Transcript Highlights:

• program.
• F rated charter schools.
• Schools.
• Our public schools are having to do this. Our school districts are having to report.
• to get rid of the bad charter schools and the bad ISD schools.

Committee: House Delivery of Government Efficiency

Transcript Highlights:

• Program Manager with the Shingle Springs Band, here on behalf of the vice chair, Melissa Tayaba, who
• We need this conservation program to work and make it work.
• We expect the permitting price tag to total about one-half of the cost of construction.
• You know, I have a high school daughter that I like to give her a hard time I have a high school daughter
• program as is included in this year's SB 1125 by Senator Menjivar.

Committees: House Water, Parks and Wildlife , House Water, Parks, and Wildlife

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Under current law, treatment programs and facilities receiving public funds and narcotic treatment programs
• I started using drugs my junior year of high school.
• Throughout my career, I've had the opportunity to work in many settings: outpatient, school-based programs
• In outpatient school-based programs, partial dual diagnosis, residential, emergency, emergency, ...school-based
• Programs.

Committee: House Health

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> flexibility and allow those construction flexibility and allow those construction projects<00:04
• , but the construction permit in the air program across states includes the full design of the facility
• , but the construction permit in the air program across states includes the full design of the facility
• , but the construction permit in the air program across states includes the full design of the facility
• , but the construction permit in the air program across states includes the full design of the facility

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• program next session.
• ,</c><00:07:12.040><c> I</c> And regarding the internship program, I And regarding the internship program
• </c> up for the intern internship program up for the intern internship program next<00:07:17.920><c>
• </c> programs, and aerospace education. programs, and aerospace education.
• </c> the program. the program.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Dozier School for Boys Okeechobee School Victim Compensation Program and appropriates $20 million to
• under this program. ...a high school diploma to a person compensated under this program if the person
• to operate a school bus camera program.
• to operate a school bus camera program.
• The program authorizes school districts and charter schools to place current and retired high-performing

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognized several introductions and memorials, including a resolution designating August 9, 2026, as Bob Graham Day and a moment of silence for firefighter Roger Timmy Miley. The chamber then moved through a long special-order calendar, with several bills substituted with House companions and adopted by voice vote or recorded vote. Early measures included a tax conformity bill tied to federal Internal Revenue Code changes, which passed 34-0, and a Medicaid/public assistance bill that drew extensive debate over work requirements, fraud reduction, behavioral health services, and SNAP/EBT reforms. Amendments offered by Senators Berman and Osgood to condition or soften the work and photo-ID provisions were rejected, and the underlying bill was placed on the third-reading calendar after lengthy questioning about implementation, exemptions, and eligibility effects. The Senate also passed bills on computer science education and AI instruction, a Parkinson’s disease registry public-records exemption and registry update, designation of the SS American Victory as Florida’s official state flagship, electronic payments for local governments, repeal of the legal-tender sunset for gold and silver, public-records protections for gold/silver custodians and stablecoin-related entities, a Florida stablecoin pilot program, and local government budget transparency/spending measures. Most of these measures were adopted after minor amendments or technical substitutions, with votes generally ranging from 31-3 to 34-0. The chamber also recognized the Florida Channel’s 30 years of legislative coverage. Later, the Senate approved a digital voyeurism bill expanding the reasonable-expectation-of-privacy definition to include private fenced yards, and an insurance customer representative licensing bill allowing high school students to complete insurance/personal finance coursework and later qualify for licensure. The final major item was a medical freedom bill that would expand parental vaccine information requirements, add a conscience-based exemption to immunization mandates, allow behind-the-counter ivermectin for adults, and repeal the sunset on the mRNA mandate prohibition; two amendments clarifying anti-kickback rules and requiring vaccine information to include risks, benefits, safety, and efficacy were adopted, while questions from Senators Smith and Massullo focused on public-health impacts and the content of the required materials. The transcript ends during discussion of that bill, with no final vote shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• , Southern Lehigh School District, Quakertown School District, the Penridge School District, Northwestern
• School Districts, only get a fraction of what Allentown School District gets.
• making their way through the school funding program.
• You know, I serve on the school board for the Allentown School District.
• Those are important programs.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, communications, committee reports, and leaves of absence. The journal was approved 50-0. The chamber then took up House Bill 1505, which drew extended debate over school funding and adequacy/tax equity. Senators Coleman and Keefer argued the bill continued to pour money into districts like Allentown without accountability or improved results, while Senators Costa, Miller, Haywood, and Anthony Williams defended the funding as a response to historic underfunding and the Commonwealth Court decision. A motion allowing Senator Coleman a third speaking turn was adopted 27-23, and the bill ultimately passed 45-5. The Senate then considered House Bill 2400, the General Appropriation Act. Supporters, including Senators Martin, Dush, Phillips-Hill, Costa, Ward, Street, Hughes, and Pittman, emphasized that the budget was balanced without using the rainy day fund or raising taxes, reduced the governor’s proposal, increased education and child care funding, supported nursing homes, rape crisis centers, infrastructure, and workforce programs, and shifted money from lapsed or unused accounts to current priorities. Opponents, including Senators Saval and Muth, said the budget failed to address structural deficits and omitted new revenue options, emergency services funding, and other major issues. The bill passed 44-6 with amendments and was returned to the House for concurrence. The Senate also passed a series of other bills, including House Bills 2412, 2413, 96, 858, 1042, 1286, 1646, 1851, 1862, 2017, 2024, 2401, and 2559, with varying margins, and sent them to the House, some with amendments. House Bill 1042 drew a negative recommendation from Senator Costa over a late amendment involving second-degree murder/felony language, but after reconsideration and vote changes it passed 30-20 with amendments. House Bill 1862, creating an Ignition Interlock Driver’s License, passed 45-5 after support from Senator Judy Ward. House Bill 1248 passed 43-7 and designates Pennsylvania rye whiskey as the official state spirit, with Senators Bartolotta and Robinson speaking in support. The chamber also adopted Senate Resolution 216, after defeating Senator Haywood’s amendment to narrow the scope of a proposed Legislative Budget and Finance Committee study of managed care organizations; the resolution passed 31-19. Several other bills were held over in their order, and the Senate later moved toward a condolence resolution.

