Transcript Highlights:

• Extended producer responsibility opportunities here in Washington, potentially.
• opportunity alone in the state.
• And that will begin to shape policies and opportunities for projects like this.
• Hello, thank you, Madam Chair, for the opportunity to speak today.
• Thank you for the opportunity to speak today. Obviously not there in person.

Summary: The committee held an interim work session focused first on carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration (CCUS), then on hazardous waste and extended producer responsibility (EPR). On the CCUS topic, industry and nonprofit presenters described point-source capture, direct air capture, mineralization, and geologic sequestration, emphasizing Washington’s basalt formations and state trust lands as strong candidates for storage. They argued that CCUS can help hard-to-abate industrial sectors, support jobs and investment, and provide a pathway for compliance, while also noting the need for clearer permitting, subsurface rights, pipeline authority, and storage infrastructure. Ecology and Commerce staff explained current state policy touchpoints, including Cap-and-Invest offsets and exemptions for permanently stored CO2, the public comment process underway to define “thousand-year” permanence, and how CCUS might fit within the Clean Energy Transformation Act without counting emitting generation as non-emitting. Some presenters supported more state action and primacy over federal permitting, while others warned about costs, energy use, uncertain capture performance, and the need to ensure real net greenhouse gas reductions and long-term liability protections. Members asked about public meetings, whether mineralized carbon would qualify as exempt under the Climate Commitment Act, the timeline for Ecology guidance, aquifer and water-quality concerns, energy intensity of capture systems, and liability if storage later proves problematic. Responses said Ecology’s guidance process is already underway, public meetings will be virtual, mineralized carbon would likely qualify if it meets the permanence standard, and EPA rules require storage in deep saline formations below drinking water aquifers. Industry speakers said capture energy use varies by source and concentration, and one presenter noted that some states use trust funds funded by injectors to address long-term liability. The second half of the session shifted to hazardous waste and EPR. Ecology staff reviewed existing product stewardship programs for electronics, paint, batteries, and mercury lights, and described moderate risk waste and household hazardous waste management in Washington. They highlighted that E-Cycle and PaintCare are producer-funded, that the battery stewardship program will begin in 2027, and that the mercury lamp program is in transition after its prior stewardship organization exited, prompting enforcement notices and a pending replacement plan. Ecology recommended best practices for future EPR programs, including clear producer and product definitions, full producer funding, convenience standards, annual reporting, and strong agency enforcement and plan approval authority. Local government speakers from King County and Douglas County described rising collection costs, equity and access barriers, rural travel distances, and the need for stable funding and flexible local implementation. King County said it collected over 3 million pounds of hazardous products in 2025 and supports EPR as a way to shift costs from ratepayers to producers, while Douglas County emphasized that rural residents will participate when services are accessible and that future systems should account for geography and local infrastructure.

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now, this is a really great opportunity in looking at the workforce.
• And so should this enact and move forward, it's really a good opportunity.
• Hello, thank you for this opportunity, and good morning.
• Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you today. My name is George Brazil.
• Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you today. My name is George Brazil.

