Transcript Highlights:

• This change limits the application of multipliers to an award of attorney's fees.
• This change limits the application of multipliers to an award of attorney's fees.
• I also have the benefit of being a county court judge serving as a felony drug court judge.
• A court's authority to seal records is limited.
• The next issue relates to senior management retirement benefits.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met with a quorum present and heard several Office of the State Courts Administrator presentations. Judge Mark Mahan discussed the impact of 2023’s HB 837 litigation reforms on court operations, explaining that the law’s changes to comparative negligence, filing deadlines, collateral source evidence, premises liability, bad faith claims, attorney’s fees, and offer-of-judgment rules triggered a major March 2023 civil filing surge. He described how filings tripled statewide, with especially large increases in auto negligence and premises liability cases, and outlined how circuits responded through active case management, added resources, and workflow changes. Members asked whether the bill’s immediate effective date contributed to the surge and whether clearance rates would normalize over time; Judge Mahan said the court system viewed its response as a success and expected rates to settle as the backlog is worked through. The committee then received a presentation on problem-solving courts from Jennifer Grandal and Judge Nina Richardson. Grandal reviewed Florida’s drug courts, mental health courts, veterans courts, dependency and early childhood courts, noting statewide best-practice standards, annual reporting requirements, funding sources, and data collection systems. Judge Richardson gave a local perspective on treatment courts, emphasizing that they address underlying mental health and substance use issues, rely on judicial supervision and sanctions as well as incentives, and help participants achieve recovery and avoid reoffending. She said the programs are accountable, transparent, and effective, and thanked the Legislature for continued support. Finally, Judge Rachel Nordby and Eric McClure outlined the judicial branch’s legislative agenda. Nordby summarized the Supreme Court workgroup’s recommendations to expand Florida’s vexatious litigant law, including broader coverage, fewer qualifying adverse cases, a longer lookback period, and a public records exemption for stricken defamatory or sham material. McClure then highlighted additional agenda items: modernizing the duty-judge statute, expanding senior management retirement eligibility, authorizing additional judgeships based on workload studies, removing the statutory cap on court-ordered nonbinding arbitration compensation, protecting appellate clerks’ personal information, allowing alternative authentication for certain judicial notarizations, and creating a hearsay exception for guardian ad litem reports and testimony. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after member introductions and staff introductions.

Transcript Highlights:

• So right now, the existing statute of limitations, The existing statute of limitations for a malpractice
• It extends the statute of limitations.
• So right now, the existing statute of limitations, So right now, the existing statute of limitations
• Statute limitations has limited their ability to seek recompense for that harm, and this bill extends
• What is the statute of limitations for gender-confirming care? The statute of limitations for what?

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The committee heard SB 934 by Senator Wiener, which would extend the statute of limitations for malpractice claims arising from conversion therapy and clarify how expert testimony and scientific evidence may be used in those cases. Supporters, including a survivor, a licensed therapist, and LGBTQ advocacy groups, described conversion therapy as harmful and argued survivors often cannot come forward within current filing deadlines. Opponents, including civil justice and conservative legal groups, argued the bill was a workaround to recent Supreme Court rulings and raised concerns about free speech, evidentiary standards, and whether the bill could chill legitimate therapy. Committee members largely focused on whether the bill was limited to conversion therapy malpractice claims and not broader gender-affirming care; the bill was moved on a 7-2-1 vote to Senate Appropriations and placed on call. The consent calendar was also adopted on a 6-0 vote and placed on call. The committee then heard SB 1092 by Senator Allen, a housing bill aimed at manufactured home parks. The bill would give residents or their designated representatives a right to make a competitive bid when a park owner intends to sell, lease, or transfer a park, with notice and response periods intended to give residents time to organize financing. Supporters said the measure would preserve naturally occurring affordable housing, especially for older and lower-income residents, and help resident-owned cooperatives or nonprofits buy parks before investor buyers do. Opponents from park owner and realtor groups argued the bill would burden private property rights, devalue parks, and create unconstitutional takings and litigation risk. Committee questions centered on the bill’s timelines, whether residents would have 120 days to express interest and another 120 days to close, and whether the purchase agreement would be binding if accepted. The author and supporters said the second period was needed for due diligence and financing, while opponents said the structure could still delay sales and reduce market value. Several members expressed support for the bill’s goal but asked for further clarification or possible tightening of the timing and good-faith provisions; no final vote on SB 1092 was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• our are ones that's going to benefit our are ones that's going to benefit our children.
• But if it's to benefit all of our citizens because we benefit all of our citizens because we benefit
• benefit from some of same people will benefit from some of same people will benefit from some of these
• We're there's a limit what they can do. We're there's a limit what they can do.
• So, we're the retirees could benefit from that retirees could benefit from that retirees could benefit

