Transcript Highlights:

• um that's a little bit medical procedure um that's a little bit intense,<01:06:40.720><c> they</c><01
• I should be able to have that question asked when I have a medical procedure.
• . commission. commission.
• Different governors have had their own different procedures around that.
• </c> have had their own different procedures have had their own different procedures around<03:12:27.200

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill seeks to amend the gaps in Florida's child abuse investigation procedures that can fail to
• my colleagues in the Florida Hands Free Coalition, have traveled across the state asking county commissions
• It's going to follow along with the same process and procedure for everyone else who's already currently
• Thank you. process and procedure for everyone else who's already currently protected.
• So, my understanding, and correct me if I'm wrong, follows a process and procedure of everybody else.

Summary: The committee took up a long agenda of bills, beginning with CS/SB 678, which would allow pawnbroker transaction forms to be printed or digital; it drew support from a business representative and was reported favorably. Members then heard several bills by Senator Leak, including SB 466 to designate St. Johns County as the site of the Florida Museum of Black History and create a board to work with the museum foundation and Florida Memorial University; the bill drew supportive testimony about preserving accurate Black history and the significance of the site, and it passed favorably. Leak’s CS/SB 578 would let Florida wineries use recyclable inserts and other alternative containers for larger wine sales, and it also passed favorably. SB 582 would increase penalties for unlawful demolition of historic buildings and structures, limiting the higher penalties to certain nationally or internationally recognized historic properties; it was supported by preservation advocates and reported favorably. CS/SB 1168 would create an aggravated offense for installing or using tracking devices or apps in furtherance of crimes such as murder, domestic violence, or robbery, and it passed favorably after a brief discussion about stalking and violent crimes. CS/SB 806 would make the Florida Attorney General the exclusive public official with standing to enforce Florida charitable trusts, limiting out-of-state attorneys general from suing over Florida-administered trusts; members debated whether this would burden out-of-state beneficiaries, but the bill was reported favorably. SB 1228 would advance spring restoration efforts for Ichetucknee Springs and Santa Fe spring flows and allow a utility compliance plan amendment to deliver reclaimed water to replenish the aquifer; it passed favorably. CS/CS/SB 304 would require a qualified medical opinion in child protective investigations involving infants and young children with possible genetic or medical conditions that can mimic abuse, and it drew emotional support from parents and advocates before passing favorably. SB 1286 would clarify that ordinary unsupervised childhood activities like biking or playing outside do not constitute neglect absent reckless endangerment, and it was reported favorably. SB 1318, the hands-free driving bill, generated the most extensive debate: it renames the texting-while-driving law, expands the prohibition to handheld device use, and adds penalties in work zones and school zones; supporters cited fatal crash statistics and personal loss, while opponents raised concerns about enforcement, civil liberties, racial disparities in traffic stops, and the need for broader distracted-driving and insurance reforms. Despite those concerns, the bill was reported favorably after amendments. The committee also approved two claims bills, SB 14 for the estate of Penao-Hanvier against Miami Beach and SB 20 for J.N. against Hillsborough County, both settled claims recommended favorably by the special master. Finally, CS/SB 68 would modernize health facilities authority financing for private not-for-profit health systems, and CS/SB 172 would restrict misuse of health care specialty titles while preserving titles authorized under existing practice acts; both were discussed with questions about doctors, optometrists, and CRNAs, and both were reported favorably after amendment and debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill sets up a procedure for people close to a decedent to petition the probate division of the
• The procedure calls for the petitioner to notify the medical examiner and the state's attorney within
• written testimony from the Vermont Department of Health and the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Commission
• 00:42:36.720><c> Review</c> Domestic Violence Fatality Review Domestic Violence Fatality Review Commission
• Commission. Commission.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• OF THE SARASOTA MANATEE AIRPORT AUTHORITY TO DETERMINE THE FEASIBILITY OF ALTERNATIVE PERMITTING PROCEDURES
• RAILS FOR THE OPERATIONS OF PRIVATE RELIGIOUS POSTSECONDARY INSTITUTIONS WHEN NOT LICENSED BY THE COMMISSION
• THE ELECTIONS COMMISSION UPON RELIEVING THIS COMPLAINT HAS PROBABLE CAUSE AND FORWARD IT TO THE STATE
• >> Senator Grall: YES IT IS CORRECT THE ELECTIONS COMMISSION COULD FIND PROBABLE CAUSE AND GO TO THE
• UP TO THE FACTFINDER THAT THIS WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE CONSIDERED IN AN ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• also amend the exemption for certain non-insurer transactions by certain dealers to require the Commission
• The bill would amend the Florida Invest Local Exemption to allow the Commission to prescribe a form for
• It provides that the Financial Services Commission, when waiving the requirements for certain persons
• to submit fingerprints, may consider the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission
• For this reason, this bill does not put any guidelines, any policy procedures, or supervision for those

