Transcript Highlights:

• to frame that: I don't want to speak on their behalf, and obviously they have the right to come and share
• And you can always follow up with us in writing so you can share more information with us.
• What I wanted to share was something that we often share at grief events when we open them, which is,
• And we share that attention is the healer.
• I just want to thank everyone who participated today and shared very personal stories.

Bills: HB2198, HB2401, HB2462, HB2419, HB2210, HB2205, HB2249

Keywords: regulatory efficiency, permitting, licensing, executive order, state government, commission, gender equity, boys, men, advocacy, state policy, unpiloted aircraft, drones, regulation, airspace safety, privacy, address confidentiality, administrative law judges, privacy protection, staff employment

Transcript Highlights:

• One example I can share with you is our representative in Taiwan has been able to bring a few projects
• We'll be sharing more about the advantages of the state.
• My colleagues and I are here to share with you a 16-year-long economic vision plan called Washington
• in the Making 2040, a vision and a plan that's exciting to share with and walk with you today.
• Next, around data sharing, the work group broadly agreed that improved coordination and sharing of wildfire

Summary: The Senate Business, Trade, and Economic Development Committee met for its first session under the committee’s new name and heard a work session on Washington’s economic development policy from the Department of Commerce. Commerce described its Office of Economic Development and Competitiveness, including small business finance, export assistance, business attraction, and sector development work, and emphasized the need for a statewide economic development strategic plan with regular review, stakeholder input, and attention to rural and regional needs. Members asked about foreign trade offices, federal funding uncertainty, tax competitiveness, workforce programs, and the role of the Keep Washington Working program. Commerce said the state’s trade and investment efforts are valuable but face funding challenges, and that Washington must compete on more than taxes, including its business ecosystem and workforce. The committee then heard public testimony on Senate Bill 5919, which would encourage fire districts and insurers to develop voluntary incentives for wildfire mitigation best practices related to agricultural activities. The sponsor described the bill as a way to reward farmers for practices such as defensible space, fire breaks, equipment storage, and avoiding high-risk work during red flag conditions. A fire chief testified in support, citing recent standing grain fires and the need for practical incentives in rural areas. The bill was described as having no appropriation and no requested fiscal note. Members also heard testimony on Washington in the Making 2040 from the Association of Washington Business and a business owner. Supporters said the 16-year economic vision plan was built from broad public engagement and focuses on workforce, business climate, infrastructure, housing, and community. They argued Washington needs more housing, a more competitive regulatory and tax environment, and reliable energy to support growth. Senators questioned how the plan would achieve its housing goals and what specific regulatory changes were needed; AWB said it would provide a regulatory study soon. The committee also received a wildfire mitigation work group update from the Office of Insurance Commissioner, which recommended stronger community mitigation, better data sharing, consumer transparency, and a possible grant program for home hardening, though it did not reach full consensus on a single property mitigation standard. Finally, the committee held a public hearing on Senate Bill 5871, which would prohibit assignment of benefits in property and casualty insurance and set new rules for motor vehicle glass repair claims, including ADAS-related disclosures and limits on steering and inducements. The sponsor and supporters, including the Office of Insurance Commissioner, Safelite, NAMIC, and the Northwest Insurance Council, said the bill would reduce auto glass fraud, improve transparency, and help stabilize premiums. Independent glass shop owners and the Independent Glass Association opposed the bill as written, arguing it would favor large vertically integrated companies, restrict small businesses, and fail to address insurer steering and conflicts of interest. Several witnesses requested technical amendments, and the committee took no final vote before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are happy to be here to share our insights on 520.
• We are here to share our insights on 520.
• Again, that's a shared partnership.
• Santa Fe Indian School is also making its way to hosting and sharing best practices.
• And I feel comfortable sharing that with everybody. And I hope my sclero's okay. That too.

