Transcript Highlights:

• It's based on my students' SAT and ASR scores.
• We inherit scores that come with our students from other schools, um, the same with the ASR scores for
• The NMA, uh, ASR. It, it's just not. Um, and that's our struggle.

Transcript Highlights:

• ASR and the committee substitute, which is in the House Natural Resources committee right now, includes
• And with the groundwater, fresh groundwater exception, that means that your brackish and your ASR projects

Bills: HB3077, HJR2, HJR7, HJR7

Keywords: alcohol, taxation, reporting requirements, sales, distribution, death tax, inheritance tax, estate tax, property transfer, constitutional amendment, water fund, Texas water supply, state revenue, infrastructure, HJR 7, Texas Legislature, quorum, majority quorum, two-thirds quorum, legislative procedure

Transcript Highlights:

• SAS operates the largest groundwater-based ASR facility in the nation, storing about three quarter of
• I'd also like to point out another unique feature of SAS, and that is that our ASR and Brackish projects
• About the only time we could ever maybe do some ASR type stuff would be if we had a pipeline already
• Systems are starting to look for alternatives like brackish diesel and ASR, some of the solutions we've

Transcript Highlights:

• it's 70-something percent of a certain set of benchmarks, you can actually get 1% on top of your 5% ASR
• it's 70-something percent of a certain set of benchmarks, you can actually get 1% on top of your 5% ASR
• So ASR is the money that the plans have to get back, and normally there are certain metrics for how they

Summary: The Health Care Budget Subcommittee met to organize the new term, take roll, and hear introductory presentations from the six agencies under its jurisdiction: the Agency for Health Care Administration, Agency for Persons with Disabilities, Department of Children and Families, Department of Elder Affairs, Department of Health, and Department of Veterans’ Affairs. The chair outlined the committee process, including assigning members to review agencies and make budget recommendations. Each agency head gave a high-level overview of their budget, staffing, major programs, and priorities, with recurring themes including Medicaid, long-term care, disability services, child welfare, mental health, aging services, public health, and veterans’ health care. Several agency leaders highlighted recent initiatives and funding priorities. AHCA emphasized Medicaid managed care, provider regulation, Hope Florida, hospital-at-home, and cancer-related efforts; APD discussed iBudget services, Hope Florida, a managed-care pilot, online applications, and forensic care costs; DCF focused on child protection, foster care, adult protective services, food/cash/medical assistance, mental health, and opioid treatment; Elder Affairs highlighted Alzheimer’s services, community-based senior care, guardianship, ombudsman services, and disaster outreach; DOH covered cancer innovation, maternal telehealth, cybersecurity, HIV/hepatitis/syphilis screening, and school nursing; and Veterans Affairs described benefits and health care access for veterans, long-term care, and federal reimbursement. Several speakers also raised concerns about rising costs, provider rates, disaster response, and access to services. The committee heard two public comments from disability advocates about Medicaid redeterminations affecting iBudget waiver recipients and provider payment delays. In response, AHCA and APD said they were coordinating on data sharing, early outreach, escalation processes, and efforts to reduce disenrollments and make recertification smoother. Members then asked questions about provider rates, opioid settlement spending, managed care quality measures, pediatric rare disease grants, group home transparency, senior outreach, ABA services moving into managed care, annual Medicaid recertification, veterans’ service utilization, waiting lists for elder services, and prevention spending. No formal votes were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• sites and the way we maintain sites is at a different standard level and class according to the FCC's ASR
• according<00:07:05.919> to<00:07:06.080> the<00:07:06.319> FCC's<00:07:06.960> ASR
• <00:07:07.520> registration, according to the FCC's ASR registration, according to the FCC's
• ASR registration, right?

