Transcript Highlights:

• There were 17,745 fatal and serious injury crashes in California in 2024, and California's rate of fatal
• There were 17,745 fatal and serious injury crashes in California in 2024, and California's rate of fatal
• Over half of those fatalities were right here in California.
• O'Dowd, you mentioned, and I didn't catch it, Tesla had a certain amount of fatalities.
• O'Dowd, you mentioned, and I didn't catch it, Tesla had a certain amount of fatalities.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee held an informational hearing on autonomous vehicle technology in California, with testimony from industry, safety advocates, first responders, drivers, and state regulators. The chair framed the hearing as an overview of AV deployment, safety, first responder interactions, and current and future regulation. Witnesses from the AV industry argued that autonomous vehicles can reduce crashes and injuries, create jobs, and support California’s leadership in innovation, while critics and crash survivors described serious safety failures, including phantom braking, inadequate transparency, and crashes involving Tesla’s Autopilot/Full Self-Driving systems. Several witnesses urged stronger disclosure, data preservation, independent safety validation, and clearer accountability for companies deploying these systems. First responder and labor witnesses described operational problems in San Francisco and elsewhere, saying AVs have blocked fire engines, ambulances, and police responses, shut down in emergency scenes, and caused major delays during outages. They asked for faster and more reliable remote support, a public safety manual override, clearer enforcement authority, and limits on deployment in complex conditions. A police chief representative said law enforcement supports innovation but needs standardized protocols, training, and clear statutory authority. A Teamsters representative criticized proposed DMV rules for heavy-duty autonomous trucks, arguing they rely too heavily on manufacturer self-certification and do not impose enough independent safety review or geographic limits. State regulators from the DMV and CPUC defended California’s existing AV framework, saying the state has regulated AVs since 2014 and now has an end-to-end system with permits, reporting requirements, enforcement tools, and first responder coordination. DMV officials said the new rulemaking would add more reporting, address heavy-duty AVs, and require compliance with emergency geofence messages and law enforcement direction. CPUC testimony emphasized that its role is limited to passenger service and ride-hail operations. Committee members asked about crash data, remote operations, liability, response times, and whether California should adopt more uniform standards and stronger guardrails. No votes or formal actions were taken, as the hearing was informational.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill has to do with the publication of near-fatality review reports, near-fatality reviews conducted
• By way of background, DCYF publishes reports of fatality reviews on its website.
• In the event of a near-fatality of a child who was in the care of or receiving child...
• DCYF may conduct a fatality review at the request of OFCO or at its own discretion.
• Under this bill, upon conclusion of a near-fatality review, and within 180 days of the near-fatality,

Summary: The Senate Human Services Committee heard public testimony on Senate Bill 5977, which would require DCYF to publish child near-fatality review reports within 180 days and post them publicly, with confidential information redacted as allowed by law. Senator Nikki Torres said the bill is intended to improve transparency, accountability, and child protection. There was no public testimony on the bill, and the hearing was closed. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6184, an Office of Homeless Youth request bill sponsored by the chair. The bill makes technical and policy updates to OHY programs, including replacing the term “street youth” with “unaccompanied homeless youth,” allowing certain flexible funds to go directly to youth or vendors, renaming and making permanent the H-Sync program, expanding eligibility and housing options in the Independent Youth Housing Program, and clarifying shelter and reporting provisions. Testifiers from Commerce, advocates, school support organizations, and a youth advocate all supported the bill, emphasizing that the changes would improve access, consistency, and housing stability for unhoused youth. The hearing was then closed. The committee moved into executive session on seven bills. SB 5681, concerning intellectual and developmental disability services at age 20, had Amendment A1 fail and the proposed substitute was adopted and sent to Ways and Means. SB 5917, regarding abortion medication in DOC, saw one amendment adopted and multiple Christian amendments rejected before the bill was sent to Rules. SB 5942, renaming the DCYF Oversight Board as the DCYF Accountability Board and revising its duties, had only Amendment C16 adopted; the amended bill passed to Rules. SB 6024, on duplicative audits for community residential providers, passed without amendment. SB 6036, concerning adult family homes and foster care licensees, had Amendment D1 adopted and the bill passed to Rules. SB 6085, on the DOC institutional welfare account, had Amendment E1 adopted and the bill was sent to Ways and Means after several other amendments failed. In each case, the committee voted to advance the bill after considering amendments, with most of the proposed changes from Senator Christian failing except where noted.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sadly, 2022 set another record for motorcyclist fatalities in the U.S.
• </c><00:37:37.960><c> on</c> in 20202 there were 116 fatalities on in 20202 there were 116 fatalities
• and fatality rates relative to the rest of the United States.
• and fatality rates relative to the rest of the United States.
• That is the highest number since 2008, and it represents 32% of all traffic fatalities.

Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on February 11, 2025, and heard a series of bills focused on transportation funding and roadway safety. HB 1154 would cap Central Services assessments from the state highway, airport, and harbor funds, with a CPI-based process for additional deductions; the Department of Transportation supported it and the Department of Budget and Finance offered comments. HB 1164 would restore highway revenue bond authorization for DOT capital projects, and HB 1286 would prohibit pedestrians from walking along interstate and certain state highways except for authorized duties; both drew DOT support, with Ulupono Initiative and an individual offering comments or support on HB 1286. HB 1162 would require motorcycle instruction permit applicants, beginning July 1, 2026, to complete an approved basic rider course before becoming eligible, and HB 537 would require helmets and chin straps for all operators and passengers of two-wheel motorized vehicles; both had DOT support, with HB 537 also drawing support from AAA Hawaii and Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, and opposition from one individual. The committee then took up HB 387, which would expand negligent injury in the first degree to include injuries negligently inflicted by intoxicated drivers. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing current law already covers drunk driving and that the proposal would turn alcohol-caused negligence causing injury into a felony; prosecutors from Honolulu and Hawaiʻi counties and DOT supported it, saying serious injuries short of “substantial bodily injury” are not adequately punished and that circuit court would better handle restitution and related proceedings. Members asked about data on cases that might fit the new felony category, and prosecutors said they did not have exact numbers but could try to provide more information. The committee also heard HB 1084 and the related HB 1387, both of which would lower Hawaiʻi’s per se DUI blood alcohol limit from 0.08 to 0.05. Support came from DOT, police departments, the Department of Health, prosecutors, the Governor’s office, MADD Hawaii, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, the Hawaii Alcohol Policy Alliance, AAA Hawaii, and the National Transportation Safety Board, all citing research that lower BAC limits reduce impaired driving and fatalities. The Public Defender opposed the change, and some testimony raised concerns about enforcement and the need for an amendment in HB 1084. Several individuals and advocates gave emotional testimony about crashes and losses tied to impaired driving, while supporters emphasized that a 0.05 standard would save lives and would not harm alcohol sales or the tourism economy. No votes were taken during the portion of the hearing reflected in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• , truck crashes, drug fatalities, drug and alcohol crash and drug and alcohol crash fatalities as well
• as impaired driving crashes in impaired fatalities.
• the total traffic fatalities.
• Lines of almost identically to the Paul confirmed fatalities.
• What alcohol confirmed fatalities was identical to drug confirmed fatalities.

Transcript Highlights:

• To take training developed by DISHES and TDEM on managing mass fatality events.
• You talked about mass fatality. What is the definition of a mass fatality event?
• For what qualifies as a mass fatality event? It's not a statute. Right.
• Mass fatalities regardless of the cause. So that would be yes? Yes. Okay.
• Well, I'm not telling the other elected officials to take mass fatality training.

