Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for your service. The state needs more of Mike Gottlieb’s. Thank you for your service.
• Aesthetic body contouring services are non-invasive. They are non-medical services.
• use disorder services.
• substance use disorder services.
• substance use disorder services.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, quorum call, and adoption of the special order report for the day. Members observed a moment of silence for several service members killed in the Middle East conflict, and the chamber also recognized visiting students, law enforcement, and later several guests in the gallery during farewell remarks. The House then moved through the special order calendar, taking up a series of bills on third reading. The first major measure was CS for CS for HB 981 on tributaries of the St. Johns River, which sponsors described as a community-driven plan to restore the Ocklawaha River while balancing conservation, recreation, and economic concerns. Representative Sapp opposed the bill, arguing it would harm rural communities, Rodman Reservoir interests, freshwater resources, property values, and local jobs without adequate funding or certainty. Representative Cross supported the restoration effort and its long-term environmental and community benefits. The House adopted an amendment updating planning references and expanding the advisory council, then passed the bill 107-3. The chamber next passed CS for CSHB 1389 on affordable housing and the Live Local Act after debate over state preemption of local authority, accessory dwelling units, and the removal of local opt-out provisions; supporters emphasized the statewide housing shortage and the need for more housing supply, while opponents argued the bill further limited local control. The bill passed 70-29. The House also passed CS for CSHB 1085, codifying the local government cybersecurity grant program and giving preference to fiscally constrained counties, by a unanimous 109-0 vote. CS for HB 273 on special districts passed after extensive questioning about downtown development districts, rural areas of opportunity, budget approval, and administrative caps; an amendment to remove the downtown district provisions failed, and the bill ultimately passed 88-? yeas as announced on the floor. CS for HB 989 on motor vehicle manufacturers and franchise dealers passed 109-1 after sponsor testimony that it would prevent manufacturers from concentrating new vehicle inventory with one dealer group and protect competition and small businesses. CS/CS for HB 1329 on local government spending and budget transparency passed 82-28 after a lengthy debate over whether the bill would impose costs on local governments; a Cheney amendment to provide hardship assistance for smaller governments was adopted, and supporters framed the bill as improving public access to local budget information while opponents argued it duplicated existing transparency and could require new software or staff. The House then began consideration of CS/CS/CS/CS HB 1417, the Department of Environmental Protection package, with the sponsor outlining provisions on environmental regulation, septic systems, solar facility stormwater controls, coastal resiliency partnerships, and air-pollution permit timing.

Transcript Highlights:

• That would be adult vision services, hearing services, chiropractor services, and podiatry services.
• They're in more than panic at the prospect of removal of these, quote, optional services.
• When I hear those things from the actual people using the service, I have concern.
• The home community-based services in RESHAB.
• Does that mean we're going to streamline some of how we actually provide those services?

Summary: The House Health and Welfare Committee approved the February 2, 2026 minutes and then introduced RS 33180, the Prior Authorization Reform Act, sponsored by Representative Wheeler. Wheeler said the bill would set enforceable standards for insurer prior authorization, including public disclosure of criteria, electronic processes, decision timelines, specialty-appropriate reviews, and protections against retroactive denials. Members raised questions about whether the bill’s physician language could exclude advanced practice providers, and Wheeler said that language may need to be revisited before a full hearing. The bulk of the meeting was a wide-ranging budget discussion ahead of Health and Welfare’s budget presentation. Members debated possible Medicaid and department savings, including trimming optional services, reducing provider reimbursement cuts, using reserves, delaying or renegotiating contracts, expanding audits, and improving department efficiency. Several members argued against cutting disability, home- and community-based, and other vulnerable-population services, while others supported looking at Medicaid expansion, ResHab, and administrative overhead as places to find savings. There was also discussion of hospital rate reductions, work requirements, improper payments, and the use of Millennium Fund dollars. Representative Kaler presented specific ideas for the youth safety and permanency budget, including repealing the extended foster care expansion if participation remains low, reducing FTEs, and moderating benefit increases. Other members emphasized the need for evidence-based budgeting and stronger oversight of contracts and program integrity. No budget votes were taken; the committee mainly gathered ideas and directed members to provide more detailed numbers before the Health and Welfare budget hearing the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're a service organization, so as you'd expect, ...
• or that service.
• Our Health and Human Services Unit's been conducting that for more than a decade now.
• Our Health and Human Services Unit's been conducting that for more than a decade now.
• We do appreciate it, and it's a vital service to the people of Florida.

