Transcript Highlights:

• Please make sure that all electronic devices are turned off or in silent mode.
• Not for safety reasons, frankly; the cameras have a portal to parents, and anytime I want to watch what's
• going on in the classroom, I can go to that portal on my phone.
• This could either be done through a portal or any written communication.
• , and most of the parents don't even know that there's a portal available.

Transcript Highlights:

• -created portal version, which it really isn't, it's no more created by T.E.A., it's created by test.

Bills: HB8, HB12, SB 3, HJR1, SB 11, SB 16, SB 14, HB 8, HB 12, SB 3, HJR 1, SB 11, SB 16, SB 14

Keywords: HB 8, Texas public school accountability, school accountability, public school transparency, STAAR, state assessments, instructionally supportive assessment program, Student Success Tool, Texas Education Agency, TEA, accountability ratings, A-F ratings, through-year assessment, benchmark testing, norm-referenced assessment, college career military readiness, CCMR, local accountability plan, school district performance, campus turnaround

Bills: SB2, SB3, SB5, SB9, SB10, SB14, SB16, SB34, SB18, SB 2, SB 3, SB 5, SB 9, SB 10, SB 14, SB 16, SB 18, SB 34

Keywords: flooding, public safety, outdoor warning sirens, disaster preparedness, emergency response, flood warning, outdoor sirens, local government, safety measures, flood management, emergency preparedness, municipal safety, disaster response, disaster relief, emergency funding, Meteorological forecasting, local government assistance, training facilities, hemp regulation, consumable products

Transcript Highlights:

• There was just more of a technical correction, or an ease of implementation, for the electronic e-bike

Bills: HF2431, HF2438, HF2783, HF1943

Keywords: higher education, college affordability, student aid, state grants, North Star Promise, scholarships, financial aid, Minnesota State, University of Minnesota, Office of Higher Education, tuition relief, work-study, child care grants, hunger-free campus, food insecurity, student parents, pregnant students, parenting students, sexual misconduct, Title IX

Transcript Highlights:

• If everyone would silence their electronic devices at this time, I would appreciate it.
• However, there are some trainings that are well suited to being web-based that are on our portal that
• However, there are some trainings that are well suited to being web-based that are on our portal that
• our members can that are well-suited to being web-based that are on our portal that our members can
• to that, a lot of the agencies are implementing it into their report management system, which is electronic

Summary: The committee held a panel discussion on Florida’s domestic violence system, focusing on the roles of the state, the federally designated coalition, direct-service providers, and law enforcement. Members reviewed the history of the system after the dissolution of the former coalition in 2020, the creation of the Florida Partnership to End Domestic Violence, DCF’s Office of Domestic Violence, and the current contract structure involving Women in Distress and its subcontractors for hotline and legal services. Panelists also discussed the 2024 lethality assessment law, the workgroup’s conclusion that the evidence-based Maryland tool could not be used because of copyright and cost issues, and the state’s current use of statutory questions instead. DCF and FDLE described the statewide certification and funding framework, including more than $60 million in domestic violence funding for fiscal year 2025-26 and the requirement that law enforcement complete lethality-assessment training by October 1, 2026. Testimony highlighted both collaboration and conflict. Florida Partnership to End Domestic Violence and Women in Distress described overlapping training and technical-assistance roles, but disagreed sharply about the quality of their relationship with DCF and whether the current structure is duplicative. DCF said it maintains communication with both the coalition and the centers and emphasized that the coalition is federally required, while the coalition argued that the department has obstructed its work. Women in Distress and Hope Villages stressed direct services, prevention, and the need for more housing, staffing, and funding, especially in rural areas. They also described programs in schools, hospitals, and child welfare settings, and noted that children exposed to domestic violence often need specialized services. Members asked about funding flows, certification, rural coverage, the number of centers, and the lethality assessment rollout. DCF said the 41 certified centers serve all 67 counties and that no new applications have been received in about 15 years. FDLE reported that 46 of roughly 400 law enforcement agencies had completed the lethality-assessment training and attestation, with the statutory deadline still ahead. Panelists said domestic violence appears to be increasing, citing higher hotline demand, shelter occupancy, and local case numbers, while also noting that statewide crime data remains outdated. The discussion ended with calls for better coordination, clearer implementation of statutes, more funding, and possible legislative fixes to improve data collection, training, and service delivery.