Summary: The committee began with a presentation on the 520 Native American Language and Culture certificate, created to let proficient tribal language and culture speakers teach in K-12 schools without a bachelor’s degree. LESC staff, PED, and HED described the certificate’s statutory basis, the role of tribes and pueblos in setting proficiency standards, and ongoing challenges such as uneven MOAs, limited professional development, rural access barriers, data gaps, and retention concerns. PED said oversight of 520 is moving from the licensure bureau to the Indian Education Division, and HED reported that the tribal education technical assistance centers authorized in 2023 are still in procurement but are expected to be awarded in early 2026. A student, Alonzo Hughes, testified about how learning Tewa from 520-certified teachers helped him understand his culture and speak with elders, and members praised the program’s role in language revitalization and asked about funding, teacher pathways, and whether similar models exist in other states. Committee members then discussed several PED rule updates. Staff reviewed an adopted rule implementing HB 54 on AEDs and cardiac emergency response plans, including staff training requirements and staggered compliance dates, and a proposed rule for school nurse licensure under HB 195 that would create a three-tier system and align nurse pay with teacher pay. They also reviewed proposed changes to the Community Schools Act rule, including a full-time community school coordinator requirement, updated grant language, and broader coalition membership criteria; PED said the broader language would not conflict with the Martinez-Yazzie work. A proposed bilingual teacher rule would standardize coursework requirements, add trans-languaging and culturally relevant curriculum competencies, and allow Native American language certification applicants to demonstrate proficiency using tribal standards. In questions, members raised concerns about AEDs being present at athletic events, the need for the amended school nurse bill to move experienced nurses directly into higher levels, and whether the community schools rule’s broader coalition language could affect current education litigation. Members also asked about funding for 520 programs, teacher residency or cohort models, and how to support advanced language instruction and sustainability. PED said the Indian Education Fund and school budgets can support some of the work, but additional strategic funding and cross-training are needed. The committee also heard that New Mexico’s 520 system is unusually robust compared with other states, and members encouraged staff to present the model at national conferences. The meeting ended with the director’s report, which noted a flat budget request of $2,024,300, staff turnover including Natasha Davalos’s departure, and appreciation for the committee’s work before adjournment for the holidays.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm so pleased to be with you all today because we have a lot to share.
• So I have a lot of great news to share with you as well post-audit.
• To wrap up things today, just walking through that audit that Christy just shared with us, we've done
• To address this, we moved all the investigations, as I've shared a lot. investigative progress.
• To address this, we moved all the investigations, as I've shared a lot today, in-house.

Summary: The Human Services Subcommittee met to receive updates on implementation of House Bill 1349, which created guardianship transparency measures, and on the Department of Elder Affairs’ Office of Public and Professional Guardians (OPPG). The Clerk of Courts Operations Corporation described the statewide guardianship database for judges and a public-facing website, noting the system went live in March 2025 after a soft launch in 2024. Officials said the database now includes information from all 67 clerks, with 388 users, about 6,400 wards, and 518 professional guardians. Members asked about unique identifiers, data duplication, training, and how the system is being used; CCOC said it is working to use registration numbers as identifiers, improve search functions, expand training, and seek continued funding. Secretary Michelle Branham then outlined OPPG’s implementation of HB 1349 and its broader oversight role. She said the department has doubled education requirements, expanded transparency through the Sentry system, and brought investigations fully in-house in August 2024. She described the complaint and investigation process, including legal sufficiency review, regional investigators, mandatory in-person interviews, and possible outcomes ranging from corrective training and fines to suspension or revocation. Members asked about complaint categories, disciplinary actions, whether guardians can be suspended during investigations, and how older cases are handled; the secretary said most complaints are administrative/technical, serious allegations are referred to law enforcement, and one older case discussed remained ongoing. The Auditor General’s office presented its operational audit of OPPG, covering July 2022 through January 2024 and follow-up on prior findings. The audit identified problems with monitoring private professional guardians and public guardian offices, complaint processing timeliness, incomplete public profile information, late registration renewals, failure to assess contract penalties, weak collection safeguards, missing follow-up on required public guardian reports, lack of needed rules, and Sentry system access/security controls. In response, Secretary Branham said the department does not dispute the findings and has already taken corrective steps, including launching Sentry, hiring additional monitors, moving investigations in-house, adding automated renewal reminders, updating forms, and drafting new rules. She also said the department plans to seek subpoena power and stronger fines in the next legislative session. The subcommittee took no formal vote and adjourned after members’ questions were completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, committee members, thank you so much for the opportunity and the privilege to be here today to share
• We have several things in front of you that we want to share.
• Yes, we can, and we'll share a little bit more about that too.
• Okay, so I'll start sharing more of my naivete here, or ignorance.
• And so we do share some of that information.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to turn it over to two of our student athletes and let them share a little bit first before I
• So, but again, just want to share that.
• But again, just want to share that because the misperception is that that's all we do is fine schools
• Also, to share comments from our student athlete advisory committee on our coaches here in the state
• But I appreciate you guys giving me an opportunity to come and share a little bit of my story.

