Transcript Highlights:

• Our business is Carolinas, Florida, Georgia, and Alabama.
• Carolinas, Florida, Georgia, and Alabama.
• Next up, tab 5: Senate Bill 930, Florida Retirement Savings Task Force, by Senator Martin.
• Florida is already experiencing capacity constraints and longer wait times for surveying services.
• meet current and future demand for this essential infrastructure service.

Summary: The Commerce and Tourism Committee heard and reported favorably several bills. SB 386, by Sen. Trumbull, would create consumer rights and manufacturer obligations for defective farm equipment, modeled on lemon-law concepts, and passed without opposition. SB 528, also by Sen. Trumbull, would strengthen Florida’s manufacturing sector through Department of Commerce responsibilities, a chief manufacturing officer role, workforce grants, and reporting requirements; it drew questions about whether it differed from last year’s bill and was supported by several appearance forms before passing favorably. SB 806, a right-to-repair bill for portable wireless devices and agricultural equipment, drew the most testimony: supporters said it would expand consumer choice and repair access, while dealers and industry representatives argued existing manufacturer agreements already provide access and warned the bill could disrupt dealer/manufacturer relationships and future technology; it nevertheless passed favorably. The committee also approved SB 696 on trademark registration, which would modernize the trademark classification system, allow online applications, and clarify document verification procedures, and SB 930, which creates a 15-member Florida Retirement Savings Task Force to study retirement coverage gaps and recommend policy options without imposing employer mandates. SB 826, by Sen. Leak, would address reward cards that function like gift cards but expire, while excluding loyalty programs; the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association raised concerns about unintended consequences and the need for tighter definitions, but the bill was reported favorably after the sponsor said the language would be refined. SB 874 would expand professional licensure reciprocity for experienced out-of-state surveyors and mappers to address workforce shortages, and it also passed favorably. After a pause, the committee took up CS/SB 838 on electronic payments of retail installment contracts. Sen. Yarbrough said the bill clarifies that reasonable convenience fees for optional electronic payments are permissible, provided they are disclosed and a fee-free option remains available, to reduce ambiguity and litigation. Members questioned whether the bill could authorize or expand fees and whether the “reasonable” standard was sufficiently clear; the sponsor said the fees are tied to processor costs and are not intended as revenue. An amendment adding the word “retail” was adopted, and the committee substitute was reported favorably. Several members later asked to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on bills they had missed, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Lions, Florida law with federal law to require working days.
• We've got providers and 50 states that we service.
• David Graham of Florida up to Metric Association.
• I'm the founder and executive director of Florida.
• We already have a baby box process in Florida.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Also with us is Carol Gormley with Florida Community Care, the provider service network implementing
• Also with us is Carol Gormley with Florida Community Care, the provider service network implementing
• Florida Community Care is a Florida-based provider service network, and we have been serving as a statewide
• Florida Community Care is a Florida-based provider service network, and we have been serving as a statewide
• Again, I mentioned at the outset Florida Community Care is a provider service network.

