Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:17:20.240><c> General's</c> and to consult the Attorney General's and to consult the Attorney
• Um, and this bill was written to address gaps that were identified by the Attorney General's office after
• Um, and this bill was written to address gaps that were identified by the Attorney General's office after
• Um, and this bill was written to address gaps that were identified by the Attorney General's office after
• Attorney General's office after the murder of Marisol Fuentes.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not an attorney, but I am vaguely familiar with it, yes. Sure.
• Uh, the Attorney General said that and he argued when we were trying to change the maps back then, and
• >> I'm not an attorney. >> I didn't ask you if you were an attorney. Will you testify, sir?
• You seem to be the expert on redistricting for Alabama. >> I'm not an attorney and I don't testify in
• Davis, Deputy Attorney General under Edmund LaCour, Solicitor General, and Michael Taunton.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair and members, SB 1148, Supreme Court attorney licensing, prohibits the Supreme Court from
• SB 1039, attorney discipline investigations costs...
• SB 1039 entitles an attorney who prevails in an attorney discipline matter to file a claim against the
• State Bar of Arizona if the attorney suffers damage to reputation.
• It also entitles an attorney who prevails in an attorney discipline matter to loss of earnings, which

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The committee heard a long series of Senate bills, mostly on third-read consent, covering education, public safety, health, courts, labor, and water. Several bills were briefly explained and then pulled from consent for further discussion, including measures on public records review standards (SB 1078), sexually explicit materials in schools/libraries (SB 1435 and SB 1567), burial costs in death cases (SB 1135), military flags in HOAs/COAs (SB 1184), court-ordered treatment guardianship (SB 1243), standardized state hiring (SB 1665), released-time religious instruction (SB 1741), firearm safety instruction in schools (SB 1424), student participation in extracurriculars after certain convictions (SB 1475), Celebrate Freedom Week (SB 1572), federal scholarship-granting organizations/vouchers (SB 1142), immigration-related arrest notifications (SB 1055), defamation standards (SB 1099), peace officer certification for military police veterans (SB 1107), mandatory reporting of child abuse/neglect directly to DCS (SB 1127), attorney licensing and discipline issues (SB 1148 and SB 1039), concealed weapons on college campuses (SB 1068), and firearm muffling devices/silencers (SB 1069). Members also raised constitutional, policy, and school-safety concerns on several of these bills, while supporters emphasized alternative pathways for students, veterans, and workers, and tighter reporting or licensing rules. Other bills were described without extended debate, including claims against the state for unpaid contracted services (SB 1097), workers’ compensation death benefits for surviving spouses who remarry (SB 1136), burial expense increases (SB 1135), state agency web pages for internal guidance (SB 1586), court-ordered treatment procedures and service of process in mental health cases (SB 1113), medical examiner authorization (SB 1123), tribal MOUs with DCS (SB 1125), controlled-substance scheduling conformity with federal classifications (SB 1188), EMT personal information protections (SB 1193), mammography notice updates (SB 1318), assisted-living referral disclosures (SB 1477), accommodation school GED instruction for 11th graders and students over 16 (SB 1166), credit enhancement board continuation (SB 1422), school district and charter school obligations related to religious release time (SB 1741), school firearm safety instruction (SB 1424), and school civics/freedom-week instruction (SB 1572). The committee also heard bills on CPA certification pathways (SB 1181), insurance adjuster licensing (SB 1415), county voter-registration rules online (SB 1040), campaign address privacy (SB 1259), federal land acquisition notification (SB 1281), water supply/demand assessments (SB 1202), environmental compatibility for power plants and small modular reactors (SB 1418), and groundwater recovery rules (SB 1785). The meeting ended with announcements and a brief recognition of Rep. Stephanie Hamilton with an “Affordability Award.” No final votes are shown in the transcript excerpt; instead, many bills were either left on consent, pulled for later discussion, or flagged for closed caucus. The chair then asked guests to leave so members could hold a closed caucus.