Summary: The committee first took up HB 703 on utility relocation, as amended by a strike-all. The sponsor said the bill would require government authorities that order communication service providers to move infrastructure to pay the relocation costs, clarify expedited timelines, and align the House bill with the Senate version. Supporters argued the communication services tax should help cover these costs, while cities and counties warned the bill would shift major unfunded costs to local governments and taxpayers, especially in fiscally constrained counties. After public testimony from local government and industry representatives and debate over fairness, coordination, and the tax’s intended use, the committee adopted the strike-all and then passed the bill favorably on a roll call vote. The committee then heard and passed CS/HB 379, a securities package updating Chapter 517. The bill and conforming amendment made several technical and policy changes, including expanding certain exemptions, updating foreign jurisdiction and exchange considerations, revising merger-and-acquisition broker rules, aligning fingerprinting requirements with FBI standards, and adding protections related to financial exploitation of specified adults. Industry and Office of Financial Regulation witnesses supported the measure, and the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably without opposition. Next, the committee passed CS/HB 867 establishing the Coastal Link Commuter Rail Service Act to create a legal framework for commuter rail operations along Florida’s coastal corridor and to help Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties secure insurance and indemnification for service on the Florida East Coast Railway right-of-way. The Florida Chamber supported the bill, and it was reported favorably without debate. The committee also passed CS/HB 1161, which revises Florida’s deepfake law to require covered platforms to remove altered sexual depictions and copies upon request by the victim; the bill drew emotional testimony from a student victim and broad support from members, and a severability amendment was adopted before the bill passed unanimously. The committee then passed CS/HB 453 on pool and spa contractors, which updates Chapter 489 terminology and scope-of-practice rules and, through amendment, limits certain equipment to commercially available products. Finally, the committee passed HB 955 requiring all private employers to use E-Verify for new hires, removing the small-employer exemption. Supporters framed it as workforce integrity and rule-of-law legislation, while opponents warned about labor shortages, burdens on small businesses, and impacts on immigrant workers. After debate, the bill passed 19-3. The committee then began hearing CS/HB 541 on minimum wage requirements, which would allow voluntary waivers of minimum wage for certain internships, pre-apprenticeships, and on-the-job training; the sponsor presented an amendment limiting the duration and clarifying minor waivers, and the committee heard both support from small business groups and opposition from labor, immigrant, and worker advocates before the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• radioactive waste protection program report to the General Assembly and the Appalachian Compact Commission
• This bill reforms and streamlines the administrative and application procedures related to the ignition
• This bill reforms and streamlines the administrative and application procedures related to the ignition
• I would ask for a no vote to recommit this bill on this procedural vote. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
• I would ask for a no vote to recommit this bill on this procedural vote. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Summary: The House met in extended session with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, quorum call, and a series of journal, committee, and Senate bill reports. Members also received several referrals and Senate messages, and the Speaker signed multiple bills already prepared for the Governor. The chamber then took up a long slate of measures, largely budget-related and conference/concurrence items, with repeated roll-call votes and several brief floor remarks for and against the bills. Among the major actions, the House passed or concurred in a number of Senate bills addressing fiscal code and budget implementation, abusive towing practices, telemarketing robocalls and caller ID spoofing, prostitution penalty changes, veteran notification procedures, the cosmetology licensure compact, solar decommissioning, Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, E85 flex fuel definitions, local road transfers, civil penalties for unlicensed commercial driving schools, and trailer sales. The House also adopted House Resolution 580 designating July 18, 2026, as Piping Plover Day. Most of these measures passed overwhelmingly, many by unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The most significant debate centered on House Bill 2400, the General Appropriations budget for fiscal year 2026-2027, and House Bill 1505, the education-related budget implementation bill. Supporters described the budget as a bipartisan compromise that funds adequacy and tax equity for schools, public safety, mental health, roads and bridges, veterans, seniors, and workforce programs while avoiding broad-based tax increases. Opponents argued the budget used accounting maneuvers, deferred spending, and was structurally unbalanced. After extended debate, the House concurred in the Senate amendments to HB 2400 by a 167-35 vote and to HB 1505 by a 172-30 vote. The House also considered House Bill 2559, which included Commonwealth property conveyances and a controversial provision affecting Penn State branch campus properties. A motion to recommit the bill failed, and the House ultimately concurred in the Senate amendments by a 105-97 vote after members debated property rights, labor effects, and the future use of the campuses. The session concluded with the Senate later concurring in several House amendments, the Speaker signing the final bills, and the House adjourning until September 9, 2026, unless recalled sooner.