Bills: HB1 , HB2 , HB3 , HB5 , HB20 , HB22 , HB1 , HB2 , HB3 , HB5 , HB20 , HB22

Transcript Highlights:

• But one of the more important components is that for every one fatality, there's eight people impacted
• by a non-fatal injury, which obviously quadruples that number. 11,600 individuals in our state had an
• You know, Florida, according to DCF, we broke our previous record on fatal child drownings.
• more important components is for everyone fatality, there's eight people impacted by a non-fatal injury
• drowned in our state. 68% of those fatal child drownings were children between the ages of zero and

Bills: S0428 , S0606 , S0192 , S0162 , S0340

Committee: Senate Health Policy

Summary: The Senate Health Policy Committee met with a quorum and took up several health-related bills, with a strong focus on drowning prevention and patient safety. SB 428 by Senator Yarborough would expand Florida’s swim lesson voucher program from children ages 0-4 to ages 1-7. Supporters, including a pediatric emergency physician and YMCA leadership, cited Florida’s high child drowning rates and argued that swim lessons reduce risk and should be available to more children. Senator Harrell noted the need to consider increasing the program’s funding as eligibility expands. The bill was reported favorably. The committee also heard SB 606 by Senator Smith, which adds drowning prevention and safe bathing education to postpartum materials provided by hospitals, birthing centers, and, after amendment, no longer home birth providers. A parent who lost a child to drowning testified in support, and senators emphasized the preventability of such deaths. The bill, as amended, was reported favorably as a committee substitute. SB 340 by Senator Harrell would require nursing students to complete a two-hour human trafficking course before licensure; after a strike-all amendment shifted the requirement from nursing programs to the students themselves, the bill received support from advocates and was reported favorably as a committee substitute. The committee also considered SB 162 by Senator Davis, which would require hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to adopt policies for using smoke evacuation systems during procedures that generate surgical smoke. The sponsor said the equipment is relatively inexpensive and already common in many facilities, while opponents and some senators questioned the medical evidence, enforcement, and possible impacts on rural and smaller facilities. Despite those concerns, the bill was reported favorably, with some members voting no. SB 192, presented by Senator Trumbull on behalf of Senator Martin, would remove the $1,500 cap on advances chiropractic physicians may collect for examinations or treatment; the Florida Chiropractic Society supported the change as pro-small-business, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee also received an OPAGA presentation comparing Florida’s health care practitioner regulation system with other states, focusing on board autonomy, rulemaking oversight, board composition, appointments, term limits, and funding mechanisms.

Transcript Highlights:

• Non-fatal shootings.
• Non-fatal shootings.
• Um, do you know roughly a percentage or benchmark how many fatal shootings or maybe fatal encounters
• by maybe fatal encounters are preceded by non-fatal<01:21:58.680><c> shootings?
• </c> non-fatal shootings? non-fatal shootings?

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• even though the difference between a fatal and a non-fatal shooting is often a matter of... ...homicides
• , even though the difference between a fatal and a non-fatal shooting is often a matter of inches, where
• Denver publishes performance measures for homicide and non-fatal shooting investigations.
• We know that more people die in fatal car crashes than homicides in this country.
• We know that speeding contributes to the likelihood of a fatality in a car crash, right?

