Video & Transcript : 'Florida Public Service Commission' :
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FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Fiscal Policy Mar 13th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- REGARDING THE REGIONAL CONSORTIUM SERVICES ORGANIZATION SUBMENTAL SERVICE PROGRAM THIS CREATED DESECRATED
- REP SENDING FLORIDA RURAL ECONOMIC ASSOCIATION.
- WE HAVE HIM REPRESENTING THE ASSOCIATED INDUSTRIES OF FLORIDA.
- THANK YOU FOR LIFTING UP THE VOICES FOR RURAL FLORIDA. A STRONG RURAL FLORIDA IS A STRONG FLORIDA.
- I DON'T WANT NORTH FLORIDA TO LOOK LIKE ANYWHERE ELSE BUT NORTH FLORIDA.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development Feb 5th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- WITH HUMAN SERVICES IT WAS FAR-REACHING.
- OVER $146 MILLION IN OBLIGATED PUBLIC ASSISTANCE FUNDING HAS BEEN PASSED WITH DEBBY.
- A FEW PROGRAMS ARE TIED TO THAT SERVICE FOR OUR COUNTIES.
- ONE OF THE BIGGEST AREAS WOULD BE OUR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PROJECTS.
- WHILE FLORIDA ALONE COULD OPERATE I THINK IT'S THE LONG TERM.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine the nominations of Reed Rubinstein, of Maryland, to be Legal Adviser, Mike Huckabee, of Arkansas, to be Ambassador to the State of Israel, and Kevin Cabrera, of Florida, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Panama, all of the Depar Mar 25th, 2025 at 09:00 am
Foreign Relations Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- service.
- Her wisdom and resilience have shaped my approach to service.
- We have emails, for example, from an American NGO, and all of this is public record.
- I want to thank all of our nominees for your past public service.
- in the Detroit public school system for almost five decades.
Committee:
Senate Foreign Relations Committee
Summary:
The committee meeting was focused on various key issues, including the implications of recent violence in the Middle East and U.S. foreign policy in relation to Israel and Panama. Members discussed the need for diplomatic efforts between the U.S. and Israeli officials following the recent attack by Hamas. Governor Huckabee emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong U.S.-Israel relationship and reiterated the need for accountability for terrorist organizations involved in violent acts against civilians. Senators shared their concerns regarding the ramifications of U.S. actions in Panama and the presence of Chinese influence, highlighting the significance of the Panama Canal in terms of trade and security.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
April 3, 2025 - 08:30 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- We're in public testimony. Aaron D. Pietro with the Florida Family Voice waves in support.
- We're in public testimony. Seeing no public testimony, we're in debate.
- We're in public testimony. Seeing no public testimony, we're in debate.
- I'm thankful for, quote me on this, Florida Politics.
- We're back on the bill as amended with public testimony.
Summary:
The Health Professions and Program Subcommittee met with a quorum and heard six bills. HB 1617 on stem cell therapy was presented as a way to expand access to biotherapy options through informed consent, sourcing standards, and required disclosures; an amendment clarifying definitions was adopted, supportive testimony was heard, and the bill passed 16-0. PCS for HB 1399 would give the legislature authority to terminate or refuse to extend a declared public health emergency; members raised a concern about what happens if the emergency prevents the legislature from meeting, but the sponsor said she was working on a fix, and the bill passed 16-0. PCS for HB 555 would change medical marijuana card renewals from annual to every two years and exempt veterans from the $75 fee; members described it as reducing barriers and helping seniors and veterans, and it passed 16-0.
