Transcript Highlights:

• It's been a task trying to do that with the Public Safety Department.
• Some public safety people.
• I'm assuming that's how come I'm in Crime and Public Safety.
• Also the hearing on Crime and Public Safety. Thank you.
• Also the hearing on Crime and Public Safety. Thank you.

Committee: House Crime and Public Safety

Summary: The committee on Crime and Public Safety met with nine members present and held public hearings on three bills. Senate Bill 1652, sponsored by Sen. Angela Mosley, would create a permanent office in the Missouri Department of Public Safety focused on missing and murdered African-American women and girls, including a Phoenix Alert system, data collection, cold-case review, and support for families and community groups. Supporters, including family members and advocates, described disparities in how missing Black women and girls are reported and investigated, often being labeled as runaways and lacking photos or media attention; some members raised concerns about whether the office should be broader, but the sponsor and supporters argued the disparity justified a dedicated office. No vote was taken on the bill in this hearing. Senate Bill 1572, sponsored by Sen. Mike Henderson, would change the St. Louis Police Retirement System board by staggering the mayoral appointments and limiting three board seats to actively commissioned officers elected by active members, with travel time provided for board duties. The sponsor and witnesses said the change was needed because vacancies and illness had previously prevented a quorum and delayed board action; testimony noted the bill had unanimous support in the Senate and House committee. The hearing then moved to House Bill 3533, which would raise casino admission fees and gaming taxes and adjust related revenue provisions. The sponsor said the bill would generate additional revenue for state funds, while the Missouri Gaming Association and Missouri Chamber of Commerce opposed it, arguing the fee and tax increases would burden a specific industry and could affect investment and competitiveness. The sponsor and some members discussed inflation, illegal gaming machines, and whether the admission fee is effectively paid by casinos rather than patrons; no committee vote was taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's been a task trying to do that with the public safety department.
• Some public safety people.
• I'm assuming that's how come I'm in Crime and Public Safety.
• Also the hearing on Crime and Public Safety.
• Also the hearing on crime and public safety. Thank you. Thank you.

Committee: House Crime and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, Hospital 325 is an effort to begin a program on railroad safety equipment.
• There's a lot of safety needs at railroad crossings and roads.
• Chairman, Representative Mushroom, I think so, as long as it's safety-related.
• This is a way to provide greater safety for our vulnerable road users at... ...a much lesser cost.
• We went from two lanes to four lanes due to safety, and we increased capacity on that roadway.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 1323 attempts to improve safety at railway crossings by requiring advanced detection and monitoring
• A study by DOT that'll review the emerging technologies in railway crossing safety.
• I don't know why I can't say that—railroad crossing safety, the Austin efficiency, and the life-saving
• Positive Train Control is a safety overlay that can help the engineer manage their train.
• We appreciate the representative's interest in rail safety, and we thank you for the opportunity.

Transcript Highlights:

• From workforce education and teacher quality to school safety and academic progress, Florida remains
• The budget includes $652.6 million in the following school safety initiatives: $300 million, which is
• If there is fraud occurring, if there's health, safety, and welfare issues that are taking place, if
• Funded at $10 million, spent $24 million on safety. We were funded at $5 million for mental health.
• Funded at $10 million, spent $24 million on safety. We were funded at $5 million for mental health.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education met to hear the governor’s fiscal year 2026-27 budget recommendations for education from the Office of Policy and Budget and the Department of Education. Shelby Salmons and Commissioner Stasi Kamoutsis outlined the governor’s proposed $117.4 billion state budget, including about $32.5 billion for education, with major emphasis on public schools and early learning. The presentation highlighted a $30.6 billion K-12 budget, a $486 million VPK program, continued funding for VPK Summer Bridge, TEACH, HIPPY, and Help Me Grow, as well as increases for teacher pay, base student allocation, mental health, school safety, civics education, and school hardening initiatives. The commissioner also cited a 92.2% statewide graduation rate and Florida’s national rankings in education and education freedom. Senators used the question period to raise concerns about counselor staffing, mental health services, school closures, school choice oversight, the Guardian Program, data reporting, and school capacity. Senator Jones asked about counselor ratios, school closures in historically Black communities, and whether school choice schools are properly monitored for safety and instructional quality. Senator Osgood argued that mental health funding should support more clinical services on campuses, not just academic counselors, and Senator Bradley asked whether the centralized data repository includes scholarship students. Senator Gates praised the civics and debate funding and asked for more detail on the Guardian Program’s performance; the commissioner said 53 of 67 districts participate and described it as a successful safety option with sheriffs approving training. Senators Simon and Osgood also pressed for better use of the FISH report and more accurate space data to understand school capacity and right-sizing. During public testimony, Pinellas County School Board member Laura Hine said her district is an A-rated district with no D or F schools, but spends far more on safety and mental health than it receives in state categorical funding. She said Florida’s mental health staffing ratio is about one counselor per 2,203 students, compared with a recommended one per 1,106, and urged the committee to consider funding full-day VPK statewide, estimating it would cost about $375 million. Committee members followed up on her comments about local flexibility and whether districts can shift funds to meet needs. The meeting ended after members thanked DOE and executive branch staff for the presentation, and the committee adjourned without taking any substantive vote on legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• the FWC and the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to create a Florida Freedom
• Boater Safety Inspection decal.
• Since DHSMV is the agency that oversees vessel registration, vessel owners will attest to the safety
• The law strengthens boating safety laws, aligns penalties for boating offenses with those for similar
• vehicular crimes, and modifies requirements for boater safety education.

Committee: Senate Environment and Natural Resources

Summary: The Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee first considered the appointment of Joshua Kellam to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Kellam described his background with Garcia Companies, emphasized his conservation interests and land stewardship work, and addressed concerns about his development ties, the commission’s composition, the recent black bear hunt vote, and a prior Yes on 2 campaign supported by the Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Supporters said he is a conservation-minded landowner and good steward of large acreage, while opponents argued the commission is already overrepresented by developers and lacks scientific or conservation expertise. After debate, the committee voted to recommend his confirmation, with Senators Smith and Arrington voting no and the rest of the members present voting yes. The committee then received an FWC implementation update on recently enacted boating and waterways legislation. FWC staff reviewed five laws: the Boater Freedom Act (SB 1388), Vessel Accountability (SB 164), Lucy’s Law/Boating Safety (HB 289), Disposition of Migrant Vessels (SB 830), and Water Access Facilities (HB 735). The presentation covered new rules on vessel stops, safety decals, Springs Protection Zones, derelict and at-risk vessel enforcement, long-term anchoring permits, tougher boating penalties, removal of migrant vessels, and grants for boating access infrastructure. Staff said rulemaking and officer training were underway, with some provisions already effective and others scheduled to take effect later in 2025 or January 2026. Members asked follow-up questions about derelict vessel cost recovery and the new Springs Protection Zone standard. FWC explained that responsible owners must reimburse removal costs and can lose vessel registration privileges if they do not pay. On Springs Protection Zones, staff said the new law raises the threshold from any harm to significant harm and requires vessel activity to be the predominant cause, with subject matter experts and partner agencies helping make that determination. Senator Smith questioned whether the higher standard makes protections harder to establish and asked about Silver Glen Springs; FWC said that proposal was paused and would be revisited under the new criteria. The committee took no further action and adjourned after the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• We didn't know that whistles would take on a completely different meaning, becoming our tool for safety
• :16:35.080><c> constitutional</c><00:16:35.839><c> rights</c> I had to think about myself, my own safety
• plan, what would happen safety plan, what would happen if<00:17:08.240><c> I</c><00:17:08.360><c> were
• It is upon us as duly elected to meet this moment to the safety of Minnesotans.
• standards and interferes public safety standards and interferes with<00:20:43.400><c> with</c><00:20

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm pleased to present AB 2055, a common-sense public safety measure that Chair and Members, I'm pleased
• to present AB 2055, a common-sense public safety measure that updates California's boating laws, closes
• AB 2055 also addresses a clear safety issue involving swimmers.
• AB 2055 resolves the conflict by aligning state law with federal expectations and strengthening safety
• Members, AB 2055 is about modernization, consistency, and public safety.