Summary: The Joint Legislative Auditing Committee met to receive annual overviews of its oversight responsibilities and the work of the Auditor General and OPAGA. Committee staff reviewed the committee’s authority over state and local governments, enforcement of audit-report filing requirements, repeated audit findings, Transparency Florida reporting, and lobbying compensation audits. Auditor General Cheryl Norman described her office’s independence, audit standards, quality control, and major audit areas, including the state’s annual financial and single audits, school district and university audits, operational and performance audits, and attestation work. She also noted staffing shortages, recruitment efforts, and a request for carry-forward funds to study salaries. Members asked about whether audits can quantify recoverable dollars, how school district spending comparisons are handled, and how to raise concerns about DCF-related audits or a local city audit that has been pending for years. Norman said her office can quantify findings when possible, sometimes compares costs across districts in operational audits, and that members can bring specific concerns to the appropriate deputy auditor general or the committee. She also explained that citizen or local-government audit requests may require payment of audit costs. OPAGA Coordinator Kara Collins-Gomez outlined OPAGA’s role as a legislative research unit that conducts studies directed by law, the presiding officers, or the committee, and described its policy areas, methodologies, contract monitoring, and recurring statutory reports. Deputy Auditor General Matthew Tracy explained how to read operational audit reports, including findings, criteria, condition, cause, effect, recommendations, and management responses. Deputy Auditor General Greg Senators explained financial audit reports, including audit opinions, required supplementary information, internal control and compliance findings, federal program compliance, and management letters. The meeting concluded with thanks to the presenters and a motion to adjourn, which passed without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• service agreements renew. service agreements renew.
• . services. services.
• where</c><00:58:28.120><c> the</c> Service Corps service places where the Service Corps service places
• ,</c><01:19:54.960><c> SUD</c><01:19:55.520><c> services,</c> mental health services, SUD services, mental
• </c> get paid for their services. get paid for their services.

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• However, when Trina, Kenny Waller's wife, went to have his jacket laundered for his service, there were
• It has the Service Members Relief Act language that was put on here, TRICARE protections for members
• TRICARE coverage for soldiers going on SED, Civil Service Relief Act protections for families who are
• I think it does a number of very important and very needed things to assist our service members when
• That funding is intended to expand services, stabilize providers, and bring innovative care models to

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• was constantly working to keep roads open, repair damages, and try to keep traffic and goods and services
• a state individual assistance program in state law, and why after the Medical Lake and Oregon Road fires
• I, as mentioned, I'm an assistant director for the Agricultural Environmental Services Division at WSDA
• I'm an assistant director for the Agricultural Environmental Services Division at WSDA, but I'm also
• Weather Service runs. So they literally, I asked them... ...that the U.S. Weather Service runs.

Summary: The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee held a work session on the December 2025 flooding in Washington and its impacts on agriculture, with no public testimony. Emergency Management Division Director Robert Azel described the storm sequence, record rainfall, widespread river flooding, landslides, power outages, evacuations, rescues, and damage to homes, roads, flood control infrastructure, and agricultural land. He said the state was preparing a major disaster declaration request and noted that mitigation investments and interagency coordination helped reduce losses, while debris removal and federal reimbursement remain important next steps. Snohomish County Emergency Management Director Lucia Schmidt focused on farm impacts in Snohomish County, where tens of thousands of acres were underwater. She described damage to equipment, fences, hoop houses, feed, hay, nurseries, and perennial crops, and said many small farms face losses not well covered by existing federal disaster programs. She urged funding for the Washington State Conservation Commission’s disaster assistance program and emphasized the importance of helping small-scale farms recover to preserve the local agricultural community. WSDA Assistant Director Kelly McLean outlined the department’s disaster response role, including food and feed safety, animal health, livestock sheltering, and coordination of resources. She described efforts to keep feed and dairy products moving, support dairies and livestock producers, connect farmers to relief and mental health resources, and distribute food assistance. She also said WSDA is working on a report due in July with recommendations for small and mid-sized farms and noted interest in developing a broader agricultural disaster assessment tool. Washington State Dairy Federation policy director Jay Gordon described repeated flooding in the Chehalis Basin and other areas, praised state and local partnerships, and argued that continued flood mitigation, storage, levee adjustments, and basin-specific planning are needed because these events are becoming more frequent and severe. Committee members asked about debris removal, federal disaster assistance, insurance challenges, farmworker impacts, and future mitigation projects, and the chair adjourned the meeting after thanking the presenters.

