Transcript Highlights:

• status, spending up to five years at a time with NCLEX pass rates that do not meet the statutory standards
• With NCLEX pass rates, it do not meet the statutory standards, and there are no tangible consequences
• And the last thing is this: there is a And the last thing is this: there is a national standard that
• The national standard is the two accrediting agencies, ACN and CCNE.
• Nursing education standards keep Florida citizens safe.

Summary: The Careers and Workforce Subcommittee heard three bills. HB 919 on nursing education programs would tighten accountability for nursing schools with low NCLEX pass rates by shortening the probation period, requiring remediation plans, mandating free remediation for students who fail, and requiring tuition reimbursement for programs with very low pass rates. The sponsor argued Florida’s nursing pass rates are unacceptably low and that stronger consequences are needed; opponents warned the bill could shut down programs, worsen the nursing shortage, and unfairly target private schools, while supporters said it would protect students and improve outcomes. After debate, the bill was reported favorably by a vote of 18-0. The committee then heard PCS for HB 1261, the “Smart Living Act,” a student-driven proposal from Jefferson High School in Hillsborough County to expand personal financial literacy and practical life-skills instruction in high school. Students and school officials testified that the bill would better prepare graduates for adulthood by covering topics such as budgeting, credit, loans, FAFSA, resumes, interviews, and basic household skills. Members praised the students’ work and the bill’s practical focus, and the PCS was reported favorably 18-0. Finally, the committee considered HB 809, which would exempt school social workers from educator certification requirements for general and subject-area knowledge. Supporters from Lee and Broward counties said the current testing requirement is unrelated to social work, creates financial and recruitment barriers, and has contributed to staffing shortages. Members from both parties supported the measure as a simple way to remove an obstacle to hiring and retaining school social workers. HB 809 was also reported favorably by a vote of 18-0, and the meeting adjourned after all agenda items were completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• The court rules at that time established presumptive reasonable time standards for the completion of
• Again, through the chair, the auto-negligence cases, the time standards suggest about a two-year time
• The development of best practices and best-practice standards and guidelines has been a major task of
• To date, we have best-practice standards or guidelines that have been adopted by the Florida Supreme
• We are all operating with basic minimum best standards, and we will be audited.

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:

• </c><04:14:23.439><c> across</c> believe there's no um standards across believe there's no um standards
• </c> put some standards in. put some standards in.
• </c> chiropractic education and standards chiropractic education and standards that<05:50:00.240><c>
• ,</c> maintains public safety and standards, maintains public safety and standards, but<05:58:36.320>
• <06:02:10.480><c> that</c><06:02:10.718><c> are</c> high standards of excellence that are high standards

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think, you know, my standard, everybody has their own standard, but certainly my standard is, as chair
• Also, on your first page, you state that we're requiring that the standard driving test for all Class
• How many standard driving tests for Class D licenses are administered every year or per month?
• I think we're talking about, so when I renew my license, I don't retake a standard driving test.
• It actually only focuses on the lowest-income families, below 30% of the standard median income.

Committee: Joint Legislative Management

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have no standards for the labeling, and a lot of the work that was done with the Association
• Right now, we have no standards and no oversight.
• He said the bill reinforces standards that encourage excellence and accountability.
• House Bill 822 lays out clear objective standards.
• Last year, we passed legislation to standardize timelines for election filing...

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• since there are more than one option that is available for national standard, which Miss O.
• related to impaired driver standards related to impaired driver Care<00:44:24.440><c> Management</c>
• </c><00:44:35.920><c> possible</c> we hold the highest standards possible we hold the highest standards
• </c><00:44:53.920><c> since</c> and recognizing national standards since and recognizing national standards
• </c> available able for National Standard available able for National Standard which<00:44:59.599><c>

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the old ones, or the standard ones, have to be taken and sent to a lab.
• We can use the standard badge. The radiation dosimeter is fine.
• We recognize the importance of maintaining high standards of care.
• And last was a preponderance of the evidence change, a standard that changed two years ago.
• And we know what happens when public data and big standards increase: they increase disputes.