Summary: The joint sunset oversight hearing reviewed five California regulatory entities: the Respiratory Care Board, the California Council for Interior Design Certification, the Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology, and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board, the Board of Occupational Therapy, and the Board of Naturopathic Medicine. Each agency described its licensing, enforcement, modernization, and consumer-protection work since the last review, and committee members focused heavily on workforce access, public safety, transparency, and fee authority. For the Respiratory Care Board, the main issues were a possible move from an associate’s degree to a bachelor’s degree for licensure, fee structure changes, and ongoing work on LVNs performing respiratory tasks. Board representatives said the degree proposal was intended to strengthen competency and could be phased in without harming access, but several public commenters—especially respiratory therapists and families of medically fragile children—argued it would worsen shortages, particularly in rural and low-income areas. Other stakeholders supported clarifying LVN authority in congregate living health facilities, while the California Medical Association flagged the proposed Advanced Practice Respiratory Therapist classification as having limited current workforce impact. The interior design segment drew the most debate. CCIDC leaders defended the current voluntary certification/title-act model, saying it establishes competency, has produced minimal complaints, and that licensure would unnecessarily disrupt the workforce and create barriers without demonstrated public harm. Committee members questioned the lack of state-style enforcement authority, transparency, and Bagley-Keene compliance, and some public commenters criticized the private structure and inconsistent plan acceptance in local jurisdictions. Supporters of the current system said the certification and commercial designation help educate building officials and allow qualified designers to work safely, while opponents argued licensure would provide clearer accountability and reduce confusion. The speech-language pathology, audiology, and hearing aid dispensers board reported major modernization gains, including online licensure processing, faster turnaround times, and new continuing education audits and advertising rules. The board supported creating a licensed audiology assistant category to improve access to care, and public commenters generally backed the board while urging continued modernization. The occupational therapy board described steady growth, improved enforcement and licensing performance, and requested additional fee authority to address rising costs; the main public comment supported the sunset extension and a reduction in advanced practice hand therapy training hours. The naturopathic medicine board emphasized consumer protection, enforcement against unlicensed practice, and the need to clarify statutes; it said most licensed naturopathic doctors practice in underserved areas and welcomed legislative collaboration on scope and enforcement issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• You said it's a one-time opportunity.
• You said it's a one-time opportunity.
• Do you mean it's a one-time opportunity to purchase the apprentice guide license, or one-time opportunity
• So, that's the one-time opportunity.
• So, that's the one-time opportunity.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We truly value this opportunity for dialogue and appreciate the insight and guidance you provide.
• And so should this enact and move forward, it's really a good opportunity.
• Hello, thank you for this opportunity, and good morning.
• Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you today. My name is George Brazil.
• Thanks for the opportunity to support the Board of Naturopathic Medicine and SB 1303.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They do not qualify for the Opportunity Scholarship.
• We do have Title IV-E and other stipend opportunities as well.
• But constantly, I think we're on a weekly basis actively looking for other opportunities—grant opportunities—to
• The opportunity to be a dream maker and participate in the program.
• So we have some opportunities with stable money.

Transcript Highlights:

• I appreciate the opportunity, and if you have an opportunity, take a look at that handout.
• Appreciate the opportunity. And if you have an opportunity, take a look at that handout.
• We would appreciate the opportunity to look into those with you.
• It will create job opportunities.
• What it is, in my eyes, is a massive opportunity for economic growth.

Bills: HB132, HB 11, HB14, HB132, HB1584, HB1606, HB5061, HB 1041, HB2286

Keywords: nuclear energy, Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office, energy policy, regulation repeal, state energy strategy, licensing, reciprocity, regulation, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, interstate agreements, advanced reactors, energy security, grant programs, HB 132, Texas Government Code Chapter 418, Public Information Act, confidential records, homeland security, foreign adversary, terrorism

