Transcript Highlights:

• It provides penalties for the purchase or possession and the manufacturer and sale of a license-plate
• term “economically disadvantaged area” in sections 320 and 322 relating to dealer licensing and DUI schools
• districts, high school vocational schools, state colleges, and university system—to develop both certification
• I think we definitely have the university and vocational school, state college system to make it a real
• I think we have definitely have the university and vocational school state college system to make it

Committee: Senate Transportation

Summary: The Transportation Committee took up several bills and agency priorities. SB 44, as amended, increased penalties for operating a vehicle with unauthorized red or blue lights and for obscuring a license plate, including new penalties for using, possessing, manufacturing, or selling license-plate obscuring devices. The sponsor and supporting law enforcement witnesses said the bill addresses widespread plate obstruction and enforcement problems; the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. The committee also passed SB 654, designating a railroad overpass in Starke as the Heroes Memorial Overpass, and SB 620, creating a Miami-Dade College specialty license plate with proceeds supporting scholarships and limited administrative/marketing costs. The committee then considered SB 594, which would allow Florida deep-water ports to seek Fish and Wildlife Commission approval for no-anchoring/no-mooring buffer zones adjacent to port channels and turning basins. An amendment clarified the application process, review timeline, rulemaking, and enforcement. Port representatives supported the bill as a way to protect channels and commerce, while several boating and cruising advocates opposed it, arguing the 5,000-foot buffer was excessive, could create safety issues, and would displace anchored vessels without adequate alternative dockage. Despite the opposition, the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. The committee also heard a presentation from the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles on its 2025 legislative priorities, including stricter proof-of-address and identification requirements for vehicle registration, changes to tank vehicle and IFTA rules, a higher crash-report damage threshold, and electronic notice options. Secretary Perdue then outlined FDOT priorities focused on workforce development, research, rural road funding, small business participation, consistent traffic-control standards, modal infrastructure, transit accountability, spaceport support, advanced air mobility, and shifting some power-consumption revenues to the Transportation Trust Fund to offset electric vehicle impacts. No votes were taken on the agency priorities, and the meeting adjourned after members recorded additional affirmative votes on SB 44 and SB 654.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> immunization for schools and childare. immunization for schools and childare.
• </c> purchase program. purchase program.
• </c><01:31:09.440><c> their</c> school or public school, and their school or public school, and their
• Schools are required for, or vaccines are required for, going to school, right?
• </c> know when I send my child to school?" know when I send my child to school?"

Committee: House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You purchase four equal installments over six weeks.
• Retail purchases, and it can be a mix of wants and needs.
• it is impulse purchases?
• it is it impulse purchases?
• So that's an emergency purchase.

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Business

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1102, on the School Readiness Program, by Senator Calatayud.
• It provides additional funding through the Special Needs Differential Allocation for School Readiness
• Health services in schools, with findings reported to state leaders.
• and supports to schools.
• Clarity is provided for truancy processes at the school district and court levels.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So then they take their children out of our schools.
• I know it impacted our schools. I know some teachers had to be let go.
• So the question I have is, what did the schools do then? What did the schools do then?
• Every student is so significant to the prosperity of our schools.
• And so we had it at the high school. There were 26 employers.

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It prohibits government entities from purchasing such devices.
• It prohibits government entities from purchasing such devices.
• Still purchase a lot of the equipment online, you know, Amazon and others.
• Working in the DOE special education department at a high school for almost four years, I can foresee
• Working in the DOE special education department at a high school for almost four years, I can foresee

