Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, whereas the House has examined the qualifications, elections, and returns of the members-elect
• , pursuant... ...examine the qualifications, elections, and returns of the members-elect, pursuant to
• So since that's an ambiguity in the code, we're clarifying it for purposes of Florida.
• So since that's an ambiguity in the code, we're clarifying it for purposes of Florida.
• The work we were elected to do on behalf of our constituents.

Summary: The House convened on the final day of session, observed a moment of silence for the Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, and for Representative Rosenwald’s father, then swore in and seated new members Boyles and Hodgers. The Speaker also outlined the chamber’s end-of-session priorities, including action on the budget and related conforming bills. The House then took up H.J.R. 5019, a constitutional amendment to expand Florida’s budget stabilization fund by raising the cap, requiring annual transfers, and allowing withdrawals for critical state needs. After sponsor explanations and questions about what would qualify as a critical need and how the fund might respond to possible federal funding cuts, the House adopted an amendment that added more flexibility for suspending transfers and withdrawals. The joint resolution then passed on final passage. Members next considered HB 7031, the tax package conference report. The bill repeals the business rent tax and aviation fuel tax, delays the natural gas fuel tax, creates or extends several sales tax exemptions and holidays, and makes changes affecting property taxes, local taxes, pari-mutuel taxes, and revenue distributions. Debate focused heavily on the new permanent exemption for ammunition and hunting-related items, the elimination of recurring housing trust fund and transit-related distributions, and the shift of some funding from recurring to nonrecurring status. Supporters argued the package provides tax relief and preserves annual budget flexibility, while opponents criticized the ammunition exemption and the reductions in recurring housing and transit support. The conference report was adopted and the bill passed. The House then passed HB 5017, which creates a debt reduction program funded by a recurring transfer from general revenue to retire state bonds early, and HB 5015, the state group insurance conforming bill, which directs DMS to develop a formulary management plan and codifies the administrative health insurance assessment. Finally, the chamber began explanation and questions on the General Appropriations Act conference report for fiscal year 2025-26, described as a $115.1 billion budget that is down from the current year and includes more than $12 billion in reserves. Subcommittee chairs summarized major budget areas, including K-12 education, health care, transportation and economic development, agriculture and natural resources, higher education, state administration, justice, and information technology, highlighting funding for school choice, Medicaid, housing, transportation infrastructure, Everglades restoration, workforce programs, cybersecurity, and technology modernization.

Transcript Highlights:

• And to clean up the use of service codes, which was another goal of rate reform, so that both profit
• and non-profit providers of those services can be in the same service code.
• don't make it prohibitively expensive as we ask people to manually customize millions of lines of code
• Seventeen states filed Texas v.
• recommendations focus on increasing the consistency of the practices of the rates used, the service codes

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a long overdue improvement to the tax code, and there you see the benefits.
• is complex enough that more state's code is complex enough that more than<01:02:15.160> half<
• I'm the director of tax, fiscal policy, and elections for the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.
• uh entities in our code that I'm kind of uh entities in our code that I'm kind of just<01:14:29.320><
• <01:35:53.000> and impact of big money in our elections and impact of big money in our elections