Committee: House House Health & Human Services Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee heard several bills related to radiation protection in cardiac catheterization labs and later a stem cell/regenerative therapy bill. On SB 1121, which would allow hospitals with radiation protection systems to let clinicians forgo lead aprons if they work in the designated safety area and use real-time dosimetry, testimony was largely supportive or neutral after a late amendment gave radiation safety officers discretion to require protective gear if exposures approach thresholds. The committee adopted the amendment and passed SB 1121 on a 9-1 vote. SB 1120, a more prescriptive bill requiring at least 50% of cath lab rooms in hospitals to be equipped with the radiation protection system, drew divided testimony: sponsors and several physicians argued it would reduce orthopedic injury and radiation exposure and improve recruitment and retention, while hospital and radiology groups objected to the mandate, cost, limited vendor pool, and lack of clarity in the bill’s definitions. After adopting an amendment excluding children’s hospitals, the committee deadlocked 6-6 and SB 1120 failed to pass. The committee then considered SB 1118, which would appropriate $3 million to help rural hospitals install radiation protection systems in cath lab rooms. The sponsor said the funding would help rural facilities meet the same safety goals, and the committee passed the bill 6-5. The committee also heard SB 1214, a “guardrails” bill regulating non-FDA-approved stem cell and regenerative therapies, requiring informed consent, sourcing and reporting standards, advertising limits, and civil penalties for violations. Supporters said it would protect patients while allowing access to promising therapies; some members raised concerns about evidence and commercialization, but after adopting a technical amendment, the bill passed 9-3. The transcript ended as the committee moved on to SB 1630, which would seek federal approval for a home- and community-based service benefit for adults with serious mental illness; the sponsor described it as a capped, Medicaid-based community care option, and Access testified neutral while estimating a fiscal impact, but no final action on SB 1630 appears in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, if you're at a criminal negligence standard, basically it's, you know, you should be aware of
• And so, if you're at a standard.
• And so, if you're at a criminal<01:00:30.799><c> negligence</c><01:00:31.359><c> standard,</c><01:00:
• 31.839><c> basically</c> criminal negligence standard, basically criminal negligence standard, basically
• How does that fit in with those more classic standards?

Committee: House Children and Family Law

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm sure Senator Meredith has a set of standards.
• I'm sure Senator Meredith has a set of standards.
• I'm sure Senator Meredith has a set of standards.
• I'm sure Senator Meredith has a set of standards.
• </c><01:35:28.320><c> this</c> see I'd like to see us standardize this see I'd like to see us standardize

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Government Contract Committee met with a quorum, observed a moment of silence for Representative McCool after the death of his sister, and approved the April 14 minutes. The committee then reviewed a large agenda of contracts and amendments, beginning with a deferred Office of the Controller procurement involving broker services. Members questioned why a contract that had previously been handled for about $300,000 annually was now priced at about $1 million, and why the procurement was limited to one year. Office of the Controller staff said the prior vendor had held the work for more than 20 years, the work had previously been treated as not practical to bid, and the new RFP was intended to increase competition. They said the technical evaluation was scored before cost was considered, that past performance was not scored because it was seen as unreliable, and that AON received the highest technical score despite not being the lowest bidder. After discussion, the committee voted to take no action and let the contract proceed to the Finance Cabinet, with members noting continuing concerns about the pricing and process. The committee next considered a DCBS memorandum of agreement amendment for language services. DCBS representatives said the additional funding did not come from a new cut elsewhere, but from reduced spending on interpreter services because commonly used forms had been translated into other languages, freeing up funds for the contract. The committee approved the item unanimously. The final major item discussed was an initial contract for the Board of Hairdressers and Cosmetologists for legal services. Board staff said the board had been without a permanent general counsel since March 2024 and had relied on special and conflict counsel because of unusually heavy litigation, including 11 active cases, plus broader disciplinary and licensing changes tied to recent legislation and an oversight report. They said the contract was a not-to-exceed amount funded entirely by agency fees and that the board was currently running a surplus. Senator Thomas urged support, citing prior legislation and oversight findings about problems at the board and saying the contract was needed to help the board address ongoing litigation and corrective work. The committee approved the contract and then approved the remaining agenda items without objection, sending them forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• The intent is for it to become a standard for how we do things, so this law is inserted into statute
• Representative Jacob, so a standard life jacket would then become illegal if it didn't meet your new
• The goal is to become standard and make sure that reflective life jackets are available and are there
• right for uh how we do things standard right for uh how we do things so<00:13:01.480><c> this</c><00
• </c><01:18:39.280><c> in</c> it's not about putting new standards in it's not about putting new standards

