Transcript Highlights:

• <00:21:23.120> 10:15<00:21:23.679> is<00:21:23.919> fine.<00:21:24.400> Yes.
• 10:15 is fine. Yes. Okay. Thank 10:15? 10:15 is fine. Yes. Okay.
• <00:22:51.520> That<00:22:51.840> That's<00:22:52.159> fine.
• That That's fine. conference room 229. That That's fine.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'm if you wanted to fine I way.
• and what the fines are.
• would be enforced or what the fines would be enforced or what the fines<04:50:50.080> would<04
• <04:51:00.480> the collected and what um the fines the collected and what um the fines the
• outlined. fines in the legislation. outlined. fines in the legislation.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• side because we do collect enough fines side because we do collect enough fines and<02:00:44.880
• We collect fines, fees, etc.
• So we don't have a lot of fines.
• So during the pandemic, Friday everything was fine. Monday... Friday everything was fine.
• Fine. We go on. But everyone that that. Fine. We go on.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I, I, anyway, the definition of consensus is fine.
• You're fine. Gene. Did you have a comment on it? I was going to say that works for me.
• The thing about saying once a year, that's fine. I see merit in that. But it's not either-or.
• You're fine. Gene. Did you have a comment on it? I was going to say that works for me.
• I'm totally fine with the collaboration at the end of the day.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The commission met to review its draft final report on continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), with most of the discussion focused on whether recommendations required unanimous consensus and how to handle disagreements in the report. Members agreed that consensus meant no stated opposition, and several participants argued that unresolved issues should still be described in the report rather than omitted. The chairs said the report would include agreed-upon recommendations, note areas without consensus, and preserve written comments or dissent letters submitted by members. The draft report’s findings and slides were reviewed charge by charge, including CCRC definitions, financial condition, entrance fee refunds, regulatory oversight, advertising practices, and closure/change-of-ownership procedures. Members suggested several factual and wording edits, including clarifying financial data sources, correcting a presenter’s name, refining language about entrance fee use and refund timing, and revising statements about Attorney General authority and CCRC advertising. There was also discussion about the need to distinguish nonprofit and for-profit CCRCs and to better explain how different care levels and licensing structures are described. On recommendations, the commission kept the proposal to advance the disclosure bill (S. 478) and update the consumer guide, but removed a recommendation for annual open board meetings after objections that it was inadequate. The group spent considerable time debating whether to recommend resident representation on CCRC boards, timely refund requirements for entrance fees, and possible state registration or definition changes for CCRCs, but no consensus was reached on those items. The chairs said the final report would be completed by the statutory August 1 deadline, with final written comments due before then and the report and meeting materials posted on the legislature website.

Transcript Highlights:

• in violation of this law, they would be charged with a misdemeanor offense that is punishable by a fine
• because children become hardened toward police when they have been stopped, questioned, detained, and fined
• They are the ones who cannot pay these fines, and if they don't pay those fines, we hear they end up
• This not only raises due process issues, but it would also subject youth to high fines, up to $500, a
• If you fine me, my mother couldn't afford to pay that fine, right?

Bills: HB1511, HB1831, HB1988, HB2147, HB2234

Keywords: housing, affordable housing, state regulations, zoning, local government authority, drug court, juvenile justice, diversion programs, rehabilitation, criminal justice reform, remote proceedings, depositions, virtual hearings, court technology, criminal responsibility, age of maturity, expungement, mental health services, juvenile record sealing, 1184

Transcript Highlights:

• but this bill gives a little bit more teeth here in Wyoming to enforce it and to issue the $1,000 fine
• <00:15:04.480> for and to issue that $1,000 fine for and to issue that $1,000 fine for non-compliance
• As an industry, we want punitive fine.
• There's a fee and a fine complicated.
• There's a fee and a fine and<00:21:48.559> a<00:21:48.799> permit<00:21:49.120> for<

Bills: HB0032

Keywords: English proficiency, commercial drivers, vehicle operation, traffic safety, penalties, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's fine. That's fine. This is not a test. It is just a practical question.
• The rest of the technical amendments we're fine with.
• The rest of their technical amendments we're fine with.
• So I think I'll be a licensed expert plumber or something, so I think the bill's fine.
• So I think I'll be a licensed expert plumber or something, so I think the bill's fine.