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, can you tell us what are the benefits of that?
• </c><01:16:44.159><c> of</c> to kind of take over the benefits of to kind of take over the benefits of
• </c> that uh there's concern about limiting that uh there's concern about limiting some<01:29:58.400>
• </c><01:32:10.880><c> Um</c> limitations on buying uh property.
• Um limitations on buying uh property.

Bills: HF3508 , HF3548 , HF3549

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• We're very lucky here in Minnesota to benefit from the expertise and structure of previous health care
• People's Choice of market and limiting People's Choice of insurance carriers<00:08:56.200><c> uh</c>
• </c> to say that there's really no no limit to say that there's really no no limit or<00:18:29.280><c
• are increasing the essential benefits are increasing the cost<00:20:51.120><c> to</c><00:20:51.360><
• </c><00:43:39.319><c> and</c> the National Association of benefit and the National Association of benefit

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• Louisiana law already contemplates this in high-risk situations, but limits it primarily to first-degree
• Is that limiting the district attorney's authority on how they're going to prosecute the offender?
• It provides relative to temporary release of inmates for limited purposes.
• If we want this program to truly work, we should be expanding access, not limiting it.
• Gaines, and that's the very reason the access is limited.

Committee: House Administration of Criminal Justice

Summary: The committee first handled several criminal justice bills related to evidence, juror privacy, probation, and sex offender supervision. HB 95, by Rep. Lecombe, updates an older statute to allow electronic access to videotaped forensic interviews of protected persons for prosecutors, defense counsel, courts, and other authorized persons; it was reported favorably. HB 55, by Rep. Villio, prohibits public disclosure of juror identifying information such as names, addresses, and contact information; after testimony from District Attorney Tony Clayton about juror harassment and intimidation, the committee adopted a small amendment removing outdated language and reported the bill favorably with amendments. HB 125, by Rep. Horton, revises supervised release for certain sex offenders to address jurisdiction and notification issues, especially when violations occur outside Louisiana; after testimony from DOC and probation and parole officials and a witness describing victim-protection monitoring, it was reported favorably with amendments. HB 158, also by Rep. Horton, increases the maximum custodial treatment period for technical probation violations from 90 to 180 days, but witnesses raised concerns that the language was too broad and could impose extra jail time beyond treatment; the author agreed to work on clarifying language before floor debate, and the bill was reported favorably. HB 169, by Rep. Horton, makes probationers or parolees responsible for extradition costs if they are able to pay, and it was reported favorably. The committee then considered HB 133, by Rep. Newell, which strengthens penalties and treatment requirements for battery of a school teacher and related offenses. A large amendment package was adopted to add aggravated battery and second-degree battery involving students or school employees, define terms, require counseling and evaluations in certain juvenile cases, and adjust juvenile disposition provisions. Teachers and supporters testified about assaults in schools and the need to protect educators, while district attorneys warned that some of the amended language—especially the shift to “serious bodily injury” and some definitional changes—could make prosecutions harder or create unintended constitutional issues. Rep. Newell agreed to continue working with prosecutors to tighten the language before the bill reaches the floor, and HB 133 was reported favorably as amended. Later, the committee heard HB 821 by Rep. McFarland, which moves the Louisiana Center for Safe Schools from GOSEP to the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement; the change was described as largely administrative and the bill was reported favorably. The committee also took up HB 399 by Rep. Zerang, which extends the terminally ill/incapacitated inmate release window from 60 to 120 days. Secretary Gary Westcott and DOC officials explained that the program is tightly vetted, applies to inmates who are truly at end of life, and includes victim notification and maximum supervision; supporters, including medical and faith-based witnesses, emphasized dignity, hospice care, and the practical need for more time to complete release planning. The bill was reported favorably. Finally, HB 296 by Rep. Knox repeals the inactive Reentry Advisory Council and the Offender Rehabilitation Workforce Development Act, and HB 168 by Rep. Freiburg creates a transitional reentry program for female parolees within six months of release; both were presented as public-safety and reentry measures, with strong support from reentry advocates, business groups, and faith-based organizations, and both were reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there any statute of limitations on this $50 million, or is this available every year, or is this
• With the passage of this, ...ex-urban and rural communities will benefit from the inevitable growth at
• Those provisions are limited basically to the retailing and the age—how old you have to be to sell it
• So I just want to make sure we clarify those points about the limited scope of the bill.
• So, ...believe that the preemption in this bill is limited specifically to the subsections.