Transcript Highlights:

• not required to appear is item 2E, David Galavis, as a member of the State Park and Recreation Commission
• the main ones, and one of the things that was called out in the audit, was a lack of policies and procedures
• They're training all their employees on every change and every policy and procedure.
• And then those revised policies and procedures will be posted on the department's website.
• Once the training, Those revised policies and procedures will be posted on the department's website upon

Summary: The Senate Rules Committee approved several governor’s appointments not required to appear, including Frank Damrow Jr. to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Appeals Board, Michelle Eddger to the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, and David Galavis to the State Park and Recreation Commission, each by 4-0 vote. The committee also approved a rule waiver to allow SB 1447 (health) to be heard after the policy committee deadline, and took up floor acknowledgments before moving to appointments requiring testimony. The committee then heard from Clint Kellam, nominee to lead the Department of Cannabis Control. Members focused heavily on cannabis labeling, youth protection, attractive-to-children packaging, the SB 540 educational pamphlet, and the department’s efforts to steer consumers from illicit to legal products. Kellam said the department’s role is not to promote increased consumption but to move existing consumption into the regulated market, and he described enforcement against illicit cultivation and retail, consumer education efforts, and a possible AI tool to help licensees review packaging. He also said the department would consider tighter packaging rules, including one-serving packaging, but emphasized the need for research and legislative collaboration. The committee voted 4-0 to advance his appointment to the full Senate. The committee next heard from Jennifer Osborne, nominee to direct the Department of Industrial Relations. Questions centered on DIR’s handling of Cal/OSHA audit findings, labor commissioner backlogs, PAGA enforcement, staffing shortages, IT modernization, and how her administrative background would help address those issues. Osborne said DIR is working on revised Cal/OSHA policies and procedures, additional staffing and intake changes, new IT systems, and possible use of outside administrative law judges to reduce delays. She also clarified that the Civil Rights Department is not under DIR, but said she would follow up on concerns raised. Public commenters from employer groups, labor, and industry largely supported her nomination, and the committee approved her appointment 4-0 to move to the full Senate for confirmation.

