Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, I hereby remove my name as cosponsor of H....
• And I yield back. >> Gentleman's time has expired.
• I yield back. >> Gentleman's time has expired.
• I yield back. >> Gentleman's time has expired.
• Speaker. >> Gentleman's time has expired.

Bills: HB2478

Transcript Highlights:

• On behalf of Chair Wahab, I'm accepting the committee amendments described in the analysis, which remove
• Which remove 100% of the language recently added to the bill relating to scope of practice.
• And with that, we are removing our opposition. Thank you.
• With the amendments going into print, we will be removing our opposition.
• Before a license expires, the board will send a 90-day Before a license expires, the board will send

Bills: SB342 , SB1303 , SB1347

Committee: House Business and Professions

Keywords: naturopathy, medical licensure, California Board of Naturopathic Medicine, healthcare services, fictitious-name permit, pupil health, albuterol inhalers, emergency medical aid, respiratory distress, local educational agencies, childcare programs, school safety

Summary: The Assembly Business and Professions Committee heard several measures, beginning with SB 1347, which clarifies that stock albuterol may be authorized in all public schools, including preschools. The bill was presented as a technical cleanup to existing law and received support from the California Society for Respiratory Care and the American Academy of Pediatrics. There was no opposition, and the committee approved it on a due pass vote. The committee then considered AB 2772, the sunset bill for the California Council for Interior Design Certification. Supporters said it would extend the council’s sunset date and recognize its quasi-public status by applying transparency and accountability requirements. Opposition came from the International Interior Design Association, which argued the council had not complied with open meeting laws and objected to expanded authority to levy civil penalties. The committee nevertheless concurred in the Senate amendments and passed the bill. SB 1303, the sunset bill for the California Board of Naturopathic Medicine, was heard next after major amendments removed disputed scope-of-practice language. The board and its supporters emphasized consumer protection, title clarity, and enforcement against unlicensed activity, while several medical and professional groups that had opposed earlier versions said they were removing opposition or moving to neutral. The committee passed the bill as amended. Finally, SB 342, the Contractors Licensure Fairness Act, was presented as a measure to allow contractors to recover payment for work performed while licensed, even if there was a lapse in licensure during a long project, rather than forfeiting the entire contract value. Supporters said this would prevent unfair windfalls and reduce litigation; opponents, including Los Angeles Unified School District and local government groups, argued it would reward contractors who fail to maintain licenses and weaken consumer and public protections. The committee approved SB 342 as amended. The meeting also included extended thanks and farewell remarks for committee consultant Bill Lewis, who was retiring after many years of service.

Transcript Highlights:

• All time for debate has expired.
• The gentleman's time is expired.
• The gentleman's time is expired.
• The gentleman's time is expired.
• </c> process, meaning my removal from office. process, meaning my removal from office.

Bills: HB2966

Keywords: citizenship, small business, loan eligibility, immigration status, entrepreneurship

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill would give voter registrars the option to inform VDRs that their term will expire at least one
• month before expiration.
• The reason that we keep losing them is that they're not getting a notice about their expiration date,
• The Voter Registrar refused to remove those voters from the voter roll.
• Votes cast before, you know, ballots are removed due to ranked-choice voting.

Bills: HB376 , HB817 , HB 1297 , HB1478 , HB1661 , HB1783

Committee: House Elections

Keywords: HB 817, Texas Election Code, majority vote, majority threshold, ranked-choice voting, preferential voting, instant runoff voting, vote reassignment, ballot ranking, election administration, public office election, Election Code Section 2.0215, runoff elections, plurality vs majority, voting systems, education reform, budget allocation, teacher retention, student performance, accountability measures

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill removes that for most members. Is that correct? Thank you for the question.
• It happens at the expiration of those terms. So, that is the safeguard.
• HJR1024 removes key safeguards in the Judicial Nominating Commission.
• The political part is a good removal, but removing the restriction on the attorneys is not a good part
• But the last thing we need is to remove the...

