Transcript Highlights:

• Optometrists cite a need for change based on lack of access in rural communities, the appropriateness
• To answer that, the epinephrine delivery devices was something that was requested to be added.
• To answer that, the epinephrine delivery devices was something that was requested to be added.
• The wise legislators passed the bill, allowed us to use those drugs.
• So I just think that it’s at their request and they should be able to answer that for you.

Committee: House Professional Registration and Licensing

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• during the last legislative session.
• This year, Senator Aaron Grohl and Representative Danny Alvarez have requested a continuation of the
• funding for the 2025-26 school year by filing appropriation request number 2788 in the Florida Senate
• The bill appropriates $2 million, allocated from the general revenue fund, for testing.
• The bill appropriates $2 million from the general revenue fund for testing equipment to support FDLE's

Committee: Senate Agriculture

Summary: The Committee on Agriculture heard a presentation from Florida FFA state officers Gabby Howell and Macy Jordan, who described FFA and agricultural education as a three-part model of classroom instruction, supervised agricultural experience, and leadership development. They highlighted FFA membership growth, Florida’s more than 60,000 members, industry certifications, and state funding that allows all agriculture education students to participate at no cost. Members praised the students and the organization’s role in developing future agricultural leaders. The committee then took up SB 438, which would regulate hemp and hemp extract products, including THC-infused beverages, by adding testing, labeling, retail location, age, and event restrictions, along with penalties and $2 million for testing equipment. Senator Burton said the bill is intended to address public safety, prevent products with illegal THC levels from reaching consumers, and respond to the governor’s prior veto concerns, especially store location and regulation. An amendment clarifying final batch testing was adopted without objection. Testimony was mixed. Supporters, including beverage distributors, law enforcement, and some hemp beverage businesses, backed regulation and said the bill would improve safety and clarity, though some asked for changes to avoid treating specialty beverage retailers like liquor stores. Opponents and some hemp industry representatives argued the bill was too restrictive, would hurt small businesses, and could push products into the black market; they also objected to THC limits, event restrictions, and the proposed regulatory structure. After debate, the committee voted 6-0 to report CS for SB 438 favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was held in Appropriations.
• That they've all come on in support of this legislation.
• This is a due pass to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. Okay. Okay. You want to close? Okay.
• The motion is due pass to Appropriations. Gipson, aye. Sanchez, aye. Carrillo, aye. DeMaio, aye.
• McKenna's point, Jay Lack will be, I'm sure, glad to have a request from you or whoever else.

Committee: House Revenue and Taxation

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Judy Randall, Legislative Auditor.
• </c><00:03:31.159><c> um</c> receive a general fund appropriation um receive a general fund appropriation
• </c><00:03:43.720><c> and</c><00:03:43.840><c> $17</c> million in Appropriations and $17 million in Appropriations
• </c> think that would be you know appropriate think that would be you know appropriate and<00:26:40.720
• </c> the appropriate the appropriate information<01:26:23.159><c> does</c><01:26:23.400><c> not</c><01

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I think it would be appropriate.
• </c><00:18:31.120><c> dis-</c> says you cannot change legislative dis- says you cannot change legislative
• And that's up to you legislators.
• </c> And that's up to you legislators. And that's up to you legislators.
• </c> So, my request is simple.

Bills: HB1

Committee: House Ways and Means General Fund

Keywords: HB1, Alabama, elections, primary election, special primary, runoff, congressional districts, redistricting, reapportionment, district boundaries, federal court, injunction, judgment, Governor proclamation, nominee certification, party nominee, general election 2026, election calendar, voting rights, congressional race

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> I tried to draft a bill on legislative I tried to draft a bill on legislative burnout,<00:01:16.320
• </c><00:10:31.600><c> to</c> Members, we have received requests to Members, we have received requests
• , appropriate, appropriate, the<00:41:12.640><c> availability</c><00:41:13.359><c> of</c><00:41:13.520
• Council; Office of the Legislative Council; Legislative Policy and Records Attorney; Department of the
• Check weeks until legislative cabaret.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislation also eliminates the requirement for the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating
• So as I mentioned earlier, this board cannot appropriate or allocate any sort of funding.
• So these are appropriations made 5, 10, 15 years ago that are recurring.
• So these are appropriations made 5, 10, 15 years ago that are recurring.
• And for the WEA account in 2527, over 50% of all appropriations, over $1.6 billion, are carry forward