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• and flagging consistent out-of-state EBT usage, and align Idaho's asset limits with the federal standard
• I know it's sufficiently below the standards that they have.
• And this is just trying to make sure that we stay under that standard because the new one is that if
• circumstances, conducting data checks more frequently across data sources, and aligning federal asset standards

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• easier to comply with, make the program more sustainable, and maintain California's high health standards
• Specifically, this bill strikes references to standards of professional responsibility.
• It adopts existing strict guidelines for cannabis products, including rigorous standards for public health
• A.B. 2497 modernization of the PT Practice Act will help California come up to federal standards.
• This bill was standardized, precise racial and ethnic demographic data collection across all California

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

Transcript Highlights:

• And we've heard that rules can establish this standard. They can fill the gap of this regulation.
• This standard, they can fill the gap of this regulation, but I would ask you all to consider the proper
• Cameras can improve the response time for trappers, but this bill removes the minimum standard for those
• And until that standard is restored, I ask that you not support House Bill 678.
• And until that standard is restored, I ask that you not support House Bill 678.

Summary: The committee first heard House Joint Memorial 13, which urges Congress and the Trump administration to codify and follow the Supreme Court’s Sackett v. EPA decision and remove pre-Sackett guidance on federal wetland jurisdiction. Senator Lakey, attorney Damien Schiff, and Mike and Chantelle Sackett testified in support, describing the EPA’s enforcement actions against the Sacketts and arguing the decision should be fully implemented. The memorial was moved to the floor with a do pass recommendation and passed on voice vote. The committee then heard House Bill 678, which would allow the use of transmitting trail cameras to help wolf trappers comply with trap-check requirements. The sponsor and supporters from the Idaho Farm Bureau, Idaho Wildlife Federation, Fish and Game Commission, Idaho Trappers Association, and livestock groups said the bill would improve efficiency and humane treatment while helping manage wolf populations. The Idaho Conservation League asked for amendments, arguing the bill removed a clear minimum standard for how long an animal may remain trapped. The motion to send the bill to the floor with a do pass recommendation passed. Next, the committee approved several DOGE Task Force cleanup bills: House Bill 566, repealing the unused STORE outdoor recreation enhancement fund; House Bill 568, repealing obsolete code on floating timber and townsite claims; and House Bill 774, repealing minimum fines for certain illegal hunting offenses because those penalties are covered elsewhere in code. Each bill was moved to the floor with a do pass recommendation and approved by voice vote. The committee also approved minutes from February 16, 18, and 23, 2026. After a recess, the committee received a presentation from the Idaho Water Users Association on North Idaho water issues. Presenters from Hayden Lake Irrigation District, Lewiston Orchards Irrigation District, and East Green Acres Irrigation District discussed aging infrastructure, urban growth, aquifer conditions, workforce training, and water supply challenges in North Idaho. They described recent and planned projects supported by state funding, concerns about future demand, and the need for continued investment and coordination. No formal action was taken on the water presentation, and the meeting adjourned after questions about a forthcoming Coeur d’Alene tribal water rights settlement bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Secretary will read: An act relating to establishing a child care workforce standards board, adding
• When we think about workforce standards, really, to me, it's thinking about the profession and about
• And yes, it's going to be looking at working standards.
• It's going to be looking at working standards.
• The state demanded that we have certain standards, and the standards weren't bad, Mr.

Bills: SB6061 , SB6234 , SB6176 , SB6335 , SB6047 , HB2235 , HB2340 , HB2464 , HB2619 , HB1376 , HB1796 , HB2091 , HB2249 , HB2254 , HB2353 , HB2431 , HB2441 , SB5808 , SB5949 , HB2124 , HB1069 , HB2104 , HB2624

Keywords: tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development, sewage, grinder pumps, residential buildings, regulation, construction, vehicle registration, enforcement, renewal, transportation, state law, state commission, infrastructure, traffic safety, responsibilities, state capital projects

