Transcript Highlights:

• What this new section will do is focus on insurance fraud, wage theft, and fraud in state government
• investigatively, in different areas, whatever that might be, whether it's a government program, insurance
• </c><00:06:31.319><c> fraud</c><00:06:31.919><c> wage</c><00:06:32.280><c> theft</c> focus on insurance
• fraud wage theft focus on insurance fraud wage theft theft<00:06:33.639><c> and</c><00:06:34.120><c>
• or wage stft or other insurance or wage stft or other traditional<00:07:18.680><c> Financial</c><00:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 3G refers to the funding for the leveling up insurance premium tax revenues.
• This is the insurance rebate equalization figure, starting on lines 10, and this is an increase from
• This is the insurance rebate equalization figure, starting on lines 10, and this is an increase from
• Turning to page 18, Section 3H2 contains the narrative for the insurance rebate equalization calculation
• to allow the City of Wilmington to use the proceeds from the state treasurer, as collected by the insurance

Committee: Joint Finance

Summary: The Joint Finance Committee met to review and vote on the fiscal year 2027 Grants and Aid Act, which was expected to be pre-filed as Senate Bill 337. Members first reviewed Section 1, covering county seat payments, paramedic operations, senior center allocations, senior center transportation, and Homeland Security grants. They approved Section 1 after discussion of how senior center transportation is being moved from DART to grant-in-aid and how some organizations can appear in both the senior center formula and the general aging category. The committee then worked through Section 2, which included one-time appropriations and the various grant categories for aging, arts/historical/recreation, economic housing or labor services, family and youth services, health or disability services, and neighborhood and community services. Members discussed several specific items, including New Castle County reassessment-related funding, Friends of Cooch’s Bridge, Slaughter Neck Community Action Organization, Plastic-Free Delaware, Love, Inc. of the Delmarva, and the Southern Delaware Horse Retirement Association. One aging line for Slaughter Neck was reduced back to flat funding after members questioned a large increase, and the revised category total was adjusted accordingly. Each of the Section 2 subcategories was then adopted. Section 3, covering fire companies and public service ambulance companies, was approved with increases across apparatus, ambulance, rescue truck, aerial truck, rescue boat, substation, and insurance rebate equalization funding. Section 4, for veterans organizations and youth programs such as Boys State, Girls State, and Trooper Youth Week, was also adopted. The committee then approved the epilogue sections, which included eligibility, audit, payment, and reporting rules; special provisions for the Wilmington Senior Center contingency; conditions tied to several one-time appropriations; withholding funding from Merri-Dell Volunteer Fire Company pending a corrective report; and reprogramming $1,485,000 from a prior SMART food program appropriation toward SNAP/WIC-related food access initiatives. The meeting ended with remarks thanking staff and noting that it was likely the last JFC meeting for two members, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• used for budget loans, Proposition 98, settle-up obligations, and federal debt for unemployment insurance
• the future, we also continue paying down critical state liabilities, including our unemployment insurance
• I looked at this budget, and if we really wanted to save money or prioritize the unemployment insurance
• And the main reason why I think that is because if we were going to pay for the unemployment insurance
• state has paid down significantly in recent years from that pot of money, and adds unemployment insurance

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• all benefits afforded to an employee within the Commonwealth, which means they do not have health insurance
• through the Group Insurance Commission.
• 9 to 12 months, correction officers are forced to go out and find their own private health care insurance
• Same thing: the private insurance he got, that doctor wasn't able to take that insurance.
• They could, for example, agree to pay maybe more for the health insurance split to help the town or the

