Video & Transcript : 'prosthetic devices' :
Page 43 of 284
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Please silence all electronic devices.
- Every year, phones and devices gain better encryption and more capacity to hold data, along with a rise
- The backlog is one problem, but just continuing to try to hack through those devices to find it.
- But even once we get into a device, forensic examiners are sometimes faced with looking at millions upon
- And with those numbers, as you can imagine, all those crimes have that nexus of a digital device.
Committee:
Senate Criminal Justice
Summary:
The committee took up a series of criminal justice and public safety bills. SB 646, allowing the use of drug testing tools such as fentanyl test strips and reagent kits to detect dangerous adulterants, was presented as a harm-reduction measure and reported favorably after supportive testimony from advocates and criminal defense groups. SB 442, extending the return period for warrants involving digital evidence from 45 days to one year, also passed unanimously amid testimony from prosecutors and law enforcement about encryption, backlogs, and large volumes of child exploitation evidence. SB 418, creating autism-related law enforcement training and a Blue Envelope Program for traffic stops and other encounters, was reported favorably with support from police, disability advocates, and families. SB 132, creating a public database to help people determine eligibility for restoration of voting rights, and SB 748, requiring notice of voting-rights restoration information on sentencing score sheets, both passed with broad support from voting-rights and criminal defense advocates.
The committee also approved SB 1734, recognizing juvenile probation and detention officers as officers under Florida law and extending related training and benefits, and SB 1660, designating June as Responsible Firearm Safety Awareness Month. SB 1742, which repealed the existing “unnatural and lascivious acts” statute and created a new offense for indecent exposure of sexual organs to a minor, was amended with a delete-all amendment and then reported favorably. SB 1750, a major overhaul of career offender registration requirements, was later reconsidered after a bill-number mix-up and then reported favorably as SB 1332, with FDLE and sheriff’s association support.
The most contentious measure was SB 1326, which would eliminate the traditional insanity defense and replace it with a lack-of-culpable-mental-state defense, require malingering assessments in competency evaluations, and limit downward departures based on mental illness. Criminal defense attorneys and disability advocates argued it lacked a treatment component, raised scientific and cost concerns, and could worsen public safety by sending mentally ill defendants to prison without adequate care. Supporters, including the sponsor and the Attorney General’s office, argued it would close gaps and better protect the public. After extensive debate, the bill was reported favorably on a divided vote, with several members voting no. At the end of the meeting, members recorded additional votes on some bills, and Senator Pizzo moved for reconsideration of SB 1326 for a future meeting.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Science, Technology and Telecommunications Aug 25th, 2025
Science, Technology & Telecommunications Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- It also included a one-time $100 subsidy on connected devices. restricted to households below 200% of
- We were able to place over 10,000 mobile hotspot devices in the education industry to allow learning
- , the networking devices, for example, that make up the network.
- foremost, it protects the privacy and security of state-owned or state- networks, applications, and devices
- state would be looking at because you need to replace that with whatever agency has this type of device
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Prioritizing Public Safety / Proposed Civil Commitment Changes / Supporting Education Pension Reform Apr 13th, 2025
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Based on those results, the report's authors ask legislators to approve the use of the screening devices
- c><00:13:10.320><c> to</c><00:13:10.560><c> establish</c><00:13:11.200><c> probable</c> screening devices
- one of the most significant responses that we've implemented is the use of the ignition interlock device
- You've got to use the device at least daily in order to maintain the requirements of the program.
- Um, it's even got a camera on the device to make sure the person who's supposed to be on it is the one
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Appropriations - Education and Environment Division Apr 2nd, 2025 at 09:00 am
Appropriations - Education and Environment Division
Transcript Highlights:
- These are $1,200 devices, right? They don't want them stolen or taken.
- These are $1,200 devices, right? They don't want them stolen or taken.
- So in subsection 2, it says requires all personal electronic communication devices.
