Video & Transcript : 'filing refusal' :
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MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Informal House Session 18 Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Committee on Rules reports recommending that the following resolutions ought to be adopted: resolutions filed
- The Temporary Committee on Rules to whom was referred the order filed this day by Mr.
- The Temporary Committee on Rules to whom was referred the order filed this day by Mr.
- The Temporary Committee on Rules to whom was referred this day the order filed by Mr.
- The Temporary Committee on Rules to whom was referred this day the order filed by Mr.
Summary:
The House met briefly, opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, and recessed several times while the Temporary Committee on Rules reported out a series of orders. The chamber adopted two commendatory resolutions: one recognizing the AdMe-Tech Foundation’s 16th annual Prostate Cancer Awareness Day and another honoring the Ludlow Community Center/Randall Boys and Girls Club on its 75th anniversary.
Members then took up special procedures for considering House and joint rules for the 194th General Court, governing the 2025-2026 legislative session. The House adopted the special-procedure orders for both the House rules and joint rules. The rules committee also reported that the permanent House rules and permanent joint rules orders ought to be adopted; after suspension of the rules, the House postponed consideration of the permanent rules matters until tomorrow at 1 p.m.
Finally, the House adopted an order to adjourn to meet the next day at 11 a.m., with formal session and roll calls at 1 p.m. The House then adjourned, and members were notified of a Democratic caucus at noon in Room A1.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Housing and Homelessness Prevention - 03/11/25
Housing and Homelessness Prevention
Transcript Highlights:
- So we will begin with Senate File 2229.
- So we will begin with Senate File 2229.
- </c><00:19:34.799><c> 2229</c> today in support of Senate File 2229 today in support of Senate File 2229
- </c><00:22:48.799><c> 2229</c> regarding uh Senate File 2229 regarding uh Senate File 2229 uh<00:22:50.400
- </c> you for considering Senate File 2229. you for considering Senate File 2229.
Committee:
Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Informal House Session 85 Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The Committee on Rules, to whom was referred the order filed by Representative Stanley of Waltham and
- The committee on rules to whom was referred the order filed by representatives Chan of Quincy in.
- The Committee on Rules, to whom was referred the order filed by Representative Haggerty of Woburn and
- The Committee on Rules, to whom was referred the order filed by Representative Haggerty of Woburn and
- The committee on rules to whom was referred the order filed by representatives Haggerty of Woburn and
Summary:
The House began with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several Committee on Rules reports extending committee reporting deadlines on various House orders. The House suspended the rules as needed and adopted each extension, including for the Committees on Aging and Independence, Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure, Housing, and Transportation. The House also concurred in several Senate petitions referred under Joint Rule 12, including proposals on charter school funding, a Salem police retirement, utility shut-off protections during extreme heat, and seatbelt education for passengers in large vehicles.
The Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling reported four local bills for House consideration: legislation concerning employees of the Dedham-Westwood Water District, the membership of the Prim Board, the Williamstown Library Trustees, and rodeos. After suspending Rule 7A, the House gave each bill a second reading and ordered them to a third reading. The House then passed several local bills to be engrossed, including measures on the Cotuit Fire District water commissioners, the town charters of Acushnet and Provincetown, the elected term of Holden’s moderator, and a bill designating Veterans Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day, which was amended to add an emergency preamble.
The House also adopted an amendment substituting a new bill for House Bill 2244, relating to making the Chicopee city charter gender neutral, and passed the amended bill to be engrossed. Later, the House considered and enacted additional measures, including House Bill 4530 making fiscal year 2025 supplemental appropriations, House Bill 4531 establishing the 2026 state primary election day, and House Bill 3298 designating July 2 as Machado-Joseph Disease Awareness Day. The session ended with the House adopting an adjournment order and adjourning to meet the following Monday at 11 a.m. in informal session.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House passes bill to expand Medicaid fraud investigation unit 5/17/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Members, the bill on the calendar for the day is House File 2354.
- House File 2354, an act relating to consumer protection, adding and modifying provisions governing medical
- Norris moves to amend House File 2354, the fourth engrossment. The amendment is coded A11.
