Transcript Highlights:

• I started my career at the Lee County Sheriff's Office.
• Then I was appointed sheriff of Clay County.
• They're still given education at a county level.
• From Clay County, I will thank you again for the incredibly stabilizing force you were at the Clay County
• the size of Miami-Dade County.

Summary: The Committee on Ethics and Elections met to consider several gubernatorial appointees, beginning with Matthew Walsh, Secretary of Juvenile Justice, for confirmation. Walsh outlined his law enforcement background, social work training, and priorities at DJJ, including staff wellness, seeking statutory recognition and training standards for juvenile detention and probation officers, and increasing bed capacity so adjudicated youth can move from detention into residential programming sooner. Members asked about the impact of detention “dead time” and the need for more beds; Walsh said DJJ is evaluating ways to let youth begin programming earlier while in detention. Public support was noted, and the committee voted unanimously to confirm Walsh and forward his nomination to the full Senate. The committee then heard from Tina Vidal-Duarte, nominee to the Florida Atlantic University Board of Trustees. She described her business background, service on multiple boards, and prior service on FAU’s board pending confirmation, emphasizing governance, accountability, and strategic planning. Senators questioned her about FAU’s handling of faculty social media controversies, the university’s relationship with its new president, student and faculty engagement, AI planning, diversity, and her role on the Hope Florida board and with CDR Health’s state contracts, including work related to the Everglades detention center. Public testimony included strong opposition from one speaker who criticized her ties to state contracts and Hope Florida, while another senator spoke in support, citing her community service and business experience. The committee voted 5-2 to confirm her, with Senators Polsky and Bernard voting no. Afterward, the committee considered the remaining nominees in Tabs 2 through 15, excluding Tab 10, en bloc. No separate votes were requested, and the committee approved the group of nominees by voice roll call to be forwarded to the full Senate. The meeting then concluded with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• I represent the north from the Oregon border to Alpine, Amador County, 11 counties.
• This will be huge for our county.
• growth of people in the FAIR Plan in Monterey County, 530% growth for Santa Cruz County... ...on the
• FAIR Plan in Monterey County, 530% growth for Santa Cruz County, and 560% growth in San Luis Obispo
• County.

Summary: The Assembly Insurance Committee met to consider several bills focused on California’s insurance market, wildfire resilience, and consumer protections. AB 888, the California Safe Homes Act, was heard first. Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara and Alabama Insurance Commissioner Mark Fowler testified in support, describing state grant programs that help homeowners harden roofs and create defensible space, with the goal of reducing losses and improving insurance affordability and availability. Supporters from the insurance industry, local government, and the Rebuild Paradise Foundation also backed the bill, and committee members emphasized the need for more incentives for mitigation. The bill passed the committee on a do pass motion and was sent to Appropriations. AB 290, by Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan, would require the FAIR Plan to offer automatic payments and address non-renewal grace-period issues. The author described her own experience being forced onto the FAIR Plan and facing a large premium increase, while Consumer Federation of California called the bill common-sense consumer protection. The FAIR Plan opposed unless amended, saying it was already handling major wildfire claims and other operational demands and requested more time and changes to the non-renewal grace-period language. Members across the committee supported the bill as a needed modernization measure, and it passed as amended to Appropriations. AB 1339, by Assemblymember Gonzalez, would direct the Department of Insurance to study insurance availability and pricing for affordable housing providers and report policy recommendations. Supporters from affordable housing organizations said rising premiums were forcing providers to cut services, defer maintenance, and use reserves, threatening housing stability for low-income residents. The bill passed as amended to Appropriations. AB 646, by Assemblymember Wallace, also passed to Appropriations; it concerns disclosure related to motor vehicle protection products and catalytic converter theft deterrence, with support from auto dealers and industry groups. The committee also approved AB 1531 on consent. Members later added on to the record in support of the bills, and the hearing concluded without recorded opposition votes on the measures that advanced.