- So that's going to be even watches, AirPods, any type of device in which you can text or voice message
- the devices to be locked or stowed away in a secure lockable pouch, phone lock, or pencil pouch, manila
Summary:
The committee met to hear and discuss three education bills and related budget items. House Bill 1214 would revise K-12 transportation funding by replacing the current rider-based formula with a new formula tied more closely to district size, square mileage, building counts, and the weighted student payment. Sponsors and DPI said the change would better reflect actual transportation costs, hold districts harmless overall, and likely increase funding by about $4 million beyond current spending; they also said parent-provided transportation and open-enrollment mileage rules would remain largely unchanged. No opposition was heard, and the committee closed discussion without taking final action in the transcript.
The committee then reviewed House Bill 1013, the education appropriations bill, and walked through proposed adjustments to program and pass-through grants. The chair proposed keeping or reducing some items, eliminating others, and moving one-time items to the stabilization fund; examples included leaving free meals at $4.5 million for now, keeping the paraprofessional-to-teacher program, reducing some grant lines, and removing several new or one-time grants. DPI also explained that the student information system would remain a flow-through grant for this biennium but would move in-house after July 1, 2026. The committee also discussed adding an FTE for the School for the Blind and making a small equipment swap at the Center for Distance Education.
House Bill 1369 was discussed as the main school aid bill, including a proposed 2 percent and 2 percent per-pupil payment increase, higher construction bidding thresholds, elimination of the 12 percent cap, and a transfer of $75 million from Foundation Aid to the School Construction Revolving Loan Fund, with the chair suggesting $100 million instead. DPI explained that the bill also included a policy change returning placement decisions for students with disabilities in congregate care to the Superintendent of Public Instruction, with support from the governor’s office. The committee heard testimony from school officials seeking gap funding for Title I losses caused by a switch from free-and-reduced-lunch to census-based allocations, saying districts with many open-enrolled students could lose substantial funding and staff positions. Later, the governor’s office presented a proposed $1.5 million one-time appropriation to help schools buy secure storage for student cell phones if a statewide device policy is adopted; members raised concerns about cost, local control, and whether the money would be enough. The committee also heard student testimony and then recessed without voting on the amendment in the transcript.
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Environmental Conservation - 02/04/2026
Environmental Conservation
Transcript Highlights:
- Conservation Law in relation to prohibiting the disabling, removal, or interference with emission control devices
- and to amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law in relation to prohibiting the use of emissions tampering devices
- Conservation Law in relation to prohibiting the disabling, removal, or interference with emission control devices
- and to amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law in relation to prohibiting the use of emissions tampering devices
Committee:
Senate Environmental Conservation
Summary:
The Environmental Conservation Committee, chaired by Senator Pete Harckham, met with a quorum and took up a 19-bill agenda, largely consisting of repassed environmental measures. Bills discussed included standards for ambient lead in soil, restrictions on false recyclability claims and plastic labeling, environmental restoration projects, commercial fishing and marine licenses, bans on unencapsulated foam flotation on docks and floating structures, indirect source review for warehouse operations, nuisance wildlife operator disclosure requirements, waterfront revitalization for Doodle Town Brook, a ban on fuel oil grade No. 4, renewable energy development rights on reforestation areas, fee exemptions for veterans and active-duty service members, a ban on mercury-added lamps, designation of water development representatives, bans on cleaning products containing triclosan or triclocarban, a composting symbol, bans on paper receipts for certain purchases, climate corporate data accountability, PFAS product restrictions, and prohibitions on tampering with emissions control devices.
Members raised several policy concerns during the meeting. Senator Palumbo questioned the PFAS bill’s inclusion of cookware and suggested an incremental approach, while the sponsor defended keeping cookware in the bill because heating PFAS can increase exposure through food and inhalation. On the renewable energy/reforestation bill, Senator Stec noted implementation concerns about allowing solar development in reforestation areas, and Senator May responded that the bill is intended mainly to facilitate transmission lines across state forest lands. There were also questions about the climate corporate data accountability bill’s scope, including revenue thresholds, overlap with existing DEC greenhouse gas regulations, and the source of fee revenue, with staff explaining it would apply to large companies doing business in New York and use registration fees to cover program costs.