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Olivia Lee, and I'm an attorney on the education team at Disability Rights Texas testifying
• My question is, um, um, uh, I'm sorry, the attorney there. They this change uh Lee, Ms.
• And you think it's a vendor bill because of attorneys and that it's, it supports a cottage industry of
• attorney for this, for attorneys, courts and attorneys.
• in to represent the school district, but they already have their attorneys, yeah.

Bills: HB6, HB120, HB210

Keywords: hemp, consumable hemp products, hemp-derived cannabinoids, CBD, cannabidiol, CBG, cannabigerol, Texas hemp law, hemp regulation, cannabinoid products, delta-9 THC, intoxicating hemp, hemp gummies, hemp vape, retail registration, product registration, QR code labeling, child-resistant packaging, youth access, minor sales

Transcript Highlights:

• I have a question, Noah, that maybe since you're—are you an attorney?
• I have a question, Noah, that maybe since you're – are you an attorney? Mr. Chair, Senator standby.
• I have a question, Noah, that maybe since you're—are you an attorney? Mr.
• And we even had a couple of other county attorneys that were responsible for this nonsense.
• And we even had a couple of other county attorneys that were responsible for this nonsense.

Bills: SB1055, SB1065

Keywords: immigration enforcement, law enforcement, illegal aliens, state legislation, civil penalties, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, veterans, military health, mental health treatment, funding allocation, 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, I don’t think we understand that the attorney general is being forced to do this measure for the
• Why is the attorney general being forced to pay for entities private sector to sue using our funding?
• Uh, I don’t think we understand that the attorney general is being forced to do this measure for the
• Why is the attorney general being forced to pay for entities private sector to sue using our funding?
• Why is the attorney general being forced to pay for entities private sector to sue using our funding?

Bills: SB2088, SB2925, SB3263, SB2047, SB2087, SB2100, SB2268, SB2353, SB2781, SB2902

Keywords: coconut trees, tax credit, natural management, Hawaii, agriculture, biosecurity, environment, coconut rhinoceros beetle, student-athletes, name image likeness, NIL, compensation, transparency, University of Hawaii, Title IX, funding, protections, pharmacy benefit managers, maximum allowable cost, drug pricing