Committee: House Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• We will ask you to limit your testimony to three minutes.
• A sole limit, and I can't make, in this case, every step you take forward is really, really an important
• It would allow us to be able to execute our master plan and benefit our community through affordable
• housing options, as Brett Badger said, open space and other land uses that will have enormous public benefits
• This legislation will give, allow them to devote resources to purchasing land that will benefit the residents

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government

Summary: The Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government held a public hearing with opening remarks from House Chair Jack Patrick Lewis and Senate Chair Becker-Rouche, who outlined hearing procedures, livestreaming, three-minute testimony limits, and written testimony instructions. Members present were noted, and the committee proceeded to hear testimony on several municipal and local governance bills. Boston City Councilor Julia Mejia testified in support of a home rule petition for Boston, describing it as a way to strengthen accountability, improve city government performance, and complement the work of the Inspector General rather than duplicate it. Robert Muscali, chair of the Falmouth Select Board, supported H. 5107 and related bills, explaining that Falmouth seeks to change its town clerk from elected to appointed status so the town can quickly fill the position before upcoming elections and ensure smooth administration. He emphasized the urgency created by the expected retirement of the current clerk and the town’s large voter base. The Animal Rescue League of Boston and MSPCA representatives testified in support of H. 4849, a late-file bill addressing animal control and kennel regulation issues. They said the bill would update implementation of Ollie’s Law, improve reporting and enforcement, allow alternative identification for dogs in kennels instead of collars and tags, and strengthen the Massachusetts Animal Fund by permitting partial owner contributions and dedicating certain fines to the fund. Committee members asked about the claimed three-to-one return on spay/neuter spending and whether the bill would affect regional animal control arrangements; witnesses said it would not. Representatives from Plymouth then supported H. 4887, which would authorize a special revenue account to help the town acquire land for public uses such as open space, recreation, town buildings, and affordable housing. After no further testimony, the committee closed the hearing and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• both intended and unintended benefits both intended and unintended second<00:14:16.040><c> this</c><
• And when we're thinking cost-benefit, because that's really important here, the people that I'm really
• </c> and when we're thinking cost benefit and when we're thinking cost benefit because<00:19:53.559><
• I think trying to sort of turn back the clock on EMR, but instead what the bill will do is limit our
• How would it benefit you? Because we have a law that is fully compliant with Roe.

Committee: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• In order to be able to hear as much from the public within the limits of our time, In order to be able
• So it's not necessarily a bill limited in the public place. Correct. Happy to support you.
• So it's not necessarily a bill limited to public employees. Correct. Happy to support you.
• Second, an employer's use of the worker data is limited to only what is strictly necessary.
• What are its risks and limitations, and is it working? But we aren't getting any answers.

