Video & Transcript Research : 'litigation'
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FL
Transcript Highlights:
- In fact, many of those insurers left the state of Florida because of, mainly because of the litigation
- It is inconceivable how spending more money and more litigation is going to help patients.
- This bill does not prevent litigation.
- The current law does not prevent litigation; it prevents litigation from non-economic damages.
- industry on this bill as it's currently written and how this might result in a significant increase in litigation
Summary:
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard three bills. SB 514, by Senator Harrell, clarified that medical quality review committees used by managing entities are treated like other medical review committees for purposes of civil liability and public records protections. The committee adopted a Harrell amendment removing the word “malpractice” from the title, heard support from the Florida Hospital Association, Florida Association of Managing Entities, and Florida Smart Justice Alliance, and then voted 11-0 to report the bill favorably.
The committee then took up SB 734, by Senator Yarborough, which would repeal the current wrongful death exception that bars certain parents and adult children from recovering non-economic damages in medical negligence cases. The bill drew extensive testimony from families describing deaths they said were caused by medical negligence and from supporters including AARP and the Florida Justice Association, while opponents from the health care, insurance, and business sectors argued it would raise malpractice premiums, increase litigation, worsen physician shortages, and reduce access to care. After debate, the committee voted 9-2 to report the bill favorably.
Finally, SB 538, by Senator Bradley, was presented as the state courts legislative package. It updates court operations by clarifying duty judge requirements, removing a location limit on duty hearings, repealing a cap on arbitrator compensation in court-ordered non-binding arbitration, and allowing alternative judicial authentication of oaths and acknowledgments when a court seal is unavailable. The bill received supportive waiver forms from the Florida Bar ADR section and several judges, and was reported favorably on an 11-0 vote. The committee then adjourned.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Government Contract Review Committee (5-13-25) - Reupload Part 1
Transcript Highlights:
- Um currently there litigation right now.
- anticipated the needs of this litigation anticipated the needs of this litigation that<00:27:06.960
- Our estimate was based on litigation.
- they do have a lot of litigation. they do have a lot of litigation.
- <00:30:44.320>
because through all this litigation because through all this litigation because
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.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, we did say though that if you have to sell your house for any reason, if you're in this litigation
- , reason, if you're in this litigation, reason, if you're in this litigation, you<00:08:37.760>
- This seems to me to be a product or an aspect which can create litigation, especially in terms of how
- Otherwise, we're going to be creating additional litigation as to whether the notice was ever given.
- This seems to me to be a product or an aspect which can create litigation, especially in terms of how
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee May 12th, 2026
Energy, Utilities and Communications
Transcript Highlights:
- and it would also, the Safe Harbor would provide shielding of good faith reports for use in civil litigation
- . ...process at the PUC and how that correlates to the litigation process.
- If customers lack adequate first-party insurance, post-disaster recovery will default back to litigation
- If customers lack adequate first-party insurance, post-disaster recovery will default back to litigation
- electric utility equipment can seek compensation from the utility that ignited the fire, but the litigation
Summary:
The committee held the first of several informational hearings on the SB 254 Natural Catastrophe Resiliency Study, focused on wildfire risk, utility liability, and how to finance catastrophic losses. Chair Allen opened by describing California’s recent utility-ignited wildfires, the creation of the wildfire fund under AB 1054, and SB 254’s extension of that fund and requirement for a study. The California Earthquake Authority, as wildfire fund administrator, presented the report’s process and findings, emphasizing that the study was intended to be neutral and broad, based on extensive stakeholder outreach, and that the status quo is not working well for survivors, communities, ratepayers, insurers, or utilities.
CEA’s report organized recommendations into three policy pathways: continued mitigation investment, more equitable allocation of catastrophe burdens, and expanded state roles in catastrophe financing. For utilities, the report discussed options such as setting a binding risk-tolerance standard, preserving safety certificate accountability, tying executive compensation more directly to safety, creating confidential reporting with safe-harbor protections, reforming utility liability including possible changes to inverse condemnation, limiting damages, reducing insurance subrogation, and creating a fast-pay facility for survivors. The financing analysis compared a more durable wildfire fund, risk transfer/reinsurance, liability reforms, and state-backed mechanisms such as a state insurer, a state backstop, and broader funding for community wildfire mitigation.