Summary: The joint committee on Ways and Means and Consumer Protection met for decision-making only on two agendas and took action on a large number of Senate bills, with no oral testimony heard. On the 1016 agenda, the committee recommended passage of measures including SB 2088, SB 2925, SB 2781, and several others, and passed a number of bills with amendments. Notable amendments included SB 3263, which adopted AG amendments related to the name, image, and likeness endowment trust fund; SB 2047 on pharmacy benefit managers, which incorporated Hawaii Pharmacist Association changes; SB 2087 on health insurance, which added Insurance Division clarifications; SB 2100 on pesticides, which added a blank appropriation; SB 2353 on outdoor signage, which removed provisions related to the Wiki special district; and SB 2902 on renewable energy, which clarified certification standards for portable solar devices and exempted them from certain disclosure requirements. Most recommendations were adopted without objection, though a few members noted reservations on selected bills. The committee also deferred one bill on the agenda, SB 3327. The committee then moved to the 1015 agenda and acted on additional measures. SB 2003 was passed with amendments tied to Act 255, including a repeal trigger if deadlines are missed; SB 2497 on utility-related transparency drew the most discussion, with one member warning about litigation and costs while another argued it was simply about electricity-rate transparency, and it ultimately passed with PUC-related amendments and an exemption for utility cooperatives. Other measures were passed unamended or with technical or fiscal amendments, including bills affecting land planning, tax credits, conveyance tax language, shoreline maintenance, and community improvement projects. Several bills had appropriations blanked or effective dates deferred to 2050, and many were adopted with members noting reservations rather than opposition. On the 1017 agenda, the committee continued approving measures, including SB 709 on crisis intervention officers and assisted community treatment, SB 2153 on defining bona fide farmer/agriculture activity, SB 2694 on water rate adjustments, SB 3025 on income eligibility limits, and SB 3085 on the Hawaii film studio, which included a five-year repeal provision if the studio has not relocated. The committee also passed numerous other bills unamended or with technical amendments, often deferring effective dates or blanking appropriations. Across both agendas, the committee’s actions were largely consistent: bills were advanced with amendments tailored to agency requests, technical corrections, or fiscal adjustments, and votes were generally unanimous or near-unanimous with occasional reservations recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• We went and saw our construction attorney.
• And Les was an attorney in Spokane. Unfortunately, he's passed now.
• Then it was the DOJ's turn, and their attorney got up there and got all warmed up.
• And Tony said right to him, our attorney, “That ship has sailed.
• And Tony said right to him, our attorney, he says, that ship has sailed.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The House Resources and Conservation Committee heard several measures, beginning with approval of the February 13 minutes and a new page introduction. The committee first took up HJM 13, a memorial urging implementation of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Sackett decision and limiting EPA/Army Corps enforcement over wetlands and waters of the United States. Mike and Chantelle Sackett gave extensive testimony about their 20-year legal fight with federal agencies, joined by attorneys, landowners, and industry representatives who said the ruling is not being followed consistently and that clearer direction is needed. The committee voted to send HJM 13 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then considered HB 737, which would merge the Office of Species Conservation and the Office of Energy and Minerals Resources. Representative Boyle said the offices have similar permitting-related missions and could work more efficiently together. Idaho Conservation League opposed the bill, arguing the offices have distinct responsibilities and merging them could create conflicts of interest and jeopardize species conservation funding. Supporters from industry and committee members said the merger could improve coordination and reduce delays. The committee approved HB 737 for the floor with a due pass recommendation. Next, the committee heard HJM 14, which asks federal agencies to cooperate with Idaho on fast-tracking research, planning, and feasibility work for increasing reservoir storage capacity in East Idaho. The memorial drew little opposition, and the committee sent it to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The final major bill was HB 676, which would allow municipal geothermal heating systems to use the reasonably anticipated future needs water-right process if the system is non-consumptive and reinjects water. Support came from Boise officials, water users, geothermal experts, and business owners who said the bill would streamline expansion of geothermal heating. A retired water attorney raised concerns about applying the municipal water-right framework to geothermal systems and asked for more time, but the committee ultimately voted to send HB 676 to the floor with a due pass recommendation before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Attorney General, who chose to certify this ballot question, the Attorney General who apparently
• The Attorney General has chosen to sit on the sidelines. Now, On the sidelines.
• Not a Republican Attorney General, I'll have you know that.
• This was the Democratic Attorney General.
• clarity as to what the Attorney General approved and didn't approve.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House first took up House Bill 58, a fiscal year 2025 supplemental appropriations bill. The chamber adopted a further amendment offered by Rep. Michael Witts of Boston, then concurred with the Senate as amended after a roll call vote of 128-23. The House then moved to the orders of the day and considered the proposed permanent joint rules for the 2025-2026 session (House No. 2026 / Senate No. 18), with Rep. Moran of Brighton presenting the package as a set of transparency and process reforms, including joint committee procedures, a 60-day reporting deadline, public posting of summaries and testimony, and revised formal session timing. A series of minority amendments offered largely by Rep. Jones of North Reading and others were debated and repeatedly rejected, including proposals to require roll call votes for post-July 31 formal business, require two weeks’ notice for such sessions, publish State Auditor audits on the legislative website, require SJC advisory opinions on constitutional disputes, extend poll windows to two hours, require advance notice of electronic polls, and lengthen amendment filing deadlines. Supporters argued these changes would improve transparency, accountability, and member access; opponents said they would slow the legislative process and reduce flexibility. Most of these amendments failed on roll call votes by margins of 128-23 or similar, while a technical amendment from Rep. Galvin was adopted. The House then adopted the joint rules package by roll call, 128-23. The chamber also adopted the House rules package for the 2025-2026 session (House No. 2024) after debate led by Rep. Galvin of Canton, who emphasized modernization, online transparency, in-person participation, and an outside audit and EEO officer. Additional minority amendments on committee reporting, timing of formal business, and poll procedures were debated and defeated, while one technical amendment was adopted. The House later returned to the issue of legislative audits, rejecting an amendment to require House audits by the State Auditor after a lengthy debate over Question 1, separation of powers, and the scope of the auditor’s authority. The session ended with a memorial tribute to former Rep. Carol Doherty and an order to adjourn until the next day at 11 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• , and additional attorneys and other stakeholders, including teachers and staff from schools.
• County attorneys and additional attorneys and other stakeholders, including teachers and staff from schools
• You also have the attorneys that represent the children and the parents, and we have the judges.
• I want to recognize Attorney General Alex Ritchie from San Carlos.
• And I quickly want to recognize Attorney General Alex Ritchie from San Carlos.

