Transcript Highlights:

• Lee Balsham from the Center for Hmong Studies. Welcome to the committee, Dr. Lee Balsham.
• You were recruited and operated under CIA guidance and were stationed throughout different military regions
• They inspected military operations alongside General Vang Pao.
• Family centers are our shelters in housing and services.
• He is very humble about his own history, but this is how our Hmong people operate.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sunita Mutha, Director of the Health Force Center at UCSF, and Dr.
• In San Francisco, we live in a high-cost region because what we're talking about...
• , and to really support them and hopefully retain them in the region.
• This Grow Your Own approach is being used elsewhere in the region.
• We hear it in college centers and in high schools. But I wonder what else we are doing.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I mentioned the State Emergency Operations Center.
• Today, if we have a disaster at the State Emergency Operations Center, we literally cut off a lane of
• Today, if we have a disaster today at the state emergency operations center, we live. We live.
• If we have a disaster today at the state emergency operations center, we literally cut off a lane of
• Last is our web-based emergency operations center, or WebEOC.

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from Major General James Hartzell of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs on the agency’s outreach, benefits assistance, and state veterans nursing homes. He highlighted Florida’s large and growing veteran population, the decline in World War II and Vietnam-era veterans, and the increase in post-9/11 veterans moving to the state. Hartzell discussed the state veterans nursing home system, including a new Collier County facility that will include skilled nursing, assisted living, adult day health care, and outpatient therapy, and he said the department is also studying future adult day health care expansion and possible additional homes in underserved areas. He also reported on the dental program funded by the Legislature, saying 245 veterans were served in the first quarter of the fiscal year, with 1,631 procedures completed and more than $525,000 in savings, and he credited the added state veterans service officer positions with helping connect more veterans to benefits. Hartzell also noted a 13% year-over-year reduction in homeless veterans, emphasized mental health outreach through SaveFLVets.org and the Overwatch program, and announced a new deputy executive director, retired Colonel D.J. Reyes. Members asked about the need for additional veterans homes in South Florida, the criteria used to site new homes, the homeless veteran reduction, and whether adult day health care could be added at existing facilities. Hartzell explained that federal criteria focus on the availability of private skilled nursing beds for veterans 65 and older, and that adult day health care is state-funded and being studied for broader deployment. He also said the department tracks where homeless veterans are concentrated and works with local partners and organizations like Tunnels to Towers to provide housing and services that reduce recidivism. The committee also discussed Florida’s national reputation for veteran support, including Veterans Month and the state’s culture of veteran awareness. The committee then received a presentation from Kevin Guthrie, Executive Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, on disaster response, recovery, and technology systems. Guthrie described the State Emergency Response Team, the new Florida Central Operations and Coordination Office in Auburndale, and the new State Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee, which is expected to be fully operational by spring 2026 and will significantly expand capacity and hardening. He reviewed recovery efforts for Hurricanes Helene, Milton, Debbie, Idalia, Ian, Irma, Michael, Dorian, Sally, Nicole, and others, including sheltering, travel trailers, debris removal, and FEMA reimbursement totals. Guthrie said Florida removed more than 31.6 million cubic yards of debris from Helene and Milton in 90 days on a 24/7 basis, and he described Elevate Florida, the Florida Recovery Obligation Calculation (FROC), the DEMES platform, and WebEOC as tools to streamline recovery, mitigation, and intergovernmental coordination. Members asked about flood-response resources for cities, the state’s use of pumps and mutual aid, and lessons learned from inland flooding after Milton. Guthrie said local governments should first use county and city mutual aid, then request state assistance when needed, and he encouraged more partnerships for staging and maintaining flood equipment. He also said future flood mitigation must address outdated development patterns, watershed flow, and the need for better drainage planning, while continuing temporary fixes and homeowner assistance programs. The committee ended with no votes or formal actions beyond adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Unless they are operating in a government-owned facility. Okay.
• We operate in the same regard. So we are not a business in that regard.
• So the Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center is a nonprofit.
• And finally, as operators of...”
• We are seeking to provide clarity and, in turn, secure our license and operations of our clinics.

