Transcript Highlights:

• Guards receive just eight hours of pre-assignment training and only four hours required to be in an organized
• and formal setting, followed by eight hours of post-assignment training.
• As the previous testifiers noted, those are post-assignment training and pre-assignment training.
• As the previous testifiers noted, those are post-assignment training and pre-assignment training.

Summary: The Labor and Workplace Standards Committee held public hearings on three bills. HB 2524 would create a State Security Guards Industry Standards Board within L&I to set minimum standards for security guard pay, leave, benefits, and training, funded in part by a $25 transfer from security licensing fees. The bill’s sponsor and labor supporters said it would professionalize the industry, improve safety, and address high turnover and inadequate training. Security workers described unsafe conditions, retaliation, and being expected to handle crises without enough support. Opponents from business and security companies argued the bill duplicates existing licensing and training rules, would raise costs, and gives too much authority to an unelected board; L&I said it had administrative concerns about timing and fee handling. The hearing on HB 2524 was then closed. HB 2513 would change plumbing license suspension rules by keeping the current three-infractions-in-three-years standard for residential work, while creating a five-infractions-in-five-years standard for non-residential plumbing violations. The sponsor and supporters from mechanical contractors and labor said repeat violators undermine safety and fair competition, and that the bill gives L&I a stronger enforcement tool against bad actors in commercial work. Several plumbing contractor groups opposed the bill as written, focusing on a new subsection they said was vague and could create an undefined corrective process or overly broad discretion for L&I; they asked that the subsection be removed or the bill be delayed for more stakeholder work. L&I requested an effective date of January 1, 2027 to allow time for rulemaking. HB 2611 would reduce the standard workweek from 40 hours to 32 hours starting January 1, 2028, and would also change paid sick leave accrual from one hour per 40 hours worked to one hour per 32 hours worked. The sponsor and labor supporters said a shorter workweek would improve work-life balance, reduce burnout and turnover, and could increase productivity, citing examples from San Juan County and other places. Business, hospitality, grocery, construction, agriculture, and janitorial representatives opposed the bill, saying it would raise labor costs, reduce hours and flexibility, complicate scheduling, and hurt industries with thin margins or seasonal demands. The committee heard no votes or final action on HB 2611 before closing the hearing and ending business for the day.

Transcript Highlights:

• HOW ARE YOU TRAINING TEACHERS AND PROFESSIONALS TO CREATE ASSIGNMENTS OR GRADING PRACTICES THAT ARE AI
• Valdes: THE FIRST ONE IS HOW ARE WE TRAINING TEACHERS AND PROFESSORS TO DESIGN ASSIGNMENTS OR ASSESSMENTS
• LOT OF DISTRICTS ARE USING AS A REFERENCE POINT WHICH SAYS WHAT IS THE ENTRY POINT FOR AI ON THIS ASSIGNMENT
• LEVEL TO BE VERY, VERY INTENTIONAL ABOUT LETTING THEM KNOW HOW WE ARE USING IT ON THIS PARTICULAR ASSIGNMENT
• YOU CAN BRING INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGNERS IN TO ADD THOSE ASSIGNMENT ACTIVITIES. >> Chair: THANK YOU.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our staff are assigned to the department for administrative purposes.
• Our staff are assigned to the Department for administrative purposes.
• Our staff are assigned to the department for administrative purposes.
• As I shared earlier, the Commission was statutorily assigned the task of monitoring and oversight of
• months of gathering data and information specific to the statutory responsibilities we have been assigned