Summary: The Health and Human Services Committee received an overview of Florida’s intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) managed care pilot, created by legislation in 2023 to test whether a managed care model could integrate Medicaid medical services with iBudget waiver home- and community-based services for adults in pre-enrollment categories. AHCA explained the existing system, the pilot’s scope in Regions D and I, and the rollout timeline, including federal approval, contract execution with Florida Community Care, and the October 2024 go-live. Officials reported that, as of early February, 370 individuals had been sent for onboarding and 168 more were in queue, with about $35.8 million of the appropriation remaining. APD also clarified the difference between the pre-enrollment categories and the waiver waitlist, and noted that crisis cases can be enrolled more quickly depending on eligibility and funding. Florida Community Care described the pilot as a comprehensive managed care model offering medical, long-term care, and iBudget services, plus enhanced benefits such as bed-hold days, caregiver transportation, and help with legal guardianship costs. The plan said it uses one care coordinator, a 1:18 coordinator ratio, a face-to-face assessment within five days of enrollment, and 180 days of continuity of care for existing providers. The company emphasized that it is recruiting providers by offering higher rates than some iBudget rates, lower administrative burden, and network adequacy incentives, while APD said it continues to monitor provider supply and demand and recruit across service types and regions. Members repeatedly questioned whether the pilot’s costs, provider rates, and service levels were truly comparable to the iBudget system, and AHCA and APD said it was too early to draw firm conclusions because claims data are still lagging. Committee members also raised concerns about communication, enrollment delays, provider shortages, and whether the pilot could scale statewide. APD said it has used letters, phone calls, texts, emails, and community meetings to reach eligible individuals, and that some delays stem from required assessments, Medicaid eligibility checks, and level-of-care determinations. Several members asked for more detailed comparisons of costs and provider reimbursement between the pilot and iBudget, and APD said it would provide additional data. Public testimony at the end was strongly critical of managed care, with a participant and his mother describing poor service, transportation failures, and loss of control under prior managed care arrangements, and urging the committee not to expand such a model without safeguards. No votes or formal committee action were taken before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Florida, however, is the only leading state without a state-funded public awareness campaign.
• Seeing none, we will move into public testimony.
• Seeing none, we will move into public testimony on the amendment. No public testimony.
• We will take up public testimony. We have Victoria with Family Support Services of North Florida.
• And I think we've covered that public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• THIS IS NOT SPECIFIC TO FLORIDA.
• HAS FLORIDA EVER EXPLORED ANY OF THOSE OPTIONS TO YOUR KNOWLEDGE?
• I WOULD SAY FLORIDA IS NOT ALONE IN SEEING THESE RATE INCREASES.
• I WANT TO LEAN MORE TOWARDS THE PUBLIC AND WHAT THE PUBLIC EDUCATION SIDE OF WHAT YOU GUYS ARE DOING.
• SO FLORIDA POPULATION HAS ALSO GROWN.

Transcript Highlights:

• The voters have spoken and Florida has responded.
• Florida is also leading on the issue of education.
• services to our fellow citizens in need.
• At the state level we have utilized all available levers from the Florida Disaster Fund to the Florida
• The people of Florida are watching.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Derelict and at-risk vessels that are left on Florida waters threaten public safety.
• Lake City, Florida.
• to Florida.
• That's important because we have always—it's about public access, it's about public safety, being able
• retail market in Florida.

Committee: Senate Fiscal Policy

Summary: The Committee on Fiscal Policy considered several bills and reported all of them favorably. SB 70-24, on state planning and budgeting, was presented as a modernization of the long-range planning program to simplify reporting, remove outdated measures, and focus on key data points and outcomes; it passed without opposition. CS/SB 166, on administrative efficiency in public schools, made broad changes to school accountability and operations, including lowering the stakes of certain student assessments, giving districts more flexibility on evaluations, contracts, certification, calendars, facilities, and VPK oversight. Two amendments were adopted: one clarifying that Title I funds may be used for STEM services, and another refining how advanced degrees count on salary schedules. The bill passed favorably after testimony both supporting and opposing the changes, with supporters emphasizing flexibility and opponents raising concerns about teacher evaluation and instructional practice. CS/SB 164, on vessel accountability, was described as a measure to address derelict and at-risk vessels by improving owner identification, creating a free long-term anchoring permit program, increasing penalties, and authorizing grants for local governments in the FWC prevention program. It received support from marine industry groups and was reported favorably. CS/SB 472, on education and correctional facilities for licensed professions, would allow inmates to receive credit toward licensure for qualifying coursework; a strike-all amendment added coordination with DBPR and professional boards. The bill drew support from criminal justice, business, and policy groups and passed unanimously. The committee spent the most time on CS/SB 438, on food and hemp products. Senator Burton and co-sponsor Senator Davis argued the bill was needed to regulate intoxicating hemp products, restrict child-appealing packaging and signage, ban synthetic hemp products, cap THC content in edibles and beverages, and require hemp beverages to be sold through alcohol-style distribution channels. Supporters, including alcohol distributors and some public safety advocates, said the bill would improve testing, labeling, and consumer protection. Opponents, including hemp retailers, farmers, and libertarian advocates, argued it would harm small businesses, reduce consumer choice, and push sales to the black market. After extensive debate, the bill was reported favorably. At the end of the meeting, senators requested to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on tab five, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Florida has a long history of honoring individuals for their civic engagement, military service, or public
• And that ends public comment.
• Florida wildflowers by our own Senator Arrington.
• And that ends public comment. Waving support. And that ends public comment. Debate.
• Postal Service communication with customers, and we will have a public records exemption that runs concomitantly