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call- 00:00:23 Approve Minutes from January 15, 2026- 00:01:03 Kentucky State Police Update on SERVS- 00:01:47 Adjournment- 00:54:18, 958, all

Summary: The committee received an update from Kentucky State Police on the SERVE radio system project, with David Barker and consultant Brandon Marshall explaining progress across multiple phases. They reported that Mayfield PD fire/EMS and Graves County Sheriff are fully operational on the system, Phase 2 is 77% complete with 48 existing sites finished and 13 new sites pending acquisition, and Phase 3A remains funded but not yet complete. They also said router upgrades are complete, radio dispatch positions and mobile/portable rollout are complete, and microwave replacement is nearly finished, with one remaining site delayed by weather. A major part of the discussion focused on why the project has taken so long and why equipment is being purchased before some sites are built. KSP said the project began as a radio system upgrade but expanded as they discovered additional infrastructure needs, including routers and microwave links that were not in the original scope. They explained that equipment must be purchased in advance to match versions and preserve warranty coverage, and that older existing tower sites are being refurbished rather than replaced to make use of existing public-safety infrastructure. They also said all expenditures are tracked in inventory and accounting records and that the project remains transparent. Members pressed for a master plan and timeline, with Representative Smith arguing the project needs clearer structure and fewer layers of decision-making. KSP acknowledged the need for a timeline, said they had plans but not a full timeline earlier, and stated that if the remaining funding is approved they expect to complete the remaining existing sites and 25 new sites by June 30, 2027. They said 56 new-build sites remain, identified as the yellow-dot sites on the maps, and that some sites may be able to use existing Demar/National Guard tower locations. The committee did not take a vote on the project during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 2289, ASRS premium payment. Finance. HB 2091, financial surveillance and examinations. Finance.
• Introduction, first reading, and reference of bills: HB 2090, ASRS long-term disability, Finance; HB
• 2092, ASRS eligibility waiver, Finance.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, a quorum present, and several guest introductions, including visitors connected to a documentary on missing and murdered Indigenous women and representatives from charter schools. The chamber then moved through multiple Committee of the Whole calendars, considering a wide range of bills on drug offenses, firearms, child safety, health care, water, housing, tax, and government transparency. Most measures were advanced by voice vote out of committee, often after brief explanations of committee or floor amendments. On the first calendar, the Senate advanced SB 1061 on fentanyl sale thresholds, SB 1069 on prohibited weapons/muffling devices, SB 1081 on DCS case attorney appearance, SB 1127 on duty to report abuse/neglect, SB 1128 on a scrap metal theft study committee, and SB 1170 on narcotic drug sales to a minor. Several members argued against the drug bills as overly punitive mandatory-minimum measures that would reduce judicial discretion and fail to address addiction as a public health issue; supporters emphasized tougher penalties. SB 1127 and SB 1128 were amended before advancing. On later calendars, the Senate advanced SB 1021 on chiropractic board compliance training, SB 1120 and SB 1121 on radiation protection systems and health care institutions, SB 1171 on AHCCCS-related health care cost containment, SB 1174 on DCS intake hotline case history, SB 1188 on pharmacy scheduling/prescription authority, SB 1243 and SB 1244 on court-ordered treatment, SB 1166 on county school superintendent/GED preparation, SB 1241 on local planning and permitting, SB 1370 on patriotic youth group school access, SB 1024 on portable aircraft registration plates, SB 1075 on foreign entities and land conveyances, SB 1202 on groundwater, SB 1280 on the Game and Fish Commission, SB 1287 on groundwater/stock watering, SB 1167 on publication of notices, SB 1435 on explicit materials in schools and libraries, SB 1437 on public records fees, SB 1567 on sexually explicit materials, SCR 1031 on legislative boundaries, SB 1180 on income tax return conformity, SB 1221 on taxpayer protection, SB 1293 on GPLET abatement limitation, SB 1294 on property tax assessment, and SB 1429 on the Arizona Commerce Authority. Some bills drew substantive debate, including SB 1075, where an attempted floor amendment to address corporate homeownership was rejected, and SB 1202, where opponents criticized the bill as relying on outdated water data. The chamber then took up third readings on several bills. SB 1061, SB 1069, SB 1127, SB 1128, SB 1171, SB 1174, and SB 1188 all passed the Senate. SB 1021 failed on third reading, as did SB 1170, after members raised concerns about federal preemption, public safety, and mandatory minimum sentencing. SB 1243 also passed, despite objections that it expanded court-ordered treatment authority and raised due process concerns. The transcript ends with the Senate continuing through additional third-reading votes and procedural motions after the committee reports were adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• earlier about it, it's a Something we need to talk about for sure, and I think as well, talking about ASR
• , that should fit in as well as ASR develops and areas are able to store groundwater.