Bills: HB4248 , HB4429 , HB2588 , HB3472 , HB4317 , HB3462 , HB2035 , HB3501 , HB3127 , HB3143 , HB3144 , HB3260 , HB4321 , HB3011 , HB3522 , HB3530 , HB3940 , HB3078 , HB3043 , HB3005 , HB3007 , HB3403 , HB1907 , HB3175 , HB3986 , HB3466 , HB3411 , HB4246 , SJR49 , HB3281 , HB4319 , HJR1086 , HJR1024 , HJR1087

Keywords: HB4248, hemp beverage, hemp drinks, THC beverage, cannabis beverage, intoxicating hemp, age restriction, under 21, minor possession, youth access, public health and safety, Title 63, Oklahoma Statutes, retail sales, alcohol-style regulation, controlled substances, beverage regulation, proxy advisory services, shareholder rights, financial transparency

Transcript Highlights:

• For the most part, the changes remove unnecessary or obsolete provisions and update language.
• Paul, Ramsey County, effective March 26, 2025, for a term expiring January 6, 2031.
• 2029 expiring January 1st 2029 Bradford<00:30:09.679><c> Deopena</c><00:30:10.559><c> St.
• </c> expiring January 4th, 2027. expiring January 4th, 2027.
• </c><00:30:28.399><c> January</c><00:30:29.039><c> 6,</c> term expiring January 6, term expiring January

Transcript Highlights:

• It would, I think, require sunset provisions or rule expiration after a certain number of years, which
• The rules only need to be amended to remove the language regarding the expiration dates of the rules.
• We were balancing the direction from the Legislature to increase nutrient removals, but to do so in a
• Today, an emergency rule cannot be repealed; it merely expires after a certain amount of time.
• It merely expires after a certain amount of time.

Summary: The Joint Administrative Procedures Committee met on February 3, 2025, with a quorum present and took up three main items. First, the committee considered a large set of recommended objections to Agency for Health Care Administration rules, all centered on sunset provisions stating the rules would expire after five years. AHCA asked for another deferral while it reviewed the rules, arguing the sunset language was a form of self-restraint rather than an invalid exercise of rulemaking authority. Committee leadership disagreed that further delay would resolve the issue and moved to a single vote covering all objections. The motion passed by roll call, and the committee informed AHCA that an objection would be filed unless the agency amended the rules within 30 days. The committee then heard an informational briefing from the Department of Environmental Protection on its Outstanding Florida Springs rule and stormwater rule. DEP explained that it did not prepare a statement of estimated regulatory cost for the springs rule because the proposed standards largely mirror existing water management district rules and the Central Florida Water Initiative framework, so DEP said there was no new regulatory burden. Members asked about permit authority, costs, and whether the rules were functionally different from prior rules. DEP maintained the rules set minimum standards and did not add costs beyond what regulated parties were already doing. DEP also described implementation of the stormwater rule adopted under the 2020 Clean Waterways Act and later ratified by the Legislature in 2024. DEP said the rule was the product of years of workshops and technical advisory committee meetings, and that the final version included lower-cost alternatives, grandfathering, and phased implementation. DEP estimated the rule’s cost at about $2,600 per acre in the revised CERC, while industry witnesses said the real cost could be much higher, especially if land costs are included. A home builders representative argued the estimate understated impacts, while a stormwater engineer said the rule gives more flexible, performance-based tools and could become more cost-effective over time. Finally, Senator Graal presented proposed Chapter 120 changes in SB 108, aimed at tightening and modernizing rulemaking. The proposal would require five-year rule reviews, annual agency reporting, faster notice of proposed rulemaking after authorizing legislation, electronic filing, public access to incorporated materials, clearer tracking of technical changes, and limits on how long rules can remain pending ratification. Members discussed whether the Legislature should be more specific in statutes about rulemaking deadlines and whether agencies should be more accountable when rules stall. No formal action was taken on the Chapter 120 proposals, and the committee adjourned after discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• this year or it’s expired.
• I can see my friend and go, oh, your tabs are expiring next month or they’re expired.
• </c><01:37:00.840><c> everyone</c> and go oh it's 26 it expires everyone and go oh it's 26 it expires
• </c><01:37:08.640><c> next</c> and go oh your tabs are expiring next and go oh your tabs are expiring
• Your tabs month or they're expired.