Summary: The Transportation Committee met and considered several transportation-related bills, including multiple honorary roadway designations, specialty license plates, and Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles agency measures. SB 628, by Senator Gates, designated a portion of South Navy Boulevard in Pensacola as Warrior Sacrifice Way to honor three sailors killed in the 2019 Naval Air Station Pensacola attack; it passed favorably without debate. SB 174, by Senator Rodriguez, designated part of State Road 985 in Miami-Dade County as Charlie Kirk Memorial Avenue. Senator Arrington spoke in opposition, citing Kirk’s controversial public statements, while Senator Rodriguez said the bill honored civic participation rather than ideology; the bill passed favorably. SB 388, by Senator Arrington, raised the annual use fee for the Florida wildflower specialty license plate from $15 to $25, with an exception for certain fleet purchases, to support conservation and education programs; it received supportive public comment and passed favorably. The committee also approved SB 470 by Senator Wright, which opens the existing Fraternal Order of Police specialty license plate to the general public and allows a redesign to increase sales and funding for law enforcement memorial efforts. A representative of the FOP testified in support, explaining that the memorial benefits fallen officers’ families. SB 584, by Vice Chair Avala, authorizes DHSMV and county tax collectors to enter agreements allowing local enforcement of certain commercial driving school laws, aimed at reducing fraud and improving oversight; it passed favorably with supportive comments from lobbyists. The committee then took up DHSMV agency package bills: SB 488, which updates motor fuel tax and vehicle-related provisions, including IFTA compliance, online filing, higher crash-reporting thresholds, and email communications; and SB 490, the companion public records exemption for email addresses used under SB 488. Both were reported favorably, with SB 490 noted as requiring a two-thirds vote. At the end of the meeting, members recorded missed votes in the affirmative on SB 628, SB 174, and SB 388. The committee then adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Tab 4, SB 1216, on public school personnel compensation.
• K-12 environment, public or otherwise.
• Well, the West Coast of Florida is very nice, too.
• I'm a 36-year veteran public school teacher.
• And public school teacher.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education met and first temporarily postponed SB 920, the mathematics education bill. The committee then took up SB 1216 on public school personnel compensation, with Senator Rodriguez explaining that the bill would give districts more flexibility in educator pay by restoring meaningful cost-of-living adjustments for teachers with direct student contact, allowing districts to recognize relevant advanced degrees, and removing rigid performance-pay caps. Several senators spoke in support, emphasizing teacher retention, compensation, and the need to invest more in education. The bill was reported favorably by a unanimous roll call vote. The committee next heard SB 1036 on school counselors, presented by Senator Calatayud, which aims to address counselor shortages by removing certification barriers tied to classroom teacher requirements and expanding the pool of eligible applicants. Testimony and discussion focused heavily on the shortage of counselors, high student-to-counselor ratios, and the impact on academic guidance and student mental health. Students and a veteran teacher described limited access to counselors, overburdened staff, and the need for more support personnel; Senator Osgood also noted the role of BRACE advisors and broader student support needs. The bill was reported favorably as CS for SB 1036 by unanimous vote. During the counselor bill discussion, senators also reflected on access and equity in college and career advising, with comments about the need for more efficient use of counselor time and better outreach from Florida colleges. The meeting ended after members recorded their votes on the two bills and, with no objection, adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• PUBLIC TESTIMONY? WE HAVE JOY RYAN WITH FLORIDA INSURANCE COUNCIL IS AN OPPONENT.
• FLORIDA IS A DESIGNATED STATE.
• FLORIDA IS ONE OF THOSE.
• WE HAVE PUBLIC TESTIMONY. ALBORE RANGER WITH FLORIDA ASSISTED LIVING ASSOCIATION.
• SERVICES ARE ADVERTISED THEY HAVE THE CONFIDENCE THEY WILL RECEIVE THOSE SERVICES.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sergeant Fuentes, thank you for your service to our state and in your community and welcome to the Florida
• Congratulations and welcome to the Florida House. Congratulations and welcome to the Florida House.
• We will oppose efforts to weaken public services, to strip away essential rights, and to erode the foundations
• Welcome to the Florida House.
• So what do the people of Florida want?

