Transcript Highlights:

• and landlords hire companies that put out poison, not knowing it can be dangerous to other pets or tenants
• Banning these poisons in Manchester-by-the-Sea won't save birds that hunt across the Commonwealth, but

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources

Summary: The Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources held a late-file hearing focused mainly on coastal access and wildlife protection bills, rodenticide restrictions, and a conservation land use bill. Chair Barbara House opened with technical notes and hearing rules, then Rep. Scarsdale testified for H. 5113, which would name an accessible trail in Groton the Marion Stoddard Riverwalk in honor of the environmental advocate who helped restore the Nashua River. Groton Trails Committee chair Paul Fung also supported the bill, describing the trail, educational signage, and DCR’s involvement. Rep. Sweezey then presented a package of Duxbury beach bills—H. 5141, H. 5140, and H. 5139—aimed at revising shorebird protections, creating parity among beaches, and requiring regular review of outdated recreational-use guidelines. He said the bills were developed with local and agency input to balance conservation and beach access, though he acknowledged some initial concerns from wildlife officials about the language in H. 5141. The committee also heard extensive testimony on local home-rule petitions to restrict second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides and other pesticides. Supporters included Grafton resident Shannon Phelan, Mass Audubon’s Heather Packard, Sen. Ford, Billerica resident William Jubin, Manchester-by-the-Sea resident Anne Harris, and Animal Defenders International’s Drew McCormick. They argued the poisons cause secondary poisoning in owls, hawks, eagles, and other wildlife, can harm pets and livestock, and are increasingly ineffective; several speakers urged local authority because statewide action has been slow. Opponents included Molly Moran of the New England Pest Management Association, who argued regulation should remain at the state level through MDAR to avoid a patchwork of local rules and noted the agency is already reviewing the issue. Additional testimony from Stephanie Ellis, Laura Kelly, Chris Powicki, Cecily Miller, and others supported Eastham and Truro pesticide-reduction petitions, citing wildlife losses, groundwater concerns, and the need for local control. Finally, the committee heard S. 2961 from Dighton town counsel Matthew Costa, which would authorize use of a small portion of conservation land for public way purposes tied to replacement of the Pleasant Street Bridge. Costa said the easements are needed for safety improvements, including a wider bridge deck, sidewalk, guardrail replacement, and erosion controls, and that the affected conservation area is limited and of little natural-resource value. The hearing ended after testimony on these bills, with no votes taken during the session and the committee adjourning at the close of testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• I asked the tenant governor to be on, and I'm so Glad to be on it and I have it here with me Todd Gallaher
• On 857, I will say that we have one card, Ray Hunt, Houston police.

Bills: SB35 , SB284 , SB296 , SB305 , SB857 , SB995 , SB1121 , SB1555 , SB1902 , SCR25 , SB 35

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• Is Daniel Hunt here? Okay, the chair will show Mr.
• Hunt as registered for the bill but not wishing to testify.
• The co-tenants don't know their rights, and they've been financially abused by an heir.
• The problematic attorney fee provision requires non-heir co-tenants to pay legal costs.
• And I'm a tenant in those commercial plazas.

Bills: HB4011 , HB2680 , HB4325 , HB4327 , HB4944 , HB1761 , HB4688 , HB3453 , HB40 , HB1707 , HB4749 , HB2322 , HB3647 , HB4139 , HB4081 , HB2203 , HB2100 , HB4170 , HB3104 , HB4623 , HB40

Committee: House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Keywords: partition, heirs' property, real estate, co-ownership, family property, non-heir cotenant, right of first refusal, pilot services, liability limitation, maritime commerce, Matagorda Bay, Lavaca Bay, transportation code, maritime industry, civil liability, barratry, penalties, legal actions, damages, wrongful death

Transcript Highlights:

• sellers from accepting gift cards for the narrowest subset of age-restricted items, like BB guns, hunting
• walk into a brick-and-mortar store and easily buy such inherently dangerous items like BB guns and hunting
• inherently dangerous to children, including the Wippets, also including weapons and graffiti guns, hunting
• , the Legislature enacted SB 1079, a well-intentioned effort to try and broaden home ownership to tenants
• you. which are enacted SB 1079, a well-intentioned effort to try and broaden home ownership by to tenants

