Transcript Highlights:

• all the contribution limits for all 50 states, and you'll see where Texas is one of eight that has zero
• have one or two hours of survivability in a home that's highly inefficient when the weather's below zero

Bills: HB1951 , HB2715 , HB3092 , HB3237 , HB3278 , HB3511 , HB3592 , HB3675 , HB3778 , HB3782 , HB3826 , HB3970 , HB4016 , HB4049 , HB4341 , HB4344 , HB4406 , HB4427

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: collective bargaining, public works, government contracts, labor agreements, state funding, removal from office, political subdivisions, local government, judicial proceedings, administrative judicial region, electric transmission, public convenience, landowner consent, utility regulation, energy infrastructure, energy consumption, higher education, governmental entities, sustainability, electricity reduction

Transcript Highlights:

• Even in our current budget environment, with the looming $6 billion and even with the net zero budget
• Even in our current budget environment, with the looming $6 billion and even with the net zero budget

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's zero evidence that anybody called us.
• They go back to zero. The plaintiffs have expectations of some jury award.

Bills: HB 1239 , HB1990 , HB1748 , HB1749 , HB2578 , HB2986 , HB1970 , HB3163 , HB2733 , HB1922 , HB 113 , HB 1088 , HB1938 , HB3004 , HB2637 , HB2960 , HB113

Committee: House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Keywords: public health, access to healthcare, insurance reforms, medical expenses, healthcare providers, mental health, protective custody, preliminary examination, detention period, emergency circumstances, emergency detention, legal framework, detention, healthcare, liability, landowners, nonagricultural land, trespassing, public safety, interpreters

Transcript Highlights:

• So Zero Warrant, I'm going to call on numbers.
• charge on a credit card or a ticket that I bought that I can't get my hands on, I keep pressing that zero

Committee: Senate Finance Committee

Keywords: Social Security, Medicaid, Frank Bisignano, Elon Musk, benefit processing, office closures, public testimony, administration policies, health care, vulnerable populations

Summary: The committee meeting focused heavily on the nomination of Frank Bisignano as the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration, with intense discussions around the current state of Social Security and its management under the current administration. Members voiced significant concerns regarding potential changes to Social Security and Medicaid, specifically addressing issues such as office closures, delays in benefit processing, and the perceived policies from Elon Musk's association with the administration. Public testimonies highlighted fears that these changes would severely impact the accessibility of benefits for seniors and vulnerable individuals, resulting in a chaotic environment at the SSA. Members expressed a unified opposition to the notion of dismantling these critical programs, emphasizing the long-term implications on their constituents' well-being.

Transcript Highlights:

• The only thing we risk is a shrinking economy and our children feeling like they have zero hope for their
• Fostering change may take a long time, but Senator Brantley's focus and drive keep her zeroed in on an

Transcript Highlights:

• Eight yeas, zero nays. Thank you. By your vote, CS for Senate Bill 948 will be reported favorably.
• Ten yeas, zero nays. Thank you. By your vote, CS for Senate Bill 576 will be reported favorably.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met with a quorum present and considered several bills. SB 106 on exploitation of vulnerable adults would allow service of process on scammers through the same nontraditional communication methods they use; it passed 8-0. CS/SB 280 on candidate qualification would create an enforceable party-affiliation requirement and a private right of action to disqualify noncompliant candidates; it passed unanimously. CS/SB 948 on flood disclosures was amended to extend disclosure requirements to residential leases, condo developer leases, and mobile homes, with tenant remedies if disclosures are not provided and flooding causes major losses; it passed 8-0. The committee also advanced CS/SB 498 on IOTA interest rates after a lengthy debate over legal aid funding and bank regulation. Supporters argued the bill would restore sustainability and fairness to the program by setting alternative interest-rate benchmarks, while opponents said it would cut funding for civil legal aid and that banks participate voluntarily. After testimony from legal aid leaders and bankers, the bill passed 7-2. SB 774, requiring clerks to electronically transmit certain mental health, substance abuse, and risk protection orders to sheriffs within six hours, was presented in response to a fatal Volusia County incident and passed 11-0. CS/SB 752 on defamation and online publication was amended to require removal from a website rather than the internet, then passed 8-2 after testimony from the media, a private attorney, and supporters who said it would help people harmed by false online reports. The committee also heard SB 832 on former phosphate mining lands, which would create a narrow defense against strict liability claims if notice and gamma radiation survey requirements are met. The bill was amended to clarify notice provisions and received support from industry and technical witnesses describing radiation surveys and reclamation practices. The transcript cuts off before the final vote on SB 832, so no committee action on that bill is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I understand you probably couldn't get down to zero, but maybe, say, $80 million carryover and then
• And I understand probably you couldn't get down to zero, but I don't know, say 80 million carryover and