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• an EMS personnel or firefighter with demonstrable bodily harm from a two-year felony and a $4,000 fine
• to a three-year felony and a $6,000 fine.
• an EMS personnel or firefighter with demonstrable bodily harm from a two-year felony and a $4,000 fine
• to a three-year felony and a $6,000 fine.
• a three-year average instead of the one-year average, and the stakeholders have indicated they are fine

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently in statute, fines are determined by the population of the community.
• Smaller cities, for example, Key West of Saint Augustine, the population caps fines of $5,000.
• Any fine imposed must be based on competent, substantial evidence and must be the based on a knowing
• But before I can conclude, let's examine the penalties under Florida law, first-time DUI fines range
• with heavy fines.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's fine. We can work through those things. Representative, thank you, Mr. Chair.
• <00:15:17.639> we<00:15:17.759> can you have suggestions that's fine we can you have
• It sounds like you're looking for a very specific answer, and that's fine. What is your next...
• You'd like a longer list; that's fine, and maybe we can talk offline about that.
• and maybe we can talk list that's fine and maybe we can talk offline<00:17:59.000> about<00:17

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard extended discussion on House File 8, a bill aimed at changing Minnesota’s permitting and environmental review process. Supporters said the bill is intended to help small and medium-sized businesses and projects that face long delays, and argued that the proposal does not lower environmental standards. They described the bill as modeled in part on provisions used in other states, including a staggered permitting process and an expedited option, and said the goal is to improve transparency, reporting, and real-time public access to permit information. Members raised concerns about whether the bill could also benefit large corporations and major industrial projects, including mining and other large facilities, rather than just smaller businesses. Several lawmakers questioned the use of county-based public input, the lack of tribal consultation, and how the bill would interact with treaty rights and communities outside the affected county. Others argued that the bill could create risks by speeding permits for bad actors or by allowing larger entities to pay for expedited treatment. Testimony also referenced examples from the Minnesota Chamber’s report, with a witness disputing the claim that permitting alone drove companies out of Minnesota and saying those cases involved more complex facts. The committee first considered a motion to lay the bill on the table, but that motion failed on a 5-7 roll call. The committee then voted on a motion to re-refer House File 8, as amended, to the Labor and Workforce Development Committee. That motion passed 7-5, and the bill was sent on to that committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's fine.' And he continued to pay your invoices during this time. Monthly.
• Anthony said that he was fine with that. I said that I was fine with that.
• Yes, that's fine. We'll go off the record for a couple minutes.
• Okay, that's fine. Okay, board staff, does that make sense as well? Okay.
• If you disagree with it, that’s fine.

Summary: The hearing resumed in the Legislative Ethics Board matter involving Tara Simmons after the board confirmed no ex parte communications had occurred overnight. Respondent’s counsel moved to dismiss two allegations at the close of the board staff’s case: that Simmons pressured the Administrative Office of the Courts to alter a contract in favor of her employer, and that she violated ethics rules by combining legislative support for AEJG with a personal donation to the organization. Board staff opposed the motion, arguing the evidence showed Simmons’s legislative and personal dealings were intertwined. After a recess for deliberation, the board denied the motion to dismiss, and the hearing moved into the defense case. The first defense witness was Sharon Navas, executive director of the Equity and Education Coalition (EEC). Navas testified that she met Simmons in 2018, later hired her, and took steps to separate Simmons’s legislative duties from her work for EEC. She said Simmons was never paid for lobbying or legislative acts, that her compensation came from unrestricted funds, and that the organization used written ethics-compliance language and a formal scope of work. Navas also described the proviso-funded dashboard project involving Anthony Powers and Chris Stanley, testifying that Simmons was not involved in the project’s day-to-day work, did not attend the meetings about the dispute, and was not part of the alleged contract disagreement. On cross-examination, staff focused on the contract documents, the dashboard work, and whether the scope of work matched the parties’ understanding. Tara Simmons then testified in her own defense. She described her background, legislative career, disability accommodations, and extensive efforts to seek ethics guidance from House counsel and board-related materials before taking outside employment or supporting provisos. She said she relied on prior ethics advice when separating her legislative role from outside work and when seeking provisos for AEJG and EEC. Simmons also addressed her relationship with Anthony Powers, describing it as a friendship rooted in criminal justice reform work and prior collaboration. The hearing was still in the middle of Simmons’s direct testimony when the transcript excerpt ended, with no final ruling on the merits or disposition of the allegations.