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Service

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Service heard testimony on a wide range of retirement classification and benefit bills affecting municipal and state employees. Much of the hearing focused on proposals to move various workers from Group 1 to Group 2 or Group 4, including municipal building officials (H. 2776), MassDOT highway workers (H. 2908/Sousa’s Law), DCF attorneys (H. 2771), probation officers, licensed electricians, drinking water operators (H. 3000/S. 1834), MWRA non-clerical workers (S. 1803), transitional parole officers (H. 2878), Plymouth BCI criminal investigator officers (H. 2975/S. 1863), Beverly fire alarm operators/public safety telecommunicators (S. 1876), Massport pipefitters and refrigeration technicians (H. 2788/S. 1829), and other public safety or hazardous-duty classifications. Witnesses generally argued that their work is physically dangerous, understaffed, or comparable to already higher-classified employees, and several said the changes would help recruitment and retention with little fiscal impact because the affected groups are small. The committee also heard testimony on H. 4508, a home rule petition to grant a disability pension to Boston principal Patricia Lampron. Supporters, including Representative Dan Hunt, Boston city councilors, and Lampron herself, described a severe 2021 assault at the Henderson Inclusion School that left her with lasting physical and psychological injuries and forced her into early retirement. They urged the committee to advance the bill quickly. One witness, Pamela McLaughlin, testified in opposition, arguing the bill would set the wrong precedent and describing alleged prior misconduct by Lampron, and asked that the bill be sent to study. Several witnesses and committee members asked brief questions, mainly about the scope of the bills, whether certain workers were already in higher groups, and the fiscal or precedent concerns. No votes were taken during the hearing. At the end, the chairs announced that testimony was complete, asked whether anyone else wished to speak, and then the committee voted to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• Public Employment and Retirement) for a hearing on Wednesday, June 24, pending re-referral from the Insurance
• My first concern is that these are not insured, and there's no warning of the risky nature of crypto.
• As a matter of fact, the consumer protections in this bill are more aggressive than current FDIC insurance
• As we all know, federal institutions are insured.
• As we all know, federal institutions are insured by us, the taxpayer.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I buy insurance. It's been a great experience.
• I buy insurance. It's been a great experience.
• But they still are required to sign the insurance forms.
• Members, House Bill 4430 clarifies malpractice insurance requirements for APRNs and PAs who are working
• Outside work still requires full malpractice insurance.

Bills: HB3767 , HB3934 , HB4199 , HB4336 , HB2947 , HB3834 , HB4302 , HB4095 , HB3287 , HB3649 , HB4430 , HB4431 , HB2059 , HB3647

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: controlled dangerous substances, controlled substances, drug scheduling, Schedule I, Schedule IV, anti-drug diversion, drug diversion, synthetic opioids, fentanyl analogs, designer drugs, synthetic cannabinoids, benzodiazepines, benzodiazepine analogs, opioids, hallucinogens, depressants, pharmacy regulation, narcotics control, Oklahoma State Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control, DEA scheduling

Summary: The Senate Health and Human Services Committee first considered three executive nominations. Shonda Lasseter was reappointed to the State Board of Pharmacy, with discussion focused on pharmacy staffing shortages, PBMs, and broader health care workforce challenges; she was advanced 11-0. Dr. Lane Sabara was renominated to the Health Care Workforce Training Commission, where members discussed rural physician shortages and training pipelines; he was advanced 12-0. Dr. Paul Wright was nominated to fill an unexpired term on the same commission and was advanced 12-0 after questions about his availability and experience supporting rural medicine. The committee then heard several health-related bills. HB 3767, which adds 14 chemicals used to enhance fentanyl to Oklahoma’s controlled substances schedules, advanced 10-0. HB 3934, a dentistry workforce and cleanup bill updating insurance-claim and billing language, advanced 11-0. HB 4199, creating a three-year tri-share workforce pilot program for the Department of Commerce, was amended to change eligibility language and then advanced 9-2. HB 2947, allowing supervised behavioral health interns to bill Medicaid, advanced 10-1. HB 3834, authorizing the Department of Health to begin stage-one clinical trials for ibogaine and creating a revolving fund for that purpose, drew extensive testimony about veteran and first responder treatment, safety, funding, and state liability, and advanced 10-2. Additional measures also moved forward. HB 4302, after amendment, advanced 12-0 on a juvenile oversight reporting and law enforcement notification issue. Committee member bills included HB 495, reinstating the 211 Collaborative advisory council, which advanced 11-0; HB 3287, requiring domestic violence and human trafficking signage in health facilities, which advanced 11-0; HB 3649, allowing the Mental Health Department to sell underused property and keep the proceeds in its trust, which advanced 12-0 after amendment; HB 4430, clarifying malpractice coverage for APRNs and PAs at state facilities, which advanced 12-0; HB 2059, creating a mechanism to reimburse medication costs for incarcerated people in county and municipal jails, which advanced 12-0 after questions about continuity of care; and HB 3647, creating an all-payer claims database and transparency board, which advanced 10-2. The committee adjourned after announcing another meeting the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• The insurance companies don't, I mean, for the most part, they're able to, they don't have to subjugate
• The insurance companies don't, I mean, for the most part, they're able to, they don't have to subjugate
• There are insurance companies that are national, that I'm not real concerned about pleasing, but doing
• And that particular, and this, that particular amendment was not a suggestion of the insurance companies
• There are insurance companies that are national, that I'm not real concerned about pleasing, but doing

