Video & Transcript : 'franchise agreement' :

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OK
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Civil Judiciary REVISED: Links added Feb 5th, 2026 at 10:30 am

Civil Judiciary

AL
AL

Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development Committee Apr 16th, 2025

Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • You know, we have entered into a project agreement or a corridor per the growth alliance and these growth
  • I represent the largest brick-and-mortar CBD... represent the largest brick-and-mortar CBD franchise
Committee: Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development
MA
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Financial Services Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am

Joint Committee on Financial Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • We represent the 427 new car and truck franchise dealers across the Commonwealth, over 25,000 employees
  • The new car and truck franchise dealers across the Commonwealth, over 25,000 employees, and we’re almost
Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Financial Services
Summary: The Joint Committee on Financial Services heard testimony on a wide range of insurance-related bills. Topics included public adjusters (H. 1100/S. 785), electronic cancellation notices (H. 1123/S. 701), insurance rebates and loss-mitigation devices (H. 1233), flood hazard determinations (H. 1087 and related flood bills), organ donor insurance protections (H. 1248/S. 727), mental health parity in disability policies (S. 780), motor vehicle service contracts (H. 1139/S. 812), modernization of business-to-business insurance transactions (H. 1105), and a bill changing the GIC withdrawal notice deadline (H. 1150). Committee chairs set a three-minute testimony limit and heard from legislators, industry representatives, advocates, and affected consumers. Testimony on public adjusters was sharply divided. Insurance agents and property-casualty industry representatives argued that bills barring insurers from prohibiting public adjusters would interfere with policy terms, while public adjusters and several consumers described cases where adjusters helped secure substantially higher settlements and said some surplus lines policies already contain anti-public-adjuster endorsements. On electronic notices, the insurance industry supported consumer opt-in email communications, while agents warned that email-only cancellation notices could cause consumers to miss cancellations. On rebates/loss mitigation, insurers supported allowing risk-mitigation devices outside the policy to encourage innovation, while agents opposed the bill as an improper inducement. Flood-related bills drew opposition from insurers who said flood determinations are complex and federally governed. The committee also heard strong support for organ donor protections from a kidney transplant recipient and the American Kidney Fund, who said the bill would prevent insurance discrimination against living donors and could encourage more donations. On disability parity, a disability insurance specialist opposed S. 780, arguing that mental health limitations are a consumer choice that helps keep coverage affordable, while the bill’s sponsor said it would prevent unequal limits on behavioral health claims. The committee also heard support for H. 1139/S. 812 from the service contract industry, and support for H. 1105 from APCIA as a modernization measure for specialty commercial lines. No votes were taken; after testimony concluded, the chairs closed the hearing.
FL
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

March 4, 2025 - 04:00 PM

Transcript Highlights:
  • The tax credit is either state corporate income tax or franchise tax liability.
  • The tax credit is either state, corporate income tax, or franchise tax liability.
Summary: The Natural Resources and Disaster Subcommittee met for its first meeting of session and heard four bills. HB 209, the State Parks Preservation Act, would limit development in state parks and require stronger public notice and participation for land management plan changes. Members discussed protections for cabins and existing lodging, and an amendment aligned the bill with the Senate and clarified conservation-based recreational uses. Support came from Audubon Florida, Nature Conservancy, and others, and the bill was reported favorably with committee substitute after a unanimous roll call. HB 143 would create a Florida Resilient Buildings Tax Credit for new construction and retrofits that meet LEED-based resiliency standards, with a new advisory committee under DBPR to help administer the program. An amendment moved the process under DBPR, added UCF and FIU to the advisory council, and made technical conforming changes. The bill drew supportive testimony from a Boca Raton city council member and was reported favorably with committee substitute, with one no vote. HB 295 would direct DEP to develop a comprehensive waste reduction and recycling plan based on its 2020 recycling report, including education, market development, and recommendations for statutory changes. Testimony emphasized that the plan would be voluntary and would not impose costs or mandates on homeowners or businesses. The bill passed without amendments and was reported favorably. HB 585 would let owners of former phosphate mining lands record notice and obtain a Department of Health radiation survey to support a narrow defense against strict liability claims; an amendment clarified the notice content and limited the definition to mined lands, not gyp stacks. The bill drew extensive questions about notice, radiation thresholds, disclosure to buyers, and liability scope, but supporters from Mosaic, the Florida Chamber, and a health physicist argued it would improve transparency and help redevelop lands. It was reported favorably with committee substitute, with one soft yes and one no vote.
US
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