Summary: The committee heard several labor-related bills, with testimony largely focused on worker protections, AI, workplace safety, and employment access. AB 1697 would delay implementation of AB 692 on employer debt traps by one year to allow more time to address collective bargaining concerns; it drew support from the NFL and no opposition. AB 2495 would expand prohibitions on immigration-related threats used by employers to intimidate workers, with strong support from immigrant-rights, labor, and legal aid groups describing coercion and fear among undocumented and new-arrival workers; it advanced on a divided roll with some members voting no or not voting. AB 2511 would require DIR to study pay disparities between behavioral health and medical-surgical providers, with supporters arguing low reimbursement drives provider shortages and opponents warning of duplicative reporting, proprietary-data concerns, and added administrative burden; it was moved forward to the Health Committee. AB 2157 would make permanent the Displaced Oil and Gas Workers Fund Pilot Program, with displaced refinery workers and labor/environmental groups supporting the bill as a needed transition tool; it passed to Appropriations. AB 2530 would require 60-day notice for public-employer layoffs, relocations, and closures, narrowed by amendment to public agencies; supporters said public workers deserve the same notice protections as private-sector workers, while some opposition sought clarification, and the bill passed to Judiciary. The committee also heard AB 2488, which would direct DIR and UC to study Cal/OSHA inspector vacancies and recruitment pathways. Supporters, including a laid-off refinery worker and WorkSafe, said chronic understaffing has weakened enforcement and that experienced workers could fill the gap; the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 2545 would create an EDD study of AI-related workforce displacement and safety-net impacts, with labor and tech-policy supporters warning of large-scale job loss and the need for data to plan for unemployment and other public programs; business groups opposed the reporting and task-force structure but acknowledged the issue, and the bill passed to Privacy and Consumer Protection. AB 2027 would restrict employers and vendors from using worker data to train or deploy AI systems that replace workers, while limiting collection to what is necessary for employment administration; supporters framed it as a privacy and anti-displacement measure, and opponents argued the definitions were too broad and could hinder useful workplace technologies. The bill advanced to Privacy and Consumer Protection. Later, AB 2095, the Fair Chance Act bill, was presented to clarify and strengthen rules limiting conviction-history screening in hiring, including written explanations and protections for applicants seeking promotions or new roles with current employers. Supporters described ongoing discrimination against people with records and the need for a real second chance, while opponents said the bill was too broad, added burdens, and could conflict with existing statewide rules. The transcript cuts off before the final vote on AB 2095, but the discussion centered on balancing reentry opportunities with employer concerns about individualized assessments and safety-based hiring decisions.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then trailer bill language that limits tuberculosis testing requirements to only those individuals
• And then trailer bill language that limits tuberculosis testing requirements to only those individuals
• Or our limit? Not in the next year.
• The second piece of that recommendation is that you only provide limited-term funding, not exceeding
• And to the extent funding is limited-term in nature, it really does limit our ability to effectively

