Transcript Highlights:

• You know,<00:32:01.360><c> it's</c><00:32:01.600><c> a</c><00:32:01.760><c> dynamic</c><00:32:02.240>
• <c> process,</c><00:32:02.640><c> but</c><00:32:02.880><c> I</c><00:32:03.279><c> uh</c><00:32:04.399
• </c><00:32:07.039><c> Of</c><00:32:07.440><c> course,</c><00:32:07.679><c> funding</c><00:32:08.000><
• ><c> and</c><00:32:12.159><c> it's</c><00:32:12.640><c> um</c><00:32:13.440><c> and</c><00:32:13.600>
• to uh<00:32:22.240><c> to</c><00:32:22.799><c> um</c><00:32:23.600><c> reook</c><00:32:24.000><c> at

Committee: Joint Select Committee on Tribal Relations

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• freedom declared is not always freedom realized, and that this holiday asks us to remember painful chapters
• We're going to pass and retain on file items 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, actually, and 33. And 33. And 33.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Secretary will read: An act relating to the dietitian licensure compact, adding a new chapter to
• There's been a 32% drop recently in the number of new graduates, while at the same time demands continue

Bills: SB6061 , SB6234 , SB6176 , SB6335 , SB6047 , HB2235 , HB2272 , HB2340 , HB2543 , HB2554 , HB2632 , HB2464 , HB2619 , HB1376 , HB1796 , HB2091 , HB2249 , HB2254 , HB2353 , HB2431 , HB2441 , SB5808 , SB5949 , SB6006 , SB6260 , SB6297 , SB6351 , SB6354 , SB6355 , HB2124 , HB1069 , HB2104 , HB2624

Keywords: tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development, sewage, grinder pumps, residential buildings, regulation, construction, vehicle registration, enforcement, renewal, transportation, state law, state commission, infrastructure, traffic safety, responsibilities, state capital projects

Transcript Highlights:

• Indoor Clean Air Act, our association worked with the legislature on the current statutory language in Chapter
• We're also opposed to the strict liability provision that's on paragraph B, line 32, the one-way fees

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries heard and voted on several bills. SB 986 would prohibit smoking or vaping marijuana in public places and also restrict smoking in rooms and bars; the sponsor said it is intended to protect public health and outdoor spaces, while the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association supported the goal but raised concerns about impacts on designated smoking areas, and cannabis advocates warned about unintended effects on patients and property rights. The committee reported SB 986 favorably. The committee also passed SB 678, which restores statutory authority for DBPR’s long-standing rule allowing alcohol distributors to deduct unsellable alcohol from monthly excise taxes; a strike-all amendment was adopted, including retroactive application to January 1, 2025, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 800, which increases penalties for repeat unlicensed engineering practice and creates an engineering student loan assistance program for engineers working for state agencies and water management districts, was amended and reported favorably as well. Members then considered SB 408 on vaccine advertising and liability. The sponsor argued the bill would address declining public trust in vaccines by allowing claims against manufacturers that advertise in Florida, while opponents said the measure is preempted by federal law, raises First Amendment concerns, and would create unnecessary litigation. After extensive testimony and debate, the committee reported SB 408 favorably. The committee also heard SB 484 on data centers, which would set PSC tariff requirements so large load customers pay their own costs, preserve local planning authority, and limit water permits for large data centers; testimony was mixed, with supporters emphasizing ratepayer protections and economic benefits and critics warning about overregulation and confidentiality limits. The bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee approved SB 1118, which creates a time-limited public records exemption for certain data center development information held by local governments, after the sponsor said it was meant to prevent extended NDAs while still allowing local notice and input. SB 1050, requiring veterinarians to provide written prescriptions so pet owners can choose their pharmacy, was also reported favorably. The meeting ended after several members recorded votes on bills they had missed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Indoor Clean Air Act, our association worked with the legislature on the current statutory language in Chapter
• We're also opposed to the strict liability provision that's on paragraph B, line 32, the one-way fees

Bills: S0408 , S0986 , S0678 , S0800 , S1050 , S0484 , S1118

Committee: Senate Regulated Industries

Keywords: vaccine advertisement, manufacturer liability, harmful vaccine, healthcare, court action, smoking regulation, public health, vaping, marijuana, public places, Florida Statutes, alcohol distribution, tax deductions, extraordinary losses, warehouse breakage, regulatory compliance, veterinary, prescription, pharmacy, client rights