Transcript Highlights:

• Roger Husser, Assistant Commissioner in the Division of Administration.
• contingency during construction.
• contingency during construction.
• No, we can certainly look at that and certainly the non-state program.
• I think you mentioned the schools as one, and of course, inheritance, you know, there's been some school

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met on May 26 and first took up Senate Bill 406, which authorizes the city of Slidell to seek voter approval for a local hotel and motel occupancy tax. The bill was described as a local measure giving the city council authority to place the tax on the ballot, with members noting that similar taxing authority exists in many other municipalities. Representative Wiley moved favorable passage, there was no objection, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then received an update from the Division of Administration’s Office of Facility Planning and Control on capital outlay savings identified through cash-flow review and project “scrubbing.” Officials said they found about $50 million in savings from updated cash flows, over-appropriations, projects bid under budget, and reduced appropriations in bundled projects. They explained that bundling projects, including some LED-related projects, allows agencies to shift savings within a bundle and manage overruns or underruns more flexibly. Members praised the savings work but asked whether the process could be moved earlier so the House could benefit sooner, and whether similar reviews could be expanded to other administering agencies and non-state projects. One member raised concerns about whether some projects, including schools and certain NGO-related items, should qualify for capital outlay funding at all, and urged a review of the statutory definition and project approval criteria. Staff said they would look at the definition, review recommendations from prior discussions, and consider ways to tighten the process. The committee then adjourned without further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Roger Husser, Assistant Commissioner in the Division of Administration.
• contingency during construction.
• contingency during construction.
• No, we can certainly look at that and certainly the non-state program.
• I think you mentioned the schools as one, and of course, inheritance, you know, there's been some school

Bills: SB406

Committee: House Ways & Means

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Very proud of the aerospace education grant program.
• Over the course of our program, we had $14 million for our prep hanger program.
• That was a competitive hanger program.
• with construction and funds expended by the end of the calendar year.
• We get to do a lot of these local match assistance projects.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• public school fund.
• How many school districts do we have? 259 total school districts. 259. 259.
• And finally, in school-level resources, looking at school-level findings, rural schools spent the most
• Starting with school safety... Starting with school safety.
• That was set back then as part of that actual program to assist districts with making sure their buildings

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All those in favor of House Bill 256, will the committee assistant please call the roll?
• All those in favor of House Bill 256, will the committee assistant please call the roll?
• </c><00:08:54.760><c> please</c> bill will the committee assistant please bill will the committee assistant
• , and for road construction.
• Clerk, please call the roll. website as the school district says you website as the school district says

