Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:10:02.480><c> is</c> West Street, as that same vehicle is West Street, as that same vehicle is
• Senate Bill 681, Worcester County Board of Licensed Commissioners Membership.
• </c><00:38:33.599><c> Membership</c> of Licensed Commissioners.
• </c> license hours of sale favorable. license hours of sale favorable.
• </c> beverages alteration of license quota. beverages alteration of license quota.

Keywords: House streaming session for Saturday, April 11, 2026, 957, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:23:15.000><c> applicators</c> who are trained, licensed applicators who are trained, licensed
• ,</c> product is out there, it's licensed, product is out there, it's licensed, it's<00:24:02.800><c>
• Chair, uh, Senator, the special event license is a separate type of license than a food handler license
• the licensing period. is a separate type of license than a is a separate type of license than a food
• </c> fee throughout the uh, licensing period. fee throughout the uh, licensing period.

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, first I have a question about the giant manta ray, which was under the special marine licensing
• Well, at first I have a question about the giant mantaray, which was under the special marine licensing
• But being able to have that access, also access with vehicles and the use of certain aids like dogs is

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government convened with a quorum present and excused Senators Arrington and Pizzo. The committee first took up confirmation hearings for appointments on tabs 1 through 4, and Senator DiCeglie moved to recommend confirmation of all appointees together. The motion passed unanimously, and the appointees were favorably recommended. The main presentation was from FWC Chief Conservation Officer George Wharton on invasive species management in Florida. He described the scale of the problem, including more than 500 non-native species reported in the state, and outlined FWC’s prevention, containment, removal, outreach, and research efforts. He highlighted risk screenings, the conditional/prohibited species framework, enforcement actions against illegal wildlife trafficking, and public programs such as the Florida Python Challenge, lionfish outreach, the Exotic Pet Amnesty Program, and the “I’ve Got One” reporting app. He also noted ongoing removal efforts for pythons, tegus, lionfish, and iguanas, and discussed new technologies and partnerships aimed at improving control efforts. Members asked follow-up questions about FWC issues beyond invasive species, including the status of special activity licenses for threatened species and giant manta rays, the upcoming bear hunt, and whether the committee could help reduce barriers to invasive species removal on federal lands. Wharton said all SAL permits for threatened species are currently suspended pending Commission review, that Florida is on track for a bear hunt this December with 172 permits issued across four subpopulations, and that bear management is based on scientific data while urban bear conflicts still require separate management. He also said federal partners are increasingly cooperative on python control, including commercialization of hides, and that drones, sentinel snakes, robotic lures, and AI-based traps may improve future invasive species removal. Senator Sharief and Senator Burton later requested to be recorded as voting affirmatively on tabs 1 through 4, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And they are not allowed to get a professional license.
• If I give an example, let's say I apply with an ITIN number to get a license.
• However, if I applied to be a barber to get a barber license, I'm denied it.
• We did all professional licensing boards in the state of Massachusetts.
• And that's what we want to... ...everybody else, and that they're licensed to practice.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing of the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure opened with logistical remarks about testimony procedures, time limits, accessibility supports, and the large number of witnesses. The first bill discussed was H. 451, which would allow professional license applicants who do not have a Social Security number to use an ITIN instead. Supporters said the bill would help qualified workers, especially immigrants, enter licensed trades and professions without lowering training or testing standards, while addressing workforce shortages. Committee members asked a few questions, and the bill was framed as a uniform statewide licensing reform. The bulk of the hearing focused on S. 210 and H. 1278, two bills aimed at improving wheelchair repair and warranty protections. Supporters included the Attorney General’s Office, disability advocates, wheelchair users, clinicians, and legislators, who described long repair delays, missed work and medical appointments, loss of independence, hospitalizations, pressure injuries, and other harms caused by broken wheelchairs and slow service. They argued for stronger timelines, two-year warranties, required parts availability, loaner chairs, and enforcement mechanisms, with H. 1278 modeled on a Connecticut-style repair deadline and S. 210 focused on warranty protections. Several witnesses emphasized that wheelchairs are essential medical equipment, not ordinary consumer goods. Opposition came from NCart, which said it supports solutions but raised concerns that the bills, as written, could be difficult to implement for complex rehab technology. NCart said some warranty provisions may not fit wear-and-tear components and noted that MassHealth has already taken steps such as preventive maintenance, reduced prior authorization, and transportation support. Other witnesses and advocates countered that the current market is dominated by a few profitable companies and that the legislature needs to impose clear standards because voluntary fixes have not worked. The committee also heard testimony on S. 195, a toxic-free kids bill from Senator Comerford and Representative Hawkins, which would restrict PFAS and other toxic chemicals in children’s products and create disclosure and phase-out requirements. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the in the to handle all those vehicles the in the to handle all those vehicles uh<01:23:51.320>
• </c><02:27:22.439><c> nursing</c><02:27:22.760><c> home</c> to be a licensed nursing home to be a licensed
• </c> created something called a licensed created something called a licensed medication<02:30:01.000>
• We need to upgrade vehicles.
• </c> military so um again 20 we're licensed military so um again 20 we're licensed for<02:36:22.520><

