Transcript Highlights:

• that your voter registration is, once that eligibility is determined, your voter registration is retroactive
• to the day that you registered, because if you've been determined eligible, it should be retroactive
• But we did that might..." "...should be retroactive to the day that you applied, but we didn't—that might
• U.S. passports can take between four and six weeks to process applications and cost $165 when applying
• U.S. passports can take between four to six weeks to process applications and cost $165 when applying

Bills: S0460 , S0748 , S1180 , S1334

Committee: Senate Ethics and Elections

Summary: The Committee on Ethics and Elections met with a quorum and took up several election-related bills. CS/SB 1180 by Senator Arrington, which creates a recall framework for elected community development district board members and also addresses synthetic turf regulation and CDD eligibility, was presented briefly and then approved unanimously. SB 460 by Senator Polsky, requiring the governor to call special elections within set deadlines after vacancies and allowing judicial relief if deadlines are not met, also passed unanimously after members discussed flexibility for emergencies and the cost of delayed elections. The committee then heard SB 748 by Senator Bracy Davis, which would add constitutional voting-rights restoration language to the sentencing score sheet given to felony defendants. Supporters said it would improve clarity and notice without changing eligibility, and the bill was favorably reported unanimously. The committee also confirmed several appointees, including Jim Milliken and Alicia McShea to the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County, Robert P. Estalas as Director of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, and additional gubernatorial appointees listed on the agenda, all by favorable votes. The longest discussion centered on Senator Grall’s strike-all amendment for SB 1334, an elections bill dealing with citizenship verification, Real ID and SAVE database use, paper-ballot voting, candidate qualification rules, and related election administration changes. Supporters argued it would streamline verification and ensure only citizens vote, while opponents warned it would create burdens, disenfranchise eligible voters, and impose costs and administrative confusion. After extensive public testimony both for and against, the committee adopted an amendment to allow supervisors of elections to observe holidays when not otherwise required to be open, then approved the strike-all as amended by a 6-2 vote, with Senators Polsky and Bernard voting no. The meeting then adjourned after members recorded their votes on earlier items.

Transcript Highlights:

• Under existing law, these common estate planning tools cannot be used for lot split applications.
• Under existing law, these common estate planning tools cannot be used for lot split applications.
• These lots of SB 9 applications are hardly being used at all.
• It also provides applicants with a clear path when agencies fail to meet their obligations.
• how many times they can ask applicants to revise and resubmit their plans.

Committee: House Housing and Community Development

Transcript Highlights:

• That developed from owning a tire store and having many folks come in and grab an application...
• That developed from owning a tire store and having many folks come in and grab an application only to
• Can you explain why this is retroactive to 2009? You're recognized.
• When it comes to the retroactivity, I think we were trying to encompass all of the lands that were recently
• Each of these individuals had their applications for a concealed carry license denied by the agency at

Summary: The Housing, Agriculture and Tourism Subcommittee heard and advanced several bills. HB 615, allowing landlords to send required notices electronically with tenant written consent, was amended to allow either landlords or tenants to send messages electronically and passed favorably after testimony from legal aid and tenant advocates urging stronger opt-in, opt-out, and notice protections. HB 665, dealing with local government impact fees and development permits, would limit certain art-related impact fees, define “extraordinary circumstances,” and require more public process before fee increases; it passed after local government and industry testimony focused on refining the extraordinary-circumstances definition and concerns about public art funding. HB 365, a tenant protection bill for affordable housing units receiving public incentives, was amended to apply only to leases of 13 months or less and to take effect in July 2026; it passed with support from housing advocates and AARP and was described as preventing mid-lease rent increases while preserving renewal-time adjustments. HB 381, requiring issuance of addresses and parcel identification numbers within a set timeframe, was amended to extend the deadline to 20 business days and shift the fee consequence to the address fee rather than the building permit fee; it passed after discussion about delays affecting developers and local government responsibility.

Transcript Highlights:

• Code, to revise a provision regarding sales tax distribution; and declares an emergency, provides retroactive
• application, and provides an effective date.
• 2027, and declaring an emergency and... tax distribution and declaring an emergency, providing retroactive
• application, and providing an effective date.

Transcript Highlights:

• It restructures Section 1A to improve clarity, and it adds a provision that the act shall apply retroactively
• Restructure Section 1A to improve clarity, and it adds a provision that the Act shall apply retroactively
• These penalties include denial of a future application for licensure and an administrative fine not to
• These penalties include denial of a future application for licensure and an administrative fine not to

Bills: S0408 , S0986 , S0678 , S0800 , S1050 , S0484 , S1118

Committee: Senate Regulated Industries

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate floor amendment sought to make something retroactive.
• It just changed the applicability of the proposed law from January 1, 2027, to policies issued or renewed
• Senate Bill 194 by Senator Miguez provides relative to public assistance, referral of applicants for
• Senate Bill 194 by Senator Meequez, Public Assistance, Referral of Applicants for Assistance, Not Valid
• It states quicker notice when claims are pended and limits retroactive claim recoupment by insurers to

