Transcript Highlights:

• In fiscal year 2027, the direct care and indirect care low-wage equity add-on is restored, and then beginning
• So budget's about choices, and it could be: you care about this a lot, but when you care about it a lot
• We are sitting on the edge of a precipice when it comes to our long-term care.
• We have made long-term care, particularly skilled nursing facility rates, extremely complicated, and
• put our egos aside for a minute and figure out how we're actually going to move through things in a long-term

Bills: SB5998

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: fiscal appropriations, budget, state funding, financial management, operating expenses, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You're going into another area, and that is the health care system in general.
• Or do you think maybe we should have a system that guarantees health care to all people as a human right
• are covering for the health care system, which you just mentioned is substantial, and to make sure we
• Look, I don't want to argue that the health care system, in my view, is broken; it's dysfunctional.
• Because Medicaid is already an incredibly efficient payer within the health care system.

Committee: Senate Senate Budget

Transcript Highlights:

• health care.
• Now, this is in the context of not a very careful, deliberate development of these AI systems in some
• Systems.
• Now, this is in the context of not a very careful, deliberate development of these AI systems in some
• , our banking system, national security systems.

Summary: The committee met at Minot State to continue its study of artificial intelligence, with a focus on child safety, sexual exploitation, chatbot risks, and education policy. Members first approved the minutes and then received a Legislative Council overview of AI-related harms to children, including AI-generated child sexual abuse material, deepfakes, extortion, and chatbot companion risks. The memo reviewed North Dakota and federal law, recent state enactments, First Amendment limits, and examples from other states, including Connecticut’s AI companion safeguards and federal efforts such as the Take It Down Act. Members discussed whether North Dakota’s existing 2025 laws on minors and harmful material are strong enough in light of recent court decisions, and Legislative Council indicated it would provide additional comparison material before the next meeting. Superintendent Levi Bachmeier then presented on AI in education, arguing that schools need guardrails but should not ban AI outright. He said AI should be treated as a tool that can support instruction, teacher efficiency, and digital literacy, while warning against passive use, academic integrity problems, and overreliance on machines. He suggested embedding AI and digital literacy across subjects rather than creating a standalone class, and said schools should provide basic instruction when students receive one-to-one devices. Members asked about parent concerns, local control, higher education partnerships, and how to balance access with safety; Bachmeier emphasized a “threading the needle” approach and said the department would likely seek more guidance on digital literacy and cybersecurity. Special Agent Hellseth of BCI followed with testimony on AI and child exploitation. He said AI is already being used in North Dakota to create explicit images from innocent photos, impersonate children and adults, and facilitate grooming, harassment, and extortion. He described several cases involving AI-generated sexual images and said victims often suffer lasting trauma even when the images are fake. Hellseth explained that investigators use AI tools themselves to process large volumes of data and identify synthetic images, but that the workload is growing and victim services need expansion. He urged stronger accountability for companies, more resources for law enforcement and victim support, and continued training and public education. Members asked about cyber tip volume, staffing, false accusations, and corporate reporting obligations; Hellseth said every tip is reviewed, the unit is small but expanding, and current federal reporting laws are not proactive enough. Representative Porter suggested combining the Legislative Council memo and Bachmeier’s recommendations into a comprehensive bill draft for the next meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because we could get into a long, long discussion of who would be involved there.
• comes, if that merge does take place and it's allowed to take place, then it looks like there's a long-term
• But when you put it in for a permanent COLA, you're driving a huge long-term cost.
• This bill was designed to say, hey, you're only looking not at a long-term cost here.
• and maintain the purchasing power of Plan 1 retiree benefits to the extent feasible while providing long-term

Committee: Joint Select Committee on Pension Policy

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The reason I'm here is because I care about this issue deeply. I care about my kids.
• I'll tell you the reason I care about this is I care about the future of our kids.
• I care about the future of Arkansasans.
• I have a bunch of the ladies that take care of me around theirs.
• And, you know, we can talk about this for a long time.

Committee: All JBC-SPECIAL LANGUAGE

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• as well versus during a term.
• That balance is going to be essential for attracting long-term investment.
• To meet this growing demand while strengthening reliability, Florida needs safe, dependable long-term
• For the state, it means greater energy security and long-term planning that matches Florida's growth.
• And ultimately, we all care of, concern.