Committee: House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• Because that's, I mean, why are we giving them the loan unless we can keep the tenants in there at an
• They have tenants already, and you're just renovating?
• already and you're they have tenants already and you're you're<00:51:02.359><c> just</c><00:51:02.839
• Adjacent to this studio is the Hunt parcel, Parcel 10. It was a former site of Tamura's store.
• </c><01:24:08.840><c> studio</c><01:24:09.639><c> is</c><01:24:10.400><c> the</c><01:24:10.600><c> hunt

Transcript Highlights:

• I like big individual budgets and small government budgets, and I like to hunt, fish, and do things that
• ><00:25:19.880><c> that</c><00:25:20.000><c> are</c><00:25:20.200><c> in</c> reliable rent paying tenants
• that are in reliable rent paying tenants that are in their<00:25:20.520><c> buildings</c><00:25:21.039
• That is everything from hunting and fishing licenses to the way the Department of Corrections does their
• </c><00:33:05.360><c> and</c> that is everything from hunting and that is everything from hunting and

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• I've talked to Matt Patness, Claire Hunt, Deb Falsoy, and many people who have spearheaded this.
• Claire Hunt. Thank you. Claire Hunt. Hello, can you hear me? We can.
• Just by any chance, you're related to our colleague, Representative Dan Hunt? Not that I know.
• Hunt? There being none, thank you.
• I'm being hunted by shadows I can't shake.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development

Summary: The Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development held a lengthy hearing on June 18 focused on workers’ compensation, independent contractor and classification issues, workplace safety, warehouse worker protections, extreme temperature protections, retaliation against injured workers, and workplace bullying. Committee chairs outlined procedures for the hybrid hearing and noted that members would be leaving intermittently for floor votes. Testimony also touched on a bill to expand workers’ compensation disfigurement benefits by removing the current $15,000 cap and extending coverage beyond scars on the hands, neck, and face. A major theme was workplace safety in warehouses and in extreme heat or cold. Teamsters, warehouse workers, and labor advocates described high injury rates, strict quotas, lack of water, inadequate ventilation, frozen or missing safety equipment, and pressure to work through heat waves and snowstorms. Supporters urged favorable reports on bills protecting warehouse workers and requiring employers to adopt heat- and cold-safety plans, while the NFIB opposed the temperature bill as overly prescriptive and burdensome for small businesses. Sen. Edwards, Sen. Roche, Rep. O’Day, and others argued that the measures are needed to prevent heat illness, provide shade, water, rest breaks, training, and emergency plans, and to cover all workers regardless of immigration status. Another major subject was the “Act to Protect Injured Workers,” backed by labor groups, immigrant worker centers, legal services organizations, and individual workers. Witnesses said employers often retaliate after injuries by threatening deportation, lying about how injuries occurred, delaying care, or firing workers, and they supported stronger anti-retaliation enforcement, multilingual notices, and a rebuttable presumption of retaliation within 90 days of protected activity. The Mass AFL-CIO and immigrant advocacy groups supported the bill and opposed measures they said would weaken employee classification standards. Testimony also supported a funeral-benefits bill to raise workers’ compensation death-benefit reimbursement for burial and funeral costs, based on a family’s experience after a workplace fatality. The committee heard additional testimony on workplace bullying bills, with some witnesses urging a new legal duty for employers to prevent and respond to bullying, while others described the harms of toxic workplaces and the lack of effective remedies.

Transcript Highlights:

• deposits, residential dwelling premises, to permit extension of return on advance or deposits to a tenant
• House Bill by Representative Riser: recreational hunting licenses; nonresident license for bear hunting
• House Bill by Representative Riser: recreational hunting licenses; nonresident license for bear hunting
• House Bill by Representative Riser, recreational alligator hunting licenses.
• House Bill by Representative Riser, recreational alligator hunting licenses; provide for harvest lottery