Summary: The Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on the Department of Child Safety met to review child welfare reforms developed after prior oversight hearings on the deaths of Emily Pike, Zariah Dodd, and Rebecca Baptiste. Committee members and the chair described a series of stakeholder meetings with tribes, DCS, law enforcement, county attorneys, schools, and other advocates that produced several bills aimed at improving communication, reporting, investigations, and court decision-making. The chair said SB 1125, creating a tribal-DCS memorandum of understanding, had already been signed, and highlighted HB 1126 on school records access, HB 1127 on mandatory reporting by people with direct knowledge, HB 1174 on hotline case history and review of prior reports, HB 1175 on photo documentation of children in care, HB 1496 on allowing attorneys to share more safety information with judges, and HB 1631 requiring advanced forensic interviews within 72 hours in sexual abuse cases, with some exceptions. DCS Director Catherine Patak presented agency data showing nearly 160,000 hotline calls in 2025, about 43,000 investigations, and a relatively steady out-of-home care population that ended the year at 7,077 children. She said about 3,000 children were reunified, 1,300 adopted, and 800 entered guardianship, while 1,100 young adults received transition services. She also reported 534 new foster homes licensed, a 50% reimbursement increase for older youth caregivers, a 40% decrease in youth missing from care since September 2024, and a 30% reduction in fatalities of children in care since 2024. Patak discussed the annual fatality review process, noting that 52 of 123 alleged fatality or near-fatality reports had prior DCS involvement, and described agency responses such as health plans for children with complex medical needs, a diabetes training app, expanded LifeSet services, fentanyl and safe-sleep prevention campaigns, staffing realignment, retention efforts, and improved coordination with law enforcement and tribes. Members asked about group home notification rules, the distinction between “missing” and “runaway,” behavioral health needs driving children back into care, training under Jacob’s Law, and whether best practices exist for placing sexually abused youth with appropriate staff. Patak said DCS is updating rules to remove “runaway” and “AWOL” in favor of “missing,” and that the agency is considering whether the statute’s immediate-or-24-hour reporting language should be clarified. She also said DCS does not currently have a specific staffing requirement tied to a child’s sex in group homes, but would look into practices in other states. The committee then heard from Malcolm Hightower of Casey Family Programs, who said Arizona is generally in the middle of the pack nationally: slightly higher than average in foster care entries and congregate care use, but near the national average on screening, substantiation, recurrence, re-entry, and maltreatment fatalities. He praised Arizona’s kin placement rate, said congregate care remains a challenge, and noted that neglect definitions and poverty-related removals remain an area of policy discussion. Finally, K.C. Melsick of Collaborative Safety described the organization’s safety-science approach to systemic critical incident reviews, arguing that child welfare systems should move away from blame and toward learning from near-misses and system failures. Members discussed applying similar methods across state agencies, and the committee adjourned after members and witnesses emphasized continued collaboration and further reforms in the interim and next session.

Transcript Highlights:

• After the review of the matter by the Attorney General, if they believe that there's a violation...
• General may... ...not to respond and cure the violation, then the Attorney General may file an action
• If the Attorney General believes the refusal to comply by the public official is willful, that means
• Senators, this legislation funnels unprecedented authority into the office of the Attorney General. .
• ..funnels unprecedented authority into the office of the Attorney General, concentrating political and