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 2437, the governor’s proposed tax bill, and first adopted the A25-Z42 amendment to put the bill in the desired shape. Commissioner Paul Marquardt of the Department of Revenue then presented the bill as part of Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan’s budget, describing it as a response to budget pressures that would make the tax system more fair and stable while supporting economic development and jobs. Marquardt walked through the bill’s major provisions. These included sustainable aviation fuel policy, repeal of K-12 education credit assignment, elimination of the political contribution refund, expansion of the research and development credit, short-line railroad infrastructure modernization, changes to the state airport fund levy, replacement of attachments and appearances with distribution systems, a narrow personal property tax exception for low-income housing tenants, reduced aquatic invasive species aid, and a 34% reduction in PILT payments. He then focused on the sales tax article, saying it would lower the statewide rate by 0.75% while expanding the base to selected professional services such as accounting, banking, brokerage, and legal services, with business-to-business transactions exempt. He said the proposal would be effective for sales and purchases after September 30, 2025, and estimated a first-year rate-cut impact of about $99 million versus $215 million from the service expansion, while arguing that most households would see a net tax cut. He also noted other changes such as landlord penalty adjustments, a 30% reduction in sustainable aviation fuel incentive payments, repeal of local government cannabis aid, and repeal of the tax filing modernization account. Public testimony began with Kyle Playford of the Financial Planning Association of Minnesota, who strongly opposed the proposed sales tax on professional services, especially financial planning. He argued that financial planning is an essential service for retirement, investment, and long-term financial security, and said the tax would raise costs for consumers, reduce access for middle-class families, small business owners, and retirees, and put Minnesota firms at a competitive disadvantage. The chair then indicated that additional public testimony would continue before member questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• <03:35:58.080> to to completely rewriting its code to to completely rewriting its code to
• education regardless of their zip code. education regardless of their zip code.
• Fabulous. to election law. You're halfway through to election law.
• our vulnerability to fraud, election our vulnerability to fraud, election fraud,<07:10:40.958>
• elections?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We advocate for a strong tax code and a budget sufficient to meet our public investment needs.
• <00:55:42.960> and<00:55:43.080> a advocate for, uh, strong tax code and a advocate
• I'm the director of tax, fiscal policy, and elections for the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.
• Too many elected officials understand this child care crisis.
• , away with not modernizing the tax code, away with not modernizing the tax code, but<01:40:08.920

Bills: HF4561, HF4343

Keywords: homeless prevention aid, homelessness, housing stability, rental assistance, family homelessness, unaccompanied youth, housing navigation, legal representation, family outreach, county aid, Tribal governments, local government aid, general fund appropriation, unspent funds, aid redistribution, sunset repeal, Minnesota property tax aid, services for persons experiencing homelessness, sales tax, use tax

Transcript Highlights:

• But when it talks about complying with state and state building code and state fire code, the issue is
• , state building code and state fire code, state building code and state fire code, the<01:28:08.320
• and fire codes does it apply?
• code just like any other building that's built must meet those codes.
• Minnesota that are never built to a code Minnesota that are never built to a code because<01:33:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Unfortunately, the existing penalty statutes are not well suited to address serious code violations,
• Faith Borgias on behalf of the California Association of Code Enforcement Officers, a proud co-sponsor
• The primary goal of code enforcement is compliance with health and safety laws.
• If they choose, they elect. Sure, so their best interest, of course.
• If they choose, they elect. Sure, so their best interest, of course.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills. AB 416 would allow emergency room physicians to initiate 5150 mental health holds, with supporters saying it would reduce emergency room bottlenecks and speed care for patients in crisis. County and behavioral health representatives opposed the bill, and some members raised broader concerns about the 5150 system and juvenile placements. The bill was ultimately approved on a do-pass as amended vote. AB 446, the Surveillance Pricing Act, drew extensive testimony. The author and supporters argued it would prohibit businesses from using personal data to charge different prices for the same product or service, describing the practice as discriminatory and exploitative. Business and industry groups opposed the bill, warning that its language was too broad, could affect discounts and loyalty programs, and would create litigation risk through a private right of action. After discussion about enforcement and possible amendments, the bill passed on a do-pass motion. AB 632 would give local governments a faster way to collect penalties for serious code violations, including unsafe housing, fire hazards, and illegal cannabis activity, by allowing certain fines to become money judgments and clarifying lien authority. It had support from county and city groups and no opposition was voiced in the hearing; the bill passed as amended. ACA 7, a constitutional amendment intended to clarify and limit misuse of Section 31A, also moved forward after brief support testimony. The committee then took up AB 649, which would extend protections for businesses that proactively obtain certified access specialist inspections and fix accessibility violations; the author, a small business owner, and others testified in support, while disability rights groups moved to neutral after amendments. Members discussed the balance between access enforcement and reducing predatory litigation, and the bill was still under consideration as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• The amendment is coded A3.
• The amendment is coded.
• The amendment is coded A.
• The amendment is coded A-6.
• The amendment is coded A23.

Transcript Highlights:

• need because they're super old and we need to keep up with it to meet the requirements of building codes
• :20.640> building to meet the requirements of building to meet the requirements of building codes
• Uh we need to codes.
• to identify only two proposals elected to identify only two proposals in<01:01:49.280> the<01
• and out of country, Japan, New Texas and out of country, Japan, New Zealand.<03:30:00.399> You

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Taxpayers need to know how to comply with our tax code.
• Taxpayers need to know how to comply with our tax code.
• The cities have their own tax codes; they have their own enforcement mechanisms.
• If I have to think about the different tax codes, different tax rates, and everything for all of the
• You know, every city, every county, every elected official could come up with a plan.