Summary: The committee first took up pending business and quickly reported several measures favorably, including HB 12, SB 1361, SB 1705, SB 1749, SB 1897, SB 2344, SB 2566, HB 3809, and HB 4215, with most sent to the Local and Uncontested Calendar. HB 12’s substitute clarified a limited midterm review of regulatory agencies tied to Sunset Commission recommendations. SB 2696’s substitute changed med spa regulation from a license to a certificate, with training instead of an exam, plus background checks, continuing education, and two-year renewals. HB 3809 dealt with battery energy storage decommissioning and recycling, and HB 4215 was reported without a substitute. SB 1978, concerning interconnection of electric facilities in ERCOT and federal jurisdiction concerns, was reported out on a 5-3 vote after debate, but then the chair later announced the bill was withdrawn and left pending subject to the call of the chair. HB 1899 was also reported favorably, with one nay. A major portion of the meeting focused on HB 14, the advanced nuclear energy bill. Senator Schwertner described it as creating a Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office, a nuclear permitting coordinator, a development fund, a completion grant program, and a workforce development program. Testimony was sharply divided. Supporters, including representatives from Fermi America, Dow/X-energy, CPS Energy, Paragon Energy Solutions, Bridge to Nuclear, Aalo Atomics, and the Texas Association of Business, argued that Texas should lead in advanced nuclear, citing future baseload demand, data centers, industrial power needs, supply-chain development, and long-term energy diversification. Opponents, including Public Citizen, Texas Nuclear Watchdogs, Sierra Club, and individual citizens, argued the bill would subsidize unproven, expensive technology, create grants rather than loans, and expose taxpayers to major risk while doing little to meet near-term energy needs. Several members questioned whether the state should fund projects that may not produce grid power for years, and whether the bill’s grant structure and new office were justified. The committee also heard HB 5061, which Senator Schwertner said would prohibit unethical surveillance and misuse of confidential information by state contractors, create a confidential reporting system through the State Auditor’s Office, authorize Texas Rangers investigations, protect whistleblowers, and impose penalties including contract termination, fines, and contracting bans. No public testimony was offered, and the bill was left pending. HB 132, sponsored by Senator Hughes, would extend confidentiality protections for sensitive information to hostile acts by foreign adversaries; it was also left pending after no testimony. HB 1584 was then laid out, with Senator Schwertner explaining it would require utilities to maintain and update priority restoration lists for critical facilities after Hurricane Beryl exposed communication failures, but the transcript cuts off before any action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 649, advancing equal educational opportunities for all students in Maryland, favorable.
• And so, I would like to give the opportunity to the rest of us to vote on this amendment as well.
• House Bill<00:47:00.680><c> 470,</c><00:47:01.240><c> digital</c><00:47:01.680><c> assets</c><00:47:02.480
• ><c> asset</c><00:47:02.960><c> and</c> Bill 470, digital assets asset and Bill 470, digital assets asset
• Every year you have to go register for a license, so they have lots of opportunities to make sure that

Keywords: House streaming session for Saturday, March 21, 2026, 957, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We truly value this opportunity for dialogue and appreciate the insight and guidance you provide.
• And so should this enact and move forward, it's really a good opportunity, okay?
• Hello, thank you for this opportunity and good morning.
• Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you today. My name is George Brazil.
• Chair, for the opportunity to speak. Thank you very much. Turned over to Vice Chair Johnson.

Summary: The joint Assembly and Senate business committees held a sunset review hearing for five California regulatory entities: the Respiratory Care Board, the California Council for Interior Design Certification, the Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board, the Board of Occupational Therapy, and the Board of Naturopathic Medicine. Each board or council described its licensing, enforcement, modernization, and consumer-protection work since the last review, and committee members focused on workforce access, transparency, fee authority, and whether current regulatory structures are appropriately tailored to public safety. For the Respiratory Care Board, the main issue was a proposal to move toward a bachelor’s degree requirement for licensure. Board representatives said the change would better align education with the complexity of care and could help the profession’s long-term status and reimbursement prospects, but Assembly Member Addis and others raised concerns about rural access, staffing shortages, and added barriers to entry. Public commenters, including respiratory therapists, families, and congregate living health facility operators, strongly opposed the degree mandate and urged continued use of LVNs for certain respiratory tasks in community settings. The board also discussed its ongoing work on LVN respiratory care issues, updated suctioning guidance, digitized licensing and enforcement systems, and fee cleanup language. The interior design item drew the most debate. CCIDC leaders defended the current title-act certification model, arguing it establishes competency without evidence of public harm and avoids the disruption a full licensure system could cause. Several committee members questioned the lack of enforcement authority, the private nonprofit structure, Bagley-Keene compliance, and whether certification meaningfully improves plan acceptance or public safety. Public testimony was split: supporters said the system works and preserves flexibility, while opponents argued the model lacks accountability, creates confusion, and does not reliably prevent plan-check denials or protect the public. The speech-language pathology/audiology board reported major modernization gains, including a new online licensure system, faster processing, continuing education audits, and updated supervision and advertising rules; it also received support for creating a new audiology assistant license category, while a consumer group urged more public members, proactive inspections, and faster discipline. The occupational therapy board reported growth, improved enforcement and licensing performance, and a need for additional fee authority to address rising costs, while public testimony supported reducing advanced practice hand therapy training hours. The final naturopathic medicine item began at the end of the transcript, but no substantive discussion was captured before the excerpt ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• After each has testified, the members of the committee will have an opportunity to make questions or
• Thank you to the committee for this opportunity. Vice Chair Haney, thank you so much, Chair Haney.
• And I'm honored to share the digital stage with him.
• Those are potential business opportunities, whatever they may be.
• Thank you again for the opportunity to present here.