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then received and processed multiple resignation notices and special-election proclamations for vacant seats. The chamber later recognized and swore in newly elected members Doyle Boudreaux, Reese Broussard, Chassity Verrett-Martinez, and Edwin Murray after no objections were raised to their qualifications. The House also appointed committees to notify the Senate and the governor that it was ready to conduct business for the 2026 regular session, and it adopted the proposed standing committee meeting schedule and referred prefiled bills to committee without objection. The bulk of the meeting was devoted to the introduction and reading of a very large number of House bills and resolutions across many subject areas. Measures included the annual appropriations bill, a proposed constitutional convention, carbon dioxide sequestration and pipeline permitting, retirement-system changes, criminal justice and public safety proposals, education and workforce measures, local government and district creation bills, insurance and liability reforms, and numerous commemorative resolutions. Several prefiled bills were withdrawn, and many introduced measures were assigned to committees or allowed to lie over under the rules. The House then entered a joint session with the Senate for the governor’s address. Governor Jeff Landry outlined his administration’s priorities and praised recent legislative actions on taxes, insurance reform, transportation, education, and fiscal discipline. He urged support for Amendment 3 on teacher pay and retirement, called for further workforce and health initiatives, defended insurance and transportation reforms, and pressed for judicial reform, especially in Orleans Parish, citing the death of Jacob Carter and failures in electronic monitoring as examples. He also promoted replacing the vehicle inspection sticker with a QR code system and highlighted economic growth, lower taxes, and infrastructure investments. The joint session also included a presentation of the colors by the Louisiana National Guard and a Distinguished Flying Cross ceremony for Technical Sergeant Adam W. Brister, recognizing his 2018 rescue mission in Alaska. After the governor’s remarks and the military honor presentation, the joint session concluded and the House resumed introducing additional bills, continuing to file measures on topics such as health care, education, ethics, elections, local districts, and constitutional amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Hunt and the House Commerce Committee are working on it.
• </c><01:00:27.440><c> and</c><01:00:27.520><c> the</c><01:00:27.640><c> house</c> representative hunt
• and the house representative hunt and the house Commerce<01:00:28.240><c> Committee</c><01:00:28.480
• c> you oh you oh yeah<01:00:40.680><c> so</c><01:00:41.079><c> representative</c><01:00:41.680><c> hunt
• uh parenting ought to landlord tenant uh parenting ought to probate<02:44:19.160><c> stes</c><02:44:

Summary: The committee heard testimony from Insurance Commissioner DJ Bettencourt on the New Hampshire Insurance Department budget. He said the department is self-funded through assessments on insurers based on New Hampshire premium volume, with about $8 billion in premiums written in the state and a department budget of roughly $15.5 million. He explained that the department has 88 authorized positions, eight vacancies, and that three full-time positions were unfunded after the governor’s requested 4% reduction exercise. He also said the department is trying to balance staffing needs with not overburdening carriers during a hard insurance market. A major topic was the department’s $2.6 million rebate to industry from the prior fiscal year, which Bettencourt described as a credit against the next assessment rather than a direct cash payment. Members questioned why that credit was not reflected as a reduction in the upcoming budget, and Bettencourt and staff explained that the budget assumes full staffing and full spending, with any year-end surplus returned to insurers. The commissioner said the department had added staff in recent years for succession planning and to preserve institutional expertise, and that the rebate reflects careful budgeting rather than excess spending. Members also asked about staffing changes by division, including positions unfunded in fraud, property and casualty examinations, life and health examinations, and tax. Bettencourt said fraud investigations remain strong and that the department can use outside contractors for examinations, with those costs billed to the company being examined. He also described the department’s examination process, including periodic financial exams and targeted market conduct reviews triggered by consumer complaints or trends. Additional questions covered OIT transfers, the department’s oversight of fully insured health coverage, the insurance premium tax and fines going to the general fund, and the department’s limited role in auto repair reimbursement disputes, where he said complaints have recently declined.

Transcript Highlights:

• Also, don't forget your big game and turkey draw hunts are due soon, as are your harvest reports.
• Also, don't forget your big game and turkey draw hunts are due soon, as are your harvest reports.
• Did that hunting trip ever take place? I feel like we need a status report on the hunting trip.
• regulatory and statutory framework that would promote reliable and consistent access to utilities for tenants

Bills: HB111 , HJR1 , HB61 , HB8 , HB30 , HB43 , HB156 , HJM2 , HM7 , HM17 , HM4 , HM22 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26 , HM2 , HM16 , HM11 , HM14 , HM21 , HM34 , HM50 , HB70 , SB3 , HJM3

Keywords: water law, state engineer, civil penalty, compliance order, water rights, overdiversion, illegal diversion, groundwater storage and recovery, well license, permit violation, water enforcement, New Mexico water code, irrigation district, conservancy district, water diversion, unauthorized water sales, measuring device, district court appeal, water resources, water compliance

Transcript Highlights:

• We are also bringing tribal members access back to their traditional lands for hunting and gathering
• well as other proposals, to support immediate and long-term relief for low-income homeowners and tenants