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries considered several bills and took final action on each. SB 986, by Senator Gruters and presented by Senator Rodriguez, would prohibit smoking or vaping marijuana in public places and in certain indoor spaces; restaurant and lodging representatives supported adding marijuana and vaping to clean indoor air rules but asked to preserve designated smoking areas on private property, while cannabis advocates warned the bill was overly broad and could affect patients and property rights. The committee voted the bill favorably. SB 678, by Senator Mayfield, would restore statutory authority for DBPR to continue allowing alcohol distributors to deduct unsellable alcohol from monthly excise tax calculations; the committee adopted a strike-all amendment and reported the committee substitute favorably. SB 800, also by Senator Mayfield, increases penalties for repeated unlicensed engineering practice and creates an engineering student loan assistance program for engineers working for state agencies and water management districts; after adopting an amendment clarifying eligibility, the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee then heard SB 408, by Senator Grall, which would create a Florida cause of action against vaccine manufacturers that advertise in the state, allowing injured individuals to sue in Florida courts. Supporters argued the bill would rebuild public trust and hold manufacturers accountable, while opponents from the Florida Justice Reform Institute, American Tort Reform Association, BIO, the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform, and several medical and business groups argued the field is largely preempted by federal law, that existing federal compensation programs already address vaccine injuries, and that the bill raises First Amendment and policy concerns. After debate focused on vaccine injury data, compensation rates, and liability, the committee voted SB 408 favorably. The committee also considered SB 484 and SB 1118, both by Senator Avila, dealing with data centers. SB 484 would preserve local planning authority, bar nondisclosure agreements that prevent disclosure of potential data center development, require the PSC to set large-load tariff requirements so data centers pay their own costs, and limit consumptive use permits for large-scale data centers absent no harm to water resources and compliance with local zoning; supporters emphasized ratepayer protection and economic development, while some witnesses urged flexibility for behind-the-meter projects and confidentiality in negotiations. The bill was reported favorably. SB 1118 would create a time-limited public records exemption for county or municipal information about data center siting and protect proprietary business information; Senator Pizzo raised concerns about how the exemption would affect disclosure of competing projects and local officials’ ability to speak, but the sponsor said he would work on clarifying the language. The committee also passed SB 1050, by Senator Calatayud, which requires veterinarians to provide pet owners with written prescriptions and information about pharmacy choice while preserving veterinary judgment and emergency dispensing authority. The meeting concluded after all bills were reported favorably and members recorded additional votes on prior items.

Transcript Highlights:

• We invested about $37 million; out of that, $32 million came from state and federal funding, and another
• Slide 8 shows the regional flood planning statutory requirements, which are contained in Chapter 16 of

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, Chapter 91, Transportation code addresses the acquisition, financing, construction, operation, and
• Lands Rail, 2010 Short Line Operator of the Year, and between 2010 and 2020, rail traffic went from 32

Committee: House S/C on Transportation Funding

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Just<01:32:08.560><c> to</c><01:32:09.040><c> uh</c><01:32:09.760><c> summarize</c><01:32:10.320
• it,<01:32:34.560><c> again,</c><01:32:34.880><c> there's</c><01:32:35.120><c> that</c><01:32:35.360><
• word intent, the<01:32:37.679><c> intent</c><01:32:38.000><c> to</c><01:32:38.159><c> sell</c><01:32
• :38.320><c> it,</c><01:32:38.560><c> even</c><01:32:38.719><c> if</c><01:32:38.880><c> they</c><01:32
• &gt;&gt; Senator,<01:32:55.199><c> would</c><01:32:55.360><c> you</c><01:32:55.440><c> like</c><01:32

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><01:32:07.840><c> only</c><01:32:08.040><c> been</c><01:32:08.199><c> able</c><01:32:08.400><c> to</
• for over three and<01:32:10.800><c> a</c><01:32:10.920><c> half</c><01:32:11.119><c> year</c><01:32:
• /c><01:32:13.480><c> Basket</c><01:32:14.480><c> but</c><01:32:14.639><c> I</c><01:32:14.800><c> have
• </c><01:32:26.080><c> cap</c><01:32:27.000><c> and</c><01:32:27.199><c> an</c><01:32:27.520><c> asset
• ><c> either</c><01:32:30.639><c> cap</c><01:32:31.280><c> you</c><01:32:31.480><c> forfeit</c><01:32:

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Finance Committee opened a public hearing on House Bills 1 and 2, which concern the governor’s proposed FY 2026-2027 budget. The chair explained that the committee must fit the budget to House Ways and Means revenue, which is about $800 million below the governor’s estimate in an almost $16 billion budget. He also noted a projected current-budget overspend, the impact of recently passed legislation, possible fee updates, no new tax proposals at that time, and the importance of federal funding and Medicaid stability. Testimony was limited to three minutes, with the chair asking speakers to avoid duplication. Much of the testimony focused on Medicaid, disability services, and home- and community-based care. Speakers urged the committee to restore or protect funding for transportation, Medicaid, day programs, in-home supports, and behavioral health services. Several individuals and providers described how cuts would affect people with disabilities, medically fragile children, and families who rely on services to remain employed and avoid institutional care. A home care provider argued that a proposed 3% Medicaid cut would increase hospitalizations and costs, while a behavioral health representative asked for sustainable Medicaid rates, uncompensated care support, housing resources, and continued funding for community behavioral health clinics. Another major topic was the Group II retirement provisions in HB 2 for public safety workers. Representatives from police, fire, corrections, probation/parole, and related associations testified in support, saying prior pension changes hurt recruitment and retention, pushed experienced workers to neighboring states, and should be reversed to restore promised benefits. They argued the provisions would help keep public safety careers viable and honor commitments made to first responders. An executive counselor also warned that when the state shifts costs away from itself, local property taxpayers bear the burden, and she opposed cost shifts such as Medicaid premiums and universal vouchers. A separate speaker urged funding public schools rather than universal vouchers, arguing vouchers can leave other students behind as resources are diverted.

Transcript Highlights:

• With the exception<00:32:30.399><c> of</c><00:32:30.559><c> this</c><00:32:30.720><c> one,</c><00:32:
• &gt;&gt; Is<00:32:33.600><c> is</c><00:32:33.840><c> it</c><00:32:34.080><c> not</c><00:32:34.399><c>
• :37.679><c> to</c><00:32:37.919><c> vote</c><00:32:39.200><c> should</c><00:32:39.440><c> a</c><00:32
• </c><00:32:41.200><c> And</c><00:32:41.440><c> so,</c><00:32:41.600><c> it</c><00:32:41.919><c> would
• </c><00:32:42.080><c> be</c><00:32:43.200><c> kind</c><00:32:43.360><c> of</c><00:32:43.519><c> a</c>

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• can't<00:32:39.320><c> stand</c><00:32:39.519><c> alongside</c><00:32:40.360><c> those</c><00:32:40.679
• please proceed<00:32:52.279><c> Aloha</c><00:32:52.720><c> chair</c><00:32:52.960><c> tares</c><00:32
• <01:32:09.960><c> us</c><01:32:10.159><c> or</c><01:32:10.360><c> putting</c><01:32:10.600><c> a</c><
• c> bill</c><01:32:23.560><c> really</c><01:32:24.159><c> puts</c><01:32:24.360><c> a</c><01:32:24.880
• <01:32:27.920><c> us</c><01:32:28.280><c> annually</c><01:32:29.119><c> 100,000</c><01:32:30.119><c>