Most bills were advanced either to the calendar or to finance. Bills including the lead standards, marine license changes, foam flotation ban, mercury lamp ban, water development representatives, composting symbol, and emissions tampering restrictions were advanced to the calendar. Several measures, including the recyclability labeling bill, environmental restoration projects, warehouse indirect source review, veterans’ fee exemption, and climate corporate data accountability bill, were referred to finance. The paper receipt bill was advanced to commerce, and the committee concluded after voting to move the final bills, including the PFAS restrictions and emissions tampering measure, with technical date fixes noted for the climate accountability and PFAS bills.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
EDN Public Hearing - Tue Apr 1, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST
Transcript Highlights:
- The Department of Education's trespass into the realm of medicine, medical treatment, medical device
- The Department of Education's trespass into the realm of medicine, medical treatment, medical device
- The Department of Education's trespass into the realm of medicine, medical treatment, medical device
- The Department of Education's trespass into the realm of medicine, medical treatment, medical device
- </c> medical treatment medical device medical treatment medical device Administration<00:28:53.399><c
Summary:
The House Committee on Education met on April 1 at 2:04 p.m. and first heard HCR 129/HR 125/HD1, which asks state and county transportation and education agencies to work together on pedestrian safety and traffic congestion around Haiku Elementary School. The Department of Education said it stood on its written testimony, and no other testimony was offered on that measure.
The committee then took up HCR 173/HR 169/HD1, urging the Department of Health to begin education outreach and vaccination drive efforts at schools with vaccination rates under 30 percent, starting in the 2025-26 school year. The Department of Education and Department of Health both supported the resolution and stood on their written testimony. Support also came from the Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Nurses Association, the Democratic Party of Hawaii Health Committee, and Free Citizens of Malua.
A number of testifiers opposed the measure, arguing that vaccination efforts do not belong in schools, that the proposal would pressure families and undermine parental rights and religious freedom, and that it could create liability and misuse public funds. Several opponents also raised concerns about informed consent, government overreach, and vaccine safety. One supporter, Kye Swan, said vaccines are the way to fight infectious disease and asked the committee to pass the resolution so children could be vaccinated before the school year starts.
No vote or final committee action on the resolutions was announced in the portion of the transcript provided.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee 3/5/25
Elections Finance and Government Operations
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:48:17.640><c> to</c><00:48:17.839><c> a</c><00:48:17.960><c> central</c> tally for each device
- to a central tally for each device to a central reporting<00:48:19.280><c> location</c><00:48:20.280
- And that's okay, but I think, you know, for folks that are using these devices, sometimes it's a number
- </c> if you are using aist of voting device if you are using aist of voting device um<00:53:23.440><c
- um sometimes it's using these devices um sometimes it's you<00:53:37.079><c> know</c><00:53:37.200><
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- The device that I have, right?
- you're thinking about things in terms of context or different things, that even when I talk about a device
- But in reality, if you ever saw a device that was coming under my name and saying that it belonged to
- Of the languages I speak, that is not one of them and definitely not a device that I would be using.
- So understandings of the device, understandings of whether or not the barcode on the...
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
March 24, 2025 - 04:00 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill allows parents the alternative to surrender their infant in an infant safety device and avoids
- The bill codifies installation in hospitals, EMS stations, and fire stations to have the device on site
- Codifies installation in hospitals, EMS stations, and fire stations to have the device on site, and coverage
- The modern-day infant safety device was created in South Africa in 1999, in which mothers placed their
- just adds language of the word surrendered and the surrendered of an infant infant of the safety device
Summary:
The Health and Human Services Committee heard a lengthy agenda of health care and public health bills. The first major item was HB 649, which would remove the paper supervision protocol for certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) and allow autonomous practice. The sponsor and supporters argued it would improve access, especially in rural areas, address workforce shortages, and reduce costs, while opponents from the medical community raised patient safety concerns and argued it would weaken physician oversight. After extensive testimony and debate, the committee reported the bill favorably by a vote of 18-7.