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 302, which would repeal the requirement that a provider-patient relationship for medical cannabis certification be established in person first. The Department of Health said it supported the House Draft 2 version as a way to expand patient access, and several testifiers from the medical cannabis community and dispensary industry supported the bill, especially for patients on outer islands or those unable to travel. One witness asked that earlier language removed in committee be restored to further improve access. Representative Shimizu asked whether follow-up in-person visits would still occur, and DOH responded that this varies by provider, with some continuing in-person care and others moving to telehealth for chronic conditions. The committee then took up House Bill 712, relating to the federal 340B drug pricing program and contract pharmacies. The Office of Consumer Protection and the Attorney General’s office both said they supported the bill’s purpose but wanted it clarified and possibly moved into a standalone chapter rather than chapter 481B. Supporters, including Hawaii Pacific Health and the Queen’s Health Systems, said the bill is needed to protect safety-net funding and access to discounted drugs, citing large financial benefits from 340B and losses caused by manufacturer restrictions on contract pharmacies. PhRMA opposed the bill, arguing the issue is not access to discounts but accountability and transparency in how contract pharmacies distribute benefits, and said it was willing to discuss amendments. Members asked follow-up questions about whether there was data showing misuse; PhRMA said it did not have numbers, while hospital witnesses said the program is federally audited and used appropriately in Hawaii. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 1482, HD1, which would tighten hemp and controlled-substance definitions to exclude Schedule I cannabinoids from manufactured hemp products and clarify the treatment of artificially derived cannabis. The Department of Health supported the measure, saying it adds clarity to existing prohibitions. Kūre Hawaii and other supporters said it would close loopholes involving Delta-8 and similar products. An individual testifier urged stronger language to also cover compounds such as HHC, THCA, THCP, and THCO. In response to questions about enforcement against mislabeled hemp products, DOH explained that THC percentages are relative to product weight, that some products can remain under the hemp threshold while still containing significant THC, and that hemp flower is already prohibited from direct retail sale, though enforcement can be complicated and involves both administrative and criminal authorities.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are all members of Dover Youth, an after-school drug prevention program.
• We are all members of Dover Youth, an after-school drug prevention program.
• Senator Rashard asked about DARE and other school programs.
• Senator Rashard asked about DARE and other school programs.
• The Abato was purchased, and we have a very user-friendly return policy.

Committee: Senate Commerce

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It was purchased new by the town in 1930, and they've had it ever since.
• by someone with the intent of purchased by someone with the intent of preserving<01:14:30.600><c> it
• bus that is a moving violation school bus that is a moving violation that's<03:49:31.520><c> not</c>
• I see no need for us to be here for school break, which would be the last week, the 25th.
• break which is that would the school break which is that would the last<05:24:49.120><c> week</c><05

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Transportation Committee opened with an announcement correcting the public hearing list: House Bill 209 was mistakenly listed as a continued hearing, but the chair said that hearing had already been closed and would not be reopened. The committee then moved to House Bill 305, which would allow municipalities to install and use speed and red-light cameras for traffic enforcement. The prime sponsor, Rep. Jones, said the bill was intended as a tool to address police staffing shortages and erratic driving, and emphasized that municipalities would pay the costs, work with DOT and the Department of Safety, and retain full control without using third-party vendors. He said the bill was meant to target speeding, red-light violations, and similar conduct, with enforcement handled locally and subject to state and federal law. Committee members raised questions about how citations would work, who would be held responsible in multi-driver or rental-car situations, whether due process would be affected, and whether cameras could identify the driver rather than just the vehicle. The sponsor and supporting witness Edward H. of Keene said municipalities would determine procedures, that an officer would still have to review and issue any summons, and that the bill was meant to be a limited enforcement tool rather than a catch-all. Edward H. also described the bill as adding guardrails such as a needs analysis, coordination with DOT, annual reporting, and public records of detections and fines. The Department of Transportation testified neutrally, saying it had no position on the bill and noting that current state systems include speed feedback signs, bridge security cameras, toll cameras that capture plates only, and traffic-signal detection cameras that do not record video. No vote was taken. The committee then held a brief hearing on House Bill 368, which would prohibit smoking tobacco products or e-cigarettes in a motor vehicle when a child under 16 is present and impose a $100 secondary fine. Rep. Miller introduced the bill in the sponsor’s absence, and there was no public testimony for or against it. The chair closed the hearing. Finally, the committee opened House Bill 390, which would add retired fire apparatus to the antique vehicle exemption so old fire trucks can be registered and used in parades without being stripped of their equipment. Rep. Parson explained that a strict reading of current law had led DMV to reject some antique fire engine registrations, and said the bill would fix that while preserving the ban on commercial use and on impersonating emergency vehicles. Members asked about the relationship to existing laws on emergency-vehicle impersonation, and the sponsor said the bill would not affect those laws. The hearing remained open as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• school, the dental school, the medical school, and the pharmacy school, three of those four schools
• Examples include Ryan Middle School and Rusk Middle School in Houston.
• There are five medical schools and nursing schools.
• Or a medical school?
• School districts struggle for school bus drivers.