Summary: The House Committee on Community Safety held a December 4, 2025 work session focused first on crime trends and then on policing effectiveness. Adam Gelb of the Council on Criminal Justice reviewed long-term national data showing major declines in reported crime and victimization since the early 1990s, a pandemic-era spike in homicide and some violent crime, and a recent drop back toward pre-pandemic levels. He also highlighted a sharp decline in juvenile arrests and incarceration, a substantial reduction in racial disparities in imprisonment, and noted that much of the disparity reduction appears tied to changes in arrest patterns. James McMahon of the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs then presented Washington’s 2024 crime report, saying total crime fell 8.4% from 2023, with decreases in violent crime, property crime, murders, robberies, aggravated assaults, hate crimes, and vehicle theft, while crimes against society rose. He emphasized that domestic violence makes up about half of crimes against persons, that Washington remains above its 2019 levels in several categories, and that underreporting affects the data. Marshall Clement of the Council of State Governments Justice Center added that Washington remains one of the states still above 2019 violent-crime levels, with homicide and juvenile victimization especially concerning, and noted wide variation in juvenile arrests and violent-crime trends across cities and counties. Jeff Asher of the Real Time Crime Index said his near-real-time data through September 2025 suggests continued national and Washington declines in murder, violent crime, and property crime, with Washington’s murder trend likely continuing downward into 2025. The second half of the work session shifted to policing methods and clearance rates. Richard Hahn of the Niskanen Center argued that disorder and neighborhood conditions affect public safety perceptions, that environmental design and street lighting can reduce crime, and that police agencies need better deployment, investigative capacity, and clearance rates, especially amid staffing shortages. Mark Kropanski of Arnold Ventures summarized research finding that police staffing matters, hotspots and problem-oriented policing reduce crime, and better investigations increase deterrence and trust; he stressed that homicide clearance rates remain only around 60% in Washington and that property-crime clearance is much lower. Marshall Clement returned to focus on Washington’s solve rates, saying only 44% of violent crimes reported to police are solved, with 62% of homicides, 51% of aggravated assaults, 25% of rapes, and 31% of robberies cleared in 2024, and that large numbers of serious crimes remain unsolved over a three-year period. He urged state leaders to set goals, improve data collection, strengthen investigative resources, and support victims and witnesses. No votes or formal actions were taken; the session was informational and included extensive member questions about juvenile crime, domestic violence, underreporting, detective staffing, and how to improve clearance rates.

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, just this week we had a double-fatal crash in Haverhill in the early morning on Monday.
• According to NHTSA, the number of work zone fatalities has grown from 756 in 2018 to 891 in 2022.
• Along with that, there's been 300 serious non-fatal incapacitating injuries...
• In the years since the pandemic, none have been lower than 2019 for traffic fatalities.
• In fact, 2022 was the worst year in the Commonwealth for traffic fatalities since 2005.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Transportation

Summary: The hearing focused on a broad package of traffic and roadway safety bills, with repeated emphasis on work zone safety, the Move Over law, automated enforcement, and protections for pedestrians, cyclists, and roadside workers. MassDOT Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver strongly supported a bill allowing MassDOT vehicles to use blue flashing lights in limited work-zone settings, arguing that blue lights reliably slow drivers and could help address a rise in work-zone crashes and fatalities. District Attorney Marion Ryan, State Police representatives, and police association leaders supported a separate Move Over bill that would raise penalties for repeat violations and add an education component, citing officers and workers killed or injured roadside and saying the goal is deterrence and safer driver behavior rather than revenue. A major portion of the hearing was devoted to automated enforcement bills for speed and red-light violations, including proposals for school zones, work zones, and broader local options. Senator Brownsberger and Senator Jalen argued that automated enforcement is needed because speeding and red-light running remain common while police traffic enforcement has declined, and they described the bills as civil, opt-in tools that issue tickets to vehicles rather than drivers. Supporters from WalkMass, T4MA, Safe Roads Alliance, MassBike, Medford officials, and other advocates cited fatal pedestrian crashes, neighborhood speeding, and the need to protect vulnerable road users, while also pointing to privacy and equity safeguards in the bills such as limits on photographs, data retention rules, public reporting, and local approval processes. Several local and advocacy witnesses backed targeted camera programs. Senator Lovely and Representative Cruz supported a Salem school-zone camera bill, describing repeated violations around schools and buses. Medford officials and school-safety advocates supported a similar statewide camera bill, citing recent pedestrian deaths and dangerous cut-through traffic. AAA Northeast and the Massachusetts Aggregate and Asphalt Pavement Association also supported targeted enforcement in work zones and school zones, while urging public education and warning periods. Some witnesses raised concerns about the color of lights for highway workers, with State Police representatives preferring green over blue to avoid confusion with law enforcement, and committee members asked about constitutional issues, surchargeability, and possible targeting concerns. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• But one of the more important components is that for every one fatality, there's eight people impacted
• by a non-fatal injury, which obviously quadruples that number. 11,600 individuals in our state had an
• You know, Florida, according to DCF, we broke our previous record on fatal child drownings.
• more important components is for everyone fatality, there's eight people impacted by a non-fatal injury
• drowned in our state. 68% of those fatal child drownings were children between the ages of zero and