Summary: The Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee considered a full agenda of transportation, utility, aviation, and energy bills. HB 4045, amending the Jacksonville Aviation Authority charter, passed without questions or debate. HB 1075, which would require municipal utilities to allow outside property owners to connect when capacity exists and fees are paid, drew testimony from local government and municipal advocates who warned about conflicts with existing agreements, long infrastructure payback periods, and the risk of subsidizing nonresidents; despite concerns from Rep. Smith and others about municipal boundaries and cost, the bill passed, with Smith voting no. HB 519, as amended, authorizes golf cart crossings at signalized intersections on designated golf cart roads; it passed unanimously after lighthearted debate about golf carts and pedestrian crossings. The committee then took up HB 919, which creates a state definition for major commercial service airports and preempts airport naming authority, including renaming Palm Beach International Airport to Donald J. Trump International Airport subject to FAA, county, and trademark-related conditions. Palm Beach County supported the bill and an amendment clarifying implementation and trademark language, while Rep. Eskamani and others raised concerns about preemption and the timing of honoring a sitting president; the bill passed with several no votes, including Eskamani, Skidmore, and the ranking member. HB 1093, the Advanced Air Mobility and Infrastructure Act, would support eVTOL/vertiport development through tax exemptions, infrastructure funding flexibility, and statewide siting standards while preserving local zoning; supporters framed it as an economic-development and workforce bill, while Rep. Cheney raised taxpayer concerns. An amendment narrowing liability protections for vertiports co-located with public airports was adopted, and the bill passed with Cheney voting no. Finally, HB 1461 established a regulatory framework for advanced nuclear reactors, assigning oversight roles to the PSC, DOH, and DEP. Supporters argued the bill would improve energy reliability, affordability, and Florida’s leadership in clean, advanced energy, while an opponent from Deploy US urged strong consumer protections and cautioned against overbroad deregulation. Rep. Eskamani emphasized preserving PSC prudency review for ratepayer protection, and the sponsor said the bill was refined through committee discussion. After an amendment fixing technical issues and clarifying that one section applied to all nuclear, the bill passed favorably. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh so<01:41:20.400><c> the</c><01:41:20.639><c> long-term</c><01:41:21.199><c> costs</c><01:41:22.000
• ><c> to</c><01:41:22.239><c> the</c><01:41:22.480><c> state</c><01:41:23.040><c> will</c> so the long-term
• costs to the state will so the long-term costs to the state will be<01:41:23.520><c> significant</c>
• And in the long term, we could lose access to funds that are quite literally life-saving and have a direct
• </c> which could lead to greater long-term which could lead to greater long-term state<02:02:23.280><

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• stable, long-term... ...success of the low-carbon fuel standard and the importance of creating long,
• stable, long-term policies that create a clear and ethical path for transitioning away from fossil fuels
• And so that makes the LCFS even more important right now to support our long-term ZEV ambitions.
• While California has a long-term vision of electrification, most drivers today still drive cars that
• term, which is a very huge concern of mine, in the long term, on the backs of those who unfortunately

Summary: The hearing was a select committee discussion on the transportation costs and impacts of California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS), with opening remarks from the co-chairs and members emphasizing affordability, climate goals, and the need to explain the program’s benefits to the public. The first panel from CARB and the California Energy Commission described how LCFS works as a market-based, declining carbon-intensity program that rewards lower-carbon fuels, supports zero-emission vehicle infrastructure, and is intended to reduce greenhouse gases and local air pollution. They argued the program has driven billions in private investment, increased alternative fuel use, and that LCFS credit prices are not the main driver of retail gasoline prices, which they said are dominated by crude oil, refining, and distribution costs. Members questioned the panel on the gap between the regulatory target and actual carbon-intensity performance, the role of credit banking, which fuels are generating the most credits, how the 2025 amendments affected the program, and whether LCFS credits are truly additional. CARB explained that banking helps cost-effectiveness and investment certainty, that ethanol, renewable diesel, and biodiesel currently provide the largest volumes while electricity is expected to grow, and that the updated targets were informed by the state’s 2045 carbon-neutrality goals and the 2030 scoping plan. The Energy Commission said its data show environmental programs add some cost to gasoline but do not drive price volatility, which is mainly tied to crude oil and refinery margins. The second panel, featuring academic and research experts, focused on program design, out-of-state credit generation, and broader economic effects. Speakers said LCFS is successful because it ties incentives to emissions benefit, uses life-cycle analysis, and allows flexible compliance that lowers costs compared with more direct regulation. They also said the program’s benefits generally outweigh costs, that it can reduce air pollution disparities and support equity, but that some issues—especially indirect land use change, additionality, and older program assumptions—need more research and may warrant future rulemaking. One researcher noted that while LCFS likely raises gasoline prices somewhat, the effect is uncertain by design and usually smaller than normal market fluctuations, and another warned that limiting credit generation too narrowly could create legal and efficiency problems.