Transcript Highlights:

• Over 77 million logins on our MyEDD benefit portals.
• Over 5 million employer logins on our benefit portals.
• We launched electronic questionnaire for unemployment.
• There was also a slight project change, the shared customer portal.
• DWC Electronic Education Management System or EAMS. Any comments. Anybody from the public.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2240 permits a rental agreement to be delivered and executed electronically.
• Also, most cities are now required to partner with the state business licensing portal, so they may not
• So whether it is by hand delivery... ...or electronic, or by mail and electronic, at least we're covering
• We are not opposed to the revisions allowing electronic signing.
• We are not opposed to the revisions of allowing electronic signing.

Summary: The Consumer Protection and Business Committee heard public hearings on several bills related to real estate, self-storage, and consumer disclosures. House Bill 2477 would shorten the time to bring claims against appraisers arising from appraisal reports to two years from discovery or five years from signing, except fraud claims, and would limit liability to specified clients and intended users. The sponsor and appraiser witnesses said the bill would reduce long-tail liability, lower insurance and recordkeeping burdens, and help attract new appraisers; no opposition testimony was heard in the excerpt. House Bill 2512 would prohibit real estate brokers from marketing residential properties to exclusive groups unless the property is also publicly marketed. Supporters, including Washington Realtors, Zillow, Habitat for Humanity, Windermere, and others, said it would promote transparency, competition, and fair housing; opponents argued it could limit homeowner privacy and autonomy, and the Attorney General’s office said the Washington Law Against Discrimination already covers discrimination concerns and objected to placing enforcement in that statute. House Bill 2240 would modernize self-storage rental agreements by allowing electronic execution, deeming continued use after notice as acceptance, and setting notice and disposal rules after termination or nonrenewal; storage industry witnesses supported the bill as clarifying safety and notice procedures, while an advocacy witness opposed it as harmful to unhoused people and others who rely on storage units. House Bill 2465 would require a water recreation safety guide for short-term rentals with pools or similar facilities; the sponsor and hospitality industry supported it as a low-cost safety measure, while cities raised implementation concerns and asked for an amendment on where the guide would be posted. House Bill 2501 would update a seller disclosure notice to reflect the Pollution Liability Insurance Agency’s shift from a no-cost insurance program to a loan-and-grant remediation program, and it drew support as a technical correction. House Bill 2624 would exempt public entities, tribes, and nonprofit land conservancies from the 2025 “solicited real estate transactions” appraisal and notice requirements; conservation groups and the Department of Natural Resources supported it as necessary to preserve land acquisition and grant funding, and the sponsor described it as a cleanup bill. The committee then moved into executive session and took action on two liquor-related bills. House Bill 2536, allowing wineries to hold a spirits, beer, and wine restaurant license or beer/wine restaurant license at one location, was moved out of committee with a due pass recommendation by a 14-1 vote. House Bill 2476, modifying the spirits, beer, and wine theater license, was amended via a proposed substitute that restored the 120-seat-per-screen limit except for theaters admitting only patrons 21 and older; the substitute was reported out with a due pass recommendation by a 13-2 vote. Members discussed the balance between business flexibility and concerns about alcohol access in family settings and recovery communities.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's in the electronic cigarettes.
• It's it's in the electronic cigarettes.
• ,</c> the online portal, the online portal, &gt;&gt; uh,<04:09:43.359><c> we</c><04:09:43.600><c> had
• </c> uh in our uh online portal. uh in our uh online portal.
• Have to look on the portal here. HB 1620.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Environmental Policy Subcommittee took up HB 1621, which would require a baseline environmental impact study before development of certain manufacturing and storage facilities. Members said the concept had merit, but they could not resolve major drafting and implementation issues, including how to define covered facilities, what the study would require, and how enforcement would work at the municipal or county level. Several members expressed concern about unintended consequences and said the proposal was not ready; the subcommittee voted unanimously to recommend inexpedient to legislate (ITL), and the full committee later adopted that recommendation on a 16-0 roll call vote, placing the bill on consent. The committee then discussed HB 1053, involving electronically submitted pesticide use reports. Representative Comtois presented an amendment creating a department database and protecting confidential information, but said she still needed to check whether it was germane and to review administrative issues with the Department of Agriculture. After hearing from David Russo of the Division of Pesticide Control, the committee agreed to continue work on the amendment and took no action that day. The committee also reviewed HB 1186 on egg labeling and producer exemptions. Representative Comtois offered an amendment exempting small producers from most requirements except labeling, but Commissioner Sean Jasper asked for more time to review the impact and suggested the state might not need the existing egg law at all if federal USDA rules already cover the field. Members agreed to hold action until the following week. Finally, the committee began discussion of HB 1780 on penalties for violations involving seeds, plants, and nursery stock, focusing on labeling rules and germination-date requirements; testimony from industry and department representatives indicated they were working toward a compromise that would allow multiple relabelings, add production dates, and set a 36-month sale limit, but no final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Proof of delivery could include first-class mail record, certified mail receipt, read receipt for electronic
• require consumers to take an affirmative action to deselect coverage, like unchecking a box on an electronic
• require consumers to take an affirmative action to deselect coverage, like unchecking a box on an electronic
• coordination of wildfire hazard and risk mitigation data sharing through the Natural Hazards Data Portal
• Is there anything in any of this work for the Natural Hazards Data Portal and WOTEC that prohibits any

