Transcript Highlights:

• That means testing, age-gating, taxation, and safety standards, the same ones that cannabis licensees
• We would also be able to uphold the highest standards of care by being part of the anesthesia care team
• Lowering safety standards by removing physician involvement in anesthesia care creates unacceptable risk
• Reducing physician oversight and lowering safety standards can reasonably lead to an increase in chance
• I just wanted to add that menopause care, it's really a standard part of care.

Committee: House Business and Professions

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're glad to see that the bill relies on established standards from the National Institute of Standards
• First is robust transparency and accountability by requiring inventory and standardized notices.
• I do think, however, that the premise of the standard pricing schedules is something that ought to be
• I think where you CVS standard rate schedule, yes.
• That's where standardization, I think, is an assistant.

Bills: SB231 , SB584 , SB600 , SB668 , SB841 , SB986 , SB1003 , SB1244 , SB1625 , SB1960 , SB1963 , SB1964 , SB2026 , SB2056 , SB2368

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Keywords: temporary emergency electric energy facility, temporary generation, emergency power, backup generation, mobile generator, portable generator, grid resilience, power outage restoration, transmission and distribution utility, TDU, Public Utility Commission of Texas, PUCT, Utilities Code Section 39.918, competitive bidding, lease authorization, emergency procurement, bulk power system, locational marginal pricing, reliability model, black start

Transcript Highlights:

• We’re talking about research base, and if we’re looking at expanding the standardized test options for
• test options that meet those standards.
• Does this... ...options that meet those standards.
• The bill allows more time for a licensee to come into compliance with licensing standards by increasing
• This bill aims to improve the educational requirements for obtaining both a standard driver's license

Committee: Senate Fiscal Policy

Summary: The committee first heard CS for CS for SB 344, which would modernize the Telecommunications Access System Act of 1991 based on Public Service Commission recommendations. The bill drew no opposition and was reported favorably. Members then took up several Senator Burton measures: CS for SB 714 on non-opioid advanced directives, which was amended to create a Department of Health website access point for a voluntary form allowing patients to notify providers they do not want opioid medications; CS for SB 738 on child care and early learning providers, which streamlines and updates child care regulation and was supported by industry and business groups; CS for SB 756 on health insurance coverage for individuals with developmental disabilities, which removes the age-8 diagnosis limit and age cap for mandated autism-related coverage; and CS for CS for SB 1356, creating a Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases at FSU and a newborn genetic testing pilot, later amended to add FIU and Nicklaus Children’s Hospital to the board and remove specific appropriations. All of these bills were reported favorably. The committee also approved CS for CS for SB 1624 on higher education, a broad bill affecting tuition policies, workforce programs, institutional governance, and naming changes. The bill generated extended discussion over replacing references to “minority” with “underrepresented,” with the sponsor explaining the intent was to focus on low-income access and student support, while members raised concerns about impacts on majority-minority institutions and preeminence pathways. An amendment added guardrails for private religious postsecondary institutions by requiring public review of affidavits of compliance and giving the Commission for Independent Education enforcement authority. After debate, the bill was reported favorably. The committee then passed CS for SB 1626 on child welfare, which addresses military-family investigations, emergency shelter certification, children’s services council appointments, criminal-background exemptions, group-home rates, licensing extensions, small residential group homes, missing-children procedures, and psychotropic medication refills; it was amended to adjust council board composition and then reported favorably. Additional bills approved included SB 178, directing Florida A&M University to conduct an agronomic study on emerging crops for land taken out of production; SB 1162, expanding boating improvement funding for trailer parking and offering lease incentives for clean marine manufacturers; CS for CS for SB 958, creating a type 1 diabetes early detection information program for parents and schools; CS for CS for CS for SB 1070, requiring ECGs for student athletes with phased implementation and exemptions, after extensive testimony from parents and advocates about sudden cardiac arrest; CS for SB 774, requiring electronic transmission of certain court orders to sheriffs within six hours; SB 1516, creating an International Aerospace Innovation Fund administered by Space Florida; SB 994, revising driver education requirements and prompting a commitment to add distracted-driving instruction; and CS for CS for SB 1402, expanding eligibility for dropout retrieval programs. The committee also took up SB 810 on stormwater management systems, amending it to focus annual inspections on vulnerable MS4 infrastructure. That bill drew significant opposition from the Florida League of Cities, counties, and stormwater groups, who argued the mandate would duplicate existing permit requirements and impose major costs, but supporters said it was a basic flood-prevention measure. The transcript ends during debate on SB 810, before a final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is it now standard? Can you give me a little sense of that? I don't have a number for that program.
• We've adopted new standards for special education and restructured that credential.
• I think part of that is taking a look at the standards they have to meet and looking at how we can.
• We will move on to issue number four, which is the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards
• What are some of the standards around that?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Bill 267 does is it reduces a major barrier to entering housing by requiring fee transparency, standardizing
• Um, I don't, I actually don't know what the standard serving is of wine, and I can Google that for you
• I think this is just about probably a standard serving when we're talking about theater locations.
• Rather than standards of professional practice because we know that those lag.
• Specifically, Section 24225B, which requires genetic testing for infants, does not meet the standard