Bills: HR320 , HR321 , SCR55 , SCR69 , SCR75 , SCR77 , SCR78 , SCR79 , SB259 , SB295 , SB312 , SB348 , SB444 , SB485 , HR73 , HR118 , HR144 , HR196 , HR237 , HR249 , HR260 , HR267 , HR272 , HR278 , HCR85 , HCR100 , HCR105 , HCR107 , HCR114 , HR245 , SCR5 , SCR29 , SCR33 , SCR37 , SCR63 , SCR30 , SCR40 , HB62 , HB193 , HB210 , HB220 , HB246 , HB364 , HB420 , HB475 , HB584 , HB622 , HB772 , HB784 , HB949 , HB953 , HB1043 , HB1070 , HB1092 , HB1134 , HB1162 , HB1176 , HB1196 , HB1214 , HB119 , HB129 , HB233 , HB283 , HB538 , HB789 , HB850 , HB870 , HB1236 , HB1241 , HB54 , HB137 , HB321 , HB368 , HB386 , HB414 , HB431 , HB552 , HB555 , HB578 , HB590 , HB593 , HB618 , HB638 , HB670 , HB692 , HB707 , HB708 , HB715 , HB718 , HB732 , HB741 , HB748 , HB776 , HB796 , HB807 , HB822 , HB848 , HB856 , HB887 , HB888 , HB917 , HB921 , HB1082 , HB1243 , HB1246 , HB378 , HB509 , HB1090 , HB1259 , SB80 , SB131 , SB143 , SB251 , SB254 , SB279 , SB367 , SB384 , SB388 , SB389 , SB398 , SB408 , SB431 , SB468 , SB469 , SB496 , SB4 , SB52 , SB57 , SB83 , SB145 , SB152 , SB194 , SB276 , SB319 , SB333 , SB448 , SB450 , SB465 , SB484 , SB501 , SB509 , SB149 , HR168 , HB463 , HB998 , SB123 , SB353 , SB479 , SB495 , SB82 , SB97 , SB283 , SB326 , SB518 , SB197 , SB268 , HB901 , HR20 , HR74 , HCR65 , HCR71 , HCR98 , HB284 , HB306 , HB341 , HB366 , HB393 , HB458 , HB577 , HB603 , HB605 , HB614 , HB625 , HB646 , HB733 , HB752 , HB773 , HB798 , HB911 , HB955 , HB996 , HB1035 , HB1069 , HB1113 , HB1140 , HB1180 , HB1191 , HB1240 , HB1255 , SB89 , HB74 , HB134 , HB258 , HB359 , HB468 , HB956 , HB1117 , SB29 , SB42 , SB43 , SB78 , SB208 , SB217 , SB274 , SB300 , SB341 , SB379 , SB382 , SB387 , SB401 , SB441 , SB449 , SB487

Summary: The House was called to order, a quorum was established, and the meeting opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. Members also observed several personal privileges and recognitions, including International Preeclampsia Awareness Month, the Hudson Cup award presentation to Rep. John Illg Jr., recognition of the Delcambre Shrimp Festival Queen, and a visit from U.S. Sen. John Kennedy. The chamber also received Senate messages, conference committee appointments, enrolled reports, and a conference report on SB 483 dealing with psychedelic-assisted therapy, which was laid over. The House then moved through a long series of concurrence and rejection votes on Senate amendments to House bills. Among the measures concurred in were bills affecting the Louisiana Women’s Policy Research Commission, the Louisiana Sickle Cell Commission, child exploitation reporting on covered platforms, the Children’s Cabinet Advisory Board, DCFS background checks, AI disclosure in health care, foster care placement and related terminology, criminal history record confidentiality, parish court jurisdiction, court costs, developmental disability office renaming, insurance claims and contractor licensing, Medicare Advantage coverage, colorectal cancer screening, health facilities, highway memorial designations, jury compensation, school employee protections, juvenile court fees, off-road vehicle seizure, residential property insurance cancellation, child support enforcement, and several others. The House rejected Senate amendments on bills including ethics retroactivity, sex offender registration notification, plumbers licensing, and health insurance formulary placement, sending some to conference. Several bills were finally passed, including measures on obstructing public passages with motorized vehicles, class six injection well hearings, arson of religious buildings, wearing masks while committing felonies, professional board attorney fees, bulletproof vests for peace officers, critical infrastructure protection from foreign adversaries, debit card surcharges, electronic stock certificates, watershed restoration funding, and innovation economic development pilot hubs. The innovation hub bill drew extensive debate over no-bid contracting, transparency, and the role of elected versus unelected bodies; an amendment to limit contracting authority to parish governing authorities was withdrawn, and the bill later proceeded to final passage after extended floor discussion. The House also took up and passed or concurred in multiple other bills and resolutions, with recorded votes ranging from unanimous to divided on a few measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill before you, Engrossed Senate Bill 5068, removes references to applicants who are lawful permanent
• And I think that this will help us create a bigger pool of qualified applicants.
• I noticed that the new provision about retroactivity—does that apply to the King County Corrections Guild
• I've seen this firsthand in over 1,000 job applications that I've done.
• This is very concerning. ...hand in over 1,000 job applications that I've done.