Bills: HB2295

Committee: House Capital Budget

Keywords: Washington capital budget, supplemental capital budget, capital appropriations, state building construction account, taxable building construction account, climate commitment account, natural climate solutions, housing trust fund, affordable housing, supportive housing, homelessness, manufactured home communities, mobile home parks, school construction, school modernization, school seismic safety, healthy schools, school electrification, SCAP, behavioral health facilities

Transcript Highlights:

• We are also bringing tribal members access back to their traditional lands for hunting and gathering
• well as other proposals, to support immediate and long-term relief for low-income homeowners and tenants

Summary: The House Capital Budget Committee opened its first hearing of the session on HB 2295 and briefly heard a presentation from OFM Senior Budget Advisor Jen Masterson on Governor Ferguson’s proposed supplemental capital budget. She said the proposal uses about $396 million in new appropriations, leaving roughly $5.4 million in remaining bond authority, and includes major investments in housing, urgent state facility needs, climate-related projects, K-12 school safety and modernization, and higher education minor works. The housing package was the largest share, with $225 million for the Housing Trust Fund, plus funding for homeownership, preservation, manufactured housing communities, and flood-impacted home repair. Committee members asked follow-up questions about Rainier School and juvenile rehabilitation projects, and staff said Rainier School was on the plan and that juvenile rehabilitation funding included flexible capacity funding and facility improvements. Public testimony was largely supportive of the governor’s housing, education, climate, and natural resources proposals, while several speakers urged changes. Housing advocates, Habitat for Humanity, community land trusts, and service providers backed the Housing Trust Fund and homeownership funding, including support for manufactured housing preservation and transit-oriented affordable housing. School and college representatives supported small district modernization, seismic safety, lead remediation, and minor works funding, while some asked for additional support for specific projects such as Cascadia College’s new building, Central Washington University’s feeder line replacement, and WSU Spokane health education renovations. Natural resource and tribal witnesses supported salmon recovery and community forest investments, but asked for more funding for RCO community forest and estuary programs. A major recurring concern was the proposed $75 million transfer from the Public Works Assistance Account, which cities, counties, sewer and water districts, and the Public Works Board said would jeopardize low-interest loans already awarded for local infrastructure projects and shift costs onto distressed communities. Other testimony opposed the budget’s omission of certain projects, including the University of Washington’s power plant decarbonization work and a Spokane cultural hub, while some local governments requested funding for wastewater and flood-control projects. No votes were taken; the chair closed the public hearing after testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• John Black, Cameron Smith, Christopher Hunt Jr. and assistant coach Christopher Thomas, they're here.
• instructed not to defer to the expertise of state agencies. adopt rules to protect workers, farmers, tenants

Bills: HB10 , HB 12 , HB147 , HB1522 , HB422 , HB675 , HB204 , HB748 , HB912

Keywords: regulatory reform, government efficiency, administrative law, rulemaking, agency deference, judicial review, de novo review, Texas Government Code, Administrative Procedure Act, state agencies, plain language, regulatory burden, regulatory reduction, cost-benefit analysis, fiscal note, public benefits and costs, contested case, rule challenge, Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office, advisory panel

Transcript Highlights:

• You can apply for a permit to go hunting only, not to shoot on federal land.
• You can apply for a permit to go hunting only, not to shoot on federal land.
• Trust lands, it’s actually illegal to go shooting unless you get your permit and are shooting for hunting
• Boland believes that after nearly a 40-year relationship as a tenant with the State Land Department,
• The amendment stipulates that a holdover tenant whose lease is terminated must receive immediate reimbursement

Bills: HB2150 , HB2262 , HB2267 , HB2268 , HB2351 , HB2425 , HB2426 , HB2427 , HB2755 , HB2781 , HB2913 , HB2943 , HB2956 , HB2975 , HB2985 , HB4009

Committees: House Natural Resources, Energy & Water , House House Natural Resources, Energy & Water Committee of Reference

Keywords: state land department, mineral lease, renewals, indexed royalties, land use planning, auditor general, five-year plans, geospatial data, Arizona Geological Survey, resource analysis, geographic information systems, wildlife protection, public nuisance, renewable energy, wind farm, solar farm, residential property, public health, local regulations, state land

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd never saw a model duck, and I duck hunt. What do they sound like? Do they quack? They quack.
• the bill provides a 14-day grace period for landlords to return security deposits to their previous tenants
• the bill provides a 14-day grace period for landlords to return security deposits to their previous tenants