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on May 13, 2026, and began by taking up a large consent calendar, moving a first group of bills to the floor consent calendar and a second group by due pass. The committee then heard and advanced a series of measures covering housing, public safety, health care, education, and local government issues. Among the bills discussed were AB 2641 on a sales tax exemption for pawnbroker redemptions, AB 2525 on a narrow Surplus Lands Act exemption for Mission Bay Park, AB 1732 and AB 2433 on student housing and the Affordable Homes Bonus Law, AB 2055 on boating safety and enforcement, AB 1579 on children’s crisis residential services, AB 2139 on a Surplus Lands Act amendment for an Inland Empire soccer project, AB 2041 on EMS reporting, AB 1973 on reproductive health scope for advanced practice clinicians, AB 1929 on health plan investment disclosures, AB 2700 on utility rates and wildfire victim compensation, AB 1809 on school job order contracting, SB 73 on election security, AB 2418 on commercial building permit timelines, AB 1970 on step therapy limits for serious mental illness and substance use treatment, AB 2361 on peer-to-peer vehicle-sharing liability, AB 1976 on bike and pedestrian project approvals, AB 2110 on tax increment financing for workforce housing, and AB 2146 on supportive housing documentation and vacancy rules. Testimony was generally supportive for the measures heard. Authors and sponsors emphasized consumer fairness, housing production, public safety, access to care, and administrative streamlining. Supporters included local governments, housing advocates, school districts, law enforcement groups, health care organizations, and affected individuals. AB 2700 drew especially extensive public testimony from wildfire survivors and local officials who urged stronger compensation for victims of PG&E-caused fires and relief from high utility costs. AB 2034 and AB 1790 were raised during public comment on bills not heard in committee, with several industry groups opposing AB 2034 and both supporters and opponents speaking on AB 1790’s Waters Edge issue. Most bills were reported out of committee on due pass motions, with several noted as amended or with members not voting on particular roll calls. The committee also read and approved a lengthy suspense calendar, then opened public comment on bills not presented that day before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• It expands that authority by including rules relating to evidence-based, safety-related procedures for
• Any delay would only allow our safety net system to be limited in the services that they are currently
• It has the underlying purpose to protect safety net in our state.
• also has the transparency piece so that as policymakers we get a better understanding of how our safety
• also has the transparency piece so that as policymakers we get a better understanding of how our safety

Summary: The Health Care and Wellness Committee heard executive action on seven bills, with discussion focused on prior authorization, the 340B drug pricing program, biosimilars, HIV drug coverage, exchange certification criteria, and hearing/speech board authority. Members also considered several amendments, including a date change to prior authorization reporting in SB 5395, a large striking amendment and multiple policy amendments on SB 5981, and market-criteria amendments on SB 6210. Testimony and debate centered on transparency, administrative costs, rural access, patient care spending, market stability, and the balance between state authority and federal law. SB 5395 on prior authorization received Amendment 247, which moved the carrier reporting deadline to the Office of Insurance Commissioner from January 1, 2027 to October 1, 2026, and was then reported out with a due pass recommendation. SB 5981 on 340B drug pricing adopted a striking amendment creating reporting and fee structures, but rejected amendments that would have removed filing fees, required 90% of revenues to go to direct patient care, limited additional contract pharmacies to rural or underserved areas, or delayed the bill’s effective date; the bill then passed out of committee 11-7. Supporters emphasized transparency and safety-net funding, while opponents raised concerns about federal preemption, litigation, costs, and administrative burden. SB 5594 on biosimilar substitution, SB 5877 on certified anesthesiology assistants and the physician health program, and SB 6183 on coverage of FDA-approved HIV antiviral drugs without utilization management all advanced with broad support and due pass recommendations. SB 6210 on health benefit exchange market factor criteria adopted a striking amendment but rejected amendments that would have limited updates to every two years, narrowly defined “meaningfully different,” or changed implementation timelines; it also passed 11-7. SB 6226 on the Board of Speech and Hearing adopted Amendment 313 to expand standards-of-care authority for hearing aid fitting and dispensing, then passed 17-1 after debate about patient safety, tele-audiology, and access to care.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's about preparation, understanding and public safety.
• Confidence builds safety, and safety builds trust.
• Crime reporting and cooperation increases, tension decreases and public safety becomes stronger, not
• Katie Bonnett, Alliance for Safety and Justice, waives in support.
• Staff: Responsible Firearm Safety Awareness Month for Representative Edmonds, sir.