Transcript Highlights:

• Twelve counties have trained Twelve counties have trained over 75% of their coaches.
• I'm a retired sheriff of Baldwin County.
• I'm the District Attorney of Russell County, Alabama.
• district attorney of Russell County. the district attorney of Russell County.
• I have 104 pending child abuse cases in my county. pending child abuse cases in my county of 60,000 people

Bills: SB140, HB235, HB276, HB317, HB340

Keywords: Coach Safely Act, youth athletics, noncompliance penalties, Department of Public Health, youth athlete, social media, age verification, minors, under 16, children online safety, online privacy, platform regulation, deceptive trade practice, Attorney General, civil penalties, punitive damages, consumer protection, account creation, algorithmic feeds, internet safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Kessler Park United Methodist Church in Dallas, sponsored by the Honorable Rafael Anchia of Dallas County
• The chair recognizes the Honorable McLaughlin, Don McLaughlin of Evaldi to Evaldi County to lead us in
• It includes a driver's license to carry a handgun, a certain retired county court justice, and for the
• HB 1561 by Hernandez relating to the licensing of legal permanent residence on the county jail is of
• Taxes that a county may impose on the resident homestead if the individuals who are disabled or elderly

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, we have quite a few people here from Marshall County.
• Uh, appreciate your being involved in leadership in your schools and in your counties.
• <00:02:06.640> Frell<00:02:06.960> Seymour,<00:02:07.360> I counties.
• Frell Seymour, I counties. Also, uh Dr.
• Bib County Bib County uh<00:03:41.440> ran<00:03:41.680> out<00:03:41.920> of

Bills: SB211, SB305, SB300, SB211, SB305, SB300

Keywords: school safety, local law enforcement, superintendent, complaints, school bus regulations, education funding, RAISE Act, student outcomes, public schools, local education agencies, accountability, weighted allocations, special education, English language learners, gifted students, tax exemption, ad valorem tax, tangible personal property, business incentives, economic impact

Transcript Highlights:

• There are eight of those in South Florida, four in Broward County, four in Miami-Dade.
• And, you know, Chair, we were in your county recently and did a number of operations.
• I mean, I am in Collier County.
• So are we communicating with the local law enforcement, our counties?
• We've got an MOU with Lee County, but we don't have MOUs with everybody.

Summary: The subcommittee first took up House Bill 197, which would require all private employers in Florida, regardless of size, to use E-Verify for new hires and eliminate the current exemption for businesses with fewer than 25 employees. The sponsor said the system is free, uses information already collected on I-9 forms, and helps employers confirm work authorization; supporters argued it simply enforces existing law and closes a gap in current requirements. Opponents, including labor and policy groups, said the bill would burden small businesses, could produce errors, and should be addressed through comprehensive federal immigration reform rather than state mandates. Members also raised concerns about implementation, enforcement, and potential impacts on workers and employers in industries such as agriculture, hospitality, and small business. The committee voted along party lines to report HB 197 favorably. The committee then received an update from the Florida Gaming Control Commission, beginning with new Executive Director Alana Zimmer and then Director of Gaming Enforcement Carl Harold. Zimmer outlined the commission’s structure, staffing, legal slot and card room locations, and the Seminole gaming compact, noting that changes in state law or court rulings could affect compact revenue. Members asked for additional information on salaries, commission vacancies, and how veterans’ organizations can determine whether gaming machines are legal. Harold described the commission’s enforcement work against illegal casinos, saying they are widespread, often exploit vulnerable patrons, and can be tied to organized crime, weapons, drugs, and other offenses. Harold reported thousands of complaints, more than 4,000 illegal slot machines seized, over 100 illegal casinos raided, millions in proceeds recovered, and numerous arrests and joint operations with other agencies. He said the main barriers are weak misdemeanor penalties and limited staffing, and requested two additional enforcement squads, one in southwest Florida and one in Jacksonville. Members questioned the cost of the request, storage of seized machines, coordination with local law enforcement, and how the public can report illegal gambling. The commission said it works with local agencies, has many MOUs, and directs the public to its website and law enforcement hotline for reporting.

Transcript Highlights:

• , the Urban Counties, and Rural County Representatives.
• Counties are not in the cemetery business. We aren't.
• Association of Counties.
• by county, and region by region.
• They're in every single county. They do a brilliant job.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair calls Rick Thompson, uh, on behalf of the County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas,
• Chairman, members, um, Rick Thompson's County Judge and Commissioner Association.
• So, especially when you get in these smaller counties where 2% or 1% of 3.5% is not a whole lot, but
• if you're able to bank those 3 years, that can be hugely important for those counties to respond when
• I'm not aware of any or many counties out there abusing this.

