Transcript Highlights:

• <00:17:09.839> Any measure is to pass un amended. Any measure is to pass un amended.
• HHS chair is to pass with amendments HHS chair is to pass with amendments adopting<00:18:03.360>
• <00:20:26.400> and we will be passing with amendments and we will be passing with amendments
• Recommendation is to pass with amendments. Are the members present?
• recommendation passing with amendments. recommendation passing with amendments.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection and Judiciary decision-making meeting on April 1, 2025 considered several measures previously heard in committee and took action on each. HB 228 HD1 SD1, relating to license plates, was recommended to pass with amendments defining the terms “cover” and “shield”; it was adopted with votes of aye from the chair, vice chair, Senator McKelvie, and Senator Richards, and a no from Senator Awa. HB 125 HD1, relating to firearms and secure storage notice requirements, was recommended to pass unamended and was adopted, though Senator McKelvie noted reservations and Senator OA did not vote. The committees also noted they would wait for a full complement on some JDC votes before finalizing all actions. HB 1194 HD2 SD1, relating to midwives, drew the most discussion and testimony. The recommendation was to pass with amendments, including DCCA-proposed changes and a revised effective date; members discussed concerns about regulation, the role of unlicensed birth attendants, and whether the bill could criminalize people present at births. The chair explained the intent was not to criminalize invited, uncompensated birth attendants who do not use the title “midwife,” while also clarifying limits on practicing midwifery without a license. The measure passed with reservations from Senator McKelvie and a no vote from Senator Awa. HB 348 HD1 SD1, relating to single-use plastics, was recommended to pass unamended and was adopted without objection. HB 874 SD1, concerning trust accounts for minors in theatrical employment, was recommended to pass with amendments accepting the Attorney General’s suggestion to remove rulemaking authority; it passed in both committees without opposition. After the CPN portion adjourned, JDC also took up HB 125 and HB 1194, adopting the same recommendations and passing both measures, with the midwifery bill again reflecting the committee’s intent to preserve invited, unpaid attendance at births while restricting unlicensed practice.

Transcript Highlights:

• We will show that amendment is adopted. So now we're on the amendment.
• Are there questions on the amendment? >> Seeing no questions on the amendment.
• Do we have appearance cards on the amendment? No appearance cards on the amendment.
• Is there debate on the amendment seeing no debate is their opposition to the to the amendment, seeing
• The amendment is accepted as presented and now we're back on the bill as amended.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll be accepting all the committee's amendments.
• amendments.
• The motion is due pass as amended.
• The motion is due pass as amended. The motion is due pass as amended. Berman? Aye. Addis. Arons.
• The motion is due pass as amended. Addis, aye. Addis, aye. The motion is due pass as amended.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They are AB 542, AB 563, AB 731 with amendments, AB 753, AB 784, AB 964, AB 988 with amendments, AB 1034
• , AB 1233 with amendments, AB 1255 with amendments, and AB 1381 with amendments.
• We also have AB 1233 with amendments, AB 1255 with amendments, and AB 1381 with amendments.
• I am familiar with the amendments, been party to those amendments.
• amendments before us today.

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee heard AB 84, a charter school accountability measure focused on non-classroom-based charter schools and fraud prevention. The author and supporters said the bill was intended to respond to the A3 charter fraud case and related scandals by strengthening audits, transparency, authorizer oversight, and funding determination rules, while ensuring public education dollars are used for public education. Supporters included FCMAT, CSEA, CTA, and CSBA, who argued the bill would improve oversight and protect taxpayers. Opponents, including the California Charter Schools Association, Green Dot, many charter parents, educators, and charter operators, said the bill was too broad, would impose major new costs and bureaucracy on all charter schools, and could reduce options for families, especially those using flexible, homeschool, or special-needs charter programs. After extensive testimony and committee discussion, the bill passed on a 5-1 vote and was sent to Appropriations, with the item left open for additional votes. The committee then approved a consent calendar of 11 education bills, including AB 542, AB 563, AB 731, AB 753, AB 784, AB 964, AB 988, AB 1034, AB 1233, AB 1255, and AB 1381, all moving to Appropriations. The consent calendar passed unanimously. Later, the committee heard AB 1454, a literacy and reading instruction bill authored by Assembly Members Rubio and Revis. The bill would require the state to create professional development resources for evidence-based literacy instruction, update English language arts and English language development instructional materials, and revise administrator preparation standards to include literacy training. The authors and a broad coalition of supporters, including CTA, EdVoice, Families in Schools, Decoding Dyslexia, school administrators, and parent advocates, described the measure as a compromise aimed at improving reading outcomes and addressing California’s literacy crisis. There was no opposition testimony at the hearing, and members voiced strong support for the bill and its collaborative approach.