Summary: The Senate met with a quorum present and began with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the journal. The chamber then processed a large number of messages and committee reports, including enrollment/transmittal actions for several bills and resolutions. Senate Concurrent Resolution 128, which approved temporary and pending administrative rules and rejected others, was adopted and transmitted to the House. The Senate also received and introduced several House bills, including appropriations measures and other legislation, and moved through multiple orders of business with several recesses and at-ease periods while awaiting paperwork and additional House action. The main floor action centered on a series of appropriation bills and one policy bill. House Bill 973, a supplemental appropriation for the Military Division to replace climate control systems at Gowen Field, passed 29-2. House Bill 975, which would have limited transfers from the Budget Stabilization Fund and left the higher balance in place, passed 19-13 after debate over whether the money should instead be used to address budget shortfalls and service cuts. House Bill 976, changing how local highway distribution funds are allocated, passed 32-0. House Bill 972, a trailer appropriation for the Department of Health and Welfare tied to SNAP eligibility system changes, passed 25-8. House Bill 974, an appropriation for the Idaho State Police to implement a new pay plan and related funding structure, passed 33-0. House Bill 978, a Health and Welfare appropriation restoring the Immune Assessment Fund and related public health funding, passed 24-11 after discussion of vaccine access and cost savings. The Senate also considered House Bill 896, a civil enforcement bill that would allow certain officials to seek Attorney General review of alleged violations of statutory prohibitions and, after court process and a finding of willful violation, could render a public official ineligible to hold office for up to five years. Supporters framed it as a due-process-based accountability measure, while opponents argued it was overly broad, centralized power in the Attorney General, and could be weaponized against local officials. The bill failed 8-27. Later, House Bill 959, dealing with initiative procedures and budget caps for fire protection and ambulance districts, passed 33-0. The Senate then completed final transmittals, received gubernatorial messages, and adjourned sine die at the close of the second regular session of the 68th Legislature.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then when we come back in June, we're going to hear the Attorney General.
• I've been told that an attorney general said otherwise.
• I've been told that an attorney general said otherwise.
• He said they told the Attorney General how they wanted to do it, and the Attorney General said, okay.
• Again, committee, in June, we're going to have the Attorney General budget.

Summary: The Budget Section’s Commerce and Legal Services division met to review the Department of Commerce base budget and current program activities for the 2027-29 biennium. Legislative Council staff first walked through a new “blue sheet” summary explaining what is included in Commerce’s base budget, with emphasis on salaries, operating costs, and especially grant authority funded largely by federal dollars. Members asked about how grant funding is coordinated across agencies, and staff noted that some programs, such as LIHEAP and UAS-related work, involve interagency collaboration and federal budget authority that may not match exact cash received. Commerce Commissioner Chris Schilke then presented on grant administration, the department’s transparency page, and several grant programs, including Destination Development and Automate ND. Members questioned how many entities apply for grants, what criteria are used, whether return on investment is tracked, and how long grant awards take to reach recipients. A lengthy exchange followed over whether Commerce must follow state procurement law or instead administer grants using its own “best practices” process; the commissioner said the department’s approach was based on legal guidance and competitive grantmaking, while some legislators argued the process should more closely reflect legislative intent. The department also highlighted the North Dakota Development Fund, child care loans, and workforce initiatives. Commerce described Development Fund investments, including examples of successful projects and a child care loan program that has supported 43 active businesses serving 3,754 children. Staff also outlined a new non-primary-sector lending framework and said a workforce and housing sub-cabinet are working on more coordinated statewide strategies. Workforce Director Katie Ralston Howell presented a broad workforce-system assessment, a new shared vision, and task forces focused on simplifying entry, improving warm handoffs, and building a public dashboard of shared metrics; members discussed higher education alignment, career pathways, and the need for better handoffs from schools to employers. No formal votes were taken, and the meeting ended with plans to continue these budget discussions in June, including the Attorney General budget.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Laurel Nesbitt, an attorney with Disability Rights New Mexico, and I served on the Senate Memorial
• I didn't hear from a whole lot of teachers; I heard from union people, I heard from attorneys.
• Landlord-tenant disputes, small claims, power of attorney, name changes, etc.
• Could you elaborate on some of the services that are needed for an attorney?
• that be an attorney from UNM, or would it be an outside attorney that's applying?