Summary: The committee first heard HB 1076, which would repeal the sunset date for the Louisiana Behavior Analyst Board. The bill was presented as a simple continuation measure, and Rep. Stagney moved to report it favorably; the motion passed without objection. The committee then took up HB 475 on artificial intelligence in health care. The author explained that the bill was intended to require disclosure when AI or recording software is used to transcribe patient encounters, and an amendment changed the proposal from patient consent/opt-out to disclosure only. The amendment was adopted, and HB 475 was reported favorably with amendments. HB 740, dealing with Medicaid managed care, was amended with technical changes and then presented as a way to let providers in the coordinated system of care appeal claim denials through the same independent review process used by Medicaid managed care plans. The Louisiana Hospital Association supported the bill, and it was reported favorably with amendments. HB 926, which would have barred public facilities from restricting access based on vaccination status and related medical decisions, drew testimony from supporters who framed it as a medical autonomy and informed-consent measure. After questions about public versus private facilities and whether the bill could affect hospitals or disease-based restrictions, Rep. Cruz moved to voluntarily defer the bill, and it was deferred without objection. The committee then considered HB 457 on housing standards for organizations serving people experiencing homelessness. The author said the bill was prompted by concerns about unsafe and unsanitary group homes and would direct LDH and the Fire Marshal to establish minimum standards for safety, sanitation, privacy, and habitability. Supporters said the bill would protect vulnerable residents, while opponents, including Oxford House and the Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center, warned it could conflict with federal fair housing protections and impose burdens that could reduce recovery housing and other services. After extensive debate, the bill was reported favorably with amendments by a recorded vote. Finally, HB 616, which would give the legislative auditor oversight of publicly funded homeless service providers, was heard with testimony from homeless service organizations that argued the bill was duplicative, costly, and could expose sensitive HMIS data; the bill remained under discussion at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Tour operators. Spring break.
• Those of us who hold a public responsibility in this region share the same challenges: supporting economic
• Beyond tourism, we are also seeing long-term investment that supports regional stability.
• I also want to address the topic that comes up most often in the United States media: safety and security
• It requires the ACA to submit a report to the JLBC on the activities of each trade office operated by

Summary: The Committee on International Trade heard a presentation from Alan Renteria, a Puerto Peñasco council member and chamber president, who promoted Rocky Point as a major tourism destination and binational partner for Arizona. He highlighted tourism, cross-border visitation, safety coordination, and possible commercial opportunities, including discussion of a future cruise port or cargo port, border improvements, and the continued importance of fishing and shrimp to the local economy. Members responded with personal comments about travel, student field work, and medical volunteer clinics in Puerto Peñasco, and Renteria offered to serve as a liaison for Arizona offices dealing with visitor or property issues. The committee then considered a series of Arizona Commerce Authority oversight bills. HB 2746 was removed from the agenda. HB 2751 would continue the Arizona Competes fund and subject its use to legislative appropriations; supporters said it would add balance and oversight, while an Arizona Free Enterprise Club representative opposed it, arguing the fund lacked accountability and should be repealed or tightly restricted. The bill passed on a due-pass recommendation. HB 2752 would move authority over trade offices from the ACA board to legislative appropriation and require annual reporting to JLBC; it also passed, with several members saying the legislature needed a stronger role in trade-office decisions. Finally, HB 2753, as amended, would add ex-officio members to the ACA board, including the chairs of the Senate Finance Committee and House International Trade Committee, plus ranking minority members or their designees. The committee adopted an amendment expanding minority-party participation and then passed the bill as amended. Throughout the debate, members emphasized that the measures were intended to increase legislative oversight and communication with the Commerce Authority rather than oppose the agency outright. The committee adjourned after approving HB 2751, HB 2752, and HB 2753 as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• be chosen by the Sunset Commission, which will be responsible for selecting one Education Service Center
• region. reviewing two districts within that region: the district with the highest spending per student
• The commission will then study and report on each of the districts' operations that do not efficiently
• It is my intent to strike Section Four of the bill on the floor because we do not have a school operated
• Funds that can be used to address operational costs, support students and staff, and maintain essential

Bills: HB123, HB5606, HB549, HB2757, HB4359, HB5381, HB1939, HB123

Keywords: HB 123, kindergarten readiness, early literacy, early numeracy, reading screening, math screening, foundational literacy, foundational numeracy, dyslexia screening, reading intervention, math intervention, teacher academy, literacy academy, mathematics academy, interventionist academy, K-3 assessments, school readiness, prekindergarten, tutoring grant, parent-directed tutoring