The committee then unanimously advanced several other measures. HB 259, creating a special observance for fentanyl awareness and education, passed 23-0. HB 791, which codifies infant safety devices as an option for surrendering newborns and amends safe-haven law, passed as amended 25-0. HB 355, allowing schools to use FDA-approved emergency opioid antagonists rather than only naloxone, passed 26-0. HB 1119, requiring hospitals with emergency departments to adopt pediatric readiness policies, training, coordination, and assessment requirements, also passed 26-0 after two amendments. HB 431, changing the date for level-two background screening of athletic coaches to July 1, 2026, passed 26-0.
Later, the committee approved CS for HB 907, the Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases or “Sunshine Genetics Act,” which would establish an opt-in newborn genome sequencing program at FSU and a statewide consortium for rare disease research; supporters emphasized earlier diagnosis and cost savings, and the bill passed 25-0. CS for HB 519, aligning state law with federal law on controlled substances for paramedics, passed 25-0. Finally, CS for HB 723, requiring the Department of Health to provide early-detection materials for type 1 diabetes to families of young schoolchildren, passed as amended 26-0. The meeting adjourned after all bills were reported favorably.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- So this summer I was out uh devices. Chair recognized the prime devices.
- And he devices that go 60 miles an hour.
- </c> mobility devices is no longer an ORV. mobility devices is no longer an ORV.
- And we have these devices being used out there at crazy speeds.
- </c> environment for all users of the devices environment for all users of the devices as<03:39:01.040
Committee:
House Transportation
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Administrative Rules Committee Mar 12th, 2026 at 09:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- Coast Guard-certified flotation devices.
- device, or I could confirm that some are not required at all.
- , I think that they are selling other types of equipment that may not meet that type of flotation device
- The section is also updated to provide that the facility's use of an electronic monitoring device is
- The section is also amended to ensure the facility limits access to the electronic monitoring device
Summary:
The committee first approved the December 3 minutes, then heard a request from the Board of Clinical Laboratory Practice to amend its proposed rule on exempt test methods to add certain closed-system DNA/RNA tests, including rhinovirus. After testimony explaining that the board had considered late comments from BioMérieux and wanted the rule record to reflect that review, the committee agreed to a limited amendment and passed the motion unanimously.
The Department of Agriculture then outlined broad rule updates affecting dairy, eggs, poultry, pesticides, animal health, environmental mitigation, and the Egg Product Utilization Commission. The commissioner said the changes mostly clarified existing requirements, updated references, and reduced some burdens, such as easing dairy hauler training/licensing timing and clarifying out-of-state grade A milk language. Members asked about dairy industry decline, the APUC scoring system, and the rationale for the milk-hauler and out-of-state milk provisions.
The State Board of Dental Examiners presented extensive rule changes tied to recent legislation and workforce issues, including a new professional health program for dentists, expanded duties for assistants and hygienists, broader local anesthetic authority for hygienists, and fee increases to fund the program and cover administrative costs. Testimony from Dr. Edward May strongly supported the professional health program based on his own recovery experience. The committee also heard from Game and Fish on rules easing some guide/outfitter experience requirements, allowing electronic exams, and modifying boating safety equipment rules, with no public comment and no fiscal impact.
