Transcript Highlights:

• The bill also limits the charges and fees that may be imposed on a customer during a charging session
• income mechanisms to benefit eligible limited income customers.
• </c> engagement and local economic benefits engagement and local economic benefits within<00:31:53.440
• income mechanisms to benefit eligible customers by December 1, 2026.
• House Bill 216, Delegate Kaufman, criminal law benefits exploitation. Uh all right.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the interest time, I'm going to try to limit this to one question.
• Madam Speaker, a debt limit statement for fiscal year 2027.
• Available debt limit prior to appended legislation: $363.88 million.
• Remaining debt limit: $363.88 million. Remaining debt limit: $363.88 million.
• For example, the benefit is applied to both people.

Summary: The House convened with quorum, offered prayers and moments of silence for community members who had recently died, and recognized several guests and family members in the chamber. After routine communications and passage of consent calendar 29, the chamber took up a series of measures on the main and colored agendas, with several bills and resolutions passing by voice vote or roll call. Among the measures approved were House Concurrent Resolution 157, which as amended requested a State Lottery report on options to support traditional lottery retailers; Senate Bill 53 on the Delaware Farm to Community Program; Senate Bill 307 on PSC authority for Lifeline telecommunications carriers; Senate Bill 339 clarifying health directive forms in mental health facilities; Senate Bill 235 on manufactured home community rent increases; Senate Bill 325, as amended, updating fire prevention and volunteer fire/EMS background check rules; Senate Bill 309 on inmate work and discharge of incarceration-related balances; Senate Bill 324 on deadly weapons and constable agency representatives; Senate Bill 293 on youth camp child care licensing; Senate Bill 94 on respiratory care practitioners and ECMO medication delivery; and Senate Substitute 2 for Senate Bill 100, proposing a constitutional amendment protecting the right to marry regardless of race or gender while preserving religious freedom. House Bill 188, changing Delaware primary elections to allow unaffiliated voters to choose a party primary, also passed after debate. Two measures drew extended discussion and amendments. Senate Bill 233, requiring snow and ice to be removed from vehicles, was tabled once, then later amended and passed after debate over whether the law was workable for truck drivers and other vehicle operators; a proposed truck-related exemption amendment failed. House Substitute 1 for House Bill 404, creating a pilot program for artificial intelligence and extended reality in schools, passed after testimony from the Department of Education emphasizing guardrails, privacy, and educator oversight, alongside concerns from members about data, bias, and long-term effects. Several items were tabled or reconsidered during the session, and the House adjourned after completing the day’s business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Can you remind the body one more time under what rule we're operating and the limits of our debate?
• </c><00:24:05.720><c> of</c><00:24:05.840><c> our</c> and the limits of our and the limits of our debate
• </c> examination that has no medical benefit examination that has no medical benefit uh<00:40:47.920>
• a uniform 35 miles an hour speed limit across the state.
• M an hour um uh speed limit across the M an hour um uh speed limit across the state<01:08:43.560><c>

Transcript Highlights:

• I grew up during a major rise in technology, from having limited access as a child to a world in which
• </c> salary and and and health care benefits salary and and and health care benefits and<00:59:45.760
• It only matters if our students are there to take the benefit from it.
• But it is also very limiting to only have them.
• </c> limiting to only have them. limiting to only have them.

Bills: HF4213 , HF4198 , HF3930 , HF3585 , HF3451

Committee: House Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill is not about limiting parents.
• It is about about limiting parents.
• </c> limited to were in there to cover us. limited to were in there to cover us.
• </c><01:13:04.560><c> to</c> including but not limited to including but not limited to &gt;&gt; 10<01
• :08:33.440><c> exceptions</c><05:08:34.080><c> to</c> limits and narrows the exceptions to limits and

Committee: House Children and Family Law

Transcript Highlights:

• countless others across the country, faces many key healthcare challenges from increasing costs, limited
• </c><00:03:58.760><c> patients</c><00:03:59.319><c> nurses</c> how it could benefit patients nurses how
• it could benefit patients nurses Physicians<00:04:00.879><c> and</c><00:04:01.079><c> caregivers</c>
• So this new other opportunity provides many more benefits for the state than that other solution.
• </c> opportunity provides many more benefits opportunity provides many more benefits for<01:23:19.520

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• As a result, both of those municipal facilities see about 20 to 25% less in wages and benefits.
• As this committee is aware, a worker is generally eligible to receive unemployment insurance benefits
• As this committee is aware, a worker is generally eligible to receive unemployment insurance benefits
• The court found that for workers to receive benefits, the employer must take the final action.
• Thank you, Madam Chair. 26 weeks of benefits.

Summary: The Labor and Workplace Standards Committee held its first meeting of the session and heard four bills. HB 2107 would make permanent and slightly narrow a temporary L&I requirement that, after an on-site safety inspection at a building construction site, the agency make a good-faith effort to notify the owner or employer within 10 working days if an immediately identified hazard could injure a worker. Construction industry groups and L&I supported the bill and said the pilot had worked well, with L&I reporting it had been able to notify owners almost 96% of the time during about 1,400 inspections. HB 2137 would remove the population threshold for binding interest arbitration for correctional employees in city and county jails. Teamsters representatives said the change would give corrections officers in smaller jurisdictions the same bargaining rights as other uniformed personnel and help address safety, staffing, and wage inequities. County representatives opposed the bill, saying it would increase bargaining and compensation costs for many counties, and asked for amendments requiring arbitrators to consider county finances and making awards nonbinding on county legislative authorities. HB 2264 would clarify unemployment insurance eligibility for workers who opt into an employer-initiated layoff or reduction-in-force plan, even if they can rescind their decision, so long as the termination results from the employer’s plan. Supporters said current court rulings create confusing and unfair denials of benefits for workers who leave in good faith during layoffs; NFIB raised questions about severance, retirement, and UI solvency. HB 2243 would allow physical therapists and occupational therapists to serve as attending providers in the workers’ compensation system. Physical therapy and occupational therapy advocates said this would speed care and return workers to work sooner, while retailers, food industry representatives, NFIB, the Washington State Medical Association, and L&I raised concerns about diagnosis, scope of practice, added costs, and the possibility that all PTs and OTs would have to join the provider network. No votes were taken; the committee heard testimony and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• IN THE SMALL COUNTIES, WE BENEFIT FROM THESE FROM TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND CONSULTANT STANDPOINT.
• THIS ALLOWS REGIONAL COUNCILS TO LEVERAGE THEIR RESOURCES TO THE BENEFIT OF THOSE OF US THAT ARE IN SMALL
• AND OTHER GRANTS OBTAINED THAT DIRECTLY BENEFIT LOCAL COMMUNITIES.
• COMMISSIONERS THAT I'M FAMILIAR WITH THAT SERVE ON THE NORTHEAST REGIONAL COUNCIL USES SERVICES TO BENEFIT
• AND GIVING MEN TOURING TO OUR BUSINESSES DOWN IN SOUTH FLORIDA THAT ARE STRUGGLING AND ONE OF THE BENEFITS

Transcript Highlights:

• The limitation on a submarine is the hull, not the reactor.
• Whereas the small modular reactors might have, because of a small footprint, the security might be limited
• They know the long-term benefit of what nuclear brings to the table.
• They know the long-term benefit of what nuclear brings to the table.
• And so the benefit is above and beyond, but what's... So the benefit is above and beyond.

