Transcript Highlights:

• Previous to 2023, the agency used their banking operations and earnings from their banking operations
• Previous to 2023, the agency used their banking operations and earnings from their banking operations
• The legislative appropriations cannot be used to support banking operations at MHFA.
• Minnesota stations suffered the largest percentage of those cuts, as much as 30 to 40% of their operating
• funds that were previously operating funds that were previously authorized<00:53:17.040><c> by</c><00

Committee: House Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• We're seeing demands for election officials to launch sham investigations, to investigate imagined fraud
• “So the part you’re reading about the governor approval, that is how it operates right now.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also would include an emergency vehicle operating course.
• Since launching our emergency rental assistance program in 2021, we have built a proven, responsive system

Bills: AB102 , AB108 , AB117 , AB213 , AB220 , AB221 , AB251 , AB259 , AB331 , AB336 , AB375 , AB379 , AB409 , AB475 , AB476 , AB550 , AB575 , AB594 , SB466

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• The operative word is triage.
• The operative word is triage.
• But the operating costs are there; the agency operating costs are there.
• The operating costs are there; the agency operating costs are there.
• a solid waste operator.

Summary: The Department of Administrative Services presented an overview of its budget and operations, emphasizing that it is the lowest-spending agency in state government and that its general fund allocation has declined since 2019. Commissioner Arling House explained that DAS also handles back-office functions for several administratively attached boards, which has affected staffing and spending comparisons. He said the department’s current general fund spending is roughly split between retiree health and other operations, and that the presentation was based on adjusted authorized spending rather than the original budget figures. A major portion of the meeting focused on retiree health benefits and the long-term effort to control costs. Deputy Commissioner Cassie Keane described how the state moved from a projected deficit in retiree health to savings through a series of changes, including higher premium contributions, co-pay adjustments, and shifting Medicare retirees into Medicare Advantage arrangements to capture federal reimbursement. She said the state has about 12,500 retirees and spouses on the plan, with roughly 10,906 Medicare retirees and 1,580 non-Medicare retirees, and that the savings have depended heavily on federal funding and procurement decisions. She also noted that Medicare retirees pay Part B premiums and that the state has grandfathered older retirees from some premium contributions. Members asked about what the expenditures cover, why the state offers retiree health instead of simply giving retirees a payment to buy coverage themselves, and whether out-of-pocket costs changed under Medicare Advantage. Keane said the plan covers actual health claims or insurance premiums, that co-pays and maximum out-of-pocket limits remain in place, and that the state has no authority to change benefit details without legislative action. She explained that retiree health is a long-standing employee benefit that wraps around Medicare and is not collectively bargained in the usual sense, though its eligibility rules and cost-sharing have been tightened over time to better target the benefit to long-term state service. The discussion also covered vendor performance problems. Keane said Anthem recently won the contract back from Aetna, but its pharmacy subsidiary, Caroline, caused serious service disruptions. DAS responded by withholding payments, assessing more than $2 million in performance guarantees, and hiring a third-party auditor to review the pharmacy processes. The current contract runs through the end of calendar year 2026, and officials said they are watching federal Medicare Advantage reimbursement changes closely because future savings are uncertain.

Transcript Highlights:

• every agency that has a federal program in the single audit, looking exclusively at how they're operating
• And so, obviously, there's been a lot of promotional activity since the sports betting was launched,
• We operate a residential day service and a day school for children.
• Specifically, the needs we're talking about are operational and capital in nature.
• House Bill 10... ...to operate the government.

Committee: House Budget

Transcript Highlights:

• Virginia last year college board Virginia last year college board successfully<00:34:57.760><c> launched
• </c><00:34:58.119><c> the</c><00:34:58.240><c> digital</c><00:34:58.599><c> act</c> successfully launched
• the digital act successfully launched the digital act Nationwide<00:35:00.400><c> and</c><00:35:00.520

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• device, because, as we know, some of them can be placed manually on the vehicle and some can be launched
• device, because, as we know, some of them can be placed manually on the vehicle and some can be launched
• The vehicle and some can be launched from a short distance to discreetly put the vehicle as being monitored

Bills: HF7

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Transcript Highlights:

• So this funding would go towards any of those operations.
• the situation. enable advanced UAS operations.
• We'll get the users who operate these drones, user accounts to operate the Vantis system.
• And we will make sure that they will. operate these drones, user accounts to operate the VANTIS system
• In the state, that's more appropriate for operations.