Summary: The subcommittee heard May Revision presentations for the Office of Emergency Services, Judicial Branch, CDCR, and the Department of Justice, with the LAO offering comments and recommendations throughout. For Cal OES, the administration outlined funding for relocating the Red Mountain communications site, increased FEMA reimbursement authority, cybersecurity grants, next-generation 911 support, and a reduction to the Flexible Cash Assistance for Survivors of Crime program. Members raised concerns about VOCA backfill and disaster reimbursement, while the LAO recommended approving the 911 request with reporting, adding contingency planning for cybersecurity grants, clarifying the FEMA reimbursement language, and increasing reporting on emergency spending. For the Judicial Branch, the May Revision included funding for implementation of the Trial Nations Access to Justice Act, reductions tied to court facilities and employee benefits, and General Fund solutions such as a reduction to the pretrial release program, a reversion from the Trial Court Trust Fund, and elimination of the jury duty pilot program. The LAO cautioned that the pretrial reduction could affect detention and release decisions and recommended tighter legislative oversight over the trust fund transfer and reallocation language. Members questioned the impact of the pretrial cut, the lack of Prop. 36 court funding, and the rationale for the jury pilot elimination; the Judicial Branch said it was generally supportive of the budget as proposed. CDCR presented requests for roof repairs, fire alarm replacements, CalAIM-related costs, and trailer bill changes on incarcerated college students, mental health hiring, and tuberculosis testing, along with a planned prison closure by October 2026. The department also proposed reducing or delaying several items, including radio replacement, ADA improvements, COVID mitigation, and some facility upgrades, while adding a $125 million placeholder for consultant-driven operational savings. The LAO recommended rejecting or reducing several San Quentin-related proposals, questioned the staffing and contract medical requests, and urged more transparency on the consultant savings plan; members expressed concern about the realism of the savings targets and the potential legal or operational risks from delaying ADA and radio projects. For DOJ, the May Revision proposed ongoing funding and 44 positions to defend against federal actions, IT and accounting system upgrades, implementation funding for AB 1877, and a special fund loan. The LAO supported the KLETS connection but asked for a contingency plan if the new DMV link is delayed, noted that AB 1877 would not be fully implemented without additional funding, and recommended limiting and reporting on the federal accountability workload. Members questioned the size and permanence of the DOJ request, the use of the earlier $25 million special session appropriation, and the pace of federal litigation; DOJ said the new request would support ongoing litigation, expert assistance, and coordination across multiple cases and states.

Transcript Highlights:

• So it has these incredible benefits for participating customers, but it also then provides benefits to
• So it has these incredible benefits for participating customers, but it also then provides benefits to
• So it has these incredible benefits for participating customers, but it also then provides benefits to
• So it has these incredible benefits for participating customers, but it also then provides benefits to
• </c><00:52:32.200><c> executive</c> prior to my joining limited executive prior to my joining limited

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Transcript Highlights:

• where you could allow that would limit where you could set<00:36:52.119><c> up</c><00:36:52.280><c>
• I say it should be a benefit to some degree, being that language is a barrier.
• Thank you. but I say it should be benefit um to but I say it should be benefit um to some<00:58:45.319
• It has a benefit, and I'm sure I'm talking here on more of an interaction with the counter.
• And so it's a great benefit.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• If anything, it might even go down given some of the generosity of those benefits as a state hospital
• </c><02:07:45.159><c> to</c> been and then maybe raise the limit to been and then maybe raise the limit
• It's approximately a $930,000 general fund benefit in State fiscal year 26 and almost a $3 million benefit
• </c><02:12:25.920><c> fiscal</c> a $3 million benefit in state fiscal a $3 million benefit in state fiscal
• </c><02:18:58.439><c> on</c> reimbursement of funds limitations on reimbursement of funds limitations