Committee: Joint Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• In order to be able to hear as much from the public within the limits of our time, we will not permit
• And that cycle did not benefit her. It did not benefit the company she was working for.
• It's been my experience that that provides additional savings and benefits to the public.
• But we also, I think it's important for the legislature to consider what benefits and safety features
• It does not prohibit or limit an employer's ability to use any AI tool in the workplace or on the public

Summary: The Assembly Labor and Employment Committee heard several workplace-related bills. AB 1803 would require anti-hate speech training as part of existing harassment prevention training for employers with five or more employees; supporters said it would help workers recognize and report workplace hate, while opponents raised First Amendment and definitional concerns. The bill passed on a do pass motion and was re-referred to Judiciary, with the roll left open for absent members. AB 1940 would add perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause to FEHA’s sex protections and clarify related workplace protections; supporters emphasized workplace equity and retention, while business groups said existing accommodation laws already cover many issues and raised concerns about expanding protected classifications. It also passed and was re-referred to Judiciary with the roll open. AB 1838 would require bidders on public works projects to disclose recent wage-and-hour violations and how they were addressed; labor groups supported the transparency measure, while contractors and business groups questioned definitions and disclosure scope. It passed and was re-referred to Judiciary. AB 1859 would give joint labor-management committees access to public works job sites to help identify labor-law violations; supporters said it would improve enforcement of wage theft laws, while opponents raised due process, property access, and constitutional concerns. It passed and was re-referred to Judiciary. The committee also considered two workplace AI and surveillance bills. AB 1883 would prohibit certain invasive surveillance technologies in the workplace, including facial, gait, and emotion recognition, while placing limits on some facial recognition uses; supporters argued these tools are discriminatory and unreliable, and opponents said a ban was too broad and could eliminate useful safety and operational tools. The bill passed and was re-referred to Privacy and Consumer Protection. AB 1898 would require employers to give workers advance notice before using AI tools to surveil or manage workers, including disclosure of the tool’s purpose, data collected, and affected decisions; supporters framed it as a basic transparency measure, while opponents objected to the breadth of notice requirements, possible veto power over deployment, and enforcement language. It also passed and was re-referred to Privacy and Consumer Protection. The committee additionally took up AB 1707, which passed and was re-referred to Appropriations with a consent-calendar recommendation, though the transcript does not provide the bill’s subject matter.

Transcript Highlights:

• In order to be able to hear as much from the public within the limits of our time, we will not permit
• And that cycle did not benefit her. It did not benefit the company she was working for.
• It's been my experience that that provides additional savings and benefits to the public.
• But we also, I think it's important for the legislature to consider what benefits and safety features
• It does not prohibit or limit an employer's ability to use any AI tool in the workplace or on the public

Committee: House Labor and Employment

Transcript Highlights:

• provides some technical corrections to a new form of long-term care that the committee heard called limited
• Okay, we are to the A9 amendment, and I will move the A9 amendment. heard called limited long-term care
• heard called limited long-term care coverage<00:15:48.079><c> and</c><00:15:48.480><c> um</c><00:15:
• high level for very important aspects, and this bill does show the work of this committee that will benefit
• motans in the years to um will benefit motans in the years to come<00:18:52.640><c> and</c><00:18:52.919

Bills: HF1224 , HF1615 , HF2403

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• We've been able to award over 300 proposals benefiting 15,000 participants.
• So $10 million over two years awarded to 13 institutions, benefiting over 500 paraprofessionals, with
• for our certificate programs, for our AS programs, and for our bachelor's programs, we were very limited
• for our certificate programs, for our AS programs, and for our bachelor's programs, we were very limited
• Moreover, workforce development dollars have helped provide funding for salaries and benefits of 10 NFTC