Committee: House State-federal Relations and Veterans Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of them have voluntarily surrendered their license.
• Two have surrendered their license. Nine went on probation.
• So only two no longer are licensed to practice here in the state of California since 2021.
• can face fines and a forfeiture of a license.
• Face fines and a forfeiture of a license.

Committee: Senate Health

Summary: The committee first took up SB 1377, a bill on medical exemptions for school immunizations. The author and supporters said the measure was a narrow reform to restore physician discretion and reduce what they described as chilling effects from audits and license discipline; opponents from pediatric, medical, public health, and school groups argued the current system already works, protects against fraudulent exemptions, and should not be weakened. Committee members debated the data, the number of exemptions reviewed or revoked, and the effect of the proposed amendments. The bill was amended in committee, but because there was no quorum it was not formally voted on at that time. The committee then heard SB 995, the Masuma Khan Justice Act, which would create a statewide inspection and compliance framework for large private detention facilities. The author and supporters described severe conditions in immigration detention, including denial of medication, unsafe food and water, and lack of oversight, and the bill was presented as a response to those abuses. The California Hospital Association raised concerns about duplicative regulation and overlapping standards, but said it was continuing to work on a solution. The committee discussed constitutional and jurisdictional issues, and the bill was moved on a do-pass motion to the Committee on Judiciary with a 5-0 vote placed on call. Next, SB 1089 was heard, proposing expanded access through CalPERS and CalRX to GLP-1 medications for chronic weight disease and diabetes prevention. The author and supporters from the American Diabetes Association and medical groups argued the drugs are effective tools to prevent type 2 diabetes, reduce long-term costs, and improve health equity, while the author also shared personal experience with weight loss and medication access barriers. There was no opposition testimony. The bill was moved on a do-pass motion to the Committee on Labor, Public Employment, and Retirement with a 5-0 vote placed on call. Finally, the committee heard SB 1221, dealing with Murphy conservatorships for people found not guilty by reason of insanity or otherwise under criminal-mental health conservatorship. Supporters, including prosecutors and psychiatrists, said the bill addresses a gap created by a court decision and would improve public safety and placement decisions for a small population of high-risk individuals. Opponents from county behavioral health and disability rights groups warned it would turn a civil process into a quasi-criminal one, expand district attorney involvement, and disrupt bed prioritization and least-restrictive-placement principles. The discussion centered on the scope of the bill and its amendments, but no final vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Impaired, the Department of Health and Welfare, and the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses
• the Finance Committee, regarding appropriations for the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses
• So it's with the America 250 license plate.
• So we decided to stop suspending driver's licenses for unpaid traffic fines.
• There was a commercial vehicle grant and a mobile live scan program, which came from federal funds.