Summary: The hearing focused on downtown recovery and the future of public transit, with members and witnesses emphasizing the two-way relationship between strong downtowns and strong transit systems. Transit agency representatives from BART, LA Metro, and Sacramento Regional Transit described how ridership has shifted since the pandemic, with more weekend, evening, and event-based travel, while traditional weekday commute ridership remains below pre-pandemic levels in some systems. They highlighted efforts to adapt through improved safety, customer service, special event service, fare gate upgrades, transit-oriented development, and investments in housing near stations. Several witnesses urged the Legislature to protect transit funding, especially programs tied to the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, SB 125, and capital grants such as TIRCP, AHSC, and LCTOP. The second panel focused on walkability, street design, and curb management. Jeff Speck argued that downtowns become more walkable when trips are useful, safe, comfortable, and interesting, and said cities can quickly improve safety through restriping, lane reductions, two-way street conversions, narrower lanes, trees, and protected bike lanes. Mark Vuksevich of Streets for All said downtown streets and curbs should be treated as economic infrastructure, supporting frequent transit, better parking management, and pedestrian improvements. He supported parking benefits districts, dynamic pricing, and returning parking revenue to the neighborhoods where it is collected, while also noting that state law may need to provide model authority and more flexibility for local experimentation. The final panel addressed housing near transit and major downtown transit investments. California YIMBY’s Aaron Eckhouse supported more housing in transit-rich downtowns and discussed AB 2074, revolving loan funds for high-rise housing, condo reform, and building code changes to lower construction costs. He said downtown housing helps transit ridership, reduces driving, and expands affordability. Adam Vandewater of the Transbay Joint Powers Authority described the Salesforce Transit Center and surrounding Transbay neighborhood as a case study in transit-oriented development, with millions of square feet of development, thousands of residents, and a planned rail portal to connect Caltrain and future high-speed rail into downtown San Francisco. He said state funding and policy support remain critical to completing the portal and related development. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• We truly value this opportunity for dialogue and appreciate the insight and guidance you provide.
• Right now, this is a really great opportunity in looking at the workforce.
• And so should this enact and move forward, it's really a good opportunity.
• Hello, thank you for this opportunity, and good morning.
• Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you today. My name is George Brazil.

Summary: The joint sunset oversight hearing reviewed five California regulatory entities: the Respiratory Care Board, the California Council for Interior Design Certification, the Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology, and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board, the Board of Occupational Therapy, and the Board of Naturopathic Medicine. Each agency described its mission, recent modernization or enforcement work, and requested continuation of its authority. Committee members focused on access to care, workforce impacts, fee structures, transparency, and whether proposed changes would improve public protection without creating unnecessary barriers. For the Respiratory Care Board, the main issues were a possible move from an associate to a bachelor’s degree for entry-level licensure, fee cleanup changes, and ongoing work on the role of LVNs in respiratory tasks. Board representatives said the degree change would better align with national trends and could support future reimbursement and professional advancement, while public commenters and some legislators warned it could worsen shortages, especially in rural and underserved areas. Much of the public testimony centered on families and facilities relying on LVNs for trach and ventilator care in congregate living health facilities, with requests to preserve or expand exemptions. The board also discussed its reserve cap and efforts to modernize licensing and enforcement systems. The interior design item drew the most debate. CCIDC leaders argued the current voluntary certification/title-act model works, that complaints have not shown public harm, and that licensure would disrupt the workforce and create barriers for experienced designers. Committee members questioned the lack of enforcement authority, transparency, and whether the model provides enough accountability or consistent plan acceptance by local jurisdictions. Public testimony was split between supporters who said the current system is flexible and effective, and critics who said the private structure lacks accountability and creates confusion, especially for commercial work and plan check acceptance. The Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology, and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board reported major modernization gains, including online licensure processing, faster application times, new continuing education audits, and updated supervision and advertising rules. Members and stakeholders discussed a proposed audiology assistant license, which the board and the California Academy of Audiology supported as a way to improve access to care and reduce workload pressures. The Occupational Therapy Board described strong enforcement and licensing performance, a new strategic plan, and a request for additional fee authority to address rising costs and reserve concerns; public testimony largely supported the board and a proposed reduction in advanced practice hand therapy training hours. The Naturopathic Medicine Board emphasized consumer protection, unlicensed practice enforcement, and consumer confusion over titles, saying most of its enforcement workload involves unlicensed activity and that stronger title protection and clearer statutory authority are needed.