Transcript Highlights:

• So anyways, concur is fine. Any other? Yes, Representative Luno. Yeah, thanks, Mr. Chair.
• So anyways, concur is fine.<00:12:03.120> Any<00:12:03.600> other?
• fine. Any other? Yes, represent Luno. fine. Any other? Yes, represent Luno.
• That'd be fine. Yeah. Does that sound good, Representative Luna? Okay. School building aid.
• That'd be fine. Yeah. Does that sound good, Representative Luna? Okay. School building aid.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first discussed HB 771, the open enrollment bill, which had returned from the Senate with language clarifying that districts should list both tuition expenses and offsetting revenue estimates from sending districts. The chair and Representative McGuire supported concurring with the Senate changes, while Representative Luno raised broader concerns about the bill’s structure and equity, arguing that tuition based on 80% of the sending district’s average cost could be unfair and could create problems for receiving districts with different cost structures. After a show of hands, the committee voted to concur and send that recommendation to the House floor, with Luno indicating he would speak against it there. The committee then took up SB 9 in executive session. An amendment, 1920H, was offered to clarify that the tuition calculation should use the sending district’s average cost and to support access to CTE programs, including allowing students to take academic courses at the receiving school and, in some cases, attend the nearest CTE center. Supporters said the bill would help more students participate in career and technical education and noted bipartisan sponsorship in the Senate. Opponents argued the amendment would increase district costs, strain property taxpayers, and could reduce CTE participation or create logistical problems. The committee adopted the amendment 10-8, then voted 10-8 to recommend OTPA as amended; Representative Lad was assigned the majority report and Representative Luno the minority ITL report. After closing the SB 9 executive session, the chair reminded members that committee reports were due immediately and announced retained-bill subcommittees. One subcommittee will address adequacy and school funding issues arising from HB 651, HB 772, HB 491, and HB 434, chaired by Representative Spillsbury. Another will address school building aid issues from HB 295 and HB 366, including whether to keep the current formula or revise it, and how to handle renovations, new construction, and lease arrangements.

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe that it is up to a year in jail, up to a $4,000 fine.
• And so I've just said this is going to create a potentially send someone to jail or a $4,000 fine.
• of $4,000, or both jail time and a fine.
• “In a handicapped space, and this fine that you see here, you have a fine of no less than $550 or more
• And so I really think that Class A misdemeanor is way too big of a fine. So I came up with this.”

