Transcript Highlights:

• I started my career 34 years ago, and I was one of those people that they sent in to assess and evaluate
• The legislator finds that certain practices in Sharia law The legislator finds that certain practices
• That means Muslims in America, like people of any faith, have the right to practice their religion.
• That means Muslims in America, like people of any faith, have the right to practice their religion.
• But it also means that no religious law, whether the... ...to practice their religion.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a brief introduction of the doctor of the day before moving to the special order calendar. The chamber first took up several claims bills, including SB 6/HB 6507 for relief of L.E. through the Department of Children and Families, which was described as compensation for severe injuries after DCF returned the child to unsafe parents; the House bill was substituted and passed 34-0. SB 26 for the estate of Mark Legata, involving catastrophic injuries tied to FDOT negligence, was also substituted with the House version and passed 35-0. SB 42/HB 47 on specific medical diagnoses and child protective investigations passed 34-0 after supporters said it would require child protection teams to consider certain medical conditions that can mimic abuse. Later, SB 1002 on child welfare passed 37-0 after sponsors said it clarifies that parental drug abuse can constitute harm or neglect and allow earlier court intervention and services, while not changing parental rights law. The Senate then considered education and health-related measures. SB 206/HB 851 on students with autism spectrum disorder was amended to the House bill and passed 35-0; the sponsor said it expands teacher preparation, requires autism-related training, creates a loan forgiveness program, and adds salary supplements for teachers with autism endorsements. SB 556/HB 453 on high school diploma requirements passed 36-0 and would allow students with disabilities to use Special Olympics participation to satisfy PE requirements, while also fixing a marching band credit issue. SB 688 on naturopathic medicine passed 33-3, reestablishing licensure and regulation of naturopathic doctors. SB 878/HB 1347 on clinical laboratory personnel passed 37-0 to address staffing shortages by aligning Florida more closely with federal CLIA standards. SB 914/HB 867 on dry needling by occupational therapists passed 37-0, clarifying authority for that treatment. SB 530 on state lotteries passed 36-0 with updates to operations, security, and retailer rules. SB 964/HB 6011 on financial disclosures and gifts/honoraria passed 36-0 after an amendment restored a percentage-based reporting option. The chamber also approved several government-administration and public-records measures. SB 326/HB 131 on curators of estates passed 36-0, updating probate rules for temporary court-appointed curators. SB 758/HB 625 on the Justice Administrative Commission passed 37-0 after an amendment broadened the judicial member to a judge or senior judge rather than only a circuit judge. SB 830 on public records passed 31-5, creating exemptions for the personal information of county and city managers and certain family members. The Senate also passed SB 21/HB 218 on land use regulations, which preserves hurricane-recovery restrictions in affected counties while lifting them later for unaffected counties, and the sponsor thanked colleagues for helping address unintended consequences from prior law. SB 354 on Blue Ribbon Projects was debated extensively over concerns about local control, conservation protections, and vague standards; after a late amendment excluding data centers from commercial areas, the bill was temporarily postponed rather than passed. Finally, SB 1632/HB 1471 on ideologies inconsistent with American principles and domestic terrorist designations drew significant debate over references to Sharia law, religious freedom, notice, and due process; one amendment striking Sharia references failed, and a second amendment with broader revisions was under discussion when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• and just sex sex trade is both practical and just sex buyers<00:16:16.360><c> are</c><00:16:16.480><
• Washington State assessed $153,000 in fees from patronizing prostitution.
• Do you practice in estate planning or estate administration and litigation?
• </c> this process are known as the assessment this process are known as the assessment and<02:22:27.040
• safe firearm storage training practicing safe firearm storage training to<02:40:45.640><c> conceal</

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They're really not intended to assess funding progress or adjust contribution rates.
• and we also don't reassess certain key assumptions related to contribution rates, and standards of practice
• Key assumptions related to contribution rates, and standards of practice also necessitate certain risk
• I'm going to leave those other items here to assess institution-specific contribution rates, determination