The CPUC said wildfire mitigation oversight has improved, but wildfire-related costs are driving electricity bills higher and creating an affordability crisis. The Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety highlighted its wildfire mitigation plan review and field inspections, and recommended stronger safety reporting and more safety-weighted executive compensation. In member discussion, senators and assemblymembers focused on the cost of the status quo, whether the burden should be shared by ratepayers, utilities, the state, or other parties, and whether California should consider broader disaster-financing approaches. Several members raised concerns about inverse condemnation, the pace of survivor compensation, local land-use responsibility, and the need for a more comprehensive statewide solution rather than piecemeal bills. No votes or formal actions were taken; the hearing was informational only.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- Thank you for hearing House Bill 1842, the Act Against Abusive Website Access Litigation.
- Access litigation. And I need my glasses. Is the microphone on, Representative? Yes, it is.
- But 1842 addresses abusive litigation tactics concerning website accessibility cases while preserving
- And for businesses, leaving room for abusive litigation is bad, and it is bad for Missouri.
- What this bill does not do, it does not... ...abusive litigation practices.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Finance Oct 14th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- team that is currently composed of six senior litigators and three honors attorneys doing the bulk of
- We coordinate with other states that are participating in the litigation.
- In that litigation, a preliminary injunction has been issued, and that case is on appeal and continues
- I expect that the Attorney General's office is going to be involved in a lot more litigation now.
- Chair, Representative Herndon, we do anticipate more litigation.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
FIN Info Briefing - Thu Jan 16, 2025 @ 9:00 AM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- It used to be a litigation attorney even for the department, where we had to litigate and go after a
- It used to be a litigation attorney even for the department, where we had to litigate and go after a
- It used to be a litigation attorney even for the department, where we had to litigate and go after a
- It used to be a litigation attorney even for the department, where we had to litigate and go after a
- It used to be a litigation attorney even for the department, where we had to litigate and go after a
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- It takes thousands of dollars to litigate $10,000.
- litigate litigate 5<00:11:58.160>
$10,000. - Um, to be litigate their claims there.
- <01:36:02.000>
to vehicle for just allowing a litigant to vehicle for just allowing a litigant - <01:36:06.320>
their another venue to to litigate their another venue to to litigate their
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Ways and Means (04/29/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- I am, but we've done unfortunately I've been involved in a fair amount of litigation over RSA 72:23,
- involved in a fair amount of litigation involved in a fair amount of litigation over<01:06:58.160
- We think that’s unconstitutional, and there’s a compelling litigation case there, especially under New
- shows that that tax is litigation shows that that tax is unconstitutional.
- <02:23:12.160>
that <02:23:12.479>was Health joined the litigation that was Health
Summary:
The Ways and Means Committee held a public hearing on Senate Bill 291, which would update religious land-use and property tax exemption rules for church-owned parsonages, parish houses, and similar properties. Senator Tim Lang, speaking for the sponsor, said the bill was intended to address situations where former parsonages are no longer occupied by clergy and are instead used for church-related purposes such as housing staff, religious education, or congregate living tied to ministry, including addiction recovery. He emphasized that the bill was not meant to create commercial rental housing and that it also preserves reasonable zoning and environmental regulations.
Committee members pressed the sponsor on how the bill would be applied, especially the meaning of “religious purposes,” the six-unit limit, the “same lot” language, and whether churches could use the exemption to rent units for revenue. The sponsor said the six-unit cap was added to prevent large-scale commercial rental use, that congregate housing would be limited and defined, and that the bill was meant to cover uses like substance abuse recovery, homes for unwed mothers, and religious education, but not apartments converted for ordinary rental. He also said churches would still file annual exemption paperwork and towns could challenge claims they believed were commercial. Questions also raised concerns about whether the bill treated religious and nonreligious housing trusts differently; the sponsor responded that the bill was aimed at church-owned property used in pursuit of a religious mission.
Several witnesses testified in support. Representative Mark Pearson, an active clergyman, said the bill would not remove additional property from the tax rolls because clergy housing allowances typically lead clergy to buy taxable homes elsewhere, while the church-owned parsonage remains exempt. Nick Taylor of Housing Action New Hampshire supported the bill as a modest expansion that could help create more attainable housing by allowing better use of existing religious land and structures, though he noted his organization would support even broader use. The hearing ended without a vote or final action, and the chair closed questions after the testimony.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee 2/11/25
Judiciary Finance and Civil Law
Transcript Highlights:
- We receive complaints from litigants, from lawyers, from other judges, from witnesses, from, you know
- Litigants are the primary complainants, but we do get a lot from attorneys and judges, chief judges,
- whether they you know how to litigant whether they you know how they<00:35:52.440>
comport <00 - do complain about or submit litigants do complain about or submit complaints<00:37:17.079>
about< - The first is to investigate, mediate, conciliate, litigate, and monitor discrimination cases.