Bills: SB1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If the taxes were collected at the time of purchase at the dealership on a new vehicle purchase or any
• The locals are capped at $2,500 of the purchase price.
• There's also the locals, and they are capped at $2,500 of the purchase price.
• Shouldn't, because of the cap on the $2,500 of the purchase price.
• The tax was owed at the time of purchase.

Summary: The committee met to approve special expenses and then considered two interim study proposals. ISP 2025-069, by Representative Perry and presented by Representative Eaton, would move vehicle sales tax collection from the current registration-based process to the point of sale. Members asked about the current 60-day registration period, the fiscal and administrative impact on DFA, the burden on dealerships, verification and audit issues, and whether the change could affect tax collection or vehicle pricing. DFA said it was neutral on the proposal, noted programming and process changes would be needed, and said the total tax collected would not change, though timing would. The committee approved the ISP and sent it on for research. The committee then took up ISP 2025-071, based on House Bill 1636 from the 2025 session, which would phase out the state soda excise tax over five years if Medicaid trust fund revenue triggers are met. Representative Ray said the bill was intended to continue discussion after the underlying bill failed on the House floor. Members asked about the tax’s annual revenue, its dedication to the Medicaid Trust Fund, and whether the revenue would be replaced. Ray estimated the tax brings in roughly $40 million to $50 million annually and said the proposal did not replace that revenue. DFA was asked to explain how withdrawals from the trust fund are authorized and whether the legislature has oversight, and said it would provide that information later. The committee then adopted the interim study proposal.

Transcript Highlights:

• If the taxes were collected at the time of purchase at the dealership on a new vehicle purchase or any
• There's also the locals, and they are capped at $2,500 of the purchase price.
• There's also the locals, and they are capped at $2,500 of the purchase price.
• Shouldn't, because of the cap on the $2,500 of the purchase price.
• The tax was owed at the time of purchase.

Committee: All REVENUE & TAXATION- HOUSE SALES, USE, MISC. TAXES & EXEMPTIONS SUBCOM.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:16:14.800><c> uh</c> projects that wish to purchase uh projects that wish to purchase uh supplies
• And in a purchase agreement in hand.
• </c> for um purchases for 75 acres or more. for um purchases for 75 acres or more.
• </c> percentage than somebody purchasing percentage than somebody purchasing 40<01:12:25.040><c> or</
• </c> you are ready to be a purchaser, right? you are ready to be a purchaser, right?

Bills: HF3508 , HF3548 , HF3549

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Keywords: dairy assistance, agriculture, investment, relief initiative, farm support, farm assistance, down payment, state funding, loan modification, grain indemnity, financial security, crop insurance, Minnesota agriculture, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have some Capital gift shop shirts that were purchased by our gift shop for merchandise, so that
• We have Edgemont Elementary School in Idaho Falls. They've done all this stuff.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The America 250 Council met to approve prior minutes and receive updates on commemorative fund finances, the celebration fund, and several planning efforts tied to Idaho’s America 250 observance. Staff reported returned or pending reimbursements, a donation for Liberty Bell restoration, and that the celebration fund would likely have about 7% remaining after pending grants are approved. The committee approved the March 13, 2026 minutes without objection. Members then approved $12,992 to fund commemorative “I Voted” stickers for the primary and general elections, with Secretary McGrane describing them as a way to reach many Idahoans and highlight the America 250 commemoration. The council also discussed the upcoming America 250 Capitol Celebration, including naming, vendor contracts, logistics, and the need for legal guidance on who has authority to sign contracts. Treasurer Ellsworth and others requested that an Attorney General’s office representative, identified as Yvonne, come to a future meeting to clarify the contracting process. Additional updates covered the ambassador program, service challenge participation, quilt displays, the Declaration of Independence rotunda display, and the Liberty Bell carriage and school fundraising materials. Director Gallimore reported on the “Surveying the Past, Mapping the Future” event at Initial Point and the Old Pen, and noted website/calendar changes to align local events with the federal America 250 calendar. The committee also approved a large slate of grant disbursements to cities and counties, and tentatively scheduled the next meeting for April 6 at 10:00 a.m. before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• THAT IS PURCHASING GOODS AND SERVICES AS WELL AS CORPORATE INCOME TAX IS FROM CORPORATE INCOME AND THEN
• HISTORICALLY WE HAVE CERTAINLY HAD SALES TAX HOLIDAYS RELATED BACK-TO-SCHOOL AS WELL AS DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And a lot of them are being purchased by teenagers, you know, 14-, 15-year-olds.
• We are part of two panels from the Lake Washington School District.
• Just one example I see daily on my way to school is a bike called a Suron.
• I see daily on my way to school is a bike called a Suron.
• For example, I have seen firsthand at her school kids riding at high and unsafe speeds around the school

