Transcript Highlights:

• problems in urban communities, where we suffer from urban heat and other problems at a disproportionate rate
• problems in urban communities, where we suffer from urban heat in other problems at a disproportionate rate
• We suffer from urban heat and other problems at a disproportionate rate because we don't have the greenery

Committees: House Water, Parks and Wildlife , House Water, Parks, and Wildlife

Transcript Highlights:

• Florida also has the highest fatal drowning rate in the nation for ages 1 through 4 and ages 0 through
• The 2022 pass rate was 59%.
• surcharges previously authorized for customers outside municipal limits and reduces the allowable rate
• differential cap from 50% to 25% above in-city rates.
• Finally, under certain circumstances, the bill requires rate parity for municipal water and wastewater

Summary: The committee took up a long agenda of retained bills and several new measures, with most receiving favorable reports after amendments. Major debate centered on CS/SB 706, which preempts airport naming to the state and designates Palm Beach International Airport as the Donald J. Trump International Airport subject to FAA and trademark-related conditions. Senator Jones offered amendments to avoid private royalty benefits, but both failed. Senators Berman, Osgood, Jones, and Pizzo spoke against the bill, raising concerns about naming an airport after a sitting president, lack of local input, and ethical issues; Senator Mayfield defended the bill as cost-free to the airport and noted the naming agreement. The committee ultimately voted the bill favorably. The committee also approved CS/SB 546 on conservation land notice requirements and CS/SB 1014 on municipal utility service to properties outside city limits, both with amendments and some opposition from the Florida League of Cities on the utility bill. Several other bills were heard and reported favorably with little controversy. CS/SB 1500 would streamline uncontested probate proceedings; SB 962 would exclude farms and farm operations from certain zoning definitions tied to affordable housing preemption; CS/SB 820 would strengthen reporting for problem-solving courts; SB 840 would revise portions of last year’s hurricane-related land-use law to narrow its scope and sunset temporary restrictions; and SB 856 would require online property listings to show estimated ad valorem taxes, with an amendment excluding social media platforms and broadening liability protections. SB 110 would clarify homestead exemption eligibility for 98-year or longer residential leases. SB 394 would exempt certain underwriting managers handling limited facultative reinsurance from licensure requirements, and SB 434 would prevent wind-hardening improvements from increasing assessed value for residential property tax purposes. The committee also advanced several public-safety and transparency measures. CS/CS/SB 658 and 608, a combined water-safety bill, would require safety features for rental properties with pools or nearby water bodies and authorize DBPR enforcement; supporters framed it as a response to Florida’s high child-drowning rates, and Airbnb waived in support. SB 748 would place constitutional language on restoration of voting rights on sentencing score sheets, with broad support from voting-rights and civil-rights groups. CS/SB 824 would require annual reporting of unimproved school-district land inventories, and CS/SB 848 would create a framework for off-site stormwater treatment and related credits, with support from builders and mitigation bankers. The committee also heard CS/SB 1036 on school counselors, which clarifies certification requirements and performance criteria after a delete-all amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• are an easy target, treated far worse than any other offense group, having an extraordinarily low rate
• Florida also has the highest fatal drowning rate in the nation for ages 1 through 4 and ages 0 through
• Florida also has the highest fatal drowning rate in the nation for ages 1 through 4 and ages 0 through
• The pass rate was 59%, and... ...passing.
• differential cap from 50% to 25% above in-city rates.

Bills: S0092 , S0110 , S0192 , S0212 , S0260 , S0350 , S0394 , S0422 , S0434 , S0442 , S0484 , S0546 , S0556 , S0684 , S0696 , S0706 , S0748 , S0786 , S0820 , S0824 , S0838 , S0840 , S0848 , S0856 , S0962 , S1000 , S1014 , S1036 , S1050 , S1054 , S1080 , S1118 , S1134 , S1338 , S1480 , S1500 , S1506 , S1622 , S1724

