Transcript Highlights:

• One night in December, a Massachusetts State Police trooper responded to a difficult call.
• They lifted that trooper up. For two hours in the freezing cold, this trooper let that man...
• In the freezing cold, this trooper let that man who was suffering know that he wasn't alone.
• That trooper stayed with him, he talked with him, and ultimately he pulled him to safety.
• And I just want to thank Trooper Rassan Charles, who's with us tonight, for saving that man's life.

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, this is basically for troopers.
• And the reason they did this, the 80 hours, is to keep more troopers on the road.
• That's two... more troopers on the road.
• That's two weeks more each trooper in the state could be on the road.
• still have anything between 480 and 560, they would pay them for that, and that way we keep the troopers

Bills: HB227 , HB255 , HB465 , HB472 , HB482 , HB483 , HB526 , HB529 , HB484

Committee: House Ways and Means General Fund

Keywords: firefighter benefits, occupational disease, line of duty, disability pension, death benefits, retirement benefits, hypertension, heart disease, respiratory disease, cancer presumption, HIV, hepatitis, municipal firefighters, state firefighters, fire districts, workers' compensation, public safety employees, post-retirement benefits, benefit eligibility cutoff, occupational illness

Transcript Highlights:

• In October 2024, as Hurricane Milton bore down on Florida, a Highway Patrol trooper discovered a young
• At risk to himself, the trooper rescued the animal before the dog would have drowned.
• was rescued, got medical attention, is alive and well, and now has a loving home and a new name, Trooper
• The bad news is that there's not always a Highway Patrol trooper around.
• Because of the notoriety of the trooper case, the dog's former owner was arrested.

Committee: Senate Rules

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules met with a quorum present and took up a series of bills, beginning with SB 108 on administrative procedures. That bill, as amended, would require agencies to review all rules on a five-year cycle, submit regulatory plans and annual reports, publish intended agency action within 90 days of new rulemaking authority, improve public access to incorporated materials, and streamline rule publication and correction procedures. After brief testimony from the Florida Bar’s Administrative Law Section and support from Americans for Prosperity and the James Madison Institute, the committee adopted two amendments and reported CS for SB 108 favorably. The committee then approved several other measures, including the Senate veterans package (CS for CS for SB 116), which made technical changes and was supported by veterans and advocacy groups; SB 118 on presidential libraries, which preempts local barriers while preserving state and federal law and building codes; CS for SB 126 allowing mail distribution of prescription hearing aids after a Florida-licensed professional examination; CS for SB 150, “Trooper’s Law,” making it a third-degree felony to abandon restrained animals during declared disasters; SB 294 limiting collaborative pharmacy practice expansion for complex cardiac conditions; SM 314 urging Congress to increase Florida National Guard force structure; CS for SB 322 creating a nonjudicial process to remove unauthorized persons from commercial property; CS for SB 348 on ethics, addressing false military rank claims and delinquent ethics fines; SB 356 designating January 27 as Holocaust Remembrance Day; CS for SB 160 expanding CPA licensure pathways and clarifying administrative outsourcing; and CS for SB 50 promoting nature-based coastal resilience measures. Most of these bills received supportive testimony and were reported favorably. The committee also considered and reported favorably the annual reviser bills SB 36, SB 38, SB 40, and SB 42, which adopt the 2025 Florida Statutes, conform statutory names, remove expired provisions, and clean up obsolete language and cross-references. Throughout the meeting, members asked questions on a few bills, but no roll-call votes were recorded as opposed; each measure was approved and reported favorably. At the end of the meeting, senators requested that a few missed affirmative votes be recorded, and the committee adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Many of you may remember that last year we bowed our heads in a moment of silence for state trooper Zachary
• Trooper Fink then picked up the pursuit, trying to stop the motorist out of concern for endangering other
• direction of highway traffic, the suspect made a U-turn into the opposite direction of highway traffic, Trooper
• The truck driver passed away at the scene while Trooper Fink was airlifted to the hospital where he died
• Trooper Fink was 26 years old.