Bills: S0428 , S0606 , S0192 , S0162 , S0340

Committee: Senate Health Policy

Keywords: drowning prevention, water safety, swimming lessons, swim vouchers, child drowning, infant safety, toddler safety, pool safety, bath safety, safe bathing practices, postpartum education, newborn care, childbirth education, birth centers, home birth providers, Department of Health, public health, water competency, swim instruction, infant supervision

Summary: The Senate Health Policy Committee heard and advanced several health-related bills focused largely on drowning prevention, surgical smoke, human trafficking training, and chiropractic patient funds. SB 428 would expand Florida’s swim lesson voucher program from children ages 0-4 to ages 1-7; the sponsor and supporters from Nemours and the YMCA emphasized Florida’s high child drowning rates and argued that swim lessons reduce risk and should be more widely accessible. Senator Harrell noted the need to revisit funding levels as eligibility expands. The bill was reported favorably. The committee also considered SB 606, which adds drowning prevention and safe bathing education to postpartum education provided by hospitals, birthing centers, and home birth providers. A mother who lost her daughter to drowning testified in support, describing the bill as an early opportunity to educate parents. An amendment removed home birth providers from the compliance-proof requirement, and the bill was adopted as amended and reported favorably as a committee substitute. SB 162 would require hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to adopt policies for using smoke evacuation systems during procedures that generate surgical smoke. The sponsor said the equipment is relatively inexpensive and already used in many facilities, while several senators raised concerns about the lack of supporting data, possible burdens on rural and smaller facilities, and whether the mandate should be narrower. Despite those concerns, the bill was reported favorably, with the sponsor saying more data would be provided later. The committee also approved SB 340, requiring a two-hour human trafficking course for nursing students before licensure, after amending it to make the requirement apply to students rather than nursing programs. Finally, SB 192, presented by Senator Trumbull for Senator Martin, removed the $1,500 cap on advances chiropractic physicians may collect for examinations or treatment; the Florida Chiropractic Society supported the change, and the bill passed unanimously. The committee also received an OPAGA presentation reviewing Florida’s health care practitioner regulation system and comparing board oversight, rulemaking, funding, appointments, and term-limit models in other states.

Transcript Highlights:

• As I mentioned before, we had 22 fatalities last year.
• Now our fatalities are more than our murders and our structure fire fatalities combined.
• As I mentioned before, we had 22 fatalities last year.
• Now our fatalities are more than our murders and our structure fire fatalities combined.
• What could have prevented this fatality?

