Transcript Highlights:

• </c> can be filed can be filed confidentially. confidentially. confidentially.
• >> Yeah, they do. >> Tax returns. >> In financial statements filed with the court. >> Filed with the
• >> Yeah, they do. >> Tax returns. >> In financial statements filed with the court. >> Filed with the
• >> Yeah, they do. >> Tax returns. >> In financial statements filed with the court. >> Filed with the
• >> Yeah, they do. >> Tax returns. >> In financial statements filed with the court. >> Filed with the

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The meeting covered two committee of conference items. On HB 1260, the House and Senate debated a Senate amendment dealing with sealing certain divorce-related financial records. House members argued the amendment conflicted with the Keane Sentinel decision and would improperly flip the burden of proof on public access to court records, raising constitutional concerns under the state constitution’s open government and privacy provisions. Senate members responded that the privacy amendment and modern conditions support more protection for sensitive financial information, especially in limited uncontested divorces, but several members agreed the issue should be studied in a separate bill with a full hearing next year rather than resolved in conference. The committee ultimately voted unanimously to have the Senate recede and pass HB 1260 in the form originally passed by the House, preserving the underlying bill without the Senate amendment. The committee then took up HB 1574, which extends free and reduced-price breakfast and lunch programs and provides funding for SNAP administrative costs. The main dispute was the Senate’s addition of $4.4 million for SNAP administration. Senator Gray and DHHS officials said federal changes will shift more administrative costs to the state and that underfunding administration could raise the SNAP error rate, which could trigger future federal penalties and larger state costs; DHHS reported a current error rate of 7.57%, below the national average, and said a higher error rate could cost the state roughly $12 million in a partial fiscal year and nearly $16 million in a full year. Representative Papovich said he understood the department’s needs but was reluctant to support the bill as amended, noting the Senate language resembled a prior bill that had already failed in the House. The discussion ended with the committee still considering the Senate amendment, with members weighing the immediate appropriation against possible future costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• File 99? Anyone online, Libby? File 99? Anyone online, Libby?
• &gt;&gt; but we This is for the Senate File 99.
• Senate File 54. Senate File 54. Senator Rafus.
• Uh Senate File 55 is our committee.
• </c> All members were voting on Senate file All members were voting on Senate file 55<00:39:40.800><c

Bills: HB0116 , HB0056

Committee: House Minerals, Business & Economic Development

Keywords: water rights, beneficial use, industrial production, hydrogen, applications, public welfare, carbon capture, energy standards, public utilities, environmental regulation, state law, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• file an ERPO<00:42:13.280><c> on</c><00:42:13.520><c> their</c><00:42:13.680><c> behalf?
• </c> behavioral health facilities could file behavioral health facilities could file based<00:51:20.160
• The latest data we have here, 692 have been filed between January 20th and December of 2024.
• Is any of that data in the report that they filed?
• Every single petition that was filed by a health care mental health professional granted.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The secretary will read the House file number. House File No. 1090.
• </c> secretary will read the house file secretary will read the house file number.<00:10:11.920><c> House
• House file number 1090. The number. House file number 1090.
• </c><00:11:07.680><c> Senator</c> to House File number 2442. Senator to House File number 2442.
• So, this is a bipartisan idea. file number 2442, the unofficial file number 2442, the unofficial engrossment

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> should have filed should have filed &gt;&gt; but<01:18:01.120><c> like</c><01:18:01.360><c> last
• Um so we have already filed lawsuits.
• </c> Development Center who have both filed Development Center who have both filed cases<01:18:55.760
• He has defrauded me. of 2019, I filed for divorce in of 2019, I filed for divorce in Manchester<02:49
• &gt;&gt; you know, would if you can file as many &gt;&gt; you know, would if you can file as many complaints

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The chair recognizes Senator Hinojosa to explain the difference between the filed version and the committee
• you all recall Senate Bill 427 dealt with the requirement that many of our local governments have to file
• We want people to know what our local governments are doing. ...the funding, and yet they don't file
• Senator Middleton to explain the difference in the committee substitute versus the bill as filed.
• Yet they don't file financial statements, and as a result, we're left in the dark.

