Transcript Highlights:

• </c> annually on an annual to operate there. annually on an annual to operate there.
• </c> vehicle operations. vehicle operations.
• </c><01:36:20.960><c> So,</c> autonomous vehicle operations. So, autonomous vehicle operations.
• </c> or are there some that are gas operated? or are there some that are gas operated?
• </c><02:07:18.840><c> The</c> operating in this vehicle. The operating in this vehicle.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> operate. That's that's my opinion, Mr. operate. That's that's my opinion, Mr.
• The operating is intended to do.
• For the LGBTQIA2S+ Council, a $460,000 operating increase and $24,000 operating adjustment.
• For the LGBTQIA2S+ Council, a $460,000 operating increase and $24,000 operating adjustment.
• </c> operating increase and $24,000 operating operating increase and $24,000 operating adjustment.<01

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> to cryptobased data mining operations. to cryptobased data mining operations.
• ><c> the</c><00:03:00.640><c> utilities</c> If set operation increased the utilities If set operation
• </c> to have a crypto mining operation to have a crypto mining operation uh<00:04:33.360><c> seek</c>
• </c> since they've been in operation. since they've been in operation.
• Is there a a transient operation.

Transcript Highlights:

• It looked like it was operating funds, but it was not.
• We'll treat it as operational funds.
• If it's operational dollars, it's another.
• If it's operational dollars, it's another.
• operational funds.

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

Summary: The committee met to review education audit reports and adopted the minutes. Legislative Audit reported 103 education audits total, with 89 having no findings and 14 containing findings. The committee first heard from Camden Fairview School District, which had findings for spending operating funds on an end-of-year employee banquet and for unauthorized credit card charges. District officials said they had implemented stronger internal controls, stopped using the affected card, and would limit future events to comply with state law and constitutional requirements. Members questioned the district about prior practices, donated funds, and how teacher appreciation could continue without using operating funds; the report was filed as reviewed. The committee then reviewed Forest City School District, which had a finding for spending $33,000 in operating funds on an off-campus end-of-year celebration and entertainment event. District representatives said the money came from a long-standing Pepsi-related donation fund, but acknowledged confusion over whether it should be treated as operational funds and said they would stop using it that way and provide training to staff and the board. Members discussed whether the funds were private donations or operating funds, the lack of a formal board vote, and whether the event was intended to recognize staff and growth; the report was filed as reviewed. The committee also received notice of more serious findings that were referred to the prosecuting attorney and attorney general, including Conway School District for misuse of district funds and resources by former maintenance employees, Magnolia School District for undeposited activity funds, Westside School District for undocumented and personal credit card charges, and Boonville School District for paying a board member’s son in excess of the statutory limit without an approved exemption. The remaining eight reports with findings were filed en masse as reviewed, and the 89 reports with no findings were also filed en masse. The committee adjourned after noting that most districts reviewed had no findings.

Transcript Highlights:

• It looked like it was operating funds, but it was not.
• Are these school operational funds? Which one were they?
• Are these school operational funds? Which one were they?
• If it's operational dollars, it's another.
• operational funds.