Summary: The House Community Safety Committee met on January 18, 2026, and heard staff briefings and public testimony on several familiar bills. Engrossed Senate Bill 5068 would broaden eligibility for law enforcement, civil service, prosecuting attorney, and Fish and Wildlife officer jobs to anyone legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law, replacing references to lawful permanent residents and DACA recipients. Supporters, including Sen. Lovick and King County, said it would expand the applicant pool and align state law with federal work authorization rules; opponents raised concerns about background checks, visa fraud, and whether the bill could allow people without U.S. citizenship to serve in sensitive public safety roles. The committee also heard testimony on Second Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5268, which would require community custody for unlawful possession of a firearm offenses; law enforcement and prosecutors supported it as an accountability measure, while the Sentencing Guidelines Commission urged more specificity and cautioned against over-supervision for lower-level cases. The committee then heard Engrossed Senate Bill 5272, which expands school-related interference and intimidation offenses to include employees, contractors, students, and officials or volunteers involved in extracurricular athletic activities, increases penalties, and requires non-student offenders to be barred from the school or activity for 12 to 18 months. Sen. Lovick and several witnesses, including referee Bob West, supported the bill as a response to rising abuse of sports officials and school personnel. The committee also heard Engrossed Senate Bill 5286, which would codify and fund community policing partnerships at Western State Hospital in Lakewood and Eastern State Hospital in Medical Lake, with annual reporting requirements; the mayors of Lakewood and Medical Lake testified in support, saying the programs had reduced calls and improved safety. A major portion of the meeting focused on Substitute Senate Bill 5855, which would prohibit law enforcement officers from wearing facial coverings while interacting with the public, with exceptions for undercover work, SWAT/protective gear, and other hazardous conditions. Supporters, including Sen. Valdez, the King County prosecutor, local officials, and several public commenters, argued the bill would improve transparency, accountability, and public trust, especially in response to masked federal immigration enforcement. Opponents warned about officer safety, doxing, weather and smoke conditions, and possible conflict with federal law; committee members and stakeholders discussed a possible amendment tied to Labor and Industries rules to address protective coverings in hazardous conditions. The chair said the committee would take executive action on SB 5272, SB 5286, and SB 5268 the next day, and the meeting adjourned after public testimony on SB 5855.

Transcript Highlights:

• THAT I WANT TO ASK THE DAY IS WHAT SECURITY MEASURES DO WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE ON THIS CARE PORTAL APPLICATION
• ARON APPLICATION TO THE INDIVIDUAL WHO DRAFTED THE SAVE OUR SOCIETY'S APPLICATION. >> I AM UNSURE. >>
• PERSONALLY AT THE FORMATION OF THE ENTITY I WOULD ASSUME BECAUSE I WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THE 1023 APPLICATION
• FOR KEEP FLORIDA CLEAN TO HELP HOPE FLORIDA FOUNDATION IN COMPLYING WITH THE PAPERWORK THAT IT RETROACTIVELY
• FOUNDATION IN COMPLYING WITH THE PAPERWORK THAT IT RETROACTIVELY JUSTIFIED THE PAYMENT?

Transcript Highlights:

• And then, referring to page two, row six, you can see that there's an applicability statement.
• And, referring to page two, row six, you can see that there's an applicability statement.
• That there's an applicability statement. So that is addressed.
• application of law.
• ><c> be</c><01:42:05.760><c> struck</c> that retroactive provision be struck that retroactive provision

Committee: Senate Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• that that GPLET property is in—the school, the county, the college, special districts that may be applicable
• . ...the school, the county, the college, special districts that may be applicable.
• that G-Plet property is in, the school, the county, the college, special districts that may be applicable
• the bills from that year when this last one was going into effect, and so we're just trying to retroactively
• Thank you. ...retroactively apply what we had intended back then, this clarification. Thank you.