Bills: HB2428, HB2399, HB2087

Keywords: life insurance, policy lapse, policy cancellation, nonpayment of premium, premium grace period, lapse notice, termination notice, third-party notice, third-party designee, beneficiary protection, consumer protection, insurance regulation, insurer notice requirements, policyholder, beneficiary, Washington RCW, insurance code, unintentional lapse, coverage continuation, premium delinquency

Summary: The committee held public hearings on three insurance bills. House Bill 2428 would require life insurers to send advance written notice before terminating an individual life insurance policy for nonpayment, including notice of the three-year reinstatement right, and would allow policyholders to designate a third party to receive lapse notices. The prime sponsor and the Office of the Insurance Commissioner said the bill is intended to prevent unintentional lapses, especially for older adults or people with cognitive decline. The life insurance industry supported the consumer goal but asked for a delayed implementation date and noted a need for a small technical amendment. House Bill 2399 would prohibit post-loss assignments of benefits in property insurance, making such agreements void and subject to enforcement by the Insurance Commissioner. The prime sponsor, the OIC, the Washington State Association for Justice, PEMCO, and the National Insurance Crime Bureau all testified in support, saying the practice can let contractors take over claim rights, create leverage for inflated claims, and leave homeowners without control over their own insurance claims after a loss. Members asked about steering by adjusters, whether homeowners could still authorize contractors or direct payment, and the size of the proposed $50,000 fine; witnesses said the bill does not bar direct payment to contractors or other lawful representation and that the penalty would go to the general fund. House Bill 2087 would enact the Washington Travel Insurance Act, largely based on the NAIC model, to regulate travel insurance sales, licensing, disclosures, and unfair trade practices. The sponsor and industry witnesses said the bill would expand consumer choices and standardize rules, while the OIC supported much of the framework but raised concerns about claim adjustment by unlicensed adjusters. The Attorney General’s Office asked for language clarifying that existing discrimination and consumer protection laws still apply. The committee then moved into work sessions on flood insurance, wildfire mitigation recommendations from a prior work group, and a feasibility study on a joint underwriting association for certain child care services, with staff and agency presentations outlining current market conditions and policy options.