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now, you're supposed to assess the health of your housing market, which is what an emergency is
• your bill, Yeah, Chairman, on page one of your bill, so starting at line 5, you say, 'As soon as practical
• So how, from a practical standpoint, how much are we actually going to solve?
• For a municipality, it decides that they're going to change their assessment, that they charge for property

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Housing, Construction, and Community Development met on March 31, 2026, with a quorum present and noted that the Legislature was in budget negotiations and approaching a scheduled break. The committee took up several housing-related bills, with most being reported to Finance after discussion. The first bill, S.3742A, would require information to be provided in new and renewal leases for certain housing accommodations, and it was reported without opposition. S.4659B, the Rental Emergency Stabilization for Tenants Act, generated the longest debate; supporters said it would give local governments outside New York City a more flexible way to determine a housing emergency and opt into rent stabilization, while opponents argued it lacked a clear vacancy-rate standard, could discourage development, and would benefit higher-income tenants. The bill was ultimately reported, with some negative votes and one or more votes without recommendation. The committee then discussed S.8168, which would create a deconstruction and salvage framework for building materials, including local options, technical assistance, grants, and related code updates. Supporters said it could reduce landfill use, lower disposal costs, and encourage reuse markets, while opponents questioned costs, market demand, and whether the program would raise housing and demolition expenses. The bill was reported, again with some negative or without-recommendation votes. S.8595, dealing with how certain valuations and amounts due are calculated in foreclosure actions, was also reported. S.8672, the Employer-Assisted Housing Matching Grant Act, would provide a state match for employer housing assistance for certain nonprofit human services employers; members raised concerns about scope, possible double-dipping, and whether the program should be expanded to other workers, but the bill was reported with some negative and without-recommendation votes. The final bill, S.94A, made a minor amendment to the Housing Access Voucher Pilot Program regarding priority applicants and unit inspections, and it was reported as well. Throughout the meeting, members repeatedly emphasized that several proposals were optional for local governments or employers rather than mandates, and many of the exchanges focused on affordability, housing supply, local control, and the fiscal effects of the bills. No floor votes were taken; the committee’s actions were limited to reporting the bills to Finance, with some reported favorably and others reported with negative or without-recommendation votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• financing through TIF structures where you have property, as property increases in value, you can take assessments
• As sales taxes in regions grow, you assess that to those bonds.
• And, ironically, coincidentally enough, his law office where he practiced isn't far from the terminal
• And, ironically, coincidentally enough, his law office where he practiced isn't far from the terminal

Bills: HB129, HB130, HB148, HB149, HB221, HB346, HB354, HB355, HB356, HB358, HB360, HB384, HB401, HB657, HB675, HB716

Keywords: HB 129, Act 783, highway designation, memorial highway, Louisiana Highway 173, Louisiana Highway 3194, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Dr. Harry Blake Sr., Virginia Green Evans, DOTD, Department of Transportation and Development, road signage, honorary naming, commemorative sign, transportation, HB 130, Act 124, Louisiana highway memorial, road naming

