Transcript Highlights:

• Whether it's advocating for clean water, access to care, mental health support, it really does start
• Whether it's advocating for clean water, access to care, mental health support, it really does start
• did not approve any appropriation that was approved last by an EM that transferred money out of the Water
• Resources Trust Fund into the Last biennium that transferred money out of the Water Resources Trust
• Resources Trust Fund into the last biennium that transferred money out of the water resources trust

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum call, then approved journal corrections and moved to elect Senator Kyle Davison as President Pro Tem. Davison was nominated, elected by unanimous ballot, escorted to the rostrum, sworn in, and gave remarks thanking his family, colleagues, and faith, emphasizing relationships, service, and stewardship. The chamber also recognized National Public Health Week with a floor statement honoring public health workers and training programs, and that statement was ordered printed in the journal. The Senate then considered several House bills, beginning with HB 1485, which increases the personal needs allowance for Medicaid residents in certain facilities by $15 per month and indexes it to inflation; the amendment was adopted and the bill passed 46-1. HB 1018, the State Historical Society budget, was amended to adjust one-time and ongoing funding for museum exhibits, repatriation compliance, archives storage, local historic grants, and the military gallery project, then passed 42-0 with one senator excused from voting due to a conflict. HB 1181, defining gender in state code as an individual’s sex and removing a broader application section, passed 41-6. HB 1144, adding a penalty and enforcement mechanism related to transgender student accommodations and restroom use in public schools, passed 40-7 with its emergency clause. The Senate also passed HB 1600, creating an immigration law clinic at the University of North Dakota School of Law and shifting its funding to the strategic investment and improvements fund, by 34-13. HB 1019, the Parks and Recreation budget, was amended to fund deferred maintenance, technology, sewer work, matching grants, and other park projects, add language requiring legislative approval for new or renamed state parks, and clarify use of the Teddy Roosevelt Presidential Library line of credit; a proposed amendment to remove funding for the International Peace Gardens cactus conservatory failed 20-27, and the bill then passed 39-8. HB 1417, dealing with parole/probation violations, court fees, and a study of criminal justice fees, passed 40-7 after amendments. The most extensive debate centered on HB 1450, which would require parent or guardian access to a minor’s medical exam room and notice of questions asked of the minor, with exceptions for emancipation and suspected abuse or trafficking. Supporters framed it as a parental rights and transparency measure, while opponents warned it could hinder screening for abuse, neglect, mental health concerns, and confidential care; multiple senators shared personal experiences on both sides. A proposed amendment to narrow the bill failed 21-26, and the transcript ends amid continued debate on the bill itself, with no final vote shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next, we'll take up tab 12, Senate Bill 1162 on water access facilities by Senator Leak.
• incentives for our manufacturers to implement environmental best management practices at their on-the-water
• And so there's tools that can be leveraged today, like using water management district data to identify
• So right now, cities are following the regulatory framework as prescribed by either their water... ..
• We have, again, I'll say regions that are in water management districts; work with them to develop plans