Committee: House House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• like they do in private practice under disciplinary standards.
• like they do in private practice under disciplinary standards.
• like they do in private practice under disciplinary standards.
• For example, standards.
• Under current um standard Okay.

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If the provider loses that accreditation status, the provider reverts to the standard one-year licensure
• like to repeat that: if the provider loses that accreditation status, the provider reverts to the standard
• If the provider loses that accreditation status, the provider reverts to the standard one-year licensure
• For providers that have demonstrated compliance and meet national accreditation standards, we can reduce

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer by Senator Anthony H. Williams and the Pledge of Allegiance, then received gubernatorial communications and a long list of newly referred Senate and House bills and resolutions. The chamber approved the April 22, 2026 journal by a 49-0 vote. Senators also introduced guests, including a high school senior advisory council visiting with Senator Malone and a young guest welcomed by Senator Costa. On the floor, several bills were taken up and either set aside or advanced. Senate Bill 1377 and Senate Bill 482 were re-referred to Appropriations, Senate Bill 906 was re-referred to Rules and Executive Nominations, and Senate Bills 1133, 1334, and 1368 were also sent to Appropriations. Senator Dush requested a conflict-of-interest ruling on an amendment to Senate Bill 469; the chair ruled no conflict existed and required him to vote, and the amendment was adopted. The Senate also took Senate Bill 127 from the table and placed it on the calendar. The Senate then considered Supplemental Calendar Number One. Senate Bill 362 received a technical amendment and was advanced; Senate Bill 1183 passed 50-0; Senate Bill 1352, which would allow qualifying substance use disorder treatment providers to receive two-year licenses, passed 45-5 after supportive remarks from Senators Brooks, Tartaglione, and Street; and House Bill 1877, codifying the Pennsylvania seal of biliteracy, passed 50-0 after Senator Lindsey Williams described its student-led origins. The session ended with committee announcements for the next day and Senator Tartaglione’s petition urging a floor vote on the House-passed minimum wage bill, House Bill 2189.

Transcript Highlights:

• Finance tracks the cost of those programs, tax credits created before 2014 do not adhere to those standards
• Tax expenditures before 2014 were not required to include performance measurement standards.
• benefits have only increased by 2.8%, seniors are experiencing economic instability and declining standard
• Recent federal legislation instability and declining standard of living.

Committee: House Revenue and Taxation

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Transportation projects are required to follow strict plans and nationally recognized standards
• , but they don't design these standards and cannot deviate from them.
• a contractor implemented a fully compliant work zone safety plan under MoDOT and federal safety standards
• they are doing exactly what the state requires, following approved plans and nationally recognized standards

Committee: House Commerce

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there some provision in there that is requiring assessors to use some international standards for
• Yes, it talks about the mass accepted standards for mass appraisal practice.
• So the gold standard is that put forth by the International Association of Assessing Officers.
• We're talking about some sort of standards for assessors worldwide. Thank you for the question.