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

Summary: The committee met to review education audit reports and heard responses from several school districts with findings. Camden Fairview School District was cited for using operating funds for an end-of-year employee awards banquet and for unauthorized credit card charges that caused a small loss; district officials said the current administration had strengthened controls, stopped the banquet practice, and improved monthly credit card reconciliation. Members questioned whether the prior officials were still employed, whether the credit card issue was an outside hack, and how teacher appreciation could continue without using district funds. Forest City School District was cited for spending about $33,000 on an off-campus staff celebration and entertainment event; district representatives said the money came from long-standing Pepsi-related donation funds, that the event was intended to recognize staff and growth, and that they would change practices and receive training going forward. Members discussed whether those funds were private donations or operational funds, and staff said the district’s accounting treatment made them subject to the constitutional restriction at issue. The committee also reviewed several other findings. Conway School District was referred for an ongoing investigative report involving misuse of district funds and resources by former maintenance employees. Magnolia School District had undeposited activity funds totaling more than $21,000, tied to a resigned high school secretary and sponsor receipts not deposited. Westside School District had about $30,000 in credit card charges lacking documentation or business purpose, including charges by the superintendent, personal purchases, and items shipped to personal addresses; the matter was referred to the prosecuting attorney. Boonville School District was cited for paying a board member’s son more than the statutory limit for seasonal groundskeeping without the required exemption, and DESE later denied the exemption request. After discussing those cases, the committee filed the remaining eight findings en masse and then filed the 89 reports with no findings. Members noted that most school districts audited had clean reports and encouraged districts to continue good practices while learning from the findings discussed.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are large diversified farm operations.
• </c><00:22:28.760><c> and</c> from larger farm operations and from larger farm operations and holdings
• </c> agricultural operations scales. agricultural operations scales.
• </c> operations in the state. operations in the state. &gt;&gt; Thank<00:40:20.600><c> you.
• operations in the state. state. state.

Bills: SB2319 , SB2407 , SB2489 , SB2153 , SB2321 , SB2805 , SB3010 , SB2892 , SB2595 , SB2781

Committees: House Agriculture & Food Systems , House Agriculture and Environment

Keywords: agriculture, biosecurity, grant funding, food security, climate resiliency, agricultural development, Hawaii Island, property manager, agribusiness, state employment, invasive species, lease provisions, environment, food safety, farmers, local food systems, rural development, livestock, forage grasses, pest management

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> does contain the governor's uh operating does contain the governor's uh operating adjustments<00
• Last, there's the operating tails.
• </c> all the operating all the operating increases<00:24:25.679><c> and</c><00:24:25.919><c> then</c>
• </c><00:45:54.000><c> So</c> with the uh operating adjustment. So with the uh operating adjustment.
• </c> operating adjustment. operating adjustment.

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Operationally, it would provide both boards with a dedicated licensing position for regular operations
• How would the 3% reduction impact agency operations if it was maintained?
• operations.
• Our legal team with Operation Nightingale.
• Christopher Palazola, Deputy Executive Director of Operations.

Summary: The joint budget hearing covered several health licensing and regulatory agencies presenting their legislative appropriations requests for the 2028–2029 biennium. The Health Professions Council described savings from its shared-services model and requested funding for data center maintenance, a required software license, and targeted equity adjustments, while noting that some member agencies were leaving the shared website program. The Executive Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Examiners asked for funding to repurpose an occupational therapy specialist position, add an investigator, provide targeted salary adjustments, and increase executive director salary authority. The Texas Optometry Board requested funds to offset the 3% base reduction, provide small staff salary increases, pay contractors to review patient records during inspections, and cover its share of HPC costs. The Texas State Board of Dental Examiners sought salary increases, a contingency fund for retirements, operational cost increases, IT replacements, automation of criminal background checks, additional staff for complaint and legal work, and HPC-related funding. The Behavioral Health Executive Council said its requests were driven by rapid growth in complaints and licensees, and included additional attorneys and investigators, clinical review staff, salary equity adjustments, a Texas-specific psychology exam, NPDB continuous query funding, a Microsoft 365 upgrade, office space for new staff, and HPC support. The Board of Nursing reported major growth in its licensee population and ongoing fallout from Operation Nightingale, and requested IT modernization, continued fraud-response funding, 13 new FTEs, salary equity adjustments, partial restoration of the 3% cut, support for the peer assistance program, and funding for the Texas Center for Nursing Workforce Studies. The Texas Medical Board said its revenue is sufficient but appropriations constrain operations, and requested workforce compensation and reclassification funding, continued modernization of document and call-center systems, support for the Texas Physician Health Program, and related fee/appropriation adjustments. Across the hearing, members asked about how shared-cost formulas work, how agencies manage workload growth, and how proposed technology and staffing changes would improve efficiency and public protection. Agency leaders generally emphasized retention, continuity, and modernization, and several public witnesses, including representatives from the Texas Public Employees Association, supported the salary and staffing requests. No votes were taken, and the hearing concluded after each agency presentation and questions from the dais.