Transcript Highlights:

• Third, anyone is welcome to submit an electronic comment without testifying.
• You can do that online. ...There's an electronic portal linked in today's hearing notice.
• This information can be uploaded to the portal for today's hearing through the end of the hearing.
• We won't know that until that portal closes after this hearing.
• The electronic portal for today's hearing will close right after we adjourn.

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to note that we are always and currently accepting written testimony through the position letter portal
• committee’s website, so we invite anyone who has more to add to the record to provide it through the portal
• And I will say I know that I and all to provide it through the portal.
• shelving labels as you Of facial recognition as you walk into a store, electronic shelving labels as
• shelving labels as you of facial recognition as you walk into a store, electronic shelving labels as

Summary: The Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee met with a new membership roster and adopted its committee rules after quorum was established. The hearing then began with AB 412, the AI Copyright Transparency Act, which would require generative AI developers to provide copyright holders notice when registered copyrighted works are used in training data. The author and supporters, including SAG-AFTRA, the Transparency Coalition, voice actors, writers, labor groups, and other creators, argued the bill would give artists a practical way to learn whether their works were used and to vindicate their rights. Opponents, including EFF, CalChamber, RIAA, CCIA, Chamber of Progress, Bay Area Council, BSA, and TechNet, said the proposal was technically unworkable, could burden startups, conflict with existing law and pending litigation, and raise federal preemption concerns. Members discussed the bill’s amendments, including a fingerprinting approach and narrowing the bill to model developers, and the committee voted 8-2 to pass AB 412 as amended to the Judiciary Committee. The committee then heard AB 446, which would prohibit “surveillance pricing,” or the use of personal data to charge different prices for the same product or service. The author and supporters, including Consumer Watchdog, UFCW, labor organizations, and consumer/privacy groups, described examples of differential pricing tied to device type, location, shopping behavior, and digital price tags, and argued the bill would protect consumers from discriminatory and predatory pricing. Business and industry opponents, including CalChamber, grocers, retailers, travel, broadband, and other associations, said the bill could conflict with the CCPA, interfere with loyalty and rewards programs, and create confusion about personalized discounts and dynamic pricing. The discussion focused on how the bill would treat loyalty programs, whether existing privacy law already covers the issue, and whether the proposal would unintentionally affect legitimate discounts and promotions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 2371, relating to skimmers on electronic terminals.
• portal known as My Texas Future.
• portal known as My Texas Future.
• customer data by a provider of an electronic communication service.
• customer data by a provider of an electronic communication service.

Summary: The Senate began with a quorum call, prayer, approval of the previous journal, and messages from the House, then moved through several recognitions and resolutions honoring visiting groups. Members adopted resolutions recognizing the Texas chapters of Blue Star Mothers of America, Fine Arts Education Day, Donate Life Texas Day, Baha’i Capitol Day, County Government Day, Jack County Day, Crockett County Day, and a recognition of Navy Petty Officer Simon Urbanik for service during the Cuban Missile Crisis. The chamber also heard remarks from visiting doctors, students, county officials, and community groups, with multiple senators speaking in support of military families, arts education, organ donation, and local government service. The Senate then took up Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2779, relating to the allocation and use of certain hotel occupancy tax revenues. Senator Birdwell said the bill would stop local governments from conditioning HOT funds on race- or class-based priorities and would require Galveston to transfer the full state rebate for beach cleaning and maintenance to its park board. After questions, the Senate suspended the rules, passed the bill to engrossment, suspended the three-day rule, and finally passed it, though the final vote showed significant opposition. The chamber also passed Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2322, described as a cleanup bill removing the compelling-factor test for dispatchable generation from the Texas Jobs, Energy, Technology, and Innovation Act. A major debate centered on Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2253, which would phase out uncertified teachers in core classrooms and strengthen educator certification requirements. Senator Creighton argued the bill responds to a teacher pipeline crisis, adds parent notification, creates multiple preparation pathways, and provides financial incentives for certification; Senator West and Senator Sparks pressed for rural flexibility and implementation details. An amendment from Senator Gutierrez to add a teacher student-loan repayment program failed on a 11-17 vote, while other technical and fiscal amendments were adopted. The bill then passed to engrossment, the three-day rule was suspended, and it was finally passed. The Senate also passed Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2371, updating skimmer-reporting rules to cover electronic terminals beyond fuel pumps, and Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2351, relating to the construction of certain concrete plants under a standard permit. Senate Bill 619, a conscience-protection bill for health care workers, drew extended questioning from Senators Cook, Eckhardt, and Menendez about patient abandonment, scope, and whether it could allow refusals of legal services such as vaccines, antibiotics, contraception, or personal care; despite those concerns, the Senate suspended the rules and passed the bill to engrossment. Finally, the chamber began consideration of Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1169, which would allow public entities to form public utility agencies to cooperate on water and wastewater projects without eminent domain or cross-collateralization, with Senator Hinojosa explaining it as a tool for small and rural communities facing utility infrastructure problems.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please silence all of your life, electronic devices and miss.
• So here are a few statistics that are just this year opened our grant application portal in August, the
• Very frankly, when we open what we call the portal, the application portal, you have the flood of people
• It is electronic which I know some seniors struggle with. But we do have a call center.