Keywords: Reuploaded to restore the end of the meeting Meeting Start 00:01 Roll Call 00:05 HB 131 discussion 01:55 HB 131 vote 05:08 HB 256 discussion 07:09 HB 256 vote 08:58 HB 290 discussion 10:59 HB 290 vote 13:25 HB 368 discussion 15:11 HB 368 vote 31:30 Adjournment 36:27, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and considered four bills. House Bill 131, sponsored by Representative Meredith, was amended with a committee substitute and would allow former second class city fire departments more scheduling flexibility, including hybrid shift patterns, while preserving existing collective bargaining agreements. There was no opposition or questions, and the committee adopted the substitute and passed the bill favorably by voice/roll call vote. House Bill 256, sponsored by Chairman Flannery, would impose a 40-year statutory limit on root-of-title interests to clear dormant title issues and improve marketable title, while excluding coal and mineral interests. A committee substitute was adopted, and the bill passed favorably on a unanimous roll call. House Bill 290, sponsored by Representative Wilson, would update county law library funding/use rules to allow more modern expenditures such as online legal services; Representative Willner supported it as a useful modernization, and the bill also passed favorably on a unanimous roll call. House Bill 368, sponsored by Representative Decker, would expand local governments’ ability to use online public notice alternatives instead of relying solely on newspaper publication in smaller counties. Supporters from local government groups argued the change would save money, improve efficiency, and still keep the public informed, while the Kentucky Press Association cautioned that website standards should be addressed and noted concerns about losing newspaper notice revenue. After discussion, the committee passed the bill favorably by roll call vote. At the end of the meeting, members recorded additional yes votes for HB 131, HB 256, and HB 290, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you require assistance, please contact the committee staff.
• I was also asked to speak briefly on the School Land Board.
• , and purchases to benefit the Permanent School Fund.
• After the bonding program is completed.
• So it's with the school, if there's a school or city.

Committee: House Land & Resource Management

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> better, how we can improve on programs. better, how we can improve on programs.
• , school administration office, or school board.
• ><c> or</c> school, school administration office or school, school administration office or school<03
• </c> program that we give a fighting chance. program that we give a fighting chance.
• Mahalo. the communities these programs serve. the communities these programs serve.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• She went to UNM Medical School. On a BAMD program, funded in part by the New Mexico taxpayers.
• program and restructure the existing broadband program.
• A low-income telecommunications assistance program and restructured the existing broadband program, making
• time programming for school-age youth statewide.
• districts and charter schools, eliminating waivers for school district and charter school participation

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And you can see a number of other grant programs. mitigation program uh that is Grants to mitigation
• </c><00:31:49.320><c> for</c> preservation um and then programs for preservation um and then programs
• this is a federal uh Loan Fund programs this is a federal uh program<00:36:25.960><c> that</c><00:36
• </c> plants and then there's a state program plants and then there's a state program for<00:36:36.200
• </c><00:37:38.359><c> um</c> uh housing program um uh housing program um infrastructure<00:37:40.319>

Committee: House Capital Investment

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• You'll see a $52.6 million increase in operating funds for school district workforce education programs
• The community school grant program is something we want to expand across the state of Florida, and this
• For student financial aid and tuition assistance programs, the budget funds work...
• For student financial aid and tuition assistance programs, the budget funds workload changes for Bright
• I was on the board of visitors to the school and assist the president in achieving the goals of the school

Summary: The committee first took up a confirmation for UCF trustee reappointment candidate Mr. Christie, who described his long service on the board, his UCF business-school background, and his focus on strengthening UCF’s financial foundation, workforce alignment, and engineering and technology programs. Members praised his service and asked about UCF’s future direction, including its role in Florida’s space and engineering sectors. He was allowed to leave early for a meeting with the governor. The committee then heard the Higher Education Appropriations budget presentation for fiscal year 2025-26. The chair outlined a proposed $11.5 billion higher education budget emphasizing workforce education, Florida College System operations, career and technical education, the GATE program, nursing education through the Florida Center for Nursing, UF/IFAS agriculture technology, tutoring, autism and neurodevelopment services, student financial aid, and $250 million for state universities through the Board of Governors. Senator Davis asked about line grant flexibility, and the chair said a conforming bill would address details. The committee adopted a motion allowing technical corrections and then adopted the budget proposal as a recommendation to the full Appropriations Committee. The remainder of the meeting focused on confirmations for university boards, especially the University of West Florida, where several nominees were questioned about Title IX compliance, free speech, workforce readiness, military/veteran ties, and prior statements about privatization and higher education. Rebecca Matthews, Rachel Moyah, Ashley Ross, and Adam Kessel each described their backgrounds and goals for UWF; Kessel faced extensive questioning about his past writings on privatization, the GI Bill, and speech suppression, and said he would not recommend privatizing Florida universities and supported veterans’ education benefits. Public testimony on UWF was largely opposed, with speakers arguing the nominees lacked local ties and warning the slate would harm the university and community. The committee also heard from FAMU reappointment nominee Judge Belvin Perry, who emphasized student success, workforce quality, and FAMU’s continued rise, and from UCF nominee Mark Philburn and FSU nominee Peter Jones, both of whom highlighted their professional experience and commitment to student success and prudent stewardship. The meeting extended its time to 6:30 p.m. to continue hearing nominees and public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• CTC provides technical expertise and assistance for our Broadband programs.
• and adds funds for the state program and three of the federal programs.
• So how's... ...added for the BEAD program. So how's the BEAD program?
• for the housing program.
• programs.