Transcript Highlights:

• And ensure safe and reliable operations.
• Scott Dixon, Operating Engineers, in support.
• Operating Engineers, Local 3, in support.
• They have regular stoppages in operation.
• Dean Fadif, Operating Engineers, in support.

Summary: The Assembly Natural Resources Committee heard three major bills. SB 237, by Senator Grayson, proposed a package of fuel-supply and permitting changes aimed at stabilizing gasoline prices during California’s energy transition. Supporters, including state officials, Kern County representatives, labor groups, and industry groups, said it would help retain in-state refining and drilling capacity, reduce price spikes, and protect jobs. Opponents, including environmental justice and conservation groups, argued it would expand oil drilling without enough community protections and would not meaningfully address climate goals. After extensive testimony and questions about emissions, sunsets, and long-term strategy, the committee passed SB 237 on a due pass vote, with some members voting no or not voting. SB 352, by Senator Reyes, sought to strengthen implementation of AB 617, the community air protection program, by codifying the Environmental Justice Bureau in the Department of Justice, extending monitoring requirements, and requiring annual legislative reporting. Supporters said the bill would improve accountability and ensure that funding for impacted communities actually produces emissions reductions. Some environmental justice advocates were neutral or not fully supportive because they wanted stronger language, while business and industry groups opposed the bill, arguing it was added late and duplicated existing processes. The committee approved SB 352 on a due pass vote. SB 840, by Senator Limon, was the cap-and-invest reauthorization package. It would update offset protocols, adjust how revenues are spent, and continue funding for key climate, housing, transit, and community programs, including AB 617. Support came from environmental groups, labor, local governments, housing advocates, and clean transportation organizations, while some agricultural interests objected that the package did not sufficiently prioritize climate-smart agriculture and methane reduction programs. The committee passed SB 840 on a due pass vote as well. All three measures were later confirmed out of committee after calls were lifted.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're just allowing people who are licensed to operate the machines that they're licensed to operate
• We're just allowing people who are licensed to operate the machines that they're licensed to operate
• licensed to operate inside of they're licensed to operate inside of the<00:37:56.240><c> same</c><00
• They're still operating the same machines that they're allowed to operate in a different facility.
• They're still operating the same machines that they're allowed to operate in a different facility.

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 566, which would implement the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation created last year. Chairman Cook described major provisions affecting charitable gaming, horse racing, sports wagering, and quarter horse racing, including locking charitable gaming fees in statute at a slightly lower rate, expanding charitable gaming board representation, preserving existing gaming technology, allowing school districts to hold charitable gaming licenses, and setting up self-funding for the new corporation through administrative set-asides from gaming-related funds. The bill also addresses uncashed vouchers, cross-training of investigators, ethics and employment provisions, and a three-year quarter horse breeding incentive intended to grow the industry. A committee substitute made two technical changes: clarifying voucher money stays with the track facility and making the school district itself the license holder. The substitute and then the bill both passed favorably, with several members noting concerns from last year but supporting the revised structure. The committee then heard House Bill 70, an interstate compact for dietitians. Sponsor Representative Vanessa Grossl and witnesses said the measure would allow reciprocity with other compact states, improve workforce mobility, help military families, expand patient access and telehealth, and reduce administrative burden on the licensing board. The committee substitute created a third license category for educational interpreters, but that language actually belonged to the next bill; for HB 70, the committee voted the bill favorably without reported amendments. The bill passed unanimously or near-unanimously and was sent to the House floor. Next, House Bill 72 was presented by Representative DJ Johnson to amend the law governing limited x-ray machine operators. The sponsor explained that current law effectively prevents limited x-ray operators from working in the same facility as other imaging equipment, which he said creates compliance problems, disrupts training, and can force practices to move equipment or lose employees. The bill would allow limited x-ray technicians to operate in the same facility as other imaging equipment. During discussion, some members noted opposition from students and others in the field, and the sponsor invited industry witnesses to explain their concerns. The transcript cuts off before final action on HB 72 is completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Allowing them to operate with no human is the poison pill here for us.
• Is it the operator or the owner of the driving system?
• system is being operated.
• But anyway, I was just looking at operating budgets for H-E-B.
• It looks like both are operating at right around $10,000 per student.