Summary:
The Judiciary and Civil Law Committee met to hear an informational presentation from the Board of Judicial Standards. After brief member and staff introductions and a review of committee rules, the board’s executive secretary, Sarah Bas, and Mary Pat Maher explained the board’s history, mission, and operations. They described the board as an independent state agency that handles complaints about judicial misconduct and disability, issues advisory opinions, and educates judges on ethics. The presentation covered the board’s composition, complaint intake and screening process, and the levels of discipline available, ranging from summary dismissal and letters of caution to private admonitions, deferred disposition agreements, public reprimands, and formal complaints that can lead to Supreme Court review.
Members asked about the board’s budget, public access to discipline records, confidentiality of complaints, and how the board balances accountability with protecting public confidence in the judiciary. The board said public discipline is posted on its website, while private admonitions, deferred dispositions, dismissals, and letters of caution remain confidential. It also said judges generally are told who complained so they can respond, though the board can withhold the source for good cause. Questions also focused on whether attorneys are underreporting misconduct, how many complaints are nuisance complaints, and whether the online complaint system changed the types of complaints received; the board said nuisance complaints make up more than half, the complaint types have not changed much, and it does not have data comparing complaint sources to outcomes. No votes or formal committee actions were taken.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Debate to add SF3210 to the Calendar for the Day for Tue., May 12 5/11/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I fear for schools and housing providers that we are putting a litigation target on them without giving
- amend a lot had to go back through and amend a lot of<00:34:06.640>
the <00:34:06.720>litigation - <00:34:07.240>
provisions <00:34:08.280>because <00:34:08.600>a of the litigation - provisions because a of the litigation provisions because a guy<00:34:08.840>
named <00:34:09.040 - shakedown litigation shakedown litigation because<00:34:19.000>
the <00:34:19.520>the<
Summary:
The House debated Representative Hicks’ motion to place Senate File 3210 first on the calendar for the next day. Hicks said the bill, which concerns disability accommodations, had been on the general register since March 9 and had passed the Senate 46-18. Supporters argued it would strengthen the process for requesting accommodations and should be heard on the floor without further delay.
Representative Niska opposed the motion, arguing the bill was poorly drafted, had not received enough committee work, and could create ambiguity in the Minnesota Human Rights Act. He focused on the bill’s use of “may” in describing failure to engage in the accommodation process and questioned how the proposal would affect existing law in employment, housing, public accommodations, and education. Hicks responded that the bill addresses the process for reasonable accommodations, not the underlying accommodation standards, and said disability advocates and the Department of Human Rights supported the language.
Several members spoke in favor of calendaring the bill, emphasizing that it was bipartisan, had already moved through committee, and was important to people with disabilities. Some supporters described the accommodation process as difficult and said the bill would help ensure good-faith engagement between employers and individuals seeking accommodations. The exchange ended with the motion still under debate, with members indicating the bill would likely be taken up on the floor the following day.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
02/09/2026 - House Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- There was also talk of litigation, and I think the important thing is that there are provisions to kill
- take them, you know, just even if they are, um, even if they're, without getting into a lot of litigation
- , a lot of... ...even if they're, without getting into a lot of litigation, a lot of questioning through
- That change was a result of litigation by a number of, I would call them, litigious organizations, sir
- So it's often litigated.
Keywords:
land division, property disclosure, real estate, affidavit, Arizona Revised Statutes, small land subdivision, land use, real estate regulation, county ordinance, water supply requirements, property access, civil penalties, wildlife management, deer permits, private land, landowner rights, human-wildlife conflict, predatory animals, hunting regulations, game and fish
Summary:
The House Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee heard a series of wildlife- and agriculture-related bills, with most of the discussion focused on conflicts between ranching, public hunting, and wildlife management. HB 2197 would revise the unlawful camping statute near watering sites; after a Griffin amendment and verbal amendment, the committee heard support from the sponsor, Arizona Game and Fish Commission, and a rancher, while one member raised concerns about expanded criminal penalties. The bill received a do pass recommendation on a 6-1 vote. HB 2497, which would recognize a statutory right to lawfully hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife and limit unreasonable restrictions, drew strong support from hunting groups and opposition from animal welfare and conservation advocates who argued it would undermine Game and Fish authority and repeat a measure voters rejected in 2010. After debate over whether hunting is a right or a privilege, the committee recommended the bill do pass by a 5-3 vote.