- to amend House File number 2354,<00:01:39.000><c> the</c><00:01:39.120><c> fourth</c><00:01:39.440><
- Third reading, House File 2354 as amended. Third reading. Discussion.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Senate in Special Session C Feb 11th, 2025
Florida Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- the Florida Senate, Daniel Perez, Speaker, Florida House of Representatives, February 10, 2025, duly filed
- Duly filed with and received by the Florida Department of State in Tallahassee this 10th day of February
- The Secretary would now read the bills filed within the call.
- While the majority of the legislation Senator Gruters has filed for your consideration is identical to
- a bill because we want to preserve those for the ability to file amendments to 2C and 4C.
Summary:
The Florida Senate convened in special session with an opening prayer and pledge, then the Secretary read the joint proclamation calling the session. The proclamation stated the session was called to address immigration-related legislation, including measures to coordinate with federal immigration enforcement, create a state immigration board, restrict benefits for undocumented immigrants, create offenses related to non-citizen voting, strengthen detention and bail rules, require identification in state interactions, and provide funding and penalties related to enforcement and officials.
The Senate read the filed bills first time: SB 2C and SB 4C, both relating to immigration, and SM 6C, a memorial urging the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to provide guidance and training for 287(g) agreements. The President and several senators discussed the immigration package, emphasizing support for President Trump’s immigration agenda, funding for law enforcement, and cooperation with the governor and House. The President also condemned threats and violent rhetoric directed at Commissioner Simpson and his family, and Senator Pizzo echoed concerns about threats and urged senators to discourage inflammatory social media behavior.
The Rules Chair announced the Appropriations Committee would meet the next day, and the Senate adopted motions waiving rules to place SB 2C, SB 4C, and SM 6C on the special order calendar for Thursday, with an amendment deadline tied to the Appropriations Committee meeting. Another motion sent bills filed outside the call to the Rules Committee for review. Senator Burgess recognized USF Health medical and resident students in the gallery. The Senate then adjourned until Thursday, February 13, or upon the call of the President.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Ethics Board May 20th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Back on April 14th of 2026, as well as the board staff's motion for summary judgment was filed on April
- Board staff filed a response to their motion, but we have not moved for summary judgment at this time
- And since the respondent, Tara Simmons, filed a motion for summary judgment, I will allow Mr.
- McKinley as attorney filed a motion for summary judgment. I will allow Mr.
- But Kim Gordon filed a complaint. She's both a board member and an employee of AEJG.
Summary:
The Washington State Office of Administrative Hearings held oral argument before the Legislative Ethics Board in the matter of Representative Tara Simmons, docketed as Legislative Ethics Board case 2025-5. The hearing concerned Simmons’ motion for summary judgment in an ethics complaint alleging violations of RCW 42.52.020 (conflicts of interest) and RCW 42.52.070 (special privileges), based on her work involving an EEC proviso, her employment relationship with EEC, a campaign surplus donation connected to AEJG and Jerry Stone, her involvement in an AEJG-EEC subcontract dispute, and related text messages with Anthony Powers. No evidence was taken; the session focused on legal argument over whether the alleged facts, if accepted as true, were sufficient to establish violations as a matter of law.
Simmons’ counsel argued the complaint was legally insufficient because the alleged actions benefited her employer or others, not Simmons herself, and that existing board opinions allow legislators to support employers absent a direct personal benefit. He also argued the board was effectively trying to adopt a new bright-line rule prohibiting legislators from funding employers, which he said would be an improper retroactive change. Board staff, through Assistant Attorney General Julia Eisentrout, opposed summary judgment and argued the facts were enough to show Simmons had an indirect financial or other interest in EEC’s funding, that her job duties and legislative actions created conflicts, and that her actions around the donation, subcontract dispute, and text messages could be viewed as using her position to secure special privileges. A board member asked whether the allegations themselves were sufficient and whether the standard required assuming the facts as alleged; staff responded that the motion failed because the record contained sufficient facts to proceed, and that any factual disputes should be resolved at hearing.
After rebuttal, the ALJ closed the oral argument and turned the matter over to the Legislative Ethics Board for deliberation. No ruling was issued during the hearing, and the board was to decide whether to grant the summary judgment motion or set the case for an evidentiary hearing.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- severity of these indemnity and medical benefits are key components of the annual work comp rate filing
- This slide displays the work comp rate changes filed and approved with the Idaho DOI for the past five
- In addition to their review of our annual rate filing, we submit item filings to them on a regular basis
- Once that filing is approved, and it may be changed by the department, the approved filings that the
- may file a deviation request with the department if they so choose.
