Transcript Highlights:

• And we heard from a lot of people that are impacted in a way that I can't imagine.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The Senate Judiciary Committee heard three bills. SB 514, by Senator Harrell, clarified that medical quality review committees used by managing entities are treated like other medical review committees for purposes of civil liability and public records protections. The committee adopted a Harrell amendment removing the word “malpractice” from the title, heard support from the Florida Hospital Association, Florida Association of Managing Entities, and Florida Smart Justice Alliance, and then voted 11-0 to report the bill favorably. The committee then took up SB 734, by Senator Yarborough, which would repeal the current wrongful death exception that bars certain parents and adult children from recovering non-economic damages in medical negligence cases. The bill drew extensive testimony from families describing deaths they said were caused by medical negligence and from supporters including AARP and the Florida Justice Association, while opponents from the health care, insurance, and business sectors argued it would raise malpractice premiums, increase litigation, worsen physician shortages, and reduce access to care. After debate, the committee voted 9-2 to report the bill favorably. Finally, SB 538, by Senator Bradley, was presented as the state courts legislative package. It updates court operations by clarifying duty judge requirements, removing a location limit on duty hearings, repealing a cap on arbitrator compensation in court-ordered non-binding arbitration, and allowing alternative judicial authentication of oaths and acknowledgments when a court seal is unavailable. The bill received supportive waiver forms from the Florida Bar ADR section and several judges, and was reported favorably on an 11-0 vote. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's initiating adversarial litigation of the highest stakes imaginable.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because there are 11 of us, and I imagine everybody wants to do that. We'll have a lot of time.

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Thirteen families received the worst knock at the door imaginable, and more than a dozen communities
• Now, imagine that that victim is you and the perpetrator is an illegal alien who's allowed to stay in
• Now, imagine that that victim is you and the perpetrator is an illegal alien who's allowed to stay in
• Now, imagine that that victim is you and the perpetrator is an illegal alien who's allowed to stay in
• which I can only imagine means following a<04:04:45.600><c> president</c><04:04:46.000><c> who</c><04

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I would imagine I'm going to get a little bit of head scratching from what I've seen so far.
• I don't know what it would be, but I could maybe imagine such a thing.
• He said he does not know what it would be, but could imagine such a thing.
• I don't know what it would be, but I could maybe imagine such a thing.
• So imagine, if you will, a 400 megawatt data center seeking to interconnect.

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And if it does go over a year, I can't imagine it would take more than 18 months to develop rules.
• </c><04:14:11.520><c> it</c> does go over a year, I can't imagine it does go over a year, I can't imagine
• I can't imagine for 2023 they only had five commitments when in the two previous years it was over $4
• He said he can't imagine that for 2023 they only had five commitments when in the two previous years
• I can't<05:00:16.718><c> imagine</c><05:00:17.200><c> for</c><05:00:17.520><c> 23</c><05:00:18.000><c

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee reviewed a handout comparing House Bill 2 to current retirement law and walked through the bill section by section with staff from the retirement system. The discussion focused on vesting, earnable compensation, average final compensation, compensation-over-base limits, special duty pay, normal retirement age, re-retirement, and maximum benefit rules for Group 2/Tier B members. Staff explained that some provisions would restore pre-2011 rules, including counting certain end-of-career payments such as unused sick and vacation time in earnable compensation and reducing the AFC averaging period from five years back to three. They also described how the bill would eliminate the current cap on compensation over base, which mainly affects overtime, and noted that the actuarial cost of the AFC-related changes is interrelated rather than easily broken out by feature. A separate discussion covered the special duty pay limitation, which currently applies to Tier A and would be removed under the governor’s bill for both Tier A and Tier B members after their vested buy date. Staff said the actuary estimated that removing the special duty limitation would increase costs by about $13.9 million. Members also asked about the practical difference between overtime and special duty, with staff explaining that special duty generally involves work for a private third party, often police detail work, while overtime depends more on staffing and scheduling. The committee also reviewed the normal retirement age changes for Tier B and the possibility that some members would need to work longer to reach the new vested buy date. Members raised concerns about an ambiguity in the bill that could allow already-retired Tier B members to return to work, then re-retire and claim the higher benefits, or allow vested deferred members to stop working and wait for the new vested buy date. Staff said the governor’s office did not intend to allow that result and requested clarifying language, noting that the bill as drafted does not expressly prohibit it. The committee also discussed part-time and seasonal work after retirement, with staff explaining that such work generally does not restore membership unless the person takes a full-time position requiring enrollment. Finally, the committee reviewed the maximum benefit provisions and noted that HB 2 in the current year does not change the maximum benefit date or include the 1.5% annual escalator that had been part of the 2023 proposal, making the current bill more costly than the earlier version.