Transcript Highlights:

• I commend to you this RS, which adds to Idaho Code 18-4117 to protect privacy, safety, and dignity, especially
• Single-sex facilities have long existed to safeguard female privacy, safety, and bodily autonomy from
• I think this is good legislation, and I appreciate it being brought forward for safety for girls.
• It's protecting privacy and safety in public buildings.
• The objective is to ensure the privacy, safety, and dignity of all people in public restrooms, changing

Committee: House State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill addresses a current gap in how Florida's public universities communicate safety procedures
• when members of the campus community receive threats to their physical safety.
• Threats to their physical safety.
• This change will improve the ability of institutions to implement the necessary safety procedures and
• This change will improve the ability of institutions to implement the necessary safety procedures and

Bills: S0176 , S0816

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met to hear two bills and several confirmation appointments. Senate Bill 176, as amended, required public universities to maintain and publicize clear campus safety policies and reporting procedures for threats to students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Senator Polsky said the bill was intended to close a gap in postsecondary safety guidance and mirror K-12 requirements. The committee adopted the amendment without objection, heard supportive comments about campus safety, and reported the bill favorably. The committee also heard Senate Bill 116, which would codify the University of Florida Diabetes Institute in statute to support research, prevention, education, collaboration, and outreach on diabetes; the bill drew supportive testimony from AARP and others and was also reported favorably. The committee then took up confirmations for multiple university and college boards of trustees. Nominees and appointees testified about their backgrounds and priorities, including FIU trustee Nestor Plana, UNF trustee Clarence Stephen Moore, UCF trustees Mark Philburn and Alan Flores, USF trustees Rick Piccolo and Nancy Watkins Hemingway, and Miami Dade College trustee Ismarie Monreal, among others. Their remarks emphasized student success, research growth, workforce development, financial stewardship, and institutional goals such as engineering, cybersecurity, health care, and preeminence. Several members asked about NCLEX nursing pass rates and university performance metrics, and one public commenter raised concerns about campus climate and student safety at UCF. After hearing the appointees and public comment, the committee voted to confirm the group of nominees in a block and reported the confirmations favorably. The meeting concluded without further business after a motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think this is a pretty simple one that would be a good one for the community safety.
• of our community, the safety of the incarcerated individual, and also the safety of themselves while
• And it comes at the risk of the public safety. It comes at a cost for the state.
• I appreciate your focus on safety.
• I appreciate your focus on safety.