Committee: Senate Rules

Summary: The Committee on Rules met with a quorum and considered a long agenda of bills, many of them retained from the prior week. The most debated measure was CS for SB 706, which would preempt naming of major commercial service airports to the state and designate Palm Beach International Airport as the Donald J. Trump International Airport, subject to FAA approval and a trademark agreement. Amendments were offered and rejected, including proposals to prevent private financial benefit from the naming. Several senators spoke in opposition, citing concerns about naming an airport after a sitting president, lack of local input, and the trademark/licensing arrangement; supporters argued there was no cost to the airport and that the bill simply set a state naming policy. The committee reported the bill favorably after a roll call vote. The committee also reported favorably CS for SB 546 on conservation land notice requirements, CS for CS for SB 1014 on municipal utility service to properties outside city limits, CS for SB 1500 on uncontested probate proceedings, SB 962 on excluding farms from certain zoning definitions, and CS for SB 820 on problem-solving court reporting requirements. The committee then approved several bills from Senator DiCeglie and Senator Arrington. SB 840, addressing land-use regulations for local governments affected by natural disasters, was supported by local-government and environmental advocates who said it would restore local control after SB 180’s hurricane-related restrictions; the sponsor said it was intended to correct unintended consequences of last year’s law. CS for SB 856, requiring online listing platforms to show estimated ad valorem taxes on residential listings, was amended to exclude social media platforms and broaden liability protections; the sponsor and a county property appraiser described it as a consumer-transparency measure. CS for SB 110, clarifying homestead exemption treatment for long-term leases that end at death, was also reported favorably. The committee took up a controversial strike-all amendment to SB 212, which focused on public swimming pools and added residency and related restrictions for certain sex offenders and offenders on community control or probation. The amendment drew strong opposition from advocates and affected families, who argued it would worsen homelessness, impose broad geographic restrictions, and lack evidence of improving child safety; supporters said it was a targeted public-safety measure. Despite the objections, the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee also approved SB 684 on electronic signatures for total-loss vehicle and vessel titles, SB 394 on reinsurance intermediary managers, SB 434 on property tax assessment treatment for wind-hardening improvements, CS for CS for SBs 658 and 608 on water-safety requirements for rental properties with pools or nearby water, SB 748 on adding voting-rights restoration information to sentencing score sheets, and CS for SB 824 requiring school districts to inventory unimproved real property. The meeting ended while the committee was beginning SB 848 on stormwater treatment, with an amendment being introduced as the transcript cut off.

Transcript Highlights:

• Florida also has the highest fatal drowning rate in the nation for ages 1 through 4 and ages 0 through
• The pass rate was 59%, and there is a high chance of accidentally shutting out counselors because their
• differential cap from 50% to 25% above in-city rates.
• Finally, under certain circumstances, the bill requires rate parity for municipal water and wastewater
• increases as we've seen in other parts of the country, particularly, ...rate increases as we've seen

Committee: Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• So the adoption rate would be probably nothing. I mean, you're talking about a low adoption rate.
• So the adoption rate would be this. So the adoption rate would be probably<00:39:37.920><c> nothing.
• So that $100 about a low adoption rate.
• Um, and so they might be paid at different rates.
• So, you have to paid at different rates.

Committee: Senate Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• talk about with in the science realm, but one that I’m concerned about is the science proficiency rate
• :50.639><c> the</c><00:13:51.120><c> science</c><00:13:51.959><c> proficiency</c><00:13:52.959><c> rate
• </c> is the um the science proficiency rate is the um the science proficiency rate among<00:13:53.920
• Uh, our cancer rates among 20- and 30-year-olds is going up.
• arrest rates, criminal activity, graduation rates, employment rates, and median household income.

Summary: The Make America Healthy Again task force held its first meeting to set interim priorities rather than take formal action. Co-chairs and members said the group’s goal is to identify practical policy ideas to improve Kentucky’s poor health outcomes, with an emphasis on prevention, and to gather input from members and outside stakeholders. Roll was called, several members were present, and the co-chairs noted the meeting would be limited in length and would not include a lunch break. Members identified a wide range of possible focus areas, including childhood and adult obesity, nutrition in schools, food deserts, agriculture and support for local farms, health responsibility, physical activity, mental health, and provider education on nutrition. Several speakers stressed that Kentucky’s health care costs are rising unsustainably and that prevention is cheaper than treatment. Others emphasized that the task force should work with agencies, hospitals, universities, and experts, and should narrow its work to a few actionable areas rather than “chase every rabbit.” There was also discussion of food as medicine, improving the quality of food in schools and hospitals, and making healthier choices more accessible and affordable. Members referenced conversations already underway with industries, the Kentucky Department of Education, the Kentucky Hospital Association, and agricultural leaders. No votes or formal motions were taken during the portion of the meeting provided; the main action was the exchange of priorities and direction for future task force work.

Transcript Highlights:

• Also, The Institute graduates excel at staying in their jobs; they have an 80% one-year retention rate
• </c><00:07:13.039><c> tracked</c> an 80% one-year retention rate tracked an 80% one-year retention rate
• </c> system cost our one-year retention rate system cost our one-year retention rate is is is 76%<00:
• The 0% recidivism rate among youth proves that when we invest in our young people, they succeed.
• The 0% recidivism rate among youth proves that when we invest in our young people, they succeed.