Later, Health and Human Services received approval for an extension to update tattoo/body art rules and a separate motion to repeal an obsolete nurse aide training chapter. HHS also described nursing facility rule updates, lodging sanitation revisions, and related clarifications on licensing, safety, pest control, and fire requirements. The Department of Environmental Quality received an extension for septic-system installer rules, and also presented rules for above-ground storage tanks and water/wastewater operator certification, including new fees and third-party testing options. The Industrial Commission’s oil and gas division described multiple rule changes, some withdrawn after comments, including drilling unit flexibility, site stability, wildfire authority, and streamlined transport/reporting procedures. Finally, DPI began presenting several rule packages, including school construction loan limits, school bus standards, cooperative agreements, special education rules for public charter schools, and new math curriculum and intervention requirements.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
04/16/2026 - Joint Legislative Audit Committee
Joint Legislative Audit Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- This is a phase implementation approach where we can activate device-to-device, screen takeover as another
- alert or visual cue to all students and staff on every device when a lockdown alert is activated.
- This is a phase implementation approach where we can activate device, device, device, with it.
- This is a phase implementation approach where they can we can activate device device screen takeover
- as another alert of visual cue to all students and staff and every device when a lockdown alert is activated
Committee:
Joint Joint Legislative Audit Committee
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- This is a device as an alternative to the mask you see people wearing at night.
- However, this is for access, and there is a process to get devices put onto the access device list, the
- Access already covers sleep apnea devices, and I think that that is sufficient for our access patients
- I think sleep apnea is definitely a problem, and this device that they're recommending does have promise
- I think it's hard to quantify the amount of money that you save by preventing disease. device itself,
Summary:
The House convened, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, welcomed Judges Day guests and other visitors, and read a proclamation recognizing March 2026 as Social Work Month. Members also made brief introductions of guests and the doctor of the day, Dr. Philip Williams. The chamber then moved through a long Committee of the Whole agenda, taking up numerous bills with committee and floor amendments, most of them receiving do-pass or due-pass recommendations after brief explanations and some debate. Notable discussion included HB 2444, where several members raised concerns about pharmacist-led care, patient safety, and rural health impacts, while the sponsor argued it would expand affordable access to care; HB 2726, which drew comments about a new sleep apnea device and whether it was a vendor-driven proposal; HB 2991, a bipartisan effort to address social media harms to children; and HB 4070, a bill framed as a “corporate death penalty” approach to combat sex trafficking. Other measures addressed kinship placement in child welfare, midwifery oversight, vulnerable adult protections, tuition waivers for children of disabled veterans, license plate omnibus language, and county and education-related issues.
After the Committee of the Whole reported, the House adopted the report and assigned measures for engrossing. The chamber then proceeded to third reading votes on several bills. HB 2123, dealing with financial institutions and gold/silver legal tender, failed on a 24-28 vote after an excusal request was granted to one member with a financial conflict. HB 2270, concerning county authority and sheriff’s posse dissolution procedures, passed 50-3. HB 2324, creating a state fire marshal-related provision, passed 53-0, as did HB 2404 on mental health services. HB 2495 on sentencing failed 26-27. HB 2557 on patient records passed 37-16, HB 2574 on traffic violation appeals passed 52-0, HB 2594 on domestic relations and address confidentiality passed 44-9, HB 2611 on child welfare passed 51-0, HB 2681 on the county employee merit system passed 53-0, and HB 2697 also passed 51-0. The session continued into additional votes beyond the excerpt.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- anxiety and pain management in connection with assertion or removal of prescription contraception devices
- HB 2084 by Cortez relating to the personal device requirements for recreational vessels refer to the
- Use of mobile tracking device on a vehicle by an authorized peace officer referred to the Committee on
- Electronic devices by public school students during instructional time for the committee on Public Education
- Prosecution of possession, manufacture, transport, repair, or sale of certain devices and intended to
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 3/25/26
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- The facility initially refused, citing the assistive device as a restraint.
- The facility initially refused, citing the assistive device as a restraint.
- The facility initially refused, citing the assistive device as a restraint.
- The facility initially refused, citing the assistive device as a restraint.
- The facility initially refused, citing the assistive device as a restraint.