Transcript Highlights:

• The increase to our operating budget.
• </c> functional and secure work environment. functional and secure work environment.
• </c><00:27:21.840><c> of</c><00:27:22.080><c> that</c> physical security of that physical security of
• :14.880><c> budget</c> includes a general operating budget includes a general operating budget increase
• </c> Ukraine in the Donbas and Lugat regions. Ukraine in the Donbas and Lugat regions.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Bankson: WITH AI I HAVE LOOKED AT IT IN THREE CATEGORIES, INFORMATIONAL, OPERATIONAL, AND SECURITY.
• THE CENTER OF GRAVITY FOR AI IS INDUSTRIAL AI. IT IS ONE THAN THE CHAT GPT OF THE WORLD.
• SYSTEM IN THE FULFILLMENT CENTER KNOWS WHERE EVERYTHING IS DOWN TO THE SLIGHTEST LITTLE THING.
• THAT WE NO ONE IN THE FULFILLMENT CENTER KNOWS WHAT THAT THAT IS THE WAY AMAZON PROTECTS PRIVACY.
• BASICALLY PLUG IT INTO YOUR OPERATION?

Transcript Highlights:

• And whereas these detention centers were temporary quarters for the evacuees, while the United States
• Congressional Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians found no military or security
• , the Japanese American Citizens League, the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Washington State
• There was a holding spot at Camp Harmony for the ones from the Puget Sound region.
• In the operation of these dairies, my son lives in Linden.

Summary: The Senate opened by approving the previous day’s journal, receiving messages from the House, and referring newly introduced Senate Bill 6353 to the Committee on State Government, Tribal Affairs, and Elections. The chamber then moved to resolutions. Senate Resolution 8687, commemorating the 84th anniversary of Executive Order 9066 and recognizing Japanese American veterans, incarcerees, and civil rights activists, was presented and adopted. Several senators spoke in support, describing the wartime incarceration of Japanese Americans as a grave civil rights injustice and emphasizing remembrance, healing, and the need to prevent similar abuses in the future. The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 8688 honoring Washington’s dairy farms and dairy workers. Senators highlighted the industry’s economic importance, family farm traditions, and the hard work involved in dairy production, with some members sharing personal family and farming experiences. After adoption, the Senate welcomed representatives of the Washington State Dairy Council, Washington State Dairy Women’s Organization, and Dairy Ambassadors Apprentices to the gallery. The Senate then adjourned without objection until 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 19, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Historically, the operating budget listed budgeted enrollment for each institution. time all year.
• Historically, the operating budget listed budgeted enrollment for each institution.
• Historically, the operating budget listed budgeted enrollment for each institution and the CTCs.
• The regionals have not seen an increase since the decrease of 11% in fiscal year 21, then the 7% is on
• And that was that the resident undergraduate tuition may increase operating fees by no more than the

Bills: HB2148, HB2132

Keywords: education, pay it forward program, tuition, student loans, financial aid, state financial aid, financial aid application, postsecondary education, higher education, student aid, Washington Student Achievement Council, public records exemption, privacy, student records, personally identifying information, financial information, data sharing agreement, enrollment assistance, institutional records, FERPA

Transcript Highlights:

• Kyle Griffith, on behalf of Californians for Water Security, in strong support. Thank you.
• But we all operate on predominantly the same land in California.
• But we all operate on predominantly the same land in California.
• A lot of this innovation is going to be centered around the pre-fire. Yes, you will have it.
• It's going to be centered around the pre-fire.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• yet the Central Region for Innovation Commercialization Center in Bowling Green, which I assume serves
• </c><00:14:10.160><c> three</c> rounds in five different regions three rounds in five different regions
• I want to comment about regionalization.
• UK to provide the management operations UK to provide the management operations for<01:09:59.040><c>
• And so it's dependent on number region.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first approved the minutes from its May 13 meeting. Members then reviewed a deferred contract with the Kentucky Board of Pharmacy for the Kentucky Pharmacist Recovery Network (KYPRN), a program that provides monitoring and support for pharmacists and pharmacy interns with substance abuse or mental health issues. Board representatives explained that the contract is a long-running arrangement, renewed periodically, with an option for two additional two-year renewals. Senators asked about the program’s structure, participation trends, follow-up, and consequences for noncompliance. The board said enrollment has remained fairly consistent at about 52 participants, with roughly 500 participants over the life of the program, weekly and monthly check-ins during the five-year typical enrollment period, and possible additional sanctions if participants fail to meet obligations. The committee then approved the contract. The committee next considered a group of economic development contracts, including items from the Cabinet for Economic Development. Secretary Jeff Null and general counsel Matt Wingate testified about contracts tied to regional innovation and entrepreneurship hubs. Members focused on the large differences in funding between regions and pressed for more support for rural and eastern Kentucky. Null said the cabinet is working on a more tailored, non-one-size-fits-all approach, including possible changes to capital support, build-to-suit options, and additional resources for rural areas. He said the hubs have helped 193 startups over the last two years and helped attract nearly $350 million in private capital, and he agreed to provide a written report by hub district on startup viability. The committee approved the economic development contracts. The Kentucky Lottery Corporation then presented its contracts with vendor IGT for retail and internet sales systems. Lottery officials said the contracts are mission-critical, cover both the traditional retail system and iLottery, and are structured as a percentage of sales so no payment is made until revenue is earned. They described planned equipment upgrades, including refreshed terminals, new ticket checkers, cashless vending and bill acceptors, and connected-play features that would link retail and online wallets. Officials said keeping the same vendor reduces the risk of business disruption and that the arrangement has already produced cost savings. They also said the lottery continues to see year-over-year growth and expects to meet its annual contribution target of $360 million for scholarships and grants. The committee approved the lottery contract after discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Bem formerly served as the regional forestry for the Rocky Mountain region where I had the pleasure of
• The Fix Our Forest Act addresses this by creating a fireshed center to improve wildfire decision making
• So during your tenure as regional forester of the Rocky Mountain region, did you feel like the Forest
• Thank you for calling attention to the Bipartisan Regional Leadership and Wildland Fire Research Act
• I think that your legislation and the Fireshed Center in particular can help enable that.

Bills: HB471

Keywords: forest management, wildfire prevention, public lands, Tribal jurisdiction, Fix Our Forests Act, wildfire, forest health, hazardous fuels reduction, fuels treatment, prescribed burning, mechanical thinning, mastication, fuel breaks, fire breaks, wildland-urban interface, WUI, fireshed, fireshed management area, fireshed registry, Fireshed Center

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on H.R. 471, the Fix Our Forests Act, which aims to address the ongoing crisis of wildfires exacerbated by climate change and the need for updated forest management practices. Various committee members voiced concerns about past federal management failures and emphasized the necessity for collaborative approaches involving local communities and stakeholders in forest management. As discussions unfolded, there were varying perspectives on the implications of certain provisions in the bill, particularly around regulatory changes and their likely impacts on public participation and environmental reviews.

Transcript Highlights:

• And not surprisingly, it correlates to the savings experienced by operators.
• But you'd be better off asking an operator that.
• It's typically a little bit different depending upon the operating costs.
• And certainly operators take a look at that.
• We've got to keep the regional dollar here.