Summary: The committee took up a series of bills and amendments, reporting several measures favorably. Early in the meeting, CS for CS for SB 344 modernizing the Telecommunications Access System Act was approved without opposition. The committee then adopted amendments and passed CS for SB 714 on non-opioid advanced directives, CS for SB 738 updating child care and early learning provider regulation, CS for SB 756 revising health insurance coverage for individuals with developmental disabilities, and CS for CS for SB 1356 creating a Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases at FSU and a newborn genetic testing pilot. Later, the committee also approved CS for SB 1624 on higher education, CS for SB 1626 on child welfare, SB 178 on an agronomic study for emerging crops, SB 1162 on water access facilities and boat ramp parking, CS for CS for SB 958 creating a type 1 diabetes early detection program, CS for CS for SB 1402 expanding dropout retrieval eligibility, SB 774 requiring electronic transmission of certain court orders, SB 1516 creating an international aerospace innovation fund, and SB 994 revising driver education requirements. Most of these bills were reported favorably by roll call votes after brief explanations and, in several cases, amendments. Several measures drew substantive discussion and public testimony. CS for CS for SB 1624 prompted questions about replacing “minority” with “underrepresented,” the role of the Florida Department of Education’s Commission for Independent Education in overseeing private religious postsecondary institutions, and whether the changes could affect access for students at institutions such as FAMU and FIU. CS for CS for SB 1070 on ECGs for student athletes received extensive emotional testimony from parents and advocates describing children lost to sudden cardiac arrest and urging mandatory screenings; the sponsor said the bill would be cost-neutral for districts by encouraging partnerships with screening groups. SB 994 on driver education was discussed as a vehicle to add distracted driving instruction, and the sponsor agreed to work on that issue. SB 774 was presented as a response to a fatal delay in transmitting an ex parte order, with support from clerks and sheriffs. The most extended debate centered on SB 810 on stormwater management systems. The sponsor said the bill, as amended, would narrow annual inspections to infrastructure identified as vulnerable by MS4 entities, but the Florida League of Cities, Florida Association of Counties, and Florida Stormwater Association warned the proposal could impose major costs and duplicate existing MS4 permit requirements. Committee members questioned the fiscal impact, whether the bill would apply to FDOT or other entities, and whether annual inspections were feasible for large and small jurisdictions alike. Despite those concerns, the sponsor and several members emphasized flood prevention and public safety, and the bill remained under discussion with the sponsor indicating continued willingness to work with stakeholders.

Transcript Highlights:

• My dad was a water quality specialist, a professor at New Mexico State University.
• Motherhood had sent me here, and so I ran for local politics, a non-partisan soil and water conservation
• everybody on that side of the state, because farmers and ranchers own a lot of the land rights and water
• Produced water and groundwater are significant issues.
• We get a water law and everything else. That's a really important rule of statutory construction.

Committee: Senate Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• insurance rates to tenant resident and first responder safety to the cost of utilities, you know, our water
• insurance rates to tenant resident and first responder safety to the cost of utilities, you know, our water
• insurance rates to tenant resident and first responder safety to the cost of utilities, you know, our water
• you</c><00:09:22.440><c> know</c><00:09:23.200><c> the</c><00:09:23.560><c> our</c><00:09:23.760><c> water
• </c> utilities um you know the our water utilities um you know the our water security<00:09:24.399><c