Transcript Highlights:

• about here in this amendment. about here in this amendment.
• And amendment.
• . amendments. amendments.
• So, um, I have an amendment here. And my amendment number is 1496.
• with this amendment. with this amendment.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh we had added an amendment. Uh bill. Uh we had added an amendment.
• amended will be laid over. amended will be laid over.
• amendment, do members have that? amendment, do members have that?
• could I explain the A8 amendment? could I explain the A8 amendment?
• <01:53:08.960> Uh this amendment? Uh this amendment?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I move that my substitute floor amendment to the FMAE amendment be adopted. Any opening remarks?
• Affairs, and Elections Committee amendment be adopted.
• House Bill 2138, as amended, do pass.
• Are there any opening comments to that amendment? To the amendment, no.
• that HB 2138 do pass as amended.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, then the next amendment, on line 12 there, the fourth amendment, it states to replace line 77 on
• And then if you go to page two of the amendment, on line 33, you'll see it defines... amendment line
• And so this is what the amendment does here.
• So you're still on page four of the amendment.
• Um, are we still on page five of the amendment?

Bills: HB493

Keywords: child advocacy centers, certification, funding allocation, Alabama Network, forensic evaluation, children's welfare, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, I would move Amendment 040-003 for House Bill 1540.
• The amendment has passed. Yes, two nays, zero not voting. The amendment has passed.
• So we have the amended bill, 1540, before us. Mr.
• Chairman, I make a motion for a due pass for 1540 as amended.
• So now we have the amended version before us. Mr.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Senate Education Committee met with a quorum and first took up House Bill 1540, an education savings account bill. Senator Wobbema presented Amendment 040-003, describing mostly clarifying and reorganizing changes, including eligibility language, administrator duties, school participation standards, assessment provisions, and a correction removing a requirement that the department pay for state assessment materials if a parent selected that option. The committee adopted the amendment 4-2, then advanced HB 1540 as amended on a 4-2 vote and sent it to Appropriations, with Senator Wobbema designated as carrier. One senator opposed the bill, arguing it would divert resources from public schools and conflict with the state’s obligation to provide a free appropriate education while districts still face funding needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• We did initially have a support of amended position.
• So we appreciate the amendments that have brought us to neutral.
• Do pass as amended to Senate Appropriations. The roll. Do pass as amended to Senate Appropriations.
• those amendments are being technically taken in this committee.
• I will be accepting the committee amendments.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator, there is an amendment? Yes. Okay, let's take up Amendment 539084 by Senator Leake.
• Back on the bill as amended. Senators, are there any questions on the bill as amended?
• Is there any debate on the amendment? Senator, would you like to close on the amendment?
• All in favor of the amendment say yea. All opposed? All in favor of the amendment say yea.
• The amendment is adopted. Now we're back on the bill as amended.