Summary: The Higher Education Budget Subcommittee met to hear an overview of State University System finances from the Board of Governors and detailed budget presentations from Florida State University, the University of Central Florida, and the University of North Florida. The witnesses explained how university budgets are organized into fund categories such as education and general, contracts and grants, auxiliaries, local/designated funds, capital projects, and component units such as direct support organizations. They also described carry forward funds, the statutory reserve and spending-plan requirements, the PICO/HECO capital outlay process, and how universities use investment accounts, audits, and board oversight to manage restricted and unspent funds. The universities emphasized that most operating dollars are restricted to specific uses and that state support helps keep tuition low. Members asked about differences in funding levels among institutions, especially why FSU receives more funding than UCF despite lower enrollment. Officials said preeminence funding, performance funding, and special legislative appropriations explain much of the difference, and the Board of Governors noted that Florida now has four preeminent universities, with UCF nearing that status. Questions also focused on what happens to unspent carry forward money, how it is invested, and whether the Board of Governors or Legislature can require funds to be returned; officials said the money is invested conservatively, subject to board and audit oversight, and can roll forward under a detailed spending plan, though the Legislature can change funding levels. The committee also discussed capital projects, with members asking about delays, inflation, and whether more projects should be phased or funded faster; witnesses said PICO funds remain with the state until needed and are reimbursed as construction proceeds. A substantial portion of the discussion covered athletics, research, student fees, and endowments. The universities said athletics is generally expected to be self-supporting, though limited use of auxiliary or carry forward funds may be allowed for projects benefiting the broader student body. They also described the financial pressures from name, image, and likeness changes and new NCAA-related costs, and said institutions are planning for those changes now. On research, the universities explained sponsored research funding, indirect cost recovery, compliance obligations, and tech transfer, but did not provide specific commercialization revenue figures and said they would follow up. Members also asked about student fee increases, student input, counseling and wellness funding, and how housing costs affect affordability; the universities said student committees and boards review fees, and aid packaging is intended to keep student debt low. Endowments were described as being held in separate foundations/DSOs with independent investment committees and used mainly for scholarships, faculty support, and research.

Transcript Highlights:

• That gap means that we never can get down below to zero.
• recruit, it looks like you would be looking for a first-year lawyer, just fresh out of law school with zero