Transcript Highlights:

• not required to appear is item 2E, David Galavis, as a member of the State Park and Recreation Commission
• the main ones, and one of the things that was called out in the audit, was a lack of policies and procedures
• They’re training all their employees on every change and every policy and procedure.
• And then those revised policies and procedures will be posted on the department’s website.
• Once the training, Those revised policies and procedures will be posted on the department’s website once

Summary: The Senate Rules Committee met to consider several gubernatorial appointments and procedural items. It unanimously approved three appointments not required to appear: Frank Damrow Jr. to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Appeals Board, Michelle Edger to the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, and David Galavis to the State Park and Recreation Commission. The committee also approved bill referrals, a rule waiver to allow SB 1447 (Health) to be heard past the policy deadline, and floor acknowledgments, all by 4-0 votes. The committee then heard testimony from Clint Kellam, nominee to lead the Department of Cannabis Control. Senators focused on illicit cannabis activity, consumer education, youth protection, labeling, and packaging that may be attractive to children. Kellam said the department’s goal is to shift consumption from illicit to legal sources, not increase use, and described efforts including the Real California Cannabis campaign, the SB 540 pamphlet, inspections, a package-review team, and an AI image analyzer for licensees. He also discussed enforcement against illicit cultivation, coordination with local, state, and federal agencies, and the department’s role in helping bring legal market compliance and access into balance. The committee voted 4-0 to advance his appointment to the full Senate. The committee next heard from Jennifer Osborne, nominee to direct the Department of Industrial Relations. Questions centered on Cal/OSHA audit findings, workplace safety, PAGA-related litigation, case backlogs, staffing shortages, and how her administrative background would help manage the department. Osborne said she would focus on fixing systemic issues, improving staffing and classification rules, modernizing IT systems, adding intake and investigative capacity, and addressing the Cal/OSHA audit recommendations. She also said DIR would continue working on worker safety, compensation, and apprenticeship programs, and would follow up on some questions about natural-disaster-related enforcement and backlog metrics. Public commenters from employer groups and labor organizations spoke in support, and the committee approved her appointment 4-0 for consideration by the full Senate.

Transcript Highlights:

• Bonnie Westlin, a member of the Advisory Committee on Capitol Security, about the latest safety procedures
• Bonnie Westlin, a member of the Advisory Committee on Capitol Security, about the latest safety procedures
• </c><00:04:46.800><c> and</c><00:04:47.120><c> the</c><00:04:47.280><c> new</c> latest safety procedures
• and the new latest safety procedures and the new ones<00:04:47.759><c> on</c><00:04:48.000><c> the</
• So the Axtell report was commissioned by the DPS, and they focused really on four buildings for the time

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Milner, chairman of the Conecuh County Commission, 38 years.
• I don't have a problem at all with the superintendent, but I do have a problem with the procedure that
• I want to see what procedure was being used. Someone asked a question, 'We can't hear.'
• </c><00:15:14.000><c> was</c><00:15:14.160><c> being</c> I want to see what procedure was being I want
• to see what procedure was being used<00:15:14.639><c> to</c><00:15:14.800><c> me.

Bills: HB180

Keywords: education, county superintendent, appointed, elected officials, Conecuh County, local control, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• be processed concurrently with an application for preliminary plat approval to the extent that procedural
• provide a written determination to the applicant that must state either that the application is procedurally
• complete or procedurally incomplete.
• The bill is adding 'procedurally' there.
• The local government is encouraged to adopt procedures to allow an applicant seeking approval of a preliminary