Bills: HF3919 , HF1335 , HF3864 , HF3916 , HF3728

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Keywords: veterans benefits, Secret War, Laos veterans, eligibility process, burial fees, veteran designation, electronic license, driver's license, digital credential, transportation, data privacy, authentication, license plates, vehicle registration, validation stickers, Minnesota statutes, transportation policy, aeronautics, transponder, aircraft safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Remove lines 65 through 197 and insert an amendment.
• Remove lines 86 through 208 and insert an amendment.
• Remove lines 235 through 731 in certain amendment.
• Members, time in debate is expired.
• They do exotic removal. And guess who pays for it? They do.

Transcript Highlights:

• Conveniently, we're removing a tax on assets that big banks and large developers will use to generate
• Expiration dates are included with the permit rather than defined in the statute.
• House Bill 773 by the Ways and Means Committee, an act relating to the Department of Finance, to remove
• What this does is it actually removes a barrier and a layer for these professionals.
• June 30, 2009. ...to the Idaho Fish and Game Commission, term to expire June 30, 2029.

Transcript Highlights:

• Were the funds—so both those line items were removed? I'm happy to...
• The second part is, given that even though vacant positions were removed, that does not remove the responsibility
• Removing positions does not remove that responsibility.
• Currently, these funds are set to expire on June 30, 2026.
• Currently, these funds are set to expire on June 30, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• We did ask to have that administrative process removed.
• Provided in the act, but so I wouldn't... so the order wouldn't become final until that period expired
• If they don't appeal, then it just expires. Right. And then not even state the 30 days.
• Expiration of the time within which to appeal under 28-32-42 and pending the rest.
• I think if you're agreed on this level amendment here, it says pending expiration of the time within

Committee: House Judiciary

Summary: The subcommittee on Senate Bill 2224 met to reconcile several amendment versions into a single draft, combining changes from multiple members and Legislative Council. The discussion focused mainly on clarifying the Attorney General’s hearing and enforcement process, including whether to keep or remove specific time limits, how the stay of an Attorney General order should operate, and whether the bill needed to expressly reference the appeal period under existing law. Members also noted other incorporated changes, including a quarterly meeting requirement for the commission, executive session authority, and a district court reference on page 7. A key issue was whether the bill should specify that an Attorney General order is stayed during the time to appeal and through the appeal process. After discussion of the Administrative Agencies Practices Act, the subcommittee agreed that the bill should reference the appeal period under Section 28-32-42, rather than restating the number of days in the bill itself. The proposed language was refined to say the order must be stayed pending expiration of the time to appeal under 28-32-42 and pending the judgment or order on appeal. The members moved and seconded the amendment with the clarified stay language, indicating agreement to advance the revised version. They discussed process for final review and agreed to reconvene as needed, with a committee meeting planned for Monday after floor session, pending notice and scheduling. No roll call vote was taken in the transcript, but the subcommittee appeared to approve the amendment by voice vote and prepare it for further committee action.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's only been in place for several years, and its expiration date is coming up, which is driving its
• The legislature extended the expiration date of the credit to July 1, 2030.
• The legislature extended the expiration date of the credit to July 1, 2030, but it did not change the
• A particular preference in a particular year or whether a preference is about to expire.
• However, we'll remove any expired preferences or repealed preferences and, of course, add newly enacted

Committee: Joint Citizen Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences

Summary: The Citizen Commission on Tax Preferences met on May 7, 2025, with quorum present and first approved the October 22, 2024 meeting minutes. The Attorney General’s office then provided the annual open government refresher, reviewing key requirements of the Public Records Act and Open Public Meetings Act, including broad disclosure obligations, records retention, response procedures for public records requests, and meeting rules for quorums, executive sessions, and notice requirements. Staff then reviewed the 2025 legislative session, noting 23 tax-preference bills passed, with five signed by the governor at that time. Highlights included legislation extending or repealing several preferences, adding reporting requirements for newspaper and digital content tax exemptions, and creating a new exemption for zero-emission buses. The commission also approved updates to the 2026 tax preference review schedule, which includes eight preferences in seven reviews, and approved unchanged 2025 testimony questions for use in future reviews. JLARC staff presented the 2025 expedited tax preference review report covering 52 preferences, using Department of Revenue studies and prior JLARC work rather than full new reviews. Staff also outlined development of the next 10-year review cycle for 2027-2036, including a possible rolling schedule approach, with legislative input to be sought over the coming months. The meeting concluded with thanks and recognition of Ron Buing’s service as he steps off the commission, and no public comment was received.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the way for us to be able to make sure they don't get into somebody's hands is they expire.
• because grandma has passed away and it therefore will expire, or it's out on the streets and it will
• expire, which then Seattle or the other parking enforcement will catch and then ticket somebody.
• nobody, and I'm out there on the streets that goes around and tickets if a placard, one that's not expired
• that restriction. that we heard in committee would do is remove that restriction.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee met for work sessions, public hearings, and executive action. In the work session, WSDOT briefed the committee on the U.S. 12 corridor near Walla Walla and the North Spokane Corridor. Brian White said U.S. 12 is an eight-phase project with seven phases complete, and phase eight would finish the corridor, improve freight mobility and safety, and include a jurisdictional transfer of the old highway back to Walla Walla County. He said the project remains short of full funding, including a gap between the $350 million corridor cost and the $110 million federal Rural Surface Transportation grant, but WSDOT hopes to build smaller independent-utility pieces and begin construction in summer 2027. Charlene K. then reported that the North Spokane Corridor is seven of eight highway miles open, with major remaining work on the I-90 connection and related interchanges, bridges, and trail segments. She described the project as on track for design completion in 2027 and construction completion around 2030, while noting risks tied to federal approval, tight construction space, labor and contractor availability, utilities, and community impacts. The committee also heard from Karen Messmer of the Cooper Jones Active Transportation Safety Council, who summarized the council’s 2025 report and 2026 priorities. She emphasized that pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities remain unacceptably high and urged a safe-system approach focused on safer speeds, roads, road users, vehicles, land use, and post-crash care. She highlighted recommendations including safety-based performance measures, better speed management, more local safety planning support, improved driver education, attention to micromobility and large vehicles, and faster toxicology and crash-data processing. In public hearings, the committee heard Senate Bill 6131, which would expand the Washington Traffic Safety Commission’s fatal crash review authority, designate it as a public health authority for limited access to health information, and create a confidential fatality review committee. The sponsor and Traffic Safety Commission said the bill would help identify common contributing factors in all fatal crashes while protecting confidential information; a media representative testified that the bill preserves public access to records already open and supports the goal of improving safety. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6155, which would extend disability parking placard renewal from every five years to every 20 years and remove the need for a health care practitioner’s signature at renewal; supporters said this would reduce burdens on permanently disabled people, while opponents warned it could increase fraud and misuse of placards. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 6238, which would raise the minimum tug escort horsepower for oil tankers in restricted waters to 3,000 horsepower or 5% of tanker deadweight, whichever is greater; the sponsor and Board of Pilotage said the change would align statute with current practice and newly adopted rules. Testimony was mixed, and the hearing closed with two people signed in pro and two con. In executive session, the committee advanced several bills. It passed Senate Bill 5746 on EV charging infrastructure property crime, Senate Bill 5824 on fifth wheel travel trailer length, Senate Bill 6110 on e-bikes and e-motos, Senate Bill 5839 on county ferry district passenger-only service, and Senate Bill 6148 on regional transit authority bond terms, all with due pass recommendations to the Rules Committee. An amendment to SB 6110 adding several state agency leaders to the e-moto work group was rejected. The committee adjourned after signing committee reports.