Transcript Highlights:

• This public meeting will provide an opportunity for small business owners, restaurant associations, and
• Chair, members of the committee, thank you for the opportunity to testify today.
• It helps us fund fraud prevention, cybersecurity, rewards, secure digital banking, financial counseling
• Chairman Murphy, Chairman Feeney, members of the commission, thank you for the opportunity to testify
• Thank you for the opportunity to present to testify today. My name is Scott Talbot.

Keywords: 1212, all

Summary: The Special Commission on the future of credit card payments and their impacts on small businesses heard extensive testimony from credit unions, retailers, payment industry groups, and a credit card issuer. Much of the discussion focused on proposed state laws that would limit interchange fees on the tax and tip portions of transactions, especially Illinois’s Interchange Fee Prohibition Act and similar efforts in other states. Witnesses opposing the proposals argued that interchange helps fund fraud protection, cybersecurity, rewards, and access to credit, and warned that state-by-state rules would create a patchwork that could harm state-chartered banks and credit unions, raise compliance costs, and reduce consumer access to credit. Supporters of reform argued that swipe fees are a significant burden on merchants, especially small businesses, and that current pricing is opaque and often bundled with other processor charges. Several witnesses emphasized that the current payment system provides major benefits to merchants and consumers, including security, convenience, faster settlement, online commerce, and broader access to credit. One witness from Capital One said the industry’s losses from fraud and default are substantial and that interchange helps offset those risks; he also noted that merchants already have some tools, such as surcharging where allowed and negotiating clearer processor contracts. Retail representatives and the National Retail Federation countered that small businesses are under pressure from many costs and that interchange and related fees remain a real pain point, with some urging the commission to consider reforms that would return more money to businesses without disrupting the system. There was also discussion of the recent Visa/Mastercard antitrust settlement, with industry witnesses describing it as a significant merchant win that includes temporary rate reductions, more surcharge flexibility, and the ability to decline certain card tiers. No votes were taken. The meeting concluded after all scheduled testimony was heard, with the commission chair saying the session had been productive and that the committee would continue gathering testimony and written comments before making recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• with communication disorders are at high risk for diminished future independence and employment opportunities
• You're not, but I'll give you an opportunity to get back to it if you'd like. Mr. Chair, let me.
• I'll give you an opportunity to get back to it if you'd like. Mr. Chair, let me explain to you.
• Student clubs are amazing opportunities for students to build their academic résumé and build social
• skills, and this bill is creating an unnecessary barrier to students accessing such opportunities.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, attendance, and approval of the prior journal. Members then introduced guests, including Dr. Stephen Brown as doctor of the day, Arizona State Troopers Day participants, the Arizona Speech-Language-Hearing Association, and the Arizona delegation of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. The Senate also adopted a proclamation recognizing the Arizona Speech-Language-Hearing Association for its work serving people with communication disorders. The Committee of the Whole considered several House bills. HB 2133, dealing with sexual material and synthetic depictions, was amended on the floor and advanced despite objections that it was overbroad and raised First Amendment concerns. HB 2167, relating to the Attorney General, HB 2600, relating to public school clubs and parental consent, and HB 2811, relating to obstruction of public administration, were also advanced. In a second Committee of the Whole, HB 255 on brackish groundwater recovery, HB 2787 on limiting local cooperation with Mexican wolf reintroduction, HB 2795 on county zoning for small modular reactors, and HB 2985 on state land water allocations were considered; HB 2787, HB 2795, and HB 2985 advanced, while HB 2795 later failed on third reading. HB 2003, concerning driver licenses and instruction permits, was also amended to add a delayed effective date and advanced. On third reading, the Senate passed HB 2013, HB 2031, HB 2102, HB 2103, HB 2117, HB 2226, HB 2262, HB 2278, HB 2378, HB 2584, HB 2693, HB 2270, HB 2370, HB 2665, HB 2666, HB 2876, HB 487, HB 2003, HB 255, HB 2133, HB 2167, HB 2600, HB 2787, HB 2811, and HB 2985, with several members explaining no votes over water policy, local control, public safety, and free speech concerns. HB 2795 failed by a 15-13 vote. The Senate also agreed to a free conference committee on HB 2874 and appointed Senators Finchem, Bolick, and Ortiz to it. Bills passed in open session were ordered transmitted to the House.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for the opportunity. And that's why we support the bill. Thank you for the opportunity.
• If the defendant prevails, there's nothing in this bill to provide them the opportunity to recover attorney's
• An assembly presentation, video instruction, or digital instructional materials that are approved by
• and then being told because you did a dumb thing once upon a time, now you don't get to use this opportunity
• to do that when there is already a system in place that handles those things and gives them the opportunity