Summary: The Tax Reform and Relief Advisory Committee met with a quorum, approved the March 17, 2026 minutes, and heard a lengthy update from Tax Commissioner Brian Croshys on property tax relief programs. He reviewed the Homestead Property Tax Credit, Disabled Veteran Credit, and Primary Residence Credit, noting increased relief after House Bill 1158 and House Bill 1176, but also discussing how some households “income adjust out” of eligibility over time. Members asked about indexing income thresholds, expanding eligibility by age alone, simplifying administration, county-level notices, and whether the county and state systems could be streamlined. Croshys said the programs are heavily used, largely administered at the county level, and that the department is still refining compliance and reporting; he also said there were no material findings or overarching concerns in the latest review. The committee agreed more detailed PRC information would likely come back in a September meeting, and the chair announced an afternoon recess for lunch before later reconvening. Shelly Myers then presented the statewide property tax increase report, the zero-growth report, and a statistical report on property values and tax levies by class. She explained how county auditors report levy and valuation data, how increases and decreases are counted, and identified counties and cities with the largest percentage changes in growth or decline. She also summarized recent trends: agricultural values remain relatively flat, while residential, commercial, and centrally assessed values have risen over the last five years; in 2025, residential property accounted for the largest share of statewide property tax levies, followed by commercial, agriculture, and centrally assessed property. Committee members asked about unusual zero-growth figures, the effect of annexation and land-use changes, and whether the 3% levy cap was forcing political subdivisions to use reserves or defer spending. Myers said many counties complied by using reserves, delaying capital projects, or limiting increases, and that some counties had not used their full cap. The committee then moved to the stripper oil extraction tax exemption. Commissioner Croshys reviewed the state’s oil tax structure and estimated the revenue impact of keeping stripper wells exempt from extraction tax while still paying production tax. He said the exemption saves operators hundreds of millions of dollars over a biennium, while the state still collects production tax on those wells. He also discussed projected impacts if the exemption were changed for future wells and noted that future outcomes depend on oil prices, production declines, and technology such as CO2 enhanced oil recovery. Nathan Anderson of the Department of Mineral Resources briefly explained the historical difference between the 35-barrel and 30-barrel thresholds for certain wells, citing differences in completion costs and lateral lengths. The committee then heard from EERC CEO Charles Gorecki, who presented an analysis of oil well life cycles and said most oil is produced before wells reach stripper status, but that refracturing or other reinvestment can significantly extend production and keep wells above the threshold for years.

Transcript Highlights:

• Join me in a moment of silence for the tragic shooting that occurred yesterday at the Islamic Center
• It is the only remaining fair operating along the historic Route 66.
• We are not trying to change how law enforcement has traditionally operated.
• This is what we're going to do to further operations in the municipalities.
• It's the same thing we talk about data centers, if we do it the right way.

Summary: The Senate began with a roll call, a moment of silence for the shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance. The body then moved through gubernatorial appointments, confirming Julia Montgomery as General Counsel for the Agricultural Labor Relations Board and reappointing Dr. Cynthia Glover Woods, Dr. Brenda Lewis, and Gabriela Orozco Gonzalez to the State Board of Education, and George Cardona as Chief Trial Counsel for the State Bar. The Senate also heard a guest introduction welcoming Cal Lutheran University students, faculty, and staff to the gallery. The chamber then took up several resolutions, including SR 111 recognizing the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersex Phobia, and Transphobia; SCR 129 designating part of Highway 152 as the Rusty Arraes Highway; SCR 169 proclaiming October 2026 as Women's Small Business Month; and SCR 173 designating May 2026 as California Fairgrounds Appreciation Month. All of these resolutions passed, with members speaking in support of Arraes, women-owned businesses, and the public safety and community roles of fairgrounds. The Senate also passed a series of policy bills. These included SB 1154 on best-value procurement for community college public works, SB 1369 on judicial recall safeguards, SB 1106 shortening the data broker deletion timeline under the Delete Act, SB 1417 increasing transparency for mutual water companies, SB 1408 authorizing a future Contra Costa transportation sales tax measure, SB 1172 adding guardrails to local tax sharing agreements, SB 1383 protecting locally adopted labor standards in density bonus projects, SB 1371 barring waste haulers from suspending service during lawful labor disputes, SB 908 streamlining residential window replacement permits, SB 1361 limiting actions taken solely to avoid transit-oriented housing standards, SB 1014 requiring early fee and improvement estimates for housing projects, SB 1272 giving homeowners more time to fix preexisting code violations, SB 1406 targeting the Montana tax loophole, SB 1238 increasing HOA transparency and oversight, and SB 868 creating a plug-in solar framework. Most passed on largely party-line votes, with some Republican members objecting to labor-related or regulatory measures. Later in the day, the Senate approved additional health, education, privacy, and AI measures, including SB 950 on early-onset Alzheimer’s treatment coverage, SB 874 on Medi-Cal behavioral health treatment oversight, SB 1049 on correcting health plan claims, SB 1067 on early math screening, SB 1202 on Medi-Cal outreach amid federal changes, SB 944 on acupuncture coverage, SB 957 on notice for federal subpoenas to social media companies, SB 998 on discrimination prevention coordinators, and SB 1000 on AI content transparency. The final item shown, SB 1056 on protective orders for sexually explicit material involving adult victims, was introduced with the author noting ongoing work on amendments, but the transcript cuts off before final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now you're talking about security of this interface.
• Security mechanisms need to be top-notch.
• Security. This citizen-led amendment empowers everyday citizens.
• Supervisors already have it proven and secure.
• reasonable suspicion that they think that perhaps it's a human smuggling operation?