Committee:
Senate Commerce and Human Resources
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jan 27th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We are moving on to the business of the daily file.
- File item number one, ACR 11 by Assemblymember Aarons. The clerk will read.
- Moving on to item number two, file item number two, excuse me.
- Continuing on to business on the daily file, file item number two.
- AB 5 to the inactive file, make that move to the inactive file. The clerk will note.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs May 5th, 2026
Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- There was a bill filed in the House... There's a legislative process that can take time.
- There was a bill filed in the House, 48, 49, that would grant the department authority to issue fines
- I'm not trying to micromanage, nor do I intend to file a bill to prescribe all of this, although at the
- It was a late file.
- We were the first in the country when I filed it, and we were one of the last.
Summary:
The joint Audit Committee meeting focused on implementation of Ali’s Law, including MDAR’s progress on kennel regulations and municipal reporting. MDOT/MDAR officials said the department formed the required advisory committee, held trainings for animal control officers and municipal clerks, created a public information webpage, and completed draft regulations that are now under secretarial review. They reported that 269 of 351 municipalities had filed kennel counts, leaving 82 out of compliance, and said the reported statewide total was 1,408 licensed kennels, with an estimated 1,800 to 1,850 statewide.
Committee members pressed the department on the pace of rulemaking, the lack of a clear enforcement mechanism for municipalities that fail to report, and the need for stronger accountability. The chair said he wanted to avoid a formal investigation if answers could be obtained, but urged MDAR to move quickly and to consider stronger public reporting and possible sanctions. He also asked about injury reporting and suggested that injury data should be sent to the state and tracked in a way that provides context, such as the number of animals in a facility.
Representatives from animal welfare organizations and the advisory committee supported the law’s goals but emphasized that rollout should be fair to compliant businesses and that municipalities and ACOs need better training, resources, and standardized guidance. They backed a filed bill, House Bill 4849, which would give MDAR authority to fine municipalities that do not comply and would add more detailed reporting, including last inspection dates and injury reports. They also raised concerns about third-party advertising platforms that may list unlicensed kennels and argued that public education, consumer transparency, and stronger oversight are needed to prevent bad actors from operating.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- Charles County Ambulance District that was filed eight weeks prior to the election.
- You have to have a case filed. That's where the clock actually stops.
- And the signatures are matched with what they have on file.
- It's filed with a companion federal piece of legislation with Congressman Mark Alford, and it doesn't
- Unfortunately, we didn't get it until the day before filing.
Committee:
House Elections
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Agriculture Committee Jul 2nd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Today we have three bills on the file.
- We will hear bill presentations in file order, and we do have an author.
- Are you staying to present file item three, Senate Bill 312 by Senator.
- So they are e-filed by the veterinarian who is required to file them under federal law because they are
- Now we will move on to file item two. Thank you. Now we will move on to file item two.
Summary:
The Assembly Committee on Agriculture heard three bills. SB 18 by Senator Rubio would create a Food Desert Elimination Grant Program at CDFA to help open or improve grocery stores in food desert communities. Supporters said it would improve access to healthy food, create jobs, and help underserved neighborhoods; opponents argued it could favor large chains, lacked community input and accountability, and should better prioritize tribal, BIPOC-owned, and community-led retail. Committee members raised concerns about population thresholds, community engagement, and long-term commitments, and the author said the bill could be strengthened with guardrails. SB 18 passed 7-0 and was sent to Appropriations.
SB 312 by Senator Umberg would require out-of-state shippers of dogs to electronically submit health certificates to CDFA and make them available to buyers and enforcement agencies, aiming to improve consumer protection and traceability in the puppy import pipeline. Supporters from animal welfare and humane organizations said the bill would help stop sick or misrepresented puppies from entering California and give investigators a central record. Members asked about privacy and enforcement, and the author indicated amendments could address consumer privacy concerns. The bill passed unanimously and was sent to Appropriations.