Committee: Joint Joint Transportation Committee

Summary: The committee began with member introductions, then heard a presentation on a draft final report studying alternative funding mechanisms for sidewalks and related pedestrian infrastructure. Consultants said current local funding sources are insufficient, with most jurisdictions unable to complete planned sidewalk networks within 50 years. They evaluated four options: a sidewalk utility fee, a modified transportation benefit district sales tax, a new real estate excise tax option, and expanded stormwater fee use for ADA sidewalk ramps. The consultants recommended authorizing the modified TBD sales tax and new REET option, considering a sidewalk utility despite legal uncertainty, broadening any authorization to all pedestrian improvements, and not pursuing the stormwater fee option. Members asked about legal authority, fairness, revenue adequacy, and whether jurisdictions had been consulted; the presenters said state enabling legislation would likely be needed for a sidewalk utility and that fairness could be defined either by direct benefit or by need. The committee then received an update on the 2025 assessment of city transportation funding needs. The consultants reported that city transportation revenues have grown in some local and federal categories since 2019, but state revenues have remained relatively flat and smaller cities are especially affected by declining fuel tax revenues and limited tax bases. They estimated annual city transportation needs at $4.25 billion, average annual spending at $1.89 billion, and a funding gap of $2.37 billion, larger than in the prior study because of updated data, inclusion of system improvements, and higher preservation costs. Draft recommendations focused on reducing costs and improving efficiency, preserving and increasing state support, and expanding local funding options, including preservation-first spending, a permanent federal fund exchange program, streamlined review processes, better coordination with WSDOT, possible property tax flexibility, and exploration of new local tools. Members raised questions about design standards, the role of density and transit, federal compliance, and whether the report would identify specific consolidation or process changes. The committee also heard a project update on evaluating zero-emission vehicle and electrification programs funded by the Climate Commitment Act. Consultants said they had reviewed roughly 23 programs and projects across seven agencies and were now evaluating options to improve delivery, including process improvements, reorganizing programs, or consolidating governance and administrative functions. Early findings highlighted staffing shortages, duplication and variation across agencies, differing levels of risk, and the challenge of coordinating climate priorities across agencies with other core missions. Members asked about program outcomes, administrative costs, whether some programs should have exit strategies, and how to strengthen the EV Coordinating Council. Finally, WSDOT provided an implementation update on its new public-private partnership authority under SB 5801, saying work is underway to prepare governance, legal, policy, and organizational structures ahead of the January 1, 2027 effective date.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do rank second in the nation for boat registrations as well, with 822,000 registered boats.
• people for boats.
• Boats are a different animal.
• My husband and I have been boat owners for decades. We boat a lot.
• My husband and I have been boat owners for decades. We boat a lot.

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Transcript Highlights:

• even though the difference between a fatal and a non-fatal shooting is often a matter of... ...homicides
• , even though the difference between a fatal and a non-fatal shooting is often a matter of inches, where
• Denver publishes performance measures for homicide and non-fatal shooting investigations.
• We know that more people die in fatal car crashes than homicides in this country.
• We know that speeding contributes to the likelihood of a fatality in a car crash, right?

Committee: House Community Safety

Summary: The committee held a work session on crime trends and policing effectiveness, hearing from national and Washington-specific experts. Adam Gelb of the Council on Criminal Justice reviewed long-term national trends, noting that reported violent and property crime have fallen sharply since the early 1990s, while pandemic-era spikes in homicide, assaults, and auto theft have since eased. He also highlighted that juvenile arrests and residential placements have declined substantially over time, though juvenile homicide has risen, and he emphasized that racial disparities in imprisonment have narrowed, driven in part by reduced drug enforcement and arrest disparities. James McMahon of the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs and Marshall Clement of the Council of State Governments’ Justice Center presented Washington data. They reported that 2024 crime in Washington declined overall from 2023, including drops in violent crime, property crime, murder, robbery, hate crimes, and vehicle theft, but remained above 2019 levels in many categories. They flagged domestic violence as making up about half of crimes against persons, noted rising animal cruelty and extortion, and said juvenile arrests and juvenile victimization remain a concern, with wide variation by city. Both speakers stressed that underreporting affects the data and that the state’s violent-crime solve rate remains low, with only 44% of violent crimes solved in 2024 and large numbers of unsolved homicides, assaults, rapes, and robberies over the prior three years. Jeff Asher of the Real Time Crime Index said 2025 national and Washington trends appear to be continuing downward, with murder falling sharply and likely reaching historic lows nationally. He said Washington’s sample data also shows substantial declines in murder, violent crime, and property crime in 2025, though the state sample is limited. In the second panel, Richard Hahn of the Niskanen Center and Mark Kropanski of Arnold Ventures argued that effective policing depends on strategic deployment, neighborhood disorder reduction, stronger investigations, and better data systems. They emphasized hotspots policing, problem-oriented policing, improved forensic capacity, and higher clearance rates as evidence-based ways to reduce crime and build trust. Marshall Clement closed by focusing on Washington’s declining violent-crime solve rate over decades and urged state leaders to prioritize investigative capacity and resources to improve clearance rates, especially in major agencies and counties with the lowest solve rates.