Committee: House House Ways & Means Committee of Reference

Summary: The House Ways and Means Committee first took up Senate Bill 1293, which would limit Government Property Lease Excise Tax (GPLET) abatements so they cannot reduce the portion of property taxes that would otherwise go to school districts. The sponsor and supporters, including the Arizona Tax Research Association and the National Federation of Independent Business, argued that GPLET shifts costs to the state general fund and other taxpayers through school finance backfilling, while city representatives from Phoenix and Mesa and the Greater Phoenix Economic Council said GPLET is an important redevelopment tool that helps projects move forward in difficult urban areas and eventually returns properties to the tax rolls at much higher values. After extended questioning about tax shifts, school district impacts, and whether cities could act without affecting other jurisdictions, the committee voted 5-3 to return SB 1293 with a do pass recommendation. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1294, a clarifying measure concerning property classification after destruction by fire, flood, or other verifiable accident. The sponsor said the bill was intended to refine language adopted the previous year and to reflect discussions with assessors and ATRA. With little opposition, the committee approved SB 1294 on a 6-1 vote, with one member present and one absent. Finally, the committee considered Senate Bill 1430, the annual technical corrections bill for tax statutes administered by the Department of Revenue. The sponsor offered an amendment to remove a disputed unclaimed-property provision after concerns were raised, and the department supported the bill as amended. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed SB 1430 as amended on a 7-0 vote, with one member present and one absent, before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, we listened to the concerns of ARC and added language that prohibits the application of this
• I believe the bill does have a provision that would make it retroactive.
• I mean, if it's retroactive, then I believe it would apply to people who've already had, who've already
• And I'm glad that you brought up retroactivity because this legislature, I beg you every year to do things
• that are retroactive and I can't ever convince you to do so.

Committee: Senate Judiciary C

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 137, which would strengthen penalties for knowingly making threats against schools, school activities, students, or school employees. The author said the bill responds to repeated false threats that disrupt schools, frighten families, and divert law enforcement, and it adds education and parental acknowledgment requirements. Members discussed possible juvenile consequences such as public service or physical work at schools, and the bill drew support from law enforcement, district attorneys, and Catholic bishops. It was reported favorably without objection. House Bill 321 followed, addressing Louisiana’s Safe Harbor law by expressly exempting minors from prostitution offenses and treating them as trafficking victims rather than offenders. The author, clergy, trafficking advocates, and a survivor testified that children involved in commercial sex are typically coerced, groomed, or controlled by traffickers, often family members or caregivers, and should receive protection and services instead of arrest. Witnesses described statewide advocacy and crisis-response services created in 2022, and committee members asked about prosecution of perpetrators and the prevalence of trafficking in rural areas. The bill was reported favorably without objection. The committee then approved House Bill 1246, a response to a fatal drunk-driving crash involving Jada Bright, which would allow law enforcement to keep intoxicated offenders in jail if they are not safe to release. An amendment was adopted to clean up the language, and the bill was reported favorably. House Bill 1104, creating a misdemeanor for possession of motor vehicle key-programming or emulating devices used to steal cars, also passed favorably with support from prosecutors and police. House Bill 552, a cleanup measure replacing references to intoxication with impairment in prior drug-related statutes, was reported favorably as well. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 310, which would require random reassignment when a defendant waives a jury trial in districts with more than two judges, unless the prosecutor agrees otherwise. Supporters said it would prevent judge shopping and address concerns about unusually high acquittal rates before particular judges, while opponents argued it raises due process concerns and effectively lets prosecutors choose the judge. Despite the opposition, the bill was reported favorably. The last major item was House Bill 1107, dealing with post-conviction death penalty cases involving claims of intellectual disability; the bill would set a 75 IQ threshold and create procedures for Atkins claims. Supporters said it would bring finality to long-pending capital cases and follow U.S. Supreme Court guidance, while opponents argued it would be unconstitutional under Atkins, Moore, and Hall because intellectual disability cannot be reduced to a single number. After extensive testimony and debate over amendments, the committee adopted the amendment and then reported the bill favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• about specifically a rotation or allotment system is not acceptable if the event which triggers application
• In fact, We listened to the concerns of ARC and added language that prohibits the application of this
• I believe the bill does have a provision that would make it retroactive.
• And I'm glad that you brought up retroactivity because this legislature, I beg you every year to do things
• that are retroactive and I can't ever convince you to do so.

Committee: Senate Judiciary C

Transcript Highlights:

• retroactivity, particularly in light of the court's ruling that this is not retroactivity because it
• is limited to a putative class action and does not trigger retroactivity.
• Secondly, you know, retroactivity. I complied with the system.
• Secondly, you know, retroactivity, I think it's a mistake.
• ruling that this is not retroactivity.

Bills: S7020 , S0308 , S0692 , S0474 , S0572 , S1106 , S1650 , S0350 , S1442 , S7032

Committee: Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability

Keywords: open government, sunset review, aquaculture, public records, exemption, Florida Museum of Black History, cultural heritage, education, Board of Directors, local governance, cybersecurity, data breach, data privacy, information security, local government, county, municipality, vendor contracts, third-party service provider, liability shield

Transcript Highlights:

• application that could endanger projects is a concern.
• This is problematic because on its face, that appears to be prospective, but it's actually retroactive
• We need to be really careful not to do retroactive policy changes that impact existing investments.
• So once we cross that line of retroactivity, there's no way to know that we won't do it again, and so
• We also support the proposal in Section 57 to develop a common system application for solar systems to