Summary: The House convened for its organization session, opened with prayer, the presentation of colors, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the national anthem. The Secretary of State’s certification of the 2024 election was accepted as prima facie evidence, the members-elect were seated, a quorum was established, and the newly elected and returning members were sworn in by Florida Supreme Court justices. The chamber also recognized the Governor, Cabinet members, former speakers, former members, and other guests in attendance. The main business of the session was the election of House leadership and adoption of the chamber’s rules. Representative Fentrice Driskell was nominated by the Democratic caucus and delivered remarks emphasizing constituent service, opposition oversight, and priorities such as hurricane recovery, insurance affordability, reproductive rights, gun violence, education, and poverty. Representative Daniel Perez was nominated by the Republican caucus, seconded, and then elected Speaker by unanimous vote after a motion to close nominations and dispense with a roll call. Perez was sworn in and said his priority would be serving Floridians through practical action, fiscal discipline, and reforms that reduce bureaucracy and special-interest influence. The House then adopted House Resolution 10, establishing House rules for the 2024-2026 term, and Senate Concurrent Resolution 20, establishing joint legislative rules. Representative Gottlieb spoke in opposition to the rules, arguing that recent changes restricted debate and reduced deliberation. The House also appointed a committee to notify the Senate that the House was organized, elected Representative Wyman Duggan as Speaker Pro Tempore by unanimous vote, and announced caucus leadership selections, including Duggan as Speaker Pro Tempore and Driskell as Democratic minority leader. The session concluded with administrative motions authorizing technical corrections to the rules, spreading the organization-session remarks upon the journal, and adjourning sine die.

Transcript Highlights:

• WE HAVE ANOTHER SITUATION IN FLORIDA WHERE IT'S THREE.
• WE WOULD LOVE TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT INSIDE FLORIDA.
• THERE'S A FLORIDA FLAG AND RUN THROUGH A WALL, I'M FIRED UP.
• SPACE FLORIDA WORKS WITH NASA TO GET AN INFO GRANT.
• THE IDEA HERE AND WE HAVE A DISTRICT 2 IN NORTH FLORIDA PILOT THIS IDEA.

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, the Florida Cabinet. Let the Cabinet be received. Speaker, the Florida Cabinet.
• Of the State of Florida, Ron DeSantis.
• The voters have spoken, and Florida has responded.
• Florida is also led on the issue of education.
• The people of Florida are watching.

Summary: The Florida House and Senate met in joint session to open the 2025 legislative session, receiving the Florida Cabinet, the Florida Supreme Court, and then Governor Ron DeSantis. The session included a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a motion to appoint a committee to notify the governor that the joint session was ready to receive his message. The committee was appointed, the governor was introduced, and the joint session recessed until his arrival. In his address, Governor DeSantis highlighted Florida’s economic performance, low unemployment, business growth, tourism, and insurance reforms, and urged further action on property insurance, the My Safe Florida Home program, and tax relief. He also called for continued immigration enforcement, praised school choice and teacher pay initiatives, defended higher education reforms, and discussed Hope Florida, hurricane recovery, environmental restoration, and infrastructure. He specifically urged lawmakers to address petition fraud and the constitutional amendment process, condominium reform, and stronger Second Amendment protections. The governor also reviewed prior legislative accomplishments, including tax cuts, parental rights and education measures, anti-DEI actions, law enforcement bonuses, and other conservative policy changes. He thanked legislative leaders and cabinet officials, encouraged continued cooperation over the next 60-day session, and closed by urging lawmakers to build on Florida’s record of productivity. After the governor departed, the joint session voted to dissolve.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><05:16:23.760><c> eye</c> out in the public view in the public eye out in the public view in the
• service jobs as well.
• He added that the current statute already allows employment and uncompensated public service, and this
• </c> uh uh and I think I believe public uh uh and I think I believe public service<06:04:37.320><c> jobs
• c><06:06:39.760><c> this</c><06:06:39.878><c> would</c> public service okay so so this would public service

