Transcript Highlights:

• very valuable elements of our community, but it's also important for those who have been involved in liquor

Transcript Highlights:

• Everything from whether it's liquor distribution to DEP that we brought up in this here, I mean, a variety

Summary: The committee received an informational presentation from the Joint Administrative Procedures Committee (JAPC/JAPSI) staff and Chair Representative Overdorf on how Florida administrative rulemaking is reviewed. Mr. Plant explained that JAPC is a joint legislative oversight committee that monitors agency rules under Chapter 120, focusing on whether rules stay within statutory authority, whether agencies are acting consistently with legislative intent, and how the rulemaking process works. He emphasized that agencies are creatures of statute, that rulemaking authority must be specific enough to support the rule, and that without a date certain in statute, agencies may delay rulemaking indefinitely. Members asked about how to ensure agencies actually adopt rules, how to identify rules that exceed legislative intent, and how JAPC handles internal policies and delayed rulemaking. Representative Overdorf then described JAPC’s objection process and its limits. He said the committee does not approve or disapprove rules or direct agencies to adopt them, but it can object to proposed or existing rules that enlarge, modify, or contravene enabling statutes or fail to comply with Chapter 120. He noted that if an agency does not resolve an objection, a footnote is published in the Florida Administrative Code and the committee may recommend legislation to amend, suspend, or repeal the rule. He also discussed recent committee activity, including 1,355 proposed rules, 119 emergency rules, and 1,243 incorporated materials reviewed in 2024, and said the committee filed 31 objections against one agency after repeated noncompliance. The discussion also touched on possible changes to Chapter 120, including the governor’s 2019 request that agencies include five-year sunset provisions in rules, and a proposal to instead require periodic legislative review rather than automatic expiration. Overdorf also said the committee is considering raising the current statement of estimated regulatory costs thresholds of $200,000 annually or $1 million over five years because inflation has made those limits too low. No votes were taken on legislation, and the meeting ended with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Bill 114 by Senator Marchman and Bright and Representative Tuton and Soer concerning a spirituous liquor
• “Um, as a city and county commissioner, when I was, when we, they would bring liquor licenses in front
• we ask a lot of questions to make sure that there were no problems with what was going on with the liquor
• Um, as a city and county commissioner, when I was, when we, they would bring liquor licenses in front
• we ask a lot of questions to make sure that there were no problems with what was going on with the liquor

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They are working to streamline some of the ordinances as it relates to liquor stores in a certain area
• particular issue as they try to streamline some of the issues that they're having with neighborhood-level liquor

Summary: The committee first approved the April 28 minutes and announced that Senate Bill 499 was voluntarily deferred. It then heard several House bills, beginning with HB 168, a reentry/transitional housing program for female parolees near release; supporters said it would improve public safety and reduce recidivism, and the bill was reported favorably without objection. HB 322, a cleanup bill from the Maggie Grace Act clarifying that victims or families requesting transcripts would not be charged, was also reported favorably without objection. HB 622, which aligns Louisiana criminal history information practices with federal rules, was amended and then reported favorably. HB 821, moving the School for Safe Centers from GOSEP to the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement, was reported favorably as well. The committee then took up HB 364, which directs State Police to partner on public awareness efforts about the illegality of discharging firearms, especially around holidays. An amendment removed a proposed printing cost and shifted the bill toward PSAs; the bill was reported favorably with amendments. HB 568, which strengthens enforcement of drug-free school zone laws by creating a clearer offense for openly smoking or vaping illegal drugs in school zones and setting a specific penalty for marijuana, drew extensive debate. Supporters, including the author and governor’s office, said it was needed to protect children and families and to give law enforcement a workable deterrent. Opponents argued it would impose harsh, geography-based penalties, sweep in medical cannabis patients and veterans, and worsen racial and fiscal disparities. After roll-call, the committee reported HB 568 favorably by a 3-2 vote. The committee also approved HB 296, a cleanup bill removing long-defunct programs from statute, without objection. HB 823, creating an Orleans Parish DA pilot diversion program for unhoused people accused of nonviolent offenses, was supported by Covenant House and others as a way to avoid criminalizing homelessness and was reported favorably without objection. Finally, HB 1038, a major bill revising the authority and liability structure of city marshals and local governments, prompted extensive testimony. The bill and amendments would limit some marshal powers in smaller jurisdictions, require local approval for certain staffing/insurance matters, and allow local governments to restore powers by ordinance. Supporters said it would reduce liability, clarify authority, and address problems in some marshal offices; opponents, including multiple marshals and law enforcement supporters, said it would undermine elected marshals, hurt small offices, and was too broad and under-studied. The transcript ends amid that hearing, with no final committee action shown on HB 1038.