Summary: The House Committee on Transportation met on March 10 and took up a series of highway and bridge naming bills, beginning with House Bill 346, which redesignates a portion of U.S. Highway 171 as the Speaker Joe Salter Memorial Highway. The bill was presented with extensive tributes from the sponsor, former colleagues, and Secretary of State Nancy Landry, all praising Salter’s public service, education background, and character. The committee reported HB 346 favorably without objection. Members then heard House Bill 221, which names a proposed Mississippi River bridge connecting LA 1 and LA 30 as the President Donald J. Trump Expressway. The sponsor argued the naming would help draw attention and funding to a long-discussed, toll-free bridge project and described possible financing through development districts and federal programs. Some members questioned the political and practical logic of naming a bridge before it is built, while others supported the concept as a way to advance a needed infrastructure project. The committee adopted a roll-call vote and reported HB 221 favorably by 12-2. The committee also advanced several memorial highway and bridge designations, including HB 356 for the Elwood T. Brady Jr. Memorial Bridge, HB 149 for Senior Police Officer Trevor Abney Memorial Highway, HB 148 for the Eugene Washington Memorial Highway, HB 716 naming the Schaumet Ferry Terminal after Michael C. Ginnart Jr., HB 355 naming Highway 10 in Washington Parish as Veterans Park Memorial Highway, HB 675 naming part of U.S. 425 as the Bill Putt Linder Memorial Highway, HB 657 naming portions of LA 182 for Burrick B.J. Lejeune Jr. and Judge Richard T. Dickey Hike Sr., HB 354 renaming the Magnolia Bridge for Caleb Easterling, HB 358 naming a portion of LA 433 for Charles R. Bordelon Sr., and HB 384 naming part of U.S. 11 as the Dan de Blanc American Hero Memorial Highway. Several bills were amended to add or remove the word “Memorial.” The committee reported the measures favorably, with amendments where applicable, and then voluntarily deferred HB 129, HB 130, HB 360, and HB 401 to a later agenda before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• legal review, more disputes, and those costs are paid by homeowners through increased dues and assessments
• going to add all this complexity and time, suggesting that the very thing that triggers you to pay assessments—the
• So we were just trying to even understand the practicability of this.”
• And from a practical standpoint, I just cannot emphasize enough the burden that it would put on our board

Bills: HB2118, HB2236

Keywords: common interest communities, restrictions, property rights, homeowners association, community governance, housing finance, affordable housing, housing commission, state agency, financial assistance, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• THIS IS A PRACTICAL BALANCED STEP TOWARDS MEETING FLORIDA'S GROWING HOUSING NEEDS WHILE RESPECTING FLORIDA
• SO IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT OUR LAND OWNERS ARE WANTING, IT'S UP TO US TO COME UP WITH GOOD WAYS TO ASSESS
• IT HELPS US TO ASSESS WHAT IS OUT THERE.
• HUSBAND IS BACKGROUND IN BOEING DEFENSE, HE WAS CHIEF DATA OFFICER SO WE WANTED TO MAKE THE BEST PRACTICES

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> of practices. of practices.
• But again, he was not keen on assessment, the assessment part of it.
• ,</c><01:55:36.239><c> the</c><01:55:36.480><c> assessment</c> not keen on assessment, the assessment
• not keen on assessment, the assessment part<01:55:37.040><c> of</c><01:55:37.199><c> it.
• </c><01:56:55.440><c> And</c> assessments and in knowledge. And assessments and in knowledge.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Education Funding Committee’s higher education subcommittee met to discuss HB 443, HB 510, and related issues. The chair explained the subcommittee membership and noted that Representative Luno was absent and replaced by Representative Bricky, with other full committee members allowed to participate in discussion but not final votes. No votes were taken during this meeting, and the chair said final subcommittee recommendations would likely come in the first week of November. On HB 443, which concerns terms of appointment to the Higher Education Commission, the chair described the bill as intended to let the governor replace members who are not attending or no longer representing the appointing organization. He said the prior governor supported the idea, but the current governor’s office believes the bill is unnecessary because nonattendance or loss of representation would already amount to resignation or removal. Members raised questions about legal authority and whether the same principle should apply to other boards. The chair said he was leaning toward finding the bill not needed, but would continue discussion later. The committee then spent most of the meeting on HB 510, which would establish due process rights for students, student organizations, and faculty at public higher education institutions and address collective bargaining issues. Supporters, including Representatives Papovich and Brown, argued the bill would provide clear, minimum protections, especially because campus rules are lengthy and vary by institution; Brown also suggested adding an independent ombudsman or representation for students. Opponents, including Representatives Burton and Bricky, said existing campus regulations already provide due process and that the bill could interfere with campus governance and collective bargaining. The chair and others discussed whether the bill’s definitions should be aligned with existing law to avoid confusion, and several members suggested using existing statutory definitions or cross-references. The chair also said the bill would apply only when disciplinary action is involved, not as a general challenge to DEI policies, though members referenced recent national examples involving DEI-related disputes as context.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> stipens for these for these practicing stipens for these for these practicing residents<01:15:12.640
• And the old jaded practice."
• Whatever generally general practice.
• This is this is frontier practice is.
• </c> think this is our standard practice think this is our standard practice unless<01:57:40.639><c>