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee met, took roll, and heard introductory remarks from members about their districts and transportation priorities, with several senators noting congestion and mobility challenges in their regions. The committee then received a presentation from the Florida Transportation Commission on its oversight role for FDOT, including annual and quarterly performance reviews, review of the five-year work program, and monitoring of tolling and transit authorities. Members asked whether the commission gets involved in project prioritization; the answer was no, because it is statutorily limited to high-level oversight rather than day-to-day project decisions. The committee next heard two reports related to transportation disadvantaged and paratransit services. FDOT’s Melissa Smith described the statewide Transportation Disadvantaged program, its governance structure, service models, and challenges such as fragmented administration, cost, inconsistent reporting, and rural service limitations. She outlined recommendations including better use of technology, regional partnerships, improved training, and alternative delivery models like microtransit and TNC partnerships. A University of South Florida researcher, Martin Katala, discussed best practices for paratransit and demand-response service, emphasizing route optimization software, dynamic dispatching, service standards, vendor accountability, and the use of TNCs and mobility management to improve efficiency and reduce travel times. A later presentation from UF’s I-Street program focused on emerging technologies for transit, including in-cabin monitoring, automatic restraints, accessible booking and tracking tools, and the need for statewide safety standards and better driver interfaces. Finally, FDOT Secretary Jared Perdue and District 5 Secretary John Tyler provided an update on the transition of SunRail local entities. They explained the differences among commuter rail, intercity rail, and light rail, and said SunRail’s financial transition to local partners was completed on January 1, with operational transition to follow over up to three years. They contrasted that with Tri-Rail, where FDOT still funds operations and discussions about a future transition are ongoing. Members asked about the differences between SunRail, Tri-Rail, Amtrak, and Brightline, and the presenters explained that commuter rail serves regional daily commuters while intercity rail connects regions. The committee concluded without taking any formal votes or other legislative action.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Well, I take a lot upon myself that I'm not assigned.
• , I take a lot upon myself that I'm Well, I take a lot upon myself that I'm not<00:20:30.680><c> assigned
• This is a job that pretty not assigned.
• attend committee meetings when<00:28:47.600><c> we</c><00:28:47.800><c> are</c><00:28:47.960><c> assigned
• time to be in when we are assigned time to be in committee. committee. committee.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:59:09.279><c> The</c> assignment. That's one question. The assignment. That's one question.
• , which happens, and they've sent their child to boarding school here and the boarding school is assigned
• , which happens, and they've sent their child to boarding school here and the boarding school is assigned
• :02:30.160><c> boarding</c><02:02:30.479><c> school</c><02:02:30.640><c> is</c><02:02:30.800><c> assigned
• ,</c><02:02:31.279><c> you</c> and the boarding school is assigned, you and the boarding school is assigned

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill expands the list of counties that may establishes. mentally capable of the work assignment.
• The bill requires the department to assign a student ID number for all scholarship recipients.
• The department would assign a student ID number for all scholarship recipients that would act as the
• What we're doing is we had a family that was overseas because their parent is assigned in public service
• And we wanted to make sure that if somebody's stationed overseas, ...assigned in public service in the