Bills: HB4246 , HB4230 , HB3617 , HB3657 , HB2976 , HB3391 , HB4459 , HB4128 , HB3989 , HB2989 , HB4060 , HB3145 , HB2992 , HB3464

Committee: House Energy and Natural Resources Oversight

Keywords: HB4246, water rights, rural water, wastewater, drinking water, environmental quality, DEQ, Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, Oklahoma Rural Water Association, technical assistance, water infrastructure, small systems, utility operators, emergency water response, nonprofit contractors, vendor qualification, competitive bidding, best value procurement, central purchasing act, rural utilities

Summary: The committee took up a long agenda of energy, agriculture, wildlife, water, and utility bills, adopting PCS drafts and amendments on several measures before voting them out. Early bills, including HB 4246 and HB 423, would let DEQ obtain technical assistance and instruction from outside suppliers, and both passed with 11-1 votes. HB 3617, the agricultural equipment right-to-repair bill, drew the most extended debate; supporters said it would help farmers and ranchers keep equipment operating and preserve access to parts, tools, and diagnostics, while opponents raised concerns about private contracts, intellectual property, and government mandates. The author agreed to continue working on the language and to strike the title later, and the bill passed 13-9-2. HB 3657, updating agricultural wage reporting and adding the Workforce Commission to employment-data recipients, passed 15-0. HB 2976, directing DEQ to set water-quality criteria for aluminum using EPA guidance as a tool, passed 14-1. HB 3391, requiring licensed commercial pet breeders to display their ODAF license number in advertisements, passed 15-0. The committee also advanced several natural resources and land-use measures. HB 4459 created a voluntary five-year averaging option for permitted water users, with metering required only for participants; members emphasized that nonparticipants could continue current practices unchanged, and the bill passed 12-1-3. HB 4128, as amended, moved Oklahoma’s bear season earlier by two weeks; the author said it was intended to address nuisance bears in southeast Oklahoma and protect hunters and landowners, while members raised concerns about population impacts and whether the Wildlife Department could manage harvest levels. The bill passed 13-1-2. HB 3989, described as a cleanup bill from the earlier “one megawatt fight,” passed 15-1 after the author said a compromise had been reached. HB 2989, as amended, authorized electric utilities to prepare wildfire mitigation plans and created a revolving fund, with the amendment limiting recovery to reasonable and prudent mitigation costs; the author said it was not a liability shield, and the bill passed 14-1. Later, the committee considered utility and renewable-energy regulation. HB 4060, the Plug-in Solar Act, addressed interconnection agreements and behind-the-meter solar for residents; it passed 14-1. HB 3145 cleaned up language affecting the commercial hunt industry and passed 14-1. HB 2992, the Data Center Customer Protection, Ratepayer Protection Act of 2026, would require new large-load customers such as data centers, crypto mining, and AI facilities above 75 MW to cover their own infrastructure and provide collateral so costs are not shifted to ratepayers; members discussed protections for existing contracts and utility oversight, and it passed 14-1. Finally, HB 3464 imposed common-sense regulations on wind, solar, and battery storage projects, including surety bonds for land restoration, permit fees to support local fire departments, and a 30-day Fire Marshal response timeline; the author said more amendments were likely, and the bill passed 14-0. The meeting then recessed and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• by a special commission, including members of the General Court, to study access to unemployment insurance
• by a special commission, including members of the General Court, to study access to unemployment insurance
• House bills be scheduled for consideration by the House: House Bill 2111, amending the unemployment insurance
• Second reading of the bills: An Act amending the unemployment insurance laws for workers with fluctuating
• Just at the top, you know, quick read of this, just the premium increases in liability insurance, the