Transcript Highlights:

• animal control officer or a law enforcement officer is authorized to enter the motor vehicle and remove
• shall permit it to stand unattended without first stopping the engine, locking the ignition, and removing
• So just to clarify, if any changes to Section 2 were removed, you would be pro? Correct. Thank you.
• The judgment may not be extended if it includes medical debt, and after the expiration of the six-year
• Even if there was a 9% interest on it, if it expires in six years, there's no consequence to a credit

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several bills. SB 5720 would enact the Uniform Consumer Debt Default Judgments Act, adding complaint and notice requirements before default judgments in consumer debt cases and preserving existing debt-buyer protections; the sponsor and witnesses from consumer and collection groups described it as a compromise measure, and there was broad support with 53 people signed in pro. SB 5833 would allow a vehicle to remain running for up to 30 minutes to keep a pet safe from heat or cold; the sponsor said he would amend liability language, while animal control and police groups raised concerns about shifting the focus away from animal welfare and creating liability issues, though many sign-ins were pro (107 pro, 4 con). SB 5936 would update human trafficking law by allowing prosecution of business entities that knowingly benefit from trafficking, adding confidentiality protections for victims, and creating a process for T and U visa certifications; survivors and advocacy groups supported it, while hospitality and law enforcement groups asked for clarifying amendments, especially on business liability and duplicative visa procedures, and sign-ins showed 24 pro and 283 con. SB 5993 would prohibit interest on new and unpaid medical debt and shorten enforcement of judgments involving medical debt to six years without renewal; supporters said it would reduce financial harm and help patients, while hospitals, physicians, collectors, and business groups warned it could discourage payment and worsen provider finances, especially for rural hospitals, with 129 sign-ins pro and no con sign-ins. Finally, SB 5735 would create state standards for labeling imitation firearms, including BB guns and toy guns, with advisories and penalties for altered markings; the sponsor said it was intended to reduce mistaken shootings, while gun-rights and firearms-training witnesses argued federal law already covers the issue and that the bill would burden lawful training and competition, with 8 pro and 184 con sign-ins. The committee closed each public hearing and adjourned without recorded votes on the bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Time for voting is expired.
• Time for voting expired. The clerk will display the tally.
• Time for voting is expired. The clerk will display the tally.
• Time for voting has expired. The clerk will display the tally.
• Time for voting has expired. The clerk will display the tally.

Summary: The House first adopted several ceremonial resolutions congratulating three Eagle Scouts, then concurred in Senate amendments to House bills affecting the town of Milford’s alcohol licensing law and the town of Middleton’s charter. It also passed to enact a Senate bill on maintenance of private roads in Gloucester and engrossed a House bill allowing Plymouth to create a special revenue account for land acquisition. The chamber later observed moments of silence for former Lynn City Councilor Richard “Rick” Ford, Portuguese American community leader Louis Pedroso, and Quincy veteran Mildred “Millie” Cox, and welcomed several guest groups and dignitaries, including students from Fall River, D.A.R. Good Citizen award recipients, and a British minister visiting the State House. Most of the floor session centered on FY27 budget amendments, especially housing and shelter policy. Members debated and rejected multiple Republican amendments that would have tightened eligibility for the HomeBASE and emergency shelter programs by requiring citizenship or limiting access to U.S. citizens with Massachusetts residency, with supporters arguing the changes would reduce costs and opponents saying the programs already have strict eligibility rules and that the proposals would exclude lawful residents and vulnerable families. The House also rejected an amendment to block Housing and Livable Communities grants from being conditioned on MBTA Communities Act compliance, with supporters calling it a reprieve for noncompliant towns and opponents saying the law is helping address the housing shortage. A consolidated housing/environment amendment was then adopted 154-0, funding major housing, shelter, clean water, climate, and food assistance accounts. The chamber also defeated amendments to create a data center commission and to eliminate the vocational-technical school admissions lottery, though the latter was withdrawn after debate. Another rejected amendment would have suspended public policy and public benefit charges on electric and gas bills; opponents said that would eliminate low-income and senior bill relief. The House then turned to education-related amendments, rejecting proposals to change special education reimbursement formulas and to raise the reimbursement rate from 75% to 80%, with opponents arguing the ideas needed committee review and cost analysis. Finally, the House began debating an amendment to fully fund regional school transportation by removing “subject to appropriation,” but the transcript ends before any final vote on that item.