Summary: The Postsecondary Education and Workforce Committee held public hearings on two bills. Substitute Senate Bill 5931 would make administrative changes to the Workforce Education Investment Accountability and Oversight Board, including extending co-chair terms from one to two years, allowing more than four meetings per year, requiring consultation with the Student Achievement Council when evaluating outcomes, and removing the statutory public dashboard requirement. Staff and the bill sponsor, Senator Warnick, described it as a technical, no-fiscal-impact measure requested by the Student Achievement Council. Joel Anderson of WOSAC testified in support, explaining that the board’s role is advisory, that the bill would improve operations, and that WOSAC has spent significant staff time tracking Workforce Education Investment Account spending, especially carry-forward appropriations. The committee then heard Senate Bill 5963, which would modify Passport to Careers and Washington College Grant eligibility. The bill would automatically make Passport to Careers students income-eligible for the Washington College Grant beginning in the 2026-27 academic year, align the Passport financial-need formula with the federal student aid index, and direct Passport funds into the state financial aid account. Staff noted the bill was identical to the House companion. Testimony from WOSAC, the Washington Student Association, and a Western Washington University student representative all supported the bill, emphasizing the high barriers faced by former foster youth and unaccompanied homeless youth and the value of guaranteed, earlier access to aid. Senator Nobles said the bill would fulfill the state’s promise to help these students access higher education and would not increase costs. At the close of the hearing, the chair announced amendment deadlines for possible Tuesday executive action: requests due Monday at 10 a.m. and approval by 6 p.m. The committee planned to caucus and did not meet on Friday.

Transcript Highlights:

• So more appropriate for Attorney Hon to answer that.
• session or next legislative session.
• session or next legislative session.
• session or next legislative session.
• Would that be appropriate, maybe, to add this as well if it is a dark photo or dark video?

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• your support for at least this operating request before you this morning.
• your support for at least this operating request before you this morning.
• your support for at least this operating request before you this morning.
• your support for at least this operating request before you this morning.
• </c><00:29:39.679><c> on</c> the goals behind the legislation on the goals behind the legislation on

Bills: HF1234 , HF1956 , HF1025 , HF1172 , HF791

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Keywords: payment transparency, public contracts, contractor rights, government accountability, construction payments, municipal finance, liquor store, audit requirements, state auditor, local government, historic flag, state flag, display standards, ceremonial, Minnesota Statutes, Ursa Minor, state symbol, Minnesota state laws, constellation, official state designation

Transcript Highlights:

• I appreciate the opportunity to bring this piece of legislation before you.
• purview for appropriating the money?
• But if JFAC decided not to appropriate the funds, then, again, that's a different piece of legislation
• First, this is about legislative oversight, because... Mr.
• First, this is about legislative oversight.

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, comes to us late, but also that there's a legislative appointment in the proposal.
• </c> a few things including legislative a few things including legislative appointment,<00:04:28.480>
• c> the</c><00:08:31.560><c> Rules</c> So, I'm requesting that the Rules So, I'm requesting that the Rules
• </c><00:10:44.000><c> This</c><00:10:44.200><c> is</c> appropriate, in my opinion.
• This is appropriate, in my opinion.

Committee: Senate Rules and Administration

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> requests by healthcare providers. requests by healthcare providers.
• And this legislation, as new ones.
• </c> legislation and and had undone it. legislation and and had undone it.
• All it does legislation.
• </c> beyond what the piece of legislation is. beyond what the piece of legislation is.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Bonds may not be offered for sale without prior legislative appropriation of the net proceeds.
• The bonds may also not be offered for sale without prior legislative appropriation.
• Bonds may not be offered for sale without prior legislative appropriation of the net proceeds.
• The bonds may also not be offered for sale without prior legislative appropriation.
• In conclusion, I respectfully request a vote in support of this legislation, but I'm happy to answer