Summary: The House opened with routine formalities and then adopted a resolution recognizing the work of Ukraine Forward after suspending the rules. Members also suspended Joint Rule 12 to allow several petitions to proceed, including proposals related to a poverty-reduction grant program, an unemployment insurance study commission, and a local police-exam age waiver. The House then took up a major energy bill, House No. 4744/5151, reported by Ways and Means and scheduled by Steering, Policy and Scheduling, and advanced it through second reading and to third reading after adopting the committee amendment. The main floor debate centered on the energy affordability, clean power, and economic competitiveness bill. Supporters argued it would lower rates through reforms to Mass Save, changes to procurement and interconnection, returning a share of alternative compliance payments to ratepayers, and other consumer protections, while preserving long-term clean energy goals. Opponents said the bill’s relief was too delayed and that it added costs and bureaucracy without immediate help for households facing high bills. Several amendments were offered and rejected, including proposals to suspend public benefit charges for a year, change utility rate-filing disclosure rules, and alter propane delivery protections; one amendment on solar siting in forested areas was also defeated. The House adopted a consolidated amendment to the energy bill by a roll call vote of 127-27, and earlier adopted the Ways and Means substitute version of the bill. The chamber also passed several other bills to be engrossed or enacted, including measures on unemployment insurance for fluctuating schedules, the Medical Society mission statement, a youth training wage, bridge and intersection designations, handicapped parking fines, public way safety, excavation restoration, and a Newton police age requirement. The House observed multiple moments of silence honoring deceased veterans, public servants, and community figures, including Navy Petty Officer Joden Booker, coach Thomas Skip Karam, former Police Chief Carlton Abbott, and former legislator William Q. Biff McLean, Jr.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because I took that unpaid leave, it caused a whole bunch of other problems with my insurance with taking
• the deductible for my insurance that I was just starting out of a paycheck that didn't actually.
• Taking the deductible for my insurance that I was just starting out of a paycheck that didn't actually
• without a paycheck, then you run into that same problem of there's nothing for me to deduct your insurance
• forward or pay it afterwards or pay it independently out of your drill paycheck just to keep that insurance

Committee: House Veterans and Armed Forces

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on House Bills 2940 and 3083, both aimed at expanding military leave protections for public employees who serve in the National Guard or Reserves. The sponsors said current Missouri law’s 120-hour paid military leave cap works for typical 8-to-5 employees but falls short for firefighters, police, EMS, and other shift workers, especially those on 24-hour schedules. The bills would raise the cap to 38 working days and clarify that employees returning from service keep their job, seniority, and benefits; a companion Senate bill was noted as already heard in committee. Members asked about whether the bills applied to private employers, emergency activations, and how the 38-day figure was calculated, and the sponsors explained the measure is intended mainly for routine drill and annual training, not emergency call-ups. Some members raised concerns about fiscal impact and whether the bill could create extra compensation or make military personnel less attractive to hire, while others said the change was a fair way to protect public servants from having to use personal leave for required military duty. Support testimony came from the Missouri State Council of Firefighters, whose secretary-treasurer said the bill would help recruitment and retention and better align military service with public safety careers. He described firefighters’ varied schedules and said many departments already value military experience because it translates well to stress management, discipline, and commitment. Committee members also discussed how the bill would affect firefighters, police, EMS, county employees, and other shift workers, and the sponsors emphasized that the measure is meant to help employees keep their personal leave for personal use while still meeting military obligations. After the bill hearing, the committee heard an informational presentation on Camp Hope, a Farmington-area nonprofit founded in 2007 to serve wounded veterans at no cost. The presenters described the camp’s hunting, fishing, hiking, and other outdoor programs, its volunteer and donor-based funding, and its role in helping veterans with PTSD, TBI, and other injuries through camaraderie and peer support. Members asked about the camp’s budget, veteran capacity, caregiver participation, and location, and the presenters invited the committee and public to visit the camp’s open house and help spread the word. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, Madam Vice Chair, I believe that in particular is the insurance worry that I think a lot of folks
• I am concerned that when it comes to the public entity, they will never lose their insurance, and we
• Entity, they will lose their insurance.
• And that wrongful death increased their insurance from one claim... by $170,000, and that nursing home
• justice doesn't seem equitable, and the risks, without being able to know that someone can remain insured