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We received no royalties so we could make the digital e-book free of charge as a public service.
• This provides an opportunity to vacate those convictions.
• Thank you again for the opportunity to testify, and I certainly urge your support of this bill.
• I want to thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony in regard to House Bill 1982.
• I'm going to ask them to come up first to give the Attorney General's Office an opportunity to respond

Bills: HB1982, HB2156

Keywords: Indian rights, treaty rights, convictions, tribal members, criminal justice reform, Attorney General, AG investigators, limited authority peace officer, peace officer certification, economic crimes, financial crimes, white-collar crime, fraud investigation, search warrant service, electronic service, business records, law enforcement authority, criminal background check, training requirements, Washington RCW

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> have received multiple opportunities have received multiple opportunities that<00:16:01.120><c>
• </c> advantage of such great opportunity. advantage of such great opportunity.
• </c> the opportunity to pre present this. the opportunity to pre present this.
• </c> the opportunity for me to speak today. the opportunity for me to speak today.
• </c> opportunity for skilled trades. opportunity for skilled trades.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for the opportunity to be here with you.
• Thank you for the opportunity to. visit with you today.
• Well, thank you, members of the committee, for the opportunity to discuss the incredible opportunities
• This is a significant opportunity for us.
• I appreciate the opportunity to be here.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

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:

• Thank you for the opportunity to testify in front of you guys today.
• And this bill provides an opportunity, a pathway to do that.
• Sorry about the brief opportunity there. Thank you, Chair.
• Sorry about the brief opportunity there. Thank you, Chigar.
• I appreciate the opportunity to testify in favor of bills today.

Bills: HB2146, HB2349, HB2430, HB2457, HB2510, HB2532

Keywords: sexual exploitation, minors, human trafficking, child safety, law enforcement, victim support, sexually violent predator, SVP, civil commitment, community notification, release notification, conditional release, unconditional discharge, escape notification, victim notification, witness notification, prosecuting attorney, Department of Social and Health Services, DSHS, Department of Corrections

Transcript Highlights:

• Every time I have the opportunity to talk, I get cut off.
• To sit in front of us and tell us this every opportunity that they get.
• We appreciate the opportunity to present our work.
• So there are opportunities.
• Obviously, we lose opportunities both in the service they could provide and in them finding other opportunities

Transcript Highlights:

• Subject to your questions, I thank you again for the gracious invitation and the opportunity to speak
• And so there would be maybe a policy opportunity for us, along with full-time medical professionals,
• And so there would be maybe a policy opportunity for us, along with full-time medical professionals,
• It's both a great opportunity and a challenge, sir.
• Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak. I am grateful for your time this evening.