Transcript Highlights:

• Gentleman's time has expired. The chair... Gentleman's time has expired.
• Right. >> Ladies, time has expired.
• Speaker. >> Gentleman's time has expired.
• So we know whatever we do here is null and void until our injunction is removed. removed.
• Lady's time has expired. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, ma'am.

Transcript Highlights:

• Barbering and Cosmetology for a term to expire June 30, 2029.
• To Governor's Message 698, Trinette Kahui for a term to expire June 30, 2030.
• Board, term to expire June 30, 2030.
• June 30 of this year and the succeeding term to expire June 30 of 2032.
• the succeeding term to expire June 30 of 2032.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Summary: The Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee heard and considered a long list of Governor’s messages for appointments to state boards and commissions, including the Board of Dentistry, Barbering and Cosmetology, Speech Pathology and Audiology, Motor Vehicle Industry Licensing Board, Elevator Mechanics Licensing Board, Real Estate Commission, Board of Naturopathic Medicine, State Boxing Commission, Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors and Landscape Architects, Hawaii Medical Board, Board of Physical Therapy, Board of Pharmacy, and the Public Utilities Commission. Most nominees and supporting agencies testified in support, and many nominees simply stood on their written testimony. Several nominees also answered questions about their experience and the issues facing their boards, including dental insurance and Medicaid concerns, condo and real estate disputes, pharmacy regulation and telepharmacy, boxing and MMA rule updates, and medical board service in rural areas. The committee discussed some contested or notable nominations in more detail. Richard Emery’s nomination to the Real Estate Commission drew opposition testimony tied to a condo management dispute, and he responded by emphasizing the need for factual evidence, mediation and complaint data, and better consumer education. Trinette Kahui and Andrea Ushijima were also nominated to the Real Estate Commission, with broad support. For the Boxing Commission, Robin Jumawan described ongoing statutory updates, MMA-related work, and delegation of amateur boxing rules. For the Hawaii Medical Board, Elizabeth Ignacio was strongly endorsed by state and industry witnesses as highly qualified and familiar with rural health issues, while Rebecca Sawai also received support from the board and Kaiser Permanente. In the decision-making portion, the committee moved to advise and consent to nearly all nominees on the agenda. Senator McKelvey stated reservations about Richard Emery due to opposition and possible conflicts, and also about nominees who were not present at the hearing, specifically Corrine Muldrow Soto and Stacie Kealoha Inouye; Senator Lamasao also noted reservations on those absent nominees. The chair disclosed personal acquaintance with Dr. Sawai and Andrea Ushijima. The committee then voted to adopt the recommendations, with the noted reservations and one no vote on GM 697 reflected in the record, and later reconvened to take up Governor’s Message 514/515 for John Etemura as chairperson of the Public Utilities Commission, where additional support testimony was heard from the Governor’s office, DCCA, and former consumer advocacy staff.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, and there is testimony from the ground owner that there's current leases there that won't expire
• <00:07:37.880><c> there</c><00:07:38.120><c> that</c><00:07:38.360><c> won't</c><00:07:38.560><c> expire
• </c><00:07:39.720><c> for</c> leases there that won't expire for leases there that won't expire for another
• </c><00:08:05.320><c> of</c><00:08:05.440><c> the</c> there is an extended expiration of the there is
• an extended expiration of the on<00:08:06.160><c> the</c><00:08:06.520><c> lease</c><00:08:06.960><c