Summary: The committee began with roll call, introductions of a new fiscal analyst and a new member, and approval of the March 19 minutes. The first major presentation was from the Office of Management and Budget on the state’s general fund and special fund status through May. OMB reported general fund revenues were running below the legislative forecast by about $76 million, driven largely by weaker individual income tax and sales tax collections, though the projected ending balance remained positive and above the budgeted level. The budget stabilization fund was above its cap and would transfer excess earnings to the general fund, and the legacy fund balance continued to grow. Members also asked about federal funding uncertainty and mineral leasing revenue variability. The committee then reviewed compliance reports and trust fund analyses, followed by discussion of a bill draft for the fixed-route city transportation network study. The draft would create a $15 million general fund grant program with a formula-based distribution to eligible fixed-route transit cities, intended to support operating and capital needs and help match federal transit funds. Transit officials from Minot and Fargo testified in support, explaining local fare and match structures and the difficulty of replacing aging buses and securing federal matching dollars. Several members questioned whether the program should be limited to the current four cities or broadened to future eligible urban areas, and whether local funding sources should be explored further. The committee did not finalize the bill draft at that point and planned to continue discussion at a later meeting. The committee also approved a bill draft repealing obsolete language related to approval of a bi-state authority with South Dakota, after staff explained that no agreements had ever been implemented and the provision appeared outdated. A roll call vote was taken and the motion carried. Later, the Department of Commerce and the Northern Plains UAS Test Site presented updates on uncrewed aircraft systems initiatives, including the Vantis radar data enclave, the drone replacement program, and efforts to build a revenue model for Vantis. Test site officials said FAA approval had been secured for the radar data program, replacement of noncompliant drones was underway, and future revenue could come from state and external users once pricing and intellectual property arrangements are finalized. Members asked about Chinese-made drones, supply chain issues, automation, and how the system would manage beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation then presented on the design of a new minimum-security prison and a reentry housing study. Officials said the proposed facility would relocate the minimum-security prison to the penitentiary campus, reduce costs from an earlier estimate, and provide more beds and programming space, with construction potentially beginning in 2027 and opening around 2031. They also described staffing needs, the planned move of women to the New England facility, and possible expansion of men’s housing there. The parole and probation chief described a reentry housing task force studying housing needs for people leaving incarceration, with a goal of developing data-driven recommendations for subsidies and support services; a representative from Protection and Advocacy closed by expressing general support for fixed-route and paratransit funding.

Transcript Highlights:

• The ESEA operates through a comprehensive system of funding allocation and accountability measures.
• uh for our federal fiscal uh operations uh for our federal fiscal uh 24<00:50:28.760><c> and</c><00:
• I'm not sure why 1996 is the operative year.
• Department of Treasury and have live launched new codes. I don't even know what that means.
• Department of Treasury and have live launched new codes. I don't even know what that means.

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• And that system becomes operational.
• To become operational at Holloman. Thank you. Let's go back to Cannon.
• The Air Force operates this, and last summer, they wanted to optimize the operation of this interim measure
• Operations are readiness. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, Mr. Chair? Yes, Senator.
• They're still able to operate and perform what they're doing.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this funding would go towards any of those operations.
• So this funding would go towards any of those operations.
• We'll get the users who operate these drones user accounts to operate the Vantis system, and we will
• We'll get the users who operate these drones, user accounts to operate the Vantis system.
• And we will make sure that they will. operate these drones, user accounts to operate the VANTIS system

Committee: Joint Government Finance Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• every agency that has a federal program in the single audit, looking exclusively at how they're operating
• And so, obviously, there's been a lot of promotional activity since sports betting was launched.
• We operate a residential day service and a day school for children.
• Specifically, the needs we're talking about are operational and capital in nature.
• From an operational perspective, we are looking for support to help us with our low-vision clinic and