Summary: The Senate Local Government Committee heard several land use and infrastructure bills. SB 5633 on subdivision of land drew the most discussion: staff described a broad rewrite that would move many subdivision decisions from legislative bodies to administrative personnel, limit or eliminate public hearings for preliminary plats, require notice to nearby landowners, set completeness and 100-day decision timelines, and streamline concurrent review of related permits. Builders, Realtors, and some cities supported the bill as a long-overdue modernization that could reduce delays and housing costs, while county and city representatives raised concerns about eliminating public hearings, implementation details, and local accountability. The committee also heard SB 6274 on street standards and frontage improvements, which would require jurisdictions to identify infrastructure barriers to infill and middle housing and periodically review street and frontage standards; supporters said frontage mandates can make housing infeasible, while local government witnesses warned about conflicts with safety, ADA, and transportation goals. SB 6309 on high-capacity transit permits would let Sound Transit apply for permits before acquiring property and before some land use decisions, and would allow certain development agreements and subdivision exemptions to speed transit delivery; Sound Transit and city representatives supported it, and the committee waived the five-day notice rule to hear it. The committee also took testimony on SB 6279, which would incorporate the wildland-urban interface code into the state building code after statewide wildfire maps are completed and require state and local coordination on defensible space and local amendments. Supporters framed it as needed wildfire resilience planning, while opponents from counties, builders, environmental groups, and local officials argued the bill was premature, too rigid, and potentially inconsistent with environmental laws, local conditions, and insurance realities; several asked for more local flexibility, clearer map processes, and changes to the timing and scope of adoption. SB 6291 would extend from two to four years the period during which local health jurisdiction staff may inspect on-site wastewater systems under supervision before certification; public health officials supported it as a workforce and training fix, saying the current timeline is too short and costly. The committee also heard SB 5903, SB 6016, SB 5820, SB 6132, and SB 6189 in executive session, adopted substitutes on some bills, and advanced SB 6016, SB 5820, SB 6132, and SB 6189 out of committee by due-pass votes, with SB 6016 receiving a substitute and a member noting support but remaining concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• And he shows our partners what true non-commissioned officer leadership looks like.
• Some of the things that we have gained as a military are, well, they're technical, they're procedural
• That's correct because I am able to rehearse these procedures both in the American system, I work very
• closely with General Cotton for instance from US STRATCOM, we can rehearse those procedures on a US
• basis, we rehearse the delivery procedures on on a native basis, and I and key American elements of my

Keywords: committee meeting, legislation, public testimony, SB4, HB2214, bipartisan support

Summary: The committee convened to discuss various bills and hear testimonies related to legislative matters, including public concerns and implications surrounding the proposed legislation. Notably, the members engaged in a vigorous debate over SB4, where several representatives shared differing viewpoints on its impact on local communities and the environment. Public testimonies were heard, with advocates arguing for the bill's potential benefits, while opponents raised significant concerns regarding the fiscal implications and land use. Following these discussions, the committee moved to vote on HB2214, which passed without issue, illustrating the bipartisan support for certain initiatives tied to public welfare.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> unnecessarily bogging down procedures unnecessarily bogging down procedures his<00:53:29.799><c>
• I know that the Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission met a number of times this summer and fall and
• I know that the Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission met a number of times this summer and fall and
• It furthers the goal of the LEAK Commission, too.
• too uh the department wants commission too uh the department wants to to to offer<01:26:35.960><c> uh

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so one of the very first provisions in this statute says that in our racing commissions and in places
• Sherry Morris, who will address the legal and procedural implications of the bill in greater detail.
• They have only filed procedural motions, and they have...
• They have only filed procedural motions, and they have I don't know. procedural motions, and they have
• So it's a streamlined civil procedure and so on.

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• At one time, these lands belonged to the members of the Kamehameha royal family through Land Commission
• At one time, these lands belonged to the members of the Kamehameha royal family through Land Commission
• When OHA commissioned a strategic action plan led by Group 70, it determined the estimated residual and
• </c> quote clarifying the procedural quote clarifying the procedural requirements<01:29:48.920><c> for
• </c><01:30:30.440><c> public</c> residential development procedure public residential development procedure