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Late-filed amendment barcode 8435850 by Senator Gruters.
• If you filed an amendment to the original bill, make sure you file it now to the amendment.
• You're not supposed to be able to file income taxes.
• You're not supposed to be able to file income taxes.
• Show that late-file amendment. Thank you. That late-file amendment introduced without objection.

Summary: The Senate opened with a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the reading of an amended joint proclamation expanding the Legislature’s immigration agenda. The proclamation added items calling for financial penalties for government officials, enhanced criminal penalties for offenses committed by illegal aliens, and programs and appropriations to support law enforcement in enforcing federal immigration law. The chamber then took up the special order calendar, beginning with Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 2B, the immigration bill. Most of the meeting was devoted to debate and questions on the strike-all amendment to SB 2B. Sponsor Senator Gruters described the bill as a broad immigration enforcement package aligned with President Trump’s agenda. He said it would require greater cooperation with federal immigration authorities, strengthen participation in the 287(g) program, create a chief immigration officer and council, authorize financial penalties for noncompliance, provide bonuses for officers assisting ICE, and direct information-sharing with federal agencies. He also said the bill would bar DHSMV from issuing licenses or ID cards to unauthorized aliens and would end in-state tuition waivers for undocumented students. Senators Polsky, Pizzo, Smith, Jones, Berman, Osgood, and others questioned the scope of the bill, whether it would affect schools, churches, cities, nonprofits, and green-card holders, and how the 287(g) provisions would work in practice. Gruters repeatedly said the operational focus was on jails and detention facilities, not street-level enforcement. A major point of controversy was the bill’s proposed mandatory death penalty for unauthorized aliens convicted of certain capital offenses. Senator Fine said the covered crimes were the most serious capital felonies, including murder, child sexual battery, destructive-device offenses causing death, and certain trafficking offenses, and argued the provision was intended to withstand constitutional challenge. Senator Pizzo raised Eighth Amendment concerns and questioned whether the bill could mandate death sentences. The tuition waiver provisions also drew extended debate: Fine said the state would save about $41 million by ending discounted tuition for undocumented students, while Democrats argued the savings would not return to general revenue and that the policy would harm students who are already enrolled. Fine and Gruters said green-card holders would not be affected and that the bill targeted only students in the country illegally. The discussion also covered appropriations and implementation. Senator Smith asked about the bill’s large funding levels, and Fine broke down the spending as including $375 million for the chief immigration officer, $100 million in grants to local law enforcement, $29 million for the new Office of State Immigration Enforcement, and $10 million for an unauthorized-alien transport program. Gruters said the funds would reimburse local governments and help address staffing shortages, while critics questioned the lack of benchmarks and the fiscal impact. No final vote or disposition on the bill appears in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• The corrected journal will be filed in the office of the Senate Secretary.
• The designated substitute will receive the oath of office on arrival, and the correspondence will be filed
• The report will be filed in the Office of the Secretary.
• That report will be filed in the Office of the Secretary.
• The report has been adopted, and the paperwork will be filed in the Office of the Secretary and will