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill requires that renewal on property leased by state agencies be leased at a rate which would be
• considered a fair market rate unless a submarket rate is agreed to by the property owner.
• one way or the other because it's rate one way or the other because it's all<00:36:48.640><c> coming
• lease describes the fair market rate lease renewals<00:41:09.800><c> reciprocity</c><00:41:10.800><c
• </c> it was reported that the vacancy rate it was reported that the vacancy rate remains<00:58:13.200

Committee: Senate Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• Given the high compliance rate and the increased fine for non-compliance, the original authorized amount
• In many cases, farmers are still taxed at the higher property tax rate as if those acres were still in
• In many cases, farmers are still taxed at the higher property tax rate as if those acres were still in
• How are the school districts affected by this lower property tax rate?
• </c> but then it's continues at a slower rate but then it's continues at a slower rate um<00:30:38.679

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• For decades, states have anchored their reserves in U.S. bonds and cash, thriving in eras of stable rates
• The Federal Reserve's money supply expansion and rate manipulation. Let me start that over.
• The Federal Reserve's money supply expansions and rate manipulations erode long-term...
• Money supply expansions and rate manipulations erode long-term purchasing power.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Revenue

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a hearing on 25 tax and administrative bills, with opening remarks explaining the hearing process and noting that House-filed matters must be reported by December 6. The first major topic was funding for the Massachusetts Law Enforcement Memorial and related support for families of fallen officers. Police representatives, memorial fund advocates, and family members gave emotional testimony urging favorable action on S. 1934 and related bills, emphasizing the need for a permanent revenue stream to maintain the memorial and honor officers killed in the line of duty. Committee members and legislators responded with personal remarks of support and appreciation for law enforcement families. The committee then heard testimony on a proposed Commonwealth Bitcoin Strategic Reserve, including S. 1967 and related bills. Senator Peter Durant and later Dennis Porter argued that the state should be allowed to invest a limited share of stabilization or other funds in Bitcoin or other regulated digital assets as a hedge against inflation and fiscal risk, with strict caps, custody rules, and audits. They described the proposal as a forward-looking, non-mandatory framework for diversifying state reserves. No vote was taken during the hearing. Another major topic was disaster resilience funding. Dr. Paul Biddinger of Mass General Brigham supported S. 1936/H. 3030, saying climate-driven flooding, drought, and wildfire risks are increasing and that the State Disaster Relief and Resiliency Trust Fund needs a dedicated revenue source. Senator Comerford also testified in favor, explaining that the fund was created in the prior session, that recent floods showed the need for quick state response, and that the bill would dedicate a portion of capital gains revenue to the fund. Committee members asked about how the fund would accrue and be used. The committee also heard testimony on PILOT and endowment-related bills: AICUM opposed H. 3122/S. 2013 and H. 3264/S. 2016, arguing that an endowment tax and mandatory PILOTs would harm private nonprofit colleges, students, and research; and a representative from Peru supported reform of PILOT formulas for state-owned land, saying rural towns need higher reimbursements and hold-harmless protections. The hearing concluded after testimony on the digital asset bills, with no recorded votes or final actions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Even more concerning, colorectal cancer rates among young adults under the age of 50 have doubled since
• Here in California, rates among adults under 50 have increased by about 3 percent annually.
• When detected early, the five-year survival rate is about 90 percent, but that number drops significantly
• When detected early, the five-year survival rate is about 90 percent, but that number drops significantly

Transcript Highlights:

• out because the transaction cost of buying and selling a treasury is just wrapped into the interest rate
• So what I did is I took the overnight lending rate between banks, which was 3.75%, compared that to a
• less than that. 0.75%, compared that to a treasury note, which was less than that, less the interest rate
• not as good a deal to buy a treasury as it is to park your money overnight at the overnight lending rate

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Despite being the fifth-largest economy in the world, California has an extremely high poverty rate.
• California's supplemental poverty rate, a measure that takes cost of living and government aid into account
• This high rate of medical debt shows that current tax benefits provided for medical costs is not sufficient
• apartment owners and property managers who are responsible for over 2 million affordable and market-rate