Summary: The Education Pre-K through 12 Committee heard a presentation from Florida High School Athletic Association Executive Director Craig Damon, joined by student athletes Sydney Daniel and Taylor White. The students spoke about the value of education-based athletics, leadership, and the need for safe, equitable opportunities. Damon then discussed FHSAA issues including rising sportsmanship problems, ejections, violent incidents, recruiting allegations, transfers, mental health pressures on student athletes, and the need for qualified coaches. He said the association tries to be proactive, work with schools on discipline, and emphasize that school changes should be for academic reasons rather than athletics. Senators asked about mental health, transfer rules, and a recent Jacksonville incident; Damon explained the current transfer exceptions and said the association lacked authority over the Jacksonville football game because the schools were not in FHSAA football. The committee then heard a panel on high school coaches’ compensation led by Florida Coaches Coalition Executive Director Dr. Andrew Ramgett, with Coach Mike Hickman, Coach Charlie Ward, and superintendents from Okaloosa and Walton counties. Ramgett argued that coaching supplements are outdated, have not kept pace with the expanding year-round demands of coaching, and amount to very low hourly pay in many sports. He also said Florida’s restrictions on booster club funding and minimal certification requirements contribute to turnover and difficulty retaining qualified coaches. Hickman and Ward described coaching as a demanding, year-round profession that affects students beyond athletics, including academics and mental health. The superintendents said they value coaches but must balance compensation against limited district funds and other staffing needs; one noted Walton County uses a dedicated administrative lane for football coaching and athletic administration. Senators discussed whether booster club funding should be allowed, whether compensation should be tied to performance, and whether any increase in base student allocation would actually reach coaches. Public commenters, including Florida Athletic Coaches Association Executive Director Shelton Cruz and former coach Tyrone McGriff, urged support for coaches and emphasized their broader impact on students’ lives and school safety. At the end of the meeting, the committee took up confirmation hearings for appointments on tabs 3 through 6 and, with no appearance forms filed, voted unanimously to recommend confirmation. Senator Burgess then moved to adjourn, and the committee concluded the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• I wanted to also just briefly share, Mr.
• And sometimes they only have to pay their proportionate share related to their impact.
• Often a methodology in a county can, especially with proportionate fair share, encourage you to seek
• “Proportionate fair share can encourage you to seek areas that aren’t as congested.
• I don’t want to be, okay, because we’re willing to pay, and we do pay our share.

Summary: The Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee met for its first meeting of the 2026 session and took up impact fees, with an opening overview from Eric Poole of the Florida Association of Counties. Poole explained that impact fees are one-time charges on new development used only for new infrastructure capacity, not existing deficiencies or maintenance, and must satisfy the dual rational nexus test. He traced their history in Florida and described how comprehensive plans, concurrency, and later mobility fees relate to local infrastructure funding. He argued that impact fees are restricted, tied to capital improvements, and are one tool for paying for growth. Panelists representing counties, cities, builders, and community developers largely agreed that growth creates real infrastructure costs but differed on how those costs should be allocated. County and city representatives said impact fees are a necessary, targeted way to fund roads, water, sewer, fire, schools, and parks without spreading costs across all taxpayers. They pointed to long periods without fee updates, rising construction costs, and examples of large increases justified by studies. Builder and developer representatives argued that fees are often unpredictable, can be doubled or tripled, and contribute to housing affordability problems; they also said the system can be inconsistent across jurisdictions and may encourage sprawl. Several witnesses emphasized that fees must be transparent, proportional, and tied to actual benefits, and some suggested a statewide framework or mobility-fee model with more consistency and peer review. Members asked about how long local governments can hold fee revenue, whether fees can generate profit, what they can be spent on, and whether they can pay for police stations, fire stations, or other public safety facilities. Witnesses said the funds must be used for capital projects and cannot be used for salaries or unrelated purchases, and that refunds may be required if money is not spent within the local ordinance’s timeframe. The discussion also covered examples of local fee increases, the use of impact fees versus direct construction or “pipelining” of infrastructure, and concerns about level-of-service changes and extraordinary-circumstance increases. No votes were taken; the meeting ended after the panel discussion and member questions, with the chair noting the conversation would continue.