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 410, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs’ biennium operating budget. OHA asked for a modest increase over its base budget, including $1.2 million to fund 13 new full-time positions for a strategy and implementation team tied to its long-term plan, with emphasis on housing, education, health, and economic resilience. OHA also described a broader effort to work directly with executive branch departments to improve outcomes for Native Hawaiians. Testimony was largely supportive, with several individuals speaking in favor and one testifier expressing strong frustration about Native Hawaiian rights and access to resources. The chair noted there were 38 additional written/supporting testimonies and three in opposition. Members asked about OHA’s funding sources and public land trust revenues; OHA said it is not receiving the full 20 percent share, described a public land trust working group and system issues, and said a related bill would seek funding to begin an inventory. No vote was taken in the portion provided. The committee then considered House Bill 304, which would make the Hawaiian version of a law binding when the law was originally drafted in Hawaiian and later translated into English. The Judiciary supported the bill, saying it reinforces Hawaiian as an official language and looks to the original language for legislative intent. The Attorney General supported the intent but recommended narrowing the bill with a proviso to avoid ambiguities, limiting it to laws originally drafted in Hawaiian that were not later amended, codified, recodified, or reenacted in English. Public testimony was generally supportive, though one speaker raised broader sovereignty concerns. Members questioned how many laws would be affected and whether the proposed amendment would undercut the bill; the Attorney General said the amendment was meant to address uncertainty in interpretation. No final action was reported. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 603, which would direct OHA to administer a Native Hawaiian business marketing program to promote Native Hawaiian-owned businesses through marketing and technical assistance. OHA supported the concept, saying a label or branding program could help consumers identify and support Native Hawaiian-owned businesses, but requested that funding be redirected to a working group to study program design, implementation, enforcement, and long-term viability. The chair noted four supportive testimonies had been received, and a member asked OHA to confirm that its programs serve all Hawaiians, not only those eligible for homelands; OHA said it serves all Hawaiians in the state. The transcript ends before any vote or further action on HB 603.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our role is outlined in Chapter 418 of the Texas Government Code.
• Under Chapter 418...
• At 1:32 a.m., At 2 a.m., a flash flood warning was issued.
• You will see the words "Emergency Management Coordinator" listed twice in Chapter 418.
• Those are mutual aid resources that are outlined in Chapter 418.

Committee: House Disaster Preparedness & Flooding, Select

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• can</c><00:32:08.399><c> provide</c><00:32:08.760><c> them</c><00:32:08.919><c> to</c><00:32:09.240><
• ><c> as</c><00:32:10.720><c> far</c><00:32:10.919><c> as</c><00:32:11.559><c> towns</c><00:32:11.880>
• :13.440><c> extent</c><00:32:13.880><c> a</c><00:32:14.039><c> lot</c><00:32:14.159><c> of</c><00:32:
• > towns</c><00:32:25.080><c> do</c><00:32:25.320><c> this</c><00:32:25.519><c> and</c><00:32:25.639><
• <c> your</c><00:32:48.120><c> hand</c><00:32:48.399><c> up</c><00:32:49.399><c> it's</c><00:32:49.559

