigators and case managers; the bill also passed favorably after brief supportive testimony. The committee then questioned APD at length about the iBudget waiver waitlist, enrollment pace, spending projections, and provider capacity. APD said it had sent more than 1,100 interest letters in categories 3, 4, and 5, enrolled 1,124 people so far this year, and expects to spend about 96.4% of its waiver appropriation, leaving roughly $82 million unspent. Members pressed APD on why prior discussions suggested more reserve was needed, how long the SANS process takes, whether category 6 could be expanded, and whether the agency has enough waiver support coordinators and direct support providers. APD said it has about 1,061 waiver support coordinators statewide, adequate capacity for current enrollees, but would need further analysis if the legislature directed a much larger enrollment increase. Members also asked about outreach, annual maintenance of the waitlist, portability for military families, and whether communication efforts should be privatized. Finally, AHCA walked the committee through the 2023 Achieved Savings Rebate (ASR) report for Aetna and explained how the report is used for financial monitoring, rebate calculations, and transparency. AHCA said the ASR is separate from the medical loss ratio (MLR) calculation, though both are reviewed, and that Florida uses the ASR mechanism rather than an MLR remittance requirement to recover funds from plans. Members asked about related-party disclosures, CVS/Caremark relationships, expanded benefits, encounter data, network adequacy penalties, denials and appeals reporting, interest earned on capitation payments, and whether rate increases were reaching providers. AHCA and the outside auditors said they review the plans’ reported data, reconcile it to underlying records, and can assess liquidated damages for network adequacy violations; several members requested follow-up data on rebates, interest, provider capacity, and related-party reporting.

Transcript Highlights:

• For a quick refresher, MEA is a 16-member legislative council that started in 1997 to promote and expand
• For a quick refresher, MEA is a 16-member legislative council that started in 1997 to promote and expand
• From livestock to parliamentary procedure, there's something for everybody within FFA.
• judging parliamentary procedure agricultural<01:45:32.199> sales<01:45:32.639> and<01:
• procedure twice and Nursery<01:45:39.159> landscape<01:45:39.560> once<01:45:39.800>

