Transcript Highlights:

• Nonetheless, over time, even though there is a cap, the cap on the economic stabilization fund only stops
• The cap is. computed as 10%.
• The state cap.
• One is I would challenge the notion that it's a cap. Um, it's not a cap, it's a trigger.
• And ease some of the spending pressures at the local level.

Transcript Highlights:

• The cap.
• The cap. So I guess I'm curious if growing cities like The cap.
• I've heard you just say you're capping.
• When we talk about a cap, if you have a cap, they may fluctuate as time goes on.
• Back and look and say, hey, who's spending too much?

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met on March 13, 2025, for its first meeting of the session, with member and staff introductions followed by consideration of several tax-related bills. The committee first heard HJR 163 and its implementing bill HB 165, which would extend the homestead property tax exemption for quadriplegics to surviving spouses, similar to the treatment for surviving spouses of certain disabled veterans. Sponsor Rep. Tant and constituent J.R. Harding described the financial and caregiving burdens faced by spouses of quadriplegics. The committee heard supportive testimony from the Florida Association of Property Appraisers and members voted both measures favorably without opposition. The committee then considered HB 785 on heated tobacco products. Rep. Tramont said the bill would create a new tax/regulatory category for the product, and an amendment clarifying the definition was adopted. The James Madison Institute offered a resource on the issue, the Florida Retail Federation waived in support, and Ranking Member Eskamani said she had concerns about the excise tax treatment and would vote no. The bill passed 16-1. Next, HB 321, a property tax exemption clarification for homes for the aged, was presented by Rep. Smith as a technical “glitch bill” to align state law with IRS tax code and ease development of low-income senior housing. It drew supportive testimony and passed unanimously. The final bill, HB 503 by Rep. Botana, would cap local government revenue from local business taxes and require refunds if collections exceed the cap, with carve-outs for fiscally constrained areas. Local government and economic development groups, including the Florida League of Cities, the City of Winter Haven, the Miami-Dade Beacon Council, and the Florida Association of Counties, opposed the bill, arguing it would limit funding for public safety, inspections, economic development, and other services and create administrative refund problems. Several members supported the bill as a tax-cutting measure, while others warned of impacts on local services and revenue flexibility. The committee reported HB 503 favorably on a 14-5 vote, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Over time, even though there is a cap, the cap on the Economic Stabilization Fund only stops us. from
• The cap is computed as 10%.
• With the cap, it will reach a little bit less than $40 billion.
• One is I would challenge the notion that it's a cap It's not a cap, it's a trigger if the local taxing
• A true cap would say, local governments, your...

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So that's about $44 million over the cap.
• So it's not an increase in any spending.
• People are just going to spend under two minutes, literally, to renew a PRC application, versus spending
• But they did achieve the cap.
• And 17 is not higher cap.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We want to control their spending. Their spending is so out of control. Well, you know what?
• Third, encourages fiscal discipline: caps force local governments to prioritize spending and reduce inefficiencies
• We can modify the conditions, but we can't modify the spending.
• We can modify the conditions, but we can't modify the spending.
• It seems like we kind of now have this hodgepodge of caps and soft caps and, you know, levy limitations

Bills: LB737, LB753, LB788, LB913, LB1055, LB1195, LB1216, LB1256, LB429, LB721, LB722, LB727, LB743, LB745, LB749, LB778, LB787, LB365A, LB823, LB900, LB903, LB940, LB954, LB1127, LB1127A, LB1205, LB1240, LR293, LR296, LR422, LR505, LR507

Keywords: LB737, Olmstead, developmental disabilities, disability services, community-based services, integrated settings, DHHS, Department of Health and Human Services, stakeholder advisory committee, independent consultant, public hearing, legislative oversight, disability rights, community integration, housing, employment, education, transportation, community supports, self-advocacy

Transcript Highlights:

• Outdated liability thresholds by increasing per-claim caps from 200 to 300 and the aggregate cap from
• review and adjust those caps every five years using the consumer price index while placing a 3% cap
• cap, an emergency cap, and a Medicaid cap.
• The caps in this bill at $300,000 and $450,000 are more reasonable than the other chamber's caps.
• Three, and finally, not allowing the settlement above the caps ensures that a cap is actually a cap,