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education received an overview of Florida’s career and technical education (CTE) system from Chancellor Kevin O’Farrell, who described the state’s CTE pathways, program types, enrollment and completion growth, quality audit metrics, and the Master Credentials List used to identify credentials of value. He highlighted record postsecondary CTE enrollment and completions, strong statewide performance in talent attraction, and several funding tools supporting expansion, including Open Door, the Florida First Responder Scholarship, Workforce Development Capitalization grants, Perkins funding, CAPE performance incentives, and apprenticeship grants. Senators asked about eligibility for Open Door and first responder aid, top industry certifications, and the teacher apprenticeship initiative. A panel of college and technical school leaders then described how state and federal funding has supported local program growth and facility expansion. Santa Fe College, Palm Beach State College, North Florida Technical College, Lake Technical College, Florida Gateway College, and Manatee Technical College each cited increases in enrollment, high placement or licensure pass rates, and new or expanded programs in nursing, welding, CDL, automotive, manufacturing, public safety, and apprenticeship. Several speakers emphasized partnerships with hospitals, employers, school districts, and local governments, and noted that grants helped fund equipment, renovations, and new training hubs. Palm Beach State also raised a request to broaden line funding beyond nursing to other health science fields, and multiple presenters asked for more flexibility, multi-year support, and continued or increased funding to sustain growth. Members discussed broader challenges, including the difficulty of sustaining grant-funded growth after initial awards, the lag between enrollment growth and funding formulas, and alignment problems for dual enrollment and technical programs with high school schedules. Senators also noted the need to balance support for high-demand core programs like nursing and welding with the ability to respond quickly to emerging industries such as AI and space. The meeting ended with no formal action beyond adjournment after Senator Davis moved to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• It does mean that we have limited time for public testimony.
• They're testing to the per se limit. So they are only testing.
• , and we had to give her a DUI because there wasn't a per se limit.
• Lowering the per se limit is one of the more effective tools that you could adopt.
• Initially, 54% of people asked said they support lowering the limit to 0.05.

Bills: HB2220 , HB2362

Committee: House Community Safety

Keywords: criminal justice training commission, CJTC, law enforcement training, peace officer certification, decertification, corrections officer certification, tribal police certification, police accountability, police oversight, public safety, academy training, in-service training, continuing education, use of force, misconduct investigations, disciplinary hearings, administrative law judge, hearing panel, law enforcement standards, background investigations

Transcript Highlights:

• So each debater will be limited to one minute.
• This is basically just a levy limit bill.
• So, I wouldn't exactly call it a levy limit, but it is levy limiting is a way to look at that.
• The limits still exist.
• And this could be turned into a bill that is a levy limit as opposed to a limit on the fair cash value

Committee: House Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• For OMES property, OMES-managed buildings, we have a very limited amount right now.
• Okay, so, and I understand, I think I'm hearing that staff is limited on OMES' side.
• LOFT was only able to review 18 buildings due to data limitations.
• This limitation impedes accurate evaluation of daily attendance.
• This limitation impairs the ability to measure the reported utilization accurately.

Summary: The LOFT Oversight Committee met with a quorum, approved the prior minutes, and then received LOFT’s report on state office space utilization in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. LOFT presented three main findings: OMES is not fully exercising its statutory authority over state property and relies on flawed self-reported data; state office space is being used inefficiently and often below policy benchmarks; and better use of state-owned space could save tens of millions in private lease costs. LOFT also described errors in the state’s real property inventory, low utilization rates across OMES-owned, agency-owned, and privately leased space, and recommended stronger data verification, clearer space standards, and more active oversight of underused property. OMES responded that it believes it is meeting its statutory obligations and said it tries to balance oversight with being a partner to agencies, placing them in space that best fits their mission and service needs. OMES officials said they rely on agency-reported data, do not have enough staff to independently verify all inventory information, and do not “police” daily occupancy. Members questioned the distinction between meeting statutory duties and exercising full authority, the use of “shall” versus “recommend,” the lack of enforcement for agencies that decline space recommendations, and whether OMES should more aggressively consolidate or divest underused buildings. LOFT and OMES also discussed the methodology behind utilization calculations, including badge-swipe data, space standards, and common-area adjustments. In the final finding, LOFT estimated that relocating agencies from private leases into existing state-owned space could save roughly $16 million to $28.8 million annually, depending on the scenario used. LOFT cited other states and federal reforms as models and recommended that OMES more actively assess underutilized properties, verify data, and use actual utilization analysis to reduce private leasing. OMES said it would review the comments and work to improve. The committee then unanimously approved a rapid-response evaluation request for LOFT to examine DHS child care subsidy verification and reimbursement processes, citing concerns about possible improprieties and the need to confirm whether fraud or waste is occurring.