Transcript Highlights:

• and county government. and county government.
• Counties do not issue bonds unilaterally in Cheshire County.
• county.
• The counties do of same with the county.
• cities or counties. cities or counties.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, Napa County will lose up to $35 million, Mendocino County will lose up to $37.8 million,
• Santa Cruz County will lose up to $11.2 million for wildfire mitigation projects.
• With me today to testify in support is Catherine Freeman with the California Association of Counties.
• of Counties.
• They're financial, public health, and environmental threats to every resident of the county.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Emergency Management met to consider Assembly Joint Resolution 11, which urges the President and Congress to restore funding for FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant program. Chair Rhodesia Ransom and Assembly Member Lisa Calderon described the resolution as a bipartisan effort to preserve funding for hazard mitigation projects that help communities prevent disasters rather than simply recover from them. They cited major California impacts from the program’s cancellation, including losses for wildfire mitigation, seismic retrofits, and dam safety projects in several counties and districts. Support testimony came from Catherine Freeman of the California State Association of Counties and Robin Finning of Cal OES. Freeman said counties rely on BRIC for flexible, proactive disaster-prevention funding and warned that canceling the program would set back years of resilience work. Finning said 49 communities had contacted Cal OES after the cancellation announcement and that the agency had been working closely with them on next steps. Stephanie Stevens of the California Residential Mitigation Program also testified in support, noting the loss of more than $40 million for earthquake soft-story retrofit grants. Members expressed support and noted the importance of the affected district projects. There was no opposition testimony. The committee then voted unanimously to adopt AJR 11 and refer it to third reading, with all members present voting aye. The meeting was then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Daryl Johnson is the Chief Executive Officer of the Orange County Transit Authority.
• They arrived in Tehama County in Los Melinas, where Fred attended Tehama Elementary School.
• Eight days ago Escondido and frankly all of San Diego County lost a leader.
• We lost someone who shaped North County. into the community that it is today.
• Pioneering Friends of Planned Parenthood, and laying the foundation for North County Transit.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They have traveled all the way. from Gumsan County, Republic of Korea to be here today.
• My other esteemed guests from Orange County are the President of Creo Agro Trade Center.
• Federal Glover served as Contra Costa County Supervisor for 24 years.
• On that day, Contra Costa County lost more than a dedicated public servant.
• He is an example that inspired not just me, but many others in Contra Costa County.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that a county issue? Is it an agency? Is that a county issue?
• the counties and how much each county the counties and how much each county gets.<01:13:56.400><
• to the counties. to the counties.
• 105 and Hines County 38. 105 and Hines County 38.
• County Regional Jail. In your budget, it County Regional Jail.

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 210; 21 January, 2026: 1:30 PM, 925, all

Summary: The subcommittee heard the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks present its FY27 budget request and discuss accomplishments from prior appropriations. The commissioner highlighted improved conservation officer retention after salary increases, continued training and wellness efforts, upgrades to state parks and cabins, expansion of tiny homes, fisheries stocking and youth fishing programs, ongoing chronic wasting disease testing, and the Museum of Natural Science’s recent accreditation. The agency said it wants to maintain parks and facilities so they do not deteriorate again, and it emphasized tourism and public access benefits. Budget staff then outlined the request: $21.7 million in general funds, including increases for state parks, the museum, law enforcement, and chronic wasting disease; $23.2 million in state support capital and education funds; and $86.99 million in special funds authority. Major capital requests included $18.8 million for state parks projects at several parks, $1.25 million for law enforcement facilities, $2 million for Lake Lamar Bruce improvements, and $1.125 million for mobile teaching vans. Members asked for more detail on general fund increases, proof that law enforcement salary enhancements reached field agents, more information on the tiny home program and its return on investment, the source of motor vehicle funds, and a breakdown of requested pins and vacancies. The committee also questioned the agency about chronic wasting disease, with the department saying the $400,000 request supports testing and research and that live testing is not yet reliable. Members raised concerns about prioritization of lake and park maintenance, especially Lake Claude Bennett, and whether the agency is too reactive rather than proactive in addressing deteriorating facilities. The department said funding limitations and federal restrictions on certain lake dollars drive its priorities, and that it focuses on the most-used parks and lakes. No votes or formal actions were taken in the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:50:23.640> roads, county roads, county roads, uh<00:50:25.160> state-aid<00:50:25.680
• ,<01:20:29.840> the small cities, the small counties, the small cities, the small counties
• state aid county state aid highways and state aid county state aid highways and municipal<01:22:57.840
• :15.400> can Likewise, any county commissioner can Likewise, any county commissioner can say<01
• the city engineers and the county the city engineers and the county engineers engineers engineers