Bills: S0054, S0156, S0296, S0298

Keywords: cognitive function, psychotropic drugs, violent offenders, autopsy procedures, medical records, school safety, public records, open government, sunshine law, victims of dating violence, domestic violence, address confidentiality program, confidential address, voter registration, voting records, elections, supervisor of elections, Department of State, Attorney General, privacy

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation on the Governor’s fiscal year 2026-27 public safety budget, which totals about $8.2 billion within a $117.4 billion overall state budget. Caitlin Dawkins of the Governor’s Office of Policy and Budget outlined funding and reductions across the public safety silo, including the Department of Corrections, Juvenile Justice, FDLE, Legal Affairs, the courts, and related entities. Agency heads then presented their requests, with FDLE seeking funding for fentanyl enforcement, career offender registry staffing, alert system upgrades, alcohol testing equipment, officer mental health, criminal alien detection, and statutory staffing needs; DJJ requesting money for the Florida Scholars Academy, uniforms, residential contract rate increases, a new Broward detention center, and facility maintenance; and DOC requesting major funding for correctional officer pay increases, 500 additional FTE, facility construction and maintenance, communications and security technology, offender information system modernization, inmate health care, pharmaceuticals, and food service. Members discussed staffing shortages, prison conditions, immigration enforcement, public records burdens, mental health and substance use treatment, and the need for continued investment in corrections. A member of the public also testified about poor conditions in some prisons, including clothing, food, medical care, and maintenance issues. The committee then considered and passed CS/SB 156, the Jason Rayner Act, which would clarify that a person may not resist a law enforcement officer with violence when the officer is performing official duties and would increase penalties in cases involving violence against officers. The bill sponsor described the case of Officer Jason Rayner and said the measure was intended to prevent defendants from using claims about unlawful detention or arrest to justify violence. An amendment conforming the bill’s language was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably after support was noted from several law enforcement and municipal groups. Next, the committee passed CS/SB 54, which addresses use of substances affecting cognitive function. An amendment narrowed the medical-records language to records relevant to investigations of violent offenders and clarified privacy protections. The bill was then reported favorably. The committee also passed CS/SB 296, the Haven Act, which would direct a study of a secure web-based alert system for domestic violence victims so they can contact 911 without alerting an abuser, and would expand the Address Confidentiality Program to include dating violence victims. Testimony from survivors and advocates emphasized the danger victims face when trying to leave abusive situations. Finally, the committee passed CS/SB 298, the public-records companion bill, which extends confidentiality protections for participants in the Address Confidentiality Program to dating violence victims as well. All three bills were reported favorably, and the committee adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to take up Amendment 794384. Senator, you're recognized to explain the amendment.
• That is the amendment, Madam Chair. Are there any questions on the amendment?
• Any other questions on the amendment? Are there any appearance forms for the amendment?
• All in favor of the amendment say aye. Aye. All opposed say nay. The amendment is adopted.
• Are there questions on the bill as amended? All opposed say nay. The amendment is adopted.

Bills: S7038, S1694

Keywords: education, Florida College System, tuition waivers, vocational rehabilitation, state universities, accreditation, public safety, technology education, digital literacy, artificial intelligence, computer science, high school graduation

Summary: The Committee on Education Postsecondary heard and approved CS/SB 1694, which would revise general education core standards at public postsecondary institutions to incorporate technology-related instruction. The adopted amendment shifted the bill away from creating a sixth core course and instead required technology integration within existing core courses to include digital literacy, AI tool application, and related instruction in areas such as software engineering, networks, databases, and cybersecurity as applicable. For high school computer science courses, the amendment added guidance on critical evaluation of AI results, AI limitations, and ethical use of AI. The committee adopted the amendment and then voted the bill favorably. The committee also took up confirmation appointments on tabs 1 through 2 and, on one motion, recommended confirmation of all appointees favorably. In addition, it considered SPB 7038 on postsecondary education and workforce development, which addresses tuition and fee policies, consumer protections, career and technical education, student acceleration, and institutional operations. Members asked about dual enrollment expansion, CIE licensure exemptions, and the removal of the Classic Learning Test as a fee-waiver qualifier; staff said the dual enrollment change was intended to expand student options without necessarily increasing enrollment, the CLT removal was an error to be corrected, and a Florida Dental Association representative raised concern about preserving the long-standing exemption for dental assisting programs. The committee moved SPB 7038 as a committee bill and reported it favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• be repassed as amended by the Senate.
• be repassed as amended by the Senate.
• The Senate amendments say aye. Those opposed, nay. The motion prevails.
• The clerk will give the bill its third reading as amended by the Senate. 355 as amended by the Senate
• A third reading as amended by the Senate. Further discussion?