Bills: HB1540 , HB3837 , HB5571 , SB370 , SB2425

Committee: House Delivery of Government Efficiency

Keywords: government review, Texas Sunset Act, regulatory oversight, agencies, sunset provisions, autonomous vehicles, regulation, safety, criminal offense, Autonomous Vehicle Commission, registration, regulations, Level 4 automation, Level 5 automation, self-driving technology, traffic laws, permit system, collision reporting, safety standards, Automated Vehicle Commission

Transcript Highlights:

• and say they go to Nebraska to operate, standard operating procedure is the Secretary of State from
• So our business, how we operate, we just need them more regularly.
• It operates the same way as any brokered real estate deal.
• We are operating in a very illiquid market.
• We are operating in a very illiquid market.

Committee: House Joint Committee on Rural Economic Development

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2508, which would clarify that Missouri series LLCs may obtain standalone certificates of good standing from the Secretary of State and be individually listed on the Secretary of State’s website. Representative Chris Brown said the bill is intended to remove uncertainty created by a newer interpretation of the law and help Missouri businesses operate in other states. Committee members and witnesses from law and business groups generally supported the measure, emphasizing transparency, easier verification of entities, and reduced barriers to interstate business. No opposition was offered, and the hearing on HB 2508 was closed. The committee then heard House Bill 2517, which would require real estate wholesalers to provide a written disclosure before contracting with a seller, stating that they are acting as a wholesaler, do not represent the seller, may assign the contract, and encouraging the seller to seek legal counsel. Representative Brown described the bill as a consumer protection measure aimed at preventing deceptive practices that can harm distressed homeowners, seniors, heirs, and first-time sellers. Members raised questions about whether the disclosure should be more prominent and whether the bill would affect legitimate investors. Brown and several supporters said the bill targets bad actors without restricting legitimate transactions. Testimony on HB 2517 was mixed but broadly supportive of disclosure. The Missouri Association of Realtors, the Missouri Chamber, and several wholesalers and homebuyers supported the bill’s transparency requirements, while warning that overregulation could hurt the market for distressed and blighted properties. Supporters described wholesalers as important to moving off-market homes into the hands of rehabbers and argued that disclosure helps ensure sellers understand the transaction. One witness said the Senate companion bill had been amended to require disclosure 14 days before contracting and to make Attorney General enforcement discretionary, which would eliminate the fiscal note, though some witnesses said the 14-day requirement could burden sellers in urgent situations. The hearing on HB 2517 was then closed, with no votes taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:09:55.519><c> and</c> as payroll taxes operational and as payroll taxes operational and Staffing
• </c><00:51:59.200><c> and</c> whether you're a 24-hour operation and whether you're a 24-hour operation
• </c> with a family small business operating with a family small business operating in<01:13:19.880><c
• Similar thing is if you kept county operations, if one county it cost $1 million to create that operations
• c> $1 million to create that operations $1 million to create that operations nothing<01:19:49.719><c>

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Metro is now the second-largest public transit operator in the country.
• They will operate as if they're operating today, as long as they meet the spacing requirements in the
• And so I think I understood that at times they operate up to 25 miles.
• There has been zero negative impact on freight operations or the passenger operations that utilize freight
• It's a process of the operation that they have.