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first discussed scheduling and notice for upcoming executive sessions on a larger slate of bills, including plans to take up eight bills in the morning and possibly the last three bills in the afternoon, with caucus time provided if needed. The chair emphasized advance notice, publication, and flexibility if more bills are added later. The hearing then opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and proceeded to HB 568, a bill allowing local planning boards to request water supply studies for subdivisions to ensure water adequacy as housing density increases. Representative Kat McGee, the prime sponsor, said HB 568 was developed after constituent concerns about private wells being affected by nearby development. She described the bill as narrowly tailored, non-mandatory, and intended to preserve local control while clarifying that planning boards may request studies under local regulations. She noted bipartisan support, an exclusion for community water systems and larger groundwater withdrawals regulated elsewhere, and said the bill would help prevent water shortages and related problems for new and existing homes. Questions from members focused on whether the bill should specify that it applies to subdivisions of four or more lots, since that language had been in an earlier version. Testimony on HB 568 was mixed. Bob Quinn of the New Hampshire Association of Realtors opposed the bill, arguing it lacked a definition of “water supply study,” could lead to expensive hydrology studies, and might raise housing costs; he suggested more work with DES or a study committee. DES administrator Brandon Kernin said the department had worked from a 2010 groundwater commission report, that such problems arise only intermittently in certain areas, and that the bill would make explicit local authority to adopt such ordinances. He also said DES data and homeowner surveys can help identify problem areas and that more robust wells could be considered in the long term. The committee noted 10 online submissions in favor and 3 opposed, plus blue-sheet testimony of 2 in favor and 1 neutral, and then closed the hearing on HB 568. The committee immediately opened HB 582, a bill on safety requirements for operation of personal watercraft. Representative Darby, the sponsor, said the bill responds to the speed and maneuverability of modern personal watercraft, which he described as more like motorcycles on water than traditional boats, and cited a fatal accident on Lake Monomonac as an example of the risks. He said the bill is not intended to restrict ordinary recreation or wake surfing, but to update safety standards for a newer class of larger, quieter three-person PWCs. The hearing began with Darby’s presentation, and no vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• him direction and protection. ...give him clarity, give him direction and protection in the next chapter
• Secretary will lock the board, record the vote. 32 yeas, 1 nay, Mr. President.
• Secretary will lock the board and record the vote. 32 yeas, 0 nays, Mr. President.
• Lock the board and record the vote. 32 yeas, one nay, Mr. President. Show the bill passes.
• This bill updates terminology in Chapter line-of-duty death benefits, God forbid.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognized several introductions and memorials, including a resolution designating August 9, 2026, as Bob Graham Day and a moment of silence for firefighter Roger Timmy Miley. The chamber then moved through a long special-order calendar, with several bills substituted with House companions and adopted by voice vote or recorded vote. Early measures included a tax conformity bill tied to federal Internal Revenue Code changes, which passed 34-0, and a Medicaid/public assistance bill that drew extensive debate over work requirements, fraud reduction, behavioral health services, and SNAP/EBT reforms. Amendments offered by Senators Berman and Osgood to condition or soften the work and photo-ID provisions were rejected, and the underlying bill was placed on the third-reading calendar after lengthy questioning about implementation, exemptions, and eligibility effects. The Senate also passed bills on computer science education and AI instruction, a Parkinson’s disease registry public-records exemption and registry update, designation of the SS American Victory as Florida’s official state flagship, electronic payments for local governments, repeal of the legal-tender sunset for gold and silver, public-records protections for gold/silver custodians and stablecoin-related entities, a Florida stablecoin pilot program, and local government budget transparency/spending measures. Most of these measures were adopted after minor amendments or technical substitutions, with votes generally ranging from 31-3 to 34-0. The chamber also recognized the Florida Channel’s 30 years of legislative coverage. Later, the Senate approved a digital voyeurism bill expanding the reasonable-expectation-of-privacy definition to include private fenced yards, and an insurance customer representative licensing bill allowing high school students to complete insurance/personal finance coursework and later qualify for licensure. The final major item was a medical freedom bill that would expand parental vaccine information requirements, add a conscience-based exemption to immunization mandates, allow behind-the-counter ivermectin for adults, and repeal the sunset on the mRNA mandate prohibition; two amendments clarifying anti-kickback rules and requiring vaccine information to include risks, benefits, safety, and efficacy were adopted, while questions from Senators Smith and Massullo focused on public-health impacts and the content of the required materials. The transcript ends during discussion of that bill, with no final vote shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Give him direction and protection in the next chapter of his life.
• Secretary will lock the board and record the vote. 32 ayes, 1 nay, Mr. President.
• Secretary will lock the board and record the vote. 32 yeas, 0 nays, Mr. President.
• Lock the board and record the vote. 32 yeas, 1 nay, Mr. President. Show the bill passes.
• This bill updates terminology in Chapter Line-of-duty death benefits, God forbid.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opening prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions and recognitions, including a resolution honoring Bob Graham and a moment of silence for firefighter Roger Timmy Miley. The chamber then moved through a special-order calendar with multiple bills, many of them paired with House companions and amended before final passage. Early action included adoption of a tax conformity bill tied to federal changes in the Internal Revenue Code, with a 34-0 vote. The most extensive debate centered on CS/CS/SB 1758, a Medicaid and SNAP reform bill. The sponsor described provisions to strengthen fraud enforcement, impose work requirements for able-bodied adults, expand behavioral health services through a waiver, modernize Medicaid drug purchasing, and require a SNAP fraud-reduction plan and photo ID on EBT cards. Democrats offered amendments to delay work requirements until Medicaid expansion and to add protections for SNAP users such as caregivers, seniors, disabled individuals, and domestic violence survivors; both amendments failed. Senators also questioned implementation details, exemptions, and potential effects on vulnerable populations. After debate, the bill was placed on the calendar for third reading. The Senate also passed bills on technology education and AI instruction, a public records exemption and related Parkinson’s Disease Registry measures, designation of the SS American Victory as the state flagship, electronic payments for local governments, repeal of the sunset on legal tender recognition for gold and silver, public records protections for financial and digital-asset custodians, a Florida stablecoin pilot program, local government budget transparency, digital voyeurism, insurance customer representative licensing, and a medical freedom bill with amendments on vaccine-related materials and anti-kickback provisions. Most of these measures passed with little or no opposition, though the public records bill for gold/silver custodians and the legal tender repeal drew a few dissenting votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32
• , 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 40, 40, 41, 42, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 50, 51, 51,
• Are you guys familiar with chapter 466 the state lottery?
• where it says in under 460 66.015 the Commission shall adopt all rules necessary to administer this chapter
• discussion that we had collectively and with council, it did not get as granular as digging into chapter