Transcript Highlights:

• for those who selflessly care for us.
• And it was really, really tough for me because, like, I care for you. I care for you.
• Yet many veterans do not qualify for dental care through the federal VA system because eligibility is
• And when we look to enhance systems and make changes to those systems, we have to do a better job of
• We don't care. They didn't care so bad. You know what they did?

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions, including a resolution honoring the late Bob Graham and a moment of silence for firefighter Roger Timmy Miley. The chamber also adopted a resolution designating August 9, 2026, as Bob Graham Day in Florida. Later, the Senate adopted a memorial-style recognition of the Florida Channel’s 30 years of legislative coverage. Several bills were temporarily postponed, including measures on health care coverage, veterinary licensure, and affordable housing. The most extensive debate centered on CS/CS/SB 1758, a public assistance/Medicaid and SNAP reform bill. The sponsor described five major changes: stronger anti-fraud authority, a Medicaid work requirement for able-bodied adults, expanded behavioral health services through a waiver, pharmacy program changes to reduce costs, and a SNAP fraud-reduction plan with photo ID and work requirements. Democrats offered amendments to condition the work requirement on Medicaid expansion and to add protections for SNAP photo ID use by caregivers, seniors, disabled people, and domestic violence survivors; both amendments failed. Senators then questioned implementation details, exemptions, and eligibility impacts. The bill was placed on the calendar for third reading. The Senate also passed CS/HB 7031 on taxation, substituting it for the Senate bill and adopting a technical amendment, by a vote of 34-0. The chamber passed a series of other bills, generally after substituting House companions and adopting technical amendments. These included a computer science education bill adding digital literacy and AI instruction, a Parkinson’s disease registry bill and related public records exemption, a bill designating the SS American Victory as Florida’s official flagship, a local government electronic payments bill, a legal tender bill repealing a sunset on gold and silver recognition, public records exemptions for gold/silver custodians and stablecoin-related entities, a stablecoin pilot program, local government spending transparency requirements, a digital voyeurism bill expanding privacy protections to private fenced yards, an insurance licensing bill allowing high school students to complete insurance/personal finance coursework, and a medical freedom bill addressing vaccine information, conscience exemptions, ivermectin access, and the mRNA mandate sunset. Most of these measures passed with little or no opposition, with recorded votes ranging from 31-3 to 34-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• Long-winded, wasn't it?
• You know, early and appropriate investment reduces long-term cost, and we have many students who are
• It stabilizes districts and ensures compliance and protects long-term state investment.
• But the real advantage here is it gives us a long-term view of how to manage our district and it ensures
• that our systems work together.