Summary: The Transportation Committee held public hearings on three bills. HB 2307 would update the commute trip reduction program by removing the current 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. arrival-time requirement from key definitions, so more employers and shift workers could qualify for CTR benefits. The bill sponsor and several supporters, including Microsoft, transit and transportation nonprofits, local transportation management groups, and city representatives, said the change would modernize the program, improve equity, reduce congestion, and help workers with transportation costs. No one testified in opposition. HB 2374 would distinguish electric-assisted bicycles from higher-powered electric motorcycles, clarify labeling and equipment rules, and direct DOL to convene a work group on enforcement and consumer protection. The sponsor and many supporters, including cities, trail and park organizations, Washington Bikes, and several students, said the bill would address unsafe high-powered vehicles being marketed as e-bikes, especially those used by younger riders, while preserving access to true e-bikes. Some testifiers asked for additional work group members and suggested civil enforcement options for underage riders. HB 2379 would require WSDOT to suspend tolling on facilities that serve as evacuation routes during emergencies such as wildfires or levee breaches. The sponsor said the bill was prompted by constituents facing evacuation while tolls were still being charged; staff noted the fiscal impact would be indeterminate and could reduce toll revenue during suspensions. After the hearings, the committee took executive action on two bills. It adopted proposed substitute H-2771 for HB 1823, which cleans up Transportation Improvement Board provisions and removes obsolete language while retaining remaining bond authority. It also passed HB 2111, which directs interest earned from toll revenues for the Interstate Bridge project to be credited to that project. Both actions were approved by voice vote, 27-0, with two members excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• The third request is $3.3 million in trust fund authority to purchase the remaining 260 new breath test
• First day of school, July 1, 2024.
• middle school enrollment 317; GED student enrollment 212; adult student enrollment 167.
• So we don't stop educating these kids when they get their GED or the high school diploma.
• We've also partnered with trade schools.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice met to hear budget presentations from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), an FDLE update on the Uniform Arrest Affidavit and Florida Incident-Based Reporting System (FIBERS), the Department of Juvenile Justice on Florida Scholars Academy, and the Clerks of Court Operations Corporation. FDLE requested funding for a wide range of items, including a new Fort Myers regional operations center lease, technology upgrades for missing persons alerts and criminal justice data systems, replacement breath-test instruments, recurring support for critical public safety contracts, cybersecurity, a career offender registry unit, expanded wellness and peer support for law enforcement, cryptocurrency seizure efforts, vehicle replacement, forensic lab and digital forensics upgrades, a repaired Jacksonville firearm range, and additional resources for criminal alien detection, fentanyl enforcement, and other operational needs. Senators questioned FDLE about the reported 79% increase in officer misconduct cases, body cameras, masking by officers, public records request burdens, and the status of criminal alien detection funding. FDLE’s second presentation explained that FIBERS is Florida’s incident-based crime reporting system and that 61% of agencies, covering 74% of the population, have transitioned to it. The agency also described the Uniform Arrest Affidavit initiative, which standardizes arrest data for statewide sharing. Senators asked about NCIC/FCIC access, hate crime reporting requirements, and why more agencies have not adopted the UAA and FIBERS systems; FDLE said it is working with law enforcement associations and vendors to address technology and implementation barriers. The committee also heard from DJJ Secretary Matt Walsh, who praised FDLE’s wellness program and then reported on Florida Scholars Academy’s first year, including unified education across 39 residential facilities, security fixes after early website access issues, strong enrollment and graduation numbers, and extensive support for students with disabilities. Walsh said the program still faces staffing shortages and a wait list for residential beds, and estimated about 260 additional beds are needed. The final presentation came from Clerk of Court and Comptroller Stacey Butterfield, who said clerks are operating with outdated funding levels and requested $22 million to stabilize operations. She highlighted reimbursement shortfalls for injunctions for protection and other high-risk cases, rising postage and summons costs, and the need to fund clerk staffing for 37 new judges under the “fund the entire courtroom” concept. Senators asked about SB 532, a CPI-based court-fee bill, and about collections of court fines and fees. Butterfield said clerks work with defendants on payment plans and collections, but the system still faces a structural deficit. After the presentations and questions, the committee adjourned without taking any substantive votes or other action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Charter schools is another one. Water is another one. On and on and on.
• Part of schools they now have. Over 10,000 students in those charter schools.
• school in Albuquerque—I would have gone there and gotten my PhD.
• Women are outpacing men in law school, medical school, etc.
• We have both four-year and two-year schools involved.