Committee:
House Human Services Finance and Policy
Keywords:
senior nutrition, older adults, aging services, home-delivered meals, congregate dining, meal delivery, grocery delivery, food insecurity, nutrition support, area agencies on aging, Minnesota Board on Aging, human services, special revenue fund, nonprofit grants, SNAP outreach, medically tailored meals, rural nutrition, food access, transportation services, elderly
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Health & Long-Term Care Jan 30th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- directs the board to apply rules for fitting and dispensing hearing instruments and communication devices
- that are limited to conditions that do not require a new diagnosis." "...or devices that are limited
- practice of pharmacy to include limited diagnosing and prescribing or ordering of certain drugs and devices
- amends the definition of the practice of pharmacy to include prescribing or ordering of drugs and devices
- as authorized by this chapter and limits diagnosis authority to drugs and devices in Section 3 of the
Summary:
The Senate Health and Long-Term Care Committee first met in executive session and advanced five bills out of committee. SB 5999, as amended by a substitute, would let rural counties under 100,000 population appoint an APRN or physician assistant as an acting local health officer; SB 5185 would create a pathway for international medical graduates to physician licensure through a Washington Medical Commission pilot; SB 5845 would revise timely payment rules for health carriers, including longer acknowledgment and payment timelines and clarifications on scope; SB 6071 would standardize overpayment recovery timelines for carriers; and SB 6258 would create a non-disciplinary pathway for relinquishing Washington Medical Commission licenses. Each bill received a due pass recommendation and was sent to Rules, with the bills passed subject to signatures.
The committee then heard SB 6226, which would protect the clinical autonomy of audiologists and ensure hearing-instrument and communication-device rules are applied consistently across care modalities, including telehealth. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, emphasizing access for rural and mobility-limited patients and the importance of teleaudiology, though one association cautioned the bill could affect broader regulatory authority. The hearing closed with 54 pro, zero con, and two other sign-ins.
Next, the committee heard SB 6305, the Truth in Mental Health Coverage Act, which would require carriers to submit standardized annual data to the Office of the Insurance Commissioner on mental health and substance use disorder coverage, access, utilization, reimbursement, and network participation, with public posting in raw and dashboard form. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would improve transparency and accountability without changing benefits, while opponents argued it could duplicate recent parity reforms and add administrative burden. The hearing closed with 396 pro, two con, and zero other sign-ins.
Finally, the committee heard SB 5924, a proposed substitute expanding pharmacists’ prescriptive authority for certain limited conditions and products, including some preventive and minor-illness treatments, and allowing limited diagnosis within defined bounds. Supporters said it would improve access, especially in rural and underserved areas, reduce administrative barriers from collaborative drug therapy agreements, and align with the sunrise review; opponents, including the medical association, said the bill went beyond the review and needed more time, while some testimony raised concerns about psychiatric prescribing. The hearing closed with 279 pro, six con, and four other sign-ins, and the committee adjourned after concluding its business.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Let's please silence all electronic devices.
- We have a global leader, a medical device manufacturer headquartered in Naples, Florida.
- We said, how can we improve the workforce bridge from our institution to the medical device industry?
- So if you know a little bit about the medical device industry, you become a preferred candidate.
- So we work with them, we partner with them, and we developed a microcredential in the medical device
Committee:
Senate Education Postsecondary
Summary:
The Committee on Education Postsecondary held an informational hearing focused on how Florida’s public colleges and universities are aligning bachelor’s degree programs with workforce needs and improving student outcomes. Chancellor Kathy Hebda described Florida College System enrollment growth, the state college system’s workforce-oriented bachelor’s degrees, approval and accountability processes for those programs, and outcomes data showing strong completion and wage results, especially in health care. Emily Sykes of the Board of Governors outlined the State University System’s program review practices, performance-based funding metrics, strategic emphasis programs, and the MyFloridaFuture tool that lets students compare earnings, debt, and employment outcomes by major and institution.