Transcript Highlights:

• think there should be a mixed-use commercial-residential, excluding adult entertainment, bars, and liquor
• include heavy industrial purposes, adult entertainment establishments, casinos, or any other gaming, liquor

Keywords: Public Property - Room 409, 29 January, 2026; 2:30 P.M., 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And it hurts our liquor store distributors and our liquor stores, who generate a significant amount of

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Here in Texas, you do it all the time when you go to a liquor store.
• If you go to a bar or a liquor store, they can look at you, see you have gray hair, and you kind of don't

Bills: HB2963, HB3005, HB3287, HB3288, HB3289, HB3290, HB3344, HB3712, HB3862, HB3874, HB4196, HB4308, HB4901, HB4984

Keywords: digital equipment, repair rights, manufacturers, maintenance, consumer rights, construction contracts, payment regulations, public works, dispute resolution, audit procedures, construction, trust funds, mechanic's lien, contractor, subcontractor, residential properties, disputes, payment obligations, accountability, payment disputes

Transcript Highlights:

• be intoxicated and they'd find that there would be a reason now to find out how the minor got the liquor
• reason now to find out how the minor got reason now to find out how the minor got the<01:27:30.239><c> liquor
• 33.199><c> it</c><01:27:33.520><c> wasn't</c><01:27:34.000><c> from</c><01:27:34.320><c> the</c> the liquor
• And uh if it wasn't from the the liquor.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that includes city sales tax, entertainment tax, lodging and entertainment tax, and restaurant and liquor
• entertainment tax and lodging and entertainment tax and restaurant<00:31:03.679><c> and</c><00:31:03.919><c> liquor
• </c><00:31:05.120><c> And</c><00:31:05.279><c> so</c><00:31:05.440><c> those</c> restaurant and liquor
• And so those restaurant and liquor tax.

Bills: HF4912, HF4664

Keywords: electronic pull-tabs, pull-tabs, tipboards, gambling tax, Minnesota Racing Commission, Thoroughbred, horse racing, Minnesota-bred horses, breeders, owners, racing purses, industry subsidy, gambling revenue dedication, problem gambling, compulsive gambling treatment, general fund appropriation, state affiliate National Council on Problem Gambling, racing incentives, equine industry, public officers

Transcript Highlights:

• So, think the person in the Jeep gets good and liquored up and tries to climb a hill that they know they
• good</c><00:35:46.280><c> and</c> person in the Jeep gets good and person in the Jeep gets good and liquored
• 35:47.600><c> to</c><00:35:47.720><c> climb</c><00:35:48.000><c> a</c><00:35:48.080><c> hill</c> liquored
• up and tries to climb a hill liquored up and tries to climb a hill that<00:35:48.520><c> they</c><00

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Imagine being a liquor store and having to scan a bunch of QR codes to see what was recalled.
• Imagine<01:23:25.440><c> being</c><01:23:25.640><c> a</c><01:23:25.680><c> liquor</c><01:23:26.000><c
• > store</c><01:23:26.240><c> and</c><01:23:26.360><c> having</c> Imagine being a liquor store and having
• Imagine being a liquor store and having to<01:23:26.720><c> scan</c><01:23:27.000><c> a</c><01:23:27.040