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of member introductions recognizing interns, pages, volunteers, and the retirement of Pastor Gary Austin from the sergeant’s office. Leadership also announced that budget talks with the House were continuing and that senators would not need to plan on being in next week, suggesting progress toward a budget framework. After routine floor business, the chamber took up a major third-reading measure on citizen initiatives and several education bills, followed later by returning messages from the House on health and school-safety measures. The most extensive debate centered on the citizen initiative bill, which sponsors said was intended to protect the constitutional amendment process from fraud and abuse based on election-crime investigations and a large state report on petition fraud. Supporters argued the bill would add reasonable guardrails, prevent misuse of public funds, and preserve integrity while still allowing grassroots participation. Opponents from both parties argued it would make citizen-led amendments much harder by adding costs, deadlines, criminal penalties, and administrative burdens that would chill participation and favor wealthy or corporate interests. After lengthy debate, the Senate voted 28-10 to pass the bill. The chamber then passed several education measures with little or no opposition, including bills tied to Bright Futures, dual enrollment, Florida ABLE, teacher preparation, and other education policy updates, all by 38-0. Later, the Senate concurred in House amendments on a stem cell therapy bill, an EKG requirement for student athletes, and a cardiac emergency bill, each passing 37-0. The House also sent back a school safety bill with amendments affecting child care facility partnerships with law enforcement, temporary door locks during active assailant incidents, supervision windows, and funding for panic alarm systems; the transcript ends as that bill is being explained.

Transcript Highlights:

• What about food security?
• These are secure voting ballots.
• It increases the security of our elections. If you don't want secure elections, what do you want?
• Number one, if you want somebody to be security, that should be their only job: security.
• And if we actually care about security, we're going to hire people whose only job is security.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, quorum call, and several recognitions, including tributes to former members and law enforcement. The chamber then adopted the special order report and moved to the day’s special-order calendar. Early bills passed unanimously, including CS/HB 401 on FDLE security details for major party nominees for governor and lieutenant governor, CS/HB 1063 on gubernatorial transition procedures, HB 593 on governmental agencies and personnel, CS/CS/HB 655 on confidential attorney-client meetings for local governments in pending litigation, and HB 6011 on ethics gift/honoraria reporting procedures. Each of these measures was explained by sponsors as transparency, security, or administrative process legislation, and each passed 115-116 to 0. The chamber then took up CS/HB 125, designating October 14 as Charlie Kirk Day of Remembrance. The bill drew extensive and sharply divided debate over whether a state remembrance was appropriate for Kirk, with opponents arguing he was a polarizing political figure and that the House should focus on affordability and other constituent concerns, while supporters framed the bill as a defense of free speech and opposition to political violence. A proposed amendment to replace the designation with a George Floyd remembrance was ruled not germane. After structured debate, the bill passed 82-31. Members also considered transportation designation measures. SB 628, substituted for CS/HB 885, included multiple road and bridge namings and an amendment designating a 124-mile stretch of State Road 80 as the President Donald J. Trump Highway; the amendment and bill passed 82-26. CS/HB 33 similarly designated portions of roads as Charlie Kirk Memorial Avenue and President Donald J. Trump Boulevard, prompting another lengthy debate over the appropriateness of honoring political figures and the use of public roadways for such designations; it passed 82-30. The House then began debate on CS/HB 35, “Isaiah’s law,” which would add driving without a valid license to the habitual traffic offender list after repeated offenses, with sponsors citing a fatal hit-and-run and opponents questioning prosecutorial discretion and the bill’s practical effects.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I think we will do so looking at which regions the health plans are operating in, whether they're
• new in a region.
• between the data center and the ratepayers?
• Costs by that data center? Ms. Ortega? Yes, absolutely.
• They will know best how their data center will operate, what pressure that will put on the system, and

