Transcript Highlights:

• in the United States, and 13 international chapters.
• in the United States, and 13 international chapters.
• We have many institutions across the state of ...of Florida is absolutely key.
• We have many institutions across the state of Florida.
• We have a program where they are actually working in various facilities across the state.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the pledge, doctor-of-the-day recognition, and a series of introductions honoring visitors and groups in the galleries, including Moffitt Cancer Center, students from Lakeland Christian School, space industry guests, Kappa Alpha Psi, the Florida Association of Licensed Investigators, and others. Senators also made announcements about local delegations visiting the Capitol and a session wellness competition. The chamber then took up CS/CS/SB 112, relating to children with developmental disabilities. Senator Harrell presented the bill as a major autism-focused measure that would expand screening and referral grants, extend Early Steps services through age four with a federal waiver, designate the University of Florida Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment as a statewide hub for research and coordination, create grants for autism-focused summer programs and charter school models, and establish a microcredential for workers who serve children with autism. Senators Davis, Jones, Osgood, Duma, Wright, and others supported the bill while raising concerns about provider shortages, Medicaid managed care coverage, the need for better recruitment incentives, and the importance of research into causes and treatments. Harrell responded that services would be covered under new contracts, Medicaid would provide coverage, the University of Florida would develop the online credential with a stipend incentive, and the bill was a first step in a broader effort that should also address adults on the spectrum. The Senate passed CS/CS/SB 112 unanimously, 38-0, and then adopted a motion to immediately certify the bill to the House. The chamber also adopted Senate Resolution 1856 by publication, honoring the life and legacy of Senator Geraldine Thompson, with 38 co-introducers recorded. In addition, SB 1324 by Senator Simon was withdrawn from further consideration, and the Senate adjourned until the next scheduled meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was and several surrounding states.
• defendant would have to go to a state defendant would have to go to a state college<00:32:12.960
• more than state schools. We get that. more than state schools. We get that.
• I think, uh, last year we had a conversation about the state of contingent faculty in our state, um,
• Cloud State been an adjunct at St.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This would state or a federal level.
• We also had the Hawaii State today. We also had the Hawaii State Commission.
• State Commission on the Status of Women. State Commission on the Status of Women.
• but not just to Hawaii, to every state. but not just to Hawaii, to every state.
• And thank you very much. states. On the other hand, as we all states.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee met on March 20, 2025, to hear a series of Human Services and Health resolutions. HCR 146, which asks the Department of Human Services to apply for and implement the Elderly Simplified Application Project, drew strong support from disability, public health, and hunger advocates. Testifiers emphasized that the measure could create a more uniform benefits application, reduce repeated paperwork, extend certification periods from one year to three years, and ease burdens on both applicants and DHS staff. DHS said it stood on its written testimony and was available for questions. The committee also heard that a universal application could help people with disabilities avoid delays and denials caused by complex or duplicative forms. The committee then heard HR 170/HCR 174, which requests review of Aloha-based learning programs for youth in the juvenile legal system. Supporters from Opportunity for Youth Action Hawaii and DebtFree Justice Hawaii said the resolution would help advance restorative justice, community service, and culturally grounded rehabilitation, especially if youth fees and fines are reduced or eliminated. Testimony also supported HR 133/HCR 139, which asks the Office of Wellness and Resilience to report on the developmental needs of children born during the COVID-19 pandemic. Witnesses from the developmental disabilities council, the Office of Wellness and Resilience, the Hawaii Community Foundation, and others said the pandemic’s trauma and behavioral impacts justify a multidisciplinary, evidence-based report, and the office requested more time to complete its findings, suggesting a deadline at the end of 2026. The committee also heard HR 88/HCR 92, proposing a two-year homelessness sanctuary pilot program in Honolulu. One testifier described sleeping in a car and said the pilot could provide a safer option, while the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions said it supported the intent but stressed that a sanctuary is still an unsheltered situation and should lead people toward permanent housing. HCR 180, calling for collaboration among homelessness and law enforcement agencies, received comments that many of the issues are already being addressed locally. HR 103/HCR 107, which would convene a working group to strengthen Title 9 protections, received support from education, women’s, and LGBTQ advocates, who asked for student and queer representation on the working group and said federal Title 9 changes make state action important. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided, and the committee moved from one resolution to the next after testimony and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:10:39.480> we're to get to that decarbonized state we're to get to that decarbonized state
• Our state ranks third in the nation for air and water quality, and we're one of only four states that
• <00:24:43.640> of<00:24:43.799> North fees to the state of North fees to the state
• Our state ranks third in the nation for air and water quality, and we're one of only four states that
• He asked, since Minnesota was part of a multi-state grid, how the state would track or enforce whether

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And it wasn't until I came to Florida State.
• that have expanded Medicaid in their state.
• And that is what we need to be doing here in the state.
• the health care needs of our state.
• It defines team-based in this state.