PCS for HB 1487 would strengthen licensure for volunteer-based EMS providers such as Hatzalah South Florida; testimony and debate emphasized the value of these zero-cost, volunteer emergency services, and the bill passed 14-0. HB 115 on clinical laboratory personnel addressed workforce shortages by aligning Florida licensure more closely with federal CLIA standards and allowing qualified applicants with relevant bachelor’s degrees and federal training to work with on-the-job training; a strike-all amendment was adopted, industry witnesses supported the bill, and it passed 15-0 as amended. HB 1513 would require health care practitioners to refund patient overpayments within 30 days of learning of the overpayment, excluding insurer and HMO overpayments; it drew supportive debate and passed 15-0. The meeting then adjourned.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
April 2, 2025 - 01:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- I represent the Florida Beer Wholesale...
- And now we have the very first Fresh from Florida beers rolling.
- And now we have the very first fresh from Florida beers rolling.
- Liquid Garage Brewing Company located in Trinity, Florida.
- , the great state of Florida.
Summary:
The State Administration Budget Subcommittee met with a quorum and took up one bill, House Bill 499, which would allow malt beverage manufacturers producing less than 31,000 gallons annually to sell and deliver directly to vendors. The sponsor and several craft brewery owners and industry advocates testified in support, arguing the measure would help small breweries reach local restaurants, improve quality control, create jobs, and serve as a bridge into the three-tier system for businesses too small to attract distributors. Opponents, including the Florida Beer Wholesalers Association, argued the bill would undermine the three-tier system, weaken accountability and tax collection, and create risks for consumer protection and market fairness.
During debate, several members said they supported the bill as a small-business measure while noting they remained protective of the three-tier system. Some members raised concerns about tax tracking and long-term distributor contracts, but others said the bill appeared limited enough to preserve the existing system while giving small breweries a chance to grow. The committee then voted on the bill and it passed, with one recorded no vote.
After the bill vote, the subcommittee revisited prior questions about Department of Lottery Secretary Davis’s travel reimbursements. Members reviewed updated documents showing more than $50,000 in travel reimbursements from January 2021 through November 2024, including about $27,840 tied to Orlando destinations, and expressed concern that some reimbursements may have covered commuting between Tallahassee and Orlando. The chair said the information would be sent to Secretary Davis for an explanation, and the meeting adjourned after no further business.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Appropriations - S/C on Article II Feb 25th, 2025
Appropriations - S/C on Article II
Transcript Highlights:
- Health and Human Services Commission, the HHSC Office of Inspection.
- That would probably be more directed to the Health and Human Services Commission.
- We have been working closely with our partners at the health and human services commission.
- Commission to build services that both we can. access to serve children in our care but that parents
- Item 5, and this exceptional item is focused on five foundational public health services that support
Committee:
House Appropriations - S/C on Article II
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- So we have about 52,000 kids in our public school system as we speak today, with 45 public schools.
- Chair, I think that's something the Florida Police Association, the Florida Sheriffs Association, we
- And I know we have, you know, Central Florida and a little bit of West Florida.
- For instance, I-75 in Central Florida, Moving Florida Forward, we're building auxiliary lanes as part
- It could be outside of Florida.
Committee:
Senate Transportation
Summary:
The committee held a panel discussion on micro-mobility device regulation and enforcement, focusing on e-bikes and e-scooters. Sheriff Robert Hardwick and Chief Jamie Cruz described serious injuries involving children, including crashes at high speeds, and argued that current law is outdated because it folds e-bikes into the bicycle statute. They urged a separate statewide framework with clearer age limits, licensing or training requirements, helmet rules, and penalties for modifying devices to go faster. Both also emphasized that parents should bear responsibility and that enforcement should include education, progressive discipline, and, if needed, civil citations.
FDOT District 6 Secretary Daniel Iglesias and DHSMV representative Lonnie Groner said their agencies are prioritizing education, outreach, and better data collection. They noted that micromobility devices are increasingly common, create safety and accessibility issues on sidewalks and shared-use paths, and are difficult to track because crash reports often do not identify them consistently. Members discussed whether motorized devices should be barred from sidewalks, whether riders should be licensed and insured, and how enforcement could be made uniform statewide. The panel also said manufacturers have not been meaningfully engaged and that local approaches vary widely.