Summary: The committee heard briefings and public testimony on three transportation bills. Substitute Senate Bill 6170 would raise WSDOT monetary thresholds for doing repairs in-house and for contracting work intended to support small, veteran-, minority-, and women-owned businesses, increasing the regular repair limit from $60,000 to $100,000, the emergency repair limit from $100,000 to $160,000 with annual inflation adjustment, and the contracting threshold from $100,000 to $160,000. The sponsor and WSDOT supported the bill as an efficiency measure; the fiscal note indicated no fiscal impact. Washington Federation of State Employees also supported it, saying the higher limits would let highway maintenance crews do more work in-house while preserving the existing work split with contractors. Substitute Senate Bill 6225 would authorize new and expanded transportation general obligation bonds, including $1.1 billion for highway projects in the Move Ahead Washington account, $400 million for listed highway projects with cost increases, and a $500 million increase to the SR 520 bond authorization, while also ending issuance of certain older unissued bond authorizations after June 30, 2026. Committee members asked about debt service, bond capacity, and how the money would be allocated; staff said the projects would be handled through the budget process and that the bill was intended to provide flexibility. Labor and business groups supported the bill as a way to fund preservation and maintenance and provide predictability, while Transportation Choices Coalition said any bonding should be limited and paired with broader transportation funding reforms and protection for multimodal programs. Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6354 would allow certain qualifying U.S.-based battery electric vehicle manufacturers that have Washington service facilities and no prior franchise agreements to own and operate dealer licenses and sell directly, while also raising the dealer documentary service fee from $200 to $250 until the end of 2026 and directing part of the increase to an EV rebate program and the multimodal transportation account. Rivian and Lucid supported the bill as a compromise that would expand EV access and direct-sale options; Climate Solutions and the Port of Seattle also supported it, citing emissions reduction and affordability goals. Washington State Auto Dealers Association supported the compromise, saying it strengthens franchise protections while allowing limited direct sales. Honda, Toyota, Ford, GM, and the Alliance for Automotive Innovation opposed the bill, arguing it creates special treatment and weakens the franchise system, and some urged added consumer protections, service requirements, or bonding. The committee took no final action and closed the public hearings after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so I missed that um appropriation.
• And so introducing this legislation.
• </c><00:49:23.440><c> in</c> availability of funds appropriated in availability of funds appropriated
• </c> uh reports by the legislative auditor. uh reports by the legislative auditor.
• Would it be appropriate?

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Both bills share the same legislative intent.
• I just want to thank Senator Pizzo for this good legislation.
• I would respectfully request that we temporarily postpone this bill.
• the center in 2023 with non-recurring appropriations of $1 million.
• And if more are needed, then DCF must either request funding by legislative budget requests or reallocate

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions, including guests from Miami Northwestern Senior High School, Clay County, and a moment of silence for Pope Francis. Members then moved to the special order calendar after adopting a motion to reconsider the earlier failed vote on CS/SB 1080, which was temporarily postponed. The chamber also temporarily postponed several bills during the day, including measures on social media use by minors, veterans’ nursing homes, Parkinson’s disease, mental health and substance use disorders, education, educator preparation, benefits for certain officers injured in the line of duty, Brownfields, and school social workers. The Senate passed a series of bills with little or no opposition, often substituting House companions for Senate bills. These included expedited DNA testing grants for law enforcement; additional aggravating factors in capital felony sentencing; fertility preservation coverage for cancer patients; commuter rail indemnification; disposition of migrant vessels; specialty license plates; an Alzheimer’s and dementia awareness campaign; relocation of the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys to Florida Memorial University; charter school changes; registration rules for sexual predators and offenders; assault and battery penalties for utility workers; juvenile justice revisions; reporting of student mental health outcomes; foster home licensure transfers; water access facilities and boating-related funding; Florida Virtual School changes; school readiness program improvements; protections against lewd sexual images of children; age-related criminal offense provisions; tampering with electronic monitoring devices; certified recovery residences; and codification of the FSU Election Law Center. Most of these bills passed overwhelmingly, though the charter school bill and the aggravating factors bill drew more divided votes. One of the most debated measures was SB 820, codifying the Office of Faith and Community. Senator Polsky offered an amendment to bar political activity by office employees while on duty and using government resources, citing alleged election-related emails and concerns about mixing government and religious influence. Supporters argued the amendment was needed as a guardrail; opponents said existing law already covered the conduct and that the amendment could be confusing or overly broad. The amendment failed 13-23, and the underlying bill passed 27-9 after extended debate about faith, politics, and the office’s role. Another notable debate involved SB 954 on certified recovery residences, where senators emphasized the need for stable housing in addiction recovery and the bill passed unanimously after supportive remarks from members who had personal experience with recovery. The Senate also passed SB 674 on bonuses for county tax collector and property appraiser employees after questions about safeguards and the purpose of the bonuses.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll also get a preview of legislation that may come up in the next legislative session or before one
• We'll also get a preview of legislation that may come up in the next legislative session or before one
• legislator.
• Or any individual legislator.
• As the chair mentioned, we don't endorse legislation.