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• AND ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES TO CREATE THE OFFICE OF COMMUNITY SERVICES FOR THE MOST VULNERABLE ADULTS
• WE KNOW IN PROVIDING SERVICES TO THESE YOUTH THEY DO REQUIRE A LOT OF OTHER SERVICES.
• INTENSIVE SERVICES BEING DONE. EARLY OUTCOMES FOR THOSE SERVICES WHICH IS GREAT.
• LOOKING AT ALL OF THE SERVICES AND MAKING SURE THEY ARE QUALITY SERVICES.
• FOR MONEY, GOODS OR SERVICES OR THE PROMISE OF MONEY, GOODS OR SERVICES.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• OVER THE YEARS FLORIDA IS A GROWING STATE OF FLORIDA HAS MADE POLICY DECISION TO INVEST IN GME OVER THE
• YEARS FLORIDA IS A GROWING STATE OF FLORIDA HAS MADE POLICY DECISION TO INVEST IN GME AND HAS BEEN VERY
• HIGHER MORE ACUTE LEVEL OF SERVICE.
• WE WANT FLORIDA COMMUNITY CARE TO BE SUCCESSFUL BECAUSE IF FLORIDA COMMUNITY CARE IS SUCCESSFUL, 2108
• AND LORD, IF WE CAN MOVE 2108 PEOPLE INTO SERVICES, WE'RE DOING THE RIGHT THING FOR THE STATE OF FLORIDA

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Linda Myers, from East Palatka, Florida, President of the Great Florida Riverway Trust.
• This is the Everglades of Northeast Florida.
• Is there public testimony on the bill?
• Public testimony on the amendment? Debate on the amendment?
• Public testimony on the bill?

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c><00:10:06.959><c> education,</c> better access to services, education, better access to services
• </c><00:11:41.440><c> that</c><00:11:41.519><c> are</c> to services and supports that are to services
• And which is based in Naples, Florida.
• </c> department of health and human services department of health and human services that's<00:21:58.320
• Physical therapy services fall within the broader spectrum of covered pain management services for the

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• BASED ON HOW THEY TEACH STATISTICS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA.
• THEY ALSO MUST BE EMPLOYED FULL-TIME WITH A FLORIDA-BASED BUSINESS.
• WE KNOW FLORIDA IS GROWING.
• UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA DID AN EXTENSIVE REPORT AS PERTAINS TO HOUSING IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA AND LOOKING
• IN TERMS OF IMPLEMENTATION IN FLORIDA THE FLORIDA CATALYST PROGRAM PROVIDES TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Do we have public testimony? We have a few cards of public testimony. Public testimony.
• Seeing no additional questions, we are in public testimony, and we do have quite a bit of public testimony
• I'm the Director of Public Policy for the Florida Alliance of Planned Parenthood Affiliates.
• What I'm telling you is that the Florida Department of Health has published a publication that any of
• Barbara Devane, Florida NOW, waves in opposition. Barbara Devane, Florida NOW, waves in opposition.

Summary: The Pre-K Through 12 Budget Subcommittee met with a quorum and considered four bills. CS/HB 1403, by Rep. Yeager, would allow child care facilities to participate in the school guardian program and clarify school perimeter and door security requirements. An amendment clarifying that private security companies would pay for training was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably 11-0. CS/HB 447, the Evan B. Hartzell Act by Rep. Salzman, would provide guidance for schools that choose to teach disability history and awareness during the first two weeks of October, including age-appropriate instruction by grade band. The bill received supportive testimony from advocates and was reported favorably 11-0. CS/HB 257, by Reps. Chambliss and Tramont, would expand on a prior pilot program to allow video cameras in certain self-contained classrooms serving nonverbal students and others with significant disabilities, as a safeguard against abuse and to improve accountability. The bill drew strong support from parents and disability advocates describing abuse concerns, and it was reported favorably 13-0. CS/HB 1255, by Vice Chair Trabulsy, was a broad education bill addressing teacher shortages, scholarship program screening, health and math instruction, corporal punishment policy, and restrictions on spending public funds on organizations tied to discrimination or political/social activism. A major focus of debate was the bill’s human embryologic development instruction and related video language, with supporters calling it science-based and opponents warning it could be medically inaccurate or ideological. After the sponsor said she would amend some language, including removing ABCTE-related text and clarifying the video language, the bill was reported favorably 12-1. The meeting then adjourned.