Transcript Highlights:

• I have zero problems with the amendment. I think it is friendly with the amendment I'm bringing.
• All right, there is the amendment. Has it been... Is there a second to the amendment?
• Now I do have an amendment. Let me go over this amendment with you if I could.
• I never did it, so, but I'm perfectly never did it, so I'm perfectly amendable to the amendment that
• Then as amended, I would ask for a favorable report. I'm sorry, vote on the amendment.

Bills: HB2, HB27, HB54, HB49, HB58, HB40, HB38, HB43, HB2, HB27, HB40, HB38, HB43, HB54, HB49, HB58

Keywords: vaccination, parental consent, minors, medical consent, guardian approval, sex offender, employment, first responder, childcare, public safety, juvenile protection, emergency orders, child custody, court authority, abuse and neglect, firearm possession, law enforcement, criminal penalty, concealed carry, Alabama law

Transcript Highlights:

• the um A4 amendment. the um A4 amendment.
• Could you explain the amendment?
• Motion prevails. >> Other amendments. Senator A7 amendment. >> That's me, Mr. Chair.
• amendment? Not all those in favor say I. amendment? Not all those in favor say I.
• Further amendments. amendments. amendments. >> Senator<01:04:46.960> Pratt.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• got an amendment. got an amendment.
• >> I will offer the A2 amendment. >> I will offer the A2 amendment.
• the amendments. the amendments.
• think it's a good amendment. think it's a good amendment. >> Interesting.
• amendment to Senate File 4222. amendment to Senate File 4222.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The joint hearing opened with chairs explaining that the program integrity omnibus bill is a combined draft assembled from individual member bills and governor proposals, many of which had already been heard in committee. Members emphasized the compressed end-of-session timeline, said the language was not yet ready for enactment, and invited continued revisions as the bill moves next to judiciary and finance. Several speakers stressed the need for bipartisan collaboration, while also warning that the Legislature must act this session on program integrity rather than defer reforms. The fiscal staff then walked through a spreadsheet showing the bill’s overall budget effects and major provisions. The package includes DHS proposals on transforming human services, market- and receipt-based rate reform, enhanced program and payment integrity, uniform service standards, nursing facility rate changes, ICS reforms, and a repeal/redesign of housing stabilization, along with child care assistance integrity and human services redesign items in DCYF. Staff highlighted that the bill combines multiple sources, including governor proposals and member bills, and noted several items that are also in the supplemental human services budget. Committee discussion focused heavily on prepayment review, remote supports, ICS, and provider accountability. Chairs said the bill would codify prepayment review with a 60-day notice requirement after providers were caught off guard by prior rollout, and that remote supports and ICS language were placeholders or under active debate. One member argued the system needs stronger standards but cautioned against harming compliant providers, while another urged the committee to learn from good providers and warned against repeating failed implementations. Staff also reviewed thematic indexes covering billing and service delivery oversight, EVV, administrative reform, licensing and background studies, provider enrollment, sanctions, and child care provider compliance training. No formal votes were taken in the portion provided. The hearing ended with staff beginning the index walkthrough and members indicating that posted amendments would be considered as the bill advances through the remaining committees.

Transcript Highlights:

• The First Amendment requires more precision than that.
• The First Amendment requires more precision than that.
• And you did accept the amendments, I presume. Absolutely accept the committee's amendments. Thanks.
• Some of the amendments included...
• We just learned of the amendments on Friday.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• amendment? amendment? Representative<00:04:17.920> Craft. Representative Craft.
• I think um the A2 amendment.
• Please tell us about your amendment next now? Now, I'll move the amendment.
• Please tell us about your amendment next now? Now, I'll move the amendment.
• Eliff would repeat the A1 the oral<00:48:20.920> amendment. oral amendment. oral amendment.