Summary: The Senate began with opening prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognitions, including the doctor of the day and a lighthearted “Cannoli Day” introduction. The chamber then held an extended farewell celebration for Senator Joe Gruters, with numerous senators, colleagues, and family members praising his loyalty, political skill, family focus, and service in the Legislature and Republican Party. Gruters was presented with a commemorative gift recognizing his work on a 2019 public-safety and immigration bill that prohibited sanctuary cities and required local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. The Senate adopted a motion to spread Gruters’s remarks upon the journal and then recessed briefly. After recess, the Senate returned to regular business and took up third-reading bills. Committee Substitute for Committee Substitute for Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 354, relating to blue ribbon projects, was temporarily postponed. The chamber then considered Committee Substitute for Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1758, relating to public assistance, with Senator Gates explaining that it contained five reforms to the public assistance system discussed earlier in session. During debate on SB 1758, Senator Berman opposed the bill, saying he could not support it in its current form because he believed the Medicaid-related provisions would create a coverage cliff after the one-year transition period and could leave people without care while increasing costs to hospitals and taxpayers. He also said SNAP error reduction should be a priority, but argued the state should focus on fixing administrative errors and fraud rather than imposing a work requirement whose costs and effects were uncertain.

Transcript Highlights:

• You have done such phenomenal things for the state of Florida.
• that have expanded Medicaid in their state.
• that have expanded Medicaid in their state.
• And that is what we need to be doing here in the state.
• It defines team-based in this state.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions, then devoted most of the first part of the meeting to a farewell-style recognition of Senator Joe Gruters. Senators from both parties offered extended remarks praising his loyalty, political instincts, family involvement, and work as a legislator and as incoming Republican National Committee chair. Gruters responded with remarks about his background, including overcoming a childhood speech impediment, his service in the Legislature, and major policy efforts he highlighted such as alimony reform and the undergrounding of utilities. A ceremonial gift was presented to him recognizing his work on a 2019 public-safety/immigration bill, and the Senate adopted a motion to spread his remarks upon the journal before recessing briefly. After the recess, the Senate returned to regular business. No committee reports, governor’s messages, House messages, or reconsideration matters were reported. The chamber then moved to third reading and temporarily postponed CS/CS/CS/SB 354, relating to blue ribbon projects. The next bill, CS/CS/SB 1758, relating to public assistance, was taken up, and Senator Gaetz explained that it contained five reforms to the public assistance system previously discussed by the Senate. Debate was about to continue when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• So if if end of the state fiscal year.
• overall state obligation. overall state obligation.
• Um, states attorneys in New England.
• a longstanding agreement that the state a longstanding agreement that the state will<01:02:42.559
• across the state. across the state. >> Very<01:05:37.280> good.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Fiscal Committee met on December 19, with Senators Long and Lang serving as replacements. The committee approved the November 21 minutes and adopted the consent calendar after removing two Department of Health and Human Services items for separate discussion. It then took up an HHS request involving nursing facility rates, where Nathan White explained that $2.2 million would be transferred from a long-term care Medicaid eligibility contract to the nursing facilities budget. He said the funds would offset an otherwise projected 3.9% average rate decrease and bring the overall average change to zero for the next six months, with rates reset again in July under state law. Members asked about the budget adjustment factor, bed counts, and whether additional funds could raise rates further; White said the factor is statutory, capped at 28.76%, and that more money would lower the factor and increase rates. The committee also corrected a date in the request from February 1, 2025 to February 1, 2026, and approved the item. The committee next approved another HHS item related to rural health transformation grants. Members confirmed the request covered the full amount applied for this biennium, and asked about the technology component. HHS said the grant is not solely about AI, but about broader technology improvements such as electronic medical records, back-end systems, and tools to improve access and sustainability in underserved areas. The committee approved that item as well. The Judicial Council then requested funds for contract attorneys providing indigent defense on a fixed-fee basis. The council said current funds had already been exhausted and that the new appropriation would be used immediately. Members questioned the size of the request and the number of people awaiting counsel; the council reported about 150 incarcerated people and about 300 non-incarcerated people waiting for counsel, more than in recent years. It attributed the increase to competition for attorneys, public defender offices closing intake in some locations because of caseload limits, and broader case and court-system changes. One member raised constitutional concerns about delays in counsel for incarcerated defendants. The committee ultimately amended the request downward to $1 million, approved it, and then approved a motion to place several annual financial reports on file and release them to the public when available. The committee also discussed dashboard reporting from HHS, asking for more detail on community mental health center caseloads and budget-reduction information, and HHS agreed to provide more useful monthly detail.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, but but the f the state<01:02:25.680> funds state funds state funds um<01:02:28.079> would
• state has economic incentives. state has economic incentives.
• beneficial to our state. beneficial to our state.
• in state law if they're adopted. in state law if they're adopted.
• of the state of Wyoming today. of the state of Wyoming today.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They know that they're leaving the state. state. state.
• of the state. of the state.
• leaving our state. leaving our state.
• This<03:52:03.400> state. This state. This state. Excuse<03:52:05.480> me. Excuse me.
• people of this state. people of this state. Vote<05:17:33.280> no.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I alian to the flag of the United States I alian to the flag of the United States of<02:07:20.159
• > Air Sarah Westerm and the United States Air Sarah Westerm and the United States Air Force<03
• States. These aren't isolated or States.
• fuel supply for this for the state. fuel supply for this for the state.
• do business in my home state anymore. do business in my home state anymore.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, December 15, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we have the State Historic Preservation Office, the State Land Office, and the Office of the State
• So it's a little awkward because you have the state, you know, we have put some state requirements in
• So it's a little awkward because you have the state, you know, we have put some state requirements in
• New Mexico State Police escorted the shipment to the New Mexico-Colorado state line.
• So you're the director of the whole state, state director, Homeland Security Department.