Summary: The Criminal Justice Subcommittee met with a quorum and considered three bills. HB 91, by Reps. Rayner and Jacques, would align probation rules for certain misdemeanor reckless driving cases involving controlled substances with existing DUI law, allowing up to 12 months of probation in those cases. The bill was described as a technical “glitch” fix and as supporting both accountability and treatment; it drew one supportive public appearance and passed 17-0, reported favorably. HB 113, by Rep. Chamberlin, sought to increase penalties for fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement. Members raised concerns about unmarked vehicles, jurisdictional markings, and whether the bill could apply to drivers who slow down or stop for safety reasons when unsure a vehicle is police. Chamberlin said he was open to clarifying language and other amendments. A strike-all amendment was adopted that increased the penalty for fleeing in a patrol vehicle with lights and sirens from a third-degree to a second-degree felony, revised offense severity rankings, and added a 1.5 sentencing multiplier for second or subsequent offenses. The amended bill received supportive public testimony and passed 16-1, with Rep. Hart voting no, and was reported favorably as amended. HB 195, by Rep. Chambliss, would require the Department of Corrections to coordinate with professional boards under DBPR so inmates completing classes tied to licensure can receive credit toward those licenses after release. Supporters said the bill would help rehabilitation, reduce recidivism, and give returning citizens a better path to employment. The bill had no amendments, received supportive public testimony, and passed unanimously 17-0, reported favorably. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, the troopers are still here too, so we could hear firsthand from them.
• The troopers are still here too, so we could hear firsthand from them.
• </c> stop at the time because our troopers stop at the time because our troopers know<02:36:04.319><c
• US or with a state trooper and he did US or with a state trooper and he did call<02:39:38.800><c> the
• </c><02:39:50.080><c> called</c> the trooper called the trooper called a<02:39:52.319><c> sheriff's</

Committee: Joint Select Committee on Tribal Relations

Transcript Highlights:

• We need our troopers. We need state law enforcement. Thank you, Mr. President.
• We need our troopers. We need state law enforcement. Thank you, Mr. President. to the troopers.
• And by taking that out, to the troopers.
• We need<00:12:59.120><c> our</c><00:12:59.440><c> troopers.
• </c> because if we're going to hire troopers because if we're going to hire troopers and<00:14:41.839

Transcript Highlights:

• We had an additional 25 to 100 troopers that responded to areas around the metro.
• Chair, representative,<01:02:18.760><c> troopers</c><01:02:19.120><c> are</c><01:02:19.280><c> peace<
• /c> representative, troopers are peace representative, troopers are peace officers<01:02:20.000><c> in
• Uh then as a state trooper<01:02:26.840><c> we</c><01:02:26.960><c> go</c><01:02:27.160><c> through</
• </c><01:02:55.120><c> bring</c> now it's really uh what troopers bring now it's really uh what troopers

Summary: The Safety and Security Conference Committee met on May 13, 2026, with a quorum present and no immediate vote taken. Chairs explained the committee was working ahead of a possible target so it could act quickly later if needed, then proceeded with member introductions and a reminder about committee decorum. Staff noted a microphone delay and said the meeting would include a side-by-side walk-through of the House and Senate policy language and a review of the fiscal spreadsheet. Fiscal staff summarized major differences in court, public safety, and legislative security funding. The House and Senate proposals differed on safety and security funding for the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and District Courts, as well as on courthouse grants, capital security enhancements, and a new legislative/protective services unit. Staff also reviewed Senate-only and House-only items, including a Senate proposal to require removal of insignia from public safety vehicles sold to the public, and House provisions for a security services task force and member security costs. Total general fund impacts were reviewed, with the House total corrected to include an open appropriation that had been omitted from the spreadsheet totals. Nonpartisan staff then walked through the policy differences. The Senate language focused on a Protective Services Unit and security for principal state officials, while the House language focused on a Legislative Services Unit and security for legislators. Both bills included provisions on Capitol Complex Security, reporting requirements, and reimbursement arrangements with local law enforcement, but differed on details such as whether elected officials must provide contact information to DPS and how requests for personal protective services are handled. The House-only amendment A8 was presented for discussion; it would revise emergency contact provisions, replace the House’s personal protective services request language with a more detailed threat assessment and mitigation framework, direct implementation of the new unit, and make related reimbursement and technical changes. Judge Richard Kyle, president of the Minnesota District Judges Association, testified in support of stronger judicial and court safety measures. He described rising threats against judges, citing survey results showing high rates of judges limiting personal information, receiving inappropriate communications, changing personal behavior, and experiencing threats to themselves and family members. He said the association supports legislative authorization and funding for home security and personal data protections for judicial officers, and emphasized that safety concerns for judges and court staff have become more serious in recent years.