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint hearing of the Water and Land, Hawaiian Affairs, and Housing committees on January 29, 2025 focused on SB 534, with the chairs outlining hearing procedures, public testimony limits, and plans to allow extended presentations from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) and the Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA) before moving to other testifiers. The hearing was presented as a public, transparent discussion of OHA’s plans for Kakaʻako Makai, with committee members noting that decision-making would follow if time permitted. OHA testified in strong support of SB 534. The chair of OHA’s Board of Trustees said the bill was a novel proposal for the legislature and emphasized that OHA was bringing together a broad coalition of partners and stakeholders, including representatives from construction, hospitality, education, law enforcement, civil service, and schools, as well as longtime community advocates who have opposed development in Kakaʻako Makai. OHA’s presentation reviewed the history of the area, the creation and role of HCDA, prior master plans, the 2012 land conveyance to OHA, and the argument that OHA has not been able to realize the full economic value of the lands because desired entitlements were not secured. OHA linked the bill to its constitutional mission to improve conditions for Native Hawaiians and argued that the state’s housing crisis makes additional development, including residential use, especially important. A major theme of the testimony was housing. OHA argued that Hawaiʻi faces severe affordability pressures, out-migration, and workforce shortages, and said that residential development in Kakaʻako Makai would help address those needs while also supporting the value of the trust lands. The presentation described HCDA’s authority over zoning and development in Kakaʻako, the existing reserved housing requirements, and the need for a master plan that could move forward if SB 534 becomes law. No votes or final committee action were taken in the portion of the hearing provided; the discussion remained in the presentation and testimony phase.

Transcript Highlights:

• three, CS for SB 576 on post-secondary, on public post-secondary education safety policies and procedures
• bill addresses a current gap in how Florida's public colleges and universities communicate safety procedures
• Even where institutions already have relevant procedures, those procedures must be understandable and
• bill addresses a current gap in how Florida's public colleges and universities communicate safety procedures
• Even where institutions already have relevant procedures, those procedures must be understandable and

Summary: The committee heard several bills and took favorable action on a number of them. CS/CS/SB 54 by Senator Sharif would require district medical examiners to perform toxicology screening for psychotropic drugs and intoxicating substances in autopsies of identified violent offenders, consult treating providers when available, document findings, and report results to state agencies; it passed after brief questions and one opponent waived against. CS/SB 176 by Senator Polsky would require public colleges and universities to publish clearer campus safety reporting and response procedures for threats to students, faculty, or staff; it also passed favorably with no opposition. CS/CS/CS/SB 290, the Florida Farm Bill by Senator Trumbull, was the longest item and drew extensive testimony. The bill covers fair association rules, preemption of local limits on gas- and diesel-powered farm equipment, surplus of certain state-owned lands for agricultural use, a food animal veterinarian loan repayment program, permanent funding for Farmers Feeding Florida, forest service training, signal jammer penalties, CDL exam cheating penalties, no-solicitation protections, inspector protections, biosolids rules, and contractor payment enforcement. Members adopted multiple amendments, including changes to contractor payment language, expanding vet loan repayment to equine vets, merging citrus research entities, technical updates to fair statutes and nonprofit definitions, and a late amendment removing the bill’s disparagement/free-speech section after significant public testimony and debate. A separate late amendment on biosolids delayed compliance timelines for Broward County, and the bill then passed favorably as amended. The committee also approved CS/CS/SB 834 on nonprofit religious organizations, which repeals a restriction on health care sharing ministries partnering with licensed insurance agents, while adding a disclaimer requirement through amendment; the bill passed with support from some faith-based and consumer groups and one waiver against. SB 936 on temporary door locking devices passed without opposition. CS/SB 50 would expand veterans’ courts statewide as an option in all judicial circuits for service-related issues such as PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and substance abuse; it received broad support from veterans and advocacy groups and passed favorably. CS/SB 1004, in strike-all form, would regulate dog and cat sales by requiring disclosure of medical records and financing terms, adding a three-day waiting period for financed purchases, and treating violations as unfair trade practices; an amendment removed an appropriation section, and the bill passed after questions about financing and pet retention. The committee then approved CS/CS/SB 178, which directs the Florida High School Athletic Association to adopt rules allowing coaches to provide good-faith support to student-athletes for basic needs like food, transportation, and recovery services, while requiring reporting and preserving anti-recruiting enforcement; members discussed possible parental-consent language, and the bill passed favorably. Finally, the committee began hearing CS/SB 198 on virtual currency kiosks, with Senator Rouson explaining that it would regulate crypto kiosks to combat fraud, require operator registration, fraud warnings, blockchain analytics policies, and transaction limits, but the transcript cuts off before further action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 13, an act relating to planning commission membership. Senator Denine.
• Senate Bill 13, an act relating to planning commission membership. Senator Denine.
• </c> commission membership. Senator Denine. commission membership. Senator Denine.
• Senate Bill 30, an act relating to motor vehicle commission. Senator Higdon.
• </c><00:33:16.399><c> Senator</c> to motor vehicle commission. Senator to motor vehicle commission.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh so over term and also the commission.
• </c><00:51:55.839><c> for</c> the public utilities commission for the public utilities commission for
• It makes clear the commission can does.
• c><05:10:23.360><c> utilities</c> both the commission and utilities both the commission and utilities
• 41.040><c> nuclear</c> Regulatory Commission regulates nuclear Regulatory Commission regulates nuclear