Bills: HB97 , HB280 , HB183 , HB151 , HB202

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: Shaken Baby Syndrome, abusive head trauma, child safety, training and education, healthcare funding, youth internships, workforce development, education, grant funding, employment, drinking water, water quality, environment, public health, water filtration, private well testing, federal funding, childhood sexual abuse, time limitations, civil actions

Transcript Highlights:

• 2,000 establishments that had covered employees—covered means employees that you pay unemployment insurance
• I think we can talk about the need for better insurance programs, better adoption and use of existing
• insurance programs by farmers.
• don't have as thin of margins on a year-to-year basis, and so tend not to like to pay for those insurance
• don't have as thin of margins on a year-to-year basis, and so tend not to like to pay for those insurance

Committee: Senate Agricultural Affairs

Summary: The Senate Agricultural Committee approved the January 27, 2026 minutes and then reviewed several Idaho State Department of Agriculture rules. Andrea Thompson presented updates to seed production and distribution rules, explaining that the changes mainly clean up redundant language, incorporate national and international testing standards by reference, and remove outdated rapeseed/canola and bluegrass district requirements that industry said were no longer necessary. She also outlined updates to commercial feed, fertilizer, and soil/plant amendment licensing rules to reflect the 2026 editions of AAFCO and related publications, and described bean planting rule changes clarifying that edible bean seed planted in Idaho must have approved green tags. The committee also heard temporary and pending invasive species rules tied to Snake River quagga mussel response and the addition of golden mussel to Idaho’s emergency invasive species list; members asked about the temporary-rule process and whether the standards should have publication dates, and staff explained the need for rolling updates and immediate quarantine authority. The committee said it would vote on the rules later in the week. The committee then received a presentation from Deputy Director Lloyd Knight on Idaho’s authorities for dealing with pests and invasive species, prompted by recent discussion about rats. He explained that the Plant Pest Act and Invasive Species Act give the department broad authority over pests such as Japanese beetle, grasshoppers, Mormon crickets, quagga/zebra mussels, and other listed species, but that some problems may be better handled through county abatement districts or other local tools. Senators asked about Mormon cricket response in rural counties, coordination with federal land managers, and whether a GIS-based public reporting system could be used for rat sightings; Knight said the department could likely build a low-cost reporting tool and that response options depend on land ownership, funding, and statutory direction. Brett Wilder of the University of Idaho then briefed the committee on the financial condition of Idaho agriculture. He said agriculture and agribusiness account for a significant share of Idaho’s economy, with livestock performing relatively well while crop producers face heavy pressure from high input costs, low commodity prices, and weak credit conditions. He noted record or near-record cash receipts overall, but emphasized that sugar beets and other crops are under strain, that export markets remain important, and that government payments are unlikely to solve the structural problems. Senators asked about sugar beet imports, market distortions, demand trends, and the likely impact of federal bridge payments; Wilder said the payments would help cash flow but would mostly go to existing debts and would not resolve the broader oversupply and profitability issues. The meeting adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• As you know, there continue to be many financial challenges such as health insurance costs, affordable
• housing, rising grocery prices, rising car and homeowners insurance teachers deal with every day.
• Currently these insurance companies or anybody that handles this salvage title, they may have platforms
• What this amendment does is the original language says insurance companies, but they use third-party
• We have Doug Bell, Progressive Insurance is a proponent of the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're now going to have to carry bodily injury insurance for one year after they cause a crash and
• This amendment clarifies that when the draft was done, we cited mandatory bodily injury insurance to
• We wanted the one year, but the DUI drivers are supposed to carry the insurance for three years.
• this bill, specifically for these civil issues, is only going to require one year of additional insurance
• They come from all over the world to rent this guy's aircraft, and he uses me as the insurance requires