Summary: The Senate opened with roll call, the Pledge of Allegiance, prayer, and approval of the previous day’s journal. It received a House message that the House had passed second engrossed substitute Senate Bill 5010, and then took up Senate Resolution 8700 honoring Yolanda Cortinas Trout Manuel for her community service, business leadership, and public service. Senator Fortunato sponsored the resolution and spoke warmly in support, and the Senate adopted it by voice vote and recognized the guest in the gallery. The chamber then confirmed Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9142, Maria Seguyenza to the Western Washington University Board of Trustees, after supportive remarks from Senators Bateman and Wilson-Clair. The Senate also passed Substitute House Bill 2248, described as a technical cleanup bill for Secretary of State corporate filings, and House Bill 2309, which removes postgraduate degree requirements for certain state jobs to broaden applicant pools. House Bill 2348 passed as a Department of Natural Resources efficiency measure allowing smaller land sales to be posted online and clarifying fair-market-value requirements. The Senate deferred Second Substitute House Bill 1128 at first, then later adopted a striking amendment and passed the bill as amended. The bill creates a child care workforce standards board to study workforce conditions and make recommendations; several proposed amendments by Senator King to add child-safety training language, add an expiration date, and narrow the board’s scope were rejected. Supporters said the board would professionalize child care work and improve wages and standards, while opponents argued it would add government and costs without solving affordability. The Senate also passed Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2523 on the Community Reinvestment Program, with supporters emphasizing accountability, periodic review, and an independent study, and passed Substitute House Bill 2428 to prevent unintentional lapses in life insurance policies by allowing third-party notices. Finally, the Senate passed House Bill 2340, expanding the CARES substance use disorder recovery program to nursing assistants, and Engrossed House Bill 2317, which streamlines licensing for Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program sites in certain educational settings. Most bills passed by wide margins, though Second Substitute House Bill 1128 passed with a narrower 28-19 vote. The Senate then recessed for lunch and caucus.

Transcript Highlights:

• our state, with the assistance of us as I-HELP members, revised the Idaho Comprehensive Literacy Standards
• And you will see the titles of each of these standards here, and for each of the standards...
• And for each of these standards, as a committee, we have developed concepts and competency guides.
• share with our EPP and other faculty members to help them align their coursework with these literacy standards
• So this is an exam for each standard that we require our teacher candidates and our in-service teachers

Committee: House Education

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Health, safety, and permissible ingredients, testing, and transportation standards.
• Any hemp beverage manufacturer or wholesaler who violates such health and safety standards, or permits
• If they extend it or they set standards for the regulation of it, then we would have this framework..
• And so we began seeing litigation on this in Maine, probably in 2021, a case called Standard Wellness
• And so they kicked out the residency requirement in that Standard Wellness case.

Committee: House Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence

Summary: The Judiciary Committee first met in executive session and took up House Bill 2699, which concerns offenses involving the judiciary. The committee adopted a House Committee substitute and two amendments: one adding circuit clerks, deputy circuit clerks, court administrators, division clerks, and municipal clerks, and another adding court reporters who are active participants in courtroom activities. The substitute bill was then voted do pass by a roll call of six ayes, two noes, and two present; one member stated a personal interest and voted present. The committee then held a public hearing on House Bill 2848, the so-called “mask intimidation” bill sponsored by Representative Dolan. The bill would create a Class C misdemeanor for intentionally harassing, intimidating, or threatening another person while concealing one’s identity with a mask or similar covering, with exceptions for legitimate uses such as medical, religious, holiday, and First Amendment-related activity. Supporters, including the Anti-Defamation League, said the bill would address masked intimidation by extremist groups and protect targeted communities; there was no opposition testimony. A public hearing followed on House Bill 2765, sponsored by Representative Justice, which would regulate intoxicating hemp beverages through a framework modeled on alcohol’s three-tier system. The bill would set licensing, testing, labeling, packaging, age-21 sales restrictions, and THC limits, and assign oversight to the Department of Health and Senior Services and the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control. Support came from the Missouri Beer Wholesalers Association, Hemp Beverage Alliance, Missouri Petroleum and Convenience Association, Torch Drinks, Total Wine, and others, who argued the bill would create needed guardrails, keep products away from minors, and preserve a regulated retail market; some witnesses also urged broader regulation of other hemp-derived products. There was no opposition testimony, and the committee concluded its hearing without taking final action on HB 2765.

Transcript Highlights:

• Benefit consumers by standardizing protections and requirements.
• This bill establishes standards and disclosures on third-party litigation financing in Idaho, provides
• it a little bit is you could have an employee that's, you know, with an employer that just has a standard
• it a little bit is you could have an employee that's, you know, with an employer that just has a standard
• It simply requires health plans to apply the same cost-sharing standards to oral chemotherapy as they

Committee: House Business

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And this bill will only create confusion over what standards apply because the bill doesn't provide for
• there's a rebuttal presumption that a product isn't defective if it complies with federal or state standards
• This differs markedly from the evidentiary standards applied in state and other federal tribunals.
• That includes making sure that Florida continues to follow standard economic development procedures such
• and energy standards.