Transcript Highlights:

• The statutory limit at the time of the jury verdict was $100,000.
• Please limit your comments to two minutes.
• North Miami Beach also supports the statutory 25% outside city surcharge limit.
• I know Senator Burgess is trying to get a time limit. That's really important.
• Or limiting it.

Summary: The committee heard and advanced a wide range of bills, with several focused on water safety, utilities, and local government transparency. CS/SB 848 on stormwater treatment was explained as clarifying water quality credits and water quality enhancement areas, and it was reported favorably after one support appearance. SB 28, a claim bill for Reginald Jackson against the City of Lakeland arising from injuries caused by a police shooting, was also reported favorably. CS/CS/SB 658 on water safety requirements for rental properties drew extensive testimony in support from child advocacy and drowning prevention advocates, who cited Florida’s high child drowning rates and the disproportionate impact on children with autism; the bill was amended to require front-end certification and remove local add-on authority, then passed favorably. CS/SB 18, a claim bill involving the estate of a deceased minor and the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, was reported favorably after questions about the verdict, settlement posture, and who would receive the funds. SB 934 on areas of critical state concern was amended to remove a provision viewed as conflicting with the Live Local Act and then passed favorably. SB 1622, which creates a one-time waiver for certain late-filed financial disclosure fines, also passed favorably with support from an appearance form. SB 1264 on private schools and zoning was reported favorably after members noted ongoing concerns and planned further discussion. CS/CS/SB 260 on electric vehicle storage in towing yards was amended to narrow the bill to storage issues and cap the fee period until inspection; it drew both support and opposition from insurers, fire officials, and vehicle industry representatives, and was reported favorably. CS/CS/SB 1014, dealing with municipal utility service to properties outside city limits, was amended to limit it to residential development and clarify capacity standards, then passed favorably. CS/SB 1102 expanded the local infrastructure surtax to include body camera programs and was reported favorably after an amendment requiring voter approval. Finally, CS/SB 1724 and SB 1566, both on local government utility and budget transparency, were amended and reported favorably despite concerns from cities and counties about implementation costs and burdens.

Transcript Highlights:

• Finally, it specifies that the exemption is limited to public records that identify an individual as
• It also, the House bill limits local governments from receiving grants under the program for more than
• It provides a five-year statute of limitations for felony elections violations and requires driver's
• The House amendment pares down the bill to the most important, which is the death benefit.
• ... ...liability lawsuits by private parties and DEP if certain very limited conditions arise.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and featured a series of member introductions recognizing guests, interns, firefighters, a newly awarded PhD, and the day’s doctor. The chamber also adopted a Senate resolution honoring Indiana University quarterback Fernando Mendoza for winning the Heisman Trophy. After routine business, the Senate moved to special order bills. The first measures taken up were CS/SB 68 on health care patient protection, which required hospitals with emergency departments to adopt pediatric emergency care policies, training, readiness assessments, and a designated pediatric coordinator; it passed 36-0. CS/SB 350 on public records, protecting victim identities and temporarily exempting the names of law enforcement officers who are victims in the line of duty, passed 33-4 after questions about access for victims’ attorneys. CS/SB 576 on local government cybersecurity established a state-administered cybersecurity protection program for local governments, prioritized rural and fiscally constrained communities, and was amended before passing 37-0. CS/SB 532 on clerks of court, allowing clerks to retain all revenue above projections and incorporating related provisions on legal notices, traffic citation distributions, and municipal fee splits, passed 38-0. CS/SB 696 on trademark registration modernized the filing system and passed 38-0. CS/SB 698 on septic system permits, addressing permit delays and aligning House and Senate language on liability if construction begins early, also passed 38-0. The longest debate centered on CS/SB 1334 / CS/HB 991 on elections and election integrity. The bill would use REAL ID data to verify citizenship for voter registration and list maintenance, revise candidate-qualification rules, change acceptable voter IDs, add citizenship markers to driver licenses and ID cards by July 1, 2027, and make other election-administration changes. Multiple amendments were offered and defeated, including proposals to allow attestations in lieu of documentation, exempt seniors, require human review over automated systems, preserve student and retirement-center IDs, and delay implementation to July 1, 2027. One amendment was adopted to retain a stock-trading disclosure for candidates. The chamber then continued debate on the underlying bill, with supporters citing state reports of non-citizen registrations/voting and opponents warning of disenfranchisement for students, seniors, and others who may lack the required documents.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:05:51.000><c> to</c> leaders and the minority whip limited to leaders and the minority whip limited
• cut in their benefits the average benefit<00:34:04.880><c> for</c><00:34:05.159><c> social</c><00:34:
• </c> 7% cut in benefit 7% cut in benefit so<00:34:58.920><c> proposals</c><00:34:59.520><c> by</c><00
• </c><00:35:16.000><c> for</c> benefit and as I said that benefit for benefit and as I said that benefit
• for limited water.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, all those laws were written after the CCPA, so they have had the benefit of learning from us
• So the definition of toys is limited also by the definition of companion AI, which was established in
• time-limited nature of this.
• Thank you very much for sticking right to the time limit. And next, two minutes. Very good.
• Thank you very much for sticking right to the time limit and next two minutes. Very good.