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh um the city and county of Honolulu.
• And if that road is county And if that road is county responsibility,<01:05:54.079> then<
• in Southern California and quickly grew to Orange County and LA County.
• to Orange County and LA County.<01:11:55.920> And<01:11:56.080> what<01:11:56.320>
• And what happens um, upon County.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Public Safety held an informational briefing with the City and County of Honolulu Department of Emergency Management on its hazard mitigation plan and recent emergency events on Oahu. Chair Dela Botti opened the meeting by explaining that the briefing was intended to review the mitigation planning process, the city’s hazard mitigation plan, and lessons learned from recent tsunami and wildfire threats, building on earlier briefings with state emergency management and transportation officials. Director Collins and hazard mitigation staff officer Ian Kio presented the plan, describing it as a five-year FEMA-required document focused on reducing long-term risk to people and property, not an operations plan for active disasters. Kio outlined how the plan was developed over roughly 18 months with a core team, steering committee, consultant support, and public input, and said it was formally adopted by the mayor’s office and approved by FEMA in July 2025. He said the updated plan was aligned more closely with the state hazard mitigation plan, expanded to cover 15 hazards including climate change and sea level rise, and organized around hazard risk rankings and mitigation strategies. He identified the highest-risk hazards as climate change and sea level rise, floods, health risks, hurricanes, tsunamis, and wildfires, and said the plan includes short-, medium-, and long-term actions such as education, Firewise community planning, flood mapping, and major infrastructure projects like tsunami walls and street elevation work. He also emphasized that the plan will be maintained with yearly updates and ongoing public feedback. Collins then discussed after-action findings from the July 6 Meli fire and the recent tsunami response, noting that reviews are still ongoing. He said the fire response showed strong initiative and teamwork, including police officers helping with fire suppression support and door-to-door evacuation efforts before firefighters arrived, and a staff duty officer who initiated a wireless emergency alert without waiting for higher-level direction. He said these actions reflected a culture of rapid decision-making when lives are at stake. Collins also urged residents to prepare by making family plans, gathering supplies, checking flood and tsunami risk maps, retrofitting homes, and obtaining insurance before disasters occur. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the informational briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• neighbor island counties.
• So Maui County is also the highest among all the counties in terms of housing price, and also Maui County
• So Maui County is also the highest among all the counties in terms of housing price, and also Maui County
• So Maui County is also the highest among all the counties in terms of housing price, and also Maui County
• So Maui County is also the highest among all the counties in terms of housing price, and also Maui County

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It only has three counties.
• It only has three counties. Um state. It only has three counties.
• payments that are made to uh county payments that are made to uh county nursing<01:25:22.800>
• County nursing home and we deeply County nursing home and we deeply appreciate<01:27:08.960> the
• for the counties? for the counties?

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Committee to Study Long-Term Managed Care met to approve prior minutes and outline its schedule, with meetings set for September 24 and September 29 ahead of an October 1 report deadline. The chair said the committee would use the first two meetings to digest testimony, likely ask follow-up questions of DHS, and then work toward conclusions and a report format. The minutes from the previous meeting were approved unanimously. The main testimony came from Sharon Alexander of Amera Health, who argued in favor of moving from fee-for-service Medicaid long-term services and supports to a managed LTSS model. She described managed LTSS as a capitated, quality-driven system used in about 26 states, and said it can improve care coordination, accountability, access to home- and community-based services, and budget predictability. She cited Amera Health’s experience in Pennsylvania and Delaware, including care coordination, housing and transportation support, caregiver programs, and quality benchmarks tied to state oversight. She also said nursing facilities would remain an important option for people who need that level of care. Committee members asked about how the programs are administered, how rates are set, how care managers work, and how quality is measured. Alexander said states contract with managed care organizations at actuarially sound capitated rates, with annual contracts, reporting, and oversight. She explained that care managers typically conduct quarterly assessments and follow up after trigger events such as hospitalization, and that housing coordinators may assist with transitions to the community. On quality, she said states use CMS-related and HCBS benchmark measures covering service timeliness, care planning, transitions, and other outcomes, and that New Hampshire could build on existing metrics rather than starting from scratch. She also noted that rural areas face workforce and transportation challenges, which managed care plans try to address through technology and self-direction options.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have testimony in support from Maui County Council Chair Alice Lee, Hawaii County Council member
• We also have testimony in support from Maui County Council Chair Alice Lee, Hawaii County Council member
• We also have testimony from the Kauai Office of the Mayor, the Office of the County Clerk, Maui County
• We also have testimony from the Kauai Office of the Mayor, the Office of the County Clerk, Maui County
• We also have testimony from the Kauai Office of the Mayor, the Office of the County Clerk, Maui County