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy

Summary: The committee heard testimony on H. 4144, the Governor’s Energy Affordability, Independence, and Innovation Act, with the administration arguing the bill would lower bills in the short and long term while expanding clean energy supply and innovation. The Governor and Secretary said the bill would reduce or restructure charges on customer bills, reform Mass Save, expand securitization as a financing tool, speed interconnection, create energy-ready zones, strengthen consumer protections in competitive supply, and allow broader state procurement of energy resources. They said the package could save consumers billions over time and would help address high energy costs, especially during extreme heat and winter spikes. Committee members pressed the administration on several provisions, especially securitization, asking whether the bill requires an apples-to-apples comparison of total costs over time, including interest and lost tax revenue, versus paying through rates. Administration witnesses said DPU review and public comment would be required and said they would work to clarify the language if needed. Members also questioned the bill’s solar and procurement provisions, including reduced net metering compensation for some large facilities, the scope of all-resource procurements, and whether hydro, solar, and nuclear would be included; the administration said those resources were contemplated and that procurement would still be reviewed by DPU. Other questions focused on the short-term relief from bill changes, the treatment of low- and moderate-income discounts, and whether the bill’s heat pump and Mass Save reforms would help customers who cannot afford upfront costs. Several witnesses and committee members discussed Mass Save reforms, including securitization of program costs, on-bill financing, pre-approval of rebates, and shifting program administration away from gas utilities. Administration witnesses said the changes were intended to reduce volatility, lower administrative costs, and better align costs with long-term savings. Questions also touched on geothermal permitting, municipal participation in offshore wind procurement, and the proposed repeal of the ballot requirement for nuclear power, which the administration defended as preserving future options under heavy review. No votes were taken during the hearing portion described. Supportive testimony came from labor, environmental, business, planning, and development groups. The AFL-CIO, NECA, and the Environmental League of Massachusetts backed the bill, emphasizing lower bills, job creation, labor standards, just transition protections, and cleaner energy. NAIOP, the Massachusetts Business Roundtable, and MAPC supported provisions on energy-ready zones, interconnection reform, microgrids, extreme-heat shutoff protections, and Mass Save improvements. A HEET representative praised the bill’s use of securitization, geothermal, and utility financing tools but urged guardrails and workforce protections. Overall, testimony was broadly favorable, with most witnesses calling for refinements rather than opposing the bill outright.

Transcript Highlights:

• Secondly, retroactivity: I think it's a mistake.
• that this is not retroactivity.
• Secondly, you know, retroactivity. I complied with the system.
• Secondly, you know, retroactivity, I think it's a mistake.
• ruling that this is not retroactivity.

Summary: The Committee on Governmental Oversight and Accountability met with a quorum present and first postponed SB 1650. The committee then heard and favorably reported SB 308, which implements the Florida Museum of Black History task force recommendations by designating St. Johns County as the museum site and creating a board to work with a supporting nonprofit. It also favorably reported SB 7020, which reenacts a public records exemption for certain Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services aquaculture and shellfish production records. Members then considered SB 692 on cybersecurity standards and liability. The bill creates a presumption against liability for private businesses that follow updated cybersecurity frameworks and reporting requirements, and a similar protection for local governments that comply with state standards. An amendment was adopted to prevent local governments from imposing separate cybersecurity standards on vendors and to clarify vendor definitions and effective dates. The Florida Justice Association opposed the bill, raising concerns about local government immunity, the practical effect of the presumption for private entities, and retroactivity, while business and industry groups supported it. After debate, the committee reported the bill favorably as amended. The committee also favorably reported SB 572, which updates ethics law to include legally recognized foster parents and foster children in the definition of relative; SB 1442, which revises the long-range program plan to require more specific performance metrics and agency-specific measures; SB 1106, which replaces references to the West Bank with Judea and Samaria in state agency and educational materials; SB 474, which revises military leave and related benefits for public employees and officials, with three amendments adopted; and SB 350, which revises public records protections for crime victims and law enforcement officers who are victims, including a 72-hour confidentiality period for officers in certain cases. Finally, the committee approved SPB 7032 as a committee bill to shift more fleet management responsibility from DMS to state agencies while preserving reporting to DMS. The meeting ended after members recorded additional votes and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill applied retroactively, allowing some youth to return to the juvenile system.
• We have put in a request for a retroactive authority to spend during our full grant award period. of
• Because then the lawsuit was filed, and my understanding is that's applicable, so we...
• They receive 8 percent of the applicants to the state for the naloxone distribution fund.
• More than half, more than every other applicant combined.