Transcript Highlights:

• United States as measured by share of total visitor spending.
• During the pandemic, California lost share to Florida as our state took steps to limit travel to slow
• While the decline may not look like much, every 1% of share represents $12.8 billion in spending.
• Market share data is only available through 2023, so let's take a look at some other indicators to examine
• they secure the event and share that back with the organizations to actually secure the events.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For their many contributions to California, also sharing their rich culture with each and every one of
• This is unfortunately an experience shared across diverse communities and is also shared by the Jewish
• We are currently also in the middle of Jewish American Heritage Month, and we share more than just a
• Our ancestors and families share a great history with our Asian and Pacific American neighbors of working
• For the first time ever, which means that we get to come to this floor and share our. stories, which

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The love I might have for a woman and that intimacy, I don't share that with my kids.
• To be healthy and regular, I don't share that with my kids.
• I shared some concerns. I'm taking my call earlier.
• I shared some concerns specifically around a few issues.
• I think what I share with you as far as a shared value, perhaps, Senator Yarbrough, As far as a shared

Summary: The Appropriations Committee met with a quorum and considered a series of bills, most of them receiving favorable reports. SB 132, as amended, would require the Department of Financial Services to contract for a study on whether Florida should recognize gold and silver as legal tender; an amendment advanced the report deadline to December 1, 2025, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 1050, also amended, expands the intellectual and developmental disabilities managed care pilot program statewide, emphasizes that enrollment is voluntary, adds transparency and reporting requirements for APD, creates a statewide family care council, and requires related studies and coordination; it was reported favorably after supportive testimony about reducing the APD wait list. SB 820 codifies the Office of Faith and Community in the Governor’s office, and the bill drew extended debate over church-state separation and concerns about political activity by the office; despite opposition from several senators, it was reported favorably. SB 1060 creates a joint legislative oversight committee for Medicaid financing and operations, with supporters citing the size of the program and the need for stronger legislative review; it passed favorably. SB 7032 presumes Medicaid eligibility for permanently disabled individuals receiving certain long-term services during redetermination, to prevent gaps in care, and was reported favorably with broad support. SB 12, a claim bill for a minor injured in a DCF-related case, was also reported favorably without opposition. The committee also approved several infrastructure and tax-related measures. SJR 318 proposes an ad valorem exemption for certain tangible personal property used in agriculture or agritourism, such as equipment and tractors, and was reported favorably with support from agricultural and business groups. SB 818, as amended, revises utility relocation funding for public road and rail projects, shifting the financing structure after constitutional concerns were raised and adding a $50 million grant program; it passed after discussion of the impact on local governments and utilities. SB 1348 modernizes DMV services through tax collectors, adds a distracted driving course option, bans appointment scalping, and extends certain disabled parking permit terms; it was reported favorably. SB 1664 requires voter reapproval of local taxes, including tourist development taxes and local option sales taxes, when they expire, with special rules for taxes tied to revenue bonds; it drew significant debate over impacts on tourism-dependent counties and was reported favorably despite opposition from some members and local government groups. SB 1050, SB 820, SB 1060, SB 7032, SB 12, SJR 318, SB 818, SB 1348, and SB 1664 all received favorable committee votes, and the meeting ended with final missed-vote requests and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• we're going to hear a presentation on the experience of Native veterans, and we get some folks to share
• We're going to hear a presentation on the experience of Native veterans, and we get some folks to share
• If there's any stories you want to tell or experiences you'd like to share.
• and for your for sharing your story I<00:11:01.560><c> appreciate</c><00:11:01.959><c> it</c><00:11:
• Do you have insight you'd like to share?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As a user, if you could just share with us your experience and some of the pains, maybe successes, if
• So a lot of the information that was shared was reaffirmed in the ILAB report.
• their data into... ...shared with us to complete that interface and move their data into IConnect.
• You know, there's a process today where that document is shared in I-Connect with providers.”
• “You know, there's a process today where that document is shared in I-Connect with providers.