Transcript Highlights:

• The House Committee on Administration has established, an electronic public comment process for all Texans
• All public comments submitted through the portal will be posted on electronic legislative information
• Directions on how to submit public comments on the portal can be found in today's hearing notice.
• The public comments portal has been opened and will close upon adjournment of this hearing.

Bills: HB232

Keywords: disaster recovery, natural disaster, weather disaster, emergency relief, flood relief, hurricane relief, storm damage, wildfire, tornado, hail, windstorm, extreme heat, ice storm, snowstorm, property damage, personal injury, temporary housing, relocation assistance, lost wages, state emergency management

Transcript Highlights:

• for enrollment and course registration for a child of a military family on a conditional basis by electronic
• The school district must accept the application by any means, not just electronic.
• The school district must provide the evaluation report in a written or electronic format that the parent
• appreciate your testimony, and let's—you can certainly submit your written comments through the committee portal
• We have run out of time, but please, please use the public portal to provide your written comments, and

Bills: HB1662, HB1683, HB2534, HB2557, HB2594

Keywords: education agencies, administrative independence, superintendent, education reform, agency authority, education, school boards, district adjustments, administrative boundaries, educational governance, military families, child stability, transitional schooling, support services, special education, parental rights, educational access, evaluation reports, disability services, unhoused

Summary: The House Education Committee met in executive session on House Bill 1662 and House Bill 1683, then moved into public hearing on House Bill 2534, House Bill 2557, and House Bill 2594. HB 1662, as a third substitute, would require several education-related boards and commissions to transition to independent administrative services and operational independence, with OSPI providing transition support through the 2027 fiscal year. Members and the prime sponsor emphasized agency independence and better use of funds; the committee voted 19-0 to report the bill out with a do pass recommendation. HB 1683 would set minimum numbers of school directors elected by director district for certain school districts, with the substitute changing enrollment thresholds and effective dates. Supporters said it would improve representation for parents and students, while opponents argued it would impose an unfunded mandate and micromanage local districts. The committee approved the substitute bill 11-8, also with a do pass recommendation. During public hearing, HB 2534 drew broad support from school officials, military family advocates, and education groups. The bill would expand enrollment flexibility for military-connected students, allow pre-arrival enrollment, extend proof-of-residency timelines, and require quicker handling of IEP and Section 504 transfers; several witnesses supported the goal but asked for a technical amendment to avoid shortening evaluation timelines. HB 2557 would require school districts to provide parents or guardians a copy of special education evaluation reports five school days before eligibility meetings; supporters said this would help families prepare, while school psychologists and some district staff warned it could compress already tight evaluation timelines and delay services. HB 2594 would codify McKinney-Vento homeless student protections into state law, assign related duties to OSPI and districts, and require periodic state reporting; it received strong support from advocates, school staff, and the prime sponsor, who said it would strengthen stability, accountability, and access for homeless students. The committee adjourned after public testimony, noting the bills could be eligible for executive action the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please silence all electronic devices.
• In addition to that, I just wanted to touch on this additional portal that we're putting together.
• it's a lot of data and a lot of technical IT to get all these different data sets pulled into one portal
• that applicants, and we send out email blasts to everyone and anyone so that they're aware that the portal
• prior representation of the prior district that I had, its makeup: the cities of Miami Shores, El Portal