Bills: HB24, HB27, HB24, HB27

Keywords: groundwater, conservation, water permits, sustainability, resource management, 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Buffalo Soldiers Arizona Territory monument; HB 2072, lactation care provider certification; HB 2089, ASRS
• premium payment; HB 2090, ASRS long-term disability; HB 2091, financial surveillance fund ensure examinations
• HB 2090, ASRS long-term disability; HB 2091, financial surveillance fund ensure examinations; HB 2092
• , ASRS eligibility waiver; HB 2096, forgivable financial assistance as well remediation; HB 2116, appropriation

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Senate convened, recorded attendance, dispensed with reading the journal, and recognized several guest groups, including landscape architects and FFA representatives who delivered plants to senators. The chamber then moved through multiple Committee of the Whole calendars, considering a large number of bills and resolutions, with most measures receiving do-pass recommendations, often after committee or floor amendments. Topics included public monies and cryptocurrency/stablecoin use by the state (SB 1042, SB 1043, SB 1044, SB 1045, SCR 1003, SCR 1033), attorney discipline and family court matters (SB 1039, SB 1139, SB 1147, SB 1148, SB 1328), public records, scholarship organizations, HOA flag rules, deed conveyances, environmental restrictions on solar radiation management, federal land acquisition consent, small modular reactors, water quality testing, and state revenue-related constitutional changes (SCR 1028). One notable procedural dispute occurred when an Epstein amendment to SB 1043 was ruled not germane; the chair’s ruling was upheld on a 14-10 division vote, and the bill later advanced without that amendment. The Senate also retained SB 1419 on the calendar. On later calendars, the Senate advanced health and human services measures focused on Arizona’s Access program and DCS, including SB 1052, SB 1115, SB 1149, SB 1193, SB 1233, SB 1345, SB 1346, and SB 1631. Testimony on SB 1115 centered on whether Access employees should be barred from remote work, with supporters arguing in-person work was needed and critics warning of staffing and service disruptions without a new facility or appropriation. SB 1233 drew discussion about a short cure period for administrative deficiencies; supporters said the bill addressed retaliatory enforcement practices, while opponents said the timeframe was too short. SB 1345 and SB 1346 also drew Access-related debate, including a floor amendment removing Access from SB 1345 and an objection that the bill could conflict with federal Medicaid law. The committee reports for these bills were adopted, and the measures were sent forward with do-pass recommendations. The Senate also advanced regulatory and utility-related bills on another calendar, including SB 1137, SB 1144, and SB 1205. SB 1137 dealt with underground facilities excavation notification and passed with a Kavanaugh floor amendment described as stakeholder-driven technical detail. SB 1144 addressed veterinary technician certification and education alternatives and passed with committee amendment. SB 1205, concerning motor vehicle booting fees regulation, was amended to require an appeals process for private parking lots using booting services after a senator described a personal experience of paying a boot fee and receiving no response to an appeal. The calendar was still in progress at the end of the transcript, with SB 1286 just beginning to be read.

Transcript Highlights:

• fast-growing region by supplementing the current water supply with groundwater, developing and managing ASR
• We would ask that no ASR projects be approved within the district so that we don't have to jeopardize

Bills: HB29, HB685, HB1633, HB1689, HB1690, HB1918, HB2010, HB2500, HB2608, HB2626, HB29

Keywords: water audit, water loss, water loss mitigation plan, municipally owned utility, municipal utility, water conservation, Texas Water Development Board, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, water leakage, leak detection, billing data accuracy, utility validation, water audit validation, water scarcity, water management, infrastructure, public utility, conservation plan, administrative penalty

Transcript Highlights:

• ASR targets in this bill create kind of a framework as well as ways we can preserve our roadways by tracking
• ASR targets in this bill create kind of a framework as well as ways we can preserve our roadways by tracking
• the State Transportation Improvement Program, and the Capital Highway Improvement Plan show that this ASR
• <01:31:28.400> show<01:31:28.639> that<01:31:28.880> this<01:31:29.040> ASR
• improvement plan show that this ASR improvement plan show that this ASR value<01:31:30.480> is