Bills: S0330, S0474, S0694, S1120, S1216, S1366, S1442, S7018

Keywords: firefighter disability, law enforcement disability, correctional officer disability, correctional probation officer, presumptive disability, workers' compensation, line of duty presumption, heart disease presumption, hypertension presumption, tuberculosis presumption, public safety employees, first responders, physical examination, preemployment exam, medical specialist, Medicare reimbursement, employing agency, Florida Statutes 112.18, Florida Statutes 943.13, occupational disease

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several bills, beginning with SB 694 on compensation for the descendants of the Groveland Four. Senator Bracey Davis described the wrongful accusations, convictions, deaths, and long-term harm to the families, and an amendment added a $4 million appropriation and updated the recipient for Ernest Thomas’s family. Multiple family members, advocates, clergy, and supporters testified in favor, emphasizing the decades-long delay in justice and the need for accountability and repair. Senators from both parties spoke in support, and the committee reported the bill favorably after a roll call vote. The committee then approved SB 330 on disability provisions for firefighters, law enforcement, and correctional officers; SB 474 on military affairs leave and related benefits; and SB 96 on the Veterans Dental Care Grant Program. SB 96 drew the most discussion, with Senator Sharief explaining that the bill raises eligibility to 400% of the federal poverty level and moves $500,000 in recurring funding to the General Appropriations Act. Senator Wright and Senator Harrell raised concerns about whether expanding eligibility could worsen the existing waitlist, while supporters argued the change would help more veterans access needed dental care. The bill was ultimately reported favorably. The committee also passed SB 7018 on child welfare, making the Step Into Success pilot program permanent and statewide, adjusting visitor/background-check rules for foster homes, and creating a best-practices program through the Florida Institute for Child Welfare. SB 480 on information technology was reported favorably after amendments creating a central IT governance structure under the Governor’s office, adding vendor performance metrics and a preferred vendor list, and restoring criminal justice information security provisions. SB 1066 on the Ocklawaha River and Rodman Dam also advanced after extensive testimony from supporters and historians about partial restoration, recreation, and economic benefits; the sponsor said he would continue working through permitting questions before floor consideration. Later, the committee approved SB 1216 on educator compensation, which gives districts more flexibility on cost-of-living adjustments, advanced degrees, and performance pay caps, and SB 1120 on water management district oversight and reporting. The committee also reported favorably SB 1366 on sovereign immunity and claims against government, which would raise damages caps, index them to CPI, shorten claim deadlines, and cap attorney fees at 25%. That bill drew testimony from hospitals, cities, counties, school districts, and others, with some supporting the Senate’s compromise approach and others raising concerns about impacts on self-insured law enforcement agencies and attorney incentives. The meeting concluded with the favorable report on the bill after debate continued over those issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• He also served as a Deputy Attorney General, General Counsel to the Campaign Spending Commission, and
• First and foremost, this bill leaves in..." "...ensure we are doing all we can do to reduce spending
• on a state Senate race, they can, with few exceptions, spend more They can, with few exceptions, spend
• also means they won't be able to spend money in other states where they're doing business, either.
• I've had the great fortune to spend a few with Carl.

Bills: HB1800, HB1860, HB2250, HB472, HB649, HB1391, HB1481, HB1509, HB1511, HB1515, HB1518, HB1541, HB1548, HB1576, HB1618, HB1642, HB1643, HB1661, HB1667, HB1678, HB1682, HB1688, HB1692, HB1707, HB1710, HB1711, HB1713, HB1718, HB1721, HB1728, HB1737, HB1740, HB1741, HB1785, HB1801, HB1802, HB1804, HB1810, HB1815, HB1824, HB1838, HB1839, HB1853, HB1854, HB1864, HB1870, HB1881, HB1888, HB1890, HB1891, HB1894, HB1920, HB1959, HB1960, HB1969, HB1973, HB1974, HB2023, HB2050, HB2078, HB2094, HB2095, HB2104, HB2137, HB2152, HB2158, HB2171, HB2207, HB2218, HB2246, HB2270, HB2271, HB2272, HB2279, HB2282, HB2289, HB2293, HB2297, HB2300, HB2309, HB2310, HB2314, HB2319, HB2329, HB2338, HB2339, HB2344, HB2361, HB2385, HB2395, HB2417, HB2429, HB2443, HB2452, HB2474, HB2475, HB2498, HB2505, HB2547, HB2576