Bills: HF4308, HF4153, HF4703, HF4711

Keywords: HF4308, Monticello nuclear plant, Prairie Island, renewable development account, RDA, nuclear waste, spent fuel, dry cask storage, utility tax, commercial-industrial property tax, state general levy, property tax exemption, residential heating fuels, natural gas tax exemption, electricity sales tax exemption, year-round sales tax exemption, distributed solar energy standard, solar mandate, community solar, grid modernization

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:08:06.720> for adopt a HD1 with tech amendments for adopt a HD1 with tech amendments for
• amendments for clarity, consistency, and amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.<01:10:24.960
• :22.880> appropriating<01:17:23.520> $5 amend the measure by appropriating $5 amend the
• <01:22:34.159> taxable testimony for the amending taxable testimony for the amending taxable
• of clarifying and amending the of clarifying and amending the transportation<01:25:30.960> for

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Transportation Committee met on February 5 and heard testimony on a long agenda of transportation-related bills. Early measures included HB 2392, which would create an employer tax credit for transportation demand management benefits; HB 2462, which would bar auto manufacturers and dealers from charging post-sale fees for already-installed hardware; and HB 2423, which would require diesel sold for on-road use to contain at least 5% biodiesel. HB 2392 drew support from the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization and one individual, with the Department of Taxation and the Tax Foundation offering comments. HB 2462 drew support from DCCA and one individual, while the Alliance for Automotive Innovation opposed it. HB 2423 drew comments from the Hawaii State Energy Office and Hawaii Farm Bureau, support from Pacific Biodiesel and the Hawaii Transportation Association, and a question from the chair about whether biodiesel is exported; the witness said production stays local. The committee also heard HB 1771 on voluntary carbon offsets for air travel, HB 2081 on requiring firefighters exempt from CDL rules to follow equivalent alcohol and substance abuse policies, HB 2334 on allowing the Department of Transportation to assume NEPA responsibilities for certain projects, and HB 2336 on DOT agreements with the Department of Defense for work at military installations using federal funds. HB 1771 drew comments from Life of the Land warning that carbon offsets are often unreliable and could create liability, while Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines offered comments. HB 2081 received support from DOT, county human resources offices, fire departments, and county officials, with the Hawaii Firefighters Association in opposition. HB 2334 was supported by DOT, and the director said other states using NEPA assignment can complete projects in about half the time. HB 2336 was supported by DOT, HIEMA, DBEDT’s military relations office, and the Hawaii Military Affairs Council; the committee discussed the administrative fee as a way to recover costs under an intergovernmental agreement. The most extensive testimony centered on HB 1666, which would limit new motor vehicle markups above 5% of MSRP and require recordkeeping. Multiple dealer groups and the Hawaii Automobile Dealers Association opposed it, arguing it would threaten dealership operations, especially in Hawaii’s high-cost market and for vehicles without an MSRP. The committee also heard HB 2375 on uniform towing and parking enforcement standards on state and leased lands, including notice, disability protections, payment safeguards, and public reporting; DLNR, DAGS, and several advocacy groups testified, with strong public support and concerns about towing practices and ADA compliance. HB 2415, which would appropriate funds for crosswalks near school properties, drew support from DOT, DOE, and the Hawaii Bicycling League, and the committee discussed how counties would request projects and how funding would be allocated. Finally, HB 2451, which would move Hawaii toward fare-free public transit beginning in 2027 and create a dedicated funding source through a petroleum tax increase, received broad support from DOT, the Energy Office, public health and advocacy groups, and many individuals; DOE testified that it currently uses about $2.1 million for student bus passes and that the program is tied to savings from inactive school bus routes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Would you be amendable to amending your amendment to remove the words 'tax-free'? Yes.
• 35:08.119> remove<01:35:08.520> the to amending your amendment to remove the to amending
• Further discussion on the bill as amended? Further discussion on the committee amendment?
• So I'd like to move that amendment ought to pass as amended. Amendment.
• All right, discussion on the bill as amended? Discussion on the bill as amended?

Keywords: 1191, senate, all