The committee then heard 2026 legislative priorities from FDOT Secretary Jared Perdue and DHSMV Executive Director Dave Kerner. Perdue outlined FDOT’s large five-year work program, ongoing congestion-relief projects, investments in ports, airports, rail, workforce, heavy equipment, facilities, and cybersecurity, and the need to do more with flat revenues. Kerner summarized DHSMV’s agency bill priorities, including requiring a Florida address and proof of residence for vehicle registration, updating identification requirements, aligning tank vehicle and motor carrier rules with federal standards, improving IFTA administration, raising the crash-report damage threshold, and allowing electronic notices. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the presentations and questions.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- B-290 on Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services by Senator Truenow.
- Tripp Hunter, Florida Farm Bureau, waving in support.
- Cameron Fink, Associated Industries of Florida, waving in support.
- Feed Florida Association, waving in support.
- Lena Juarez, waving in support, and Alex Haley, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Committee:
Senate Fiscal Policy
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice Jan 28th, 2026
Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice
Transcript Highlights:
- That is not in Florida statutes.
- Florida Citizens Alliance. Barbara Devane, Florida Now.
- We need more OBs in Florida.
- I'm Kara Gross, the interim political director of the ACLU of Florida, and the ACLU of Florida opposes
- And I have to be honest about the reality we live in in Florida. Florida has a Supreme Court.
Keywords:
wrongful death, unborn child, civil liability, medical provider, parental rights, habitual felony offenders, violent crimes, enhanced penalties, criminal justice, recidivism
Summary:
The committee heard a lengthy presentation from Miami-Dade State Attorney Catherine Fernandez-Rundle on human trafficking, describing Florida’s high victim counts, the role of online recruitment, common victim and trafficker profiles, and several case examples involving sexual exploitation, labor trafficking, and interstate trafficking. She highlighted Miami-Dade’s task force model, partnerships with law enforcement, schools, businesses, and shelters such as Camillus House’s Project Phoenix and the Thrive Clinic, and said the office relies heavily on technology, training, and victim-centered prosecution. Members asked about school-based trafficking, warning signs, social media platforms, and information-sharing about offenders across states; Fernandez-Rundle said more training and better interstate communication are still needed.
The committee then took up CS for SB 656, which would codify FDLE’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Funding Program and rename/expand the online sting operations grant program to better support investigations, training, technology, and personnel. The bill was supported as a timely tool to combat online child exploitation and was reported favorably on a unanimous roll call. The committee also passed SB 892, which streamlines sentencing procedures for habitual felony offenders and related violent offender designations by clarifying notice and clemency-related paperwork requirements; it too was reported favorably unanimously.
The remainder of the meeting focused on SB 164, which expands Florida’s Wrongful Death Act to allow parents to recover civil damages for the death of an unborn child. The sponsor said the bill is intended to recognize unborn children in civil law and allow recovery when a pregnancy is lost due to another’s negligence. Opponents from the ACLU, reproductive rights groups, medical insurers, and domestic violence advocates argued the bill is overly broad, could function as fetal personhood legislation, and could expose doctors, friends, family members, businesses, and abusive partners to lawsuits while chilling medical care, IVF, and pregnancy-related treatment. Supporters from pro-life organizations urged broader language and stronger protections for unborn children. No vote on SB 164 was taken in the portion provided.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Regulated Industries Jan 12th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- The Florida Veterinary Medical Association and the Florida Veterinary Technicians Association have proposed
- in the state of Florida.
- Protecting the health and safety of our animals and the public in the state of Florida.
- My concern is for the general public safety of the animals and the public in Florida.
- Wayne Jensen, and I live part-time in Florida, about half a year in Florida.
Summary:
The Committee on Regulated Industries met with a quorum and took up two bills. First, it considered SB 754 on heated tobacco products. The sponsor said the bill would define heated tobacco products and exempt them from the cigarette tax, arguing they are a less harmful alternative for nicotine users. Senators asked about youth access and regulation, and the sponsor said he would research those issues further. A representative of the Florida Retail Federation appeared in support, and the committee voted the bill favorably.