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• a couple of them, to tell you the truth, but how are they, you know, I see in the bill that they assess
• Davis: The coordinated entry assessment process, which is locally managed in each region of the state
• assessments in every region where they must demonstrate the vulnerability of their need. >> Senator
• So they will pre-award risk assessment.
• Is there a practice within the program doing that right now? >> Chair Marty, Senator Johnson.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And in many counties, qualified professionals do not have any practical pathway at all.
• The bill also promotes statewide consistency in practices.
• And counties are happy to do kind of more consistent practices.
• In practice, this delays access to medical care, financial decision-making assistance, and other basic
• In practice, that means many of these facilities operate with little to no meaningful oversight.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:31:53.920><c> Do</c><01:31:54.000><c> you</c> best practices and standards.
• Do you best practices and standards.
• the state best practices across the state enterprise?
• In terms of sharing best practices and things like that, I think that role already exists.
• In terms of sharing best practices and things like that, I think that role already exists.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• As background, third-party litigation funding refers generally to the practice of providing money to
• of prohibited practices for a third-party litigation funder, including a prohibition on deciding or
• But it adds transparency and reasonable guardrails to a practice that has been unregulated.
• But it adds transparency for reasonable guardrails to a practice that has been unregulated.
• You have states like Montana that almost don't allow the practice.

Bills: HB2255, HB2320, HB2548

Keywords: litigation finance, legal funding, lawsuit, financial services, access to justice, firearm regulation, manufacturing, safety standards, background checks, license requirements, health care market standards, hospital consolidation, merger review, health care transaction notice, attorney general review, antitrust, provider organizations, hospital systems, contracting affiliation, material change

Transcript Highlights:

• For an agency to do a reliability assessment of that interview, they have to make a determination.
• It's a failure of not having the necessary information to improve the practice.
• Both were driven by prosecutors, urging investigators to improve their practice.
• And they professionalize the practice. Let me be clear: report-based interviewing is not passive.
• And they professionalize the practice of policing.

Bills: HB1982, HB2156

Keywords: Indian rights, treaty rights, convictions, tribal members, criminal justice reform, Attorney General, AG investigators, limited authority peace officer, peace officer certification, economic crimes, financial crimes, white-collar crime, fraud investigation, search warrant service, electronic service, business records, law enforcement authority, criminal background check, training requirements, Washington RCW

Transcript Highlights:

• ... ...practices can lack transparency and consistency.
• This bill does not expand the scope of practice for any provider. It does not prevent...
• I practice podiatry in Hunt County, Texas for over 40 years.
• I practice in a rural area. Good afternoon, my name is Dr.
• And just one final question for the doctor, because I see this a lot in my own practice.

Bills: SB623, SB1266, SB1310, SB1373, SB1580, SB1952, SB2032, SB2269, SB2544, SB2653, SB2796

Keywords: pharmacist, vaccine administration, COVID-19, exclusive authority, healthcare, Medicaid, provider enrollment, credentialing, administrative burden, Texas Health and Human Services, senior retirement communities, emergency response, residential safety, contract provisions, health and safety regulations, medical staff privileges, hospital administration, healthcare regulation, Texas Health and Safety Code, consistency in privileges

Transcript Highlights:

• policy. ...are well-intentioned, they are not aligned with existing property tax assessment policies
• By aligning recovery policy with assessment law, AB 1253 protects homeowners from further financial harm
• AB 1253 will align local building codes and assessment standards clearly, fairly, and provide additional
• They were doing job assessments every time they made a change.
• As part of those negotiations, they were doing job assessments every time they made a change.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation met as a subcommittee and heard several bills, with members explaining that measures with significant fiscal impacts would be held for suspense or taken up later. AB 761 would let the Monterey-Salinas Transit District place a local sales tax measure on the ballot with approval from two-thirds of its board rather than needing approval from each member jurisdiction; supporters said it would preserve transit funding for veterans, seniors, and people with disabilities, while an opponent argued it would make it easier to raise a regressive tax. The bill was voted out 5-2 after being called for absent members. AB 1253, which would clarify property tax treatment for wildfire reconstruction beyond substantial equivalence, drew support from the Los Angeles County Assessor and the California Assessors Association but was sent to suspense. AB 8, dealing with hemp enforcement, intoxicating hemp products, and integration of hemp cannabinoids into the cannabis supply chain and tax system, drew strong support from cannabis operators and labor groups and opposition from small cultivators and public health advocates concerned about supply, tax revenue, and voter intent; it was also sent to suspense. The committee then heard AB 1138, a major expansion and modernization of the film and television tax credit program. Supporters, including entertainment unions, workers, studios, and local officials, said the bill would help keep production and jobs in California amid competition from other states and countries; opponents criticized it as picking winners and losers and argued broader business costs were the real problem. The bill was referred to suspense. AB 829, which would create a California Parkinson’s Disease Research Fund and voluntary tax contribution program to support research and services, received unanimous support from advocates and was approved 6-0 to Appropriations. AB 474 would exempt rental income from nonprofit home-sharing programs for low-income homeowners from state income tax and protect participants’ eligibility for certain benefits; supporters said it could help older adults age in place and address housing shortages, and the bill was sent to suspense after members asked for clarification on the fiscal estimate. The committee also heard AB 376, which would exempt wildfire settlement payments from state income tax for certain disaster survivors; supporters from rural counties said the money is meant to help victims rebuild and should not be taxed, and the bill was referred to suspense. Finally, AB 480 would allow developers using low-income housing tax credits to switch from allocated to certificated state credits after an award, with supporters saying it would maximize private investment and stretch housing dollars further; it too was sent to suspense. Throughout the hearing, members repeatedly emphasized the need to balance policy goals with fiscal impacts, and several bills were held or referred to suspense rather than voted out immediately.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> increase is funded through an assessment increase is funded through an assessment on<00:55:47.839
• So, by assessing insurance companies.
• </c> um some of the fees or the assessments um some of the fees or the assessments for<01:29:04.639><
• </c><01:31:39.920><c> and</c> um modify the rate of the assessment and um modify the rate of the assessment
• ,</c><01:33:04.800><c> the</c> uh, the, uh, MCO assessment, the uh, the, uh, MCO assessment, the provider

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't have a lot of Latin in my law practice; I had to look it up. It just means of its own kind.
• With no changes to the bill, yes, he'd be able to get a license and practice and get insurance.
• I have practiced both in private practice and mental health agency practices.
• Giving your folks in your scope of practice the ability to bill insurance seems to me a fix.
• But to me, it sounds more like an insurance billing issue than it does a scope of practice.