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Gillette, it sounds reasonable as an ASRS retiree.
• Gillette, it sounds reasonable as an ASRS retiree.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The committee heard HB 2842, a deed-fraud prevention bill that would create an early alert system for property owners when escrow is opened on their property. The sponsor and several witnesses, including a victim, an Attorney General investigator, and the Department of Real Estate commissioner, described widespread deed fraud and said the bill would provide proactive notice before a fraudulent transfer is completed. The committee adopted the Blackman amendment shifting the reporting entity from DIFI to the State Real Estate Department, then passed the bill with a due pass recommendation by a 7-0 vote. Members then considered HB 2667, which would require recipients of state first-time homebuyer or down payment assistance programs to be Arizona residents for two years and to occupy the home as a primary residence for two years, while barring out-of-state investors from using the homes as rentals. The sponsor said the bill was intended to help younger Arizonans and keep assistance focused on residents invested in the state. Opponents and other members raised concerns that the bill could conflict with existing federal and lender requirements and could reduce participation in local down payment programs; after discussion, the committee passed the bill 4-3. HB 2020 was heard next and would reduce certain school-disruption offenses to a class 1 misdemeanor for minors and narrow the definition of interference with an educational institution. The sponsor and a parent described a case in which a student was charged too harshly after a school altercation, while a public commenter urged case-by-case discretion and warned against saddling children with felonies. The committee passed the bill 4-3. The committee also advanced HB 2793, which streamlines annexation procedures for single-owner annexations and updates notice rules, including electronic newspaper publication. After adopting two amendments, members passed it 4-3. HB 2327, which allows eligible individuals to restrict public access to certain identifying information held by county recorders, assessors, and treasurers, passed unanimously. HB 2858, creating a 1% Arizona-bidder preference in certain state procurement ties, also passed unanimously after amendment. HB 2660, which adds procedural protections and oversight for health profession licensing board actions, passed 4-2 after testimony from the sponsor and a physician who said board actions had chilled speech and due process. Finally, HB 2063, appropriating $1.5 million for the Independent Correctional Oversight Office, passed unanimously after strong support from oversight advocates and former corrections stakeholders, and HB 2681, extending civil-service appeal deadlines from 10 calendar days to 10 business days, also passed unanimously. The committee then discussed HB 2812, which would raise the sick-leave payout cap for retiring state employees from $30,000 to $57,000; witnesses supported the increase and members began discussing a possible amendment to allow retirees to transfer the payout into a health savings arrangement, but the transcript ends before final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• but as Miss Schneider noted, you know, when the parameters revert to current law in 27, you know, the ASR
• but as Miss Schneider noted, you know, when the parameters revert to current law in 27, you know, the ASR
• but as Miss Schneider noted, you know, when the parameters revert to current law in 27, you know, the ASR
• ASR has adjusted back up to 51 or 50%. Um, I believe it's 133.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• desalination water projects, produced water treatment projects and aquifer storage and recovery projects or ASR
• to transport or integrate groundwater if it is part of a new water supply eligible projects such as ASR
• Those projects include reuse. brackish groundwater treatment, ASR, two seawater desalination projects
• To encourage ASR, so in the times of bountiful water, we're injecting it into aquifers and saving.
• I'm sorry, please, your bill. that for the city of Temple and the ability to use treated affluent for ASR

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I have a question about ASR and how it will be impacted in this bill.
• Representative Bartleman, the language in the conforming bill related to the ASR specifically was a result
• What this does is allow for the managed care plan to amend their ASR and not treat them as dispositive

Bills: HJR 99, HB 1399, HB 1400, HB 1094, HB 365, HB 1109, HB 647, HCR 35, SB 14, HB 12, HB 1522, HB 422, HB 675, HB 204, HB 748, HB 912, HJR 99, HB 1399, HB 1400, HB 1094, HB 365, HB 1109, HB 647, HCR 35, HCR 123, HCR 124, HR 57, HR 87, HR 111, HR 228, HR 230, HR 322, HR 624, HR 625, HR 626, HR 627, HR 628, HR 630, HR 631, HR 634, HR 635, HR 636, HR 637, HR 638, HR 639, HR 640, HR 645, HR 646, HR 648, HR 649, HR 651, HR 652, HR 653, HR 654, HR 664, HR 665, HR 668, HR 675, HR 676, HR 678, HR 679, HR 680, HR 683, HR 686, HR 688, HR 689, HR 694, HR 695, HR 697, HR 698, HR 699, HR 472, HR 622, HR 632, HR 633, HR 643, HR 655, HR 657, HR 660, HR 661, HR 662, HR 663, HR 667, HR 670, HR 674, HR 681, HR 682, HR 696