The committee then heard SB 796 on veterinary medicine, after adopting a delete-everything amendment. The amended bill would create a Veterinary Professional Associate (VPA) role, allowing individuals with a master’s degree and national competency exam to perform certain delegated veterinary tasks under a licensed veterinarian’s responsible supervision. It also expanded the allowable period for telehealth prescriptions for flea and tick products and other medications. Supporters said the bill would expand access to care, reduce costs, and help address veterinary shortages, while opponents from the Florida Veterinary Medical Association argued the proposal was unnecessary, could create safety and federal-law concerns, and that existing veterinary technicians and other workforce measures were a better solution. After testimony and debate, the amendment was adopted and the bill was reported favorably.
During final debate, several senators said the VPA proposal was more limited and better balanced than earlier versions, with the veterinarian retaining liability and control over delegated duties. The sponsor closed by emphasizing rising veterinary costs, shortages of care, and the need for more affordable access for pet owners. The committee then adjourned.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Fiscal Policy Jan 14th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Tripp Hunter, Florida Farm Bureau, waving in support.
- Cameron Fink, Associated Industries of Florida, waving in support.
- Feed Florida Association, waving in support.
- Lena Juarez, waving in support, and Alex Haley, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
- With sunshine laws and public input.
Summary:
The Committee on Fiscal Policy heard and approved two bills. First, it took up CS for SB 290, an agriculture and consumer services bill, and adopted a strike-all amendment that covered a wide range of issues: density limits for certain small municipalities, a delay in biosolids rule changes from July 1, 2026 to July 1, 2028, higher insurance and penalty requirements for fumigation businesses, longer payment timeframes for contractors to pay subcontractors and suppliers, restrictions on county agritourism permitting ordinances, and renaming the Bonifay Forestry Station. Senators raised concerns about the contractor penalty increase, local government preemption, and the biosolids provisions. Audubon Florida testified in opposition to the state lands and biosolids sections, while several industry and agriculture groups waved in support. The committee then voted the bill favorably, with Senator Bracey Davis voting no.
The committee next heard SB 320 on administrative efficiency in public schools. The bill would reduce district-level requirements in areas such as assessments, personnel, facilities, and budgeting; expand teacher apprenticeship and multi-year contracts; streamline salary supplements and testing calendars; give districts more flexibility with Title I and capital funds; update facility planning rules; and shift oversight of district-run VPK programs. Supporters from several school districts and education groups waved in favor. Senators generally supported the goal of reducing administrative burdens, though one question was raised about remedies if charter schools fail to respond directly to Department of Education inquiries. The sponsor said the bill is intended to create a more direct reporting path and reduce unnecessary layers of regulation. SB 320 was reported favorably, and the committee then adjourned.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Health Policy Jan 26th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Would still be safe for the public health.
- Florida law reflects the same common-sense balance.
- It ignores a very real, very preventable public threat.
- Florida has a huge number of pediatric cancer cases.
- John Labriola, Christian Family Coalition of Florida, waving in support. Joseph Harmon, Florida.
Summary:
The committee heard several health-related bills. SB 1082 would let providers or insurers in state-regulated commercial plans opt into the federal independent dispute resolution process for emergency out-of-network claims, with a late-filed amendment clarifying access to the state program in certain circumstances. The bill sponsor and emergency physicians said the measure would reduce litigation and improve payment resolution; the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably as a committee substitute.
SB 1168 would centralize background screening work for the care provider clearinghouse at the Agency for Health Care Administration and update related screening rules, including sealed and expunged records for qualified entities. The sponsor said the change would speed turnaround and reduce duplication; an amendment was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably as a committee substitute. SB 1156 would move ambulatory surgical center regulation out of Chapter 395 into a standalone section of law, and it was reported favorably without amendment.