Keywords: supplemental appropriations, state budget, Hawaii budget, biennial budget, capital improvement projects, CIP, general fund, special fund, green fee, special land and development fund, clean energy revolving loan fund, agricultural development revolving fund, community grants, nonprofit grants, Office of Community Services, housing, affordable housing, homelessness, health care, mental health

Transcript Highlights:

• She would spend hours lovingly bringing a piece of Hawaii to life.

Bills: HB1800, HB1860, HB2250, HB472, HB649, HB1391, HB1481, HB1509, HB1511, HB1515, HB1518, HB1541, HB1548, HB1576, HB1618, HB1642, HB1643, HB1661, HB1667, HB1678, HB1682, HB1688, HB1692, HB1707, HB1710, HB1711, HB1713, HB1718, HB1721, HB1728, HB1737, HB1740, HB1741, HB1785, HB1801, HB1802, HB1804, HB1810, HB1815, HB1824, HB1838, HB1839, HB1853, HB1854, HB1864, HB1870, HB1881, HB1888, HB1890, HB1891, HB1894, HB1920, HB1959, HB1960, HB1969, HB1973, HB1974, HB2023, HB2050, HB2078, HB2094, HB2095, HB2104, HB2137, HB2152, HB2158, HB2171, HB2207, HB2218, HB2246, HB2270, HB2271, HB2272, HB2279, HB2282, HB2289, HB2293, HB2297, HB2300, HB2309, HB2310, HB2314, HB2319, HB2329, HB2338, HB2339, HB2344, HB2361, HB2385, HB2395, HB2417, HB2429, HB2443, HB2452, HB2474, HB2475, HB2498, HB2505, HB2547, HB2576

Keywords: supplemental appropriations, state budget, Hawaii budget, biennial budget, capital improvement projects, CIP, general fund, special fund, green fee, special land and development fund, clean energy revolving loan fund, agricultural development revolving fund, community grants, nonprofit grants, Office of Community Services, housing, affordable housing, homelessness, health care, mental health

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:11:39.120> reductions focused on actual spending reductions focused on actual spending
• actually address the curve in spending actually address the curve in spending that<00:11:46.880>
• <00:13:37.920> on so we started with placing a cap on so we started with placing a cap on
• <00:13:54.639> now we can go beyond that but the cap now we can go beyond that but the cap
• We adopted the rates with the rate cap moving forward.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, as you may recall, we now have a school district budget cap and a town budget cap.
• > budget district budget cap, and the town budget district budget cap, and the town budget cap
• exceed a tax cap or exceed the 10%. exceed a tax cap or exceed the 10%.
• vote to approve that spending. vote to approve that spending.
• the tax cap or not overturn the tax cap. the tax cap or not overturn the tax cap.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We think you probably will need to spend even new general fund.
• Rachel, you mentioned $32 million in new spending that's been proposed. $32 million in new spending has
• Did you consider the spending on the Delta levees and the subsidence repair in new discretionary spending
• Spending commitments.
• program, cap-and-invest program has.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And are you spending money on getting the job done or spending money on something that maybe we could
• But what type of cap are you thinking of?
• And so that's why there's not a cap.
• This is not spending any new money.
• If they can spend it now, spend it now.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair. which is um the cap on which is um the cap on spending<03:00:25.359> in<03:00:25.800>
• um and the cap is districts um and the cap is um<03:00:33.279> based<03:00:33.680> on<
• <03:01:18.479> in the result of of spending in the result of of spending in schools<03:01:
• /c><03:07:02.080> by<03:07:02.239> a<03:07:02.399> much spending cap did pretty
• much by a much spending cap did pretty much by a much larger<03:07:02.960> margin<03:07:03.279