Summary: The committee’s final day focused first on a historical overview of New Mexico tax packages by Pam Stokes of Legislative Council Services. She described how tax packages have alternated over the decades between tax relief, revenue raising, and tax reform, with examples ranging from the creation of the gross receipts tax in 1966 to major packages in 1981, 1986, 1991, 1994, 2005, 2019, 2022, 2024, and the vetoed 2025 package. Members discussed how tax policy often tracks revenue conditions, how packages can combine increases and decreases, and how local government gross receipts taxes and hold-harmless distributions have affected communities differently. Several members reflected on past packages, especially the 2004 food tax repeal and the 2013 film tax and manufacturing changes, and noted that tax policy can have major economic and political effects even when it is not “sexy” legislation. The committee then heard a proposal to expand the health care practitioner gross receipts tax deduction to include co-insurance, and to extend the sunset date. Sponsor Senator Figueroa said the bill was intended to help recruit and retain medical providers and build on prior deductions for co-pays and deductibles. Testimony explained that co-insurance is the patient’s share after the deductible, that providers currently absorb the gross receipts tax on those payments, and that the proposal would cost about $30 million to the state plus about $20 million to municipalities and counties, with the exact fiscal impact likely to be updated. Members raised concerns about the effect on local governments, whether insurers could be required to reimburse providers, whether the bill would actually attract doctors, and whether better evaluation measures and sunsets should be added. The sponsor said the bill was part of a broader set of efforts to address provider shortages and that the discussion would continue. Representative McQueen then presented a bill to update the Land Conservation Incentives Act. He and conservation partners said the program has protected more than 500,000 acres but has not kept pace with rising land values, especially for irrigated agricultural land in the Middle Rio Grande. The proposal would increase the percentage of conservation value eligible for the credit, raise the per-transaction cap from $250,000 to $2 million, and make the credit refundable rather than only transferable. Testimony emphasized that the program is voluntary, keeps land in private ownership and production, and helps land-rich, cash-poor landowners preserve farmland and water rights. Members asked about average credit amounts, how easements work, whether landowners could effectively buy land and then use the credit, and whether there should be inflation indexing or a statewide cap. The discussion also touched on water rights, fencing, and the role of conservation easements in protecting agricultural land and compact water deliveries. Finally, Senator Sharer previewed his 2% tax proposal with a historical presentation on New Mexico tax law, using props to illustrate the evolution from early territorial tax codes to the modern tax system. He argued that the state’s current tax structure is overly complex and that recent federal changes have disrupted the personal income tax base. The committee did not take any votes on the day’s presentations; the meeting was primarily informational, with members offering feedback and raising policy concerns for future sessions.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> to school shootings while legislators to school shootings while legislators with<00:21:26.720><c
• </c> over any new legislation. over any new legislation.
• this state for leading on this request. this state for leading on this request.
• </c> appropriation and going forward? Mr. appropriation and going forward? Mr.
• </c> against a legislator against a legislator uh<01:57:44.560><c> just</c><01:57:44.719><c> today.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• legisl legisl and<00:44:58.119><c> that's</c><00:44:58.400><c> self-reporting</c><00:44:59.000><c> we
• So this request is in addition to your other budget requests for OHA?
• </c><01:30:00.360><c> sand</c> sand it can be Beach appropriate sand sand it can be Beach appropriate
• <c> Beach</c><01:30:07.480><c> appropriate</c><01:30:07.920><c> sand</c> be um clearing Beach appropriate
• </c> you folks have been finding legislators you folks have been finding legislators to<02:08:19.320>