Bills: HF711, HF653

Keywords: agriculture, agricultural education, leadership development, Minnesota Agricultural Education and Leadership Council, MAELC, chapter 41D, grant funding, general fund appropriation, commissioner of agriculture, farm education, youth agriculture programs, ag literacy, workforce development, extension education, research funding, extension services, technology transfer, grant programs, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• and the possibility of hiring new personnel and other expenses that are not accounted for in the legislation
• The Attorney General may adopt rules and procedures if needed.
• They also clarified written procedures needed when obtaining prior authorizations.
• They also clarified written procedures needed when obtaining prior authorizations and continuity of care
• management study, to provide for a legislative management report, and to provide an effective date.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Senate met with a quorum present and handled a mix of conference committee appointments, appropriations bills, policy bills, and House amendments. Early in the session, the chamber appointed conference committees for SB 2399 and for House-amended SBs 2213 and 2354, and also named conference committees for HB 103, HB 1308, and HB 1169. The Senate then took up several appropriations measures, including HB 1612, which creates the North Dakota Center for Aerospace Medicine at UND; the Senate adopted an amendment shifting the funding to a one-time $250,000 Community Health Trust Fund appropriation with a required $250,000 match from other sources, and the bill passed 39-7. HB 1193, the “Back the Blue” grant, was amended to make the funding one-time and focus on officer retention, then passed 41-5. HB 1329, a government spending database proposal for school districts, was amended into a legislative study and passed 42-4. HB 1020, the water budget, received extensive amendments reducing and reallocating funding across major water projects, adding studies and oversight changes, and passed 45-0 with the emergency clause. HB 1581, a tribal tourism grant, also passed 40-6. The Senate rejected HB 1330, which would have authorized divestment from direct investments in Chinese companies; after debate over the prudent investor rule, trade impacts, and whether the bill singled out one nation in law, it failed 20-26. HB 1534, limiting property valuation increases, and HB 1266, adjusting the disabled veterans property tax credit, both failed unanimously or nearly so after committee recommendations against them. HB 1566, which would have created a regulatory framework for a product discussed as kratom, was amended on the floor to convert it into a study and then passed 31-15. The chamber also passed HB 2241 on charter schools after a House amendment changed the funding formula to the statewide average from the prior year, and HB 2022, the indigent legal counsel budget, after House changes added funding flexibility, offset lost fee revenue, and included a study on a public defender office. The Senate concurred in several House amendments and then passed a number of Senate bills. SB 2375, allowing joint negotiations between dental providers and insurers under Attorney General oversight, passed 44-2. SB 2251, clarifying that open records requests during state audits should be referred to the audited agency, passed 46-0. SB 2159, related to nuclear energy research, passed 43-3 after House amendments required Industrial Commission approval and consultation with the radioactive waste advisory council. SB 2155, changing gratis antelope license rules, passed 30-16 after debate over landowner rights and tag distribution. SB 251, setting fees and an audit for the Private Investigative and Security Board, passed 44-2. SB 2280, the prior authorization health insurance bill, passed 43-3 with a House-added study and consumer protections. SB 2023, the Racing Commission budget, passed 41-5 after a House change made internship funding one-time. SB 2232, changing prenatal substance exposure reporting requirements and related toxicology rules, passed 44-2. SB 2241, authorizing public charter schools, passed 39-7. The session ended while the Senate was still processing SB 2022’s final passage vote, but the bill had already cleared concurrence on House amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have invited testimony beginning with the Comptroller's Office followed by the Legislative Budget
• So we would need to work with legislative budget board staff to do that.
• Chair calls Kevin Cavanaugh and Erin Hendrickson from the Legislative Budget Board.
• As mentioned, my name is Aaron Henderson, Legislative Budget Board.
• Legislative Budget Board. Is that correct? That is correct. Very good. Thank you, sir.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Bill 203- FN inexpedient to legislate Bill 203- FN inexpedient to legislate Senate<00:58:43.640>
• <01:00:34.720> motion to the inexpedient to legislate motion to the inexpedient to legislate
• <01:12:54.040> performance<01:12:54.719> audit legislative performance audit legislative
• on Senate Bill 293. is inexpedient to legislate is there any is inexpedient to legislate is there any
• <01:22:39.840> is motion is inexpedient to legislate is motion is inexpedient to legislate

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are ready to partner with any legislators and assist in garnering support for any legislation that
• We are ready to partner with any legislators and assist in garnering support for any legislation that
• We are ready to partner with any legislators and assist in garnering support for any legislation that
• We are ready to partner with any legislators and assist in garnering support for any legislation that
• We are ready to partner with any legislators and assist in garnering support for any legislation that

Bills: HF1918, HF2305, HF897, HF2191, HF2617, HF2551, HF2137

Keywords: HF1918, Department of Children Youth and Families, DCYF, child welfare, foster care, out-of-home placement, permanency planning, relative search, noncustodial parent, kinship care, family preservation, African American Child and Family Well-Being, racial disproportionality, maltreatment reporting, educational neglect, truancy, school attendance, Great Start compensation, child care provider payments, TEACH early childhood program

Transcript Highlights:

• So, for... oh, sorry, since you guys here, so the legislature is not passed legislation relating to any
• Note LRB can be asked to report on past gaming legislation and deleting number eight on line 19.
• So I think if this is going to be all-encompassing, that we should have an all-encompassing procedure
• So I think if this is going to be all-encompassing, that we should have an all-encompassing procedure
• and process to follow for procedure and process to follow for naming<01:00:30.760> thank<01:00