Hearings to examine managing risk for the long-term in the 7(a) loan program, focusing on hearing from lenders. Feb 26th, 2025 at 01:30 pm

Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • To increase efficiency, SBA should instate the franchise directory, a valuable resource that assisted
  • lenders with determining the eligibility of a franchise for a 7A loan before it was discontinued in
Committee: Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee
Keywords: SBA, 7A loan program, underwriting standards, loan defaults, Community Advantage Program, small business funding, testimony
Summary: The committee meeting focused on discussions regarding the SBA's 7A loan program and its implementation challenges. Members raised significant concerns about recent changes to the underwriting standards, which have been criticized for leading to an increase in loan defaults. Ranking members expressed a desire for a return to stronger guidelines to protect taxpayers and ensure the program remains a viable source for small businesses struggling to secure funding. Testimonies from community lenders highlighted their efforts to support underserved communities and stressed the importance of the Community Advantage Program.
FL
FL

Florida 2026 5th Special Session

Commerce and Tourism Feb 4th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • My understanding is that neutrality agreements are prohibited under your bill.
  • We want neutrality agreements. Okay, so you want the neutrality agreements.
  • Neutrality agreement means an agreement signed by the employer and the union in which the employer agrees
  • Neutrality agreement. So let me address that.
  • , when you say... ...change of the app or of any agreement in the app.
Summary: The committee first took up SB 1236, which would condition state economic development incentives on employers at subsidized companies using secret-ballot union elections and prohibiting neutrality agreements. The sponsor said the bill is meant to protect workers and taxpayer dollars, and he noted he would amend the Attorney General enforcement language to allow appeals. Supporters argued it protects secret ballots and transparency, while opponents said it is a form of union-busting, could conflict with federal labor law, and would burden contractors and workers. After debate, the committee reported the bill favorably on a roll call vote, with Senators Bracey Davis, Smith, and Errington voting no and the remaining recorded votes in favor. The committee then heard CS/SB 198, which regulates cryptocurrency kiosks to combat fraud, especially against seniors. The bill requires kiosk registration, fraud warnings, blockchain analytics, transaction limits, receipts, and refund protections for certain first-time transactions involving non-U.S. wallets. Supporters from consumer and senior advocacy groups said the bill would help stop widespread scams, while one industry witness praised the bill’s fraud protections but suggested narrowing the daily limits and new-customer period. The committee reported the bill favorably by roll call vote. Next, the committee considered CS/SB 1356 on dog breeding, pet sales, and breeder registration. The sponsor described it as a work in progress aimed at ending inhumane breeding conditions, improving consumer disclosures, and creating breeder standards and penalties; an amendment removed state oversight of local animal shelters. Pet store representatives supported many animal welfare provisions but objected to the three-day financing waiting period, shelter-space requirements, expanded reimbursement, and litigation exposure. Animal welfare supporters backed the bill, and the committee reported it favorably. The committee also heard SB 1722 on app stores and minors’ access to apps. The bill requires age verification, parental consent for minors, notice of app changes, and enforcement by the Department of Legal Affairs. Supporters said it would better protect children online and help enforce existing age-based restrictions, while opponents warned it could require overcollection of personal data, create privacy and constitutional problems, and duplicate tools parents already have. After debate, the committee reported the bill favorably. Finally, the committee took up CS/SB 422, which would bar use of ADS-B aviation data to calculate or collect certain airport fees, with an amendment adding departures to the covered activities. A pilot supported the bill as a safety and privacy measure, while airport advocates opposed it, saying it would undermine airport finances and force less efficient fee collection methods. The transcript ends during testimony on this bill, before final action is shown.
NH
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Election Law (01/27/2026)

Election Law

Transcript Highlights:
  • Again, that strengthens the franchise, does not weaken it.
  • Again, that strengthens the franchise, does not weaken it.
  • Again, that strengthens the franchise, does not weaken it.
  • Again, that strengthens the franchise, does not weaken it.
  • :42.399><c> affidavit</c><04:06:42.880><c> from</c> rental agreements, an affidavit from rental agreements
Committee: House Election Law
MN
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Ways and Means Committee 4/13/26

Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:
  • Another business owner who has a rapidly growing national child care franchise with locations across
  • 25:47.480><c> national</c><00:25:47.880><c> child</c><00:25:48.160><c> care</c><00:25:48.360><c> franchise
  • </c> growing national child care franchise growing national child care franchise with<00:25:49.200><c
  • the entire state because of how this state has sort of forgotten where our golden nugget is: our franchise
  • The franchise fees in Minneapolis are 5 1/4 to 6%. The sales tax in Minneapolis is 9%.
Committee: House Ways and Means
CA
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Transportation Committee Jul 14th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • Well, eventually the sales manager got involved, and we reached an agreement on a price.
  • Service agreements and other things, it would be beyond the scope of this bill.
  • But the fact of the matter is if we're all in agreement that it is fundamental to be able to recover
  • One of the key requirements, though, under an MOU, was that there be enforceable agreements.
  • One of the key requirements, though, under an MOU, was that there be enforceable agreements.
Summary: The committee first took up SB 712, which would expand California’s smog-check exemption for classic vehicles by adding model years 1976 through 1986 in phases, with a sunset in 2032. The author and supporters, including lowrider advocates and the Specialty Equipment Market Association, argued the bill would preserve car culture, support a small class of rarely driven collector vehicles, and reduce burdens on owners who struggle to find equipment for older smog tests. Opponents, including air district officials, the American Lung Association, and other environmental groups, warned the bill would weaken an important emissions-control program and increase pollution. After discussion, the committee adopted the motion to do pass as amended to Appropriations on a roll call vote of 10-0, with the roll held open for additional votes. The committee then heard SB 800, which requires Caltrans, working with local governments, to assess mitigation measures for suicide prevention on locally owned overpasses crossing state highways. The bill was presented as a response to recent tragedies in Rancho Cucamonga and was supported by local officials, health organizations, and suicide-prevention advocates, who said the measure would help identify high-risk locations and lead to life-saving interventions. There was no registered opposition. The committee members expressed support, and SB 800 was passed to Appropriations on a unanimous roll call vote, with the roll held open. Next, the committee considered SB 30, which would prohibit California public entities from selling, donating, or transferring decommissioned diesel locomotives and railroad equipment with Tier 1 or older engines unless the engine is removed, while allowing Tier 2 and newer transfers under certain conditions. The author and supporters framed the bill as a climate and public-health measure to prevent older, dirtier locomotives from continuing to pollute elsewhere, while transit agencies opposed it, arguing it could limit useful transfers of equipment that still supports passenger service and could be better handled through case-by-case air-quality review. After debate, the committee voted 6-4 to pass SB 30 as amended to Appropriations, with the roll held open for later additions. The committee also heard SB 791, which replaces the flat dealer document processing charge cap with a 1% fee capped at $350, along with new disclosure requirements. Dealers and industry groups supported the bill as a way to recover costs and improve transparency, while consumer advocates opposed it as an unjustified increase that would burden buyers. The committee approved SB 791 on a 8-? roll call vote and held the roll open. The meeting then moved on to SB 34, a port-air-quality bill presented by Senator Richardson, but the transcript ends during testimony and debate on that measure.
CA
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Transportation Committee Jul 14th, 2025