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the journal, received messages from the Senate and governor, and moved several enrolled bills and memorials through routine referral and signing actions. The chamber concurred in Senate amendments to House Bills 494, 728, and 703, and later concurred in Senate amendments to House Bills 825 and 788. Committee reports also advanced multiple measures, including House Bill 939 from Resources and Conservation, House Bills 940-942 for printing or referral, and House Bill 892 to second reading. House Resolution 29, changing call-of-the-House procedures, and House Joint Memorial 21, urging faster permitting for a tungsten mine in Lemhi County, were also taken up and passed. On the floor, the House passed Senate Bills 1266, 1316, 1288, and 1339. Senate Bill 1266 made technical foster-care corrections, removed extended foster care language, and expanded expedited placement to include kinship caregivers. Senate Bill 1316 updated newborn screening consent language so parents may simply decline certain newborn procedures without stating a medical or religious reason. Senate Bill 1288 created a funding mechanism for high-need special education students, drawing from driver’s education funds and interest from the Idaho Career Readiness Fund; supporters framed it as necessary to meet federal and constitutional obligations, while opponents argued it would create an ongoing spending commitment and reduce funds for other programs. Senate Bill 1339 replaced continuous improvement planning with longer-term strategic performance planning for public schools, with supporters emphasizing accountability and reduced reporting burdens. The House also passed House Bills 706, 888, 894, and 927. House Bill 706 allowed a single stairwell in certain four- to six-story condo and apartment buildings, with added fire-safety requirements, to reduce housing costs; supporters cited affordability and housing supply, while some raised safety concerns. House Bill 888 revised the state IT procurement framework to bring more agency technology purchases under the Office of Information Technology Services, with some agencies exempted. House Bill 894 required open meetings to allow recording, photography, and video with exemptions for corrections, parole, and executive sessions. House Bill 927 restored consequences for unpaid traffic infractions, including license-related enforcement after notice and a 60-day cure period, and was presented as a public safety and fiscal responsibility measure. The House then recessed and later resumed to continue the calendar and committee business.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we are here today because we regulate state-licensed financial institutions, including...
• We are here today because we regulate state-licensed financial institutions, including banks, credit
• Are you threatening licensing? Are there financial penalties?
• As they license our non-bank licensees, they collect annual data.
• We at the state level licensed more than 400 institutions.

Committee: House Banking and Finance

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:05:53.199><c> crashes</c> considering that motor vehicle crashes considering that motor vehicle
• </c> I'm the chief of the childcare licensing I'm the chief of the childcare licensing unit<03:13:42.160
• </c><03:14:44.560><c> and</c> the Bureau of Licensing and the Bureau of Licensing and Certification<03
• </c> Certification Childcare Licensing Unit.
• abuse and neglect happens in a licensed abuse and neglect happens in a licensed facility<03:22:18.000

Committee: House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1292 by Senator Richardson and relating to vehicles.
• All of the images of license plates are reviewed by a police officer or a parking enforcement officer
• Senate Bill 1167 by Senator Blakespear, an act relating to vehicles.
• SB 1167 requires clear labeling of vehicles for sale as to what type of vehicle it is and does not allow
• Senate Bill 1283 by Senator Ashby, an act relating to electric vehicle charging stations.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We were hoping to purchase about 66 vehicles this year. That's going to reduce to About 33.
• Some of the specialty vehicles are about $125,000.
• That's just a complete upfit of the vehicles, naturally.
• And so, you know, we hope to have a replacement cycle for these vehicles, replacing the vehicles at 100,000
• But it's about $9,000 to upfit a basic patrol vehicle, up to $125,000 for a specialty vehicle. ...vehicle

Bills: SB48 , SB64 , SB100

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Keywords: State Fairgrounds District, fairgrounds bonds, public financing, bond authorization, gross receipts tax, gaming tax, tax-backed bonds, infrastructure funding, Albuquerque fairgrounds, State Fair Tid, economic development, municipal bonds, revenue pledge, capital projects, New Mexico finance, special education, office of special education, deputy secretary, public education department, IEP

Transcript Highlights:

• 1285, as amended by Commerce and Human Resources Committee, regarding occupational and professional licensing
• This bill deals with slow-moving vehicles, and on Friday we can't be going slow.
• equipment, and they're trying to get out of the way of the traffic, and there's risk and damage to their vehicle
• So this is just clarifying when it's safe and acceptable for the slow-moving vehicles to turn over.
• Those enhancements, there's new equipment for the veterans' homes, IT licensing fees, and some replacement