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation met and announced that, under its suspense-file rules, every bill on the agenda would be referred to suspense because each had a fiscal impact. The chair also reminded attendees to submit position letters in advance for inclusion in the bill analysis. A quorum was established and the committee then heard six bills, all of which drew support testimony and no opposition testimony in the room. AB 814 would exempt law enforcement pensions from state income tax to encourage retired peace officers to remain in California and support recruitment and retention. AB 918 would create a targeted income tax exemption for pay earned by local first responders deployed under mutual aid during declared emergencies, with supporters saying it would help sustain disaster response and reward extraordinary service. Both bills were backed by police and public safety organizations and were referred to suspense. AB 976 would create a nonrefundable tax credit for small retailers in disadvantaged communities to help pay for security equipment in response to retail theft and violence; members discussed whether the bill should be broader and how it related to Proposition 36 and crime policy. AB 984 would allow state tax deductions for contributions to CalABLE accounts, with testimony from CalABLE representatives and families describing the program as an essential savings tool for people with disabilities. AB 1282 would create a deduction for out-of-pocket medical expenses up to $5,000 through 2030, and AB 838 would raise California’s renter’s tax credit from $60/$120 to $2,000 for eligible filers. Each of these bills was also referred to the suspense file, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you're in WEC territory, it's a very high rate.
• If you're in Swanton, it's a lower rate, although they just asked for an upgrade.
• </c><00:41:51.400><c> If</c> territory, it's a very high rate. If territory, it's a very high rate.
• ,</c> you're in Swanton, it's a lower rate, you're in Swanton, it's a lower rate, although<00:41:53.160
• </c> reduce the homestead property tax rate. reduce the homestead property tax rate.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> homeowners for multi-apparel uh rates. homeowners for multi-apparel uh rates.
• Because there's exposure growth, there's inflation, there's rate increases.
• Because there's exposure growth, there's inflation, there's rate increases.
• So the value of interest rates went up.
• We'd do a past we would set our rates.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you look at the statistics that were provided to us, overall, the commission has a grant rate of roughly
• denials of parole, on these five members that we will consider today, every one of them had a grant rate
• people who go through the parole review process and are granted parole have extremely low recidivism rates
• Continued public awareness and education are essential to improving diagnosis rates, supporting families
• Continued public awareness and education are essential to improving diagnosis rates, supporting families

Summary: The Senate met with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through several privileges-of-the-floor recognitions, including birthday wishes for Senator Archuleta and tributes to former Senator George Runner and visiting guests from Portugal in connection with Portuguese Heritage Month. The body then proceeded to governor appointments, beginning with multiple confirmations to the Board of Parole Hearings. Debate on the parole board nominees focused heavily on public safety, transparency, and recent high-profile parole decisions involving violent sexual offenders, with opponents arguing the board had been too lenient and lacked public accountability, while supporters said commissioners were applying the law as written and using structured risk assessments. William Muniz and Michael Ruff were both confirmed after roll-call votes, despite opposition centered on parole outcomes and board transparency. Rosalind Sargent Burns and Mary Thornton were also confirmed after similar debate. The final parole board confirmation, Jack Weiss, drew the most extended discussion, including a failed request to read material into the record and repeated disputes over whether comments were on topic; Weiss was ultimately confirmed as well. Throughout these confirmations, senators on both sides referenced elder parole, the unreasonable-risk standard, victim input, and the need for either reform or deference to existing law. After the appointments, the Senate took up SCR 179 by Senator Niello, designating May as Celiac Disease Awareness Month. Niello described celiac disease as a serious autoimmune disorder, emphasized the challenges of gluten exposure and cross-contamination, and called for greater awareness, labeling, and education. The resolution passed unanimously, 31-0. The session concluded with committee announcements and adjournment-in-memory tributes for Marty Arnold, Jim McAulian, and Pat Gagoscos, followed by remarks from the pro tem noting bipartisan legislation on parole transparency and announcing the next session for June 4, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• this is a fund that is of no cost to the state except that the NICRA, the negotiated indirect cost rate
• this is a fund that is of no cost to the state except that the NICRA, the negotiated indirect cost rate
• the NICRA the negotiated<00:06:31.120><c> indirect</c><00:06:31.680><c> cost</c><00:06:31.919><c> rate
• </c><00:06:32.160><c> that</c><00:06:32.400><c> is</c> negotiated indirect cost rate that is negotiated
• indirect cost rate that is part<00:06:32.800><c> of</c><00:06:32.960><c> every</c><00:06:33.199><c>