Summary: The committee heard a series of budget and oversight presentations from CalHHS-related departments and agencies. CalHHS opened with a broad overview of its 2026-27 budget and priorities, including behavioral health, housing and human services integration, children and youth services, and aging/disability supports. OICR then presented its budget and its SB 823 realignment report on youth formerly committed to DJJ, saying county implementation varies widely but that the state has not seen evidence of net widening in the available data. OICR recommended climate surveys, youth advisory councils, stronger behavioral health and education programming in secure youth treatment facilities, better transitional planning, and improved longitudinal data systems. The agency also described a Title II federal grant transition problem, saying it cannot yet pay some subrecipients for prior work and is awaiting federal action on retroactive spending authority and an administrative funding adjustment. The Ombudsperson division requested two additional positions to address a growing complaint workload and access issues with counties over youth meetings, records, and grievance files; LAO raised no policy objection but noted the ongoing General Fund cost. The State Council on Developmental Disabilities requested $730,000 General Fund ongoing to cover the gap between federal limits on administrative overhead and the actual cost of an interagency agreement with the Department of Social Services. EMSA presented its department overview and several proposals, including a delayed AB 716 ambulance rate report, a $2.6 million request to replace aging disaster-response vehicles, a $250,000 security architecture assessment, and four positions plus ongoing General Fund for HR, enforcement, and legal workload. Members questioned the delay in the AB 716 report, the optics and timing of the vehicle replacement request, and whether EMSA was doing enough to prevent future staffing and enforcement problems. LAO repeatedly noted the ongoing General Fund implications of EMSA’s requests. The Department of Community Services and Development sought reappropriation of unspent Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund money for the Low-Income Weatherization Program and described a Proposition 4-funded continuation of the farmworker housing component, which would require a new statewide administrator and program design process. The Department of Rehabilitation requested authority to draw an additional $60 million in federal funds annually and add 54 positions to meet sharply increased Vocational Rehabilitation caseloads; LAO had no concerns. Child Support Services proposed restoring a prior reduction to local child support agency funding and reported higher federal performance incentives, while also presenting a supplemental report on full pass-through of child support collections to CalWORKs families, estimating about $150 million annually for full pass-through or about $80 million for a state/county-only approach, plus automation costs. Members questioned why funding should rise when caseloads are declining, and whether the policy could be made cost-neutral. CDPH closed the hearing with an overview of its $5.1 billion budget and its state of public health report, highlighting record-low mortality and higher life expectancy, but also rising overdose deaths among ages 25-44, persistent maternal and infant mortality disparities, and the need for stable public health and emergency-response capacity; no votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, and this would be in effect a retroactive tax? Yeah, it’s not a retroactive tax.
• tax yeah it's um it's not a retroactive tax yeah it's um it's not a tend<00:16:40.240><c> to</c><00:
• 16:40.319><c> be</c><00:16:40.480><c> retroactive</c><00:16:41.160><c> it's</c><00:16:41.480><c> tend
• Those haven't come to fruition, and maybe "retroactive" isn't the word I'm using.
• Those haven't come to fruition, and maybe "retroactive" isn't the word I'm using.

Summary: The committee first held a public hearing on HB 660, which would require historic horse racing facilities to pay 10% of HHR winnings to host communities as mitigation. Representative Om said the amendment was intended to leave charities and the state whole while funding local costs tied to large gaming facilities. Supporters argued the measure would address future municipal expenses, while opponents said host towns have not reported current problems and that the bill would single out one industry. Members questioned the 10% rate, whether the proposal was retroactive, and whether it would apply to existing facilities; the sponsor said it would apply to facilities already in place or later added. The hearing was then closed without any vote recorded in the transcript. The committee then opened a hearing on HB 658-FN, which raises reimbursement caps and adjusts fees for the Oil Discharge and Disposal Cleanup Fund and the Oil Pollution Control Fund. Representative Malloy introduced the bill, and Representative Aly explained the funds as a state-backed insurance mechanism for oil spill cleanup and prevention, including replacement of leaking home heating oil tanks for low-income homeowners. Bob Scully of the Energy Marketers Association supported the bill, saying the fee structure helps fund remediation and tank replacement, though costs are ultimately passed on to consumers. Department of Environmental Services officials Robert Bishop and Jennifer Marts described the bill as extending the fee collection for 10 years, changing reporting dates, increasing the cap for low-income tank replacement, and rebalancing fees based on an actuarial review. DES testified that the actuarial study found the fund needed to remain solvent and that home heating oil releases are the largest category of new releases, with the fuel oil fee otherwise needing to rise by more than 200% to cover projected costs. The board instead proposed a smaller increase and adjusted other fees accordingly, while maintaining a reserve to cover the first days of a major coastal spill before federal funds become available. Members asked about the basis for the fee changes, the role of the actuarial review, and the statutory language governing who pays the fees. The transcript ends during this hearing, with no final committee action or vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:07.840><c> that</c> score and evaluate applications that score and evaluate applications that
• >> Miss Grim, this is not a retroactive amendment. Sorry, Chair.
• This would not be a retroactive amendment.
• > and</c><00:23:30.400><c> getting</c> application, paying fees, and getting application, paying fees
• ><c> while</c> multiple application fees while multiple application fees while searching<00:25:57.360

Bills: HF4207 , HF3639 , HF3981 , HF3064 , HF2123

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Trust Code to eliminate areas of uncertainty among practitioners and to provide consistency in application
• Trust Code to eliminate areas of uncertainty among practitioners and to provide consistency in application
• in this bill to the trust code are clarifying provisions and remedial in nature such that their retroactivity