Summary: The committee meeting began with quorum, member introductions, and an overview of the Agriculture, Environment, and General Government budget process. The chair emphasized using the committee resource book and performance metrics to review the base budget and invited members to identify areas of interest for later discussion. Members were also reminded about appearance forms and speaking procedures. Wes Gregory of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services presented on agricultural best management practices and water policy. He said the office had updated all nine commodity BMP manuals and added a manual for small farms and livestock, expanded enrollment by 742 producers covering 677,000 acres, and used GIS and data analysis to target areas such as the Indian River Lagoon. He also described cost-share projects, a new field application for enrollment and inspections, cross-training staff, and a request for $20 million for regional water quality projects. Members asked about BMP enrollment, compliance, and enforcement; Gregory said noncompliance is uncommon and cases can be referred to DEP. Adam Blaylock of DEP reviewed environmental grant programs, saying the state has appropriated $2.9 billion since 2018 for water quality projects, with about 1,100 projects reducing nitrogen and phosphorus statewide. He described the Water Quality Improvement Grant, Indian River Lagoon, Biscayne Bay, Springs, Alternative Water Supply, and Resilient Florida programs, including a planned public dashboard and a water-quality monitoring portal. Senators asked about the application window, award timing, and the high cost of septic-to-sewer conversions, with Blaylock estimating a blended average of about $35,000 per home. Chief Conservation Officer George Worthing of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission then presented on invasive animal control. He discussed prevention, risk screening, law enforcement at ports, public outreach programs such as the Python Challenge, Lionfish Challenge, and Exotic Pet Amnesty Program, and early detection tools like the Ive Got One reporting system. He also described control efforts for Burmese pythons, tegus, and lionfish, along with research and partner coordination. Members asked about the most harmful invasive species and whether iguanas may be taken; Worthing said iguanas are open for take, subject to other laws. The meeting ended after members briefly identified priorities such as water quality, recreation water quality, sustainability, sea level rise, and septic-to-sewer infrastructure, and the committee adjourned without any formal votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Ah, there’s an electronic version of the minutes.
• We advertise and talk about the benefits portal as if it’s the consolidated list of ways to alleviate
• We advertise and talk about the benefits portal as if it’s the consolidated list of ways to alleviate
• So it’s $335,000 to implement this into the benefits portal.
• Um, we all had electronic minutes.

Bills: HF1367, HF2732, HF1897, HF1424, HF1383, HF2728, HF2863, HF1685, HF2929

Keywords: child maltreatment, child abuse, neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, sex trafficking, labor trafficking, human trafficking, child protection, local welfare agency, county social services, Minnesota Department of Human Services, judicial review, district court appeal, venue, out-of-state abuse, cross-border investigation, Minnesota child welfare, family assessment, maltreatment determination

Transcript Highlights:

• Like I mentioned, we're in the process of developing a web-based portal where the person will be able
• and remote uh so they aren't electronic and remote uh so they aren't held<01:11:01.199><c> in</c><01
• One of our goals, primarily through the web-based portal, is to get information out to people before
• One of our goals, primarily through the web-based portal, is to get information out to people before
• One of our goals, primarily through the web-based portal, is to get information out to people before

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Part of that system includes a portal that would allow members of the public to respond to the annual
• So if we allowed this portal for electronic response, correct?
• So if we allowed this portal for electronic response, correct?
• um you this portal for res mail<00:41:00.640><c> electronic</c><00:41:01.240><c> response</c><00:41:
• 01.920><c> correct</c> mail electronic response correct mail electronic response correct okay Um, the