HB 2147 would require landowner deer permits on private lands under certain conditions, with a cap tied to lottery-issued deer tags. The sponsor said it was meant to address deer damage to crops in St. David and planned an amendment to make the permit nontransferable; Game and Fish said population management hunts were already addressing the problem, while opponents warned against privatizing wildlife. The committee approved the bill 5-3. HB 2158 would expand the definition of predatory animals to include bears, cougars, mountain lions, and wolves; Game and Fish testified that big game status preserves data collection and science-based management, while supporters said ranchers need more flexibility to protect livestock and property. Opponents argued the bill would weaken protections and conflict with endangered species rules. It passed 5-3.
HB 2159 would allow landowner permits for taking Mexican gray wolves on private and leased grazing lands and create a voluntary compensated trapping program. Opponents said it would violate the Endangered Species Act and privatize wildlife, while the sponsor and supporters argued it was needed to protect ranchers and challenge federal control; Game and Fish said the bill would be unlawful until the wolf is delisted, though they acknowledged ongoing recovery and stakeholder meetings. The committee still recommended it do pass by a 5-3 vote. HB 2162, which would require at least one Game and Fish Commission member to be a cattleman or rancher, was introduced as a way to ensure agricultural experience on the commission; Game and Fish opposed it, saying the current appointment process already includes ranching input and the commission is meant to represent all Arizonans. The discussion ended with the commission explaining its current membership and appointment structure, but the transcript cuts off before a final vote on HB 2162 is shown.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Courts, Corrections and Justice Nov 7th, 2025
Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- He taught me how to litigate these cases.
- will tell you, when I hear of—and it's not just in medical malpractice, but in any type of civil litigation
- They are very expensive to litigate because they're playing with house money.
- The problem, Senator, is that oftentimes I have experienced litigating in Texas.
- In our office, we do other complex litigation as well, but we turn down about 98% of the calls.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
CPN-PSM, CPN Public Hearings 02-10-2025
Commerce and Consumer Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- This exponential increase in litigation poses a serious threat to the future of housing development for
- <00:11:18.320>
that <00:11:18.519>ultimately unnecessary litigation that ultimately - unnecessary litigation that ultimately burdens<00:11:19.519>
homeowners <00:11:20.079>home - Also, allowing inspections on all homes and class actions will grind litigation to a halt.
- to a halt we're in two cases litigation to a halt we're in two cases right<00:15:52.800>
now <
Summary:
The joint hearing first took up SB 696, which would create an emergency management office and fund tax credits, grants for low-income taxpayers to fortify homes, shelter development, and staffing. Supporters argued Hawaii needs a dedicated preparedness office and funding before the next hurricane season, while the Tax Foundation said the bill was too vague, especially on who would qualify for the tax credits and under what conditions. The Department of the Attorney General and the insurance division offered comments, and both committees recommended deferral of SB 696.
The Commerce and Consumer Protection committee then heard SB 179 on construction defect remedies and the contractor repair act. Builders, Realtors, carpenters, and a mortgage industry witness supported the bill, saying it would reduce abusive litigation, speed repairs, and help housing production and affordability. Homeowner advocates and plaintiff attorneys opposed it, arguing it would weaken consumer protections, shift repair costs to homeowners, and delay or limit legitimate claims. One testifier suggested the Senate focus instead on stronger alternative dispute resolution, and the committee noted 105 written supporters, four opponents, and one comment submission.
The committee next heard SB 416 on allowing pets in rental housing, with the Attorney General recommending a non-impairment safeguard because of possible effects on existing contracts. SB 593 on commercial dog breeders drew support from the Hawaii Humane Society and others, with concerns raised that counties would be expected to enforce the new regime without funding. SB 641, creating a tax on low-alcohol-by-volume spirits beverages, drew opposition from the Wine Institute, which said it would create a tax break for one segment and likely reduce state revenue. SB 1048 on online crowdfunding received support from GoFundMe and comments from the Attorney General, with GoFundMe urging changes to reduce burdens on charitable fundraising. SB 1213, allowing businesses to accept service of process by email instead of maintaining a registered agent, drew DCCA comments and opposition from LegalZoom, which warned email service could be unreliable and vulnerable to phishing.