Transportation

Transcript Highlights:
  • Assuming we're in agreement on that point, then the question is why is a policy matter, would we bury
  • Well, eventually the sales manager got involved, and we reached an agreement on a price.
  • Service agreements and other things, it would be beyond the scope of this bill.
  • But the fact of the matter is, if we’re all in agreement that it is fundamental to be able to recover
  • One of the key requirements, though, under an MOU, was that there be enforceable agreements.
Committee: House Transportation
Summary: The Assembly Transportation Committee heard several bills, beginning with SB 712 by Senator Grove, which would expand the smog-check exemption for classic vehicles from model years 1976 to 1986, phased in over five years and sunset in 2032. Supporters, including lowrider and classic car advocates and the Specialty Equipment Market Association, said the bill would preserve car culture, reduce burdens on owners of rarely driven vehicles, and support related businesses. Opponents, including air district representatives, the American Lung Association, and environmental groups, argued the bill would increase pollution and weaken an important clean-air program. The committee ultimately passed SB 712 on a due-pass-as-amended vote to Appropriations after adopting amendments and holding the roll open for additional votes. The committee then took up SB 800 by Senator Reyes, presented by Assemblymember Richardson, which would direct Caltrans and local governments to assess mitigation measures for suicides on locally owned overpasses crossing state highways. Support came from local officials, health organizations, and community groups, who described the measure as a needed suicide-prevention step and a way to identify high-risk locations for safety improvements. There was no organized opposition, and members spoke in favor of the bill before it was moved on a due-pass vote to Appropriations. Next, the committee considered SB 30 by Senator Cortese, as amended, to restrict California public entities from selling, donating, or transferring decommissioned diesel locomotives and railroad equipment with Tier 1 or older engines unless the engine is removed, while allowing some Tier 2 and newer transfers with approval. Supporters said the bill would prevent older diesel engines from continuing to pollute elsewhere and would reduce health and climate harms. Transit agencies opposed the measure, arguing it could limit useful transfers of locomotives and should instead allow case-by-case air-quality review. The bill passed out of committee on a 6-4 vote, with the roll held open. The committee also heard SB 791 by Senator Cortese, which would replace the flat $85 dealer document processing charge with a 1% fee capped at $350, along with new disclosure requirements. Dealers and industry groups supported the bill as a way to recover costs and modernize a fee that has lagged behind inflation, while consumer advocates opposed it as too high and burdensome for buyers. After extensive questioning about transparency, negotiability, and affordability, the committee passed SB 791 to Appropriations. The meeting also included the start of testimony on SB 34, a port-related air quality and anti-automation measure from Senator Richardson, with support from ILWU and allied groups and opposition from some transit and business interests, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.
NH
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

Senate Transportation (02/04/2025)

Transportation

Transcript Highlights:
  • Importantly, we are both the franchise dealerships, but also the independents around the state.
  • </c><01:53:57.079><c> and</c><01:53:57.239><c> independent</c><01:53:57.960><c> we</c> small franchise
  • and independent we small franchise and independent we pledge<01:53:58.440><c> to</c><01:53:58.599><c
  • I don't think we're prepared to do any further if everybody's in agreement. seconded and uh I'll take
  • I don't think we're prepared to do any further if everybody's in agreement.
Committee: Senate Transportation
DE
DE

Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Education Committee Meeting Jun 24th, 2026

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • Beverage Association, which consists of the distributors and franchise companies that you're largely
  • So I think the premise of the bill, we're all in agreement and want to make sure we keep students safe
  • So I think the premise of the bill, we're all in agreement and want to make sure we keep students safe
Committee: Senate Education
Summary: The Senate Education Committee met with enough members present to conduct business and approved the June 17 minutes. It first heard HB 459 with House Amendment 1, which would prohibit the sale of energy drinks on public middle and high school campuses during school hours or school events. The sponsor and Department of Education explained that the bill targets beverages containing caffeine and marketed as energy drinks, not ordinary soft drinks or coffee/tea products. Public testimony from the Medical Society supported the bill on health grounds, while the beverage industry said its companies already voluntarily limit school offerings and that the bill does not reflect current practice. No vote was taken in the transcript. The committee then heard HB 461, a follow-up to prior legislation on New Castle County property reassessment and school tax rates. Senator Cruz said the bill would let New Castle County school districts adjust and reset tax rates to reflect reassessment changes without increasing projected operating revenue, and that it includes a sunset. DSEA supported the measure, saying fair property values are important to public education funding. The committee also heard HB 452, which would require additional background checks and training for DIAA sports officials and strengthen DIAA enforcement procedures. Members questioned how checks would be handled, who would see the results, and who would provide training; the DIAA compliance coordinator said the checks would be maintained through the state process and that associations would verify eligibility. The bill’s sponsor and DIAA said the goal was to align officials with existing child-safety standards. Next, the committee considered HS1 for HB 425, which raises the salary supplement from 6% to 12% for nationally certified school counselors, nurses, and school social workers, and allows DOE to identify additional qualifying positions by regulation. Supporters, including school social workers, nurses, and DSEA, argued the change would improve retention and recognize advanced credentials. Senator Hansen raised concerns that school psychologists were not included; sponsors said a broader study and possible future legislation or budget language would address other nationally certified school-based professionals. The committee then heard HS1 for HB 358 on student elopement notifications, inspired by Ace’s Law, but administrators and the chair raised concerns that the bill may be too prescriptive and difficult to implement in practice, especially when schools may not immediately know a student has left campus. Finally, the committee discussed HB 379 on the comprehensive school discipline improvement program; DOE said the substitute was intended to consolidate prevention and intervention supports and avoid competition for funding, while DASA asked that the bill be paused or tabled. The meeting ended before action on the remaining bill, and HB 443 was deferred to a future executive meeting.
TX
TX