Committee: Senate Public Safety and Military Affairs

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs heard several bills on building codes, taxation, police reports, National Guard benefits, and discriminatory reporting. SB 48 would have required the State Building Code Council to assess financial impacts of code adoption on homes and include utility costs; testimony was mixed, but the bill drew concerns about housing costs and code timing. SB 120 would have changed the State Building Code Council’s responsibilities and code adoption process; the International Code Council and Sierra Club opposed it, while BIA Hawaii and others supported it, arguing current code cycles raise costs and counties need more flexibility. The committee later noted that county building departments had not submitted testimony on SB 48 or SB 120. SB 138 would create a nonrefundable income tax credit for hurricane-resistant safe rooms. The Department of Taxation and the Tax Foundation raised concerns about blank provisions and revenue uncertainty, while Hawaii Emergency Management stood on written comments. The committee recommended passage with amendments, including a clarifying tax language change and an effective date of July 1, 2077. SB 112 would allow immediate family members of deceased persons to receive police closing reports after a set period; the Attorney General and prosecuting attorney supported access in principle but requested explicit redaction authority for minors and confidential personal information. The committee adopted amendments reflecting those concerns and passed the bill. SB 88 would authorize allowances for TRICARE, dental, and vision coverage for Hawaii National Guard personnel ordered to active duty for more than 30 days. It received support from National Guard and Department of Defense representatives and was passed as is. SB 16 would create civil remedies for discriminatory reporting to law enforcement based on protected characteristics and require public guidance from the Department of Law Enforcement and Civil Rights Commission; it received support from the department and several advocates, with one opposition testimony. The committee passed SB 16 with an amended effective date and technical changes. In final action, the committee deferred SB 48 and SB 120, and adopted the chair’s recommendations on the remaining measures before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• And Senator Waters is not going to be here. Okay. And Senator Waters is... ...of the Senate.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Summary: The committee of conference on SB 108 reported that the House and Senate had reached full agreement on the bill. Members noted they were “very flexible,” thanked each other for working together, and formally closed the hearing with unanimous concurrence. The meeting then moved to the Energy Committee of Conference on SB 232. The Senate stated it would agree with the House version of the bill, with no opposition voiced. The exchange was brief and cordial, with members thanking one another and indicating the matter was settled. No substantive policy debate or testimony was presented in either segment, and no recorded votes were taken beyond the stated concurrence and agreement on both bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• and the President of the United States to reject federal legislation that would open the Boundary Waters
• urges the federal government to respect existing wilderness protections and to keep the Boundary Waters
• </c><00:59:51.080><c> on</c> and I wasn't allowed to drink water on and I wasn't allowed to drink water
• .<01:04:19.720><c> Um</c> water.
• Um water.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Rules and Administration Committee met on March 19, 2026, to consider the referral path for Senate File 4139, the sports betting bill, rather than the substance of the proposal. Senator Franzen, the bill’s chief author, asked that the bill be referred first to the Commerce Committee, saying he had discussed the matter with the relevant committee chairs and that Commerce was the best place to address the bill’s consumer protection provisions. He emphasized that any final path to passage would still require the bill to go through State and Local Government as well. Senator Rasmusson objected and argued the bill should go first to State and Local Government, citing Senate jurisdiction rules, which he said assign gambling bills to that committee. He noted that prior sports betting bills had been referred there first and said a predictable referral process is important. Senator Maye Quade, Senator Dibble, Senator Bar, and Senator Jasinski also supported sending the bill to State and Local Government first, arguing that the committee has primary jurisdiction over gambling and that the bill’s consumer protection language does not change that basic referral. Senator Champion and Senator Miller supported the Commerce referral, saying authors may request an initial committee and that the bill’s consumer protection sections fit Commerce jurisdiction. Senator Marty moved to re-refer Senate File 4139 to the Committee on State and Local Government. Before the vote, members continued debating whether the bill’s structure and prior referral history justified Commerce or whether committee jurisdiction rules required State and Local Government first. The transcript ends with the motion pending and no final vote or disposition shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill threatens a huge supply of freshwater that helps refill and protect our water resources.
• special districts located in rural areas of opportunity, as well as special districts that provide water
• We stood knee-deep in water, literally ten toes down, and members like Representative Gantt and council
• Everybody else, when you hear their story, it's watered down.
• My plea to you is please vote up. everybody else, when you hear their story, it's watered down.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Number two, it adds water infrastructure among the list of prioritized grants to non-profits.
• And three, the substitute gives priority to municipal utility districts in qualifying counties for water

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And, of course, there are examples across the board for septic, water, etc.
• And, of course, there are examples across the board for septic, water, etc.
• And, of course, there are examples across the board for septic, water, etc.
• </c> example, water and sewer infrastructure. example, water and sewer infrastructure.
• 00:33:03.120><c> here</c><00:33:03.279><c> to</c> David Waters, District 4, here to David Waters, District

Committee: Senate Ways and Means

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It also is a very important project for cleaning the water.
• </c> water.
• It has some storm water water.
• It has some storm water um<00:53:38.960><c> infiltration</c><00:53:40.000><c> ponds</c><00:53:40.560>
• <00:53:45.320><c> from</c><00:53:45.520><c> nearby</c> water from nearby water from nearby um<00:53:46.880

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 17 is the Department of Health for legal expenses related to the city of Jackson water litigation
• 00:21:27.520><c> department</c><00:21:28.000><c> for</c><00:21:28.159><c> the</c><00:21:28.400><c> water
• </c> the health department for the water the health department for the water situation<00:21:29.280><
• They do have legal expenses related to the city of Jackson water litigation.
• </c><01:05:10.160><c> system</c> capital expense funds for water system capital expense funds for water

Keywords: MS House Floor - 18 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So would the same apply to a water system?
• city water system?
• have water running through that area.
• , and we actually already have water running through that area.
• And we know we want water to go low and slow, right? We want water to go low and slow.