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from the Environment Department on PFAS contamination in private wells in La Cienega, Santa Fe County. Staff said the plume likely came from historic use of firefighting foam associated with airport and National Guard fire-training activities, with possible additional contribution from septic systems and consumer products. They described the contamination as affecting about 200 private wells, the short-term response of providing residential filters through a $2 million legislative appropriation, and ongoing work to define the plume’s full extent, identify responsible parties, and consider longer-term regional water solutions. Members asked about filter costs, replacement schedules, disposal of used cartridges, follow-up testing, health studies, and whether cleanup or containment had begun; the department said cleanup would follow once the plume is fully mapped and that DOH is soliciting interest in a blood study. The committee also discussed the need to track disposal of PFAS filters and the possibility of broader statewide capacity for similar work. The committee then took up abandoned uranium mine cleanup. NMED and EMNRD staff reviewed the new uranium mine reclamation program created by HB 164, the state dashboard tracking sites, and the FY26 appropriation of $20 million for neglected contaminated sites, of which $12 million is being used for neglected uranium mines and the remainder for other contaminated sites. They said six contractors were hired, three priority sites in Grant County are moving forward quickly, and additional sites are being prepared for possible FY27 work. Members pressed for details on how funds are spent, why the revolving fund remains unfunded, how federal, state, tribal, and landowner requirements are coordinated, where contaminated material will be moved, and whether cleanup could also address homes built with contaminated materials. Staff said the work is governed by multiple regulatory layers, that the state is seeking an additional $25 million for FY27-FY28 plus a time extension, and that partnerships with tribes would require longer-term agreements. The committee also discussed federal cleanup efforts and the new Good Samaritan law, with members urging stronger advocacy for New Mexico sites, including tribal lands, and asking whether the Attorney General should pursue legal action against federal parties responsible for legacy contamination. Staff explained that some sites are already covered by settlement funds tied to responsible parties, while neglected sites are those with no responsible party and no other cleanup program. The committee then heard from EMNRD on Class VI carbon sequestration primacy. Staff said New Mexico currently has no operating Class VI wells, about 27 Class II acid-gas injection wells are operating, and only a small number might be candidates for conversion. They explained that the state’s primacy application would require more public outreach than federal rules alone, and that cost estimates for post-injection site care are based on long planning horizons, with some costs borne by operators and some by the state after closure. No votes were taken on the substantive items discussed; the committee approved the prior meeting minutes and took a brief recess between presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have two that supply the state with fuels, or that could supply the state via Colonial Pipeline.
• We've seen in Washington State.
• We've seen in Washington State.
• Right now, the state budget includes some of those costs, and that's in the state budget.
• We have worked with your state...