Summary: The Appropriations Committee met for Budget Day and heard presentations on the Senate’s proposed 2025-2026 budget, SPB 25-200, totaling $117.4 billion. Chair Hooper said the plan reduces overall spending from the prior year, keeps strong reserves, includes a 4% pay raise for state employees, maintains employee health care contributions, and makes major investments in water quality, transportation, and education infrastructure. Committee chairs then summarized their budget silos, including K-12 education, higher education, health and human services, criminal and civil justice, transportation/tourism/economic development, and agriculture/environment/general government. Members asked questions mainly about school funding, AP and dual enrollment support, voucher and scholarship impacts, and the My Safe Florida Home program. The committee adopted a large consent package of amendments and then approved three late-file amendments: funding virtual college tours for high school students, funding the FSU Sunshine Genetics program, and providing money for the Port of Fernandina customs facility. The committee then voted to report SPB 2500, the General Appropriations Bill, as a committee bill. It also favorably reported SPB 2502 (implementing bill), SPB 2504 (state employees placeholder), SB 7022 (Florida Retirement System contribution rates and DROP changes), CS/SB 1320 (recreating the Resilient Florida Trust Fund), SPB 2506 (gaming compact revenue distributions, including water projects and rural lands), SPB 2508 (29 new judgeships), SB 7014 (ending the court mediation and arbitration trust fund), SPB 2510 (K-12 conforming bill), SPB 2512 (higher education conforming bill), and SPB 2514 (health and human services conforming bill). The committee also took up several policy bills. It approved SB 7028 on cancer research, creating grant parameters, reporting requirements, a five-year pediatric cancer research incubator, and the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute VisionGen Initiative. It approved CS/CS/SB 170 on nursing home quality, adding resident satisfaction surveys, medical director standards, safety culture reviews, electronic health record requirements, financial reporting penalties, and a study of best practices. It approved CS/CS/SB 168, the Tristan Murphy Act, which expands mental health diversion options, adds Hillsborough County to a forensic hospital diversion pilot, expands grant uses, and creates a behavioral health data repository. It also approved SB 114 creating the Florida Center for Excellence in Insurance and Risk Management at FSU and moving the public hurricane loss model there. The committee then began considering SB 180 on emergency preparedness and response, including a late-file amendment, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, I move the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted and bills be properly assigned.
• Chairman, I move the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted and bills be properly assigned.
• Properly assigned. Excellent. That was my bad. Mr. Majority Leader. Those in favor vote aye.
• The bills be properly assigned. I knew you'd get there.
• Back to the Majority Leader's motion on adopting the bills and properly assigning them.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Their stories are not here to assign blame or elicit sympathy, but they're here to remind us of what's
• Like if my 11-year-old boy, who is assigned male at birth, presents as a boy, and I'm a..."
• I'm also non-binary, as I do not identify with the gender I was assigned at birth because I am intersex
• I'm also non-binary, as I do not identify with the gender I was assigned at birth because I am intersex
• And it would be ridiculous to make them use the bathroom that they were assigned at birth when they are

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:33:01.840><c> know</c><00:33:01.919><c> they</c><00:33:02.159><c> get</c><00:33:02.320><c> assigned
• </c> says is that you know they get assigned says is that you know they get assigned projects<00:33:03.919
• But if the SFA is going to do the job that you guys assigned them to do, then they got to move ahead.
• and getting it done they were assigned and getting it done on<00:51:24.640><c> time</c><00:51:25.359
• </c> to do the job that you guys assigned to do the job that you guys assigned them<00:52:09.520><c>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education heard several advice-and-consent nominations to the School Facilities Authority. For GM779, Shelley Pa was introduced as a nominee for a term ending June 30, 2029. The Department of Education supported her nomination, citing her large-scale operations and stakeholder-engagement experience. In her testimony, Pa said she retired from community policing, wanted to give back to teachers and students, and believed her strengths were collaboration, listening to community input, and helping balance differing priorities. Committee members questioned her about the construction and infrastructure focus of the board, her lack of direct construction experience, and how she would handle disagreements and budget limits; she responded that she would rely on collaboration, ask questions, and keep decisions centered on students, teachers, and the community while staying within budget. The committee then heard GM777 and GM778 for Robert Davis, with terms ending June 30, 2025 and June 30, 2029. Davis described more than 30 years with the Department of Education, including roles as teacher, coach, counselor, vice principal, principal, and complex area superintendent, and said he had worked on major facilities projects and managed pandemic-era funding. He emphasized communication, transparency, and trust, and explained that his experience on the Early Learning Board helped him understand how to set policy, identify schools for pre-K, and use data and community factors in decision-making. Members asked how he would handle SFA’s growing pains, the need to balance DOE wishes with practical and budgetary limits, and the board’s role when the legislature controls funding; Davis said the board must keep communication open, include the right people, and make sensible decisions that move projects forward without stalling. For GM780, nominee Michael Unbasami was introduced for a term ending June 30, 2029. The Department of Education supported him, highlighting over five decades of public service and experience in facilities management, finance, and legislative affairs. Unbasami said he had recently retired after 31 years as associate vice president for administrative affairs for the community colleges and had extensive experience with facilities planning, construction, renovation, repairs, and working within budgets. He stated that the DOE should be treated as the SFA’s client because it knows student, teacher, and facility needs best, while SFA’s role is to implement construction work and collaborate on priorities. Committee members pressed him on how to balance DOE requests with practical project delivery, especially for teacher housing and other non-classroom needs, and he said the legislature funds the work, SFA must keep projects moving, and the workflow should involve collaboration but also realistic decisions that fit the budget and avoid delays.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, this we'll be voting on this to um to approve this, and then this will go into this will be assigned
• LSR that you might file, you sign off on that LSR and then it goes up to the clerk and they clerk assigns
• Once this LSR goes up to the clerk, he will assign a House Resolution number to it and then um include
• Once this LSR goes up to the clerk, he will assign a House Resolution number to it and then um include
• Once this LSR goes up to the clerk, he will assign a House Resolution number to it and then um include