Summary: The meeting began as a Division 3 work session on HB 71, but much of the early discussion focused on whether a previously discussed non-germane amendment could be considered or voted on that day. Members and the chair debated process and notice requirements, and the clerk’s guidance was that the amendment needed a separate public hearing before the full Finance Committee. The amendment was described as requiring DHHS contracts and addenda to include compliance with the Patient Bill of Rights, with a repeal date so the requirement would expire on November 30, 2026. The motion to move OTP on HB 71 with the amendment was withdrawn, and the committee agreed the amendment would be scheduled for a future full Finance hearing instead. The committee then turned to HB 71 itself and heard testimony from DHHS representatives John Williams and Jenny O’Higgins on the fiscal note and policy implications. Members questioned the estimate that the bill could put $12 million to $18 million per year in federal funding at risk, including HUD and Office of Refugee Resettlement funds. DHHS explained that the estimate was based on a broad reading of the bill’s term “specified alien,” which they said was not clearly defined in the bill, so they analyzed it using the federal definition of “alien” and assumed the bill could affect lawfully present non-citizens as well as undocumented individuals. They said the figure represented a worst-case scenario and that they were not claiming the loss was certain. Members also pressed DHHS on whether the bill could affect emergency sheltering in schools, public academies, or institutions of higher learning during disasters. DHHS said the language could create conflicts with federal funding conditions because emergency shelter programs generally cannot impose barriers on who may be sheltered, and they warned that excluding certain people could affect refugee-related and HUD funding. Questions were raised about whether the bill’s language would apply to private institutions as well as public ones, and whether the state could still use schools in short-term emergencies. DHHS said the language was broad, that they could not answer every legal question definitively, and that they would need input from public health and legal staff. No final vote on HB 71 was taken in the portion provided; the committee remained in discussion/work session mode after the amendment motion was withdrawn.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> water flowing right on a limited water flowing right on a limited resource<00:28:12.880><c> because
• limited limited Dairy<00:58:53.280><c> our</c><00:58:53.520><c> Hog</c><00:58:54.200><c> Farms</c><00
• </c> companies that immensely benefit companies that immensely benefit financially<01:01:07.280><c> and
• </c><02:00:54.199><c> it</c> build housing to their benefit it build housing to their benefit it doesn't
• bill is benefiting the large guys this bill is benefiting the large wealthy<02:01:30.000><c> corporate

Committee: House Agriculture & Food Systems

Transcript Highlights:

• So when they have tried to introduce limits, parts per trillion, there is no safe limit right for PFAS
• </c> when they have tried to introduce limits when they have tried to introduce limits parts<00:08:03.599
• </c> limiting that. limiting that.
• Um that's that's what ancillary benefit.
• So this is based on contaminate limit.

Committee: Joint Natural Resources & Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• This measure lengthens the statute of limitations to file a complaint of discrimination with the Hawaii
• to file a complaint of limitations to file a complaint of discrimination<00:52:49.520><c> with</c><00
• subject to the following considerations, to the extent known: one, any income derived from public benefits
• household income exclusive<01:01:44.040><c> of</c><01:01:44.240><c> public</c><01:01:44.560><c> benefits
• </c><01:01:45.600><c> exceeds</c> exclusive of public benefits exceeds exclusive of public benefits exceeds

Bills: SCR96 , SCR164 , SCR172 , SCR166 , SCR182 , SCR7 , SCR59 , SCR58 , SCR60 , SCR89 , SCR184 , SCR11 , HB2296 , HB2315 , HB2343

Transcript Highlights:

• It's preventing the ability to potentially register for benefits in multiple states.
• However, as you know, I am term-limited. My tenure will end next year.
• The Title 74 limit bill or funding bill.
• The limit on your revolving fund: the monies that go into that revolving fund.
• The demand on my time is limited, so that gets to be a little bit of a challenge.

Committee: House A&B General Government Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas is one of only nine states limiting patients to less than 30 days.
• HB 713 grants a limited exception, very limited, from the mandatory reporting rule for nurses and physicians
• In addition to that, it also has the benefit of...
• So, there are a lot of benefits that come from this.
• This is then also able to provide some risks and benefits.

Bills: HB 1106 , HB3284 , HB541 , HB713 , HB1403 , HB1586 , HB1942 , HB2070 , HB2844 , HB2851 , HB3151 , HB3749 , HB3940 , HB3963 , HB4454 , HB4466 , HB4795 , HB5154 , HB5394 , SB1357 , HB 1052 , HB4099 , HB4638 , HB5147

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• /c> limited liability company, corporation, limited liability company, corporation, trust,<00:46:18.000
• </c> speed limit? I have several in my area. speed limit? I have several in my area.
• </c><03:40:34.360><c> Uh</c> speed limits are important. Uh speed limits are important.
• . limits. limits.
• </c> or to limit this. or to limit this.