Summary: The subcommittee met to review agency vacancy reports and agency-requested budget reductions, with Chair Lopez framing the discussion around stewardship of taxpayer dollars, agency efficiency, and whether long-vacant positions should be cut or repurposed. Members were given vacancy summaries and asked to focus on how agencies are functioning with current staffing, which positions are mission critical, and whether some vacancies reflect market pay issues, re-engineering of work, or true excess capacity. The chair also noted that agency heads had been asked to provide follow-up information on current openings, average vacancy duration, mission-critical roles, and reasons for vacancies. The Department of Revenue was the first major agency reviewed because it had the largest number of vacancies. Its leadership said vacancies had improved from pandemic-era highs due to market pay adjustments, but that some areas—especially general tax and audit—still had long-term openings. The department explained that some positions are intentionally frozen while work is restructured, that it hires above minimum salary in some cases to stay competitive, and that it is using automation and process changes to reduce backlogs. Members raised concerns about vacancies outside Leon County, out-of-state auditor positions, salary compression, and whether the department should provide a list of frozen positions and the salaries actually needed to recruit. The Department of Financial Services said its long vacancies were concentrated in risk management, law enforcement, and the general counsel’s office, where salaries and competition from private employers and other agencies make hiring difficult. DFS said it was using outside vendors in some areas, had reduced vacancies in its general counsel office significantly, and was willing to identify positions that could be cut, including some from treasury and OAT. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation reported progress in lowering vacancies through statewide recruiting, centralized legal hiring, automation in service operations, and leadership changes in alcoholic beverages and tobacco; it said one recommended cut could be achieved by combining two half-time positions. The Florida Lottery reported a low vacancy rate, said all positions were critical, and explained its longer onboarding time due to extensive background checks; members discussed sales reps, incentives, and the agency’s field-office structure. The Office of Financial Regulation said many of its vacancies were already in the hiring pipeline, with recent vacancies tied to promotions, a death, and internal moves, and noted that it often serves as a training ground for federal agencies. The Office of Insurance Regulation, which had a high vacancy rate concentrated in Leon County, said it had been reducing vacancies from a much higher level and was still working through hiring and administrative constraints.

Transcript Highlights:

• For Milton, he put his panels on, which was a heavier storm for us, higher flood waters, and he got zero
• That'll be 100%, zero percent out-of-pocket expense for the homeowner.

Committee: Senate Banking and Insurance

Summary: The Banking and Insurance Committee heard a series of presentations focused on mitigation, flood and wind resilience, and insurance discounts. Kevin Guthrie of the Florida Division of Emergency Management outlined several funding streams for mitigation, including federal Hazard Mitigation Grant Program dollars, BRIC grants, flood mitigation assistance, and the state hurricane loss mitigation program. He emphasized the new Elevate Florida initiative, which will use about $400 million initially to elevate or reconstruct flood-prone homes, starting with National Flood Insurance Program properties and severe repetitive-loss homes, with no current per-home cap. Guthrie said the state will contract directly with licensed vendors and aims to reduce future flood losses, lower insurance costs, and keep properties on the tax rolls rather than relying on buyouts. Insurance Commissioner Mike Yaworski described Florida’s windstorm mitigation discount program, explaining that the 1802 inspection form is used to assess a home’s overall “envelope” and determine statutory discounts. He said the office is updating the program based on a new wind loss study, with likely changes including greater recognition of roof types such as metal roofs and possible territorial risk adjustments. He also said the Legislature now requires the office to revisit the study every five years. Stephen Fielder of the Department of Financial Services reported on My Safe Florida Home, noting that the program offers inspections and grants for roof and opening protections, has completed more than 100,000 inspections, and has reimbursed hundreds of millions of dollars. He said the department has validated its discount calculations with insurers and that the program is intended to help homeowners reduce premiums through verified mitigation work. Michael Newman of the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety said Florida’s building code is nationally leading and that post-Ian surveys found no wind-driven structural damage in buildings built after adoption of the code. He argued that mitigation should be treated as a system, not isolated upgrades, and suggested adding Fortified designation to the state’s mitigation form to better document verified resilience improvements. Bill Truex, a county commissioner and builder, stressed the need to educate homeowners about floodproofing and roof choices, citing examples where flood panels prevented damage and noting that asphalt shingles often do not last as long in Florida as their marketing suggests. In panel discussion, senators asked about program eligibility, outreach to elderly and digitally challenged residents, contractor vetting, roof-life disclosures, and whether flood insurance should be more broadly required. Officials said outreach will include call centers and in-person assistance, and several participants urged better consumer disclosure and more data-driven guidance on roof and mitigation choices.