Keywords: 1146, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the current map of states that have a state tax credit for affordable housing. maybe state agencies
• map of states that have a state current map of states that have a state tax<00:25:10.559> credit<
• And these are rural states, red states, plenty of blue states, too.
• <00:25:43.679> of<00:25:43.840> blue states, red states, plenty of blue states, red
• seen more than 75 laws pass in states. seen more than 75 laws pass in states.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:15 Roll Call 00:00:45 Discussion of Pro-Growth Housing Policies 00:02:33 Adjournment 01:17:15, 958, all

Summary: The Housing Task Force 2.0 reconvened with several new members and heard a presentation from Kentucky Housing Corporation Executive Director Winston Miller and Deputy Executive Director Wendy Smith. They framed the task force’s work as a practical effort to address Kentucky’s housing shortage, update members on the current housing landscape, summarize existing state and federal resources, and suggest areas for the task force to focus on over the coming year. KHC said its 2024 housing supply gap analysis found Kentucky is short about 206,000 housing units, split roughly evenly between rental and homeownership, and projected the gap could grow to 287,000 units by 2029 if current trends continue. They emphasized that every county in Kentucky needs more housing, that the 2008 housing crisis and loss of construction capacity remain major causes of the shortage, and that current pressures include high interest rates, rising insurance and tax costs, construction cost inflation, and housing prices and rents growing faster than incomes. KHC also said homelessness has risen in Kentucky, with point-in-time counts showing double-digit increases in recent years. The presenters reviewed existing resources, including federal programs, the Kentucky Affordable Housing Trust Fund, the rural housing trust fund, KHC mortgage and down payment assistance programs, and the state mortgage interest deduction. They said these resources are important but insufficient to close the gap, and noted that a proposed federal FY2026 budget would cut HUD programs by 44%, potentially removing about $286 million from Kentucky housing resources, though no action has been taken yet. They urged the task force to consider stronger, more flexible tools such as a revolving loan fund, a state affordable housing tax credit, and economic development and employer-assisted housing incentives, and pointed to Indiana’s housing infrastructure and regional development funds as examples. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• talent in state. talent in state.
• physicians who will serve our state. physicians who will serve our state.
• State. State.
• State University. He's from Kenya. State University. He's from Kenya.
• , including Metro State.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And prior to that, I spent 23 years as the state traffic engineer, where I had the commissioner's delegated
• State Police.
• > police to state police uh from state police to state police uh from state police communications
• And urban compact roads are normally state highways that are built as a state highway, and the state
• And urban compact roads are normally state highways that are built as a state highway, and the state

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• less state control over the tax system. less state control over the tax system.
• in the program as a state. in the program as a state.
• revenue code date uh in in state law. revenue code date uh in in state law.
• . state. state.
• with the state then for that land? with the state then for that land?

Bills: HR1, HF387

Keywords: January 6 insurrection, pardon, law enforcement, violent crimes, public safety, justice system, political accountability, Blaine, local sales tax, special tax, restaurant tax, lodging tax, admissions tax, amusement tax, hotel tax, redevelopment, capital improvements, municipal finance, bonding authority, tourism tax

Transcript Highlights:

• /c> State Council on Developmental State Council on Developmental Disabilities.<00:16:58.399> Good
• executive director for the Hawaii State executive director for the Hawaii State Council<00:17:04.480
• My testimony does state the network. My testimony does state some<00:26:50.400> examples.
• is a huge issue not only in this state is a huge issue not only in this state but<00:32:37.039><
• <01:28:10.320> was<01:28:10.560> paying state hospital that the state was paying state