Transcript Highlights:

• I imagine a state that looks at this date on their calendar and starts thinking about the issues and
• I imagine a state that looks at this date on their calendar and starts thinking about the issues and
• I imagine a state that looks at this date on their calendar and starts thinking about the issues and
• I imagine a state that looks at this date on their calendar and starts thinking about the issues and
• Now imagine two twin sisters.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I cannot imagine not being told by a pediatrician who I trusted with my children's care that there were
• four I four I cannot cannot cannot imagine<01:29:28.400><c> not</c><01:29:28.679><c> being</c><01:29:
• not being told by a pediatrician imagine not being told by a pediatrician who<01:29:31.880><c> I</c>
• Imagine how intimidating it would be to worry that what you said would be revealed to those whom you
• Imagine how intimidating it would be to worry that what you said would be revealed to those whom you

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Children and Family Law Committee opened with a brief prayer for Representative Grossman’s son, Oscar, who was reported to be in critical condition after a traumatic fall. The committee then took up House Bill 430, which would reduce DHHS retention of unfounded abuse and neglect reports from 10 years to 3 years. Prime sponsor Chairman James Spain argued that 10 years is excessive and burdens families with a long-lasting stigma, while emphasizing that founded reports and reports with reasonable concern would still be retained indefinitely. Committee members questioned whether longer retention helps identify malicious reporting or patterns of abuse, and whether parents understand the distinction between unfounded and unfounded with reasonable concern. The Office of the Child Advocate and DCF opposed the bill. Child Advocate Cassandra Sanchez said historical reports are important for identifying patterns, reviewing critical incidents, and understanding family dynamics, and that screened-out and unfounded reports can be essential context when later reports arise. She also noted that the records are highly confidential and not publicly accessible. DCF General Counsel Susan Larabe added that the bill could create inconsistencies by retaining screened-out reports longer than unfounded reports, and explained that unfounded reports can be used in court and in administrative reviews when there are multiple prior reports. The committee discussed how other states handle retention, with testimony that some keep records indefinitely and others for long periods. The hearing on HB 430 concluded, and the chair said the bill would not be executed until early March, leaving time for amendments. The committee then opened House Bill 187, concerning restraining orders sought by a parent on behalf of a minor child. Prime sponsor Representative Mike Belcher said the bill is intended to correct a gap in the law so children can access the same restraining-order protections adults can, through a parent or guardian, and framed it as an equal-protection issue. Members questioned why the proposal was placed in the child abuse and neglect statute rather than the civil restraining-order statutes, and whether it should instead be handled as a broader civil-law fix. Alanda Peterson, who said she created Jade’s Law, testified that the original wording was meant to protect all children, not just those harmed by family members, and supported expanding the language. The hearing continued with additional discussion of the bill’s scope and purpose.

Transcript Highlights:

• I imagine there would be another process like that to be able to narrow down the loan program in the
• develop</c><00:09:00.040><c> the</c><00:09:00.480><c> rules</c><00:09:01.480><c> I</c><00:09:01.640><c> imagine
• </c> I imagine there would be another process like that to be able to narrow down the loan program in
• It would be a little bit harder to imagine someone would do it, but yeah, I think it would incentivize
• </c><04:36:01.879><c> someone</c> little bit harder to imagine someone little bit harder to imagine someone

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As a result, you can imagine how important it is to live and work in environments that are filled with
• </c><00:20:51.840><c> how</c> As a result, you can imagine how As a result, you can imagine how important
• And, you know, I can’t imagine raising my family in that environment personally.
• And, you know, I can’t imagine raising my family in that environment personally.
• As a mother and a legislator, I can't begin to imagine the pain these families are enduring.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I can't imagine that wouldn't happen. Thank you.
• I can imagine.
• I can imagine. imagine. imagine.
• And with all the civil penalties, I can certainly imagine situations where folks are in a contentious
• , child-focused, in which a police officer should never be asking for a child to disrobe in any imaginable

Committee: Senate Children and Family Law

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• She had never imagined she would be quietly stationed inside of a preschool, constantly looking through
• I would imagine there might be a situation where a victim may be attempted rape or any other kind of
• Um Um Um I<01:52:49.520><c> would</c><01:52:49.680><c> imagine</c><01:52:50.160><c> there</c><01:52:50.320
• ><c> might</c><01:52:50.560><c> be</c><01:52:50.680><c> a</c> I would imagine there might be a I would
• imagine there might be a situation<01:52:51.560><c> where</c> situation where situation where uh<01:

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• called—like some of these folks are being called some of the most horrific slurs and terms that you can imagine
• called—like some of these folks are being called some of the most horrific slurs and terms that you can imagine
• </c><00:37:37.200><c> that</c><00:37:37.520><c> you</c><00:37:37.680><c> can</c><00:37:37.839><c> imagine
• </c><00:37:38.560><c> We</c> slurs and terms that you can imagine.
• We slurs and terms that you can imagine.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But I would imagine that it would be a quicker fix. It takes a long time to design health.
• It could be, I would imagine, it would be shoving three bodies into a small cell that's not restrictive
• could</c><01:34:21.040><c> be</c><01:34:21.600><c> I</c><01:34:21.840><c> would</c><01:34:22.000><c> imagine
• It could be I would imagine it hours.
• It could be I would imagine it would<01:34:23.679><c> be</c><01:34:24.159><c> shoving</c><01:34:24.639