Summary: The Senate convened with 33 members present, heard prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the prior day’s journal, and received communications including a temporary substitute appointment for Legislative District 20. The chamber also received several committee reports and House messages, and welcomed numerous guests, including Idaho Farm Bureau members and other visitors in the gallery. The Senate acted on several gubernatorial appointments and memorials. It adopted committee reports confirming Brett Thomas to the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board, Erica Malman to the Idaho Personnel Commission, Michael Kennedy to the Idaho Judicial Council, and Representative John Weber to the State Insurance Fund Board. It also adopted House Joint Memorial 10, which urged federal officials to favor sugar over artificial sweeteners in school nutrition standards, with supporters arguing it promoted real food and Idaho’s sugar industry. The main floor debate centered on Senate Bill 1233, the “Constitutional Courts Act,” which would bar state courts from enforcing or applying religious or cultural law that does not conform to the U.S. and Idaho constitutions. Supporters said it protected constitutional supremacy and religious neutrality, while opponents argued it was unnecessary, legally risky, and potentially targeted religious law in a way that could invite constitutional challenges. After roll call, the bill failed by a vote of 15 ayes to 19 nays, with one absent and excused, and was filed in the Secretary’s office. The Senate also introduced and referred a slate of new bills, including measures on transportation, veterans, state employment, public employee retirement, accessory dwelling units, religious land development, housing covenants, and the Idaho Parental Choice Tax Credit. The chamber then moved to miscellaneous business, heard a few final announcements and introductions, and adjourned until 11 a.m. on February 12, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• The legislation also clarifies that once a claims dispute is filed, it meets all the requirements in
• There is one late-filed amendment. Is there any objection to taking up the late-filed amendment?
• Seeing no objection, take up late-filed amendment barcode 466478 by Senator Trunow.
• There is one late-filed amendment. Is there any objection to taking up the late-filed amendment?
• Seeing no objection, take up late-filed amendment barcode 466478 by Senator Trunow.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Banking and Insurance met with a quorum present and heard a full agenda of bills, most of which were reported favorably. Early in the meeting, SB 1000 on trust fund interest for attorney trust accounts was explained as setting a floor and ceiling tied to the Wall Street Journal prime rate and passed without objection after supportive testimony from banking and credit union groups. The committee then took up CS/SB 1082 on a statewide provider and health plan claim dispute resolution program; the sponsor described it as a way to move emergency out-of-network payment disputes away from costly litigation and into an independent dispute resolution process modeled on the federal No Surprises Act. A proposed amendment drew significant questions from senators and concerns from the Florida Insurance Council about confusion over state versus federal eligibility and possible effects on contracted rates, and the sponsor ultimately withdrew the amendment. The underlying bill was then supported by health care and insurance stakeholders and reported favorably. SB 684 on electronic signatures for total loss vehicles and vessels also passed, with Progressive Insurance waiving in support. The committee next approved CS/SB 158 on pet insurance, which requires continuing education for agents, clearer consumer disclosures, and annual reporting to OIR; the amendment was technical and adopted. SB 1494 on breast cancer screening coverage was presented as expanding required coverage for mammograms and supplemental screenings for certain insurance products, and it passed with support from cancer and radiology groups. CS/SB 314 on digital asset issuers was amended to create a Florida framework for payment stablecoin issuers consistent with the federal GENIUS Act, allowing state-level regulation as an alternative to federal supervision, and was reported favorably. SB 1500 on uncontested probate proceedings, including higher small-estate thresholds and clearer authority for personal representatives, also passed after a banking-related amendment requiring letters of administration for safe deposit box access was adopted. Later, the committee approved CS/SB 618 on workers’ compensation insurance, which raises the consent-to-rate cap for workers’ comp policies from 10% to 20% and adjusts the Florida Workers’ Compensation Guarantee Association board membership; a carrier representative testified that the change would help keep more high-risk accounts in the voluntary market. CS/SB 1568 on a Florida Stable Coin Pilot Program was amended to remove authority for DFS to create a Florida coin, limit the pilot to existing stablecoins with at least $1 billion market capitalization, and require qualified public deposit handling; it then passed. CS/SB 838 on electronic payments for retail installment contracts clarified that convenience fees for electronic payments are permissible while preserving a fee-free option, and it was reported favorably after questions about consumer access to free payment methods. SB 1452, the Department of Financial Services agency bill, made a wide range of administrative changes affecting My Safe Florida Home, unclaimed property, licensing, bail bonds, and other DFS functions; a late-filed amendment on title insurer appointments was adopted, and the bill passed. The committee also approved SB 1706 on the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program, targeting condo hardening assistance to owner-occupied units meeting income and occupancy criteria, and SB 990 on protected cell captive insurance companies, which the sponsor and industry witnesses said would modernize Florida law and promote insurance competition and economic activity. The meeting ended with all bills on the agenda reported favorably and the committee adjourning without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Petitioners file claims under the VICP with the Office of Special Masters, or OSM.
• To recover elsewhere, however, suit must have been filed first in the vaccine court.
• Can you give the total number of claims filed, the total number of claims paid, compensated, and the
• injury claims, filed death claims, filed total compensated, dismissed petitions filed, etc.
• Yet, since 1988, the inception of the program, there have been under 30,000 petitions filed for ...the

Bills: S0408 , S0986 , S0678 , S0800 , S1050 , S0484 , S1118

Committee: Senate Regulated Industries

Keywords: vaccine advertisement, manufacturer liability, harmful vaccine, healthcare, court action, smoking regulation, public health, vaping, marijuana, public places, Florida Statutes, alcohol distribution, tax deductions, extraordinary losses, warehouse breakage, regulatory compliance, veterinary, prescription, pharmacy, client rights