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , Infill Infrastructure Grant Program, the Joe Serna Farmworker Housing Grant Program, and along with
• loans for these programs?
• HDFC-administered programs?
• That's progress, but it was still a variety of programs. And each program needed their own...
• funding programs.

Summary: The committee held an outcome review hearing on AB 519, focused on streamlining California’s affordable housing finance system. State housing officials described the work group process and the resulting report, which calls for a consolidated application and coordinated review process across HCD, CalHFA, TCAC, and CDLAC, while preserving a separate direct path for projects that do not need state subsidy. They said the goal is to reduce duplication, align timelines, and get projects to construction faster, with implementation now being carried forward through the new Housing Development Finance Committee (HDFC) and related reorganization changes. Officials from HCD, CalHFA, and HDFC said the new committee launched July 1 and is developing regulations, a unified application workbook, and review procedures, with public comment and hearings planned before final adoption. They emphasized a two-track system: one for projects needing state subsidy and one for tax credits/bonds only. Members also discussed the transition period in 2027, the need to clear existing pipeline projects first, and the possibility of construction financing tools. Committee members raised concerns about transparency, stakeholder feedback, and whether additional statutory changes would be needed; staff said current authority appears sufficient. Affordable housing developers and advocates generally supported the reforms but said the work must go beyond a single application. They urged fully funding projects, simplifying post-award functions, modernizing asset management, preserving a direct path for locally funded and rehab projects, and improving geographic equity, especially for rural and farmworker housing. Several witnesses stressed that the system also needs stable funding, including general fund support and the proposed housing bond, and that the state should continue engaging stakeholders as the new process rolls out. Public comment echoed those themes and included a veteran describing the difficulty of navigating housing and VA-related systems, reinforcing the hearing’s focus on simplifying access to housing resources.

Transcript Highlights:

• As you heard, the state loan program provides low-interest competitive loans to developers to construct
• States and the federal government use household income to define program eligibility for housing assistance
• The state and federal government use household income to define program eligibility for housing assistance
• In terms of implementation in Florida, the Florida Catalyst program provides technical assistance and
• homeownership assistance, and disaster assistance under rental assistance.

Committee: Senate Community Affairs

Summary: The Committee on Community Affairs held its first meeting and heard presentations focused on affordable housing implementation under the Live Local Act. Florida Housing Finance Corporation described its role in administering rental and homeownership programs, including SAIL, SHIP, the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program, disaster recovery efforts, supportive housing, and the Live Local funding and tax incentives. Officials said the first year’s $150 million Live Local rental allocation was fully committed to 23 developments producing 3,171 units with mixed-income set-asides, and they outlined how projects were selected through competitive solicitations tied to statutory priorities such as mixed-use development, publicly owned land, foster youth, rural areas of opportunity, redevelopment, and housing near military installations. They also discussed the tax credit contribution program, the missing-middle property tax exemption, sales tax rebates, and the year-one ad valorem exemption for qualifying affordable projects. Members asked detailed questions about the data and program design, including the use of area median income figures, per-unit subsidy levels, county targeting, tenant relocation during redevelopment, and whether the programs were helping lower-income households. Florida Housing said it uses competitive scoring and data from the Schimberg Center and that redevelopment projects are supposed to include tenant relocation plans. The homeownership portion of the presentation covered the Hometown Heroes program, which provides down payment and closing cost assistance to first-time homebuyers, with exceptions for active-duty military and veterans. Staff said the program has assisted more than 21,000 families and leveraged over $6.5 billion in first mortgages, and members asked about repayment rates, credit scores, and whether participants were staying in homes long enough to show the program was serving intended buyers. The committee then heard from OPAGA on two required Live Local evaluations: affordable housing strategies in other states and affordable housing policies in Florida. OPAGA reported that Florida has a high share of cost-burdened households, with 1.5 million households cost burdened and 1.4 million severely cost burdened, and that Florida’s counties and municipalities reported more than $1.4 billion in affordable housing expenditures in fiscal year 2023-24. The report identified 13 innovative out-of-state programs, with three considered high-potential for Florida implementation, and summarized Florida local government practices such as SHIP-funded homeownership and rental assistance, expedited permitting, mixed-income zoning, rehabilitation programs, and interlocal cooperation. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the presentations and questions.