Bills: HF3794, HF4472, HF4410, HF4347, HF4412, HF4398, HF4397, HF4201, HF4199, HF4203, HF3706, HF4071, HF4120, HF4175, HF4188

Keywords: surveillance, price discrimination, wage discrimination, automated decision systems, consumer protections, data privacy, biometrics, school district health insurance, charter school health benefits, employee benefits, public sector health insurance, health insurance survey, Legislative Budget Office, LBO report, premium costs, retiree coverage, broker commissions, third-party administrator, health plan transparency, health reimbursement arrangement

Transcript Highlights:

• revisions; Senate File 44, gambling amendments; and Senate File 46, skill-based amusement games licensing liquor
• revisions; Senate File 44, gambling amendments; and Senate File 46, skill-based amusement games licensing liquor
• revisions; Senate File 44, gambling amendments; and Senate File 46, skill-based amusement games licensing liquor
• revisions; Senate File 44, gambling amendments; and Senate File 46, skill-based amusement games licensing liquor

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Liquor and Cannabis Board administers the state cannabis tax, with all revenue from the tax deposited
• Lastly, the Liquor and Cannabis Board must collect the tax on behalf of counties and cities and may retain
• There are expenditure impacts of $442,000 over the four-year outlook for Liquor and Cannabis Board implementation
• There are expenditure impacts of $442,000 over the four-year outlook for Liquor and Cannabis Board implementation

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee held a public hearing on multiple bills, beginning with a motion to suspend the five-day notice rule for a long list of Senate bills, which passed on a voice vote. The committee first heard Substitute Senate Bill 6026, a governor-request housing bill that would require cities and counties over 30,000 population to allow residential uses in commercial and mixed-use zones, limit mixed-use/ground-floor commercial requirements in some areas, and allow added height where such requirements are imposed. The lieutenant governor testified strongly in support, arguing the bill would add needed housing capacity without requiring ground-floor retail burdens. The hearing on SB 6026 was then suspended so the committee could move through the agenda. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6294, a broad local government finance measure with eight parts, including expanded uses for certain REET revenues, a new county public utility tax, a new local sales tax for children and family services, expanded housing-related tax uses, changes to county levy structure, longer lid lift periods, and expanded use of rental car tax revenue. Local government, housing, and public health witnesses largely supported the bill, emphasizing flexibility for affordable housing, rental assistance, children’s services, and county fiscal stability. Opponents, including wireless industry, water/sewer district, auto dealer, realtors, energy, and cannabis representatives, objected to specific tax provisions as regressive, costly, or likely to raise consumer prices. Several witnesses requested amendments, including adding public health clinic funding and flood recovery language from House bills. The committee also heard Substitute Senate Bill 5400 on local news sustainability, which would create a state grant program funded by a surcharge on large search engines and social media platforms to support journalism jobs and the Murrow Fellowship program. News organizations, the League of Women Voters, open government advocates, and local journalism supporters testified in favor, saying local news is essential to civic life and that the bill would help sustain reporting without using general fund dollars. Technology industry representatives opposed the bill, arguing it unfairly singles out tech companies and could face legal challenges. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6211, which would let opt-in GMA jurisdictions impose REET-2 without voter approval; cities and counties supported it as a parity and infrastructure funding measure, while Realtors opposed the loss of voter approval. Senate Bill 5650, authorizing local cannabis excise taxes, drew support from some local officials but strong opposition from cannabis businesses, which argued Washington’s cannabis taxes are already too high and drive sales to the illicit market. Senate Bill 6033, waiving penalties and interest for taxpayers who failed to collect new sales tax on certain services, was supported by NFIB as a compliance and fairness measure. Senate Bill 6297, exempting temporary staffing services for nonprofit behavioral health providers from sales tax, drew strong support from behavioral health organizations citing workforce shortages and unsustainable costs. Finally, Senate Bill 6343, extending and expanding tax relief for disaster-damaged property and repairs, was presented as aid for flood recovery; local officials testified in support. No final committee votes on the bills were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, if you'd go to ABC, which we must buy our liquor from the ABC, so they're already locked in with
• </c> to ABC, which we must buy our liquor to ABC, which we must buy our liquor from<04:15:00.239><c>
• ><c> then</c><04:15:36.880><c> they're</c><04:15:37.040><c> not</c> selling the liquor and then they're
• Someone had called me this past week with a liquor store. Mom and pop liquor store.
• I'm not too sure that the state should be in the liquor business anyway.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It defines infused beverages as a beverage for human consumption that does not contain alcohol liquor
• So having them in the liquor stores for right now makes sense.
• And they do not want to go into a liquor store to buy this product.