Transcript Highlights:

• rapid development and consumer-facing AI being completely unregulated, I've called it a five-alarm fire
• it</c><00:00:50.960><c> a</c><00:00:51.120><c> five</c><00:00:51.280><c> alarm</c><00:00:51.680><c> fire
• </c> called it a five alarm fire for society. called it a five alarm fire for society.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ADS systems can set weekly schedules and even track, discipline, or fire employees, a practice recently
• Algorithmic firing is reportedly on the rise, with recent figures estimating that more than one in five
• managers allow AI systems to make final firing decisions without their input.
• tools are still used to set a worker's schedule, pay, and even determine whether or not they should be fired

Summary: The Assembly Labor and Employment Committee heard several workplace-related bills. AB 1803 would require anti-hate speech training as part of existing harassment prevention training for employers with five or more employees; supporters said it would help workers recognize and report workplace hate, while opponents raised First Amendment and definitional concerns. The bill passed on a do pass motion and was re-referred to Judiciary, with the roll left open for absent members. AB 1940 would add perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause to FEHA’s sex protections and clarify related workplace protections; supporters emphasized workplace equity and retention, while business groups said existing accommodation laws already cover many issues and raised concerns about expanding protected classifications. It also passed and was re-referred to Judiciary with the roll open. AB 1838 would require bidders on public works projects to disclose recent wage-and-hour violations and how they were addressed; labor groups supported the transparency measure, while contractors and business groups questioned definitions and disclosure scope. It passed and was re-referred to Judiciary. AB 1859 would give joint labor-management committees access to public works job sites to help identify labor-law violations; supporters said it would improve enforcement of wage theft laws, while opponents raised due process, property access, and constitutional concerns. It passed and was re-referred to Judiciary. The committee also considered two workplace AI and surveillance bills. AB 1883 would prohibit certain invasive surveillance technologies in the workplace, including facial, gait, and emotion recognition, while placing limits on some facial recognition uses; supporters argued these tools are discriminatory and unreliable, and opponents said a ban was too broad and could eliminate useful safety and operational tools. The bill passed and was re-referred to Privacy and Consumer Protection. AB 1898 would require employers to give workers advance notice before using AI tools to surveil or manage workers, including disclosure of the tool’s purpose, data collected, and affected decisions; supporters framed it as a basic transparency measure, while opponents objected to the breadth of notice requirements, possible veto power over deployment, and enforcement language. It also passed and was re-referred to Privacy and Consumer Protection. The committee additionally took up AB 1707, which passed and was re-referred to Appropriations with a consent-calendar recommendation, though the transcript does not provide the bill’s subject matter.

Transcript Highlights:

• ADS systems can set weekly schedules and even track, discipline, or fire employees, a practice recently
• Algorithmic firing is reportedly on the rise, with recent figures estimating that more than one in five
• managers allow AI systems to make final firing decisions without their input.
• tools are still used to set a worker's schedule, pay, and even determine whether or not they should be fired

Committee: House Labor and Employment

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• County a bit of tragic news that we had two students of the West Bala school district die in a house fire
• district to die in the West Bala school district to die in a<00:11:46.399><c> house</c><00:11:46.800><c> fire
• /c><00:11:48.240><c> and</c><00:11:48.480><c> unfortunately</c><00:11:49.040><c> would</c> a house fire
• and unfortunately would a house fire and unfortunately would have<00:11:49.360><c> been</c><00:11:49.600