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries considered several bills and took final action on each. SB 986, by Senator Gruters and presented by Senator Rodriguez, would prohibit smoking or vaping marijuana in public places and in certain indoor spaces; restaurant and lodging representatives supported adding marijuana and vaping to clean indoor air rules but asked to preserve designated smoking areas on private property, while cannabis advocates warned the bill was overly broad and could affect patients and property rights. The committee voted the bill favorably. SB 678, by Senator Mayfield, would restore statutory authority for DBPR to continue allowing alcohol distributors to deduct unsellable alcohol from monthly excise tax calculations; the committee adopted a strike-all amendment and reported the committee substitute favorably. SB 800, also by Senator Mayfield, increases penalties for repeated unlicensed engineering practice and creates an engineering student loan assistance program for engineers working for state agencies and water management districts; after adopting an amendment clarifying eligibility, the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee then heard SB 408, by Senator Grall, which would create a Florida cause of action against vaccine manufacturers that advertise in the state, allowing injured individuals to sue in Florida courts. Supporters argued the bill would rebuild public trust and hold manufacturers accountable, while opponents from the Florida Justice Reform Institute, American Tort Reform Association, BIO, the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform, and several medical and business groups argued the field is largely preempted by federal law, that existing federal compensation programs already address vaccine injuries, and that the bill raises First Amendment and policy concerns. After debate focused on vaccine injury data, compensation rates, and liability, the committee voted SB 408 favorably. The committee also considered SB 484 and SB 1118, both by Senator Avila, dealing with data centers. SB 484 would preserve local planning authority, bar nondisclosure agreements that prevent disclosure of potential data center development, require the PSC to set large-load tariff requirements so data centers pay their own costs, and limit consumptive use permits for large-scale data centers absent no harm to water resources and compliance with local zoning; supporters emphasized ratepayer protection and economic development, while some witnesses urged flexibility for behind-the-meter projects and confidentiality in negotiations. The bill was reported favorably. SB 1118 would create a time-limited public records exemption for county or municipal information about data center siting and protect proprietary business information; Senator Pizzo raised concerns about how the exemption would affect disclosure of competing projects and local officials’ ability to speak, but the sponsor said he would work on clarifying the language. The committee also passed SB 1050, by Senator Calatayud, which requires veterinarians to provide pet owners with written prescriptions and information about pharmacy choice while preserving veterinary judgment and emergency dispensing authority. The meeting concluded after all bills were reported favorably and members recorded additional votes on prior items.

Transcript Highlights:

• You must file the committee reports with the chief clerk's office by 6:00 p.m. this evening.
• Please allow yourselves and your staff sufficient time to file your reports before this deadline.
• deadline for any Bills referral filing deadline for any Bills moving<00:34:23.639><c> from</c><00:34
• you must file the committee reports<00:34:29.399><c> with</c><00:34:29.560><c> the</c><00:34:29.720>
• your reports before this time to file your reports before this deadline<00:34:39.800><c> members</c>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• First bill is House File 3580.
• </c> Representative Burkel moves House File Representative Burkel moves House File 3580<00:47:51.119>
• File 3580 is<00:59:56.640><c> amended.
• With that, House File 3580, as amended, is laid over. Last bill up is House File 3566.
• Member questions on House File 3566.

Bills: HF3580 , HF3566

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Keywords: agriculture, livestock, depredation, crop damage, wolf compensation, elk damage, state funding, agricultural protection, trespass, criminal penalties, farm equipment, agricultural land, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, next up, House File 623.
• It's an honor to be in front of you to present House File 623.
• Thank you to the members of the committee for hearing House File 647.
• Representative Jacob: House File 1249, please have a seat.
• </c><00:59:57.079><c> uh</c> members for hearing our house file uh members for hearing our house file

Bills: HF647 , HF2824 , HF1249 , HF623 , HF820

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Keywords: water appropriation, aquifer management, potable water, water conservation, environmental policy, fishing regulation, angling, sustainability, biodiversity, game fish, Carley State Park, Minnesota state parks, state lands, park boundary expansion, Wabasha County, Department of Natural Resources, DNR, public lands, land acquisition, park addition

Transcript Highlights:

• We are also responsible for government filings.
• How do you get an EIN number back from me if I file for an LLC?
• We have in documents being received for a paper or fax filing.
• . simply because we are the filing cabinet for the state.
• I just checked with my office again because I haven't filed.