Summary: The House convened with roll call, prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the journal. The chamber then received messages from the Governor and Senate, including notice of several House bills signed by the Governor, Senate bills and resolutions transmitted for signature or first reading, and committee reports advancing a number of measures. The House also referred Senate Concurrent Resolution 122 to State Affairs and introduced several new bills, including House Bills 936 and 937, and Senate Bills 1297 and 1352, all of which were sent to committee. On third reading, the House passed House Bills 873, 890, 900, 928, 929, 930, 932, 879, 898, 896, 895, 856, and 911, along with Senate Bills 1321, 1224 as amended, 1347, 1380, 1381, 1383, 1384, 1385, 1386, and House Resolution 28. The bills covered election deadlines, surplus state property, insurance claims on state facilities, a merit-based health care/DEI restriction bill, patient-negotiated medical discounts, campaign finance reporting, an advisory ballot question on an official state gun, industrial hemp regulation, historic preservation office reorganization, enforcement of compliance with state law, data center water use, protection of human remains, large-load utility ratepayer protections, and several appropriations or enhancement budgets. Most passed by comfortable margins, though House Bill 928 drew the most debate and passed 56-14, and House Bill 930 passed narrowly 36-34. Several measures drew notable testimony or opposition. Supporters of House Bill 928 argued it would remove DEI-related practices from Medicaid health care and replace them with merit-based standards; opponents warned it would block anti-racism and implicit-bias training and could worsen health disparities. House Bill 896 prompted concerns that it politicized enforcement of the law by allowing selected officials to refer alleged violations to the Attorney General, while supporters said it created a needed compliance mechanism with a cure period. House Bill 895 on data centers, House Bill 911 on large-load utility protections, and House Bill 856 on human remains all emphasized transparency, resource management, or closing loopholes. The House also returned some bills to committee, sent others to general orders, made announcements, and adjourned until Monday, March 23, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also had some additional assistance to help boarding homes achieve licensed status.
• We'd really like to provide a glide path for them to become licensed.
• Food costs, utility costs, fuel, vehicle—all of the fixed costs. support our senior employment program
• Food costs, utility costs, fuel, vehicle, all of the fixed costs.
• Costs, utility costs, fuel, vehicle, all of the fixed costs to run that program.

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, through their license fees and excise taxes, like the Pittman-Robertson Act, which comprises
• ungulate populations were largely driven by factors like forage availability, habitat, weather, even vehicle
• Wolves also keep deer off roadways and reduce vehicle collisions, saving the lives of a lot of people
• I hold a current Washington hunting license and have hunted most of my adult life.
• According to insurance records from July 2015 to June 2016, there were 54,597,000 vehicle-deer collisions

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 5838, which would add a federally recognized tribal representative to the State Board of Natural Resources. The Department of Natural Resources commissioner and tribal leaders said the change would bring Indigenous knowledge and a voting voice to decisions on trust lands, while preserving existing tribal consultation. Some county and economic interests said they were not opposed to tribal participation but stressed the board’s fiduciary duty to trust beneficiaries and asked for more review of the board’s purpose; one witness questioned whether the beneficiaries had been consulted. The prime sponsor, Senator Claudia Kaufman, said the bill is about inclusion and equity and indicated openness to an amendment adding both eastside and westside tribal representation. The hearing closed with 142 written comments reported: 33 pro, 107 con, and 2 other. The committee then heard Senate Bill 5960, which would require Fish and Wildlife to designate at-risk ungulate populations and take predator mitigation actions when populations fall below specified benchmarks. Senator Shelley Short said the bill responds to declining deer and elk numbers and a lack of management, especially in northeast Washington. Supporters argued the bill would codify existing agency plans and restore balance in wildlife management, while opponents—including conservation groups, the Sierra Club, and several scientists and advocates—said the state’s predator-prey study found wolves were not the main driver of ungulate declines, pointing instead to habitat, forage, weather, disease, and vehicle collisions. Ranching and farm groups supported the overall goal but objected to the bill’s in-state wolf translocation provisions. The Department of Fish and Wildlife said it recognized the bill’s intent but opposed it because some directives were impractical, costly, or would require legislative approval. The hearing closed with 1,197 written comments reported: 843 pro, 352 con, and 2 other. The committee then held a work session on Lake Washington salmon predation. Larry Phillips and Muckleshoot Fisheries Director Jason Schaffler described a coalition effort to reduce predation on juvenile salmon in the Lake Washington system, saying invasive and predatory fish such as walleye, rock bass, American shad, northern pike, yellow perch, and smallmouth bass are harming sockeye and Chinook recovery. They said sockeye returns have fallen from hundreds of thousands to about 18,000 in recent years, ending tribal and sport fisheries, and argued that targeted predator removal, supported by prior state and county funding, could help restore runs. Senators asked about the methods and funding, and the presenters said fishing and netting are being used to suppress larger predatory fish and that more sustained investment is needed. Finally, the committee began public hearing on Senate Bill 1697, which would make federally recognized tribes eligible recipients for county conservation futures funds. Testifiers from the Washington Farmland Trust and the Tulalip Tribe said the bill would expand voluntary conservation partnerships, help tribes steward farmland and habitat, and make it easier to leverage county funds with other grants. They described past projects where tribal participation improved conservation outcomes but said tribes could not directly access conservation futures dollars under current law.