Committee: House Education

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 1288, which would create a high-cost special education student fund to reimburse school districts for extraordinary special education expenses above $30,000 per student. The sponsor and supporters said the bill is a response to federal and state obligations to serve students with disabilities, and that the initial $5 million appropriation would provide limited relief to districts, especially rural and charter schools, that must absorb unpredictable costs. Testifiers from school districts, Idaho Parents Unlimited, parents, and Idaho Educational Services for the Deaf and the Blind described very high costs for aides, therapies, assistive technology, and specialized services, and said the bill would help districts maintain services for all students. Some members raised concerns about whether schools are being asked to provide health-related services and about the long-term fiscal burden, but the bill was advanced to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee also took up Senate Bill 1339, which would replace the current continuous improvement plan framework with strategic performance plans and related training for districts and charters. The sponsor and supporters argued that the bill would encourage long-term goal setting, stakeholder involvement, annual review, and more local flexibility, while reducing redundant reporting and focusing oversight on schools that are not meeting goals. Supporters said many high-performing districts already use similar practices and that the bill would help align resources with student outcomes. One testifier said her district already has strategic and continuous improvement plans and questioned whether the proposal added value without new funding, while another superintendent said the bill improved clarity and community engagement. The committee voted to send Senate Bill 1339 to the floor with a due pass recommendation and also approved the March 12 and March 13 minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• . system. system.
• . system. system.
• I don't know how long, but a long, long time.
• , but a long long don't know how long, but a long long time.<03:22:29.040><c> But</c><03:22:29.279><c
• system. system. system.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Investors continue to acquire properties at soaring prices, being a cost driver, and leaving long-term
• to see if people want to vote for or against their own self-interest, but for the betterment of a long-term
• Because for so long... I really have.
• I filed Senate Bill 274, which provided property tax relief for long-term homeowners who've lived in
• This corrects a great imbalance in our system.

Summary: The Senate took up Committee Substitute for Senate Joint Resolution 2F, a proposed constitutional amendment on property tax reform. The measure would increase the homestead exemption in stages, lower the assessment cap on non-homestead property from 10% to 5%, and limit county and municipal ad valorem tax revenues to specified uses such as public safety, education, infrastructure, natural resources, debt service, employee benefits, and certain administrative costs. Supporters, led by Senator Avila, argued the proposal would provide meaningful property tax relief and push local governments to rein in spending, while opponents warned it would shift costs to fees, reduce local flexibility, and threaten funding for core services. Several amendments were offered and rejected. Senator Sharief proposed an income-based circuit breaker for property tax relief; Senator Smith offered a sunset clause; and Senator Berman proposed revising the ballot statement to better match the amended proposal and remove outdated references. Each amendment failed on recorded votes. During questioning and debate, senators pressed Avila on the ballot language, the effect on local services, whether the legislature could later restrict local spending by statute, and whether renters would benefit. Avila said the ballot language was not his and repeatedly stated he was presenting the governor’s proposal, while also saying local governments would need to prioritize budgets and that future legislatures could address implementation details. After the amendment votes, the joint resolution was read a third time and moved into final debate. Supporters said the proposal would give homeowners relief and force fiscal discipline at the local level. Opponents, including Senators Nathan, Bracey Davis, Smith, Polsky, and Errington, argued the measure was rushed, lacked a completed fiscal analysis or replacement revenue, and could harm police, fire, libraries, parks, housing, and other local services. They also criticized the ballot summary as misleading, especially regarding the staged homestead exemption increase. The transcript ends during debate, before any final vote on the joint resolution itself.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our senior population is growing rapidly, and with it the demand for long-term care.
• Department of Health and Human Services estimates that almost 70% of seniors will need long-term care
• So that is 630,000 residents in 2030 who will need long-term care at some point.
• And for these reasons, I respectfully ask you to reject HB 199 and allow Louisiana's long-term care system
• They really don't care about fixing all of our systems.