Committee: Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection

Summary: The committee convened for its first hearing, took roll, and heard several privacy- and AI-related bills. SB 1106 by Senator Cabaldon would shorten the Delete Act data broker deletion deadline from 45 days to 30 days; it drew support from a technology and democracy group, no opposition testimony, and was moved out on a due pass to Appropriations vote. SB 923 by Senator Becker would expand the CCPA deletion right to cover all personal information held by a business and require online-only businesses to offer a web form or similar method for privacy requests; supporters included the California Privacy Protection Agency and privacy advocates, while business groups raised concerns about scope, compliance, and the email/web-form requirement. The bill passed 6-0 to Appropriations, with some members noting they were laying off or wanted further amendments. The committee also heard SB 1142, the Digital Dignity Act, which would regulate digital replicas and deepfakes on large online platforms, including takedown and revocation procedures and penalties. Supporters said it would protect Californians from fraud, harassment, and nonconsensual synthetic likeness use; opponents, including the Motion Picture Association, CCIA, TechNet, and others, raised First Amendment, due process, Section 230, and overbreadth concerns, especially around deceased persons and the 48-hour takedown process. Members said they supported the bill but wanted further work before Judiciary, and it passed 6-0 as amended to Judiciary. The committee also adopted its rules without objection. Later, SB 867 by Senator Padilla would impose a four-year moratorium on the sale and manufacture of AI chatbot-powered toys for children, citing research showing unsafe, sexually explicit, or privacy-invasive behavior; child advocacy and consumer groups supported it, while retailers and civil justice groups sought narrower definitions and liability protections. It passed 7-0 to Appropriations. SB 1247 would give child influencers, once adults, a right to request deletion or modification of images and likenesses used in monetized social media content; it drew no support testimony but was opposed by a civil justice group over the creation of a new private right of action, and it passed 7-0 to Judiciary. SB 930, the consent-calendar item, was approved 7-0. The committee then heard SB 1114, which would restrict sharing of state-collected data related to LGBTQ Californians absent an enforceable order, with supporters arguing it would protect sensitive data from misuse by federal agencies and preserve trust in state programs. It passed 6-0 to Appropriations. SB 1159 would let local governments treat AI bots and agents differently from people for Brown Act, public records, and related civic participation laws, in response to AI-generated comment floods; supporters from environmental, local government, and nonprofit groups said it was needed to preserve human participation, while opponents argued the bill should focus on fraud rather than AI and warned about overreach. The bill passed 9-0 to Appropriations. Finally, SB 1050 would require disclosures when synthetic performers are used in advertisements; labor and consumer advocates supported it as a truth-in-advertising measure, while media and industry groups objected that it was overbroad and should be narrowed to misleading ads and aligned with existing law. Members signaled support for the bill’s goal but also raised concerns about scope and consistency with current false-advertising rules.