Committee: House Budget

Summary: The committee first heard the State Auditor’s fiscal year 2027 budget request. Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick described rebuilding the office after staffing had fallen to a historic low, explaining that the office has grown from 92.5 to 119 FTE but still needs several years to reach full staffing, especially at the manager level. He said most of the budget is payroll, noted the office’s use of lapsing general revenue while staffing is rebuilt, and outlined requests including core operating funds, a small sports betting audit NDI, and a $290,000 increase to the CPA stipend to address recruitment and retention problems. Members also discussed the auditor’s authority to audit state agencies and subrecipients, the office’s role in performance audits, and the meaning of “E” appropriations and the auditor’s recent general revenue conditions report. The committee then moved to public testimony on House Bill 10, focusing on Department of Health and Senior Services and Department of Mental Health issues. One witness from the American Heart Association supported continued funding for cardiac emergency response planning in schools, citing AEDs, CPR training, and about 480 schools served. Another witness from the Alzheimer’s Association urged rejection of a proposed $1 million reduction to the Missouri caregiver program, arguing it supports families caring for people with dementia and helps avoid more expensive institutional care. Most of the testimony concerned proposed cuts to developmental disability services, especially day habilitation and self-directed supports (SDS). Providers, family members, and workers said the proposed reductions would force service cuts, reduce wages, and threaten community-based care that keeps people at home and out of more costly facilities. They argued the cuts would shift costs to emergency, residential, or institutional settings and asked the committee to preserve current funding levels. Several members asked questions about provider rates, the share of services delivered by private providers, and the cost difference between SDS and institutional care. The hearing ended with the chair apologizing for earlier tension, explaining the schedule, and recessing the committee to return later because of House floor obligations.

Transcript Highlights:

• We will wait for more members to show up before we establish a quorum and proceed to operate as a subcommittee
• This radical approach is not endorsed by the LAO and no comparable cut is proposed for district operated
• That are operating in good faith.
• The only purpose of allowing ICE to operate around schools is to instill fear and send a message that
• I am an operator. of a charter school network. I'm the CEO of Lighthouse Community Public Schools.

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:33.440><c> because</c> going to continue to operate because going to continue to operate because
• </c><05:44:29.040><c> The</c> operators and 45% to the state. The operators and 45% to the state.
• </c> that under her proposal casino operators that under her proposal casino operators were<05:44:38.878
• </c> because it would take the operators because it would take the operators months<05:45:02.798><c>
• </c> Doing so provides casino operators Doing so provides casino operators plenty<05:45:23.440><c> of

Transcript Highlights:

• So this funding would go towards any of those operations.
• Generally speaking, anything for operating would be a 50-50 match.
• We’ll get the users who operate these drones user accounts to operate the Vantis system, and we will
• I think that's more appropriate for operations.
• I think that's more appropriate for operations in the state.

Committee: Joint Government Finance Committee

Summary: The committee first received a general fund and revenue update from the Office of Management and Budget. Staff reported that the state started the biennium about $176 million above prior estimates, but year-to-date revenues were now running below legislative forecast, mainly due to lower individual income tax and sales tax collections. The budget stabilization fund was above its cap, the legacy fund continued to grow, and oil revenues were slightly above forecast overall. Members also asked about federal funding uncertainty and mineral leasing variability, and OMB said agencies would be asked to address potential federal reductions case by case during budget preparation. The committee then reviewed compliance reports and trust fund analysis materials, followed by a bill draft for a fixed-route city transportation grant program. Testimony from transit officials in Fargo and Minot supported the proposal, saying state aid would help match federal transit funds and support operations, but members raised questions about the funding source, fare structures, and whether the program should be limited to the current four fixed-route cities or allow future eligible cities. Several members asked for more time to study the formula and possible funding options before moving the bill forward. Next, the committee approved a bill draft repealing obsolete language related to a proposed North Dakota-South Dakota bi-state authority. Staff explained the provision had been unused for about 30 years and that existing law likely already allowed joint powers agreements without the specific language. The committee voted to adopt the repeal bill draft. The Department of Commerce and the Northern Plains UAS Test Site then provided an update on uncrewed aircraft system initiatives, including the Vantis radar data enclave, the drone replacement program, and future revenue models. Officials said North Dakota had received FAA approval to operate the radar data pathfinder, had begun replacing non-compliant drones from restricted foreign sources, and was working on phased procurement and cost-recovery plans. Members asked about deadlines, funding, supply-chain issues, and how the system would be used; staff said the federal restrictions were already in effect and that Vantis was being positioned as infrastructure for future beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations. Finally, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation presented on the design of a new minimum-security prison and on a reentry housing task force. The new facility is planned for the penitentiary grounds, with a reduced estimated cost of about $263 million, 600 beds initially, possible expansion to 732 beds, and completion projected around 2031 if funded in 2027. The reentry housing task force described a data-driven effort to identify housing needs for people leaving incarceration, with the goal of reducing homelessness and recidivism through targeted housing support and possible subsidies. Members asked about staffing, site selection, housing duration, and whether employment and transportation needs would be included in the assessment.