Bills: SB1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> and</c><00:32:14.480><c> with</c><00:32:14.600><c> the</c><00:32:14.720><c> tax</c><00:32:15.040
• c> this</c><00:32:18.560><c> is</c><00:32:18.720><c> an</c><00:32:18.840><c> example</c><00:32:19.320
• :32:25.800><c> of</c><00:32:25.880><c> having</c><00:32:26.040><c> to</c><00:32:26.120><c> lay</c><00
• <00:32:26.480><c> in</c><00:32:26.560><c> case</c><00:32:26.760><c> we</c><00:32:26.840><c> don't</c>
• <00:32:27.040><c> have</c><00:32:27.200><c> a</c><00:32:27.240><c> tax</c><00:32:27.600><c> bill.

Bills: HF3127 , HF3524 , HF3525 , HF3754

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: taxation, pass-through entity, qualifying owner, partnership, S corporation, tax return, overtime compensation, tax deduction, income tax, federal regulations, tax reform, tip income, federal tax deduction, Minnesota Statutes, individual income, employer contributions, Trump accounts, federal law, gross income exclusion, 1183

Transcript Highlights:

• I see Palm Beach County has a fear of losing $32 million.
• The committee would implement standards across multiple chapters of the Florida Building Code.
• The committee would implement standards across multiple chapters of the Florida Building Code, including
• Amendment barcode 118-860 by Senator Sharif: delete lines 32 through 36 and insert amendment.
• Thank you for Chapter 3 of my day.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, doctor and guest introductions, and then took up Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 168, the Tristan Murphy Act, on mental health. Senator Bradley described the bill as a major criminal justice and behavioral health reform measure that would expand pretrial mental health diversion, strengthen treatment-based probation conditions, broaden grant uses for mental health and substance abuse programs, add Hillsborough County to a forensic hospital diversion pilot, require certain DOC mental health evaluations, and create a Florida Behavioral Health Data Repository. Senators from both parties spoke in strong support, emphasizing treatment over incarceration, public safety, data collection, and the Murphy family’s role in advancing the bill. The Senate passed the bill 37-0 and then approved 37 co-sponsors. The chamber then received the Senate’s 2025-26 General Appropriations Bill, SB 2500, with Chair Hooper outlining a $117.4 billion budget that he said reduces spending, preserves reserves, and includes major investments in water quality, transportation, education infrastructure, and reporting requirements. Committee chairs summarized their portions: K-12 funding at $34.7 billion with increases for FEFP, scholarships, VPK, school hardening, and school safety; higher education at $11.5 billion with workforce, nursing, reading, autism, and student aid investments; health and human services with a $1.8 billion increase for Medicaid, mental health, opioid response, disability services, and veterans programs; criminal and civil justice at $7.6 billion for corrections, juvenile justice, law enforcement, courts, and judgeships; transportation/tourism/economic development at about $18 billion including roads, housing, Visit Florida, and cultural grants; and agriculture/environment/general government with major Everglades, water quality, citrus, food bank, and agency IT funding. Members then questioned several budget items, especially education funding formulas, the shift of scholarship dollars below the line, the impact on public school districts, AP/IB and other accelerated program funding, the APD wait list, opioid settlement spending, arts grants, and the My Safe Florida Home and condo pilot programs. Chairs generally said scholarship and accelerated-program dollars were being restructured for transparency and flexibility rather than cut, that school districts would still receive funding based on enrollment, and that APD and other human services issues would continue to be worked out in conference. The budget discussion concluded with remarks praising staff and noting a 4% across-the-board pay raise for state employees and targeted increases for law enforcement and firefighters, followed by a recognition for FAMU Day at the Capitol.