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint hearing opened with SB 1442, which would update the statute governing the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division and clarify its role as the state Medicaid provider of intensive mental health services for children and adolescents with serious emotional disturbance. The Department of Health testified in strong support, saying the current statute is outdated and warning against any unfunded mandate because the division relies on federal funding and faces uncertainty about future resources. Written testimony from several organizations also supported the bill. The committees took no immediate action and said they would hold decision-making until later. The hearing then moved to SB 479 on ABLE savings accounts. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities and the Hawaii Disability Rights Center supported the measure, arguing that ABLE accounts help people with disabilities save money without losing benefits and that the state needs more outreach and staffing to expand participation. A testifier with a disability said the bill would help people keep Social Security and housing stability. The chair indicated an intention to move the bill forward, and asked about funding; the discussion settled on a requested appropriation of about $75,000 for incentives. Next, SB 1245 on reimbursement of pharmacists drew broad support from the Hawaii Pharmacists Association, rural pharmacies, the Hawaii Primary Care Association, and others, who said the bill would improve access to care, especially on neighbor islands and in rural communities, and help pharmacies participate in 340B-related services. The Insurance Division and HMSA raised concerns about bill language, saying it could be read to cover pharmacists outside an insurer’s network and that the scope of reimbursable services needed clarification; the pharmacists’ association said the bill is intended to apply only to in-network pharmacists and should continue to reference existing scope-of-practice law. The hearing also took up SB 1279, which would allow pharmacists to authorize medications via telehealth under certain circumstances. The State Board of Pharmacy opposed the bill, citing patient safety, a pilot project with reported errors, concerns about controlled substances and unregulated technicians, and the view that in-person pharmacist services are safer and already available on the affected islands. Several pharmacies and health care groups supported the measure as a way to preserve 340B access and improve service on Lānaʻi and Molokaʻi, while some local pharmacies said they already provide in-person service and opposed remote dispensing. No votes were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• for $1.3 million of taxpayer state for $1.3 million of taxpayer state taxpayer<00:17:28.240>
• Um that congressional delegation.
• with our partners uh across the state. with our partners uh across the state.
• uh to any event in the state. uh to any event in the state.
• but before they get to the state level. but before they get to the state level.

Bills: HB676

Keywords: HB676, Hawaii correctional facilities, youth correctional facilities, adult correctional facilities, Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Office of Youth Services, inmate phone calls, prison phone calls, jail phone calls, free prison calls, free communication services, incarcerated persons, prison reform, reentry, family visitation, recidivism, video visitation, electronic messaging, commissions, ancillary fees

Summary: The committee heard three public safety bills. HB 2235 would appropriate $1.3 million for the Military Affairs and Community Relations Office to strengthen coordination on military and defense issues. Supporters, including the Hawaii National Guard and DBEDT’s military relations office, said the office helps Hawaiʻi understand federal contracting, USA Jobs, and military-related economic impacts. One member questioned why the state should fund a DoD-related office while Hawaiʻi remains under-reimbursed on impact aid; supporters responded that the office serves Hawaiʻi communities and helps prepare residents for federal jobs. The chair said she intended to recommend the bill pass with a HD1, a blank appropriation to be filled in the committee report, technical amendments, a defective effective date, and updated office title language. HB 2263 would expand Hawaiʻi family leave law to cover qualifying military exigencies. The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, DBEDT’s military relations office, and the Hawaii National Guard supported the measure, saying military families often face short-notice deployments, relocations, briefings, and urgent family arrangements that require time away from work, and that aligning state law with federal standards would provide clarity and consistency. The chair said she would recommend passage with a HD1, a defective effective date, and technical amendments. HB 2291 would clarify that certain National Guard Youth and Educational Programs employees are excluded from collective bargaining, rename the program, and codify its Hawaiian name. The Hawaii National Guard said it was a housekeeping bill with no appropriation, but requested an amendment to align the bill with updated authorities and program references; the chair asked for proposed language before the later decision-making. She said she would recommend passage with a defective date and the requested amendment if provided, and then recessed the hearing until 11:30 a.m. for decision-making on all three bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• issue in the state of Minnesota. issue in the state of Minnesota.
• federal and state law. federal and state law.
• Uniform across the state. law. Uniform across the state.
• Local gov, state gov.
• people of the state. people of the state.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• out that as this bill was leaving state out that as this bill was leaving state government<00:09
• > local<00:35:44.560> government unit of state or local government unit of state or local
• <01:05:32.880> independent many states have an independent many states have an independent
• <01:05:51.680> and highly needed uh in the state and highly needed uh in the state and >
• crimes um you know defrauding uh state crimes um you know defrauding uh state the<01:14:29.360><

Keywords: 1183, house