Committee: Senate Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• at a very, very high level has three steps: the government entity issues the bonds, the investors purchase
• 05:03.639><c> bonds</c><00:05:04.639><c> the</c><00:05:04.800><c> investors</c><00:05:05.320><c> purchase
• </c> issues the bonds the investors purchase issues the bonds the investors purchase the<00:05:05.800
• So this is grants to cities, counties, townships, school districts, sometimes joint powers boards for
• </c><00:41:31.720><c> aid</c> was accounted for by um school aid was accounted for by um school aid shifts

Committee: House Capital Investment

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• through high school.
• Our office has been very active in outreach and engagement with school districts and charter schools
• The school facility program does have some means of providing assistance to those school districts and
• charter schools.
• So we have. been informing those schools and charters of those options.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we created CalRX for us to then be able to purchase.
• We were working with specifications, getting purchase orders in.
• So in Santa Barbara County, we have three ways to purchase fire engines.
• The grant situation has been difficult when it comes to purchasing apparatus.
• Grants come with specific performance periods, and so we want— At purchasing.

Summary: The committee held an informational hearing on the rising cost and long delivery times for fire apparatus and related equipment, with opening remarks stressing that aging fleets, supply chain problems, and delayed replacements are affecting emergency readiness across California. Cal OES and Cal Fire described statewide procurement challenges, including higher prices, multi-year delivery timelines, two-year encumbrance limits, and the strain on mutual aid when engines remain in service beyond their intended replacement cycles. Cal Fire said it operates 537 engines, with 300 meeting replacement criteria and 243 at least 16 years old, and explained the difference between mandatory contracts and one-time acquisitions. The Department of General Services said vendors have cited labor costs, chassis pricing, and the need for longer production timelines, while also noting that statewide contracts can include nominal price increases but not open-ended price hikes. Local fire chiefs from Santa Barbara County, Los Angeles County, Napa, and Fullerton testified that apparatus prices have risen sharply while delivery times have stretched from under a year to three to five years or more. They described specific examples of engines and ladder trucks costing far more than prior purchases and arriving years later, forcing departments to keep older reserve apparatus in service, spend more on maintenance, and defer other budget priorities. Several witnesses said industry consolidation has reduced competition and contributed to delays and price increases, with Los Angeles County and Fullerton noting they have pursued antitrust complaints and litigation against major manufacturers. Napa also described proprietary parts and software limiting in-house repairs, and Santa Barbara County said a vendor’s unfulfilled delivery promise caused the department to lose its place in line. Members asked about possible solutions, including whether the state should consider manufacturing apparatus itself, whether procurement rules or prototype requirements could be streamlined, whether DGS staffing or contract processes could be accelerated, and whether more stable long-term purchasing commitments would help manufacturers plan production. Witnesses said safety-driven specification changes are necessary but can add time, and that the main bottlenecks are industry capacity, consolidation, and vendor performance. The vice chair raised concerns about how grant funding windows and local matching requirements are affected by multi-year delays, especially for small and rural departments that rely on grants and on used apparatus passed down from larger agencies. No votes were taken; the hearing concluded with committee members indicating interest in possible legislative, regulatory, and antitrust follow-up.