Bills: HR70 , HR71 , HCR35 , HB31 , HB326 , HB1013 , HB1014 , HB1015 , HB1016 , HR65 , HR66 , HR67 , HR68 , HR69 , HCR33 , HCR34 , HB1006 , HB1007 , HB1008 , HB1010 , HB1011 , SB2 , SB13 , SB24 , SB28 , SB40 , SB47 , SB48 , SB70 , SB79 , SB80 , SB109 , SB127 , SB139 , SB154 , SB181 , SB199 , SB200 , SB208 , SB277 , SB317 , SB336 , SB349 , SB357 , HR15 , HR20 , HCR14 , HB51 , HB58 , HB69 , HB82 , HB93 , HB143 , HB166 , HB199 , HB201 , HB202 , HB218 , HB222 , HB223 , HB224 , HB231 , HB235 , HB246 , HB338 , HB349 , HB352 , HB379 , HB405 , HB429 , HB535 , HB547 , HB577 , HB588 , HB626 , HB636 , HB652 , HB653 , HB669 , HB688 , HB691 , HB721 , HB738 , HB749 , HB806 , HB843 , HB851 , HB857 , HB861 , HB889 , HB904 , HB907 , HB908 , HB929 , HB955 , HB1009 , HB952 , HB8 , HB9 , HB10 , HB15 , HB16 , HB17 , HB18 , HB19 , HB22 , HB33 , HB34 , HB35 , HB44 , HB46 , HB47 , HB48 , HB61 , HB101 , HB126 , HB135 , HB142 , HB164 , HB185 , HB215 , HB226 , HB232 , HB233 , HB242 , HB284 , HB292 , HB297 , HB301 , HB334 , HB436 , HB468 , HB548 , HB571 , HB582 , HB593 , HB594 , HB609 , HB613 , HB712 , HB722 , HB732 , HB746 , HB827 , HB845 , HB848 , HB921 , HB923 , HB951 , HB953 , HB999 , HB53 , HB57 , HB64 , HB102 , HB106 , HB111 , HB137 , HB152 , HB155 , HB177 , HB238 , HB256 , HB258 , HB337 , HB359 , HB363 , HB386 , HB434 , HB546 , HB557 , HB584 , HB661 , HB697 , HB726 , HB727 , HB747 , HB756 , HB758 , HB759 , HB765 , HB767 , HB825 , HB858 , HB930 , HB941 , HB957 , HB964 , HB868 , HB119 , HB140 , HB739 , HB842 , HB875 , HB919 , HB52 , HB228 , HB289 , HB735 , HB796 , HB901 , HB193 , HB400 , HB570 , HB733

Keywords: Northside High School, basketball, state championship, sportsmanship, athletic recognition, commendation, criminal justice, community contributions, Bridget A. Dinvaut, law enforcement, tax delinquency, property sale, rehabilitation, Louisiana State Law Institute, legislation, retirement, police benefits, disability, municipality, Social Security

Transcript Highlights:

• And, as I heard one person describe, it's like going on an Easter egg hunt to try to find the information
• Even if there's a market for it, even if they would be great tenants or residents or constituents, it
• Even if there's a market for it, even if they would be great tenants or residents or constituents, it