Summary: The Transportation and Economic Development Budget Subcommittee met to organize for the session, take roll, and hear introductory remarks from members and agency heads. Members briefly introduced themselves and their districts, with several noting transportation, economic development, emergency response, military, and hurricane recovery issues in their areas. Chair Shove then outlined the subcommittee’s jurisdiction and current-year budget, noting a total of about $20.3 billion, with most funding coming from trust funds and only a small share from general revenue. The committee also heard that upcoming meetings would include presentations from major agencies in the subcommittee’s purview. The first agency presentation was from the Department of Military Affairs and the Florida National Guard. Major General John Haas described the Guard’s three missions—supporting national security, responding to state emergencies, and adding value to the state—and highlighted deployments for hurricanes, border security support, and ongoing support to the Department of Corrections. He emphasized that the Guard is understrength relative to Florida’s size and demand, said recruiting is strong, and identified force structure growth as the main challenge. Members asked about aircraft, funding sources, and recruiting; Haas explained the Guard’s helicopter and fixed-wing fleet, said aircraft purchases are funded through legislative appropriations, and reported strong interest in the Florida State Guard’s recruiting pipeline. Executive Director Mark Thieme then described the Florida State Guard’s expansion into air, ground, and maritime capabilities, including Black Hawks, boats, drones, canine search-and-rescue teams, and ground support units. He said the agency supported immigration enforcement and hurricane response, and asked for continued legislative support to expand aviation, maritime, and medical capabilities. Members praised the Guard’s disaster response work and asked about aircraft, funding, and staffing. Secretary Cord Byrd of the Department of State followed, focusing on election administration, election security, the SunBiz and voter registration IT systems, arts and culture, corporations, libraries, and historical resources. He said Florida’s election system remains a national model, reported two prosecutions for non-citizen voting, and discussed modernization needs for legacy IT systems. The committee also asked about voter lookup tools, password privacy for SunBiz, and arts funding vetoes. Secretary Alex Kelly of the Department of Commerce described the agency’s broad portfolio, including workforce, economic, community, and international commerce functions, plus housing recovery, broadband, small business support, rural infrastructure, defense-community grants, and law enforcement recruitment bonuses. He said access to capital is the biggest barrier for small businesses and noted ongoing work with CareerSource, the Department of Corrections, and other partners on workforce and reentry. Secretary Jared Perdue of the Department of Transportation then outlined FDOT’s record budget and five-year work program, emphasizing emergency response, preservation and maintenance, safety, and major investments in roads, ports, airports, transit, and spaceport infrastructure. He said the department has removed millions of cubic yards of storm debris, is ahead of schedule on the Moving Florida Forward initiative, and faces a large unfunded project backlog. Members asked about supply chain issues, project priorities, and workforce needs, and Perdue said FDOT is open to collaboration on recruitment and retention.

Transcript Highlights:

• That will ensure that everyone has a fair opportunity to be heard.
• On behalf of the Peace Institute, I thank you for the opportunity.
• He stalked her online and then confessed that he digitally combined a photo confessed that he digitally
• Thank you for the opportunity to testify in support of H-1593 S1174.
• Thank you for the opportunity to speak to you today.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on the Judiciary held a lengthy hearing on a wide range of bills involving domestic violence, sexual assault, child sexual abuse, trafficking, victim compensation, and related criminal justice reforms. Testimony focused on measures to support survivors and close perceived legal gaps, including bills to protect domestic violence survivors in child welfare proceedings, expand victim compensation for homicide families and trafficking survivors, create a DNA exception to the rape statute of limitations, eliminate or extend statutes of limitations for child sexual abuse, and strengthen laws on upskirting, sexual abuse by adults in positions of authority, and sexual assault by rideshare drivers. Several speakers also addressed bills concerning vulnerable adults, harassment and custody-related abuse, and early evidence kits. Witnesses included legislators, prosecutors, advocates, and many survivors who described personal experiences with abuse and barriers to justice. Supporters argued that current laws often leave survivors without meaningful remedies, especially where consent, reporting requirements, evidentiary rules, or statutes of limitations prevent prosecution or compensation. Prosecutors and advocates said the bills would clarify vague statutes, increase penalties in some cases, and better reflect the realities of coercion, grooming, trafficking, and delayed reporting. Some testimony also urged amendments, including changes to victim compensation reporting rules and clarifications to avoid unintended conflicts with other wage-recovery laws. No committee votes or final actions were taken in the hearing itself. The chairs emphasized strict time limits, respectful conduct, and the submission of written testimony, and several witnesses were called out of order to accommodate the large number of speakers.