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The executive session focused primarily on HB 563, which revises the school funding formula, especially the adequate education grant amounts for special education students and the treatment of fiscal capacity disparity aid. Representative Ladd moved OTPA on Amendment 06508, explaining that FY 26 would largely hold the current formula steady, while FY 27 would increase several per-pupil amounts, including base cost, free and reduced-price meals, English language learner aid, and special education differentiated aid. He said the special education change was based on estimated case loads across disability categories and that the amendment also reinstates fiscal capacity disparity aid, using a formula intended to better assist property-poor communities. Several members supported the amendment as a step in the right direction, saying it better recognizes special education costs and separates property wealth from low-income student counts. Others raised concerns about the lack of time and the absence of a printed spreadsheet showing how the fiscal capacity disparity aid would affect each town. In response, sponsors said the spreadsheet existed, that the LBA had copies, and that the amendment would help about 40 target towns, while Manchester would be the main community receiving less under the new formula because of prior shifts in the extraordinary needs grant. Discussion also covered the broader impact of the bill, with members noting that about 200 of the state’s 245 cities and towns would see an increase and 45 a decrease under the proposed FY 27 changes. Supporters argued the bill was a compromise given limited revenues and that it should move forward so it can be considered by the full House and then Finance. No final vote on the amendment or bill was taken in the portion provided, and the chair indicated the committee was still deciding whether it had enough information to proceed.

Transcript Highlights:

• It capped the value of the program. Is that right? Mr.
• Raise the cap, let her pull the million out of the government fund.
• You haven't started going through any of the spending.
• Our spending increased.
• to spend in 2027 from taking that $300 million in money.

Bills: SB152, SB145, SB190, HB247

Keywords: telecommunications, low-income assistance, lifeline, broadband, rural broadband, universal service fund, public regulation commission, PRC, 911 surcharge, telecommunications relay service, VoIP, mobile service, internet affordability, digital equity, digital inclusion, rural internet, broadband infrastructure, eligible telecommunications carrier, ETC, tribal consent

Transcript Highlights:

• growth<00:41:55.640> cap<00:41:55.839> the<00:41:55.960> growth growth cap the
• I'm just trying to figure out if we're capping at 2%, what would it have been without that cap?
• <01:36:40.400> um within that Target per capita caps um within that Target per capita caps
• realign the program and the spending realign the program and the spending within<01:37:28.800>
• reductions uh net general fund spending reductions uh net general fund spending by<01:45:36.520>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So agriculture, the base spending for 26 and 27 would be $151 million.
• of $25 million over that plan spending of $25 million over that plan spending amount<00:03:10.159
• <00:04:28.000> as received an increase in spending as received an increase in spending as
• compensation and this section is capped compensation and this section is capped at at at $20,000
• Um on the wolf side, it's not quite cap.

Bills: HF601

Keywords: agriculture, depredation compensation, livestock, crop damage, elk, wolves, wildlife management, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair. which is um the cap on which is um the cap on spending<03:00:25.359> in<03:00:25.800>
• um and the cap is districts um and the cap is um<03:00:33.279> based<03:00:33.680> on<
• <03:01:18.479> in the result of of spending in the result of of spending in schools<03:01:
• /c><03:07:02.080> by<03:07:02.239> a<03:07:02.399> much spending cap did pretty
• much by a much spending cap did pretty much by a much larger<03:07:02.960> margin<03:07:03.279