Bills: HB2143, HB2273, HB2290, HB2373, HB2784, HB2794, HB4037

Keywords: public safety, retirement system, investments, trust fund, board of trustees, financial report, income tax rebate, Pinal County, taxpayer eligibility, state revenue, financial assistance, transaction privilege tax, business location, tangible personal property, shared vehicle, sourcing, income tax, veterans, donations, tax refunds

Transcript Highlights:

• And this is why we have elected officials to make those decisions that we elected them for.
• And this is why we have elected officials to make those decisions that we elected them for.
• our local elected officials.
• our local elected officials.
• And I'm just so sick of the way we treat and what our elected officials do, our local elected officials

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• amendments, a bill for an act to create a new section to chapter 15-11 of the North Dakota Century Code
• amendments, a bill for an act to amend and reenact section 21-10-07.1 of the North Dakota Century Code
• couple of reasons, you know, this is the first time we've listed a specific nation in the Century Code
• And the House took a look at it and they said, well, we're going to set those fees in code.
• This is largely the way the Senate passed it, but it just clarifies it in code.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Senate met with a quorum present and handled a mix of conference committee appointments, appropriations bills, policy bills, and House amendments. Early in the session, the chamber appointed conference committees for SB 2399 and for House-amended SBs 2213 and 2354, and also named conference committees for HB 103, HB 1308, and HB 1169. The Senate then took up several appropriations measures, including HB 1612, which creates the North Dakota Center for Aerospace Medicine at UND; the Senate adopted an amendment shifting the funding to a one-time $250,000 Community Health Trust Fund appropriation with a required $250,000 match from other sources, and the bill passed 39-7. HB 1193, the “Back the Blue” grant, was amended to make the funding one-time and focus on officer retention, then passed 41-5. HB 1329, a government spending database proposal for school districts, was amended into a legislative study and passed 42-4. HB 1020, the water budget, received extensive amendments reducing and reallocating funding across major water projects, adding studies and oversight changes, and passed 45-0 with the emergency clause. HB 1581, a tribal tourism grant, also passed 40-6. The Senate rejected HB 1330, which would have authorized divestment from direct investments in Chinese companies; after debate over the prudent investor rule, trade impacts, and whether the bill singled out one nation in law, it failed 20-26. HB 1534, limiting property valuation increases, and HB 1266, adjusting the disabled veterans property tax credit, both failed unanimously or nearly so after committee recommendations against them. HB 1566, which would have created a regulatory framework for a product discussed as kratom, was amended on the floor to convert it into a study and then passed 31-15. The chamber also passed HB 2241 on charter schools after a House amendment changed the funding formula to the statewide average from the prior year, and HB 2022, the indigent legal counsel budget, after House changes added funding flexibility, offset lost fee revenue, and included a study on a public defender office. The Senate concurred in several House amendments and then passed a number of Senate bills. SB 2375, allowing joint negotiations between dental providers and insurers under Attorney General oversight, passed 44-2. SB 2251, clarifying that open records requests during state audits should be referred to the audited agency, passed 46-0. SB 2159, related to nuclear energy research, passed 43-3 after House amendments required Industrial Commission approval and consultation with the radioactive waste advisory council. SB 2155, changing gratis antelope license rules, passed 30-16 after debate over landowner rights and tag distribution. SB 251, setting fees and an audit for the Private Investigative and Security Board, passed 44-2. SB 2280, the prior authorization health insurance bill, passed 43-3 with a House-added study and consumer protections. SB 2023, the Racing Commission budget, passed 41-5 after a House change made internship funding one-time. SB 2232, changing prenatal substance exposure reporting requirements and related toxicology rules, passed 44-2. SB 2241, authorizing public charter schools, passed 39-7. The session ended while the Senate was still processing SB 2022’s final passage vote, but the bill had already cleared concurrence on House amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• The conversation was about updating our tax code and how the economy works now. Exactly.
• code and how the economy works now. code and how the economy works now.
• , can fluctuate with whoever gets elected, can fluctuate with whoever gets elected, and<00:15:56.320
• And those people are elected locally.
• And those people are elected locally.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This has been a very long time coming and an issue that I first learned about when I got elected back
• Thank you. ...up in zip codes that are underfunded, overpoliced, and underserved are already carrying
• As a Jewish woman and elected official, this date holds deep meaning. Thank you.
• As a Jewish woman and elected official, this date holds deep meaning.
• We are all elected officials and we are responsible to make policy, to protect our community.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, quorum confirmed, and several recognitions, including a moment of silence for retired fire captain Bill Guston and a welcome for guests in the galleries. The Speaker then outlined the House’s budget approach, saying the proposed General Appropriations Act would be lower than both the governor’s proposal and last year’s budget, and announced plans to seek a permanent 0.75% reduction in the state sales tax. The chamber also received the governor’s veto message on portions of HB 5001 and began considering motions to restore several vetoed appropriations. Members unanimously reinstated funding for the Florida Senior Veterans and Crisis Fund, the Rockledge Advanced Water Treatment Phase 1 project, the automated staffing/time management system for the Department of Corrections, and the Baldwin sanitary sewer and water main replacement project. The House also adopted special order and GAA amendment-procedure reports. On the special order calendar, the chamber passed HB 289 on boating safety (“Lucy’s Law”), HB 735 on water access facilities, HB 11 on municipal water and sewer utility rates, CS/HB 85 on hazardous walking conditions, and CS/HB 157 on service of process, all by wide margins. The most debated measure was HB 6017, which would repeal Florida’s “free kill” law limiting wrongful-death damages in medical negligence cases. Supporters described the bill as a long-sought justice measure for families who lost adult children and were barred from suing, while opponents argued it was needed to provide accountability and fairness. The bill passed 104-6. The House then took up HB 759, which would lower the minimum age to purchase or transfer a firearm from 21 to 18. An amendment to keep the age at 21 was defeated, and debate featured strong arguments on both sides about constitutional rights, public safety, Parkland, military service, and data on youth violence; the transcript ends during continued debate on the bill, before final passage is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• that means is if Senator Dibble, for example, if you had a transponder to use the E-ZPass and you elected
• transponder to use the Easy Pass uh and transponder to use the Easy Pass uh and you<00:03:10.000> elected
• 10.799> the<00:03:11.000> time<00:03:11.280> that<00:03:11.360> you you elected
• at the time that you you elected at the time that you purchased<00:03:12.080> your<00:03:12.519
• uh in federal code great thank you<00:16:45.639> Senator<00:16:46.000> dble<00:16:46.360