Transcript Highlights:

• We saw an uptick in motor vehicle theft, arson, shoplifting, and extortion.
• We also have ICE enforcement agents driving around in cars with license plates that do not match the
• vehicles that they are driving.
• We have videos of law enforcement switching out license plates in plain view.
• In plain view, we also have ICE enforcement agents blocking roadways with their vehicles or staging car

Summary: The Select Committee on Hate, Racism, and Xenophobia met to examine the scope of hate activity in California and hear from state agencies, commissions, and community organizations. The chair opened by framing hate as a persistent crisis affecting many protected groups, and Assembly Member Gonzalez briefly joined the committee. The first panel included the California Department of Justice and the California Commission on the State of Hate, both of which presented recent data and policy recommendations. The Department of Justice reported that in 2024 California saw 2,023 reported hate crime events, 2,568 hate crime offenses, and 2,491 victims, with anti-Black bias remaining the most common category, followed by anti-Jewish and anti-Latino bias. DOJ also said referrals for prosecution increased, and it described its hate-crimes guidance, rapid response protocol, and multilingual resources. The Commission on the State of Hate said hate is undercounted in law enforcement data and cited a survey suggesting about 2.6 million Californians experienced at least one hate act in a year, including more than half a million potentially criminal incidents. It recommended permanent data infrastructure, mandatory law enforcement training, and continued funding for community-based prevention and victim support. The committee then heard testimony from representatives of the NAACP, LULAC, Jewish Public Affairs Committee of California, CHIRLA, Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California, CARE, Equality California, and the Racial Equity Commission. Witnesses described systemic racism, anti-immigrant enforcement, antisemitism, Islamophobia, anti-Asian bias, and anti-LGBTQ+ hate, often linking these harms to political rhetoric, social media, and federal actions. They urged the Legislature to fund programs such as California vs. Hate, Stop the Hate, nonprofit security grants, language access, school and mental health supports, and legal assistance, while also protecting civil rights, due process, and free speech. No formal votes or committee actions were taken during the hearing, but members indicated they would request additional recommendations and continue the discussion in future hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• to be some confusion because a mobile home is not a recreational travel trailer or a recreational vehicle
• I am also an attorney licensed here in New Mexico and in Colorado.
• uninsured motorists is to use tactics that are proven to work, such as allowing law enforcement to verify vehicle
• Is it against the law in New Mexico to not have insurance on your vehicle?
• Why do they not get stopped the first time a cop sees them and their license plates have been revoked

Committee: House House Commerce & Economic Development Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• or any new applicants for that type of license.
• or any new applicants for that type of license.
• Brown confirmed that it would not touch those existing licenses or new applicants for that type of license
• from the other license.
• tobacco license, and they sell vape products under that tobacco license.

Bills: HB302 , HB371 , HB597 , HB1097 , HB1190 , SB34 , SB164 , SB208 , SB232 , SB317 , SB357 , SB421 , SB510

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: legal representation, attorney general, elected officials, defense, legislative acts, judicial review, judiciary, election, judges, 19th Judicial District Court, East Baton Rouge, precincts, coroner, retention, body, mortuary, investigation, missing persons, Amber Alert, Endangered Missing Child Advisory

Transcript Highlights:

• Social workers, not just licensed social workers, but also case managers who do a lot of the ground work
• The licensing software is to go with that.
• And so it's a matter of the fleet for the vehicles simply to keep them safe on the road.
• The other one I'm waiting for them to get their license for working with those cases.
• We are replacing two of our fleet vehicles. We are a remote jurisdiction.