Summary: The Senate first adopted a motion by Senator Zaffirini to suspend Senate Rule 5.14 and move the intent calendar deadline to 8:00 p.m. that day, also allowing the Secretary to make the calendar available as soon as practicable. The chamber then took up and passed several House bills, often by suspending the regular order and the constitutional three-day rule. HB 2128, relating to a study of rural firefighting and technical rescue capabilities, passed unanimously. HB 4157, on liability protections for commercial spaceflight and exploration, passed 28-3. HB 2240, concerning certain void marriages, passed after adoption of a Birdwell amendment extending filing deadlines to 90 days for certain active-duty service members and Foreign Service officers. HB 367, on verification of excused absences for students with severe or life-threatening illnesses, passed unanimously after clarifying school district forms and TEA model forms. HB 1506, expanding expedited handgun license eligibility to certain retired county court judges, passed 29-2. HB 4449, on alcohol sales in annexed municipal areas, passed 29-2. HB 3812, on health plan prior authorization requirements, passed 30-1. The Senate also announced a long list of bills and resolutions signed in the presence of the Senate. A major portion of the meeting centered on HB 521, a voting-related bill on curbside voting for voters with disabilities. Senator Paxton described it as an anti-misuse measure requiring a signed eligibility form for curbside voting, creating a 20-foot electioneering buffer, limiting election officer assistance in marking ballots unless a second officer is present, and adding reporting requirements for people who assist seven or more curbside voters. Senators Miles, Menendez, Johnson, Campbell, Cook, and others questioned whether the bill would burden disabled voters, create a de facto registry of volunteers, and impose a harsh Class A misdemeanor penalty for failing to complete the form. Paxton said the bill was intended to protect legitimate curbside voters and curb abuse, and the chamber adopted Paxton Floor Amendment No. 1 after a recorded vote. Zaffirini’s Floor Amendment No. 2, allowing an escorting voter to receive his or her own ballot at the curbside or entrance, was adopted. Menendez’s Floor Amendment No. 3 to reduce the penalty failed. The bill was then passed to third reading on a 20-11 vote, with a motion by Senator Miles to have the exchanges reduced to writing and placed in the journal adopted. The Senate also passed HB 3000, creating a grant program for rural ambulance service providers, after a comptroller-related amendment; HB 5616, establishing the Texas Presidential Library Promotion Program and funding for traveling exhibits, after narrowing the bill to mobile exhibits only; HB 4211, addressing certain residential property interests controlled by entities, which passed 30-1; HB 1178, creating temporary educator certificates for out-of-state certified educators and military spouses, which passed unanimously; HB 2243, creating the Texas Commission on Teacher Job Satisfaction and Retention, which passed after debate over the need to streamline education mandates; and HB 42, increasing and reallocating the constitutional Higher Education Fund appropriation by 50% to $1.18 billion, which passed 31-0. Finally, HB 2512, a Fort Worth-specific bill limiting ETJ release for land subject to active development agreements, passed after debate over broader ETJ and de-annexation policy, with a local-only clarifying amendment adopted and a proposed broader amendment withdrawn. The meeting ended with the Senate beginning consideration of HB 3372, which would bar school district administrators from receiving financial benefits tied to outside consulting or contracting with education entities, though the transcript cuts off during questions on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, so fine.
• favor okay I'll be against okay so fine favor okay I'll be against okay so fine we<01:38:47.800>
• that we're about to give them a fine that we're about to give them a fine okay<03:25:30.520>
• Our revenue was fine and our budget was fine, but we spent too much on top of that.