Committee: House Government

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• next bill, House Bill 1989<00:28:08.320><c> relating</c><00:28:08.640><c> to</c><00:28:08.799><c> water
• </c> 1989 relating to water retention. 1989 relating to water retention.
• This bill seeks to recognize that when it rains and fresh water runs off into the ocean, we're losing
• open lands that have a clear association with our aquifers and known recharge areas to slow those waters
• Uh, House Bill 1989, this was regarding the water retention study by Soist.

Committee: House Education

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Higher Education met on February 4 and began with announcements about committee protocol, including posting hearing notices and testimony earlier than required and using written HD1 drafts for more complex amendments. The chair also noted the new AV system and asked speakers to be clear because the microphones are sensitive. The committee then took up several University of Hawaiʻi-related measures, with most testimony coming from UH officials, state agencies, and advocacy groups, and no votes were taken in the portion provided. HB 1596, relating to student basic needs support at the University of Hawaiʻi, drew support from UH, the Oʻahu Youth Action Board, and an individual. UH said it stood on its written testimony and could answer questions. HB 1597, relating to Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias research, received support from UH/JABSOM, the Alzheimer’s Association, the Hawaii Medical Association, and others; the Attorney General’s Office offered a procedural reminder about statewide concern. HB 1970, funding the University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center and the Hawaii Tumor Registry, was supported by UH, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, the Hawaii Medical Association, and others, with testimony emphasizing the registry’s role in cancer surveillance, prevention, and federal funding. The committee also heard HB 1598, creating a Hawaii Climate Institute. UH testified in support, citing worsening drought, heat, sea level rise, and extreme weather, and said the institute would hire climate modelers and faculty across several schools. Members questioned funding, and UH said it would seek state startup money, possible green-fee support, and federal grants, noting recent federal cuts and the need for permanent positions. HB 1989, on water retention, was supported by UH as a study to slow runoff and improve aquifer recharge. HB 1951, on biosecurity, drew support from UH, DLNR, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, students, and other organizations; testimony stressed invasive species threats, the need for biocontrol research and containment capacity, and possible sites for a statewide facility. HB 1952, funding agricultural research station improvements on Kauaʻi, was supported by UH, the Farm Bureau, and others, with testimony noting aging facilities and the need to modernize stations across the islands. Finally, HB 2005, relating to language access, received UH support, with a UH representative noting that credit programs may fit best in a credit-bearing academic program and that Outreach College could be an option for noncredit programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Who's paying for water and sanitation? Who's paying for emergency services?
• Who's paying for water and sanitation? Who's paying for emergency services?
• Who's paying for water and sanitation? Who's paying for emergency services?
• Who's paying for water and sanitation? Who's paying for emergency services?
• Who's paying for water and sanitation? Who's paying for emergency services?

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To prepare these areas, we need to add infrastructure that includes water, sanitary sewer, storm sewer
• To prepare these areas, we need to add infrastructure that includes water, sanitary sewer, storm sewer
• </c><00:23:01.200><c> supply</c><00:23:01.640><c> utility</c><00:23:02.080><c> extension</c> uh water
• :23:03.400><c> treatment</c><00:23:03.760><c> storm</c><00:23:04.080><c> water</c> streets wastewater
• treatment storm water streets wastewater treatment storm water management<00:23:04.640><c> and</c><00

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c><01:33:33.360><c> and</c> fuel sewer, storm water, and fuel sewer, storm water, and electricity.
• </c> residential property values, and water residential property values, and water tables<01:43:08.800
• clean, energy impact on our safe, water clean, energy impact on our grid<01:53:59.920><c> um</c><01:
• Our coalition identified risks from data centers including air pollution, water depletion, water pollution
• centers including air pollution, water depletion,<02:19:47.200><c> water</c><02:19:47.439><c> pollution

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're doing this next Tuesday, come hell or high water. We might have both. Way things are looking.
• </c><00:28:45.039><c> We</c> Tuesday come hell or high water. We Tuesday come hell or high water.
• </c> burden to their sewage or water systems. burden to their sewage or water systems.
• then there’s a setback that the town has for building near that water?
• Would that still stay near that water.