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Summary: The committee met on March 25 and first took up HB 199, which would extend Louisiana’s nursing home moratorium. Chairman Miller amended the bill to shorten the extension from five years to four, moving the termination date to July 1, 2031. Rep. Barault argued the state faces a growing bed-capacity problem and proposed an amendment to exempt St. Tammany Parish; Rep. Cruz offered a substitute to reduce the extension to three years. The Nursing Home Association said it had negotiated in good faith and supported the four-year compromise, while the Pelican Institute opposed the moratorium as anti-competitive. A St. Tammany resident testified that her mother faced a long wait for placement and that more local beds are needed. The three-year substitute and the St. Tammany exemption both failed, and HB 199 was reported favorably with the four-year amendment. The committee then favorably reported HB 223 to recreate the Department of Children and Family Services for four more years, with Secretary Rebecca Harris saying the department’s recent reorganization has allowed it to focus more directly on child safety and child welfare. Members discussed planned reforms such as differentiated response, stronger community-based care, and the transfer of TANF to Louisiana Works in 2027. HB 907, which grants civil and criminal immunity for the use or distribution of expired naloxone or other opioid antagonists, also passed with technical amendments; public health officials and members emphasized that expired naloxone remains effective enough to save lives and should still be used in emergencies. HB 535, which streamlines hospital-based acknowledgements of paternity by allowing notarization without two witnesses, was reported favorably after Woman’s Hospital testified that the change would speed up paternity establishment, child support enforcement, and the addition of fathers to birth certificates. HB 554, which would increase penalties for violations at health care facilities and require LDH reporting, drew testimony from a family member describing serious care failures and from LDH, which said it already has caps on fines and that the bill would not change those caps. Rep. Jackson amended the bill to require LDH to publish fines assessed and collected and to list facilities with repeated immediate jeopardy or actual harm deficiencies, but the bill was then voluntarily deferred for a week to allow further discussion with the department. The committee also reported HB 224, a largely technical update to the Children’s Code recommended by the Louisiana State Law Institute, HB 246, which updates membership of the Children’s Cabinet Advisory Board and related bodies, and HB 405, which updates the name of the national acupuncture certifying organization. HB 222, requiring Medicaid coverage for certain dental procedures when needed to clear patients for other medically necessary treatment, was reported favorably despite a fiscal note. Finally, HB 235 on sewer systems generated extensive discussion: Rep. Fontenot described rising sewer rates, poor maintenance, and sewage overflows in his district, and argued for allowing property owners to install private sewer treatment systems in certain circumstances. Members raised concerns about local control, PSC rate-setting, and whether local governments should have more authority over sewer service decisions; the bill was still under discussion when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that child has gone back into the foster care system because that family can't afford to stay home
• And that child has gone back into the foster care system because that family can't afford to stay home
• So originally when the pay-on-authorization system coding was done in this child care data system, it
• That does not do anything for me in terms of the conversations that we're having with child care providers
• That would happen within our child care development data system, where, when the authorization is done

Committee: House Budget

Summary: The committee first heard the Office of the Governor’s FY 2027 budget request from Adam Gresham. He explained the office’s staffing and noted a $500,000 core reduction, along with a reallocation of three positions and about $168,000 from the governor’s office to the mansion operating fund to better reflect where those employees work. Members asked about the National Guard emergency line, which Gresham said had already spent about $63,457 in FY 2026 and could be used again for disaster activations, though he did not expect to use the full $4 million. He also said the agricultural resiliency transfer fund had not been used and had no current transfer plans. Several members commented on the size of the governor’s cut and whether the judiciary and other offices were also being asked to reduce budgets. No votes were taken. The committee then moved to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Office of Childhood and early childhood-related budget items. DESE staff described funding for the Office of Childhood, MoQPK child care provider grants, LEA pre-K grants, early childhood special education, Parents as Teachers, First Steps, preschool coordination, after-school programs, and child care subsidy. Members asked extensively about the MoQPK grants, including why Head Start providers were eligible, how curriculum approval works, and what safeguards exist against fraud or improper payments. DESE said it conducts physical inspections, desk reviews, payment-system checks, and investigations as needed, and that it had not had findings in this area. Some members questioned whether DESE or DSS was the right home for early childhood programs, while others defended the partnership and the role of early educators in identifying child needs. A major portion of the discussion focused on early childhood special education and the child care subsidy program. DESE explained that First Steps serves children birth to age three, while early childhood special education covers ages three to five and is driven by IEP eligibility; members asked for more data on diagnoses, trends, and how many children come off IEPs. The committee also discussed the child care subsidy budget and the governor’s proposed shift to paying providers based on authorization and at the beginning of the month. DESE said the change is being piloted, that a wait list is expected to begin around March 1, and that a May rollout is being considered, but only if software testing and fiscal projections show the system is sustainable. Members expressed frustration that promised changes had been delayed and that providers had been told different timelines, while DESE said the delay was driven by software issues, fiscal caution, and the need to avoid repeating prior payment problems. The hearing ended with the committee in recess before later resuming discussion of the subsidy program; no final votes or actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:27:44.440><c> a</c><01:27:44.560><c> long</c> everybody did have copies long a long everybody
• I generally support reasonable statutes of limitations when it comes to PFAS contamination and its long-term
• and its long-term health contamination and its long-term health and<02:56:39.560><c> environmental</
• That is the standard of care. The care is legal. The care is available.
• the care is available I care is legal the care is available I should<04:13:28.600><c> be</c><04:13:28.720