Transcript Highlights:

• This includes salaries benefits and expenses associated with establishing a new sworn law enforcement
• by providing funding to local law enforcement agencies to pay for apprenticeships, including the salaries
• How in this bill, are we recognizing law enforcement for a salary increase?
• recognize that those people who will now have increased danger enrolled responsibility will get a salary
• You're not giving law enforcement any recognition with an actual salary bump and recognizing this.

Transcript Highlights:

• Example number one: I think everyone in this room is familiar with the most recent case with Trooper
• And the troopers, if you watch the video, that is completely false.
• </c><01:01:17.240><c> Ryan</c> the most recent case with Trooper Ryan the most recent case with Trooper
• </c><01:09:04.960><c> Ryan</c> uh in in response to the trooper Ryan uh in in response to the trooper
• </c> sense they also in the Ryan Lan Trooper sense they also in the Ryan Lan Trooper case<01:10:09.960

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• that helps pay for endowed gift that helps pay for a<01:07:55.520><c> state</c><01:07:55.920><c> trooper
• in North Carolina to a state trooper in North Carolina to attend<01:07:59.000><c> our</c><01:07:59.120
• we're taking to the board of trustees later this month actually has a $3 million decrease in our salary
• /c><01:13:30.640><c> line</c><01:13:31.560><c> under</c><01:13:31.880><c> our</c> decrease in our salary
• line under our decrease in our salary line under our general<01:13:32.360><c> fund</c><01:13:32.640>

Summary: The Interim Joint Budget Review Subcommittee on Education met for its first summer interim meeting, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and took roll. The first presentation came from Jerry Gels, principal of Ignite Institute in Erlanger, who focused on the rising cost of dual credit. He said dual credit tuition has increased from about $150 to $290 for a three-credit course over roughly five years, which he argued is discouraging participation, especially for working-class and low-income students. He cited Ignite data and broader college outcomes to argue dual credit improves college persistence, shortens time to degree, and reduces student debt, noting that many of his students enter college with substantial credit and that low-income students at Ignite have increasingly participated after targeted efforts and scholarship use. He also said the instructional labor is largely paid by county school systems, so he questioned the size of the tuition increase and said the committee should examine how the costs are being set and whether college tuition should be stabilizing as more students arrive with credits already earned. Members asked about who pays for dual credit, the role of state scholarship support, and whether tuition varies by institution. Gels said students in his district generally pay the dual credit cost themselves, though some districts may cover it, and he noted the dual credit scholarship now covers fewer classes than before. He said the price appears to be set centrally rather than varying by university, and he emphasized that the higher cost is creating barriers even though the courses are taught largely by local teachers on school payrolls. He also described Ignite’s efforts to expand access for free- and reduced-lunch students, saying participation among that group rose from 27% with no dual credit to about 90-92% taking at least one dual credit class. The committee then heard from the Goldwater Institute, represented by Michael Frazier and Dr. Tim Minella by Zoom. They argued Kentucky’s public universities should face stronger accountability and transparency, citing declining public confidence in higher education, rising costs, and what they described as administrative growth and research spending that does not clearly benefit students or the Commonwealth. They proposed requiring a 10-year accounting of staffing growth by category, comparing it to enrollment and low-income Kentucky enrollment, and limiting non-STEM faculty teaching releases for research unless approved under a baseline consent process. They also criticized certain university-funded research projects as examples of misdirected spending and said public reporting should distinguish Kentucky residents from non-residents more clearly, pointing to a reported decline in low-income in-state undergraduate enrollment. No votes or formal actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Troopers and House security personnel are present to ensure everyone's safety. demonstrations are not
• Um, troopers<00:01:51.759><c> and</c><00:01:51.920><c> house</c><00:01:52.159><c> security</c><00:01:
• 52.560><c> personnel</c> troopers and house security personnel troopers and house security personnel
• > executive</c> exorbitant amounts of money to executive exorbitant amounts of money to executive salary
• versus putting it back into the salary versus putting it back into the um<00:47:31.760><c> medical</

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Bills: SB143 , SB144 , SB145 , SB152 , SB153 , SB154 , SB162 , SB226 , SB146 , SB143 , SB144 , SB145 , SB152 , SB153 , SB154 , SB162 , SB226 , SB146

Committee: Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund

Keywords: SB143, solid waste, garbage collection, trash fees, refuse collection, municipal fees, county fees, fee exemption, veterans benefits, veteran household, disabled veteran, VA benefits, Social Security exemption, low-income households, poverty level, county commission, municipal governing body, Alabama solid waste law, certificate of exception, public health