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first met in a revenue estimate work session to approve an LSR codifying the committee’s revenue estimates. Members reviewed the process for turning the LSR into a House Resolution and discussed how the adopted estimates would be used to amend House Bill 1. After a brief question-and-answer about current revenue splits and the governor’s proposed video lottery and tax-split changes, the committee voted 19-0 to approve the revenue estimates. The committee then moved into executive session on HB 669, which would require all revenue from the statewide education property tax to be deposited into the education trust fund and set an equalized statewide tax rate. Supporters argued the bill would better direct education funding, while opponents said it was unnecessary or duplicative. The committee voted 12-7 to retain the bill (ITL), and a minority report was noted. Next, the committee considered HB 290, which would raise cigarette and electronic cigarette taxes and create a study committee on tobacco and nicotine taxes. Testimony focused on revenue needs, inflation, public health, and concerns that a higher tax could reduce sales or drive purchases across state lines. The committee voted 11-8 to ITL the bill, with a minority report. The committee also ITL’d HB 402, dealing with whether Education Freedom Account payments are taxable income, after debate over unintended consequences and whether the bill’s language was misleading; that vote was 11-8 with a minority report. Finally, the committee opened HB 483, and Representative Tierney moved ITL, arguing the bill’s requirement that the scholarship organization be incorporated in New Hampshire would likely violate the Commerce Clause; the transcript cuts off before the vote on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• to a managed care plan that assigns them to a primary care provider.
• to a managed care plan who assigns Medi-Cal and 80% have Medi-Cal.
• They get assigned to a managed care plan who assigns them to a primary care provider.
• AB 371 empowers patients by allowing them to assign benefits to out-of-network providers so they don't
• To enhance consumer protections, if an out-of-network dentist accepts assignment of benefits, thereby