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee met in executive session and first took up HB 148, which would allow classification by biological sex in limited circumstances such as multi-use bathrooms, certain athletic events, and involuntary commitment facilities. Supporters argued the bill was needed to protect privacy and safety, especially for women and girls, and said it was consistent with recent federal actions and prior legislation. Opponents said the bill lacked a clear definition of biological sex, could create confusion and discrimination, and was unnecessary because existing law and sports rules already address the issues raised. After debate, the committee voted 10-8 to recommend ought to pass on HB 148. The chair asked for a majority report and noted that a minority report would likely be filed. The committee then considered HB 254, a bill related to end-of-life medical decision-making. Supporters framed it as a matter of liberty and relief from suffering for terminally ill patients, while opponents raised moral objections, concerns about suicide being normalized, and worries about deceptive wording and death-certificate reporting. HB 254 was approved on an 11-7 vote for ought to pass, with the chair indicating he would write the majority report and Representative Perez the minority report. The committee then moved to HB 611 with Amendment 2025-0638, a replace-all amendment restoring prior law on recoupment of appointed-counsel costs from indigent criminal defendants and juveniles. The chair explained the amendment as reversing 2020 changes that had limited cost recovery, and the discussion focused on financial affidavits and the Office of Cost Containment’s ability to review indigency claims. The transcript cuts off before the committee vote on HB 611.

Transcript Highlights:

• Investors continue to acquire properties at soaring prices, being a cost driver, and leaving long-term
• to see if people want to vote for or against their own self-interest, but for the betterment of a long-term
• Because for so long,... I really have.
• Bill 274, which provided property tax relief for... ...74, which provided property tax relief for long-term
• This corrects a great imbalance in our system.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But the long-term effects, the long-term costs on our society are also great.
• But the long-term<00:44:30.319><c> effects,</c><00:44:30.640><c> the</c><00:44:30.800><c> long-term</
• c><00:44:31.119><c> costs</c> long-term effects, the long-term costs long-term effects, the long-term
• So, in the short term, yeah, these costs might be painful to incur, but the long-term impacts are going
• </c> stabilization, and the long-term stabilization, and the long-term well-being<03:14:53.359><c> of

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• teams and in health care systems.
• teams and in health care systems.
• </c> day healthcare teams and in health care day healthcare teams and in health care systems.<01:08:12.000
• ><c> one</c><03:30:19.200><c> of</c><03:30:19.359><c> eight</c> long-term hair designers, one of eight
• long-term hair designers, one of eight years<03:30:19.840><c> and</c><03:30:20.080><c> one</c><03:30

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened a hearing on Senate Bill 185, which would add timelines to Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) investigations. Senator Howard Pearl said the bill was prompted by concerns from the New Hampshire Association of Realtors about delays at the Real Estate Commission, and he explained that the proposal would require OPLC staff to make an initial determination within 30 days and, if misconduct is found, complete an investigation within 60 days. He said the goal is to improve transparency and give consumers and licensees more timely information, while preserving the board’s adjudicatory role. He also noted that the bill had been amended to delay implementation to give OPLC time to work through its backlog. Committee members questioned how the bill would work when an investigation is incomplete and whether the board could send a case back to OPLC without a firm deadline. Pearl said the board would have discretion to continue the investigation or make a final determination, and that the bill was intended to streamline OPLC’s process rather than impose a hard cap on complex cases. OPLC Executive Director Deanna Durus and General Counsel Nicholas Fry then testified that the agency has already changed its procedures under prior legislation, including a facial review of complaints and monthly board review of dismissal memos. They said the bill would substantially alter the current structure, could conflict with existing limitation periods and board duties, and would be difficult to implement without additional staff and funding. Durus said the agency’s backlog is large, that new complaints are being triaged and prioritized, and that some urgent matters are moved ahead based on risk and statutory deadlines. She said OPLC had completed a review of about 500 backlog cases that would now be dismissed under current screening standards, and that those cases are being turned into memos for board review. Board of Medicine public member Nina Gardner testified in favor of the bill but said the backlog is significant and that the agency needs more resources to make the process work effectively. She said the board is seeing progress, but not fast enough, and suggested the bill may not go far enough without additional staffing and funding. No vote was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it was really, really tough for me because I care for you. I care for you.
• I care for you so much.
• Yet many veterans do not qualify for dental care through the federal VA system because eligibility is
• Yet many veterans do not qualify for dental care through the federal VA system because eligibility is
• We don't care. They didn't care so bad. You know what they did?