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Summary: The Transportation Committee met and first took up CS/SB 86, which would make operation of a commercial motor vehicle by an unauthorized alien an imminent safety hazard and require lawful presence, a valid CDL, English proficiency, and ability to communicate with law enforcement. The bill also authorizes impoundment, a $250,000 civil penalty on the motor carrier, and an out-of-service order until violations are corrected. After adopting an amendment and hearing support from the Florida PBA, the committee reported the bill favorably on a vote with Senator Arrington voting no. The committee then considered CS/SB 706, which preempts naming of major commercial service airports to the state and would rename Palm Beach International Airport as Donald J. Trump International Airport. An amendment added FAA approval, trademark authorization, and a flexible implementation period for Palm Beach County. Palm Beach County representatives supported the measure, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee also passed CS/SB 1670, a specialty license plate bill for the “outsider” plate, after amending the distribution of proceeds so the Huber Brothers Foundation may receive up to 10% instead of 25%. Next, the committee approved CS/SB 1054, which increases penalties for traffic infractions that result in a crash after running a red light or stop sign, including higher fines, license suspensions, and a one-year bodily injury insurance requirement after an injury crash. Law enforcement testimony supported the bill. The committee also considered CS/SB 422 on ADS-B aviation surveillance data, which would bar use of that data to calculate or collect landing-related fees; an amendment narrowed the prohibition to landing and touch-and-go fee scenarios. Aviation groups and pilots supported the bill as protecting safety and preventing surprise billing, while airport representatives said they could still charge landing fees but would need to rely on more manual methods. The committee reported CS/SB 422 favorably, and the meeting adjourned after all measures were approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• People are Representative Bartleman: impacted by property insurance.
• realtors Representative Bartleman: in my office and they told us how it is an issue with property insurance
• So property insurance continues to go up.
• Other places where seniors go to file their tax returns or to file returns for flood insurance claims
• I did not, I assume, address property insurance as it was brought up because we're trending in the right

Transcript Highlights:

• programming at the board related to community assistance and compliance with the National Flood Insurance
• And houses the State National Flood Insurance Program, or NFIP.
• Complement the current effective Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) that data, but not replace it.
• agency has some staff who can provide guidance on that related to FEMA requirements and some of the insurance
• On the flood mapping and modeling, Brian, you said they're not going to replace the Flood Insurance Rate

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• touch, are exempt from taxation, but a handful of intangible assets, such as stock values, have insurance
• Is it just savings and loans and insurance business? or is it more than that?
• It is insurance companies and savings and loan associations. are aware of or know about who is paying
• to certain entities participating in the federal drug discount program referred the committee on insurance
• Company, we'll put the committee on insurance.

Bills: HJR1 , HJR2 , HB9 , HB22 , HB908 , HB1392 , HB195 , HB 13 , HB143 , HB135 , HJR1 , HJR2 , HB9 , HB22 , HB908 , HB1392

Keywords: constitutional amendment, property tax, ad valorem tax, tax exemption, tangible personal property, income-producing property, business personal property, equipment exemption, machinery, local government finance, school district revenue, county taxes, Texas Constitution, Article VIII, tax relief, commercial property, death tax, inheritance tax, estate tax, property transfer

Transcript Highlights:

• The impact financially on the state, our insurance rates, and our primary caregivers...
• Is it the insurance companies? No.
• When I attended the Transportation Committee, every major Florida insurer supported this bill.
• So let me be clear: this bill is not failing because of opposition from the insurance industry.
• So people who are causing a lot of damage, unless they have bodily injury insurance, are never going

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development

Summary: The committee first reviewed the fiscal year 2025-2026 budget proposal for transportation, tourism, and economic development, which totals about $18 billion and includes major funding for the Department of Transportation work program, Visit Florida, affordable housing, library/cultural/historical initiatives, National Guard tuition assistance, and Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles needs. Members approved staff technical adjustments and then adopted the budget proposal as a recommendation to the full Senate Appropriations Committee. The committee then heard and approved CS/SB 666, which creates a specialty license plate for the Miami Northwestern Alumni Association, with proceeds supporting scholarships and school academic, athletic, and arts programs. CS/SB 1318, the hands-free driving bill, drew extensive testimony from the sponsor, law enforcement, advocates, and victims’ families. Supporters argued it would create a clearer, easier-to-enforce prohibition on holding a wireless device while driving and help reduce crashes and deaths; some senators raised concerns about enforcement, privacy, and impacts on drivers with older vehicles, but the bill was reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 1408, designating memorial highways for Tampa Police Officer Jesse Madsen and Charlotte County Sergeant Elio Diaz, and SB 1516, which would create the International Aerospace Innovation Fund administered by Space Florida to support partnerships between Florida and international aerospace companies. Both bills had supportive testimony and no opposition noted. The meeting ended with adjournment after the final votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Up next, we have the Hawaii Insurance Council, Malia Leong. Testimony in support.
• Again, Hawaii Insurance Council, Malia Leong, support. We do have late testimony from Dr.
• next<00:01:31.600><c> we</c><00:01:31.920><c> have</c><00:01:32.560><c> Hawaii</c><00:01:32.880><c> Insurance
• </c> next we have Hawaii Insurance next we have Hawaii Insurance Council<00:01:35.439><c> Malia</c> Council
• Again uh Hawaii<00:04:02.159><c> Insurance</c><00:04:02.720><c> Council</c><00:04:03.439><c> Malia</c