• And I think that's fine.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee met to continue work on House Bill 2, with the chair saying the goal was to finish the bill as given by the governor, though additional amendments were expected. Members first discussed the bail section and agreed to hold it for later because a separate House bail bill was expected on Thursday and could have significant county cost impacts. They also generally accepted the proposed reorganization of positions between Fish and Game, DNCR, and the Department of Environmental Services, but noted the need to review effective dates and funding details, including a possible double appropriation of $275,000 for a scientist position already funded in HB 1. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on environmental review and native plant-related sections moving functions from DNCR to DES. Members discussed changing the rulemaking timeline from 180 days to 90 days, and clarifying that “begin” means the public hearing stage. They also reviewed how fee revenue would shift between agencies in HB 1 so the budget impact would be net zero. The committee indicated it would prepare amendments reflecting these changes and revisit them at a later vote. The longest discussion concerned the boathouse provisions. Members debated whether the new definitions and construction standards were appropriate in a budget bill, with one member arguing they should be in a separate bill, while others said the provisions were urgent because of a lawsuit and the lack of clear guardrails. Concerns included the February 20, 2025 effective date, which some thought might be retroactive, the detailed limits on what may be stored in a boathouse, and a fee increase that some felt could discourage homeowners from seeking permits. The committee also questioned whether the fee structure should be tiered for smaller projects and whether permit-by-notification projects should be exempted. No final votes were taken on these sections during the discussion; instead, members agreed to seek legal and policy answers and to return with amendments and public hearing input before voting.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll pay the fine. recognize once again um former state recognize once again um former state senator<
• And if a permit isn't issued, they're subject to a $25,000 fine. Not sure where that penalty goes.
• Not sure where looked at a $25,000 fine.
• that penalty goes, that fine goes. that penalty goes, that fine goes.
• Senator Bridges will be fined $5 for not wearing a tie on the floor. Senator Mabrey.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the February 11, 2026 journal, and received committee reports. Judiciary reported Senate Bills 84, 11, 15, and 37 favorably with amendments or referrals, while SB 73 was postponed indefinitely; Transportation and Energy reported Senate Resolution 001 for final action. The chamber also took up a personal privilege recognizing the PBLO leadership program and its 2026 class, and later honored former state senator John Kafalas. The Senate adopted Senate Joint Resolution 11, designating a portion of US Highway 34 as the Sergeant John Jack Thurman Memorial Highway. The resolution, read at length, detailed Thurman’s World War II service at Iwo Jima and his later civic contributions. The resolution passed 34-0 with one excused, and the current roll call was added as co-sponsors. On third reading, Senate Bill 19, concerning local early childhood infrastructure and expanding the role of early childhood councils, passed 31-3 with one excused. On second reading, Senate Bill 74, addressing the penalty for excessive claims in public construction performance bond disputes, was explained as aligning public and private project treatment and passed the Committee of the Whole, then the Senate, and was ordered engrossed for third reading. Senate Bill 16, prohibiting discharge of pre-production plastic materials, drew debate over environmental harms, existing law, enforcement, penalties, and impacts on industry; several amendments were adopted, including clarifying definitions and a legislative declaration, and the bill ultimately passed second reading 23-11 with one excused. Senate Bill 34, expanding participation by members of the Auraria Board of Directors advisory committees, also passed second reading after an amendment correcting the committee report; supporters cited broader representation for faculty and students, while opponents warned of politicizing the board.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that's fine for purposes of putting the bill in the shape the author would like.
• :05.560> putting<00:05:05.800> the<00:05:05.960> bill<00:05:06.160> in fine
• for purposes of putting the bill in fine for purposes of putting the bill in the<00:05:06.320> shape
• you know work on some of the fine you know work on some of the fine details<00:15:03.040> and
• So if you don't know right now, that's fine, but could you get back to us on that?