Summary: The committee took up a long series of Senate bills, beginning with SB 44, which extends a sales tax exemption to contractors working for nonprofits. It was presented briefly and reported out 24-0. The committee then considered SB 237, with a PCS and a written amendment that delayed the effective date and phased out the manufacturing exemption for solar and battery energy storage systems; members discussed the impact on ongoing projects, the treatment of solar and storage like prior wind and data center exemptions, and concerns from the renewable industry before the bill was advanced. Several other measures were heard and passed, including SB 248 on reinvesting proceeds from any sale of tourism real property back into state park maintenance and capital improvements; SB 1360 on the Pro Tem’s numeracy bill for the Department of Education; SB 985 codifying the local food for schools program; SB 1204 requiring three days of paid bereavement leave for school district employees; SB 1239 extending the bridge funding formula and moving certain motorcycle and moped fees to Service Oklahoma; SB 1307 cleaning up statutory language related to the ARCS Council, J.M. Davis Arms Museum, and Historical Society; and SB 2143 allowing county assessors to use aerial imagery, but not drones, to identify property changes. The aerial imagery bill drew the most debate, with questions about privacy, assessors’ authority, and whether the measure would save counties money; it passed 13-11. The committee also advanced SB 1428 creating an Alzheimer’s and related dementia services coordinator in the Health Department; SB 1390 extending a gross production tax sunset for tourism and water-related entities; SB 1400 combining sales tax exemptions for aircraft maintenance facilities; SB 1405 renewing the wildlife diversity check-off; SB 1732 raising fees for the construction industries board; SB 1832 adding voluntary ODVA checkboxes to licenses and hunting forms; SB 1859 creating a revolving fund for the OSBI cybercrimes and fraud unit; SB 1989 allowing electronic payment methods such as Cash App and Venmo for 529 accounts; SB 2018 changing valuation rules for new multifamily housing; and SB 1427, a bipartisan diabetes prevention and health bill. Most bills were reported out with overwhelming support, with a few receiving one or two no votes, and the committee adjourned after completing the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• after release; a 3-year measure captures most of the cases and aligns with the common reporting standards
• 00:10:02.640><c> reporting</c> aligns with the common reporting aligns with the common reporting standards
• <00:10:04.160><c> Bureau</c><00:10:04.480><c> of</c><00:10:04.560><c> Justice</c> standards Bureau of
• Justice standards Bureau of Justice A<00:10:06.320><c> 5-year</c><00:10:06.840><c> window</c><00:10:

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we're still going to maintain the high levels of standard. a broad group of people that are above
• So we're still going to maintain the high levels of standard.
• So we're still going to maintain the high levels of standard, the high standard levels.

Committee: House General Laws

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 33614 is simply the approval of the DAPI rules and should be, yeah, all of them are ADAPA rules, standard
• Standard procedure with respect to the committee, the E&T committee, approving those rules.
• 33614 is simply the approval of the DAPI rules and should be, yeah, all of them are ADAPA rules, standard
• procedure with respect to the committee. standard procedure with respect to the committee, the E&T committee