Keywords: MS House Floor - 3 March, 2026; 2:00 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 6172 relates to eliminating preferential treatment to a coal-fired electric generating plant
• 2011 directed the governor to enter into a memorandum of agreement, or MOA, with the owners of a coal-fired
• We support ending exemptions in state law for a coal-fired power plant after its scheduled closure date
• here before you today, and have been before you before, because I grew up within eyesight of a coal-fired

Bills: SB6172 , SB6246 , SB5932

Committee: Senate Environment, Energy & Technology

Keywords: Washington climate policy, greenhouse gas, GHG emissions, cap-and-invest, carbon market, emissions trading, allowances, covered entity, coal-fired power plant, coal plant, electric utility, electric generating facility, fossil fuels, natural gas, imported electricity, emissions leakage, air pollution, renewable energy transition, industrial emissions, railroad emissions

Transcript Highlights:

• Recently, you've seen the fires and the hail throughout the state of Texas and they're going through
• It mirrors an equitable funding approach that you've seen fire and Dennis and Matt and allied lines policies
• That, as I said, would uniformly and fairly apply to all Texans like Fire and Allied lines do and in
• know, I think, uh, you know, I saw some ears perk up when, uh, although I know, uh, uh, they do the fire

Committee: House Insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• we had this bill pass years ago, but maybe if there was better stewardship of that area, maybe the fire
• Maybe we wouldn't have lost, and we saw what happened to Maui when that fire happened.
• stewardship</c><00:22:10.360><c> of</c><00:22:10.520><c> that</c><00:22:10.679><c> area</c> Maybe the fire
• Maybe we wouldn't have lost, and we saw what happened to Maui when that fire happened.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint House Committee on Tourism and Committee on Water and Land heard HB 504, which would raise the transient accommodations tax by imposing a $20 nightly charge on stays booked with points, miles, or other rewards-program benefits, with revenues dedicated to DLNR for natural resource protection, management, and restoration. Supporters said Hawaiʻi faces major environmental funding shortfalls and that visitors should help pay for the lands and waters they enjoy. Testimony in support came from DLNR, the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, Care for Now Coalition, Hawaiʻi Ocean Legislative Task Force, Hawaiʻi Land Trust, The Nature Conservancy, Kuaʻulu, Mālama Puka, Resources Legacy Fund, and others, many citing visitor polling showing strong support for an environmental stewardship fee and the need for a dedicated funding source and community grants. Opposition or caution focused mainly on implementation and the tax structure. The Department of Taxation said the surcharge would create administrative difficulties because it would be hard to verify the value of points, miles, and similar bookings, and the Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi said it supported the policy goal but not the funding source, warning that tourists have limited budgets and may choose other destinations. Some members also raised concerns about the $20 rate and administrative complexity, while others said the concept was creative but needed refinement. After discussion, the chair recommended passing HB 504 as HD1 with amendments, including noting DoTax’s concerns and changing the effective date for the surcharge to January 1, 2027. Both committees adopted the recommendation and passed the bill with amendments; one member in Water and Land voted with reservations, and several members were excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you are at odds, then chances are the board of directors can fire the director and get a new one.
• ><00:13:54.360><c> of</c><00:13:54.480><c> directors</c><00:13:54.920><c> can</c><00:13:55.120><c> fire
• </c><00:13:55.440><c> the</c> are the board of directors can fire the are the board of directors can
• fire the director<00:13:55.959><c> and</c><00:13:56.160><c> get</c><00:13:56.279><c> a</c><00:13:56.399

Committee: House Fish and Game and Marine Resources

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> with</c><01:07:45.039><c> disabilities,</c> services for people with disabilities, services for
• ,</c> that you've done constituent services, that you've done constituent services, supporting<02:10:
• </c><03:48:29.199><c> systems</c> we know that our human service systems we know that our human service
• </c> session I was here where human services session I was here where human services did<03:50:37.279
• I don't know that for human services.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And thank you for offering your time and service.
• But it comes at a cost to the service to the constituents to work remotely.
• We need to make sure that our longtime service employees are valued, and it is money.
• Fresquez has always supported The public as well has a career in public service.
• Abilities that are essential to the service on the Personnel Board.