Transcript Highlights:

• to acknowledge the efforts that we have made this budget year so far that does provide additional Chapter
• But we also need direct additional Chapter 90 funds, which will bring our communities... ...additional
• Chapter 90 funds, which will bring our communities into parity and help with the inflationary factors
• This legislature then enacted that into law in the form of Chapter 699 of the Act of 1983.
• This legislature then enacted that into law in the form of Chapter 699 of the Act of 1983, which has

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government held a long public hearing focused mainly on two sets of issues: proposals to amend or repeal the MBTA Communities Act, and bills to allow local rent stabilization. Committee chairs opened by explaining the hearing would be tightly managed because of the very large number of speakers, with testimony limited to two minutes per person and written testimony still accepted by email. Members and witnesses were called in a mix of in-person and virtual order throughout the hearing. On the MBTA Communities Act, several legislators and local officials argued the law is too rigid and should be revised to account for local conditions. Speakers from small, rural, or infrastructure-limited communities such as Hanson, Halifax, Marshfield, Winthrop, Dracut, Carver, Rehoboth, and others said the law’s one-size-fits-all approach does not fit towns with limited water, sewer, transit access, or buildable land. Some filed bills would repeal the law, exempt certain communities, or create appeals processes based on infrastructure, environmental, or historical constraints. Supporters of the law’s changes emphasized local control and the need to avoid forcing development where communities believe it is impractical or inconsistent with town character. A large portion of the hearing was devoted to rent stabilization legislation, especially S. 1447 and related House bills. Supporters included legislators, city councilors, tenant advocates, labor leaders, housing nonprofits, public health organizations, and residents who described sharp rent increases, displacement, homelessness risk, and the strain on working families, seniors, students, and people with disabilities. They argued local-option rent stabilization would let municipalities cap excessive increases and prevent no-fault evictions while preserving flexibility for local conditions. Opponents, including small landlords and property owners, said rent control would discourage investment, worsen housing quality, burden responsible owners, and drive small landlords out of the market. Some witnesses also supported a Cape Cod/Island transfer fee bill and a suburban infrastructure fund, arguing those would provide local revenue for housing or roads. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• For<01:32:20.880><c> the</c><01:32:21.040><c> record,</c><01:32:21.440><c> my</c><01:32:21.600><c> name
• </c><01:32:24.960><c> I</c><01:32:25.120><c> am</c><01:32:25.199><c> the</c><01:32:25.360><c> prime</
• I<01:32:29.280><c> appreciate</c><01:32:29.600><c> your</c><01:32:29.840><c> time</c><01:32:29.920><c
• overdue.<01:32:34.880><c> It</c><01:32:35.120><c> modernizes</c><01:32:35.679><c> the</c><01:32:35.920
• :32:30.400><c> to</c><05:32:30.638><c> be</c><05:32:30.798><c> in</c><05:32:31.280><c> the</c><05:32:

Committee: House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first reviewed House Bill 1150, which would require disclosure of complaints to public employees within five business days. Members said the sponsor was still working on an amendment, so the bill was held for another week with the understanding it would be executed next week if no amendment was ready. The chair also outlined the committee’s schedule, including upcoming floor reports and the goal of finishing the remaining committee bills on time. The committee then took up House Bill 1168, concerning employer documentation requirements. Supporters argued the bill would give employers more time to gather payroll records, especially when claims arise years later, and said the current system should be adjusted for fairness to businesses. Opponents, including several members, said payroll records are usually electronic and should be produced quickly so workers waiting on wages are not delayed. The Department of Labor deputy commissioner testified that employers can already request extensions and that further extensions could still be requested under the current process. The committee voted 11-9 to ought to pass HB 1168. Next, House Bill 1250, dealing with notice, documentation, and job reinstatement requirements for leave related to childbirth, postpartum care, and pediatric appointments, was considered. Members said the statute was newly enacted, had been carefully negotiated, and should be allowed to work before being revised. The committee voted 20-0 to recommend inexpedient to legislate, and the bill was placed on the consent calendar. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 1043, which would allow private employers to adopt their own minimum pay policies for report-to-work situations instead of being bound by the current two-hour minimum, so long as the policy is established in advance. The sponsor said the bill would modernize an outdated law and preserve the current default if no policy is adopted. Members raised questions about collective bargaining agreements and whether the bill could weaken existing worker protections, while the sponsor and supporters said it was intended to provide flexibility rather than a mandate. The hearing continued with questions and discussion, but no final vote was taken in the portion provided.