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The Judiciary Committee considered four bills. SB 300 would extend a public records exemption for personal information of appellate court clerks and their spouses and children, mirroring protections already given to trial court clerks; after one support appearance and brief debate about harassment risks, it passed 8-1 and was reported favorably. SB 302 would create a similar exemption for current and former Judicial Qualifications Commission employees, citing doxing, threatening calls and emails, and social media intimidation; it passed 9-1 and was also reported favorably. The committee then took up SB 262, which makes technical changes to the Florida Trust Code, including clarifying trust decanting authority, limiting successor trustee actions where beneficiaries are barred, aligning ademption-by-satisfaction rules with the probate code, and clarifying that transferring homestead property into a community trust does not trigger reassessment. An amendment making the changes retroactive as clarifying and remedial was adopted, and the bill passed unanimously 10-0 and was reported favorably. Finally, SB 322 would create a nonjudicial process for commercial property owners to ask the sheriff to remove unauthorized persons from commercial real estate, similar to the recently enacted residential squatter-removal process. Two amendments were adopted to authorize reasonably necessary force and correct cross-references, and the bill passed unanimously and was reported favorably. The committee adjourned after one senator later asked to be recorded as voting yes on SB 300.

Transcript Highlights:

• . 2, proposing a constitutional amendment prohibiting the legislature from imposing death taxes applicable
• . 2, proposing a constitutional amendment prohibiting the legislature from imposing death taxes applicable
• So this amendment would make this purely proactive and not retroactive? Right.
• It's not retroactive. There is a bill in the House that is handling that issue, but this one...
• Senate Bill 2311 strengthens the current educational planning requirements for RTC license applicants

Bills: SB111 , SB128 , SB203 , SB205 , SB261 , SB317 , SB393 , SB397 , SB466 , SB510 , SB582 , SB705 , SB731 , SB748 , SB801 , SB867 , SB876 , SB913 , SB1071 , SB1086 , SB1087 , SB1250 , SB1285 , SB1310 , SB1400 , SB1444 , SB1483 , SB1553 , SB1556 , SB1581 , SB1608 , SB1698 , SB1723 , SB1730 , SB1835 , SB1858 , SB1903 , SB1946 , SB1950 , SB1986 , SB2017 , SB2043 , SB2056 , SB2058 , SB2063 , SB2082 , SB2105 , SB2133 , SB2137 , SB2177 , SB2203 , SB2260 , SB2311 , SB2334 , SB2344 , SB2403 , SB2417 , SB2446 , SB2519 , SB2522 , SB2532 , SB2600 , SB2611 , SB2619 , SB2637 , SB2688 , SB2717 , SB2764 , SB2785 , SB2790 , SB2794 , SB2841 , SB2847 , SB2857 , SB2878 , SB2891 , SB2943 , SB2955 , SB2972 , SB2995 , SB3037 , SB3057 , SB3059 , HJR2 , HB26 , HB206 , HB334 , HB451 , HB517 , HB554 , HB 1109 , HB2081 , HB2756 , HB3204 , HB3809 , SJR3 , SB5 , SB72 , SB509 , SB616 , SB963 , SB985 , SB1025 , SB1080 , SB1143 , SB1172 , SB1245 , SB1267 , SB1271 , SB1273 , SB1355 , SB1422 , SB1759 , SB1786 , SB2361 , SB17 , SB314 , SB455 , SB761 , SB1023 , SB1968 , SB2122 , SB2371 , SB2420 , SB2544 , SB1 , SB260 , SB1506 , SB1637 , SJR36 , SJR50 , SJR63 , SCR12 , SCR39 , SB2023 , SB62 , SB666 , SB847 , SB284 , SB854 , SB1073 , SB810 , SB1505 , SB583 , SB507 , SB1434 , SB1772 , SB2016 , SB1163 , SB1122 , SB731 , SB397 , SB508 , SB1436 , SB287 , SB261 , SB1882 , SB393 , SB1791 , SB209 , SB2429 , SB511 , SB2309 , SB510 , SB1085 , SB1975 , SB2717 , SB1262 , SB636 , SB2056 , SB884 , SB1200 , SB1845 , SB2458 , SB801 , SB3014 , SB3013 , SB758 , SB2797 , SB2076 , SB2876 , SB1640 , SB1449 , SB1181 , SB1359 , SB1234 , SB2926 , SB2972 , SB2841 , SB1528 , SB2891 , SB1854 , SB317 , SB2532 , SB1250 , SB2082 , SB2203 , SB1285 , SB1237 , SB2819 , SB629 , SB2608 , SB1602 , SB1723 , SB1858 , SB1946 , SB2009 , SB2177 , SB2460 , SB2785 , SB867 , SB1608 , SB640 , SB1698 , SB705 , SB748 , SB2680 , SB2994 , SB2747 , SB1950 , SB913 , SB1071 , SB1086 , SB1087 , SB1483 , SB1444 , SB1553 , SB1556 , SB1703 , SB2133 , SB2297 , SB2298 , SB2622 , SB2955 , SB3059 , SB2637 , SB2334 , SB1861 , SB2043 , SB1367 , SB2857 , SB128 , SB3058 , SB2044 , SB2363 , SB2311 , SB1986 , SB2565 , SB2943 , SB1888 , SB2417 , SB3048 , SB3052 , SB3053 , SB3036 , SB3057 , SB3056 , SB3043 , SB3037 , SB3050 , SB3063 , SB3047 , SB3035 , SB2446 , SB466 , SB2611 , SB2794 , SB2105 , SB2017 , SB1790 , SB1778 , SB1730 , SB2995 , SB2847 , SB205 , SB2619 , SB1903 , SB203 , SB3061 , SB1581 , SB2600 , SB2799 , SB2790 , SB2688 , SB2515 , SB1230 , SB876 , SB2522 , SB2639 , SB2137 , SB2519 , SB2403 , SB2459 , SB3051 , SB2655 , SB2251 , SB2764 , SB2878 , SB1884 , SB111 , SB582 , SB2617 , SB1835 , SB2751 , SB2063 , SB1400 , SB2058 , SB2260 , SB2928 , SB1310 , SB2566 , SB2344 , SB1897 , SB1749 , SB1361 , SB2549 , SB2553 , HJR2 , HJR1 , HB 1109 , HB517 , HB 1130 , HB1689 , HB2884 , HB1393 , HB2559 , HB26 , HB2756 , HB3204 , HB3012 , HB1327 , HB451 , HB 109 , HB206 , HB 1238 , HB2890 , HB9 , HB2081 , HB4215 , HB2970 , HB37 , HB1899 , HB3809 , HB334 , HB554 , HB1593 , HB2607 , HB3526 , HB3810 , HB5092 , HB388 , HB2809 , HB 1151 , HB913 , SB2919 , SB1782 , SB1705 , SB2696 , SB1944 , SB2215 , SB644 , HB3307 , HB879 , HB 116 , HB 12 , HB2703 , HB1610 , HB1615 , HB1620 , HB30 , HB21 , HCR7 , HCR75 , HCR86 , HCR92 , HCR93 , HCR126