Bills: SB106, SB171, SB179

Keywords: graduate scholarship, higher education funding, New Mexico, appropriation, financial aid, education, documentary, historical figure, Padre Antonio Jose Martinez, Northern New Mexico State School, SB179, Senate Bill 179, UNM, University of New Mexico, medical Spanish, Spanish-language curriculum, health sciences, health professions education, language access, bilingual healthcare

Transcript Highlights:

• And so the first one is the attorneys and general counsels.
• And so the first one is the attorneys and general counsels.
• You mentioned attorney raises. Are those for attorneys that are in the...
• As mentioned, attorney raises, are those for attorneys that are in the AG's office, or is that attorney
• It would be attorneys that are in the Attorney General's office, as well as state agencies.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Summary: The committee first took up SB 7010, which would authorize post-tax Roth contributions in state and local deferred compensation plans, instead of limiting them to pre-tax contributions. After a brief presentation and one waived appearance in support, the bill was rolled and reported favorably. Later, members also recorded affirmative votes on SB 7010 before adjournment. The bulk of the meeting was devoted to the Governor’s proposed “Floridians First” budget, presented by Lita Kelly of the Office of Policy and Budget. She outlined a $117.4 billion spending plan with $53.2 billion in general revenue, emphasizing reserves, debt reduction, trust fund sweeps, and targeted reductions in agency positions. Major priorities included K-12 and higher education funding, teacher salary support, school hardening, Everglades and water-quality projects, cancer and behavioral health initiatives, emergency preparedness, law enforcement, corrections staffing and facilities, cybersecurity, transportation, affordable housing, and economic development. Members asked extensive questions about teacher pay, corrections staffing, emergency response reserves, the proposed federal reimbursement for the Everglades detention facility, the Second Amendment sales tax holiday, the animal abuse hotline, and the absence of a specific Hope Florida line item. A major portion of the discussion focused on the Department of Health’s planned changes to the ADAP HIV/AIDS drug assistance program, with public testimony warning that the changes could cut off access to medications for thousands of Floridians and alleging misuse of federal funds. Kelly said she would follow up on several details, including litigation costs, teacher pay comparisons, and ADAP funding questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Then the facility must ascertain whether the resident has a legal guardian or power of attorney in their
• or a medical power of attorney, which most long-term care facilities aren't going to know.
• Same way with a power of attorney.
• I can revoke my power of attorney tomorrow or today or right now.
• It just lets the legal guardian or those with the power of attorney understand what's going on and so

Transcript Highlights:

• and the gaming commission now has to prove that it will not be for charitable purposes in order to prosecute
• be for charitable purposes in<00:44:26.640><c> order</c><00:44:26.800><c> to</c><00:44:26.960><c> prosecute
• </c><00:44:27.839><c> So</c><00:44:28.000><c> the</c><00:44:28.160><c> the</c> in order to prosecute
• So the the in order to prosecute them.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'm interested also in chronic litigants, and let's just call them chronic attorney plaintiffs—attorneys
• The average attorney payout is $352,000. So these are what I would call mill attorneys.
• These 10 attorney firms are filing cases, 90% of the cases filed in the state of California.
• The average attorney payout is $352,000. So these are what I would call mill attorneys.
• These 10 attorney firms are filing cases, 90% of the cases filed in the state of California.

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:

• The current makeup of the commission includes two state attorneys and two public defenders.
• Senate Bill 758, as filed, would expand the makeup of the commission to include two state attorneys,
• defense attorney, and a chief judge of the circuit, just to provide a little more balance that they
• , public defenders, of office supporting court-related entities, such as our state attorneys, public
• The current makeup of the commission includes two state attorneys and two public defenders.

Bills: S0052, S0502, S0624, S0758, S0834, S0840

Keywords: places of worship, house of worship, church, mosque, synagogue, religious security, armed security, volunteer security, private security, security guard licensing, licensure exemption, Florida Statutes chapter 493, Class G license, Class C license, security services, faith-based institutions, public safety, military jurisdiction, delinquency, concurrent jurisdiction