SB 1480, as amended by a strike-all, would grandfather certain temporary certificate holders practicing in areas of critical need if federal designations change, allowing them to continue seeing current patients and potentially new patients in their existing area subject to board oversight. The committee heard support from health system representatives and reported the bill favorably. The final and most debated measure, SB 1756 on medical freedom, would require vaccine education materials and alternative schedules, expand school immunization exemptions to conscience-based objections, clarify limits on emergency vaccination orders, and allow pharmacists to dispense ivermectin behind the counter with written information. The sponsor and supporters framed it as parental choice and access, while physicians, public health advocates, cancer advocates, and parents of immunocompromised children warned it would lower vaccination rates and increase disease risk. The committee adopted a liability-related amendment, rejected a substitute amendment that would have required consultation for exemptions, and continued hearing public testimony opposing the bill; the transcript ends before final action on SB 1756.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-06-01 (1:00PM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The prophet Isaiah taught us what genuine service to you looks like: to loosen the bonds of injustice
- For those of you in the gallery, welcome to the Florida Senate, a place where love flows. Okay.
- I started my fire service on June 1, 1968.
- Thank you, President Simpson, for all your hard work and your continued service.
- Thank you, President Simpson, for all your hard work and your continued service.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2025-03-04 (10:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Members and guests, please join me in a moment of silence for a public service legend, a pillar of the
- Welcome to the Florida House.
- Property insurance matters to the people of Florida.
- Many of you have filed bills this session tackling housing and healthcare and public education and public
- It belongs to the people of Florida.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
December 9, 2025 - 03:00 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- Florida Public Radio stations and TV stations through the Florida Public Radio Emergency Network have
- That's why we developed Beacon, an AI-enabled public safety audio service that delivers official alerts
- Florida is seen as a leader in public safety innovation precisely because of the partnership between
- the state, our public broadcasters, and the University of Florida.
- We leverage the data archive and previous research publications from the University of Florida.
Summary:
The Natural Resources and Disaster Subcommittee met to discuss the use of artificial intelligence in emergency management and related public-safety applications. The panel included the Florida Division of Emergency Management, the University of Florida, and Florida International University. FDEM described current uses of AI for invoice anomaly detection, automated situation report drafting, and data synthesis in WebEOC, emphasizing that AI is used to speed analysis and improve efficiency but not to replace human decision-making. The agency also said counties retain access through backup communications such as Starlink and generators, and that WebEOC provides shared visibility, archived documentation, and a common operating picture across all 67 counties.
University of Florida representatives highlighted Beacon, an AI-enabled public safety audio service developed with FDEM and public media partners to distribute official alerts across multiple platforms, including mobile devices and digital streams. UF IFAS described a geospatial AI “Gaia bot” that turns satellite data into natural-language answers and maps for crop damage assessment and flood-risk mapping, with a focus on making complex Earth-observation data more accessible to growers and policymakers. FIU presented AI models that predict water levels and flood mitigation settings much faster than traditional simulation tools, with comparable or better accuracy, and said the work includes explainability features and broader research on compound flooding.
Members asked extensive questions about storm surge, hallucinations, whether generative AI or large language models were being used, data vetting, and hardware needs. The witnesses repeatedly stressed that their systems are not autonomous, that human review remains central, and that the models used are primarily data-driven predictive tools rather than chatbot-style generative AI. The meeting ended with thanks to the panelists and an announcement that the committee’s policy chief was leaving for another position. Representative Mooney then moved that the committee rise, and the meeting adjourned.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Fiscal Policy Mar 20th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- WILLIAMS MET WITH FLORIDA PBA WAIVES IN SUPPORT AND LAURA WYATT.