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and considered a series of bills, many focused on local government authority, land use, housing, and public notice requirements. Several measures were reported favorably, including SB 984 on firefighter cancer benefits and prevention, SB 1612 requiring local governments to accept electronic payments, SB 936 on temporary door locking devices, SB 962 on affordable housing protections for farms, SB 218 on land use regulations in hurricane-affected counties, SB 1020 on regulation of chickee huts, and SB 1434 on infill redevelopment of environmentally challenged properties. SB 1180 on community development district recall elections was amended to narrow and clarify the recall process and to add provisions on synthetic turf and compact urban mixed-use districts before being reported favorably. SB 380 on legal notices was also amended and reported favorably despite significant opposition from the Florida Press Association, Common Cause, and others who argued it would further fragment public notice access; supporters said it would modernize publication options and save money. Testimony on the bills was mixed. Supporters of the housing and redevelopment measures argued they would increase attainable housing, streamline approvals, and make better use of underutilized or contaminated land, while local government groups and advocacy organizations warned about overdevelopment, reduced public input, infrastructure strain, and conflicts with comprehensive planning. On SB 1444, which combined preemptions related to religious gatherings, private clubs, and certain permitting requirements, supporters framed it as protecting religious freedom and limiting local micromanagement, while the League of Cities and the Florida Association of Counties opposed it as overly broad and unclear; the bill nevertheless passed favorably after debate. SB 218 was presented as restoring normal land-use authority in counties unaffected by hurricanes while preserving protections in damaged areas, and SB 984 was described as clarifying firefighter cancer benefits and health coverage rules; both passed without controversy. The committee also heard extensive testimony on SB 948, a strike-all on local government land development regulations and orders that would create a statewide framework for starter homes and lot-split rules within urban growth areas. Supporters said it would expand housing supply and reduce regulatory delays, while opponents said it would override local zoning, weaken infrastructure and environmental protections, and apply too broadly. The bill drew support from housing advocates and some local officials, but opposition from the Florida League of Cities, Florida Association of Counties, and others. The transcript ends with SB 948 still under consideration, with testimony continuing and no final vote shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• And as I heard one person describe, it's like going on an Easter egg hunt to try to find the information
• Even if there's a market for it, even if they would be great tenants or residents or constituents, it
• Even if there's a market for it, even if they would be great tenants or residents or constituents, it

Bills: S0218 , S0380 , S0936 , S0948 , S0962 , S0984 , S1020 , S1180 , S1434 , S1444 , S1612

Committee: Senate Community Affairs

Keywords: land use, disaster recovery, local government, federal assistance, Hurricane relief, legal notices, public accessibility, government transparency, digital publication, government agencies, temporary door locking device, emergency safety, building code, training programs, fire exit security, affordable housing, land development, starter homes, local government regulations, housing shortage

Summary: The committee took up a broad agenda of local government, land use, housing, and public notice bills. It reported favorably SB 984 on firefighter cancer benefits, SB 1612 requiring local governments to accept electronic payments, SB 1180 creating a recall process for community development district board members and adding related CDD provisions on synthetic turf and compact urban mixed-use districts, SB 936 on temporary door locking devices, CS/SB 380 expanding options for publishing legal notices, SB 962 clarifying that the Live Local zoning preemption does not unintentionally capture farms and farm operations, SB 1444 on state preemption involving religious gatherings, private clubs, and certain permitting issues, SB 218 narrowing hurricane-related land-use protections to affected counties, SB 1020 regulating chickee huts, and SB 1434 creating a redevelopment framework for environmentally impacted parcels in certain urban counties. Several of these bills were amended before passage, including SB 1180, SB 380, and SB 948. Testimony was mixed on the more controversial measures. Supporters of SB 984 said the bill clarifies benefits for firefighters diagnosed with occupational cancer. On SB 380, the Florida Press Association and Common Cause opposed shifting legal notices away from newspapers and warned that publication would become more fragmented and harder to find, while the sponsor argued the bill would save money and reflect digital practices. SB 1444 drew support from Florida Family Voice on religious freedom grounds, but the Florida League of Cities and Florida Association of Counties warned that the bill was broad, undefined in places, and could create unintended consequences for local zoning, parking, and permitting. SB 1434 on redevelopment of environmentally impacted land drew support from housing advocates but opposition from counties and cities, which said it would bypass local development review and could allow overdevelopment. The committee also heard substantial testimony on SB 948, which would create a statewide framework for starter-home and lot-split regulations in residential areas. Supporters, including housing advocates, a Gainesville city commissioner, and an urban economist, said local regulations have constrained housing supply and that the bill would help produce more starter homes. Opponents, including the Florida Association of Counties, 1,000 Friends of Florida, and the Florida League of Cities, argued it would function as a statewide zoning code, reduce local planning authority, and create infrastructure and litigation concerns. The bill was amended and then laid over for further consideration after extensive debate and public comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• It has tenants.
• it's got a mix of uh has tenants it's got a mix of nonprofits<00:31:23.360><c> it's</c><00:31:23.600
• </c><00:31:34.080><c> in</c><00:31:34.200><c> the</c><00:31:34.639><c> building</c> different tenants
• in the building different tenants in the building uh<00:31:37.399><c> what</c><00:31:37.600><c> it</
• So this is a characteristic of bald eagles and their hunting patterns. We know that they eat loons.

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Transcript Highlights:

• Those outside Austin and rural Texas are job hunting, expecting to be forced out.
• Think tenants, churches, multifamily housing, homeowners associations, condo associations, and so on.