Summary: The committee first heard SB 220, which would require Los Angeles Metro to submit an expedited governance reform report to the Legislature in light of Measure G and the upcoming creation of a countywide elected executive. Senator Allen said the bill was intended to prompt a locally driven discussion about how Metro’s board should reflect the new county structure, not to prescribe a specific governance plan. Metro and the City of Los Angeles opposed the bill, arguing that local task forces and an ad hoc Metro committee were already studying the issue and that the bill was premature and unnecessary. Several committee members echoed local-control concerns, while others supported keeping the bill alive as a vehicle for further discussion. The bill was moved on a do-pass motion to Appropriations and ultimately recorded at 7-2, with the measure held on call for absent members. The committee then heard SB 667, the California Railway Safety Act, which would require freight railroads to install wayside detector systems at specified intervals, with different treatment for short-line railroads, and would require railroad response plans to be submitted to the CPUC. The author and labor supporters argued the bill would help prevent derailments like the East Palestine disaster by detecting overheated bearings earlier and improving crew notification and inspection protocols. Railroads and business groups opposed the bill, saying the spacing mandate and related requirements would be costly, could slow freight and passenger operations in shared corridors, and might discourage investment in short-line infrastructure. After extensive discussion about safety, preemption, costs, and passenger rail impacts, the committee passed the bill to Appropriations on a 7-2 vote, with the measure also held on call. Finally, the committee took up ACR 71, which designates a portion of State Route 101 in Santa Clara County as the Little Saigon Freeway. The author and numerous supporters described the designation as a recognition of San Jose’s Vietnamese American community, its refugee history, and the cultural and commercial importance of Little Saigon. There was no opposition testimony. Members spoke in support, including comments about the connection between the San Jose and Orange County Vietnamese communities. The resolution was adopted and sent to Appropriations on a unanimous roll call among those present, with 10 votes recorded before the chair returned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we would ask that contractors or operation managers limit the speed limit and provide... ...or operation
• And as far as we know, the facility is operational or under construction at this time.
• Okay. ...as far as we know, the facility is operational or under construction at this time.
• : “Produced water is not ready to be used outside of oil and gas operations.
• But we have a situation where an operator is abusing 89044, which currently says that an operator may

Bills: SB3074 , HB49 , HB2440 , HB3556 , HB3619 , HB3866 , HB4042 , HB4112 , HB4271 , HB4413 , HB4426 , HB5033 , HB49

Committee: Senate Natural Resources

Summary: The committee heard and laid out several natural resources and environmental bills, with testimony focused on balancing development, public health, wildlife protection, and regulatory authority. SB 3074 would allow the governor, lieutenant governor, and legislators to communicate in writing with TCEQ about matters before the commission, with safeguards requiring the communication to be part of the record and allowing other parties to respond; a committee substitute narrowed it to written communications about permits only, limited legislator communications to facilities in their districts, and adjusted conflict-of-interest rules. HB 3556, as substituted, would require notice to Texas Parks and Wildlife for certain very tall structures in specified coastal counties and give TPWD a limited right to seek injunctive relief if mitigation is insufficient to prevent material harm to migratory birds; supporters said it would address ignored wildlife recommendations and protect key flyways, while opponents argued the bill was too broad, singled out wind energy, and gave one agency unusually strong enforcement power. HB 49 would expand liability protections for produced-water recycling and beneficial use; supporters said it would encourage reuse of a large wastewater stream and reduce disposal pressures, while opponents warned it could shield operators from responsibility before the science and standards are mature. HB 4413 would authorize mass-balance accounting for renewable biomass feedstocks, and HB 3866 would regulate intermediate bulk container recycling facilities near homes, with a committee substitute adding a grandfather clause and making implementation contingent on funding. The committee also heard bills affecting air and energy regulation. HB 5033 would create a trigger to end vehicle emissions inspections if federal law changes to allow it; the substitute removed a Supreme Court-related trigger, and the lone public witness opposed the bill, warning it would worsen air quality and harm nonattainment areas. HB 4112 would clarify that on-site storage of high-level radioactive waste is allowed at current and future nuclear reactors and university research reactors only for waste generated at that site; the substitute clarified the language and removed an inoperative permit condition, and witnesses from environmental and nuclear groups said the clarification was needed to prevent unintended restrictions while avoiding off-site storage. HB 2440 would prohibit state agencies from using air-quality rules to ban or restrict vehicles based on energy source, including internal combustion vehicles, and no public testimony was offered. HB 4271 would require TCEQ to hold public meetings on request for composting facility authorizations; the substitute limited the requirement to future applications and was presented as a transparency measure after a denied local request and extensive public comments. Additional bills addressed landowner protections and Railroad Commission oversight. HB 3619 would require the Railroad Commission to restore surface land after plugging or replugging operations and indemnify landowners from damages tied to authorized entry; a witness supported the bill but urged fixing a separate statutory loophole that he said allowed operators to enter unrelated tracts without notice. HB 4042 would extend Railroad Commission pipeline safety and fee provisions to propane distribution systems by removing the word “natural” from the relevant definitions. HB 4426 would set a 10-year permit term for commercial surface disposal facilities, allow renewal based on compliance history, and require renewal applications 120 days before expiration. The committee took no votes because a quorum was not initially present, and each bill was left pending after testimony and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,<00:07:50.560><c> forest</c><00:07:51.240><c> management,</c> operations, forest management, operations
• </c> Combined with the lack of an operating Combined with the lack of an operating adjustment,<00:09:
• </c> have to look at reduced zoo operational have to look at reduced zoo operational hours.<00:15:25.839
• </c> require the the necessary operating require the the necessary operating adjustments<00:21:13.520
• Lack of operating their jobs.