Summary: The committee met to consider a large slate of appointments, with the main discussion centered on the confirmation of Chavon Harris as Secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA). Harris testified about her background in state service and outlined agency priorities including Medicaid financial accountability, transparency, managed care oversight, behavioral health redesign, rural health access, workforce recruitment, and use of technology and AI. Senators questioned her extensively about the Hope Florida/Medicaid settlement controversy, opioid settlement-funded advertising campaigns tied to marijuana prevention and the 2024 Amendment 3 election, public records compliance, abortion reporting and enforcement under the Heartbeat Protection Act, managed care denials, value-based purchasing, and Medicaid funding pressures. After debate, the committee voted to recommend her confirmation, with Senator Polsky voting no. The committee then considered Anna Ortega and Robert Payne for the Florida Public Service Commission. Ortega, a current PSC commissioner and former staff advisor, discussed utility regulation, data center load issues, ratepayer protections, transparency in PSC decisions, and lessons from other states. Payne, a former legislator and longtime utility co-op employee, emphasized his technical background and the need to balance utility returns with consumer affordability. Both nominees were confirmed by unanimous or near-unanimous votes and recommended favorably to the full Senate. Next, the committee heard from Jeffrey Aaron for reappointment to the Public Employees Relations Commission. Aaron described PERC’s role in public-sector labor disputes and said his work had been upheld in appellate courts without reversal. Senators questioned him about his law firm’s state contracts, his role as chairman of Attorney General James Uthmeier’s PAC, and his connection to the Hope Florida Foundation matter; he declined to discuss the pending investigation. Public testimony included opposition from Florida Voice for the Unborn. The committee nevertheless recommended his confirmation, with several no votes. Finally, the committee approved the remaining appointees on tabs 5 through 46 in a single vote, postponing Dr. John Littell and DCF Secretary Hatch, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> regions?
• Anybody from the border regions regions? Anybody from the border regions here? here? here?
• </c> these operational dollars. these operational dollars.
• . operations. operations.
• These are highly complex operations within the medical school and the cancer center.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2004, Sister Michelle was elected to the leadership team of the Auburn Regional Community.
• And in the Central Valley, the people know that this is very much true of our region.
• It's a national security issue. It's the right thing to do.
• The region is home to... ...excellence, cultural vitality, and the spirit of innovation.
• We really are the gem of the Los Angeles County region. I urge an aye vote.

Summary: The Senate opened with roll call, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then spent much of the session honoring Sister Michelle Gorman, the Senate chaplain, on her final day after 11 years of service. Members from both parties praised her prayers, compassion, humor, and steady presence, and several noted her long career in education and religious service. The chamber also welcomed delegations from the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Northern California and the Japanese Business Association of Southern California, as well as a delegation from Morelia, Mexico, in connection with Sacramento’s sister-city relationship. The Senate then handled several procedural items, including Assembly messages and motions to remove or withdraw certain bills from consent or committee. The chamber adopted a motion to move Budget and Fiscal Review Committee measures to third reading, and later approved author’s and floor amendments. The main floor action was on ACA 20, the Save for California Futures Act, which would expand the state Rainy Day Fund target from 10% to 20% of general fund taxes, change how reserve deposits count under the Gann limit, and extend and broaden debt repayment provisions, including federal unemployment insurance debt. Supporters argued it would strengthen fiscal stability and reduce volatility; opponents said it was too complicated, still allowed too much borrowing, and did not sufficiently prioritize paying down existing debt. The measure passed 29-2. The Senate also took up SB 623, a compromise measure addressing transportation network company accident cases and medical lien practices. The bill would cap certain lien-based medical charges, restrict attorney referrals and kickbacks tied to lien providers, require more standardized billing, and add rideshare safety requirements such as background checks and additional disqualifying offenses; it passed 36-0. The chamber then considered SB 417, the Veterans and Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2026, an $11.25 billion housing bond with $10 billion in general obligation bonds and $1.25 billion for veterans home loan assistance. Supporters said it would fund shovel-ready affordable housing, preservation, homeownership, youth housing, infrastructure, and veterans’ housing; opponents criticized it as a “bait-and-switch” that used veterans to justify broader housing debt and argued the state should focus on existing programs and private financing. Despite the opposition, the measure passed 29-2.