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have, uh, Doctor Blake Harris from Texas Veterans Commission.
• I might not follow procedure. I may or may not. And what I'm saying is we shall.
• From the Texas Veterans Commission, sir, and we have you registered as neutral on the bill.
• The Texas Veterans Commission helps veterans through the highest level of appeals with the VA.
• I'm the executive director of the, uh, Texas Veterans Commission.

Transcript Highlights:

• It creates new background investigation processes and requires the Criminal Justice Training Commission
• It creates new background investigation processes and requires CJTC Criminal Justice Training Commission
• Both of these costs are to the Department of Natural Resources and the Gambling Commission, and there
• Substitute Senate Bill 6018 relates to the Washington State Housing Finance Commission.
• Substitute Senate Bill 6018 concerning the Housing Finance Commission.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met in executive session on February 9, 2026, first hearing a staff briefing on Senate Bill 6346, which would impose a tax on individuals earning over $1 million. Staff described the bill’s revenue and spending impacts and reviewed a proposed substitute and 11 amendments addressing items such as public defense funding, charitable deductions, out-of-state tax credits, small business credits, diapers, constitutional issues, and a contingent constitutional amendment. The committee later took up the bill and rejected all of the offered amendments, then advanced the substitute bill with a due pass recommendation to the Rules Committee. Members supporting the bill argued it would help address tax fairness and fund public services, while opponents raised concerns about constitutionality, economic harm, and the effect on businesses and charitable giving. The committee also acted on a series of policy bills. It advanced a substitute bill on grocery store closures in food deserts after adopting a narrower substitute, despite concerns from some members about burdening grocers. It approved a substitute bill expanding voting access for military, overseas, Native American, and disabled voters, adopting a second substitute that removed a cybersecurity review requirement. The committee also advanced bills on tort claim arbitration against governments, victim and witness protections in sexual assault and domestic violence cases, JLARC review of student aid fraud, agricultural collective bargaining, labor relations if federal preemption ends, a cost-of-living adjustment for Plan 1 retirees, workers’ compensation and medical care access, line-of-duty death reimbursements, law enforcement background checks and eligibility, veterans’ discharge definitions, and extraordinary medical placement. Several of these bills had amendments adopted, including changes to tort claim oversight, victim-requested standby counsel, agricultural labor definitions, workers’ compensation penalties, law enforcement volunteer support, and extraordinary medical placement criteria. In the second group of bills, staff briefed measures affecting property taxes, housing, cannabis, disaster-related tax relief, technical tax code changes, aircraft fuel tax revenues, the estate tax, and a pesticide tax exemption. The committee heard that a substitute for the fire protection district bill would alter how city or town levy capacity is reduced and include consultation requirements and board-creation provisions. It also heard that the property tax relief expansion for seniors and disabled retirees needed a substitute to make the consolidated school levy revenue-neutral. Other bills would expand tax exemptions for low-income housing and nonprofit homeownership, authorize local cannabis excise taxes, extend disaster repair tax relief, expand housing-related local sales tax uses, make technical tax code changes, redirect aircraft fuel tax revenues to aeronautics, reduce the estate tax rate, and extend a pesticide tax exemption. The transcript ends during the committee’s consideration of Senate Bill 6346, with the committee debating and rejecting amendments before moving the bill forward.