Bills: HF1345, HF71, HF993, HF1943

Keywords: HF1345, statutory city, public utility commission, municipal utilities, city council, local government, utility governance, commission membership, staggered terms, vacancy appointment, ordinance, Minnesota Statutes 412.341, municipal ordinance, city commission, public utilities, HF71, Minnesota, public safety, peace officers, correctional officers

Transcript Highlights:

• The findings resulted in a four million dollar fine against Kaiser, and in 2015 we released a follow-up
• The settlement agreement included a $50 million administrative penalty or fine and requires Kaiser to
• I mean, you provided us this long roadmap of several interventions and fines and agreements.
• And they, over six months later, said, okay, fine. Get her DBT.
• And they, over six months later, said, okay, fine.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee held an informational hearing on Kaiser Permanente’s behavioral health care system, focusing on Department of Managed Health Care enforcement actions, Kaiser’s corrective action work plan, and testimony from patients, advocates, and union representatives. DMHC officials reviewed a long history of complaints, surveys, fines, and settlements involving Kaiser’s access to behavioral health services, including deficiencies found in 2012 and 2016, a 2022 non-routine survey, and a 2023 settlement that imposed a $50 million penalty and required $150 million in community investments over five years. DMHC said it continues to monitor Kaiser through quarterly meetings, complaint review, follow-up surveys, and a reimbursement process for members who could not obtain timely in-network care. Committee members pressed DMHC on what “timely access” and continuity of care mean in practice, how virtual care and group therapy fit into the standards, and what triggers a non-routine survey. DMHC said initial behavioral health appointments generally should not take more than two weeks, urgent care should be within days, and follow-up care within 10 days, with out-of-network care required when plans cannot meet standards. Officials also said Kaiser’s initial corrective action work plan lacked detail, but the revised plan was accepted and will be tracked through quarterly reporting and possible additional enforcement if Kaiser fails to comply. The second panel featured testimony from a Kaiser enrollee, a behavioral health policy expert, a Kaiser therapist, and the NUHW president. The enrollee described serious delays and inadequate treatment for his daughter after a suicide attempt, while the therapist and union leader said Kaiser’s behavioral health system is understaffed, relies too heavily on short appointments, group therapy, and webinars, and treats behavioral health as less important than medical-surgical care. They argued Kaiser’s one-appointment-at-a-time scheduling rule and limited treatment time violate parity requirements and harm continuity of care. Several members criticized Kaiser for not appearing at the hearing and said the testimony underscored the need for stronger oversight, clearer metrics, and faster remedies for patients.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 3000, relative to increasing the fine for handicapped parking violations for city/town implementation
• House Bill 3614, relative to increasing the fine for handicapped parking violations for city/town implementation
• An Act relative to increasing the fine for handicapped parking violations for city/town implementation
• Alternative compliance payments are basically fines against the utilities for not procuring enough renewable
• “The 2030 and 2050 mandates are important, and many of these programs are fine goals for the next decade

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several procedural matters, including adopting a resolution recognizing the work of Ukraine Forward and suspending Joint Rule 12 for a number of petitions. The chamber also scheduled several bills for later consideration, including measures on unemployment insurance for fluctuating work schedules, the Medical Society mission statement, a youth training wage, bridge and intersection namings, handicapped parking fines, public-way safety, excavation restoration, motor vehicle safety, and a Newton police age requirement. Two engrossed local bills were passed to be enacted: one authorizing retired police officers as special police in Plainville and another allowing Orange to increase its Board of Selectmen membership. The main policy debate centered on House No. 5151, An Act relative to energy affordability, clean power, and economic competitiveness. Supporters described it as a broad affordability and clean-energy package that would cut costs for ratepayers, reform Mass Save, speed clean-energy procurement and interconnection, return a portion of alternative compliance payments to customers, and address biomass and other energy issues. Opponents argued the bill relied too heavily on long-term programs and new administrative structures while offering little immediate relief, and raised concerns about costs being shifted to consumers, impacts on natural gas, and the pace of implementation. Several amendments were debated and rejected, including proposals to shift public benefit charges away from peak hours, pause public benefit charges for a year, require greater utility disclosure before rate increases, and add a forest-clearing penalty for solar development. One amendment to the energy bill was adopted: a consolidated amendment that included budget-billing consumer protections for gas customers, requiring notice and conservation recommendations when usage rises significantly. The House also adopted an amendment to a separate conservation-restriction bill for Hanson, changing a figure in the underlying law, and passed that bill to be engrossed as amended. The energy bill’s consolidated amendment passed by roll call, while several other amendments failed by roll call votes. The House observed multiple moments of silence honoring Jaden Booker, Thomas Skip Karam, former Freetown Police Chief Carlton Abbott, and former Representative and Senator William Q. “Biff” McLean, Jr.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh yeah, I'm gonna I think the Speaker may want to consider fines. No, I'm just kidding.
• think the speaker may may may want to think the speaker may may may want to consider<00:28:43.440> fines
• consider fines. No, I'm just kidding. consider fines. No, I'm just kidding.
• signed up, you're going to have to pay a signed up, you're going to have to pay a $1<00:29:19.440> fine
• <00:29:22.080> Oh, $1 fine. I love it. I love it. Oh, $1 fine. I love it. I love it.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened with 55 members present and 10 excused, established a quorum, and approved the journal of Monday, January 26, 2026, as corrected. The chamber then took up Senate Joint Resolution 5, designating Colorado 4-H Day. Representatives Johnson and McCormick spoke in support, noting the visit from 4-H members and reciting the 4-H pledge. The resolution was adopted by a vote of 59-0, with six excused. The remainder of the meeting consisted largely of announcements and recognitions. Members highlighted upcoming legislative receptions for the Colorado Airport Operators Association and livestock groups, committee meetings including SMART Act hearings, Judiciary Committee items, Transportation/Housing/Local Government business, and a House Finance Committee meeting. Several members also recognized visiting groups and constituents, including behavioral health providers, Aurora Mental Health and Recovery, Heritage Heights Academy students, and House District 6 community leaders. A significant portion of the floor time was devoted to a personal privilege statement by Minority Leader Caldwell, who responded to concerns about immigration enforcement, emphasized the rule of law and due process, and criticized rhetoric he said endangered law enforcement and others. The House then moved into recess later in the day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Fortunately, there was no damage done, and the child was fine.
• funded by the Medical Quality Assurance Trust Fund, which contains practitioner licensure fee and fine
• In contrast, health care boards in some states have direct access to fees and fines revenue without any
• Other states have a mixed model of funding from fees and fines as well as general fund appropriations
• care boards for expenditures in addition to trust funds composed of practitioner-related fees and fines