Bills: HB10 , HB 12 , HB675 , HB10 , HB12

Committee: House Delivery of Government Efficiency

Keywords: regulatory reform, government efficiency, administrative law, rulemaking, agency deference, judicial review, de novo review, Texas Government Code, Administrative Procedure Act, state agencies, plain language, regulatory burden, regulatory reduction, cost-benefit analysis, fiscal note, public benefits and costs, contested case, rule challenge, Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office, advisory panel

Transcript Highlights:

• I think we have seven items on the agenda today, and we have file item number two.
• All right, members, we're going to Madam Chair's bills in file order.
• Madam Chair's bills in file order. The next bill is file item number five, SB 909.
• Moving on to file item number 5, SB 909.
• Moving on to file item number 6, SB 1132.

Committee: Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several labor-related bills. SB 1166 would place AC Transit employees under PERB jurisdiction for unfair labor practice disputes; supporters said it would reduce cost and delay compared with court litigation, AC Transit was neutral, there was no opposition, and the bill passed 4-1 and later 4-1 on call. SB 1054 would add wage-data elements to state reporting to improve Medi-Cal and other eligibility verification and strengthen workforce-program data; supporters emphasized reducing administrative burden and improving accountability, and it passed 4-0, later 5-0 on call. SB 1149 would expand bereavement leave to cover a “designated person” and align it with other family-leave laws; it drew broad support from caregiving, LGBTQ+, labor, and advocacy groups, no opposition, and passed 3-0, later 5-0 on call. The committee also considered SB 909, which would raise and index public works contractor registration fees and prevailing-wage penalties and direct more penalty revenue to enforcement. Supporters argued it would deter wage theft and fund enforcement staffing, while contractor groups warned it would raise costs, increase uncertainty, and not solve staffing delays; the bill passed 2-1 and later 4-1 on call. SB 1132 would require a standardized know-your-rights curriculum through the workforce development system; supporters said workers need rights education at job-entry points, especially immigrants and other vulnerable workers, and the bill passed 3-1, later 4-1 on call. SB 1241 sought to strengthen enforcement of skilled-and-trained workforce requirements on public works projects by defining substantial compliance, limiting repeated reliance on compliance plans, and increasing accountability for reporting failures. Labor supporters said it would close loopholes and protect apprenticeship-trained workers, while contractor groups argued the market lacks enough qualified workers and that the bill could increase penalties and debarment risk; after extended debate it passed 4-1. Finally, SB 1038 would require CalPERS to notify unions when employer audits are initiated so they can assist members facing repayment or pension adjustments; supporters said it would help workers navigate audit consequences, there was no opposition, and it passed 4-0 before the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> submit vote modifications and have filed submit vote modifications and have filed the<00:04:07.519
• Rule 50 has been changed to require only one jacketed copy to be signed by the members when filing a
• House come to order. >> For those members waiting to file bills, please continue to do so.
• Uh, anything that is not filed now will be of record tomorrow. Clerk, please report.
• Uh, anything that is not filed now will be of record tomorrow. Clerk, please report.

Keywords: Convene 00:00 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 04:28 Election and Swearing In of Constitutional Officers 04:35 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 06:51 HR 1 08:08 HR 2 08:40 HR 3 17:11 Impeachment Petitions reported 18:33 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 20:27 Stand at Ease 20:54 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 28:30 Adjournment 33:05, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that what you were thinking or there, what are, what are some of the types of things that led you to file
• Which provides essential clarity and flexibility in the filing of applications for court-ordered mental
• However, under the current process, determining the correct county in which to file an application can
• Allowing the order of protective custody to be filed where the patient resides is located at the time
• To protect public access, I filed House Bill 1970.

Bills: HB113

Committee: House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Keywords: HB 113, Texas, Government Code Chapter 1253, general obligation bonds, bond election, voter approval, political subdivision, local government, city bonds, county bonds, school district bonds, capital projects, public finance, bond referendum, ballot measure, five-year waiting period, rejected proposition, election law, municipal finance

Transcript Highlights:

• It wasn't filed on this bill, but we will going forward.
• We do have a late-filed amendment, bar code 217378.
• Is there opposition to taking up the late-filed amendment?
• And that is barcode 736708, and it is late filed.
• Seeing no objection, the late-filed amendment is in order.