Bills: HB2993 , HB3850 , HB3595 , HB3763 , HB3760 , HB4272 , HB3277 , HB3148 , HB3651 , HB3323 , HB4287 , HB4105 , HB3304 , HB3345

Committee: House Public Safety

Keywords: rural law enforcement, grant fund, public safety, financial assistance, coordination districts, grant funding, law enforcement coordinators, municipal assistance, education, inmates, literacy, high school equivalency, Department of Corrections, parole, rehabilitation, HB3595, Safer Counties Revolving Fund, Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, county grants, traffic barrier equipment

Bills: HB329 , HB8 , HB353 , HB329 , HB8 , HB353 , HB50 , HB78 , HB225 , SB75 , SB209 , HB50 , HB78 , HB225 , SB75 , SB209

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Keywords: military installations, tall structures, local government, construction approval, wind energy facilities, tobacco regulation, vaping, sales restrictions, youth protection, tobacco compliance, public health, education programs, electronic nicotine delivery systems, judicial compensation, salary adjustments, district attorneys, Judges, local officials, computer science, education reform

Bills: HB44 , HB2200 , HB1612 , HB2747 , HB2038 , HB3717 , HB1431 , HB3800 , HB3801 , HB3560 , HB3246 , HB44

Committee: House Public Health

Keywords: HB 44, Life of the Mother Act, abortion exceptions, medical emergency, reasonable medical judgment, pregnancy complications, maternal health, life-threatening condition, ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, spontaneous abortion, fetal survival, Texas abortion law, abortion ban, physician liability, health care provider, disciplinary action, aiding and abetting, emergency abortion, obstetric care

Summary: The meeting of the public health committee focused on the pressing issue of opioid addiction in Texas, with a particular emphasis on House Bill 3717. Chairman Harris detailed the bill's intent to fund a grant program for Ibogaine clinical trials, framing it as a critical response to the ongoing opioid crisis. He shared poignant testimonies highlighting the struggles of families and veterans battling addiction and mental health issues. The conversation underscored the necessity of innovative treatments, like Ibogaine, which showed promising results in studies for reducing symptoms of withdrawal and PTSD.

Bills: SB96 , SB97 , SB130 , HB230 , SB154 , SB93 , SB99 , SB96 , SB97 , SB130 , HB230 , SB154 , SB93 , SB99

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: salvage title, salvage certificate of title, rebuilt title, flood vehicle, junk vehicle, total loss, motor vehicle title, vehicle branding, insurance claim, insurance company, Department of Revenue, vehicle inspection, rebuilder, automotive dismantler, parts recycler, secondary metals recycler, junkyard, vehicle identification number, VIN, stolen vehicle

Transcript Highlights:

• Lastly, the bill sets the annual salary of state legislators at 60% of the governor's salary, beginning
• Because the legislature has tagged a number of salaries to these judicial salaries, raising the salaries
• Because the legislature has tagged a number of salaries to these judicial salaries, raising the salaries
• Judges pro tempore are paid 100% of the judges salary, salary, totally county funded.
• So when you increase the Superior Court judges salary, you're increasing the salary for JPs, court commissioners