Summary: The Senate Human Services Committee met in executive session to review several bills, with one bill on the DCYF Oversight Board (SB 5942) held until the following week so additional stakeholder input could be incorporated. Staff briefed bills on escorted leaves for incarcerated individuals (SB 5873), extraordinary medical placements (SB 5895), financial stability for youth in DCYF care receiving Social Security benefits (SB 5911), an extended foster care housing pilot (SB 5940), changes to the persistent offender definition and resentencing (SB 5945), adding positions to the Office of Homeless Youth Advisory Committee (SB 5957), and medically tailored meals for Apple Health enrollees (SB 5966). Several of these bills had multiple proposed amendments, many offered by Senator Christian, addressing eligibility limits, monitoring, location restrictions, time limits, liability, victim notification, and funding contingencies. In executive action, the committee adopted only the chair’s technical amendment to SB 5873 and rejected the other proposed amendments, then advanced the bill as a proposed substitute to the Rules Committee. SB 5895 also moved forward as a proposed substitute after most amendments were rejected and one was withdrawn; the committee sent it to Ways and Means. SB 5911’s amendment clarifying protected accounts for youth benefits was adopted, and the bill was advanced to Ways and Means. SB 5940 was also advanced to Ways and Means after adoption of the substitute. SB 5945’s proposed substitute was adopted and the bill was sent forward, while SB 5957 and SB 5966 were briefly discussed in briefing but not acted on during the portion of the meeting captured here. The chair noted that any remaining executive bills not completed would be taken up at the next meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our system came together to host a summit around campus safety and security.
• We put together our One SUS priority when we came up with this safety was not something that was we or
• of april 17th happened at fs u last week our system came together to host a summit around campus safety
• was not something that was we When we came up with this, safety was not something that we envisioned
• And on page nine, you talked about safety and the strategic plan there, and you talked about, I think

Summary: The committee heard a presentation on the State University System’s new strategic plan, SUS 30, from Emily Sykes and later the system’s legislative budget request from Sarah Denagie. The strategic plan centers on five priorities: One SUS collaboration, elevating student success, operational excellence, world-class talent, and innovative research and economic development. Testimony highlighted Florida’s continued status as the nation’s top higher education system, record rankings, improved four-year graduation rates, higher median graduate wages, strong licensure pass rates, and expanded focus on research commercialization and workforce alignment. Senators asked about programs of strategic emphasis, mental health and teacher workforce needs, use of the My Florida Future wage data tool, support for first-generation and Pell students, and the role of liberal arts degrees. The system said it would provide follow-up information, including the full strategic-emphasis list and a report on campus safety best practices after a recent summit following the FSU shooting. The committee also received an update on line funding for nursing and health care partnerships. Officials said the $6 million appropriation was fully subscribed through 24 proposals from all 10 nursing programs, supporting scholarships, faculty recruitment, internships, simulation, and expanded nursing capacity. They reported more than 1,900 new nursing graduates, over 200 new student slots, more than 300 scholarships, and a 92% NCLEX pass rate. Senators asked about expanding eligibility for the program, and staff indicated that would be examined this year. For the legislative budget request, the Board of Governors asked for $634.5 million total, including $295 million to maintain the institutional performance-based funding base, $400 million for the state investment portion of performance-based funding, $125 million for preeminence funding, $100 million for faculty recruitment and retention, $6.4 million for UF/IFAS extension workload, and $3.1 million for state fire marshal inspections. The chair noted that resources are limited and that difficult budget decisions will be required. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are calling this hearing of the Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee to order
• A very good, excellent step and ensuring the safety of these products.
• That's not reasonable nor is it aligned with existing product safety frameworks.
• to safety goes down to the level of chemicals that are present in our products.
• Product safety is the top priority for BHPNR members and we support preventing exposure to dangerous

Committee: House Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials

Transcript Highlights:

• An act relating to public safety. The second engrossment. There is an amendment at the desk.
• This bill, members, is the public safety policy package.
• Um, one is promoting school safety by establishing a new threat reporting requirement for schools.
• Um, one is promoting school safety by establishing a new threat reporting requirement for schools.
• Um, one is promoting school safety by establishing a new threat reporting requirement for schools.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it protects consumers by ensuring that there's oversight of alcohol sales and product safety in the
• For example, it's not a safety issue if my berry cider leaves a berry flavor in my line, but that does
• If someone is worried about whether a small brewery like mine can uphold safety or quality, I invite
• First, that the three-tier system is absolutely essential to protect the public safety.
• Should there be quality issues, and note those are not safety issues—those are two separate things.