Transcript Highlights:

• We look forward to seeing it successfully be launched, and again thank you so much for keeping this program
• We look forward to seeing it successfully be launched, and again thank you so much for keeping this program
• to seeing it We look forward to seeing it successfully<02:22:56.080><c> be</c><02:22:56.319><c> launched
• ><02:22:56.560><c> and</c><02:22:56.720><c> again</c><02:22:57.040><c> thank</c> successfully be launched
• and again thank successfully be launched and again thank you<02:22:57.439><c> so</c><02:22:57.680><c

Bills: HB20 , HB2612 , HB2404 , HB2459 , HB2194 , HB1880 , HB2284 , HB1969 , HB2458 , HB1546 , HB2161 , HB1721 , HB1641 , HB2137 , HB1782 , HB2360 , HB1965 , HB1897 , HB1513

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 20, which would create a lava zone insurance subsidy/fund. The Insurance Division opposed the bill, arguing that lava zones 1 and 2 are the highest-risk areas, that a subsidy would not reduce the underlying risk or loss costs, that it could invite similar subsidy requests for other hazards, and that the bill may conflict with HICV by diverting funds from the CRF. Members discussed the lack of authorized homeowners insurance in those lava zones, the role of HPIA and the surplus market, and the difference between the proposed lava-zone subsidy and the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund. The chair noted 37 submitted testimonies in support and one in opposition, and the committee then moved on without taking a vote on HB 20 in the portion provided. The committee then took up HB 2612, relating to mortgages, which would clarify that a mortgage does not exist independently of the debt it secures and is not independently enforceable from that debt. The Hawaii Credit Union League and Hawaii Financial Services Association opposed the bill, while several individuals testified in support, arguing it would restore Hawaii’s long-standing lien-state rule and prevent so-called “zombie mortgages” after the Hawaii Supreme Court’s White decision. Supporters said the bill would protect borrowers from delayed foreclosures and predatory lending practices, while opponents and the Insurance Division emphasized that foreclosure actions still require proof of standing and possession of the note, and that lenders generally pursue foreclosure without seeking deficiency judgments. Committee members questioned the Insurance Division about how the current market works, whether lenders could wait out the statute of limitations and then foreclose only on the mortgage, and whether equitable tolling or later defaults could allow refiling. The division said it is still trying to attract authorized insurers back into the lava-zone market, but has seen little progress. No vote or final action on HB 2612 was taken in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am the owner of Higho Childcare, which operates locations in Lakeville and Rosemount.
• I am the owner of Higho Childcare, which operates locations in Lakeville and Rosemount.
• In September of 2024, my center was forced to reduce our operating hours due to staffing shortages.
• </c><00:14:35.639><c> my</c> and confidence to build and operate my and confidence to build and operate
• operate operate profitably<00:25:59.799><c> uh</c><00:25:59.919><c> in</c><00:26:00.039><c> the</c><