Transcript Highlights:

• My first ever boat excursion was on a rented boat from Walter Fox's Fish Camp. ...rented boat from Walter
• It's a boat wash with 140° heat. Our boat wash is equipped to have a 140° heat.
• They rent boats, but they don't allow outside boats into that boat launch.
• It was a makeshift boat launch. You could back up, put your boat in, and go.
• We even bought another boat and fixed it up, and started going boating again.

Bills: HB471 , HB473

Committee: House Boards, Agencies and Commissions

Keywords: water authority, sewer management, fire protection, local governance, board of directors, local officers, water recreation, public access, water bodies, recreational use, water commissions

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, so this is the DUI-related fatalities.
• bar is the, what we call them, drug-positive driver fatalities.
• We call them drug-positive driver fatalities.
• So, in this past year, those make up 56% of our crash fatalities.
• , there's a constant risk of causing a fatality, So there is a constant risk of causing a fatality if

Committee: Joint Transportation Interim Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• </p> <p>“The table breaks down fatalities versus near fatalities.
• versus near fatality.
• As you can see, the vast majority are near fatality.”</p> Majority are near fatality.
• if it's a near fatality.
• Because we do not want to see children in situations of dying, of fatality, or near fatality.

Committee: Senate Human Services

Summary: The Senate Human Services Committee held a work session focused on child welfare dependency, reviewing implementation of 2021’s Keeping Families Together Act (1227) and 2023’s Child and Family Fentanyl Response law (6109), along with related data, lived-experience testimony, and emerging issues. DCYF first outlined the dependency process, explaining the intake, shelter care, fact-finding, disposition, review, and permanency stages, and clarified that children may be in-home or out-of-home at different points. The department emphasized that 1227 raised the removal threshold to imminent physical harm and strengthened kin placement, with nearly 60% of children now placed with kin or suitable relatives. DCYF also said 6109 directed courts to give great weight to fentanyl’s lethality and added regional legal liaisons, though some contracted supports were not implemented due to budget constraints. Data presented by DCYF showed entries into care fell after 1227 but rose again after 6109, returning close to pre-1227 levels; the department linked rising critical incidents to the fentanyl epidemic, parental stress, and system complexity, and described responses such as statewide Safe Child Council staffing and hotspot monitoring. Committee members asked for more detail on age breakdowns and geographic patterns of incidents. Advocates and lived-experience speakers from Legal Counsel for Youth and Children and a medical-legal partnership described 1227 as a necessary reform to reduce unnecessary removals and racial disproportionality, while saying they have not seen courts fail to remove children when safety concerns are clearly presented. They explained that 6109 was intended to help courts account for fentanyl’s lethality at shelter care hearings. A parent ally testified that family-centered, peer-supported services, treatment access, housing, transportation, CPR and safe-sleep education, and third-party safety plan participants can help families stay together and reduce harm. She said suitable-other placements under 1227 were a major improvement, but more inpatient beds, family treatment options, and community supports are still needed. Speakers also said application of DCYF policy varies by county, creating “justice by geography.” The committee then heard an update on Senate Bill 6068 from the Administrative Office of the Courts and K Implementation and Evaluation. The report identified 15 dimensions of relational permanency and child well-being, using input from more than 80 professional and lived experts, and recommended a phased data strategy: use existing data where possible, improve partially available measures, and develop new collection where needed. AOC said a prior data-sharing agreement with DCYF expired in June 2025, leaving a gap in statewide dependency reporting, and urged a new agreement, a standing cross-agency work group, and better integration with DCYF’s new child welfare information system. The committee also received a brief update on the Supreme Court Commission on Children in Foster Care, which is redesigning its mission and work groups to better center lived experience and cross-system collaboration. In emerging issues, Jim Theophilus described bridge housing for young adults exiting inpatient behavioral health treatment, noting that many youth leave treatment to homelessness or shelters and that two bridge housing programs have now opened, one on each side of the state. He said the model is based on voluntary, community-based support and a “return to community” plan shaped by youth input. The committee then moved to juvenile rehabilitation capacity issues, with DCYF’s new assistant secretary for Juvenile Rehabilitation scheduled to provide an update, following a recent visit by committee members to Green Hill School.