Committee: Senate Health Policy

Summary: The Health Policy Committee heard and advanced several health-related bills. SB 1546 on background screening for athletic coaches was explained as another extension of the deadline for coaches to be added to the background screening clearinghouse; it passed favorably with support from athletic and youth sports organizations. SB 958 on type 1 diabetes early detection was amended to match the House version, requiring the Department of Health to provide school districts, school boards, and charter schools with informational materials for parents; it was reported favorably as a committee substitute. CS/SB 1070 on electrocardiograms for student athletes drew extensive discussion about sudden cardiac arrest prevention, implementation timelines, costs, funding through private and public sources, and whether insurance, KidCare, or Medicaid should cover screenings; after supportive testimony from school and athletic groups, it was reported favorably as a committee substitute. The committee also heard SB 1060, which would create a joint legislative oversight committee for Medicaid managed care to review encounter data, financials, audits, and rebate calculations with assistance from an actuary and the Auditor General. The sponsor and several senators framed it as a transparency and verification measure in response to large mid-year Medicaid funding increases and concerns about network adequacy and vertical integration; it passed favorably. CS/SB 944, which shortens the insurer overpayment recovery look-back period for claims involving psychologists from 30 months to 12 months, also passed favorably with support from the Florida Psychological Association. SB 1370, moving ambulatory surgical centers into their own statute rather than under hospital licensure provisions, was supported by surgery center representatives and reported favorably. The committee approved SB 768, as amended, to narrow the foreign-country-of-concern licensure attestation for health care entities to direct controlling interests and clarify the “reasonable efforts” standard; it passed after questions about how the standard would work in practice. SB 1544 on opticianry prompted significant debate over whether the bill would limit nonlicensed staff in ophthalmology and optometry settings; after a proposed amendment was withdrawn and multiple witnesses spoke both for and against, the bill was temporarily postponed. Finally, the committee adopted a strike-all amendment to SB 1808 requiring health care practitioners and facilities to refund patient overpayments within 30 days, with enforcement through AHCA fines or professional discipline, and then reported the bill favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• I didn't file this amendment to be smart or to play a game.
• I filed this amendment because I have a daughter and she's 28 years old.
• Files are five or six, so whatever it is.
• “We filed an amendment to have the mother consent to the lawsuit.
• I filed this bill the first year.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present, then adopted the special order report for the day. The chamber took up House Bill 167 on former phosphate mining lands. Sponsor Rep. McClure said the bill removes strict liability for previously mined phosphate lands if a Department of Health study is completed at the owner’s request and the former mining status is recorded publicly. Opponents, led by Rep. Cross and others, argued the bill relies too heavily on buyer-beware principles and does not adequately notify future buyers or renters. The bill passed 87-24 after debate. Members then considered House Bill 145 on suits against the government. Rep. McFarland said it updates Florida’s sovereign immunity caps, raising them to $500,000 per person and $1 million per incident, with a later automatic increase, while preserving the liability shield and improving access to compensation for people harmed by government negligence. The bill also aligns the statute of limitations with private claims and allows entities to settle above the cap. After brief debate, the House passed the bill 104-7. The House next debated CS/HB 289 on wrongful death for an unborn child, which would expand Florida’s Wrongful Death Act to allow claims involving unborn children and their parents. The bill prompted extensive questioning and debate about damages, definitions, medical care, surrogacy, and whether the measure could affect abortion access or expose doctors, friends, family members, and surrogates to lawsuits. Multiple amendments sought to carve out protections for mothers, health care providers, abortion care, perinatal professionals, surrogates, and victims of rape, incest, or human trafficking, but each was defeated. The final vote on the bill itself was 33-78, so the motion failed and the bill did not advance.

Transcript Highlights:

• Second reading of Senate files. Second reading of Senate File number 3446. Second reading.
• Introduction of bills; the following House files have been offered for introduction today.
• The Chief Clerk will report the House files and give them their first reading.
• Introduction of first reading of House Files 3316 through 3318.
• First reading of House Files 3316 through 3318 resolution. I recognize the member from Ramsey.