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met in executive session on HB 563, which revises the adequacy education grant formula, including differentiated aid for free and reduced-price meals, English language learners, and special education, and also restores fiscal capacity disparity aid. Members explained that for FY 26 the formula largely stays the same with the usual 2% increases, while FY 27 would raise the base cost and several aid categories, including a substantial increase in special education differentiated aid. Supporters said the bill recognizes higher special education costs and separates fiscal capacity disparity from the extraordinary needs grant, which they argued better targets property-poor communities. A major point of discussion was the fiscal capacity disparity aid component. Some members asked for more detail on how the formula affected individual towns and how much money was being allocated. The sponsors said the spreadsheet showed the impacts and estimated the fiscal capacity disparity portion at about $13.3 million, benefiting roughly 40 communities, with Manchester the only municipality expected to receive less under the new approach. They also said the change partially rebalances money that had shifted heavily toward larger cities under the extraordinary needs grant and that the special education increase is new money, not taken from the hold harmless or extraordinary needs funds. Several members supported the amendment as a good-faith step and a bipartisan compromise, while others expressed frustration that they did not have enough time or information to review the spreadsheets in detail before voting. After extended debate, the committee recessed for lunch to allow the spreadsheet to be distributed and reviewed, with the understanding that the bill would continue later in the day and then move on to the other bills on the docket.

Transcript Highlights:

• Customers for wildfire mitigation spending.
• Four: Increase transparency and prioritize investor-owned utility spending.
• So what we actually did was spend more than we were authorized to spend on wildfire mitigation.
• So what we actually did was spend more than we were authorized to spend on wildfire mitigation.
• And last one from my colleague: Did you consider any equity caps, CEO compensation caps for the IOUs,

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh but it is capped at 250. So it's a Uh but it is capped at 250.
• when we are over the tab cap. when we are over the tab cap.
• We're continuing to spend.
• And so we're not advocating for more spending. We're advocating for wise spending.
• But instead, the General Assembly is spending more, is spending future money.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Customers for wildfire mitigation spending.
• So what we actually did was spend more than we were authorized to spend on wildfire mitigation.
• Did you consider any equity caps, CEO compensation caps for the IOUs, and then kind of bring you back
• Did you consider any equity caps, CEO compensation caps for the IOUs, and then kind of bring you back
• Others have caps.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy held a hearing on the California Earthquake Authority’s SB 254 report and broader options for reforming California’s utility wildfire recovery system. The chair framed the discussion around the Palisades and Eaton fires, the scale of wildfire-related costs on utility bills, and the need to weigh trade-offs among survivors, ratepayers, utilities, insurers, and taxpayers. The first panel featured wildfire survivors William Abrams and Joy Chen, who described long delays in compensation, housing insecurity, and what they viewed as a system that protects utility shareholders more than victims. They urged greater transparency, clearer accountability for utility spending and safety performance, faster and fuller compensation for survivors, and reforms such as independent audits and better alignment of utility incentives with wildfire prevention and restitution. The second panel began with Tom Welsh of the California Earthquake Authority, who explained that the SB 254 report was intended as a broad inventory of policy pathways rather than recommendations. He described the report’s process, including stakeholder submissions, workstreams, and a convergence process, and outlined the current wildfire fund structure: utilities remain liable, the fund reimburses eligible claims after a covered wildfire, and the CPUC later determines prudency and possible reimbursement back to the fund. RAND’s Lloyd Dixon summarized compensation data, saying utilities paid about $38 billion between 2017 and 2024, with major shares going to injured parties, insurers, and public entities, while litigation costs and survivors’ own losses remain substantial. He noted that legal fees and delays reduce the amount survivors ultimately receive. Utility and public-interest witnesses offered differing views on the report’s pathways. PG&E’s Tyson Smith said the report shows inaction is the worst outcome and argued for community wildfire risk reduction, equitable allocation of catastrophe costs, and state-led resilience tools. LADWP’s Fernando Valero emphasized the vulnerability of municipal utilities and cities, and supported inverse condemnation reform, a state-sponsored liability insurance framework, damages and subrogation limits, and stronger insurance access. Consumer Attorneys of California’s John Fisk argued that IOU-caused fires are not natural disasters but the result of negligence and sometimes criminal conduct, and opposed reducing utility liability while supporting stronger oversight and audits. The Public Advocates Office’s Nathaniel Skinner focused on affordability, saying ratepayers already bear large and growing wildfire costs and warning against shifting more costs onto bills without measurable risk reduction and tighter accountability. Committee members then began questioning witnesses about what counts as measurable mitigation, how to define full and fair compensation, and how any fast-pay process should work.