Committee: House Water & Land

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1233, relating to storm management systems, which would add safety and maintenance requirements for detention and retention ponds. Supporters, including Alison Schafers of the Ki Injury Prevention Coalition and Kristen Herstead of the Hawaii Lifeguard Association, said the measure is needed because poorly maintained ponds can become hidden drowning hazards, especially for children, and argued that fencing, signage, and life-saving equipment would have minimal cost. Schafers described the death of her daughter in a detention pond and said the bill reflects recommendations in the Hawaii Water Safety Plan. Members asked about whether the issue should be handled at the county level; testifiers responded that a statewide standard is needed, though counties would likely handle permitting. No vote was taken on the bill during the excerpted discussion. The committee then heard HB 867, relating to recreational facilities, which would require accessible playgrounds. The Department of Land and Natural Resources said it submitted comments and that state parks do not generally have recreational facilities affected by the bill, while most such facilities are under county jurisdiction. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Disability Communication Access Board, and the Disability Rights Center all supported the bill’s intent but recommended changes, including replacing the term “special needs” with “accessible,” focusing the requirement on new and renovated playgrounds, and specifying wheelchair-accessible swings. Testifiers emphasized that accessible play spaces promote inclusion for children with disabilities and benefit all children. No final action or vote was reported. The committee also took up HB 1358, relating to a public land trust working group. DLNR supported the measure and said it had provided written comments, while the Office of Hawaiian Affairs strongly supported the bill and described longstanding problems with incomplete land inventories, self-reported revenue data, and disputed public land trust payments. OHA said an audit it funded suggests the state owes more than current payments reflect, and other supporters said the bill is needed for transparency, accountability, and a complete inventory of public trust lands, including submerged lands. Committee questions focused on how the public land trust information system is maintained, who updates it, and how revenue reporting works; DLNR said the system is older, has limited dedicated IT staffing, and relies on agency self-reporting rather than independent verification. No vote or final committee action was announced in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and that's largely due to, you know, we typically fund from single appropriations or maybe two appropriations
• Um, you all uh endorsed five pieces of legislation last year.
• Through that particular piece of legislation.
• Uh, so if you saw, we have $5.7 million in actual appropriate, no, $5 million in appropriations and $5.7
• As we develop legislation each year, um, trying to figure out how we, how we legislate that, you're already

Committee: House New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Florida courts have implied preemption when the legislative scheme is pervasive and the local legislation
• The problem is, they ducked all of our requests for reports.
• Our request for information, but finally it came to roost.
• Ambiguous language undermines legislative intent.
• Ambiguous language undermines legislative intent.

Summary: The Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee held its first meeting of the 2025 session and focused on an overview of county and municipal home rule powers and state preemption. After roll call and member introductions, Chair Alex Rizzo and Vice Chair Griff Griffiths explained the constitutional and statutory basis for local self-government, the distinction between charter and non-charter counties, and how express and implied preemption limit local authority. Griffiths emphasized that home rule gives local governments broad power to address community needs, but the Legislature can override that authority through clear preemption, with courts ultimately deciding disputes. Representatives Holcomb and LaMarca added that local issues should generally be addressed locally first, but statewide standards can be appropriate when uniformity is needed or local action is ineffective. The committee then heard from a panel representing counties, cities, business, and construction interests: Ginger Delegal of the Florida Association of Counties, Carolyn Johnson of the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Rebecca O'Hara of the Florida League of Cities, and Carol Bowen of Associated Builders and Contractors of Florida. Delegal and O'Hara argued that home rule is rooted in local autonomy, policy experimentation, and accountability to voters, and warned against broad or “vacuum” preemptions that remove local authority without replacing it with state regulation. Johnson and Bowen supported preemption when local rules create a patchwork that hurts statewide competitiveness, raises costs, or complicates business operations, citing examples such as labor rules, heat safety, permitting, and procurement preferences. The panel also discussed the 2023 local ordinances law, which requires business impact estimates and provides attorney’s fees in certain challenges, as a mechanism to resolve disputes locally before resorting to preemption. Members questioned the panel about the 2024 heat-safety preemption and how to protect workers in the absence of local ordinances. Business representatives said existing OSHA duties and industry best practices already require employers to provide safe conditions, while local governments and the state should avoid inconsistent standards across jurisdictions. Another discussion centered on construction permitting, licensing, and local boards that may slow projects and increase costs; Bowen suggested eliminating redundant local fees and barriers while preserving statewide licensing and enforcement against bad actors. No votes were taken, and the meeting remained informational, with the chair inviting continued discussion on when preemption is appropriate versus when local governments should retain authority.