Keywords: animal feed, tax exemption, ad valorem taxation, retail, constitutional amendment, retail sale, tangible personal property, Texas tax code, groundwater, water conservation, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, innovation fund, local conservation districts, transportation protection agreement, funeral services, insurance exemption, regulation, deceased transportation, HB 365

Transcript Highlights:

• statute does not clearly allow reclaimed water, even if it meets drinking water standards to be used… for ASR
• projects. water shall be considered water for ASR purposes and requires that water must be treated to

Bills: HCR35, SJR59, SJR84, SCR30, SB127, SB317, SB324, SB457, SB506, SB511, SB529, SB547, SB584, SB619, SB636, SB646, SB659, SB715, SB732, SB735, SB771, SB784, SB800, SB801, SB904, SB1026, SB1049, SB1065, SB1181, SB1224, SB1250, SB1383, SB1467, SB1524, SB1528, SB1531, SB1568, SB1585, SB1640, SB1681, SB1754, SB1757, SB1777, SB1972, SB1980, SB2007, SB2041, SB2046, SB2050, SB2055, SB2069, SB2080, SB2119, SB2138, SB2139, SB2154, SB2201, SB2225, SB2268, SB2306, SB2308, SB2310, SB2330, SB2366, SB2375, SB2392, SB2401, SB2422, SB2480, SB2514, SB2530, SB2533, SB2543, SB2544, SB2589, SB2610, SB2615, SB2623, SB2660, SB2662, SB2693, SB2695, SB2707, SB2722, SB2742, SB2753, SB2807, SB2843, SB2844, SB2858, SB2880, SB2885, SB2891, SB2925, SB2938, SB2986, SJR3, SJR18, SB5, SB914, SB963, SB1197, SB1415, SB1437, SB1786, SB326, SB767, SB769, SB783, SB1035, SB1271, SB1619, SB1637, SB1806, SB1, SB260, HB135, HB1109, HCR35, HCR64, SJR36, SJR50, SJR63, SJR84, SJR59, SCR12, SCR39, SCR48, SCR19, SCR30, SCR3, SB2023, SB619, SB2742, SB646, SB1026, SB2880, SB62, SB666, SB847, SB284, SB854, SB1073, SB810, SB1505, SB583, SB1502, SB507, SB1434, SB1376, SB1585, SB1772, SB2016, SB1163, SB1122, SB731, SB397, SB508, SB1436, SB287, SB261, SB1882, SB393, SB1791, SB529, SB209, SB2429, SB1999, SB511, SB2309, SB510, SB584, SB1085, SB2046, SB1975, SB2717, SB1262, SB1524, SB636, SB2056, SB884, SB517, SB1200, SB1845, SB1863, SB2681, SB2200, SB2199, SB1757, SB2050, SB2458, SB2201, SB2660, SB2662, SB1065, SB801, SB2533, SB3014, SB3013, SB758, SB1721, SB2366, SB1013, SB2797, SB2383, SB1754, SB2119, SB2448, SB1777, SB1283, SB2392, SB2076, SB2786, SB2876, SB2284, SB2225, SB1540, SB2929, SB1972, SB2540, SB2595, SB2217, SB715, SB2330, SB1383, SB500, SB1640, SB2001, SB2080, SB506, SB2514, SB2753, SB2398, SB1241, SB2927, SB2173, SB2538, SB898, SB1449, SB2529, SB1531, SB2846, SB2476, SB986, SB1181, SB2075, SB2154, SB2864, SB1359, SB2386, SB771, SB2844, SB2550, SB1351, SB1423, SB1931, SB2245, SB2589, SB2707, SB2807, SB410, SB659, SB2776, SB2693, SB2580, SB1980, SB1886, SB1234, SB739, SB456, SB127, SB1666, SB2843, SB2801, SB800, SB2055, SB784, SB2986, SB735, SB1012, SB324, SB2926, SB2938, SB2007, SB2138, SB1242, SB2615, SB1049, SB2310, SB1224, SB2972, SB1568, SB2841, SB2885, SB3016, SB2858, SB2610, SB2139, SB1856, SB2035, SB2308, SB2306, SB2041, SB1528, SB1681, SB1141, SB2401, SB2530, SB2375, SB547, SB1266, SB1373, SB1467, SB2069, SB2269, SB2480, SB2544, SB672, SB904, SB2695, SB2891, SB2422, SB2543, SB1854, SB317, SB2539, SB2532, SB2925, SB1250, SB2082, SB2203, SB457, SB2357, SB2721, SB243, SB1285, SB2568, SB1959, SB1442, SB1454, SB2520, SB2541, SB1708, SB1237, SB1844, SB1586, HB1392, HB22, SB1551, SB3039, SB2819, SB66, SB629, SB1015, SB2342, SB2903, SB2933, SB1965, SB2477, SB3029, SB2605, SB2419, SB1957, SB375, SB250, SB777, SB628, SB2523, SB2367, SB2703, SB2608, SB2778, SB3044, SB2965, SB2521, SB865