Texas 89th Regular

89th Legislative Session Apr 1st, 2025

Texas House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • HB 4270 by Perez of El Paso relating to the authority of certain taxing units to enter into an agreement
  • HB 4375 by Hebner, relating to the broadcast coverage agreement for post-season activity of students
  • HB 4393 by Geren, relating to the franchise tax credit for the application of sales and use taxes to
Bills: HJR4 , HJR6 , HB195 , HB 13 , HB143 , HB135
Keywords: occupation tax, securities, financial regulation, tax exemption, legislative amendment, capital gains tax, realized gains, unrealized gains, investment income, asset sale, capital assets, wealth tax, estate tax, trust tax, tax limitation, constitutional amendment, Texas Constitution, Article VIII, property tax, sales tax
MN
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Agriculture Committee Meeting - 2025-03-24

Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • Redundancy: CWD disclosures are already required in the purchase agreement in subdivision 7.
  • Before signing an agreement to sell or transfer the property, disclose in writing to the buyer the depopulation
  • On page 3, it's titled 'Thoroughbred Race Horses are a Mobile Sports Franchise.'
Committee: House Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development
NM
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Legislative Health and Human Services Sep 11th, 2025

Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • different scale and they can run anywhere from, on the one side, it could be something almost like a franchise
  • sometimes call corporate practices, which are really not necessarily corporate, but are more like a franchise
  • You get a franchise brand and things like that.
Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee
MS
MS

Mississippi 2026 Regular Session

MS Senate Floor - 10 March, 2026; 10:00 AM

Mississippi Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • ,</c> language regarding in lieu agreements, language regarding in lieu agreements, but<00:21:20.120>
  • A statewide franchise agreement issued by the Secretary of State would expedite broadband deployment
  • Mississippi and Alabama are the only southern states that do not have a statewide franchise.
  • Uh, I remember signing a conference report 2 years ago that was a hammered out agreement amongst all
  • </c> that was a hammered out agreement that was a hammered out agreement amongst<02:40:44.120><c> all
MN
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Health Finance and Policy Committee 3/2/26

Health Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • But on the other hand, it is also common for investors to rely on sale-leaseback agreements that separate
  • But on the other hand, it is also common for investors to rely on sale-leaseback agreements that separate
  • information with Alina Health Systems, account receivable services LLC, Access Healthcare LLC, Franchising
  • <01:44:12.239><c> LLC,</c><01:44:13.600><c> Mobile</c><01:44:14.080><c> Imaging</c> ...Franchising LLC
  • , Mobile Imaging Franchising LLC, Mobile Imaging Services, BPA Health, and I could go on and on.
Bills: HF3668 , HF2779 , HF2771
Committee: House Health Finance and Policy
MN
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 2/24/25

Agriculture Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • Land purchase transactions do not take two years to close once a purchase agreement is signed.
  • Land purchase transactions do not take two years to close once a purchase agreement is signed.
  • more than just feed—advice, direction, sometimes just sympathy, things they can't get from a big franchise
  • sympathy things they can't get from a sympathy things they can't get from a big<01:12:29.600><c> franchise
  • or a big box big franchise or a big box store<01:12:33.679><c> uh</c><01:12:34.120><c> miss</c><01:12
Bills: HF1063
Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy
FL
FL

Florida 2026 5th Special Session

FL House Floor Session - 2025-04-03 (12:30PM Session)