Bills: HF2439

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Keywords: environmental protection, pollution reduction, waste management, climate change, funding allocations

Transcript Highlights:

• Number one, it addresses operating deficits.
• </c> cost of Readiness within the operational cost of Readiness within the operational costs<00:05:07.680
• </c> for Stanford ambulance we operate for Stanford ambulance we operate ambulances<00:08:03.159><c>
• This does not include our metro operation.
• </c> assuming they had an operational assuming they had an operational deficit<00:15:44.040><c> represent

Summary: The committee took up House File 337, a bill addressing long-term funding for rural and Greater Minnesota EMS and ambulance services. The author offered the A2 amendment, moved to divide it, and the committee adopted lines 1.2 to 1.19 of the amendment. The bill, as amended, was described as creating a policy framework for identifying ambulance services with operating deficits, requiring financial audits, and setting up a future grant program, with the author emphasizing that the proposal was still being developed and was intended to be a long-term solution rather than a short-term fix. Testimony was largely supportive. Eric Simonson of the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities said the bill builds on last session’s one-time aid and would target grant dollars using state data, clarify eligible uses, allow audits, address uncompensated care and readiness costs, and require reporting back to the legislature. Mike Warner of the Red Wing Fire Department said his city’s ambulance service operates with a heavy government-funded payer mix and a persistent operating shortfall. Tim Meyer of Sanford Ambulance said low-volume rural services face widening revenue gaps, staffing pressures, and the loss of the volunteer model. Nathan Zacharias of the Association of Minnesota Counties and Kevin Lee of North Memorial Health also supported the bill, citing rising costs, staffing shortages, stagnant reimbursement, and the need for a sustainable statewide funding model. Members raised concerns about how the bill would work in practice, especially around communities that straddle metro and non-metro boundaries and around local control over grant dollars. Representative Pel asked how the eligibility language would apply to places like Northfield and New Prague; the author and a testifier said eligibility would depend on whether a service area is mostly outside the metro area, but acknowledged more review was needed. Representative Huitt argued the bill should give more local control and should address EMS as a statewide issue, not only a Greater Minnesota issue. Representative Ryer asked whether the bill would eventually include revenue recapture or another funding source, and the author said the proposal was still at an early stage and all options were being considered. The committee laid HF 337, as amended, over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• and say they go to Nebraska to operate, standard operating procedure is the Secretary of State from
• So our business, how we operate, we just need them more regularly.
• It operates the same way as any brokered real estate deal.
• I'm actually a practical operator in the Kansas City marketplace.
• We are operating in a very illiquid market.