Bills: HB2583 , HB1591 , HB1749 , HB2423

Committee: Senate Ways and Means

Summary: The joint Ways and Means and Consumer Protection meeting was a decision-making session on a series of House bills, with no oral testimony taken. The committees first acted on HB 2583, recommending passage on amended, and HB 1591, recommending passage with amendments related to health care. They also recommended passage on amended for HB 1749 on cesspools and HB 2423 on biodiesel, with each recommendation adopted by the members present. The committees then considered a second agenda block that included HB 2080, HB 1520, HB 1576, HB 1711, HB 1785, HB 1802, HB 1838, HB 1842, HB 1853, HB 1976, HB 2104, HB 2218, HB 2246, HB 2270, HB 2289, HB 2361, HB 2551, and HB 2606. Most were recommended for passage unamended and adopted without objection. HB 1520 was deferred because the Senate bill had already crossed over. HB 1711 was amended to replace the option period established by the corporation with a period of up to 10 years. HB 2289 was amended to remove repeal of a ceiling and set a $1 million expenditure ceiling for the automated victim information and notification system special fund. Several members noted reservations on HB 1842, which involved transfer of the Westridge parcel near a rail station; concerns were raised about the property’s value, the long-term lease status, and whether the city would actually accept or pursue the transfer. HB 1853 was passed unamended, with the committee noting the Lions Association had suggestions that could be addressed later in conference. HB 2218 was passed unamended while adopting DLNR testimony to clarify collaboration with community groups in stewarding public lands and recreational areas. In each case, the stated recommendations were adopted, often with members voting no with reservation rather than in opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• Gross, I'm sorry, your time is expired.
• Your time is expired. I know, but Ms. Lloyd, your time is expired. You are failing children.
• And if you could finish that sentence, your time's expired. Okay.
• Time has expired. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.
• Your time's expired. Sorry to cut you off. Time's expired. That's okay.

Summary: The committee first took up SB 1272 on guardianship, which would limit a guardian’s ability to isolate an adult ward from family and require notice to family or other named persons about major events such as a ward’s death or medical relocation. Senator Jones said the bill was intended to curb abuse by bad actors while not affecting good-faith guardians. Fortuna Smuggler and Phyllis Smith spoke in support, describing the need for family notification and closure. The bill passed unanimously, 8-0, and was reported favorably. The committee then considered CS/SB 1284 on wrongful death for an unborn child. Senator Graal explained that the bill would expand Florida’s Wrongful Death Act to allow parents to recover economic and non-economic damages for the death of an unborn child. An amendment was adopted to define “unborn child” as a member of the species Homo sapiens carried in the womb and to state that the act does not authorize a wrongful death action against the mother or a health care provider acting within the applicable standard of care. The amendment drew questions about abortion, medical emergencies, and whether fathers could sue; the sponsor said the bill was not intended to create claims against mothers or lawful medical care. Public testimony was sharply divided, with supporters arguing it gives families parity and accountability, and opponents warning it could be used to target abortion care, increase malpractice pressure, and worsen physician shortages. The committee approved the bill as amended by a 6-4 vote. Finally, the committee heard a strike-all amendment to SB 1288 on parental rights. The amendment would strengthen parental consent requirements for minors’ medical care, with exceptions for emergencies, court orders, certain legal categories of minors, and other existing statutory exceptions. It also would require parental consent for treatment related to STD screening, give parents more control over school or health surveys, and address use of biofeedback devices. Supporters said the measure restores parents’ authority and protects children from inappropriate questioning or treatment, while opponents argued it could block needed care for minors in unsafe homes, reduce access to STI treatment and mental health services, and create unintended consequences. The amendment was adopted, and the committee continued hearing testimony on the bill.