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And he said, "Oh, was that one of the cases in Texas?" And I said, "No, today is Good Friday."
• And likewise in the ancient<00:17:24.160> Irish<00:17:24.640> legal<00:17:24.959> code
• 00:17:25.199> of<00:17:25.280> the<00:17:25.439> Brehanss ancient Irish legal code
• of the Brehanss ancient Irish legal code of the Brehanss which<00:17:26.240> lasted<00:17:26.640
• Uh last year as an elected Uh last year as an elected representative,<04:03:27.279> as<04

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we election to a statewide election.
• election, but I can't contact them? election, but I can't contact them?
• Do you vote in every election? >> Yes, I vote in every election.
• >> I vote in every election. >> I vote in every election.
• try and uh vote the next election? try and uh vote the next election?

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Lowenthal; 2652, Sharp Collins; 2693, Alvarez; 2724, Bauer-Kahan; 2766, Evans; 2786, Committee on Elections
• a governor-appointed education commissioner to lead the Department of Education and shifting the elected
• For individuals who have elected to give back to their communities through teaching, AB 2417 provides
• I'm here to present AB 1664, which would require a local agency, political subdivision, or elections
• Adequate notice or legal standing to respond quickly when election materials are seized or subpoenaed

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Lowenthal; 2652, Sharp Collins; 2693, Alvarez; 2724, Bauer-Kahan; 2766, Evans; 2786, Committee on Elections
• For individuals that have elected to give back to their communities through teaching, AB 2417 provides
• For individuals that have elected to give back to their communities through teaching, AB 2417 provides
• I'm here to present AB 1664, which would require a local agency, political subdivision, or elections
• Adequate notice or legal standing to respond quickly when election materials are seized or subpoenaed