- IT'S GOOD PUBLIC POLICY TO PUT THE PUBLIC ON NOTICE ABOUT WHICH SUBSTANCES ARE ILLEGAL TO DRIVE UNDER
- AS YOU KNOW HER PUBLIC-SERVICE JOURNEY INCLUDED TERMS IN THE FLORIDA HOUSE AS WELL AS BEING A MEMBER
- LAND WHICH SUPPORTS FROM PUBLIC AND PRIVATE GRANTS.
- OF FLORIDA.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Hearing none, let's open... ...for public testimony.
- Hearing none, we're going to open up public testimony.
- We are going to open up public testimony.
- Public testimony is open.
- We're going to now open up public testimony, and Mr.
Committee:
Senate Business & Commerce
Keywords:
SB 213, Texas insurance, Insurance Code, Chapter 551, Chapter 541, bundling, tying arrangement, cross-selling, homeowners insurance, residential property insurance, auto insurance, personal automobile insurance, consumer protection, unfair trade practice, deceptive insurance practice, property and casualty insurer, Lloyd's plan, county mutual, reciprocal exchange, farm mutual
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce met with a quorum and took up several pending bills, first reporting SB 1006 favorably after adopting a committee substitute that adds quarterly ZIP-code-level reporting to TDI on insurer declinations, cancellations, and nonrenewals. The committee also adopted substitutes and favorably reported SB 388, which adds nuclear to a credit program and excludes batteries from the dispatchable definition; SB 917; SB 504, which narrows reporting requirements for certain local entities, raises a salary threshold, and authorizes AG injunctive relief; SB 925, which clarifies that federal match dollars are included in a PLA-related prohibition; and SB 815, which removes downcoding references and focuses on AI use in prior authorization. SB 815 advanced on an 8-2 vote, while SB 388 advanced 6-3 and the others were reported 9-0 or 6-0 as noted.
The committee then heard testimony on SB 378, which would prohibit aestheticians and cosmetologists from administering injections or using prescriptive medical devices unless legally authorized and would clarify TDLR disciplinary authority. The author and a retired neurosurgeon testified that unsafe, unauthorized injections pose real patient risks, and a TDLR witness said the bill addresses a long-standing regulatory gap. SB 378 was left pending after testimony. The committee also heard SB 1252, aimed at reducing municipal permitting barriers for residential backup power systems; the author and industry witnesses said city permitting is costly and inconsistent, while municipal utility representatives and advocates said the substitute preserved safety and utility oversight. That bill was also left pending.
Additional bills heard but left pending included SB 1172, which would let LPs and LLCs sell their own property without a real estate license; SB 681, which would extend engineer license renewal periods and apply similar flexibility to engineering firms; SB 918, a TDLR cleanup bill for orthotics and prosthetics exemptions; SB 1343, which would require data brokers to post a clear link explaining Texans’ privacy rights and how to exercise them; SB 213, which would prohibit forced bundling of residential property and auto insurance while preserving voluntary discounts; SB 610, which would codify TDLR’s anti-trafficking unit; and SCR 8, expressing opposition to a central bank digital currency over privacy, security, and financial-stability concerns. Public testimony on SB 1343 and SB 213 was generally supportive, with consumer and advocacy groups emphasizing privacy, competition, and survivor safety, and the committee closed the day with those measures and others left pending.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- in Florida in 2020.
- Florida led the nation for the number of fatal child drownings: 119 fatal child drownings in Florida
- Johns County, Florida.
- And this is Florida, where water is everywhere.
- climate and the insurance market here in Florida.
Committee:
Senate Fiscal Policy
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
March 19, 2025 - 01:00 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- Seeing no questions, we're in public testimony. Is there public testimony on the bill?
- We are in public service. Everything starts with the social worker who provides the services.
- As far as services, services would be outsourced.
- in Florida that is 85%.
- services.