Bills: S0428, S0606, S0192, S0162, S0340

Keywords: drowning prevention, water safety, swimming lessons, swim vouchers, child drowning, infant safety, toddler safety, pool safety, bath safety, safe bathing practices, postpartum education, newborn care, childbirth education, birth centers, home birth providers, Department of Health, public health, water competency, swim instruction, infant supervision

Summary: The Senate Health Policy Committee met with a quorum and took up several health-related bills, with a strong focus on drowning prevention and patient safety. SB 428 by Senator Yarborough would expand Florida’s swim lesson voucher program from children ages 0-4 to ages 1-7. Supporters, including a pediatric emergency physician and YMCA leadership, cited Florida’s high child drowning rates and argued that swim lessons reduce risk and should be available to more children. Senator Harrell noted the need to consider increasing the program’s funding as eligibility expands. The bill was reported favorably. The committee also heard SB 606 by Senator Smith, which adds drowning prevention and safe bathing education to postpartum materials provided by hospitals, birthing centers, and, after amendment, no longer home birth providers. A parent who lost a child to drowning testified in support, and senators emphasized the preventability of such deaths. The bill, as amended, was reported favorably as a committee substitute. SB 340 by Senator Harrell would require nursing students to complete a two-hour human trafficking course before licensure; after a strike-all amendment shifted the requirement from nursing programs to the students themselves, the bill received support from advocates and was reported favorably as a committee substitute. The committee also considered SB 162 by Senator Davis, which would require hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to adopt policies for using smoke evacuation systems during procedures that generate surgical smoke. The sponsor said the equipment is relatively inexpensive and already common in many facilities, while opponents and some senators questioned the medical evidence, enforcement, and possible impacts on rural and smaller facilities. Despite those concerns, the bill was reported favorably, with some members voting no. SB 192, presented by Senator Trumbull on behalf of Senator Martin, would remove the $1,500 cap on advances chiropractic physicians may collect for examinations or treatment; the Florida Chiropractic Society supported the change as pro-small-business, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee also received an OPAGA presentation comparing Florida’s health care practitioner regulation system with other states, focusing on board autonomy, rulemaking oversight, board composition, appointments, term limits, and funding mechanisms.