SB 493 by Senator Becker would change how compensation is set for secretary managers of district agricultural associations and fairgrounds, shifting salary-setting authority to CDFA and requiring periodic salary surveys. Supporters said fairgrounds are critical emergency-response and community facilities and that the bill would help recruit and retain qualified leaders with fairer pay. Some members expressed concern about local control and appointment delays, but clarified the bill only addressed salary, not appointments. SB 493 also passed unanimously and was sent to Appropriations.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Human services committee considers bill to create Department of Direct Care and Treatment 3/25/25
Transcript Highlights:
- Representative Frederick, House File 2037 — I'm sorry, House File 2037.
- I move House File 2037 be laid over for possible inclusion. I believe you have a D1, DE1. I do.
- Anybody from the public want to testify on House File 2037 as amended? All right.
- House File 2037 as amended?
- </c> renew my motion to lay over House File renew my motion to lay over House File 2037<00:15:47.360>
Summary:
The committee took up House File 2037, which would replace the current executive board model for Direct Care and Treatment with a commissioner-led structure. Representative Frederick moved the DE1 amendment, which was adopted, to conform the bill with Senate language and place the CEO under the commissioner. Frederick said the change was intended to preserve some continuity while increasing accountability and insulating direct health care services from politics.
Frederick argued that the existing executive board, which meets only a few times a year and hires the CEO, would leave the legislature and governor with limited ability to respond quickly to serious problems in a billion-dollar agency. He said the bill is about accountability to Minnesota taxpayers and creating a structure more like other state agencies. Public testimony was closed without any outside witnesses.
Members discussed the tradeoffs between board governance and a commissioner model. Chair Schumacher noted Frederick would become chief author of the bill, and several members said they appreciated the effort to balance accountability, continuity of care, and operational expertise. Questions focused on the role of the advisory council; Frederick said it would remain in place so stakeholders could advise the commissioner and CEO, and that legislators are included among its members. The committee then laid over House File 2037, as amended, for possible inclusion in a later bill.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Transportation committee hears bill to increase MN fees on electric vehicles 2/17/25
Transcript Highlights:
- I will introduce for you House File 189.
- We are testifying today in opposition to House File 189.
- Fresh Energy opposes the statutory changes proposed in House File 189.
- </c> house file house file 189<00:13:01.199><c> is</c><00:13:01.360><c> laid</c> over<00:13:06.680><c
- </c> opposition to house file opposition to house file 189<00:13:50.360><c> according</c><00:13:50.639
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection Committee Jun 22nd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- All right, file item number one, AB 1155. The current vote is 4 to 0. File item number 1, AB 1155.
- File number 3, AB 1709. The current vote is 5 to 0.
- Survivors now hesitate to file for protection orders and even seek shelter.
- File item number 4. Aye. McNerney. What is this? File item number four. McNerney, aye. Reyes? Aye.
- File item 12, AB 1609. The current vote is four to zero. Senator... File item 12, AB 1609.
Summary:
The committee first heard AB 1159, which would update California student data privacy law for educational technology and college-level platforms. The author and supporters argued that students’ personal information is being collected and used far beyond educational purposes, including sensitive health and demographic data, and said the bill would limit misuse and add stronger privacy protections. Support came from privacy, labor, education, and civil rights groups, while opposition from college store and industry representatives focused on narrowing the definition of “operator,” preserving institution-related communications, and concerns about the bill’s private right of action. Members raised questions about how the bill would affect scholarships, financial aid, adult students, consent, and litigation; the author said the bill includes a right to cure and notice to the Attorney General. The committee voted 4-0 to pass the bill to Appropriations, with the measure placed on call.
The committee then took up AB 1709, which would set a minimum age of 16 for social media accounts on platforms with specified addictive design features and create a youth safety commission. The author, pediatric and safety advocates, and several public supporters argued that social media companies intentionally design compulsive features that harm youth mental health, sleep, and development, and that the bill is a necessary product-safety response. Opponents argued the bill is overbroad, may be ineffective, raises First Amendment concerns, and could cut off vulnerable youth from important online support networks. Members focused heavily on possible amendments, especially a non-addictive feed option for younger users and strengthening the commission; the author said he was open to those changes and to further work with the committees. The bill was moved to Judiciary on a 5-0 vote and placed on call.