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several Judiciary-related measures. SB 94 would increase the mandatory minimum jail term for a first knowing or intentional violation of a temporary restraining order from 48 to 72 hours. The Office of the Public Defender and the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence opposed the bill, arguing the current penalty is effective, the measure treats very different conduct the same, and the mental health assessment language is unclear and could be harmful or misapplied. Some other testifiers were listed in support or opposition, but no vote was taken. SB 15 would raise the real property exemption amount for attachment or execution. The Hawaiʻi Financial Services Association offered comments rather than opposition, suggesting the bill should be clarified as applying to creditor claims rather than property taxes and possibly limited to a primary residence, with restrictions on frequency of use. Committee discussion focused on how the exemption would affect unsecured creditors, the role of recorded mortgages and judgment liens, and whether the bill should instead establish a clearer homestead-style exemption. The bill drew both support and comments, with no action taken during the hearing. The committee also took testimony on SB 117, which would protect people making sexual misconduct claims from defamation suits unless made with malice; SB 121, a constitutional amendment to give the Senate more time to confirm judicial appointments; SB 14, a reapportionment amendment tied to the decennial census and resident population; SB 175, which would raise the mandatory retirement age for judges and justices from 70 to 75; SB 173, creating a three-year pilot program for free child care for minor children of parties and witnesses attending First Circuit court hearings; and SB 261, increasing juror pay from $30 to $50 per day. Testimony on these measures was generally supportive in the case of SB 175, SB 173, and SB 261, with some opposition on SB 14 and SB 117. On SB 173 and SB 261, committee members asked questions about practical implementation, and on SB 261 the State Bar Association said the increase was overdue and intended to encourage jury participation.

Transcript Highlights:

• A reminder: please silence your electronics.
• Yeah, there's a very antiquated portal for mediating the property insurance cases, and I know they had
• Do you think that there will be interaction with the public or the users of these portals in order to
• things and make it much easier for consumers to really get their questions answered because whatever portal
• Develop future standards, and certainly that being able to access things through portals, have the system's

Summary: The Appropriations Committee met with a quorum present and considered three items. First, it heard and passed SB 158, which eliminates cost-sharing for diagnostic and supplemental breast examinations under the state employee health plan. Senator Berman described the bill as a way to remove financial barriers to early breast cancer detection, and several senators spoke in strong support, emphasizing the importance of follow-up screening and the life- and cost-saving value of early diagnosis. The bill was reported favorably by roll call vote. The committee then took up SPB 7024, a committee bill on state planning and budgeting. Senator Brodeur explained that the proposal modernizes and simplifies the state agency long-range planning process by focusing on key data points, removing stale measures, and improving how plans are presented to the Legislature. Senator Berman supported the bill, highlighting new provisions on implementation status and budget consequences if enacted laws are not carried out. The committee voted to submit the proposal as a committee bill and reported it favorably. Finally, the committee considered SPB 7026, a major overhaul of state information technology governance. Senator Harrell described a transition from the current Florida Digital Service structure to a new cabinet-level Agency for State Systems and Enterprise Technology (ASSET), with enterprise-wide standards, interoperability, procurement oversight, cybersecurity coordination, technical debt tracking, a testing laboratory, workforce development, and annual IT expenditure reporting. Members raised questions about procurement authority, judicial branch inclusion, existing contracts, cybersecurity, and staffing; Harrell said agencies would retain final procurement decisions but would have to follow enterprise standards, the courts were not included, existing contracts would continue, and the bill would add significant state IT staffing. Several amendments were adopted, including changes on CIO selection conflicts, removal of the Northwest Regional Data Center from a definition, reporting on deviations from standards, and technical updates related to the data center and workforce positions. Public testimony strongly supported the bill as a needed modernization of Florida’s fragmented IT system. The committee then reported SPB 7026 favorably as a committee bill. The meeting adjourned after members recorded their votes on the three items.