Bills: HF1247 , HF628

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Keywords: child care, aides, supervision, child care centers, staffing regulations, childcare, day care, licensed child care center, early childhood education, child care licensing, director qualifications, staff ratios, group size, staff-to-child ratio, substitutes, volunteers, assistant teacher, teacher qualifications, infant care, toddler age

Transcript Highlights:

• Students would be well served by the new offering of a Bachelor of Science in AI for cyber operations
• They would have to continue operating or continue offering the associate degree in nursing.
• They would have to continue operating or continue offering the associate degree in nursing.
• It's about operating within the current structure that is there.
• So we're not all even operating our health centers with our own employees, but with partnerships within

Committee: House Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill was filed in anticipation of Miami-Dade County and Broward County finalizing agreements to operate
• As background, in August 2019, Governor DeSantis launched the Governor's Faith and Community Initiative
• The bill streamlines the legal and operational processes necessary to treat inmates with severe mental
• What this bill does is transfer the operations of the managed care plan from the Department of Health
• Members, Senate Bill 1422 talks about operation of drones over critical infrastructure and facilities

Summary: The Senate convened with an opening prayer by Rabbi Moshe Umatz, the Pledge of Allegiance led by pages, and several introductions and recognitions, including guests from Miami Northwestern Senior High School, Clay County, and a moment of silence for Pope Francis. The chamber then moved to the special order calendar after a motion to reconsider SB 1080, which was temporarily postponed. Several bills were also set aside during the day, including measures on social media use by minors, veterans’ nursing homes, Parkinson’s disease, mental health and substance use disorders, education, educator preparation, and school social workers. The Senate passed a series of bills, often substituting House companions for Senate bills. These included funding for expedited DNA testing grants for local law enforcement (SB 1072/HB 847), additional aggravating factors in capital cases involving religious, school, or government gatherings (SB 984/HB 693), fertility preservation coverage for cancer patients (SB 924/HB 677), commuter rail indemnification for Miami-Dade and Broward counties (SB 916/HB 867), restrictions on disposing of migrant vessels in Florida waters (SB 830), specialty license plates including Miami Northwestern and several colleges and institutions (SB 824), an Alzheimer’s and dementia awareness campaign (SB 398), relocation of the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys to Florida Memorial University (SB 364), charter school changes allowing parent conversion and municipal job-engine charter schools (SB 140), sex offender registration reporting changes (SB 1654/HB 1351), penalties for assaulting utility workers (SB 1386), juvenile justice revisions and truancy process updates (SB 1344), reporting of student mental health outcomes (SB 1310/HB 969), foster home license transfer simplification (SB 1174/HB 989), water access facility funding and boating industry incentives (SB 1162/HB 735), Florida Virtual School operational changes (SB 1122), school readiness program support for children with disabilities (SB 1102), sexual image offenses involving minors (SB 1180/HB 757), age-related defenses in child sex offense cases (SB 1136/HB 777), tampering with electronic monitoring devices (SB 1054/HB 437), certified recovery residences and local zoning accommodations (SB 954), and the FSU Election Law Center (SB 892). Most of these bills passed with strong bipartisan support, though SB 984 and SB 140 drew some opposition. One of the most extensive debates centered on SB 820, codifying the Office of Faith and Community. Senator Polsky offered an amendment to bar political activity by office staff, citing emails and campaign-related communications tied to Amendment 4; the amendment failed on a 13-23 vote. Senators then debated the bill’s relationship to state election law, free speech, and the role of faith-based outreach. Supporters emphasized the office’s service network and reported benefits to children and families, while some senators raised concerns about interfaith representation and political use of government resources. The bill was then read a third time and the Senate proceeded toward a final vote as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Amelia Tibo for the record, we do have staff, but they are also often operating with excess time. ...
• operating with excess time.
• We have to make those operational costs at $110,000 over five years.
• The operating costs amount to $17,350...
• As I've stated a few times this session, I do operate a private, regulated water and sewer company.

Bills: AB568 , SB90 , SB133 , SB147 , SB229 , SB233 , SB240 , SB245 , SB280 , SB378 , SB393 , SB417 , SB434 , SB494 , SB495

Committee: Assembly Ways and Means