Bills: HB1730 , HB1985 , HB1749 , HB1921

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Environment

Summary: The committee heard several agriculture-related bills. HB 1953 would create a two-year conservation and environmental stewardship pilot program in the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity (DAB); testimony from Agriculture Stewardship Hawaii supported investing in conservation agriculture and farm practices that protect waterways and native species. HB 248 would establish a climate-resilient food systems grant program, with DAB explaining the types of equipment and processing investments such grants could support, such as coffee roasting, packaging, harvesting equipment, and other value-added infrastructure. HB 2246 would create a grant administration program and revolving fund to help DAB manage grants; DAB said the bill would help leverage federal, state, county, and private funding by retaining part of the indirect cost recovery to meet matching requirements. HB 2549 would create a clean plant program to produce and distribute disease-free plant material, and reforestation advocates said it would support large-scale reforestation efforts. HB 2551 would fund an area fruit fly suppression program; DAB described sterile fruit fly technology and said the program could help reduce fruit fly populations statewide. HB 2216 would authorize DAB to package and sell part of its loan portfolio to third parties, and HB 2152 would clarify liability and penalties for dog attacks on livestock, with the Hawaii Sheep and Goat Association discussing proposed language and the Hawaiian Humane Society’s suggested amendment on euthanasia procedures. Testimony was largely supportive across the measures, with DAB, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and other agriculture and conservation groups generally backing the bills. There was some discussion on funding levels and implementation details, including DAB’s estimate of about $750,000 for three clean plant stations and a question about the appropriations needed for the fruit fly suppression program. For HB 2152, the chair noted an amendment incorporating Hawaiian Humane Society language that would require surrender of a dog found to have caused livestock loss or damage for humane euthanasia within 24 hours. In decision-making, the committee voted to pass all of the measures discussed, most with technical amendments or date-defect amendments to July 1, 2050. HB 1953, HB 2548, HB 2549, HB 2551, HB 2216, and HB 2152 were all adopted unanimously by the members present, and HB 2246 also passed with technical amendments. The chair’s amendment to HB 2152 was specifically adopted to include the humane euthanasia language.

Transcript Highlights:

• Engrossed House Bill 5687, relating to reducing the tax rate imposed on the gross value of metallurgical
• This bill would phase down the rate of the severance tax on metallurgical coal.
• The severance tax rate on newly drilled and completed oil and gas wells would be modified... ...The severance
• tax rate on newly drilled and completed oil and gas wells would be modified to a lower amount for the
• After two years, the rate reverts to the original amount.

Transcript Highlights:

• But the pandemic and some of the lowest return-to-office rates in the country have turned our old model
• Through these efforts, BART's customer satisfaction rate is at its highest in 10 years.
• if this gets included in the cost of building in California, those tax ultimately get passed on to rate
• This includes veterans who have that 100% rating from the VA.
• And some of those ratings consist of veterans who are blind in both ...eyes, who have lost two or more

Committee: House Revenue and Taxation

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation heard several bills dealing with taxes, transit funding, clean energy incentives, veterans’ property tax relief, housing-related remediation fees, and federal tax conformity. Early in the hearing, SB 63 was presented as a Bay Area transit funding measure authorizing a local sales tax ballot measure for BART, Caltrain, Muni, and AC Transit, with supporters emphasizing service cuts that could occur without new funding and an opponent raising Proposition 13/218 concerns. SB 56 and SB 296 both focused on disabled veterans’ property tax relief, with supporters arguing that disability compensation should not count as income for eligibility and that the bills would help veterans remain housed; SB 296 was described as a broader exemption for 100% disabled veterans and surviving spouses. SB 86 sought to extend and expand the California Alternative Energy and Advanced Transportation Financing Authority’s sales and use tax incentive program, including fusion energy, and SB 302 would conform state tax law to federal clean energy credit provisions to help projects monetize federal incentives. SB 328 would cap Department of Toxic Substances Control fees for contaminated-soil remediation on housing projects, with supporters saying current fees can make infill housing infeasible. SB 711 would update California’s tax conformity date to January 1, 2025 to align with federal tax law changes and simplify filing. After quorum was established, the committee took formal action on the bills. SB 63 was approved 4-2 and sent to Appropriations; SB 86, SB 302, SB 328, SB 711, and SB 293, SB 359, SB 419, SB 587, SB 603, SB 663, SB 710, and SB 785 were approved with various amendments and sent to Appropriations, while SB 56, SB 284, SB 723 were held in committee and SB 296 and SB 353 were made two-year bills. The committee also adopted amendments on several measures, including reducing SB 86’s aggregate cap, delaying SB 302’s effective date with a sunset, and narrowing SB 710’s exclusion to certain nonresidential solar systems. The hearing concluded with the chair thanking members and staff and adjourning the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• law requires that ballot labels for local tiered tax and bond measures include estimates of the tax rate
• plain language explanation of the measure's financial details, such as how funds will be spent, what rates
• Tax rates fluctuate to pay principal and interest due to the changes in the economy, project schedules
• and AB 195 were simple measures that added one sentence to the ballot label, specifically that the rate
• The reasoning seems clear, this bill and the bills before it are about increasing passage rates for bonds

Committee: House Elections