Summary:
The Health Care Budget Subcommittee took up two bills and then continued oversight discussions with APD and AHCA. CS/HB 27, the Social Work Licensure Interstate Compact, was presented as a way to let Florida social workers practice in other compact states and vice versa; AARP, the Florida Chamber, and NASW Florida supported it, and the bill passed favorably. HB 1127, a child welfare bill, would create a treatment foster care pilot for children with high behavioral needs, improve DCF data collection on commercially sexually exploited children, and expand recruitment for protective investigators and case managers; the bill also passed favorably after brief supportive testimony.
The committee then questioned APD at length about the iBudget waiver waitlist, enrollment pace, spending projections, and provider capacity. APD said it had sent more than 1,100 interest letters in categories 3, 4, and 5, enrolled 1,124 people so far this year, and expects to spend about 96.4% of its waiver appropriation, leaving roughly $82 million unspent. Members pressed APD on why prior discussions suggested more reserve was needed, how long the SANS process takes, whether category 6 could be expanded, and whether the agency has enough waiver support coordinators and direct support providers. APD said it has about 1,061 waiver support coordinators statewide, adequate capacity for current enrollees, but would need further analysis if the legislature directed a much larger enrollment increase. Members also asked about outreach, annual maintenance of the waitlist, portability for military families, and whether communication efforts should be privatized.
Finally, AHCA walked the committee through the 2023 Achieved Savings Rebate (ASR) report for Aetna and explained how the report is used for financial monitoring, rebate calculations, and transparency. AHCA said the ASR is separate from the medical loss ratio (MLR) calculation, though both are reviewed, and that Florida uses the ASR mechanism rather than an MLR remittance requirement to recover funds from plans. Members asked about related-party disclosures, CVS/Caremark relationships, expanded benefits, encounter data, network adequacy penalties, denials and appeals reporting, interest earned on capitation payments, and whether rate increases were reaching providers. AHCA and the outside auditors said they review the plans’ reported data, reconcile it to underlying records, and can assess liquidated damages for network adequacy violations; several members requested follow-up data on rebates, interest, provider capacity, and related-party reporting.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Fiscal Policy Feb 12th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- in Florida in 2020. 119 fatal child drownings in Florida in 2025, senators.
- Johns County, Florida.
- And this is Florida, where water is everywhere.
- climate and the insurance market here in Florida.
- climate and the insurance market here in Florida.
Summary:
The Committee on Fiscal Policy met and reported favorably a series of bills after hearing sponsor presentations, public testimony, and roll-call votes. Among the health and public safety measures, CS/SB 68 would require pediatric readiness standards in hospital emergency departments; CS/SB 340 would require nursing students to complete human trafficking identification training; CS/SB 32 and SB 210 would create a new injunction process and related public records provisions for victims of serious violence by a known person; and SB 418 would add autism-focused law enforcement training and a voluntary Blue Envelope Program for drivers with ASD. Each of these bills received supportive testimony and passed the committee.
The committee also approved several child safety and community protection measures. CS/SB 606 would add drowning prevention and safe bathing education to postpartum materials, and SB 428 would expand the state swim lesson voucher program to older children, with strong support from advocates and families concerned about drowning risks, especially for children with autism. CS/SB 302 would streamline permitting and incentives for nature-based coastal resiliency projects, and SB 636 would create an alternative beach management pathway for coastal communities, though beach preservation advocates warned about perpetual easement language and funding concerns. SB 628, designating Warrior Sacrifice Way in Pensacola, also passed unanimously.
In addition, the committee advanced CS/SB 1734 on juvenile justice, with a late-file amendment updating definitions for juvenile probation and detention officers and codifying detention cost-share language. It also reported favorably CS/SB 246, a specialty license plate bill that was amended to include the UFC plate and an additional first responders resiliency plate, and CS/SB 1028, which revises Citizens Property Insurance Corporation clearinghouse procedures and related insurance market rules. Several witnesses testified in support or with technical concerns on the insurance bill, and members discussed competitive safeguards, clearinghouse scope, and Citizens’ assessment risk. At the end of the meeting, members requested to be recorded on specific bills, and the committee adjourned.