Transcript Highlights:

• and resources for a host of operational issues, including due process, rent increases, and motor vehicles
• Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles additional equipment for the highway patrol at $7.6 million
• , and Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles funding to address the driver license backlog in
• if a patient or caregiver is convicted. ...to revoke medical marijuana licenses if a patient or caregiver
• federal revenues, district revenues that include ad valorem taxes, agriculture taxes, permit and license

Summary: The Appropriations Committee met for Budget Day and heard presentations on the Senate’s proposed 2025-2026 budget, SPB 25-200, totaling $117.4 billion. Chair Hooper said the plan reduces overall spending from the prior year, keeps strong reserves, includes a 4% pay raise for state employees, maintains employee health care contributions, and makes major investments in water quality, transportation, and education infrastructure. Committee chairs then summarized their budget silos, including K-12 education, higher education, health and human services, criminal and civil justice, transportation/tourism/economic development, and agriculture/environment/general government. Members asked questions mainly about school funding, AP and dual enrollment support, voucher and scholarship impacts, and the My Safe Florida Home program. The committee adopted a large consent package of amendments and then approved three late-file amendments: funding virtual college tours for high school students, funding the FSU Sunshine Genetics program, and providing money for the Port of Fernandina customs facility. The committee then voted to report SPB 2500, the General Appropriations Bill, as a committee bill. It also favorably reported SPB 2502 (implementing bill), SPB 2504 (state employees placeholder), SB 7022 (Florida Retirement System contribution rates and DROP changes), CS/SB 1320 (recreating the Resilient Florida Trust Fund), SPB 2506 (gaming compact revenue distributions, including water projects and rural lands), SPB 2508 (29 new judgeships), SB 7014 (ending the court mediation and arbitration trust fund), SPB 2510 (K-12 conforming bill), SPB 2512 (higher education conforming bill), and SPB 2514 (health and human services conforming bill). The committee also took up several policy bills. It approved SB 7028 on cancer research, creating grant parameters, reporting requirements, a five-year pediatric cancer research incubator, and the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute VisionGen Initiative. It approved CS/CS/SB 170 on nursing home quality, adding resident satisfaction surveys, medical director standards, safety culture reviews, electronic health record requirements, financial reporting penalties, and a study of best practices. It approved CS/CS/SB 168, the Tristan Murphy Act, which expands mental health diversion options, adds Hillsborough County to a forensic hospital diversion pilot, expands grant uses, and creates a behavioral health data repository. It also approved SB 114 creating the Florida Center for Excellence in Insurance and Risk Management at FSU and moving the public hurricane loss model there. The committee then began considering SB 180 on emergency preparedness and response, including a late-file amendment, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• and resources for a host of operational issues, including due process, rent increases, and motor vehicles
• Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles additional equipment for the highway patrol at $7.6 million
• , and Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles funding to address the driver license backlog in
• eye diseases in ocular oncology, and requires the Department of Health to revoke medical marijuana licenses
• federal revenues, district revenues that include ad valorem taxes, agriculture taxes, permit and license

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Summary: The Appropriations Committee heard presentations on the Senate’s proposed 2025-2026 budget, SPB 25-200, totaling $117.4 billion. Chair Hooper and committee chairs highlighted major spending priorities including a 4% raise for state employees, continued health insurance contributions, investments in water quality, transportation, education infrastructure, and workforce development, along with reductions tied to long-vacant positions. Education funding was a major focus, with increases for K-12 public schools and scholarships, higher education workforce programs, nursing initiatives, tutoring, and university performance funding. Health and human services, criminal and civil justice, transportation/economic development, and agriculture/environment budgets were also outlined, including Medicaid, mental health, corrections staffing, affordable housing, beach restoration, citrus recovery, and water projects. Members then questioned several budget choices, especially K-12 funding. Senators Polsky and Smith raised concerns that the Senate’s AP and dual enrollment funding changes could disadvantage public schools, while Burgess argued the budget preserves the money in the FEFP and gives districts more flexibility rather than reducing support. Questions also addressed voucher availability, school stabilization funding, and the My Safe Florida Home program. The committee adopted 171 consent amendments and three late-file amendments, then approved SPB 2500 as a committee bill. It also favorably reported implementing and conforming bills for state employees, retirement, natural resources, judgeships, K-12 education, higher education, and health and human services, along with SB 7022 on Florida Retirement System contribution rates and elected-officer DROP options, CS/SB 1320 on the Resilient Florida Trust Fund, SB 7014 ending the Mediation and Arbitration Trust Fund, SB 7028 on cancer research, CS/CS/SB 170 on nursing home quality and oversight, CS/SB 168 on mental health diversion and behavioral health data, SB 114 creating an insurance and risk management research center at FSU, and SB 180 on emergency preparedness and post-storm recovery. Most bills were reported favorably with little or no opposition, though SB 180 drew discussion about local-government authority after storms and the need to balance recovery speed with local safety and planning concerns.