Summary: The State Administration Budget Subcommittee met with a quorum and took up one bill, House Bill 499, which would allow malt beverage manufacturers producing less than 31,000 gallons annually to sell and deliver directly to vendors. The sponsor and several craft brewery owners and industry advocates testified in support, arguing the measure would help small breweries reach local restaurants, improve quality control, create jobs, and serve as a bridge into the three-tier system for businesses too small to attract distributors. Opponents, including the Florida Beer Wholesalers Association, argued the bill would undermine the three-tier system, weaken accountability and tax collection, and create risks for consumer protection and market fairness. During debate, several members said they supported the bill as a small-business measure while noting they remained protective of the three-tier system. Some members raised concerns about tax tracking and long-term distributor contracts, but others said the bill appeared limited enough to preserve the existing system while giving small breweries a chance to grow. The committee then voted on the bill and it passed, with one recorded no vote. After the bill vote, the subcommittee revisited prior questions about Department of Lottery Secretary Davis’s travel reimbursements. Members reviewed updated documents showing more than $50,000 in travel reimbursements from January 2021 through November 2024, including about $27,840 tied to Orlando destinations, and expressed concern that some reimbursements may have covered commuting between Tallahassee and Orlando. The chair said the information would be sent to Secretary Davis for an explanation, and the meeting adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• No, I move that House File 2354 be re-referred to the Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee.
• House File 2354 be re-referred to the Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee.
• You're on your way to Public Safety. So thank you so much.
• House File 2354 be referred to Public Safety Finance and Policy.
• You're on your way to Public Safety.

Transcript Highlights:

• Health and Safety Code Section 102705 requires that if a petition for access is brought by an adoptee
• Cutting corners hurts our brand, our safety record, and ultimately it hurts our share price.
• They must follow proper health, safety, and human rights standards.
• , infectious diseases, and worker safety—areas where states have long exercised this authority.
• Manuelito and his mom have been experiencing fear, trauma, economic, and safety impacts.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills, beginning with SB 16, which would require county behavioral health directors to create clear pathways for clinicians to be authorized to initiate 5150 involuntary holds. The author and supporters argued the bill would reduce reliance on law enforcement and create more consistent crisis response standards statewide, while county behavioral health directors opposed it as an unfunded mandate that could increase law enforcement involvement and create implementation burdens. Members raised questions about county costs and funding, but the author emphasized the bill’s role in building a more clinical response system. SB 561 would require public guardians to acknowledge conservatorship referrals, make determinations within a reasonable time, and provide status updates on request. Supporters said the bill would reduce delays that leave vulnerable adults in limbo, while the opposition from public guardian representatives was removed after amendments. SB 381 drew extensive public testimony in support; it would allow California-born adoptees, and descendants of deceased adoptees, access to original birth certificates, with a nonbinding contact preference form for birth parents. Supporters framed the bill as a matter of dignity, identity, and health, and there was no formal opposition on the record. The committee also discussed SB 880, which would give tenants and prospective owner-occupants notice and a first opportunity to make an offer when institutional investors sell certain homes. Supporters said it would expand homeownership opportunities and preserve neighborhood stability, while opponents warned about conflicts with federal law, bundled-sale restrictions, and impacts on build-to-rent and affordable housing projects. Members and the author discussed possible amendments to address those concerns. SB 1238 would impose a duty of care and additional transparency requirements on HOA managers and boards; supporters said it would protect homeowners from mismanagement, while the main opposition argued the duty should remain contractual and could increase litigation. Finally, SB 423 would require disclosure of emergency-service records related to private detention facilities, and SB 28 would make changes to the CARE Court process, including a statewide ombudsperson and expanded oversight; both drew support and opposition, with concerns focused on transparency, privacy, implementation, and the balance between treatment and coercion. SB 574, discussed at the end, would require disclosure and human oversight for AI use in courts and legal practice and create a complaint process for ADR providers, with the State Bar noting requested amendments related to complaint handling and confidentiality.

Transcript Highlights:

• So uh this of course is so important for road safety.
• So uh this of course is so important for road safety.
• deserve neither liberty nor safety.
• </c> emergencies and legitimate public safety emergencies and legitimate public safety needs. needs.
• Flock Safety has partnerships with us.