Keywords: 1064, all

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Tuesday, uh, in the morning we're going to do the liquor.
• We'll do cannabis and liquor positions Tuesday morning at 10:00 a.m. Thanks.
• we'll do cannabis and do the liquor we'll do cannabis and liquor<05:42:07.680><c> positions</c><05:42
• :08.400><c> Tuesday</c><05:42:08.840><c> morning</c><05:42:09.160><c> at</c> liquor positions Tuesday
• morning at liquor positions Tuesday morning at 10:00<05:42:09.520><c> a.m.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a non-germane amendment to HB 297 that would create the Granite State Home Mitigation and Resiliency Program. Insurance Commissioner DJ Beton, joined by department staff, explained that the proposal is intended to help homeowners afford insurance by funding proactive home improvements that reduce risk and improve insurability. He said the program would be funded by the first $1 million collected annually from the insurance premium tax, with grants of up to $10,000 available on a first-come, first-served basis. Beton described the problem as rising homeowners insurance premiums, hard-market underwriting, nonrenewals, and the resulting shift to more expensive surplus lines coverage. He said eligible projects could include roof fortification, exterior improvements, flood-related foundation work, and removal of hazardous trees or limbs. He cited similar programs in other states, especially Alabama, Louisiana, and North Carolina, as evidence the model can work and noted that industry representatives were present in support. He also said the program would use means testing aligned with the Department of Energy’s weatherization program to target lower-income applicants. Members asked about the non-germane process, who would administer the program, and how the bill would prevent misuse of grant funds. The commissioner said the department would administer the program using one repurposed existing position, with Treasury handling fund flow through an MOU. Staff explained that applicants would have to show completed work through a signed contract, itemized work, and a sworn contractor affidavit, with some upfront payment allowed for materials and the remainder paid after completion. The chair and members discussed that the amendment is being attached to a different bill only to move the proposal through committee and on to House Finance for further consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Bill 417F is Senator Waters's bill on premise licenses and off-premise licenses, requiring state liquor
• premise licenses off- premise licenses premise licenses off- premise licenses state<00:06:25.360><c> liquor
• outlets</c><00:06:26.160><c> to</c><00:06:26.240><c> post</c><00:06:26.560><c> warnings</c> state liquor
• outlets to post warnings state liquor outlets to post warnings relative<00:06:27.440><c> to</c><00:06
• I know the liquor commission is here.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These changes are to increase flexibility for retail liquor stores to offer larger sample variety and

Bills: SB1238, SB1277, SB1304, SB1378, SB1423, SB1484, SB1501, SR32, SB1502, SB1721, SB1735, SB1832, SB1847, SB1859, SB1876, SB2170, SB2182

Keywords: domestic abuse, domestic violence, assault and battery, strangulation, intimate partner violence, family or household member, repeat offender, felony enhancement, Class B5 felony, stalking, batterers intervention program, court-ordered treatment, protective order, presence of a child, pregnant victim, great bodily injury, animal cruelty, cockfighting, dogfighting, sex offender registration

Transcript Highlights:

• and we do have a little bit of a of a generator, a revenue generator, which is Senator Scherer's liquor