Committee: House House Appropriations Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee opened by announcing a heavy agenda and noting that Senate Bill 1176 would be held. It then took up several Senate bills, beginning with SB 1272, which appropriates $5 million for the City of Douglas as a state match for the Douglas Port of Entry project. The bill was amended to draw the money from the Water Supply Development Revolving Fund instead of the General Fund. Senator Gowen, the Douglas mayor, and city staff described the project as a $678 million federal investment opportunity that would support water, wastewater, and broadband infrastructure, create jobs, and improve border security. The committee approved SB 1272 as amended on a 15-0 vote with three present and one not voting. The committee next approved SB 1503, as amended, which expands the state death benefit to include civilian pilots employed by law enforcement agencies and applies the change retroactively to January 1, 2026. Senator Gowen and DPS leadership testified that the change was needed so the family of a pilot killed in a February helicopter crash would qualify for the benefit. The bill passed 18-0 with one not voting. SB 1274, as amended, created a separate timeshare salesperson license and training path; supporters said it would streamline licensing for people who only sell timeshares, while one member objected to the added rulemaking discretion. It passed 17-1 with one not voting. The committee also approved SB 1286, which expands veterinary telemedicine by allowing longer prescription periods for certain medications after an electronic exam, with shorter limits for antimicrobials. Supporters said it would help rural and disabled pet owners and had been negotiated to the satisfaction of veterinarians and telemedicine advocates. The bill passed 18-0 with one not voting. SB 1519, as amended, raised the off-highway vehicle weight threshold from 2,500 to 3,500 pounds and revised related registration and funding provisions; supporters argued it would reflect newer enclosed-cab vehicles and better align Arizona with neighboring states, while opponents warned of trail damage and said the study process was not complete. It passed 10-7 with one present and one not voting. Finally, the committee approved SB 1618, which restructures the Military Affairs Commission, adds members with defense and aerospace expertise, requires more frequent meetings and reporting, and updates the Military Installation Fund and related duties to better attract and retain defense missions. Supporters said the changes would help Arizona compete for military and defense investment, while some members questioned whether the commission’s mission was being broadened too far and whether the existing structure should instead be handled through other agencies. The bill passed 10-6 with one present and one not voting. The committee then considered SCR 1020, which would index legislative salaries to inflation or deflation starting with future officeholders if approved by voters. Supporters argued the current $24,000 salary had eroded significantly since 1998 and limited who could serve, while opponents objected to legislators voting on their own pay or preferred reducing session time instead. The resolution was approved and sent forward for voter consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• the operations bureau of the New Hampshire State Police, which is basically every uniformed state trooper
• the operations bureau of the New Hampshire State Police, which is basically every uniformed state trooper
• But I did go up there last week after I spoke to former trooper Veter, who's head of our security here
• But I did go up there last week after I spoke to former trooper Veter, who's head of our security here
• Are there any further questions for the commissioner and the trooper? See none.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on proposed improvements to the State Police gun range and related Public Works estimates. Department of Safety Commissioner Robert Quinn and Major Brendan Davy explained that the range is used for realistic, scenario-based training that includes vehicle work, movement, cover, elevation, and stress inoculation, and that it also supports requalification and special unit training for state, local, and federal partners. They said the current facility lacks running water, continuous power, and permanent restrooms, and that the PSTC range cannot accommodate rifles because its backstop is handgun-caliber only. Public Works Director Theodore Copper said the project estimate is $2.3 million, including $1.5 million for the building and site work plus soft costs, inflation, and design fees; he described the proposed building as basic, with office space, classrooms, restrooms, and HVAC. Committee members asked about the cost and scope, and Copper provided a breakdown of the estimate. The committee also heard from Commissioner Edelblute and Milford School District Superintendent Christy Misho regarding career and technical education capital funding. Edelblute urged the committee to include $10 million for the Milford CTE project, saying the district had reduced the scope after a prior bond vote and that the project would support high-demand workforce programs. Misho said Milford’s initial bond vote received 42 percent and the revised proposal received 56 percent, short of the 60 percent needed, but that the community still supports the project; she said the district plans to move forward with a CTE-only ballot and a smaller local bond. Committee members expressed concern about holding state funds for a project that has not yet won local approval, but said the request would be taken under advisement. In work session action, the committee corrected a prior vote on the Market Street Marine Terminal warehouse removal and office replacement project, increasing the appropriation by $353,300 to $1,973,300 and raising the agency subtotal to $4,155,300. The committee also accepted a motion to add $1.8 million for the community college system, including $1.3 million for critical maintenance and $500,000 for an energy management system. The committee then discussed a Fish and Game request for a $350,000 backhoe, with members debating whether it should be funded with general funds or other funds and whether the cost was excessive; no final objection was recorded in the portion provided. Later discussion also referenced the new parking garage project, with staff saying it is expected to be operational in March 2026 and fully completed by May or June 2026, with 409 spaces and a mix of assigned and open parking.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know I'm looking at the state troopers in the department. Uh, no other public testimony."
• </c><00:57:44.319><c> do</c> programs where we had state troopers do programs where we had state troopers
• Trooper Zack? Mr. Chair. Captain... Captain... Captain... uh, Captain...
• I'm just asking about the troopers. Okay.
• I'm just asking about the troopers. Okay.

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate File 292 asks for additional state trooper appropriations.
• Well, the bill is actually recognizing the need to recruit new troopers for our highway patrol.
• Right now there are about 21 troopers short, and they need the funds.
• We're trying to convince the governor and the DFL majority that troopers need more funds.
• We need more troopers on the road to protect our citizens. So, it's really about recruiting.