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees first heard House Bill 229, which would establish a statewide speed restriction for motor vehicles under certain circumstances. Testimony on the bill was limited and came in support from the City and County of Honolulu’s transportation services, the Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization. No one testified in opposition, and there were no questions. The committees then took up House Bill 860, which would grant immunity from liability to the state or counties when they repair or maintain a street whose ownership or jurisdiction is disputed between them. The Department of Transportation and the Department of Land and Natural Resources submitted written testimony, and the Hawaii State Association of Counties, Maui County Council Chair Alice Lee, Hawaii County Council member Heather Kimble, and the Iolani Homestead Community Association for Justice testified in support. The Ho Association for Justice opposed the bill, arguing the immunity was too broad and that the issue had already been addressed by prior legislation. In discussion, members raised concerns about liability and asked whether a different approach, such as extending the 2017 law transferring Oahu roads in limbo to the counties, would be acceptable; county representatives said that path could be considered if immunity were removed. House Bill 1161, which would authorize counties to use a road usage charge mechanism similar to the state’s, drew support from the Department of Transportation, the Energy Office, the Hawaii State Association of Counties, several county and city offices, and the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization. Rental car companies and industry groups supported the concept but asked for amendments, including a flat fee instead of a per-mile charge, relief for plug-in hybrid vehicles, and a delayed implementation date. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii also supported relief for hybrids. Members questioned the rental car representatives about the flat-fee proposal, and they said a per-mile charge would be difficult to calculate and pass on to customers. At the end of the joint agenda, the committees deferred decision-making on HB 1161 to Tuesday, March 18 at 3:00 p.m., and the Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs committee also deferred the three measures to that date and time. The Transportation and Culture and the Arts committee then began hearing House Bill 925, which would create a Performing Arts Special Fund, and House Bill 1378, which would establish a Performing Arts Grants Program and Special Fund and revise the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts’ responsibilities and funding sources. HB 925 received support from the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and written support or comments from DBEDT, the Hawaii Arts Alliance, and others. HB 1378 drew extensive testimony and discussion focused on preserving arts funding while addressing concerns about the use of Works of Art Special Fund dollars for positions and programming. The Governor’s office said it supported the intent but had concerns; the Attorney General warned that the bill’s cap and transfer provisions were unclear and could affect the tax-exempt status of bond-funded dollars; and the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts opposed the measure, urging an audit, tracking of deposits, and a shift of positions and programs to general funds instead of changing the law. The chair explained that the bill was intended to protect arts funding while tightening the legal guardrails around bond-financed dollars and preserving federal support, and asked testimony to focus on new points as the hearing continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• really a pain in the um butt for County really a pain in the um butt for County and<00:36:07.560
• 00:36:25.400> copy um seeing what those counties do copy um seeing what those counties do copy
• I just want to give our counties credit for how much of this fraud prevention we put on our counties.
• County commissioners and they talked about how social spending in the county just keeps growing as a
• from County from County background<01:10:02.920> in<01:10:03.400> correcting<01:10

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:11:08.399> uh by se section E this section counties uh by se section E this section counties
• <00:11:22.560> take urging the cities to and counties take urging the cities to and counties
• "And being from a county that I represent that is an affected county, I think it's wrong to impugn the
• "And being from a county that I represent that is an affected county, I think it's wrong to impugn the
• "And being from a county that I represent that is an affected county, I think it's wrong to impugn the

Keywords: 916, all