Transcript Highlights:

• They can do those boat inspections at the boat launch when boats are being launched into the water.
• They can inspect your boat.
• This bill does not stop them from doing boat inspection. allowing this with boats and not vehicles.
• They can do those boat inspections at the boat launch when boats are being launched into the water.
• They can inspect your boat.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• Boat inspections can happen when you are launching your boat at the boat launch.
• They can still do the boat inspection at the boat launch.
• What's on your boat? Can we do this? What else can we find on your boat?
• So if they want to do the boat inspection, they do it at the boat launch.
• boat launches?

Committee: House State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• probably recall a very famous painting, which is a painting of George Washington with his troops on a boat
• across the... ...Washington with his troops on a boat crossing the Delaware River.
• Together, all of these achievements, senators, have transformed HIV from what was once considered a fatal
• diagnosis ...transformed HIV from what was once considered a fatal diagnosis into a highly treatable

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opening prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, page introductions, and recognition of guests, including a state champion Crossroads Academy basketball team and a student intern. The chamber then took up executive appointment reports from the Ethics and Elections Committee and related committees, which covered a large slate of gubernatorial appointees to state boards and commissions. Senators were given the opportunity to separate nominees for individual votes, and several members spoke in support of or opposition to specific appointees based on qualifications, ideology, and prior public service. The first major confirmation vote covered most of the 186 appointments on the report, with debate centered on three nominees highlighted by Senator Polsky: Ilya Shapiro, Thomas Zachary Smith, and Dr. John Lattell. The report was adopted 31-0 after those objections, and Jeffrey Aaron was then considered separately for the Public Employee Relations Commission. Senators Smith and Polsky opposed Aaron’s confirmation, citing his role as legal counsel to the Hope Florida Foundation and alleged involvement in the transfer of Medicaid settlement funds to political entities; Chair Gates defended Aaron as a lawyer representing a client and noted no disciplinary or law-enforcement action against him. Aaron was confirmed 26-10. The Senate next confirmed Chavon Harris as Secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration after debate focused on her prior leadership at the Department of Children and Families, Medicaid redeterminations, postpartum coverage issues, Hope Florida-related concerns, and a women’s shelter inspection dispute. Supporters emphasized her work stabilizing Medicaid funding and her responsiveness to agency problems, while opponents argued she had overseen serious failures and lacked suitability. The confirmation passed 32-5. Taylor Hatch was then confirmed as Secretary of the Department of Children and Families after committee members noted serious operational concerns at DCF, including SNAP/EBT compliance, child welfare practices, forensic audit issues, and questions about Hope Florida, but also cited her commitment to child welfare and willingness to address problems; the vote was 33-4. After the confirmations, the Senate recessed and later returned for a lengthy tribute to outgoing Senate President Kathleen Pasadomo. Senators from both parties offered personal remarks praising her leadership, diligence, toughness in committee, mentorship, and resilience after personal loss, while also joking about her reputation as a strict rules chair and “bill killer.” The session concluded with the recognition of her service and presentation of a handmade keepsake box filled with letters and mementos from staff and colleagues.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you have a fatal crash out there, you have to have an OMI come.
• Seven of those during that time frame were fatalities.
• Chair, when we have these fatalities, fatality crashes out there on these interstates, our staff has
• It was going to be a nine-car pileup that resulted in a fatality on I-10.
• It did result in fatalities.