Committees: House Economic Development , House Joint Committee on Rural Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• And what this does is define EVTOL aircraft and operator.
• I am a livery owner and operator for over 10 years in one of the largest water sports operations in Destin
• I am also the president of the Okaloosa County Water Sports Operators Coalition.
• There was a time that the education portion was cumbersome for operators.
• There was a time that the education portion was cumbersome for operators.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Summary: The Transportation Committee met and considered a series of bills, beginning with SB 266, which would exempt sales and use tax on electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft sold from manufacturers to operators. Senator Harold said the measure is intended to help Florida attract an advanced air mobility industry and create jobs. The committee adopted an amendment clarifying the definition of EVTOL aircraft and excluding drones, then reported the bill favorably. SB 350, by Senator DeSigley, was also reported favorably after a minor amendment; it allows local governments to permit vehicles to travel slowly on flooded streets without being treated as unlawfully impeding traffic. Supporters from the Florida PBA and Florida League of Cities waived in support. The committee next approved SB 706, designating part of U.S. 92/Gandy Boulevard as the Senator James A. Sebesta Memorial Highway. SB 628, Lucy’s Law, was heard with extensive emotional testimony from Lucy Fernandez’s parents and others. The bill strengthens boating safety by increasing penalties for reckless boating, requiring boating safety education after certain violations, and aligning some boating penalties more closely with motor vehicle laws. A substitute amendment was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 872, dealing with county and municipal price controls for the removal and storage of electric vehicles, was also amended and reported favorably after testimony from towing industry representatives about the added costs and storage constraints posed by damaged EVs; the Florida Insurance Council spoke in opposition. The committee then approved SB 650, which expands hazardous walking condition criteria for elementary school students to include walkways along freeways, ramps, and interchanges, regardless of speed limit. SB 1318, the hands-free driving bill, generated substantial testimony from safety advocates and families affected by distracted driving; it would rename Florida’s texting law as a hands-free driving law and prohibit handheld use of wireless devices while driving. The committee also passed SB 994, increasing driver education requirements for standard and learner’s licenses, and SB 662, designating a portion of West Beaver Street in Duval County as Harry Frisch Street. Several senators recorded affirmative votes on bills after the roll calls, and the meeting adjourned after all listed measures were reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• Operation Fool's Treasure. This occurred in January 2025.
• You can just see hopefully the scope and the scale of this operation.
• Since we've begun, we've had 88 operations.
• The whole operation. Do you grab the DVRs from these as well?
• They are very different operations.

Committee: Senate Regulated Industries

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries heard a presentation from the Florida Gaming Control Commission on illegal gambling in Florida. Executive Director Ross Marchman described the commission’s role, the limited number of legal slot-machine locations in the state, and the prevalence of illegal casinos, including “fish tables” and other machines found in strip malls, gas stations, and back rooms. He said the commission has received thousands of complaints, conducted 88 operations, seized thousands of machines and millions in cash and other property, and is currently storing large amounts of seized evidence at significant cost because the cases and appeals are still pending. Marchman argued that illegal casinos are tied to broader criminal activity, including robberies, drug trafficking, human trafficking, firearms offenses, and even murders, and said the current penalties are too weak because most gaming offenses are second-degree misdemeanors. He and members discussed the need for stronger deterrents, better resources, and possible changes to the law, including whether evidence could be reduced to samples rather than retained in full. Senators also asked about cease-and-desist letters to online gaming operators, the role of manufacturers and landlords, and how the commission distinguishes legal amusement machines from illegal slot machines. Daniel McGinn, speaking as an individual, supported the commission’s concerns and said prior enforcement efforts were limited by the statutory scheme. He referenced the Gator Coin case and explained that operators often use licensing agreements and repeated cash-split arrangements to keep machines in circulation. He urged legislative action, noted a gap in the statute regarding private rights of action, and warned against creating carve-outs that could raise constitutional or compact issues. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after the presentation and questions.