Bills: S0408 , S0986 , S0678 , S0800 , S1050 , S0484 , S1118

Committee: Senate Regulated Industries

Keywords: vaccine advertisement, manufacturer liability, harmful vaccine, healthcare, court action, smoking regulation, public health, vaping, marijuana, public places, Florida Statutes, alcohol distribution, tax deductions, extraordinary losses, warehouse breakage, regulatory compliance, veterinary, prescription, pharmacy, client rights

Transcript Highlights:

• The permanent lower individual tax rates, the doubled standard deduction, and enhanced child tax credits
• The second place that this bill gives away our state's rights is in the standard deduction.
• Arizona has a proud tradition of being independent and saying our standard deduction is this many dollars
• Whatever Washington is doing for the standard deduction, that's what we're going to do, again giving
• Increasing the standard deduction was attacked a moment ago. That was flooring to me.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, recorded attendance, approved the prior journal, and made temporary committee appointments. It then resolved into Committee of the Whole to consider SB 1106, a tax conformity bill tied to federal tax changes. Senators debated the measure at length, with supporters arguing it would provide tax relief, certainty for taxpayers and businesses, and conformity with federal filing rules, while opponents said it would reduce state revenue, favor wealthier taxpayers and corporations, and should be handled in budget negotiations or a special session. The bill advanced from Committee of the Whole and, on third reading, passed the Senate 17-12 with one not voting, then was transmitted to the House and later to the governor. During the floor debate, senators focused on the bill’s effects on child care deductions, senior deductions, overtime and tip income, business expensing, and a provision related to federal school voucher tax credits. Democrats argued the bill would worsen budget pressures, undermine funding for education, roads, public safety, and human services, and do little for families on child care waitlists or seniors still working. Republicans countered that the bill would keep more money in taxpayers’ pockets, support working families and small businesses, and align Arizona’s tax code with federal changes to avoid confusion for filers. After the tax vote, Senator Bolick read a proclamation honoring Arizona and U.S. law enforcement, citing fallen officers, officer assaults, and the need for training, equipment, mental health support, and tougher penalties for attacks on officers. The Senate then received and referred a large number of new bills to committees, announced upcoming committee meetings, and adjourned until Tuesday, January 20, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• But when you presented it, you went into detail with your explanation about this new standard in one
• It says something about the standard increasing to significant harm.
• It seems like that standard makes it actually harder to meet the requirements to even establish that
• How much harder is it now to meet this elevated standard?
• Isn't that because they didn't meet the standard, or what was that agenda?”

Summary: The Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee first took up the appointment of Joshua Kellum to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Kellum described his background in diversified land, agricultural, materials, and real estate operations and said he views himself as a conservationist. Senators questioned him closely about his development background, the balance of perspectives on the commission, his vote supporting the black bear hunt, and the use of Fish and Wildlife Foundation funds for the “Yes on 2” campaign. Supporters argued he is primarily a land steward and conservation-minded landowner, while opponents said the commission is already dominated by developers and lacks scientific or conservation expertise. After debate, the committee voted to recommend Kellum’s confirmation, with Senator Smith voting no and the rest of the voting members in favor. The committee then received a presentation from FWC on implementation of recently enacted boating and vessel laws. Bill Holcomb outlined changes under SB 1388 (the Boater Freedom Act), including limits on vessel stops and boarding, a new Florida Freedom Boater Safety Inspection decal, and revised rules for Springs Protection Zones. He also reviewed SB 164 on derelict and at-risk vessels, including new enforcement tools, a long-term anchoring permit, and updated penalties; HB 289, Lucy’s Law, which strengthens boating safety penalties and education requirements; SB 830 on the disposition of migrant vessels; and HB 735 on water access facilities and boating infrastructure. Holcomb said FWC is in rulemaking, training officers, and updating forms and permitting systems to implement the laws. Members asked follow-up questions about derelict vessel cost recovery and whether penalties go back to the state, and about the Springs Protection Zone standard. Holcomb said the state can recover removal costs from responsible owners and that the new springs standard requires “significant harm” and that vessel activity be the predominant cause, with subject matter experts and partner agencies helping make those determinations. He said Silver Glen Springs remains a proposed zone but was paused pending the new criteria and rulemaking. The committee took no further action on the presentation and adjourned after completing the agenda.