At the end of the excerpt, the author began presenting a third measure, AB 2076, which would strengthen California’s Parents’ Accountability and Child Protection Act by adding nitrous oxide to the list of age-verified dangerous products, banning purchase with gift cards or store credit, and increasing penalties for large sellers. The author described nitrous oxide as increasingly accessible to minors online and cited enforcement gaps in the current law, but the transcript cuts off before testimony or action on that bill.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Fiscal Committee (12/19/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- The filing period to file a claim was two and a half years.
- The filing period to file a claim was two and a half years.
- a claim. deadline to file a claim.
- </c> Where is the authority to have filed Where is the authority to have filed those<00:45:22.800><c>
- Do we need to have the motion to put it on file?
Summary:
The Fiscal Committee met on December 19, with Senators Long and Lang serving as replacements. The committee approved the November 21 minutes and adopted the consent calendar after removing two Department of Health and Human Services items for separate discussion. It then took up an HHS request involving nursing facility rates, where Nathan White explained that $2.2 million would be transferred from a long-term care Medicaid eligibility contract to the nursing facilities budget. He said the funds would offset an otherwise projected 3.9% average rate decrease and bring the overall average change to zero for the next six months, with rates reset again in July under state law. Members asked about the budget adjustment factor, bed counts, and whether additional funds could raise rates further; White said the factor is statutory, capped at 28.76%, and that more money would lower the factor and increase rates. The committee also corrected a date in the request from February 1, 2025 to February 1, 2026, and approved the item.
The committee next approved another HHS item related to rural health transformation grants. Members confirmed the request covered the full amount applied for this biennium, and asked about the technology component. HHS said the grant is not solely about AI, but about broader technology improvements such as electronic medical records, back-end systems, and tools to improve access and sustainability in underserved areas. The committee approved that item as well.
The Judicial Council then requested funds for contract attorneys providing indigent defense on a fixed-fee basis. The council said current funds had already been exhausted and that the new appropriation would be used immediately. Members questioned the size of the request and the number of people awaiting counsel; the council reported about 150 incarcerated people and about 300 non-incarcerated people waiting for counsel, more than in recent years. It attributed the increase to competition for attorneys, public defender offices closing intake in some locations because of caseload limits, and broader case and court-system changes. One member raised constitutional concerns about delays in counsel for incarcerated defendants. The committee ultimately amended the request downward to $1 million, approved it, and then approved a motion to place several annual financial reports on file and release them to the public when available. The committee also discussed dashboard reporting from HHS, asking for more detail on community mental health center caseloads and budget-reduction information, and HHS agreed to provide more useful monthly detail.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Consumer Protection & Business Feb 20th, 2026 at 08:00 am
Consumer Protection & Business
Transcript Highlights:
- We enforce registration and filing requirements, address violations of the Nonprofit Corporation Act
- None of the for-profit entities file public 990s or reports with the IRS.
- Shortly thereafter, Flip Cause filed for bankruptcy protection and a trustee was appointed.
- According to court filings, Flip Cause had only $70,000 in the bank at the time of filing, but owed $29
- I know for charities filing, it has to be done online.
Committee:
House Consumer Protection & Business
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Consumer Protection & Business Feb 20th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- None of the for-profit entities file public 990s or reports with the IRS.
- Shortly thereafter, Flip Cause filed for bankruptcy protection and a trustee was appointed.
- According to court filings, Flip Cause had only $70,000 in the bank at the time of filing, but owed $29
- I know for charities filing, it has to be done online.
- And then often they'll file competing amended annual reports with the...
Summary:
The Consumer Protection and Business Committee held a work session on emerging consumer protection issues, focusing on elder fraud, charity fraud, and the impact of artificial intelligence on scams. Assistant Attorneys General from the Consumer Protection Division described the division’s broader enforcement work, including actions on rent stabilization, government imposter scams, service member refunds, senior living facilities, data breaches, and cases involving TikTok and Meta. They said elder fraud is often the same fraud seen in other age groups, but older adults tend to lose more money when victimized, especially in imposter scams and investment scams.
The attorneys reviewed FTC data showing rising fraud losses nationwide and in Washington, with social media, bank transfers, cryptocurrency, and gift cards highlighted as especially important channels for losses. Members asked about underreporting, recovery of funds, and what consumers should do when they suspect a scam. The presenters said complaints can be reported to the Attorney General’s Consumer Resource Center and DFI, and that the most effective policy responses would likely target payment methods, especially crypto kiosks and other fast, irreversible transfer systems. They also said the AGO uses enforcement, consumer education, and scam alerts, but that many scams are difficult to pursue because perpetrators are overseas or untraceable.