Committee: Senate Commerce

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• New Orleans Sewage and Water Board.
• You see in 2018, $10 million given to the Sewage and Water Board.
• So that current bill is for New Orleans Sewage and Water. We're showing $3 million.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Revenue and Fiscal Affairs met on May 19, 2026, established a quorum, approved the May 11 minutes, and then took up several House bills. House Bill 1039, presented by Rep. DeSotel, would add taxpayer protections in local sales tax audits by requiring clear notice that waiving prescription is voluntary, requiring a written request identifying records sought before an estimated assessment, and allowing mutual agreements to suspend interest and penalties during an audit. The committee had no opposition and reported the bill favorably. House Bill 799, handled by the State Fire Marshal’s office, would move boiler inspections into the Fire Marshal’s office and allow licensed industry inspectors to perform them, with the stated goal of improving efficiency because current staffing only covers about 20% of inspections; it was also reported favorably without objection. The committee then spent most of the meeting on House Bill 2, the capital outlay bill, with Chairman Bacala explaining that the House had worked with the Division of Administration and Facility Planning and Control to find about $50 million in savings through cash-flow adjustments, under-budget bids, over-appropriations, and bundled-project savings. He argued the bill has grown beyond a true five-year plan and that some prior funding is not transparent because money placed in projects in earlier years no longer appears in later versions of the bill. Division officials said the savings would help address deferred maintenance, especially in higher education, and that Priority 2 projects are used to absorb additional funds if more savings are found later in the year. Senator Luneau asked about dormant projects and the process for removing or reallocating funds from projects with no recent expenditures; officials said such removals must go through the Bond Commission and that they are considering ways to improve the process. Bacala then offered amendments to HB 2, saying they kept Priority 1 fully funded, added about $54 million in Priority 2 projects, and included a large Priority 5 list of member requests. The committee adopted the amendment set without objection and then reported HB 2 as amended favorably. The committee also reported House Bill 3 favorably; Bacala described it as a housekeeping measure that provides bonding capacity to move HB 2 forward. Finally, the committee granted staff authority to make technical changes to the reported bills and adjourned on Senator Lambert’s motion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, your Committee on Natural Resources, Energy and Water has under consideration Senate Bill 1419
• I move the Natural Resources, Energy and Water Committee Amendment be adopted.
• Chairman, I move the substitute floor amendment to the Natural Resources, Energy and Water Committee

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, your Committee on Natural Resources, Energy and Water has under consideration Senate Bill 1419
• I move the Natural Resources, Energy and Water Committee amendment be adopted.
• Chairman, I move the substitute floor amendment to the Natural Resources, Energy and Water Committee

Summary: The House met in regular session, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the prior journal, and recognized several guests and personal privileges, including introductions of students and family members. The chamber also took up a motion to request the Senate return SB 1160 for reconsideration, and then moved into Committee of the Whole to consider measures on the calendar. In Committee of the Whole, members considered SB 1118, SB 1178, and SB 1419. SB 1118 received an appropriations committee amendment and a floor amendment related to balancing housing affordability with historic preservation, and was recommended do pass as amended. SB 1178, dealing with naturopathic medicine accreditation and scope issues, drew debate: supporters said it would protect patient access and provider supply by updating accreditation-related definitions, while opponents argued it expanded scope too far and sidestepped federal accreditation concerns; the bill was ultimately recommended do pass as amended. SB 1419, concerning solar energy devices and disclosure protections for residential, multifamily, commercial, and industrial units, was also amended and recommended do pass as amended. SB 1497 was retained on the calendar. The House then entered an additional Committee of the Whole for SB 1242 and SB 1270. SB 1242, which allows audio and audio-visual technology for mental health evaluations or treatment hearings, was amended to modify the definition of a mental health treatment agency and recommended do pass as amended. SB 1270 also received a floor amendment and was recommended do pass as amended. The House adopted the Committee of the Whole and additional Committee of the Whole reports, properly engrossing SB 1118, SB 1178, SB 1419, SB 1242, and SB 1270, while retaining SB 1497. On third reading, the House passed SB 1162, SB 1274, SB 1426, SB 1552, and SB 1814. SB 1814, which establishes a substance use disorder treatment standards and oversight study committee, drew remarks in support of a study committee to address fraud, waste, abuse, and treatment reform. The House also announced upcoming committee and caucus meetings and adjourned until 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 29, 2026.