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met to consider a series of RS introductions, mostly sponsored by Representatives Barbieri and Scott, along with measures from Furness, Petske, Ehart, and Monks. Barbieri presented three related proposals concerning hospital conveyances and nonprofit conversions: one on libel/slander retractions and punitive damages (RS-33606), and two aimed at adding transparency, notice, and limits on transfers of former public hospitals to nonprofit or other entities (RS-33609 and RS-33610). The committee also introduced RS-33614, an internal House rules resolution, after a substitute motion to send it to the second reading calendar. RS-33624, another internal House ethics rules proposal, drew the most discussion and concern over confidentiality and attorney participation; it was introduced with amendments, with Representative Birch recorded as voting no. The committee also introduced RS-33630, which would place the Department of Finance under the Department of Insurance to seek cross-departmental efficiencies beginning in July 2027, and RS-33646, which would extend Idaho residency requirements for lifetime hunting licenses from six months to five years. Representative Scott’s measures were all introduced: RS-33651 would expand prohibitions on the sale, purchase, or lease of human remains artifacts; RS-33666, RS-33667, and RS-33668 were part of a split-up parental rights/custody package, addressing parental access to records, court-appointed professionals serving only in an advisory role, and make-up parenting time when custody is lost due to unsubstantiated allegations. Representative Ehart’s RS-33615 updated the 2024 medical parental rights law to clarify treatment standards, 988-related language, and evidence collection in child-crime allegations. Finally, the committee introduced RS-33675, which would allow universities to apply for a share of tourism-related bed tax grant funds currently distributed through the Department of Commerce to nonprofit tourism-promoting organizations. Several members asked clarifying questions on the various RSs, but no bills were advanced beyond introduction except RS-33614, which was also recommended to the second reading calendar. The committee then adjourned, with the chair noting more measures may return later in the week.

Transcript Highlights:

• The main difference in this version is the convenience standards that the program is required to achieve
• "So the new standard for when Ecology has the authority to adopt a restriction is that at least one neighboring
• It also removes all requirements related to developing reporting standards for improving resource forecasting
• The sub will add some clarifications, adjust convenience standards, and make other changes agreed to

Bills: HB2296 , HB2301 , HB2212 , HB2515 , HB2436 , HB2496 , HB2605

Committee: House Environment & Energy

Keywords: distributed energy, renewable energy, energy resources, sustainability, energy policy, extended producer responsibility, paint waste management, environmental regulations, recycling, microplastics, pollution, environmental protection, washing machines, water quality, energy facilities, large energy use, regulation, state oversight, infrastructure, oil tanker

Transcript Highlights:

• steps to ensure that all updates to these trainings are implemented effectively and to the highest standard
• steps to ensure that all updates to these trainings are implemented effectively and to the highest standard
• They set the minimum standards for some of these processes, along with eight Baker Act rules within our
• These rules serve as the foundation for consistent implementation of the law by setting minimum standards

Summary: The Human Services Subcommittee met to receive an update from the Florida Department of Children and Families on implementation of House Bill 7021, which revised the Baker Act and Marchman Act and was funded with a $50 million appropriation. Deputy Assistant Secretary Bill Hardin reported that the department has updated reference guides, training, administrative rules, and forms; launched regional behavioral health collaboratives; and created the Office of Children’s Behavioral Health Ombudsman. He said early data show continued declines in Baker Act use, high diversion rates from involuntary examinations through 988, mobile response teams, and care coordination, along with generally positive provider feedback on changes such as allowing psychiatric nurses to initiate emergency treatment orders and clarifying the 72-hour examination period. Hardin also described Marchman Act changes, including a streamlined petition process, remote testimony, improved discharge planning, and a new annual data report. He said the department has completed or is completing multiple training courses for providers and law enforcement, and has adopted or is finalizing numerous rules and forms. He reported that the regional collaboratives are identifying common statewide needs such as service capacity, resource sharing, funding flexibility, and peer support, while the ombudsman office is handling complaints and helping families navigate services. Members asked about whether the current funding is sufficient, future budget needs, outreach for the new ombudsman office, and services for juveniles. Hardin said DCF has posted legislative budget requests for additional forensic FACT services and short-term residential treatment beds, including children’s beds, and noted the ombudsman office is staffed with two FTEs and supported through existing complaint-management and regional systems. He said outreach is being done through regional collaboratives and coordination with other agencies, especially the Department of Education, and that juvenile transport and placement issues have improved with the new law. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the presentation and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Cost-wise, design-build contracts: are they known to cost more than standard contracts?
• This brings state regulations in line with modern federal bridge and weight standards.
• They get held to a smaller or less weight standard.
• This bill also clarifies the gross weight standard, as mentioned, just to make it easier for uniform