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The working group on restrictive housing met with a quorum present, approved the August 21, 2025 minutes, and adopted a procedure to take public testimony on each agenda item with a two-minute limit per testifier, with some flexibility for follow-up questions. The main presentation came from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation on restrictive housing policies and a recent outside assessment of mental health care practices at HSCF and OOTC. DCR said the assessment found strengths such as consistent medication administration and staff commitment, but also identified major problems including outdated workflows, staffing shortages, inadequate physical plant conditions, overuse of suicide/safety watch for personal safety issues, and a need for more individualized treatment plans. DCR described several corrective steps already underway: filling a long-vacant high-level mental health administrator position, adjusting evening medication passes, working with DOH on transfer and referral workflows, planning a new electronic medical records system and revised screening tools, and pursuing additional training for ACOs and mental health staff. For OOTC, DCR said the facility is overcrowded and decrepit, needs a better screening tool, and requires more mental health-specific training and staffing. For HCF, DCR said the layout limits confidential assessments and provider access, and that the proposed consolidated healthcare unit would add 43 beds, private exam rooms, and a de-escalation room. DCR also said the new unit could serve acute and chronic suicide/safety watch needs and possibly some inmates with dementia, Alzheimer’s, or significant cognitive impairment. The discussion then focused on Act 292, which DCR said is difficult to implement as written. DCR said the bill aligns with DOJ, NCCHC, and ACA guidance in defining restrictive housing, limiting duration, requiring reviews, identifying vulnerable populations, and using step-down units, but raised two major concerns: a requirement to refer vulnerable people to DOH for confinement, and a requirement for clinical assessments every 12 hours by a provider. Members responded that the law should be matched with funding and staffing, and asked what resources are needed. DCR said it submitted a request for 35 positions at a cost of about $8.6 million, and also said funding may be needed for community-based beds and contracted medical services. Members also asked about the current MOA/MOU between DOH and DCR, the working group membership, and the timeline for revisions. DCR said the group includes DCR, DOH, and governor’s office medical advisors, that a first draft is complete, and that the revised agreement should be in place by the end of the year. On staffing, DCR said ACO recruitment classes increased from five to eight, vacancy rates dropped from 34% to 24%, but OOTC still faces a projected $7.1 million shortfall and heavy overtime costs, forcing post closures and program reductions. The meeting ended with continued discussion of screening tools, including DCR’s explanation that current broad questions may over-identify people with substance-use-related symptoms as having serious mental illness, and that a more discrete tool is needed to better identify those with acute needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now imagine having to do that over and over again because your case manager keeps changing.
• Imagine how many more Minnesotans we could serve if SUD assessments were available when people needed
• 02:20:20.120><c> this</c><02:20:20.280><c> bill</c><02:20:20.840><c> proposes</c><02:20:21.840><c> imagine
• </c><02:20:22.240><c> how</c><02:20:22.359><c> many</c> what this bill proposes imagine how many what
• this bill proposes imagine how many more<02:20:22.640><c> minnesot</c><02:20:23.240><c> we</c><02:20

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that are under consideration with the subcommittee that address citizenship, but one could easily imagine
• that are under consideration with the subcommittee that address citizenship, but one could easily imagine
• that are under consideration with the subcommittee that address citizenship, but one could easily imagine
• that are under consideration with the subcommittee that address citizenship, but one could easily imagine
• that are under consideration with the subcommittee that address citizenship, but one could easily imagine

Committee: House Election Law

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and I cannot imagine a business out there who wants to go into this kind of business that is available
• </c><00:58:39.440><c> and</c><00:58:39.680><c> I</c><00:58:39.839><c> cannot</c><00:58:40.160><c> imagine
• </c><00:58:40.559><c> a</c> I got elected um and I cannot imagine a I got elected um and I cannot imagine

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of people can imagine it, but not many can actually feel it.
• But can you imagine what our community would look like without that enforcement?
• Police Department in 1992, and up until the last few years, you would have never even, no one could imagine
• So I imagine most people do the same.

Committee: House Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now I want you to imagine yourself sitting at your kitchen table surrounded by medical bills.
• I</c><00:07:15.120><c> want</c><00:07:15.280><c> you</c><00:07:15.360><c> to</c><00:07:15.520><c> imagine
• </c><00:07:15.840><c> yourself</c> Now I want you to imagine yourself Now I want you to imagine yourself

Bills: HF1758 , HF4437 , HF4353

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: infertility, health insurance, fertility preservation, medical assistance, MinnesotaCare, prediction markets, sports betting, online wagering, event contracts, election betting, political betting, sportsbook, gambling regulation, lawful gambling license, Gambling Control Board, unauthorized gaming, esports betting, financial technology, payment processor, advertising restrictions

Transcript Highlights:

• I can only imagine how different my life would be now if I had been financially, emotionally, and physically
• requirement.<02:03:18.000><c> I</c><02:03:18.120><c> can</c><02:03:18.280><c> only</c><02:03:18.560><c> imagine
• I can only imagine how requirement.
• I can only imagine how different<02:03:19.480><c> my</c><02:03:19.600><c> life</c><02:03:19.840><c> would

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all