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on May 6, 2026, with a quorum present and began by approving a large consent calendar of bills on two unanimous-support motions. The committee then heard a series of individual bills, with authors and sponsors generally describing low or absorbable state costs and asking for aye votes. Topics included AI/digital safety education for students (AB 1792), hepatitis C treatment access (AB 1843), rent-now-pay-later consumer protections (AB 2350), retirement information for community college faculty (AB 2417), cannabis regulation changes including tribal commerce, drive-through sales, and beverage labeling (AB 2506, AB 2697, AB 2532), emergency equipment training for law enforcement volunteers (AB 1913), cannery law modernization (AB 2706), child care planning in local governments (AB 1914), EV charger permitting fees (AB 1820), election-record notice requirements (AB 1664), nursing home discharge notices (AB 2135), a San Diego energization-delay pilot (AB 2518), mental health training for school coaches (AB 1665), and education governance and oversight changes (AB 2117). Several bills were described as committee or sponsor measures with technical or clarifying changes, including AB 2780, AB 2615, AB 2121, and AB 2771. Testimony was largely supportive, often from sponsor groups, industry representatives, labor, or advocacy organizations. Notable support included TechNet for AB 1792, the California State Sheriffs’ Association for AB 1913, California Dairies and food manufacturers for AB 2706, the Low Income Investment Fund for AB 1914, EV and environmental groups for AB 1820, the Attorney General’s Office for AB 1664, long-term care ombudsman advocates for AB 2135, and the California State Association of Psychiatrists for the cannabis and mental-health-related bills. Some bills drew limited opposition or “opposed unless amended” positions, including AB 2350, AB 1820, and AB 2506, while AB 2697 and AB 2532 were presented as efforts to support the legal cannabis market and consumer safety. The committee also heard a presentation-only item, AB 2541, creating a lowrider specialty license plate, which drew enthusiastic bipartisan comments and co-author requests from members. Most bills were reported out with due pass recommendations, many on roll call and several with specific members not voting or voting no. AB 1664 was reported out as due pass as amended and placed on call before later being moved out on a B roll call. AB 2350 and AB 1914 were also later reported out from call on B roll calls, with AB 1914 noted as passing despite some Republican no votes. The suspense calendar was then deemed approved without individual action, and the meeting concluded after a brief public comment period in which members of the public voiced positions on unrelated bills, including support for AB 2497, AB 1729, AB 2189, AB 1575, AB 2170, and opposition to AB 1603, AB 2447, AB 2411, AB 2492, and AB 1952.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is because of these difficult times many, if not all, have been elected to this Senate and ran for
• It is because of these difficult times many, if not all, have been elected to this Senate ran for office
• The Senator of the First District, Senator Gates, chair of the Ethics and Elections Committee, you are
• The Committee on Ethics and Elections submits its report with recommendations.
• And some kids don't have a chance because of the school they get placed in because of their zip code.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions, including recognition of Alpha Kappa Alpha Founders’ Day and a visiting debate student. The chamber then took up a committee report on 52 executive appointments. After explanation by Ethics and Elections Chair Don Gates, the Senate adopted the report and confirmed the appointments by a vote of 39-0. The first major bill was SB 250 on rural communities. Senator Simon described it as a broad rural development package creating an Office of Rural Prosperity, a Renaissance Grant Program for counties losing population, housing and transportation investments, additional funding for rural education, and rural health care measures. Two amendments were adopted to remove overlapping health provisions in light of a new federal rural health grant and to update hospital funding estimates. Senators from both parties spoke in support, while also asking about eligibility and access to grant funds. The bill passed 39-0. The Senate then considered CS/SB 318 on educational scholarship programs. Senator Gates said the bill responds to Auditor General concerns by separating scholarship funding from public school funding, requiring student identification and enrollment verification, reducing administrative fees for scholarship funding organizations, requiring annual audits, and directing the Department of Education to develop a competitive selection and performance plan for those organizations. Three amendments were adopted, including removal of a declining-enrollment provision for later conforming legislation and changes to enrollment documentation and withdrawal procedures. Senators from both parties supported the bill while raising concerns about accountability, student oversight, and school quality. The bill passed 38-0. Afterward, the Senate waived rules so SB 250 and CS/SB 318 could be immediately certified to the House. The session ended with announcements, including Palm Beach County Day at the Capitol and a reminder about the chamber group photograph, followed by adjournment until the next scheduled meeting.