Transcript Highlights:

• Zero. Zero, Madam Chair, Representative.

Committee: House House Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• :02.320><c> with</c> every 90 days over and over again with every 90 days over and over again with zero
• independent oversight or judicial zero independent oversight or judicial review.<00:18:05.360><c> And
• of what a credible allegation of fraud is. >> Yeah, I'm a bit concerned that a provider would have zero
• </c><00:29:53.760><c> remedy</c><00:29:54.240><c> because</c> provider would have zero remedy because
• provider would have zero remedy because you're<00:29:54.720><c> excluding</c><00:29:55.200><c> all</

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There are, in fact, zero employees at the SEC, and there are zero positions at the SEC.
• There are, in fact, zero employees at the SEC, and there are zero positions at the SEC.
• Wayne zeroed right in.
• So uh Wayne<01:57:23.679><c> zeroed</c><01:57:24.080><c> right</c><01:57:24.239><c> in.
• Um the particular Wayne zeroed right in.

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• >> It's that question of our membership and nobody really... a lot of... as close to zero as you can
• :45:53.520><c> you</c><00:45:53.599><c> can</c><00:45:53.760><c> probably</c> &gt;&gt; as close to zero
• as you can probably &gt;&gt; as close to zero as you can probably get. get. get.
• 11:26.000><c> with</c> dying right now on them like and with dying right now on them like and with zero
• regulation and there's such zero regulation and there's such ambiguity<04:11:29.040><c> that</c><04:

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It might be 100% theirs and zero, but, um, Mr.
• I have because there will be zero incentive for anyone to do anything. Mr.
• </c><01:19:32.480><c> there</c><01:19:32.719><c> will</c><01:19:32.880><c> be</c><01:19:32.960><c> zero
• </c> I have because there will be zero I have because there will be zero incentive<01:19:33.600><c> for
• access to Taylor and we've had zero access to Taylor and Stoddard,<01:48:14.639><c> although</c><01:

Committee: Joint Select Committee on School Finance Recalibration

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and that any TRP requests associated with positions that are eliminated in this bill be reduced to zero
• and that any TRP requests associated with positions that are eliminated in this bill be reduced to zero
• and that any TRP requests associated with positions that are eliminated in this bill be reduced to zero
• and that any TRP requests associated with positions that are eliminated in this bill be reduced to zero
• and that any TRP bill be reduced to zero and that any TRP requests<01:28:12.960><c> associated</c><01