Summary: The committee considered several bills and reported each favorably. SB 624, by Senator Yarborough, would allow batterers intervention programs to offer optional supplemental faith-based activities, with no participant required to take part. Supporters said it would expand provider options and help address a shortage of certified programs; opponents raised concerns about mixing government-ordered programming with religion and about the state’s prior rule change. The bill passed 7-2. The committee also approved CS/SB 834, which repeals a 2022 restriction barring licensed insurance agents from partnering with health care sharing ministries to market or sell their programs. The sponsor and supporters argued the bill restores free speech, consumer choice, and access to faith-based alternatives, while opponents warned about consumer confusion, higher commissions, and weak protections because these ministries are not insurance. After extended debate, the measure passed 8-2. Other measures advanced unanimously or near-unanimously. CS/SB 502, as amended, would give Florida concurrent jurisdiction over certain juvenile offenses on military installations so juveniles can be handled in the state system; it passed 9-0. CS/SB 52 would exempt volunteer armed security for houses of worship from Class D or G licensing requirements, and supporters cited rising threats to churches and the need for organized volunteer security; it passed 9-0. SB 840, a cleanup bill to narrow and clarify last year’s emergency-related land-use restrictions after hurricanes, also passed 9-0, and CS/SB 758, which updates the membership of the Justice Administration Commission, passed 9-0 after an amendment restoring two public defenders to the commission.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's one of the things I talked to the Attorney General about, and I think somebody from the Attorney
• Would you have engaged an attorney? Would you have turned the situation over to your insurance?
• Would you have engaged an attorney?
• HB 2274, we are willing to work with the Attorney General's Office.
• But generally speaking, attorneys are, I would say, in terms of the attorneys experienced in this space

Bills: HB2229, HB2274, HB2294, HB1269, HB1078

Keywords: professional engineers, registration act, licensing, engineering practice, state regulations, email regulation, commercial communications, consumer protection, data privacy, electronic mail, consumer access, real property, food security, medicine access, restriction, pawnbroker, fees, interest rates, financial regulation, pet insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the Vice President of the Consumer Attorneys of California.
• There's still data that I know that's been requested by our side, by the consumer attorneys, as well
• If the problem is attorney abuse, let's address that.
• And those costs in a lot of cases are going into the hands of attorneys.
• And those costs in a lot of cases are going into the hands of attorneys.

Summary: The Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee heard three bills. SB 371 by Senator Cabaldon would reduce uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage requirements for transportation network companies from $1 million to $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident, with committee amendments adding findings and declarations, higher limits than originally proposed, and a joint study on UM/UIM impacts. Supporters, including Uber, Lyft, business groups, and some consumer advocates, argued the bill would lower fares and increase driver earnings by reducing insurance costs. Opponents, including consumer attorneys, labor groups, and consumer watchdog organizations, warned it would cut protections for riders and drivers and might not guarantee savings would be passed through. The committee approved SB 371 on a due-pass basis and re-referred it to Appropriations by a 9-0 vote. The committee then heard SB 716 by Senator Durazo, which would create a Home Internet Lifeline Program to let eligible low-income households apply Lifeline subsidies to home broadband service. Proponents said the bill addresses broadband affordability after the federal Affordable Connectivity Program expired, and that it would help students, workers, and families access reliable internet. Opponents from the wireless industry objected to the funding mechanism, arguing the surcharge would fall unfairly on wireless consumers, while one broadband group moved to neutral after amendments. The bill was approved on a due-pass basis and sent to Appropriations, but the roll was held open and later completed with the bill passing 7-1. The committee also took up SB 480 by Senator Archuleta relating to autonomous vehicles as a consent item, with no presentation or debate. It was approved on a due-pass basis and re-referred to Appropriations by a 9-0 vote. Throughout the hearing, members repeatedly focused on affordability, consumer protection, and whether savings from the bills would actually reach riders, drivers, or households.

Transcript Highlights:

• that folks stay focused on where the child is, instead of this shifting to the parents or even the attorney
• um, but I guess my concern with this portion of the amendment is what happens, you know, if the attorney
• The purpose of this is to keep the attorney from prolonging the case.
• So that's the main purpose of this: to make sure that the attorney or the parent cannot just keep trying
• and... ...that subcommittee, who's an attorney and works with family court issues, and I think has some

Bills: HB340

Keywords: child protection, due process, family preservation, child custody, human resources, 1136, house, all