On charity fraud, the Charitable Asset Protection Team described several deceptive practices, including false charities, imposter charities, fundraising-first charities, causewashing, and point-of-sale solicitations. They said charity scams are underreported because donors often do not realize they were misled, and they pointed to concerns about crowdfunding platforms and commercial fundraising processors, including the collapse of Flip Cause and unpaid donations to Washington charities. The presenters recommended modernizing the Charitable Solicitation Act, increasing transparency and disclosure for point-of-sale fundraising, and strengthening public education through the AGO and Secretary of State programs such as Assured Giving and Assured Impact.
The presentation closed with a discussion of AI, which the attorneys said is making scams harder to detect through deepfakes, voice cloning, AI-generated messages, and automated scam operations. They said AI can also be used to create fake charities and online ecosystems that appear legitimate, and noted that business and charity registration systems can often be completed without human interaction. No votes were taken; the committee adjourned after questions and discussion.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill to formally end housing stabilization services program 2/18/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- So, the first bill on today's agenda is House File 3379.
- I would move that House File 3379 be re-referred to the General Register. >> Awesome.
- House File 3379 is intended to be a technical bill because of the things that we had seen over the summer
- House File 3379 is recommended to be placed on the general register. amended. Be placed.
- House file 3379 is >> the motion passes.
FL
Florida 2026 4th Special Session
February 10, 2026 - 09:00 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- I will note that it shows that has been filed to the Government Operations subcommittee.
- The White House was mentioned over 30,000 times in the Epstein files.
- Every file should be released to the public. Right?
- We are and are reacting to the information in the Epstein files.
- And so y'all, Charlie Kirk said to release the files.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice Oct 15th, 2025
Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice
Transcript Highlights:
- And by way of a brief background, in the trial courts in Florida, in an age where pleadings are filed
- electronically and other documents are filed electronically...
- And we learned from that experience that they can review case files.
- And we traditionally file that as a supplemental LBR. And I'd be pleased to address any questions.
- And we traditionally file that as a supplemental LBR. And I'd be pleased to address any questions.
Summary:
The committee met to hear fiscal year 2026-2027 legislative budget requests from several justice-related agencies. The Florida Commission on Offender Review requested funding for investigator and revocation staff salary increases to address turnover, plus nonrecurring funds for Wi-Fi, seven vehicles, technology support, and commissioner salary adjustments. The State Courts Administrator presented a broad judicial branch request focused on trial court case-management technology, additional case managers, trust fund authority for child support hearing officers, courthouse furnishings, district court flexibility in staffing, a future courthouse for the Sixth District Court of Appeal, Supreme Court elevator replacement, POM accounting implementation support, judicial security liaison positions tied to the Florida Fusion Center, expanded senior management service authority, and judicial salary adjustments. The Office of the Attorney General outlined pay and operating requests for consumer protection, citizen services, ethics, crime compensation, victim services, vehicle replacement, IT and cybersecurity, lease and operating costs, and PALM-related expenses, while several senators questioned the office about outside counsel contracts, contingency-fee arrangements, transparency, and the use of private law firms.
The Department of Corrections made the largest presentation, describing severe staffing shortages, high turnover, rising inmate populations, increased assaults, and heavy overtime use. Secretary Ricky Dixon said the agency’s request was driven by constitutional and public safety needs and included funding for operations, security equipment, inflationary costs, vehicle replacement, offender information system modernization, technology restoration, inmate health services, drug and food cost increases, staffing pilots, maintenance, security infrastructure, Florida PALM, recruitment and retention, and $56 million for new correctional housing units. Members asked about inmate labor, prison safety, overtime, vehicle breakdowns, and whether more National Guard support was needed; Dixon said the agency needed more staffing and pay competitiveness rather than a long-term military presence. A correctional officers’ union representative also urged support for pay raises, citing low pay and staffing concerns.
No votes were taken on the budget requests. The chair allowed extended questioning, especially for the Department of Corrections, but noted time constraints and asked agencies to return in a later committee meeting, including FDLE, which was deferred because of a House site visit.