Summary: The Senate opened with an invocation by Pastor Tedrick Woods, followed by routine chamber actions including excusing Senator Gutierrez and receiving House messages that the House had passed HB 21 and HB 49. Senators also recognized advocates visiting the gallery on focal segmental glomerulosclerosis awareness and introduced the Doctor of the Day. The chamber adopted several resolutions, including HCR 66, by voice vote. The Senate then took up and passed a series of measures, often by suspending the regular order and the constitutional three-day rule. Among the bills finally passed were HJR 2, which would prohibit state death taxes; HB 206, limiting counties from requiring cash bonds for pipeline construction; HB 517, barring property owners associations from fining homeowners for discolored vegetation during watering restrictions; HB 2756, requiring TDCJ correctional officers to receive de-escalation and behavioral health training; HB 451, expanding screening for commercial sexual exploitation risk among children in DFPS and TJJD custody; SB 705, cleaning up the air conditioning and refrigeration contractors advisory board; SB 2017, creating an offense for burnouts and wheelies; SB 1858, expanding body armor grant eligibility to ISDs; SB 1400, directing a study on transfer-student outcomes for community college funding; SB 2764, requiring notice to manufactured home buyers about converting homes to real property; SB 748, a licensing cleanup bill on laser hair removal; SB 2519, restricting certain ad valorem tax uses and bonds after amendment; SB 2878, the courts bill with amendments on Brazoria County courts and youth diversion provisions; SB 466, allowing families to request fetal death certificates at any gestational age; SB 1608, requiring timely physical exams for inpatient mental health admissions; SB 1730, limiting civil damages claims arising from certain uses of force or deadly force; SB 2417, clarifying Attorney General antitrust investigation work product and discovery rules; and SB 1946, creating a family violence, criminal homicide prevention task force. The Senate also passed HB 3204, renaming and updating the Polytechnic College at Sam Houston State University, and SB 1986, requiring opioid warning labels. Several bills drew brief debate or amendments. Senators discussed broader HOA reform while considering HB 517, and SB 2203 on TCEQ discovery procedures was amended to require party motions, set a 15-day expiration for certified issues, and limit hearing abatement. SB 2017 was amended to change the mens rea language from knowingly to intentional. SB 2519 was narrowed by amendment to a forward-looking policy statement separating maintenance-and-operation taxes from debt-service taxes. SB 2878 also received amendments to reduce the number of new Brazoria County courts and add youth diversion and crisis-response provisions. SB 466 prompted a floor debate over whether fetal death certificates are appropriate for pre-20-week losses, with supporters emphasizing family closure and opponents arguing the document has no estate-related purpose. SB 1730 also prompted questions about the relationship between criminal findings and civil liability in self-defense cases. The session concluded with additional House and Senate measures being signed in the presence of the Senate and continued consideration of SB 2177, a grant program to help local law enforcement solve violent and sexual offenses.