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard several measures, beginning with SB 1061 on digital equity. Testimony was strongly supportive, including from Rosie Davis of the Maui County Area Health Education Center, who said Molokai and Maui need better digital access for telehealth and clinic services. Members discussed whether the bill should be consolidated with other digital broadband measures and asked about funding; the chair noted the draft used general funds but said federal money was now available for the navigator program. The committee later recommended SB 1061 be passed with an SD1, technical amendments, and an effective date of July 1, 2050, with members voting aye. The committee then heard SB 135 on macadamia nut labeling. Hawaiian Host Group and several supporters argued the bill would help align the industry around a processing solution and support growers and jobs, while the MacNut Association and Hamakua Macadamia Nut Company opposed it, saying the state lacks enough processing infrastructure and that existing law already covers labeling. In questioning, members focused on the lack of a current processing facility and the timeline for a new one on Hawaiʻi Island. After hearing mixed testimony, the committee deferred the bill indefinitely. The committee also considered SB 1657 and SB 1539 relating to the Agribusiness Development Corporation. Testimony on both measures was generally supportive, with ADC describing the Wāhō water system as serving about 5,000 acres and over 70 farmers, mostly small and medium growers, and saying the proposal would help expand service without asking for more water. The committee later voted to pass SB 1657 and SB 1539 with SD1s, technical amendments, and a July 1, 2050 effective date. Finally, the committee took up SB 891 on economic development and gaming. The hearing drew extensive testimony, including support from Boyd Gaming and Stanford Carr Development, and opposition from Native Hawaiian speakers who said Hawaiians must have a seat at the table and raised concerns about self-determination and outside control. Members questioned the scope of the proposed gaming working group, the number and makeup of members, and the need to review prior gaming bills and studies. In decision-making, the committee passed SB 891 with an SD1 and major amendments: adding tourism references, changing expense reimbursement rules so private gaming representatives pay their own expenses, expanding the working group to include Native Hawaiian, social services/behavioral health, DBEDT, law enforcement, and tax/professional expertise seats, deleting one proposed seat, and adding a July 1, 2050 effective date. The committee also reported that the recommendations were adopted by vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• parties from disclosing to third parties information and evidence obtained through the grievance procedures
• through the grievance procedures. through the grievance procedures.
• procedures procedures and<01:01:43.680> cause<01:01:44.000> them<01:01:44.240> to
• what are the procedures in this bill? what are the procedures in this bill?
• procedure with any other academic<01:46:02.560> course.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee met on HB 510 and HB 112, but the discussion focused almost entirely on HB 510, which would establish due process rights for students, student organizations, and faculty members in disciplinary proceedings at state institutions of higher education. The chair reviewed proposed amendments already approved or being considered, including revised definitions, confidentiality language for grievance information, removal of the adverse-inference language tied to self-incrimination, changes to cross-examination procedures, and narrowing an emergency exception by removing property damage and focusing on immediate threats to physical health or safety. The committee also discussed whether the hearing officer should have discretion to require a third party to conduct cross-examination, with the sponsor saying the word should remain “may” so the officer can respond to the circumstances of each case. Members opposed to the bill argued that existing campus procedures already provide adequate due process and that the proposal is unnecessary, potentially intimidating to complainants, and disruptive to university policies and collective bargaining agreements. They objected especially to language allowing the accused to be present during cross-examination of an accuser and to the use of the term “victim” before facts are established. Supporters said the bill is intended to ensure basic fairness for accused students and faculty, that the language was revised to address concerns, and that the rights listed are appropriate because serious allegations can have lasting consequences even outside the criminal context. No vote or final action was taken in the portion provided; the committee remained in discussion/caucus over the bill language.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Senator Leek: AS A SUMMARY THIS LEGISLATION AFFIRMS TWO TYPES OF EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS IMPORTANT
• SPECIFICALLY, THE LEGISLATION CHANGES CERTAIN THINGS BY ESTABLISHING A FRAMEWORK FOR THE USE OF LABOR
• I HAD A QUESTION, A BIT PROCEDURAL TOO. WHAT IS THE METHOD FOR AGE VERIFICATION?
• THIS LEGISLATION DOESN'T ACHIEVE ANYTHING BUT WEAKENED PRIVACY PROTECTIONS FOR EVERYONE.
• THESE ARE TWO MUNICIPALITIES THAT COULD NEGOTIATE IT AMONGST THEMSELVES, LEGISLATORS DOES NOT HAVE TO

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The association's legislative priorities for this session include several proposals.
• <00:54:39.839> is first as we've the legislation is first as we've the legislation is relatively
• <00:54:54.160> Clarity MSA is looking for legislative Clarity MSA is looking for legislative
• table I just have a quick procedural table I just have a quick procedural question<01:16:31.280>
• The AG decided to do an expansive thing on child abuse legislation.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so you can see that during some of those lead-ups to the legislative session the data picture was
• And then secondarily, just due to procedural reasons.
• And then two, because of procedural reasons, they just sort of drop from the caseload.
• And then two, because of procedural reasons, they just sort of drop from the caseload.
• Traditionally, that can form a starting point for legislative conversations about House and Senate budget