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This authorizes it going back down to zero, free of charge. out a little bit earlier.
• going<00:54:44.800><c> back</c><00:54:44.960><c> down</c><00:54:45.119><c> to</c><00:54:45.920><c> zero
• Do you understand that the city has zero funding for this project?
• </c><01:15:52.719><c> The</c> has zero funding for this project?
• The has zero funding for this project?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• insurance laws, having considered the same, recommends that the bill ought to pass by a vote of 5 to zero
• 09.920><c> to</c> pass with an amendment by a vote of 4 to pass with an amendment by a vote of 4 to zero
• ><c> Senator</c><01:36:11.280><c> Apprentice</c><01:36:11.760><c> for</c><01:36:11.920><c> the</c> zero
• Senator Apprentice for the zero.
• </c> to committee by a vote of three to zero. to committee by a vote of three to zero.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• could temper the growth that we've seen, which is why we've lowered the percent in 26 to basically zero
• growth to so that it is basically zero growth to so that it is essentially<03:34:35.040><c> flat.
• And then the low for 26 for M&R at zero, that's down from what was 2%.
• And then the low for 26 for<03:36:43.359><c> M&amp;R</c><03:36:43.920><c> at</c><03:36:44.239><c> zero
• , that's down from what for M&amp;R at zero, that's down from what was<03:36:46.319><c> 2%.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 110, as amended by the Senate, which would establish fees for alteration-of-terrain applications and direct the Department of Environmental Services to adopt rules for a permit-by-notification process for certain projects. Trisha Milo introduced the bill for Senator Lang and noted that the department had worked on the amended language. Matt Mayberry of the New Hampshire Homebuilders Association said the industry strongly supported the bill, describing it as a public-private partnership that would speed review for developers without affecting local control, with builders paying the costs rather than taxpayers. Members focused heavily on how the bill’s fee structure and permit thresholds would work, especially for projects near shoreland, wetlands, and protected water bodies. Representative Opel raised concerns about whether the bill reduced review of habitat and shoreland impacts or shifted costs unfairly; Philip Trobridge of DES explained that the bill does not eliminate those reviews and that shoreland projects still receive greater scrutiny. He said the bill creates different tiers, with the permit-by-notification process applying to certain projects between 100,000 and 150,000 square feet that are not in protected shoreland, while larger or shoreland-affected projects remain under the standard review process. He also said the proposed fees were based on sustaining the program, covering added habitat and species review responsibilities, and keeping reviews efficient. Trobridge said the new fee structure would generate about $1.2 million in additional revenue and help fund additional staff and related program costs. He stated that the department had worked with the regulated community and believed the fees were fair and reasonable, though he acknowledged the bill’s wording was confusing and that the threshold could be revisited later if the new process works well. Members also discussed how the state process interacts with local approvals, and Trobridge said both state and local approvals are required before a project can begin. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• It passed 5 to zero. Then when it got on the floor, it was taken off the consent calendar.
• Then when it Um, it passed 5 to zero.
• If our carryover coverall goes today for $10,000, it goes to zero. We have to start over again.
• </c><01:06:51.440><c> We</c> today for $10,000, it goes to zero.
• We today for $10,000, it goes to zero.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on SB 60, which would expressly authorize advanced deposit wagering for horse racing in New Hampshire and set the online tax rate at 1.25%, matching the existing rate for in-person horse betting at Seabrook and Belmont. Senator Tim Lang said the bill is intended to clarify that online horse betting is permitted, regulate the activity, and create a revenue stream while keeping the tax rate consistent with brick-and-mortar wagering. Members asked about the rate compared with other states, whether the bill was really about casino front money, and whether geofencing would apply; Lang and later witnesses said the bill is narrowly limited to parimutuel horse racing and would use geofencing to keep wagering within New Hampshire. Peter Bragdon, speaking for Churchill Downs, supported the bill and described advanced deposit wagering as remote betting on horse races under the Interstate Horse Racing Act of 1978. He said Churchill Downs and other operators have long been active in New Hampshire, but the state’s lack of a specific statute has created a gray area. Bragdon said Churchill Downs stopped its own New Hampshire online operations in 2022 after discussions with the Lottery Commission and attorney general, while competitors continued operating, and he framed the bill as a fairness and consumer-protection measure that would clarify the law going forward. He also said the bill would not affect historic horse racing machines and would not create cannibalization of charitable gaming. Lottery Director Charlie McIntyre said the Lottery Commission and attorney general had identified the issue as similar to the earlier fantasy sports situation, where legislation was used to regulate an activity rather than pursue enforcement. He said the commission requested the bill, would serve as the regulator, and would address violations through rulemaking and penalties. McIntyre said operators would maintain customer and transaction records, with the commission reviewing them as needed, and he noted that three operators are currently active in the state and not paying the proposed 1.25% rate. No vote was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is this does that does the zero target go there or do they get to recoup the savings on that?
• , but it's being sent to finance<00:19:03.760><c> with</c><00:19:04.000><c> a</c><00:19:04.240><c> zero
• </c> finance with a zero target. finance with a zero target.
• Is this does that does the zero<00:19:28.320><c> target</c><00:19:28.720><c> go</c><00:19:28.880><c>
• target go there or do they get to zero target go there or do they get to recoup<00:19:30.320><c> the

Committees: Senate Health and Human Services , Senate Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all