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee met on April 22 and took up a special order of bills focused largely on prior authorization and utilization management in health care. The chair framed the discussion as part of a broader legislative effort to reduce delays and barriers to care, especially in behavioral health, chronic disease management, cancer treatment, and rehabilitation services. AB 384 by Assembly Member Connolly would prohibit prior authorization for inpatient mental health or substance use emergency admissions and related physician care; supporters said it would prevent dangerous delays in crisis care, while insurers and health plans warned about fraud, abuse, and ambiguity around residential treatment facilities. The bill was moved on a due pass as amended motion and passed the committee on a party-line style vote, with Republicans largely absent or not voting. The committee then heard AB 510 by Assembly Member Addis, which would require health plans, upon request, to provide a peer reviewer of the same or similar specialty when a treating provider appeals a prior authorization denial or modification. Supporters argued that specialty-matched review would make appeals fairer and more clinically informed; opponents said the requirement was too rigid and that timelines and electronic submission rules needed changes. After discussion about the need for timely, specialty-specific review, the bill was approved on a due pass as amended motion and placed on call. AB 539 by Assembly Member Schiavo would extend prior authorization approvals to one year or the duration of the physician’s prescribed treatment for chronic conditions; supporters cited repeated denials and treatment interruptions, while opponents raised concerns about overbreadth, fraud, and the need for shorter validity periods. The bill was also passed as amended and placed on call. The committee next considered AB 669 by Assembly Member Haney, which would bar concurrent and retrospective review for the first 28 days of medically necessary substance use disorder treatment and limit prior authorization for related outpatient medications. The bill was presented with a powerful personal story from Ryan Matlock’s mother about her son’s death after an insurer cut off treatment early; supporters said the measure would keep patients in care long enough to stabilize, while opponents argued it would reduce oversight and could allow lower-quality or non-evidence-based care. The bill was moved on a due pass as amended motion and placed on call. Finally, AB 512 by Assembly Member Harabedian would shorten prior authorization response times to 24 hours for urgent requests and 48 hours for non-urgent requests; supporters said delays can worsen outcomes, while opponents warned the timelines were unrealistic and could increase administrative burdens and safety issues. The bill was approved as amended and placed on call. AB 574 by Assembly Member Mark Gonzalez was then heard; it would allow up to 12 medically necessary physical therapy sessions for a new episode of care without prior authorization, with supporters emphasizing stroke and neurological recovery and opponents warning of reduced oversight and unnecessary care. The transcript ends during testimony on AB 574, before final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• My last assignment required working long hours with no additional compensation.
• My last assignment required working long hours with no additional compensation.
• My last assignment required working long hours with no additional compensation.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Service held a hybrid hearing focused on insurance and retirement-related bills. Representative Hendricks testified in support of H.2874, which would create a Medicare buy-in program for certain state retirees age 65 and older who are not currently Medicare eligible, with the Commonwealth paying Part A premiums and late penalties. He argued the bill would reduce retiree health costs for the state and municipalities while improving benefits for retirees. Don Buckley also testified in support of H.2874, describing his own situation as a long-serving state retiree without Medicare coverage and urging passage of the bill. Paul Jakes of the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts and Michael Riley of the Massachusetts Association of Contributory Retirement Systems testified in support of H.2999/S.1862, which would provide fair worker representation on joint purchasing group committees. Riley also supported H.2933/S.1816, which would add a seat on the PRIM Board for non-state teacher retirement systems, and H.2954/H.1813, which would change the criteria and duration for systems considered underperforming in the public employee retirement system funding rules. He said the changes would better reflect current conditions and limit forced participation in PRIT to five years rather than in perpetuity. Committee members asked no questions during the hearing. After testimony concluded and no additional witnesses came forward, the committee voted to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:08:33.680><c> The</c><00:08:33.919><c> message</c><00:08:34.240><c> assigned</c> Wesland, and
• The message assigned Wesland, and Lang. The message assigned Thomas<00:08:35.200><c> S.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• to that section will continue assigned to that section will continue to to to do<00:15:19.600><c> so
• </c><00:15:36.600><c> to</c><00:15:36.720><c> Social</c> have agents that are assigned to Social have
• We'll continue to do the fraud work that that team has been assigned and expected to do, again, back
• We'll continue to do the fraud work that that team has been assigned and expected to do, again, back
• They've already been going through that transition, and they are getting assignments.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I think we have about 150 to 200 now that have been approved and have been assigned to committees.
• </c><00:12:16.959><c> been</c> have been approved and have been have been approved and have been assigned
• </c><00:12:17.839><c> I</c><00:12:18.000><c> encourage</c><00:12:18.240><c> you</c> assigned to committees
• I encourage you assigned to committees.

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 12 January, 2026; 4:00 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I actually moved here in 2007 to try to get change to assign attorneys.
• When I first started the Parent Guidance Center in 2004, parents were not automatically assigned attorneys
• , we actually, in rural areas, often have a shortage of attorneys, or what's happening with the assignments
• Indigent parents often get assigned an attorney that doesn't understand their cases, and then their relatives

Bills: SB1960, SB1730, SB766, SB2342, SB2501, SB2903

Keywords: digital rights, replication, Voice likeness, visual likeness, private causes of action, fee structure, online service providers, postmortem rights, self-defense, stand your ground, castle doctrine, use of force, deadly force, civil immunity, civil liability, tort claims, attorney fees, court costs, lost income, Chapter 9 Penal Code

Transcript Highlights:

• personnel and their volunteers, the number of cases that they use, that they see, that they are assigned
• </c><00:02:49.040><c> they</c><00:02:49.440><c> um</c><00:02:49.599><c> are</c><00:02:49.840><c> assigned
• </c> that they see that they um are assigned that they see that they um are assigned to<00:02:50.560>