Summary: The subcommittee heard a lengthy presentation on the Agency for Persons with Disabilities’ I-Connect system, based on an ILAB assessment of the platform’s performance and requirements. ILAB said the system provides useful centralized records, reporting, compliance support, and audit trails, but users described it as cumbersome, outdated, and inefficient, with excessive manual entry, weak navigation, limited notifications, no mobile app, poor printing/export options, and performance issues. ILAB also said the original 2013-era requirements were too high-level and that only a portion of the requirements could be verified, with some features de-scoped or never implemented. Their recommendations included better integration with electronic health record systems, improved performance monitoring, electronic signatures, OCR, and more modern export and verification tools. Public testimony from providers and advocates echoed those concerns. A support coordination provider said the system is nicknamed “I Disconnect,” described problems with EVV/GPS sign-ins, lengthy support plans, lack of a phone app, and possible HIPAA concerns. Another advocate said the system should have preserved family access to records and criticized the need for providers to use workarounds and additional software. APD staff said the agency has spent about $19.7 million through FY 2023-24, has regular build updates under the current contract with WellSky, and uses an internal help desk and vendor ticketing process to triage bugs versus enhancement requests. They said some issues are handled case-by-case, critical tickets have SLAs, and the agency is working on interoperability and other requested improvements. Members questioned whether the system should be fixed or replaced, whether the original contract and SaaS arrangement were sufficient, and whether the state received value for the money spent. APD said the system went live in phases and that all functionality was in place by June 2024, while ILAB and members noted significant technical debt and unresolved gaps. The committee also discussed record retention, provider access to records after a consumer changes providers, and whether federal funding or compliance could be affected. The meeting ended with broader budget remarks emphasizing completion over expansion, stronger upfront planning for technology projects, and more accountability before funding new systems or major enhancements.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's about diplomacy and shared interests, the same way we acquired the territories that make us the
• work together to monitor and promote early warnings of threats from foreign adversaries and protect shared
• Before getting to my questions, I want to first share that I recently had the pleasure of speaking.
• Focusing on improving our strategic coordination against those who do not share our values or our goals
• And I know you share my concerns about slow momentum. for building in the U.S.

Keywords: Greenland, acquisition, national security, Arctic, geopolitical, China, Russia, icebreakers, trade routes

Summary: The meeting convened by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation focused on the potential acquisition of Greenland by the United States. This issue, first raised by President Trump in 2019, has gained renewed significance amidst shifting global dynamics and the strategic importance of Greenland in relation to transatlantic trade routes and national security. The members discussed the geopolitical implications of Greenland's position, especially given the increasing influence of China and Russia in the Arctic region. Notably, the urgency to address military presence and icebreaker capabilities in the Arctic was a major point of contention, with a call for a new fleet to counter foreign dominance in the area.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:53:34.280><c> you</c> program I witnessed it just sharing you program I witnessed it just sharing
• Thank you for sharing your story.
• Thank you for sharing your story.
• Thank you for sharing your story.
• </c> from me uh never had lunch and i' share from me uh never had lunch and i' share my<01:09:57.159>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:08.959><c> values</c> that better reflects our shared values that better reflects our shared
• I just wanted to share that. Thank you.”
• I just wanted to share that. Thank you.”
• I just wanted to share that. Thank you.”
• I just wanted to share that. Thank you.”

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• If our two presenters would like to come forward, and I know they've got a number of slides to share
• and then we draw down just the federal share, so the state share isn't coming out of this committee's
• </c> school districts pay uh the state share school districts pay uh the state share and<01:03:38.760
• MinnesotaCare, as was suggested earlier, does have cost sharing.
• The Medicaid program today, as of January 1, 2024, does not have any cost sharing.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:14:22.880><c> with</c> he saw that that he shared with he saw that that he shared with me<00:
• I will stop sharing my screen so that—thank you. I think this is first.
• The studies are in the packets, and so on, and we’ll be sharing with our colleagues what you’ve shared
• I will we we'll be sharing with our I will we we'll be sharing with our colleagues<01:56:53.880><c> what
• c> that</c> colleagues what you've shared with that colleagues what you've shared with that there's<01

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> stories now and then she would share stories now and then she would share stories<00:02:10.360><
• </c><00:04:04.480><c> their</c> We allow people to come and share their We allow people to come and share
• It is helpful to hear, you sharing that.
• </c> The Read Act reflects both our shared The Read Act reflects both our shared urgency<00:49:12.080
• ><c> that</c><00:49:12.960><c> we</c> urgency and our shared belief that we urgency and our shared belief

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I You know, I just seems like sharing.
• </c> and share our experience today. and share our experience today.
• </c><00:59:01.800><c> this</c> informative, I would like to share this informative, I would like to share
• My role is to simply share is yours.
• </c> have been used in negotiations to share have been used in negotiations to share with<01:39:58.680

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So instead we moved to a sharing model.
• So um that's is what a a sharing model.
• ><c> really</c><01:02:40.400><c> compacting</c> sharing model so it's really compacting sharing model
• </c> building, but who is the plan to share building, but who is the plan to share the<01:07:35.119><
• So, I think we all share their prisons.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all