University and college leaders then described campus-level workforce initiatives. Florida Gulf Coast University highlighted employer-driven microcredentials, digital badges, internships, career fairs, service learning, and partnerships with regional employers. UCF discussed its career navigator requirements, major industry partnerships such as Lockheed Martin, nursing and faculty career-integration efforts, and a centralized career development center. Northwest Florida State College and the University of West Florida emphasized their bachelor’s programs, transfer pathways, teacher and nursing outcomes, military and defense-related workforce pipelines, cybersecurity training, and stackable credentials tied to regional labor needs.
During member questions, senators asked how microcredentials and military experience translate into college credit, whether credentials transfer across institutions, and what legislators can do to help. Witnesses said the state’s common course and articulation systems already support transfer, and they encouraged continued legislative support for innovation, faster curriculum alignment, internships, and specialized transfer degrees. No bills were voted on, and the meeting ended with no public comment and an adjournment motion adopted.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- As an administrative reminder, please silence all electronic devices, and anybody who wishes to speak
- expands the current prohibition of texting and driving to include use of a wireless communication device
- It defines key terms like handheld manner, hands-free accessory, and wireless communication device, and
- It provides penalties and requires law enforcement officers to note the type of wireless device used
- My question about this bill, though, is that it seems to be limited to only these devices that are used
Committee:
Senate Transportation
Summary:
The Transportation Committee met and considered a series of bills, beginning with SB 266, which would exempt sales and use tax on electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft sold from manufacturers to operators. Senator Harold said the measure is intended to help Florida attract an advanced air mobility industry and create jobs. The committee adopted an amendment clarifying the definition of EVTOL aircraft and excluding drones, then reported the bill favorably. SB 350, by Senator DeSigley, was also reported favorably after a minor amendment; it allows local governments to permit vehicles to travel slowly on flooded streets without being treated as unlawfully impeding traffic. Supporters from the Florida PBA and Florida League of Cities waived in support.
The committee next approved SB 706, designating part of U.S. 92/Gandy Boulevard as the Senator James A. Sebesta Memorial Highway. SB 628, Lucy’s Law, was heard with extensive emotional testimony from Lucy Fernandez’s parents and others. The bill strengthens boating safety by increasing penalties for reckless boating, requiring boating safety education after certain violations, and aligning some boating penalties more closely with motor vehicle laws. A substitute amendment was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 872, dealing with county and municipal price controls for the removal and storage of electric vehicles, was also amended and reported favorably after testimony from towing industry representatives about the added costs and storage constraints posed by damaged EVs; the Florida Insurance Council spoke in opposition.
The committee then approved SB 650, which expands hazardous walking condition criteria for elementary school students to include walkways along freeways, ramps, and interchanges, regardless of speed limit. SB 1318, the hands-free driving bill, generated substantial testimony from safety advocates and families affected by distracted driving; it would rename Florida’s texting law as a hands-free driving law and prohibit handheld use of wireless devices while driving. The committee also passed SB 994, increasing driver education requirements for standard and learner’s licenses, and SB 662, designating a portion of West Beaver Street in Duval County as Harry Frisch Street. Several senators recorded affirmative votes on bills after the roll calls, and the meeting adjourned after all listed measures were reported favorably.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Bill 382, a bill to be entitled an act relating to micromobility devices.
- We are seeing more and more children access these devices, and it's heartbreaking.
- We are seeing more and more children access these devices. Of school or your place of work.
- We are seeing more and more children access these devices, and it's heartbreaking.
- I just think with every new type of mobility device, we have to be thoughtful and careful and ensure
Summary:
The House convened with a prayer, pledge, quorum call, and recognition of Officer Cody Popple of the FSU Police Department for his actions during the April campus shooting. Members also observed a moment of silence for former Lee County Judge John Carlin. The Rules and Ethics Committee report setting the special order calendar was adopted, and the Speaker outlined the final week of session, noting that budget negotiations were still ongoing and that the House would continue taking up Senate bills and returning messages.