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opening with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions, including recognition of the day’s doctor of the day, an intern, and a resolution honoring the late Bob Graham and firefighter Roger Timmy Miley. The chamber also adopted a resolution designating August 9, 2026, as Bob Graham Day. After routine announcements, the Senate moved to the special order calendar and took up a series of bills, many of them with House companion bills substituted in place of Senate versions. The first major floor action was passage of a tax-related bill conforming Florida’s Internal Revenue Code to federal changes while excluding certain provisions from H.R. 1; it passed 34-0. The Senate then considered CS/SB 1758 on public assistance and Medicaid, which proposed stronger fraud enforcement, a Medicaid work requirement for able-bodied adults, expanded behavioral health services, pharmacy and drug rebate reforms, and SNAP fraud reduction measures. A Berman amendment to require Medicaid expansion before work requirements was rejected, as was an Osgood amendment to add photo-ID protections and exemptions for certain SNAP users. The bill remained on the calendar for third reading after extensive debate and questioning about implementation, exemptions, and potential impacts on beneficiaries. The chamber also passed bills on technology education and AI instruction, a Parkinson’s disease registry and related public records exemption, designation of the SS American Victory as Florida’s official flagship, electronic payments for local governments, repeal of the sunset on gold and silver legal tender, public records exemptions for financial institutions and custodians, a Florida stablecoin pilot program, local government finance transparency, digital voyeurism, and insurance customer representative licensing. Most of these measures were adopted after brief explanation, minor amendments, or substitution of House companions, with votes generally in favor and several passing unanimously or by wide margins. Later, the Senate took up CS/SB 1756 on medical freedom, which would expand parental vaccine information requirements, add a conscience-based exemption, allow behind-the-counter ivermectin access, and repeal the sunset on the mRNA mandate prohibition. The bill’s first amendments clarified anti-kickback rules for vaccine manufacturers and required informational materials to address risks, benefits, safety, and efficacy; the transcript ends during consideration of this bill, before final passage is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• I generally support reasonable statutes of limitations when it comes to PFAS contamination and its long-term
• it comes to pasas contamination<02:56:38.399><c> and</c><02:56:38.560><c> its</c><02:56:38.720><c> long-term
• </c><02:56:39.200><c> health</c> contamination and its long-term health contamination and its long-term
• That is the standard of care. The care is legal. The care is available.
• That is the standard of care. The care is legal. The care is available.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee met in executive session and first took up HB 148, a bill allowing classification by biological sex in limited settings such as multiple-use bathrooms, certain sports, and involuntary commitment facilities. Supporters said it was needed to protect privacy and safety, especially for minors, and argued it was consistent with recent federal and state developments. Opponents said the bill was poorly defined, unnecessary, and could create discrimination or confusion, especially because it did not define “biological sex” in the text. The committee voted 10-8 ought to pass, and the chair said a minority report would be written. The committee then considered HB 254, a bill concerning medical aid in dying. The chair moved ought to pass and described the bill as a matter of liberty for terminally ill patients within six months of death, arguing it should not be treated as suicide. Opponents raised religious, ethical, and policy concerns, including worries about a slippery slope, misuse by vulnerable people, and the effect on death records and public health data. The committee voted 11-7 ought to pass, and the chair said a majority report would be written with a minority report by Representative Perez. Finally, the committee turned to HB 611 with Amendment 2025-0638, a replace-all amendment dealing with recoupment of costs for appointed counsel. The chair explained the amendment would restore the law to its pre-2020 form, allowing the Office of Cost Containment to seek repayment from some recipients of appointed counsel services, including those found not guilty, if they had the ability to pay. Supporters said the prior change had sharply reduced collections and that the state should not treat indigent defendants differently from people who hire private counsel. Opponents argued the policy unfairly bills innocent people and children who were entitled to counsel. The transcript cuts off during debate on the amendment, before a vote is shown.