Bills: HF2300

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill does not have an FN assigned to it.
• Um, regarding this section, my understanding again is sort of that question of the assignment of that
• Um, regarding this section, my understanding again is sort of that question of the assignment of that
• of that payment um of the assignment of that payment from<01:21:25.040><c> that</c><01:21:25.280><c>
• So there's no that that payment is or that that compensation is assigned to the utility.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll assign that floor statement to Assembly Member Anderson.
• I'll assign that floor statement to Assembly Member Cole.
• I'll assign that floor statement to Assembly Member Yurek.
• I'll assign that floor statement to Assembly Member Eurek.
• I will assign that floor statement to Assembly Member Hardy.

Bills: AB52, AB76, AB163, AB388, AB483

Keywords: health insurance, claims process, insurance regulation, admin penalties, healthcare access, cannabis, cannabis establishment, medical cannabis, adult-use cannabis, advertising regulations, packaging requirements, unlicensed cannabis activities, state prosecution, confidentiality, Cannabis Compliance Board, disciplinary proceedings, mental health, counseling, interstate practice, telehealth

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, the board relies on investigators to manage their assigned caseloads but had not implemented
• Board statute assigns the executive director the authority to perform the board's administrative duties
• We assigned weights to certain case categories, and we were assigning cases with complaints based on.
• We assigned weights to certain case categories, and we were assigning cases with complaints based on
• it more efficient just to make sure that our IT support responsibilities are clearly defined and assigned

Summary: The committee met as a Joint Health and Human Services Committee of Reference to hear sunset reviews and performance audit findings for several health-related boards. The first action taken was on the Arizona State Board of Pharmacy. The Auditor General reported that while the board met some licensing deadlines, it had significant problems enforcing controlled substances prescription monitoring program (CSPMP) requirements, timely investigating complaints, and documenting fee analyses and other compliance items. The board director said the agency had implemented some recommendations, was seeking legislative help on CSPMP enforcement and data issues, and described staffing and vendor challenges. A public member testified that the board was generally efficient but that statutory gaps limited its effectiveness. The committee then voted 13-0, with six not voting, to continue the Board of Pharmacy for six years until July 1, 2032, with statutory changes to improve its operations. The committee next reviewed the Arizona State Board of Nursing. The Auditor General found the board timely processed licenses but continued to resolve too many complaints late, with a large and growing backlog of open cases, and identified additional issues in oversight, accounting, public records, and conflict-of-interest practices. The executive director said the board had been under-resourced as nursing volume and complaints increased, requested 28 additional investigative positions, and described efforts to triage cases and improve tracking. The Arizona Nurses Association supported the board’s role and said it was working on a bill, House Bill 2408, to improve accountability, prioritization, and fairness in the disciplinary process. A nurse attorney testified that changes to complaint notice, the scope of investigations, and triage could shorten delays. The committee approved continuation of the Board of Nursing for four years until July 1, 2030, by a 14-0 vote with five not voting. The committee then heard the sunset review for the Arizona Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners. The Auditor General reported that the board generally met licensing timelines but had documentation problems verifying fingerprint clearance cards or criminal history checks, and it failed to act promptly on a renewal application involving serious sex-trafficking-related charges. The board said it had accepted all recommendations, had implemented most of them, had moved to a new licensing platform, and had hired help to address rulemaking delays. Members asked about fingerprint verification and the handling of the serious criminal charges. The committee voted 16-0 to continue the board for four years until July 1, 2030, with statutory changes to improve its performance. Finally, the committee began the review of the Arizona Regulatory Board of Physician Assistants. The Auditor General found the board had met some licensing and enforcement requirements but lacked adequate executive oversight, accountability, and tracking systems, and it had very high complaint-resolution delays. The report also criticized the board’s incentive pay structure, which paid all staff based on measures unrelated to complaint timeliness. The new executive director said the board had created formal investigative timelines, improved reporting, sought additional support staff, and was updating IT and incentive metrics; she also explained that the board is a shared agency with the Medical Board. The transcript ends during this presentation, before any vote on the physician assistant board is shown.