Committee: Senate Labor and Technology

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Labor and Technology Committee heard testimony on several bills, mostly related to workers’ compensation, labor relations, retirement, and employment exemptions. HB 423 would clarify selection of certified rehabilitation providers and require automatic approval of vocational rehabilitation services when likely needed for suitable gainful employment; the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations supported the bill but requested timeline amendments, including advancing the plan within 90 days of the initial evaluation and filing it with the employer, employee, and director within two days. HB 480 would let an attending physician request a functional capacity exam without employer permission and deem licensed occupational and physical therapists qualified to perform such exams; it drew support from the department, the Hawaii Insurance Council, and the Hawaii Medical Association. HB 162 would expand the pool of interest arbitrators for collective bargaining disputes by allowing the HLRB to request a list from FMCS as well as the ABA, and testimony from labor groups supported that change. HB 164 concerned indebtedness to the state and wage deductions; HGA supported it with comments, while the Department of Accounting and General Services raised concerns about the percentage structure but said it could implement the requested changes. The committee also heard HB 1152, which would permanently exempt three specialized Department of Taxation positions from civil service; the department supported the measure and said the positions are not currently civil service positions. HB 214 would allow certain retirees to work in school resource officer or investigator roles without losing retirement benefits, subject to conditions; ERS expressed concerns about shortening the required separation period from 12 months to 6 months and about uniform administration and cost implications, while the Department of the Attorney General and Department of Education supported the bill, and the Department of Law Enforcement asked to include its investigators as well. HB 874 would amend the Uniform Custodial Trust Act for child performers, requiring trust accounts for minors meeting certain earnings thresholds and making misuse of funds a fiduciary breach; SAG-AFTRA Hawaii, HGEA, the Hawaii State AFL-CIO, and the Hawaii Nurses Association supported it, and members discussed that enforcement would likely need further research, possibly through labor or the film office. HB 159 would cap the civil service exemption for personal service contracts with qualified community rehabilitation programs at $850,000 in the aggregate per private person or entity; United Public Workers, HGEA, and the Hawaii State AFL-CIO supported it. No final votes were taken because the committee lacked quorum. After recessing and reconvening, the chair announced that decision-making on the agenda would be deferred to Wednesday, March 12 at 3:01 p.m. in Room 224.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to also assure people that last year there was an insurance provision that had to be negotiated
• with the insurance federation; that part is not retroactive, and so this won't change anything.
• I want to also assure people that last year there was an insurance provision that had to be negotiated
• with the insurance federation; that part is not retroactive, and so this won't change anything.
• with the insurance federation; that part is not retroactive, and so this won't change anything.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That could be in the form of insurance, right? It could be in the form of an SBA loan.
• Of insurance, right? It could be in the form of an SBA loan or what have you.
• We're working with our state agency partners at DCF, DBPR, insurance regulation, and DEM. I am.
• You can see partners at DCF, DBPR, insurance regulation, DEM, and DOT.
• “That insurance funding, right, that they hadn't necessarily been able to get yet, if that's the case

Summary: The Natural Resources and Disaster Subcommittee met to continue its review of hurricane impacts and state response. The committee first heard from the Florida Division of Emergency Management, which described its four core functions—preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation—and highlighted its 24/7 State Watch Office, regional training efforts, and disaster assistance work. Deputy Executive Director Keith Pruitt detailed the state’s 2024 storm response, including Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton, citing large-scale mission support, flood-control deployments, meal and water distribution, power restoration, debris removal, and billions in disaster funding and mitigation dollars. He also discussed debris management challenges and recommended that local governments update and exercise debris plans and maintain contingency contracts.