Summary: The committee held a work session focused first on juvenile rehabilitation system capacity. DCYF officials said the juvenile rehabilitation population is older, includes more adult-sentenced youth, and has longer lengths of stay, especially for “post-25” youth who must remain in secure facilities and cannot go to community beds. They described overcrowding at Green Hill School, placement limits at Echo Glen and Harbor Heights, staffing turnover, mental health acuity, and the need for more medium-security and specialized mental health beds. DCYF said it is pursuing a Parkland facility proposal, a staffing model decision package, and a broader feasibility study and master plan update. No votes were taken; members were asked to follow up with questions later. The committee then heard on behavioral health system capacity from the Behavioral Health Administration and the Health Care Authority. DSHS described growth in forensic and civil bed need, expansion at Olympic Heritage, Maple Lane, and Brockman, and construction of a new 350-bed forensic hospital at Western State expected to open in 2028. HCA reported progress on long-term civil commitment beds, intensive behavioral health treatment facilities, PACT teams, and intensive residential treatment teams, saying the community-based system is being expanded to support step-down care and reduce hospital reliance. Members asked about whether capacity is right-sized, the difference between facility types, and federal match eligibility for services. A federal funding update followed, covering the effects of H.R. 1 and H.R. 5371 on SNAP, Medicaid, marketplace coverage, long-term services and supports, K-12, higher education, and hemp regulation. OFM and agency staff said H.R. 1 adds work requirements, changes non-citizen eligibility, increases state administrative and benefit costs, reduces Medicaid and marketplace subsidies for some groups, tightens redeterminations, and may significantly affect provider payments and state-directed payments. H.R. 5371 extended federal funding through January 30, 2026 and included some agency appropriations and other provisions, including changes affecting hemp producers. Members asked about SNAP error rates and special enrollment periods. Finally, budget coordinator Mary Monroe gave a 2026 supplemental budget preview. She reviewed the state’s near general fund outlook, noting revenue declines since the enacted budget, the effect of reversions, and a preliminary maintenance-level outlook showing a projected increase in NGFO spending over the four-year period. She said the supplemental will reflect updated caseload and cost forecasts and mandatory impacts from H.R. 1, but not policy proposals. No actions or votes were taken during the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Then we follow the procedures of that particular ordinance in that particular city or county.
• So what can we do or not do legislatively to help? We got it all right.
• I personally really don't feel there is a lot of legislating that's needed to be done in this area.
• So what can we do or not do legislatively to help? We got it all right.
• So legislating something different may not change that.

Summary: The Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee met with a quorum present and first heard HB 11 from Representative Robinson. The bill would address an unintended consequence in Florida’s municipal utility surcharge law by requiring the same water/utility rate for residents when a utility facility is physically located within one municipality but owned by another, rather than allowing the owning municipality to impose a 25% surcharge. The sponsor and several members described it as a fairness issue affecting residents who do not receive local tax support for the facility but still bear the surcharge. Public testimony included support from AARP and Miami-Dade County and opposition from North Miami Beach. The bill was reported favorably on an 18-0 vote. The committee then held a panel discussion on utility use of public rights-of-way and utility relocation. Panelists from FDOT, county government, gas, water, electric, and communications sectors described the permitting process, noting that FDOT uses a detailed utility accommodation manual and that local governments may use permits, franchise agreements, or ordinances depending on the utility type. They emphasized that utilities often must coordinate early with agencies using long-range work programs and project plans, and that the process differs by utility and jurisdiction. Communications witnesses discussed Chapter 337 and the 60-day local permitting shot clock, while others noted the role of Sunshine State One Call in locating facilities before excavation. A major focus was who pays for relocations when road or infrastructure projects require utilities to move. FDOT and several panelists said utilities generally bear the cost when they are in public right-of-way, with exceptions such as certain interstate/interchange projects and easement impacts. Utility representatives said relocations are often effectively new builds, can be costly, and are ultimately reflected in rates or customer costs. Members also asked about easements versus right-of-way, damage and disputes during construction, broadband workforce needs, and whether legislation could improve coordination. Panelists largely said the existing process works best when agencies, contractors, and utilities communicate early and continuously, and that more legislation may not be necessary compared with better planning, staffing, and use of technology.