Florida House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • And everyone in agreement with these words of prayer, say amen. Clear heart.
  • And everyone in agreement with these words of prayer, say amen. Thank you, Reverend.
  • constitutional right to tell us what they really want, and you're doing it because you are not in agreement
  • filed in committee, including, instead of the Gulf of America, let's pull from one of the best franchises
  • I filed in committee, including instead of the Gulf of America, let's pull from one of the best franchises
Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for Walton County Deputy Will May, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present. The Rules and Ethics Committee’s special order report for April 3, 2025 was adopted, and CS/HB 947 was recommitted to the Judiciary Committee. The chamber then moved through a series of bills, mostly reviser and technical measures, with several companion Senate bills substituted and passed: SB 36 (Florida statutes adoption act), SB 42 (general reviser’s bill), SB 40 (deleting inoperative statutory provisions), and SB 38 (renaming references from the Division of Investigative and Forensic Services to the Division of Criminal Investigations). All of those passed unanimously or near-unanimously. The House also passed HB 513 on electronic transmittal of court orders, requiring clerks to electronically send certain petitions, notices, summonses, and orders within six hours, including Baker Act, Marchman Act, and risk protection order documents. Members discussed whether judges needed to direct transmission and whether there were fail-safes if clerks did not comply. HB 615, on electronic delivery of notices between landlords and tenants, was amended to strengthen tenant protections and passed 108-0. HB 655 establishing a regulatory framework for pet insurance, HB 299 on elevator accessibility requirements, and HB 1145 on workforce education also passed, with HB 1145 receiving 100 yeas and 4 nays. HB 649, removing the paper supervised protocol for certified registered nurse anesthetists, passed 77-30 after structured debate. A major portion of the meeting focused on CS/HB 1205, which would significantly revise Florida’s citizen initiative process. The bill adds a $1 million bond requirement after 25% of required signatures are collected, requires petition handlers to be Florida residents and U.S. citizens, imposes background checks and training for paid circulators, shortens petition turn-in deadlines to 10 days, increases penalties, adds signature revocation notices, and creates additional criminal penalties and enforcement provisions. Supporters argued the changes were needed to address fraud and protect petition integrity; opponents said the bill would burden First Amendment activity and make citizen-led amendments much harder to qualify. Numerous amendments were offered, including proposals to remove sensitive personal information from petition forms, soften deadlines and penalties, change validation thresholds, and alter the estimating conference process; most failed, though one amendment clarifying who pays for background checks was adopted. The transcript ends during continued debate on an amendment to strike most of the bill and prohibit public funds from being used to advocate for or against constitutional amendments.
FL
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

FL House Floor Session - 2025-04-03 (12:30PM Session)

Florida House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • And everyone in agreement with these words of prayer, say amen. Thank you, Reverend.
  • constitutional right to tell us what they really want, and you're doing it because you are not in agreement
  • constitutional right to tell us what they really want, and you're doing it because you are not in agreement
  • filed in committee, including, instead of the Gulf of America, let's pull from one of the best franchises
  • I filed in committee, including instead of the Gulf of America, let's pull from one of the best franchises
Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for Deputy Will May of the Walton County Sheriff’s Department, the Pledge of Allegiance, and quorum established. The Rules and Ethics Committee report setting the special order calendar was adopted, and CS for HB 947 was recommitted to the Judiciary Committee. The chamber then took up several special-order bills, mostly reviser and technical measures, including SB 36, SB 42, SB 40, and SB 38, all of which passed unanimously or near-unanimously after brief explanations that they updated or cleaned up Florida statutes. Members also passed HB 513 on electronic transmittal of court orders, requiring clerks to send certain petitions, notices, summonses, and orders within six hours, including Baker Act, Marchman Act, and risk protection orders. HB 615, on electronic delivery of landlord-tenant notices by email when both parties agree in writing, passed after adoption of a tenant-protection amendment offered by Rep. Gottlieb. HB 655 establishing a regulatory framework for pet insurance and wellness programs passed unanimously. HB 1145 on workforce education passed 100-4, expanding CAP grant eligibility to public charter schools for CTE startup/expansion and increasing minimum program offerings tied to a money-back guarantee program. HB 299 on elevator accessibility requirements passed unanimously, and HB 649 on autonomous practice by certified registered nurse anesthetists passed 77-30 after structured debate. The most extensive debate centered on CS for HB 1205, which would significantly revise Florida’s citizen initiative process. The bill would require a $1 million bond after 25% of required signatures are collected, require petition handlers and circulators to be Florida residents and U.S. citizens, impose background checks and training for paid circulators, shorten petition turn-in deadlines to 10 days, increase penalties, add signature revocation notices, require more identifying information on petition forms, and create felony penalties for certain misconduct. Supporters argued the changes were needed to combat fraud and protect petition integrity; opponents said the bill would burden First Amendment activity and make ballot initiatives harder for ordinary Floridians to pursue. Multiple amendments sought to roll back or soften the bill’s requirements, protect personal information, restore longer deadlines, lower validation thresholds, and bar public funds from being used to advocate for or against amendments. Some amendments were adopted, but several key ones failed as debate continued.