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 702, which would amend Idaho’s Uniform Commercial Code provisions governing securities entitlements. The sponsor and a guest attorney argued the bill would restore investor priority over banks in the event of a major Wall Street failure, saying current law gives secured lenders priority when brokers or custodians pledge customer securities without consent. Several members questioned whether the bill was broader than described, whether it mainly affected margin accounts, and whether it should be handled at the state level at all. After discussion, a motion to send the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation failed 8-7, and the committee then moved to hold the bill in committee at the call of the chair while members sought more information and further discussion. House Bill 562, sponsored by Representative Sauter, would extend the notice period for property insurance nonrenewals and cancellations from 30 days to 60 days for both residential and commercial policies. The sponsor said the bill was intended as a consumer protection measure to give policyholders more time to find replacement coverage or resolve issues with their current carrier, and he noted it would not change the 10-day notice for nonpayment or the separate timeline for rate changes. Committee members asked about existing contract language and whether a longer notice period could discourage insurers from writing policies in Idaho; the sponsor said he had not heard that concern from carriers and was open to adjusting the effective date. The committee approved a motion to send the bill to general orders. The committee then considered House Bill 585, which would impose “shot clocks” on mechanical, electrical, and plumbing inspections, similar to last session’s building inspection timelines. The sponsor said local governments would have 48 hours to complete inspections or refund the fee so a private third-party inspector could be used, and would have to provide written reasons for a failed inspection within three business days. Testimony from a third-party inspector and the Idaho Associated General Contractors supported the bill, saying it could save time and money and help keep projects moving. The committee adopted a due pass motion and sent the bill to the floor. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 545, which would create a pathway for certain military chaplains to become licensed professional counselors in Idaho based on their Master of Divinity, military counseling experience, and related clinical pastoral education. The sponsor and supporters said chaplains already provide substantial counseling in military settings and should be able to serve Idahoans, including veterans, while critics from the counseling profession argued the bill would bypass important counseling coursework, the national counselor exam, and existing gatekeeping standards. After extensive testimony from both sides, including questions about training, testing, supervision, and public protection, the committee had not yet reached a final disposition in the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was established to address a longstanding and critical gap in social work education and practice,
• It reflects a powerful commitment to developing social work practices that are culturally responsive.
• Twenty-four have completed the practice test with an average PRASS score of 90%.
• Policy and practice briefs inform and provide recommendations to community and stakeholders on best practices
• Funding drives, money drives so much—practically everything, Madam Chair, as we well know.

Transcript Highlights:

• its written testimony in support of this resolution, and we'll just comment that research and best practices
• bell schedules bell schedules um<01:05:51.960><c> is</c><01:05:52.120><c> a</c><01:05:52.160><c> practical
• , and separately an assessment of any prior state or department-initiated or contracted studies, reports
• , or assessments related to school facilities, capital improvement planning, or repair and maintenance
• studies, reports, or assessments related studies, reports, or assessments related to<01:08:35.440><c>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SCR 78, which urges the Department of Education to strengthen natural health education and adopt a comprehensive menstrual cycle curriculum. The Department of Education said it supported the intent and had offered technical amendments to scaffold the curriculum by grade level. The Commission on the Status of Women and several advocates, including students and Ma'i Movement Hawaiʻi, testified in support, describing gaps in menstrual health education, stigma, and the need for more inclusive, age-appropriate instruction. No opposition was heard, and the chair moved on after no questions from members. The committee then took up SCR 194, urging the Department of Education to meet the criteria to recognize cheerleading as a Title IX sport. The Department supported the measure, noting recent expansion of girls flag football and surfing as recognized sports and saying cheerleading would create additional opportunities for students. The Commission on the Status of Women also supported the resolution, saying it could improve participation, resource allocation, and representation for female students. No opposition or further action was recorded in the excerpt. Finally, the committee discussed SCR 195, requesting the Board of Education and Department of Education to revise graduation requirements to include a standalone financial literacy course. The Board of Education and Department of Education both supported the intent but cautioned against a one-size-fits-all mandate, emphasizing school-level flexibility, existing stand-alone and online options, and the requirement that the class of 2030 must complete financial literacy before graduation. Hawaii Kids Can supported the resolution while raising questions about equity, access, quality, and how different delivery models compare; it also asked for more information on community survey data. Committee members questioned the department and board about asynchronous versus in-person instruction, standards, and how the requirement would be tracked in the personal transition plan. No vote or final action was taken in the provided portion of the meeting.