Keywords: spaceports, tax-exempt bonds, aerospace investment, Texas space economy, Federal legislation, education funding, Texas State Technical College System, capital projects, infrastructure, higher education, tax exemption, property tax, homestead, fire damage, constitutional amendment, Birding Capital, Matagorda County, wildlife, conservation, Texas Legislature

Transcript Highlights:

• to transport or integrate groundwater if it is part of a new water supply eligible project such as ASR
• Those projects include reuse, brackish groundwater treatment, ASR, two seawater desalination projects
• Those projects include reuse, brackish groundwater treatment, ASR, two seawater desalination projects
• conservation, but alternative uses to encourage rainwater catchment, to encourage reuse, to encourage ASR
• Buckley, I'm very pleased your bill for the city of Temple and the ability to use treated effluent for ASR

Summary: The committee held a hearing on high-capacity groundwater wells proposed in Anderson, Henderson, and Houston counties, with members framing the issue as one of local water supply, fairness, and the need to modernize groundwater law while protecting private property rights. Opening remarks focused on the scale of the proposed Redtown Ranch and Pine Bliss projects, the potential export of tens of thousands of acre-feet of groundwater annually, and concerns that the applications lacked sufficient technical detail and could harm nearby landowners, cities, agriculture, and manufacturing. Members also noted the broader context of the recent flooding tragedy in central Texas and the Legislature’s intent to address water-related loss of life in the upcoming special session. Witnesses from the Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts and the Texas Water Development Board explained the current groundwater management framework. They described groundwater conservation districts as the state’s preferred management method, the role of groundwater management areas and desired future conditions, and how the Water Development Board uses those conditions to calculate modeled available groundwater. They emphasized that districts rely on local data, monitoring wells, and planning processes, but that information is often more limited in areas without a district, where the rule of capture applies. Members pressed witnesses on recharge rates, export permits, subsidence, the effect of pumping on nearby wells, the age and real-time availability of model data, and whether the proposed project would exceed modeled available groundwater in some counties. TCEQ explained its limited oversight role over groundwater conservation districts, including inquiries, compliance actions, and, in extreme cases, dissolution authority. Water Development Board staff also outlined funding programs, saying the New Water Supply for Texas Fund is limited to projects such as brackish desalination, reuse, ASR, and other new-supply projects, and does not fund fresh groundwater exports alone. They said the project at issue had not applied for board funding. A water lawyer then testified on the rule of capture, ownership in place, and district regulation, arguing that districts must use permitting and other tools to manage production within modeled available groundwater and that the Legislature could consider additional authority over groundwater exports under current law.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, members, I believe that most of you, I mean, I hope you know, that not all of us are under ASRS.
• Well, we have many of our colleagues who have the privilege of being under ASRS and have their actual