The chamber then considered a series of mostly technical or sunset-review bills, including SB 100, SB 104, and SB 102 on the Florida Statutes, all of which passed unanimously. Several Open Government Sunset Review bills were also approved, extending or preserving public records and meeting exemptions for the Public Service Commission, the Department of Military Affairs, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, cybersecurity records, emergency shelter information, conviction integrity units, the Florida Gaming Control Commission, and school testing materials; most passed with little opposition, though SB 7006, SB 7026, and SB 7022 drew some dissenting votes. The House also passed SB 7016 on small business loan records, SB 7008 on gaming commission records, SB 7000 on emergency shelter information, and SB 7004 on conviction integrity unit records.
Members then moved into farewell remarks and recognitions, including an extended farewell speech by Representative Hart-Lowman reflecting on her service, family, district, and policy priorities such as criminal justice, housing, health care, and labor issues. The House also recognized visiting students from Osceola County and other guests in the galleries.
Later, the House took up more substantive measures. SB 7040 recreated the emergency preparedness and response trust fund; after a lengthy debate over an amendment to let the fund expire and a strike-all restoring the House position, the bill passed 82-25. The chamber then passed CS/CS/SB 302 on coastal resiliency, CS/CS/SB 984 on firefighter cancer benefits, and CS/SB 474 on military affairs, all with broad support. The final portion of the transcript shifted to SB 488 on Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, where members debated vehicle registration requirements, license plate frames, and related amendments, including provisions for disabled veterans and dealer allocation rules, before the transcript ended mid-debate.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
HED/EDN Joint Public Hearing -Tue Feb 11, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><02:05:57.199><c> during</c> notifications um from devices during notifications um from devices during
- So these kids are smarter than we are a lot of times with these devices.
- So these kids are smarter than we are a lot of times with these devices.
- So these kids are smarter than we are a lot of times with these devices.
- The bottom line is students are addicted to their devices. I don't know how else to say it.
Summary:
The committee first took up House Bill 707 on the College Savings Program. Members discussed a suggested amendment from the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities to include the Hawaii ABLE Savings Program. The chair said the Department of the Attorney General advised there was no title problem, so the bill could be broadened to cover both the College Savings Program and the ABLE program. The committee also noted technical, non-substantive changes and a defective date of July 1, 3000 for further discussion. HB 707 HD1 was then voted on and the recommendation to pass with amendments was adopted unanimously by the members present, with two members excused.
The committee then heard House Bill 424, which would provide free breakfast and lunch beginning the next school year to students who currently qualify for free and reduced-price meals. The Department of Education supported the measure, and testimony in favor came from teachers, public health and food security advocates, and several organizations. Supporters described students being denied meals because of unpaid balances, said school meals should not depend on family debt, and argued that the bill would reduce stigma and help hungry students learn. Committee questions focused on meal pricing, the impact of raising prices on families who pay full price, and whether portion sizes could be increased; DOE said breakfast costs less than lunch, full-price students would bear any increase, and portion sizes must follow USDA rules. Hawaiʻi Public Health Institute and Hawaiʻi Children’s Action Network said many families above the free/reduced thresholds still cannot afford meals, citing estimates that the DOE collects about $20 million a year in meal payments and that federal reimbursement totals are much larger.
The committee then heard House Bill 757, the universal free school breakfast and lunch bill. DOE and the Department of Health supported it, and testimony was overwhelmingly in favor from county officials, teachers, students, food banks, advocacy groups, and community organizations. Witnesses argued that universal meals would eliminate stigma, reduce paperwork and debt collection, and ensure students do not fall through the cracks because of income cutoffs, language barriers, or administrative hurdles. Several students from Castle High School described classmates asking for food and families struggling to keep meal accounts funded, while teachers said they regularly see negative meal balance notices and hungry students. Advocates also said the bill is the better equity vehicle because it avoids means testing and reaches students who are not currently receiving meals despite needing them. The hearing on HB 757 was still ongoing at the end of the transcript, and no final vote on that bill was shown.