DE
Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Elections & Government Affairs Committee Meeting Jun 25th, 2026 at 11:00 am
Elections & Government Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- relief in court and establishes procedures for notice, review, and appropriate remedies before litigation
- One town was actually involved in litigation in Fenwick Island, and so we're helping... ...to make one
- One town was actually involved in litigation in Fenwick Island, and so we're helping... ...involved in
- litigation in Fenwick Island.
- So Fenwick Island, a Superior Court decision in litigation involving the town of Fenwick Island confirmed
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- The number one fiscal reason is litigation costs due to the necessity of the Attorney General defending
- The number one fiscal reason is litigation costs due to the necessity of the Attorney General defending
- And further litigation costs will certainly come into play for the Attorney General if the leasehold
- And further litigation costs will certainly come into play for the Attorney General if the leasehold
- the H.O.A. and its members, clarifying that H.O.A. reserves are not expended on specific types of litigation
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Appropriations heard a large suspense-file agenda and, after waiving presentation on most measures and taking no public testimony or committee questions on the vast majority, moved nearly all items to the suspense file without objection. The hearing began with a quorum call and a reminder that testimony should focus on fiscal impacts. SB 994 was removed from the agenda and sent directly to the Senate floor. The Department of Finance did not attend because it had no comments on the bills.
Several bills drew limited testimony on fiscal concerns. SB 1092 and SB 1093 prompted opposition testimony from Chris Weisakku of WMA, who cited potential litigation costs, impacts on state and local tax revenues, and increased Department of Housing and Community Development workload. SB 1147 drew opposition from NextGen Financial and Junior Achievement, which argued it would undermine a recently negotiated statewide financial literacy framework and could create inequities in instruction. SB 1041 drew opposition from the California Bankers Association and county treasurers/tax collectors over concerns about PACE liens, refinancing costs, and possible harm to senior citizens. SB 1153 was supported by the Association of California Water Agencies, which said wildfire response planning requirements for urban retail water suppliers would use existing structures and not add state costs.
One measure, SB 1238 by Senator Wahab, was taken up for a due-pass vote after testimony from the author and the California Association of Realtors. The bill would add HOA-related disclosures and clarify fiduciary and reserve-use requirements, with an estimated one-time Department of Real Estate cost of $50,000. The committee approved SB 1238 on a 5-1 vote, with Senators Cervantes, Cabaldon, Dahle, Grayson, Richardson, and Wahab voting aye and Senator Seyarto voting no. All other measures heard during the session were moved to the suspense file without objection.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Business and Insurance 2ND REVISED Feb 19th, 2026 at 09:30 am
Business and Insurance
Transcript Highlights:
- We see litigation trends and the rising costs of litigation.
- These costs continue to rise, and litigation in the state of Oklahoma is skyrocketing.
- Litigation in Oklahoma is skyrocketing.
- We would love to implement targeted litigation reform in this building, but it gets stopped somewhere
Bills:
SB1969, SB1953, SB1277, SB1287, SB1061, SB1916, SB1589, SB2178, SB1444, SB1438, SB1501, SB1873, SB1364
Keywords:
massage therapy, licensing, multistate compact, regulation, healthcare, professionals, Employer Health Plan Transparency Act, health insurance, claims data, contract provisions, health care providers, auditable materials, HIPAA compliance, insurance regulation, unemployment benefits, employment security, work search, job search, reemployment, jobless benefits
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection - 03/03/26
Commerce and Consumer Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- More litigation means more defense costs, more settlements, and again, higher insurance premiums for
- More litigation means more defense costs, more settlements, and again, higher insurance premiums for
- More litigation means more defense costs, more settlements, and again, higher insurance premiums for
- More litigation means more defense costs, more settlements, and again, higher insurance premiums for
- More litigation means more defense costs, more settlements, and again, higher insurance premiums for
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Judiciary Committee Jun 30th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Weak standards have already produced costly litigation, deferred maintenance, inconsistent disclosures
- And so what we'll see as a result of this is just increased litigation against the board.
- What we'll see as a result of this is just increased litigation against the board.