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce met with a quorum and took up a long list of pending House bills, most of them on motions by Senator King or Senator Campbell. The committee adopted committee substitutes and favorably reported numerous bills, including HB 252, HB 700, HB 1500, HB 1545, HB 1562, HB 1732, HB 267, HB 2213, HB 2221, HB 2520, HB 2818, HB 3016, HB 3214, HB 3250, HB 3512, HB 3623, HB 3689, HB 3833, HB 4063, HB 4395, HB 4690, HB 4751, HB 5331, HB 3824, HB 4464, HB 4468, and HB 5247. Most of these were sent to the local and uncontested calendar, while some, including sunset and other significant measures, were reported to the full Senate. HB 146 was the only bill reported out on a divided vote, passing 6 ayes to 4 nays. Several bills received brief explanation of committee substitute changes. HB 3016, dealing with rental car collision damage waivers and stolen vehicles, was amended to change a cooperation standard from “fully cooperate” to simply “cooperate.” HB 3689, a major ESF/TWA financing bill, was described as making technical changes to align terminology with the Comptroller’s authority and to avoid creating state debt or new liability. HB 5247, a capital cost recovery bill for transmission in the Permian Basin, was revised to clarify how the new mechanism fits with existing Utilities Code provisions and to add a 2035 expiration date. HB 3824, the battery fire safety bill, also received technical changes to align terminology with industry usage. The committee heard public testimony on several pending measures. HB 3069, which would direct the PUC to develop supplemental multi-decade planning criteria for transmission certificates in ERCOT, drew support from industry, environmental, and manufacturing witnesses who said it would help address congestion costs while balancing consumer protections; the bill was left pending. HB 5196, requiring state agencies to adopt and post telework policies and use written telework agreements, received both support and concern: supporters said it would preserve productivity and retention, while a senator raised concerns about notice and family logistics; it was left pending after testimony. HB 3112, allowing closed deliberations on cybersecurity policy details, was laid out and left pending after brief discussion. HCR 102, supporting federal nuclear tax credits, drew testimony from nuclear industry and energy advocates, who argued the credits are essential for existing plants, new nuclear development, grid reliability, and U.S. competitiveness; the resolution was left pending, with discussion about whether the language should focus more exclusively on nuclear. HB 705, creating a cosmetology licensure compact, was supported by industry, employers, and compact experts as a mobility tool that preserves state authority; HB 3516, expanding a public information exemption for Railroad Commission administrative law judges and technical examiners, and HB 3388, authorizing group property and casualty coverage for personal lines, were also heard and left pending. At the end of the meeting, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• deposits, residential dwelling premises, to permit extension of return on advances or deposits to a tenant
• House Bill by Representative Riser, recreational hunting licenses; non-resident license.
• House Bill by Representative Riser, recreational hunting licenses; non-resident license for bear hunting
• House Bill by Representative Riser: recreational alligator hunting licenses.
• House Bill by Representative Riser: recreational alligator hunting licenses; provide for harvest lottery

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, received and accepted multiple resignation notices from members representing Districts 37, 39, 60, 69, 97, and 100, and then recognized the election and qualification of the members-elect who filled those vacancies: Doyle Boudreau, Reese Broussard, Chasity Verrett-Martinez, and Edwin Murray. Each member-elect was sworn in, and the House also appointed committees to notify the Senate and the governor that it was ready to conduct business for the 2026 regular session. The chamber then handled a large number of procedural actions related to prefiled legislation. By motion and without objection, the House suspended rules to refer prefile bills to committee and introduced a broad slate of House bills and resolutions. Topics included the state budget and appropriations, retirement system changes, carbon capture and sequestration, criminal justice and bail, public safety, education, health care, local government matters, transportation, and several memorial or commemorative resolutions. Several resolutions and bills were noted as lying over, and some prefiled bills were withdrawn from the files. The House also received a Senate message that SCR 1 had been adopted, and the resolution was taken up without objection. The chamber then recessed for a joint session with the Senate to hear the governor’s address and a presentation honoring Technical Sergeant Adam W. Brister with the Distinguished Flying Cross. In his remarks, Governor Jeff Landry highlighted his administration’s priorities, including education, tax reform, workforce development, health and nutrition, insurance reform, transportation infrastructure, fiscal discipline, and criminal justice reform, while urging support for his agenda and several related bills and constitutional amendments.