Bills: SB35 , SB1113 , SB1365 , SB1394 , SB2243 , SB2245 , SB2589 , SB2199 , SB2200 , SB 35

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: transportation, TxDOT, Texas Department of Transportation, road projects, highways, infrastructure, bridge construction, interchanges, corridor improvements, road widening, railroad grade separation, sound barrier, unified transportation program, legislative notice, project prioritization, capital projects, state highway system, Farm-to-Market Roads, San Antonio, Harris County

Transcript Highlights:

• It modernizes broadband speed standards to align with FCC definitions, current technology, and controller
• rules, while setting higher standards for schools and community institutions.
• It eliminates redundant mapping requirements by allowing the BDO to adopt the federal standards.
• Netflix's standard subscription rose 84% from 2011 to 2023. The premium rose 92%. Disney's...

Bills: HB2838 , HB2964 , HB3213 , SB924

Committee: House S/C on Telecommunications & Broadband

Keywords: broadband, internet access, digital equity, tax reduction, government funding, rural counties, fiber-optic, state funding, infrastructure, digital divide, economic development, fiber-optic cable, excavation, utilities, civil penalties, municipal regulations, video services, regulation, public right-of-way, franchise authority

Transcript Highlights:

• This is also supported by the national safety standards and experts, leading safety authorities urging
• is also supported by the national This is also supported by the national safety<00:02:41.080><c> standards
• </c><00:02:41.480><c> and</c><00:02:41.600><c> experts,</c><00:02:42.560><c> leading</c> safety standards
• and experts, leading safety standards and experts, leading safety<00:02:43.240><c> authorities</c><00

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• TERA is a program on a federal level that allows families who don't meet the income standard for the
• don't meet allows um for families who don't meet the<00:04:26.720><c> income</c><00:04:27.040><c> standard
• </c><00:04:27.520><c> for</c><00:04:27.919><c> the</c><00:04:28.160><c> Medicaid</c> the income standard
• for the Medicaid the income standard for the Medicaid program<00:04:29.120><c> but</c><00:04:29.440>

Bills: HF2995 , HF2434

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: human services, funding, appropriations, MinnesotaCare, behavioral health, general assistance, healthcare, personal care assistance, worker retention, disability services, state funding, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• standard of of documentation<00:30:26.799><c> too.
• That's standard across the country, if you will, in terms of what would be allowed.
• </c> standardized criteria that you're using? standardized criteria that you're using?
• That's standard across the cost.
• So the standard is that they have to follow the professional licensure.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The commission to study special education costs under SB 57 met for its second meeting, with members introducing themselves and reviewing background materials on New Hampshire special education identification rates, NAEP results, and a Wall Street Journal article about the rise in autism diagnoses. The chair explained that the commission is examining special education aid formulas, including how New Hampshire’s current catastrophic aid threshold works and how changes to that threshold might affect school districts, but noted that the needed data on how many students would shift into the aid system at lower thresholds is not yet available. The main testimony came from Henry Litman of HHS on Medicaid reimbursement in schools. He explained that school-based Medicaid funding is tied to health-related services, not all special education services, and that federal rules are changing in state fiscal year 2027. Under the new approach, schools will move away from an in-kind methodology to a certified public expenditure model that may also allow recovery of some overhead costs, such as support staff time. He said the state won a federal grant to help build the new system, hired a vendor, and is setting up training and a help center for districts. Members asked about why Medicaid claims have declined and whether districts are leaving money on the table. Litman said claims are down about 25% from pre-pandemic levels, with declines tied to federal and state rule changes, documentation requirements, provider qualification rules, and the end of temporary pandemic flexibilities. He said some districts adapted better than others depending on local medical-provider access and administrative capacity. He also said the new federal legislation does not directly affect schools, while New Hampshire’s return to pre-pandemic eligibility rules has reduced enrollment somewhat. No votes were taken, and the discussion ended with agreement that the commission needs better data to determine how much special education spending is truly Medicaid-eligible and whether additional legislation is needed.