- And frankly, it really subjected us to possibility to litigation if we did not follow protocols.
- Right now, a single inadvertent error is enforceable under the UCL through private litigation.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on several bills, beginning with SB 16, which would require county behavioral health directors to create clear pathways for clinicians to be authorized to initiate 5150 involuntary holds. The author and supporters argued the bill would reduce reliance on law enforcement and create more consistent crisis response standards statewide, while county behavioral health directors opposed it as an unfunded mandate that could increase law enforcement involvement and create implementation burdens. Members raised questions about county costs and funding, but the author emphasized the bill’s role in building a more clinical response system.
SB 561 would require public guardians to acknowledge conservatorship referrals, make determinations within a reasonable time, and provide status updates on request. Supporters said the bill would reduce delays that leave vulnerable adults in limbo, while the opposition from public guardian representatives was removed after amendments. SB 381 drew extensive public testimony in support; it would allow California-born adoptees, and descendants of deceased adoptees, access to original birth certificates, with a nonbinding contact preference form for birth parents. Supporters framed the bill as a matter of dignity, identity, and health, and there was no formal opposition on the record.
The committee also discussed SB 880, which would give tenants and prospective owner-occupants notice and a first opportunity to make an offer when institutional investors sell certain homes. Supporters said it would expand homeownership opportunities and preserve neighborhood stability, while opponents warned about conflicts with federal law, bundled-sale restrictions, and impacts on build-to-rent and affordable housing projects. Members and the author discussed possible amendments to address those concerns. SB 1238 would impose a duty of care and additional transparency requirements on HOA managers and boards; supporters said it would protect homeowners from mismanagement, while the main opposition argued the duty should remain contractual and could increase litigation. Finally, SB 423 would require disclosure of emergency-service records related to private detention facilities, and SB 28 would make changes to the CARE Court process, including a statewide ombudsperson and expanded oversight; both drew support and opposition, with concerns focused on transparency, privacy, implementation, and the balance between treatment and coercion. SB 574, discussed at the end, would require disclosure and human oversight for AI use in courts and legal practice and create a complaint process for ADR providers, with the State Bar noting requested amendments related to complaint handling and confidentiality.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-03-12 (10:30AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- , upheld, and litigated; two different words.
- Representative Rainer asked, how many courts have upheld Sharia law in litigation? Zero.
- People litigate for anything. You can file a lawsuit if you didn't get paid one cent on your...
- And for clarity's sake, the cases that have been litigated on Sharia law have been litigated in a contractual
- So stating disingenuously that it is the most litigated, okay, you can file a lawsuit for anything.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present, then moved into returning messages from the Senate. Early action focused on CS/CS/HB 1503 on computer science education and certification, which would add computer science and artificial intelligence content in high school and create a K-12 teacher certificate program; after adopting a House amendment restoring certificate language and adjusting implementation timing, the House concurred in the Senate amendment and passed the bill 105-0. The chamber then took up CS/CS/HB 1085 on local government cybersecurity, adopting a House amendment to allow local governments to buy into the cyber grant program and add a five-year sunset, then concurring in the Senate amendment shifting grant administration back to the Florida Digital Service; the bill passed 104-1.
The House refused to concur in Senate amendments to CS/HB 351 on concurrent legislative jurisdiction over U.S. military installations and HB 6011 on reporting gifts or honoraria, sending both back to the Senate. It also refused to concur in the Senate amendment to CS/HB 851 on professional learning for instructional and school administrative personnel, saying the Senate version expanded the bill beyond its original autism-focused scope. After a recess, the House unveiled Speaker Daniel Perez’s portrait and heard extended remarks praising his leadership, institutional reforms, and the work of House staff and members.
In the second returning-message list, the House debated CS/CS/HB 1471 on systems of law and terrorist organizations. The Senate amendment clarified the definition of “promote,” refined notice and timeline provisions for terrorist organization designations, and kept references to Sharia law as an example in the foreign religious law section. Supporters argued the bill was aimed at conduct beyond speech and was intended to protect the Constitution and public safety; opponents warned it would chill free speech, target Muslim Floridians, and give the governor and cabinet unprecedented power without adequate due process. After lengthy debate, the House concurred and passed the bill 80-25. The House then took up CS/CS/HB 1473, a public records bill tied to HB 1471, and moved to concur in a technical Senate amendment aligning the records exemption with the revised structure of HB 1471.