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, attendance, guest introductions, and a resolution honoring former legislator Barbara Leff, which was unanimously adopted. The chamber also received a long list of first and second readings, then moved into Committee of the Whole on calendar number one. Several measures were considered and advanced with amendments, including HB 2170 on restricting state purchases from Chinese-controlled entities, HB 2375 on preserving historic properties while allowing middle housing, HB 2380 on school board transparency and meeting location requirements, HB 2617, HB 2621 on special education access and certificates of educational convenience, HB 2671, HB 2720 on sealed records and anti-human trafficking funding, HB 2772 on DNR designation on driver’s licenses, HB 2784 on school district excess cash refunds, HB 2902 affirming the Electoral College, HB 2950 on a tourism/hospitality district, and HB 4025 creating a study committee on the feasibility of an Arizona oil refinery. Debate on HB 2375 focused on balancing historic preservation with middle housing, with supporters emphasizing local flexibility and opponents warning against a one-size-fits-all approach. HB 2380 drew discussion about school district accountability after a district’s out-of-state retreat, with supporters arguing meetings should occur within district boundaries and materials be posted online, while opponents said local boards should retain discretion. HB 2621’s amendment was described as ensuring special-needs students in unorganized territory and group homes can access services through certificates of educational convenience. HB 2720 was presented as strengthening protections for sex trafficking survivors and adding an anti-human trafficking grant fund. HB 2772 prompted questions about how DNR instructions on driver’s licenses would work in emergencies, with the sponsor saying it would protect advance directives while emergency personnel still provide appropriate care until information is known. HB 2902 generated extended partisan debate over the Electoral College versus a national popular vote, with supporters calling the Electoral College a constitutional safeguard and opponents arguing it violates one person, one vote and overweights swing states. HB 2950 involved competing amendments over whether a tourism-related district should be voluntary or could impose fees, with the Kolodin opt-in/opt-out amendment defeated and the bill advancing as amended. HB 4025, a study committee on an Arizona refinery, drew debate over fuel prices, refinery feasibility, environmental concerns, and whether taxpayer money should fund another study. In each of these Committee of the Whole actions, the House ultimately adopted the committee or amended recommendations and ordered the measures forward by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• this does is require the commissioner of the Department of Transportation to calculate and report the ASR
• calculate and report transportation to calculate and report the<00:10:54.480> the<00:10:54.800> ASR
• <00:10:55.440> the<00:10:56.079> asset<00:10:56.680> sustainab The ASR, the

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And it'll work very similarly to how we do the ASR audits, the ATU savings rebate contracts, and audit

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And it’ll work very similarly to how we do the ASR audits, the ATU savings rebate contracts, and audit

Summary: The Legislative Budget Commission considered 21 budget amendments, most of them routine authority adjustments tied to federal grants, Medicaid payment programs, and trust fund realignments. The Department of Education received $14.751 million for a Preschool Development Grant to support early learning system improvements, workforce credentialing and training, IT modernization, and related early childhood certification work. The Department of Veterans Affairs shifted $2.2 million within its trust fund to cover higher nursing home occupancy, replace contract nursing with OPS staff, and meet rising operating costs. The Department of Health moved about $9.1 million to support Disability Determinations, where roughly 140,000 cases were pending or in process, and said the change would help reduce backlog and avoid a deficit. The Agency for Health Care Administration presented multiple amendments for Medicaid-related programs, including $766 million for indirect medical education, $1.9 million for managed care network adequacy audits, $209 million for the Rural Health Transformation Program, and several large supplemental payment programs for hospitals and physicians; members asked about CMS approval delays, provider access, and how rural funds would be distributed. The commission also adopted an amendment realigning KidCare funds, placing a $32.1 million surplus into reserve, though several members objected that the state had not yet implemented the 2023 KidCare expansion and that children remained on a wait list. Another Medicaid amendment placed a $376 million surplus into reserve after updated estimating conference projections. Other agencies also received approvals. FDLE received $16.26 million to buy counter-unmanned aircraft systems equipment such as radar and RF sensors to detect and mitigate drone threats. The Department of Juvenile Justice received $1.6 million for the Florida Scholars Academy and a Social Services Block Grant realignment, with staff confirming corrective action had been taken after prior audit findings about allowable SSBG spending. The Division of Emergency Management received federal pass-through authority for FIFA World Cup security and counter-UAS funds, both controlled by the Miami host committee, and members noted the state had little direct oversight over how those local grants would be used. The Department of Commerce received $148.4 million for Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery work, with questions focused on the split between housing, infrastructure, and administrative costs. The Department of State received $408,377 for arts and culture federal grant obligations. All amendments were adopted, generally without objection, after brief questioning and no public testimony.