Bills: SM13 , SM14

Committee: Senate Senate Rules

Keywords: land grant, Las Vegas, governance, self-governance, judicial management, forced sterilization, coerced sterilization, Indigenous women, Native American women, women of color, reproductive justice, reproductive sovereignty, truth and reconciliation commission, memorial, trauma-informed care, reparative justice, human rights, bodily autonomy, Indian Health Service, Indian affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• We do not have enough money to fund all of our services.
• </c><00:04:22.680><c> School</c> fund all of our services. School fund all of our services.
• Placement and service IEP process.
• with a fire-safe version, but the cost was more than a teacher's salary.
• They’ve been asking for those wrap-around services.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee heard House File 3493, the Safe Schools Revenue Increase bill, and first adopted the DE amendment before moving the bill on for re-referral to Ways and Means. Representative Lawrence described the bill as a multi-layered school safety package for all students and schools, including public, nonpublic, charter, and tribal schools, with increased safety funding, mental health support, anonymous threat reporting, school safety plans, and student discipline changes. Several supporters emphasized the need for flexible safety funding and cited real-world safety concerns, including anonymous tip systems that had generated many reports, classroom evacuations, staff injuries, and the need for more resources for mental health and safety infrastructure. Some supporters, including charter school leaders and Catholic Conference testimony, argued the bill’s flexibility and broader safety approach were important, while others supported the K-3 suspension language as a needed tool in severe cases. Opponents focused heavily on the bill’s repeal of Minnesota’s K-3 suspension ban and non-exclusionary discipline requirements. Legal aid, disability advocates, and education groups argued that suspensions harm young children, worsen disparities, and disproportionately affect students of color and students with disabilities, and they urged the committee to keep restorative and non-exclusionary practices in place. Disability advocates also asked that any safety planning explicitly account for students with disabilities and that the bill remain aligned with IDEA protections and individualized education decisions. Several testifiers opposed using public funds for private schools, saying public money should stay in public programs. Other testimony came from school administrators and staff who supported restoring limited suspension discretion, describing serious elementary incidents, classroom evacuations, and injuries that they said required a short-term removal option to stabilize classrooms and plan for students’ return. Mental health and school support personnel witnesses stressed that safety and mental health funding should remain distinct and that more counselors, social workers, and related staff are needed to address student crises. No final vote on the bill itself was taken in the portion provided beyond adoption of the DE amendment and the motion to re-refer the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• I was raised to respect this country through service, sacrifice, and a deep belief in our Constitution
• The bill requires schools to notify parents within service, and they really should know.
• when a provider is absent, and to share a plan for making up that service.
• In our family, we fought tooth and nail to get Raymond those services that he needed.
• Parents need the opportunity to be a part of that IEP team and know the services and the help.”

Summary: The Education Administration Subcommittee met with a quorum and considered several education-related bills. CS/HB 1085 on local government cybersecurity was presented as a measure to codify an existing grant program that has helped secure more than 200 local governments, especially rural and fiscally constrained ones; Florida League of Cities supported it, and it passed 15-0. PCS/HB 371 on patriotic displays at public schools would require, subject to appropriation, display of portraits of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln in school common areas for America’s 250th anniversary; one opponent argued it would create complaint-driven enforcement and pressure educators, but the sponsor said the PCS narrowed the original classroom requirement, and the bill passed 16-0. PCS/HB 833 on private school facilities would deem small private schools of 150 students or fewer a permitted use in commercial and mixed-use zoning districts and allow use of certain existing buildings if fire and occupancy standards are met. Supporters said it would reduce local red tape and expand school choice, while opponents warned it would divert public resources and weaken public education; several members raised concerns about local traffic and safety authority. The sponsor said she was open to further amendments, and the bill passed 13-3. PCS/HB 1147 on school district unimproved real property would require districts to submit annual inventories of vacant, unimproved land to the Department of Education for transparency and planning; some members and a Monroe County school board member questioned the need for a state registry, while supporters said it would improve data and accountability. The bill passed 12-3. The committee then considered HB 615 on individualized education plans (IEPs), which would strengthen parent notification and access to service logs, require individualized orientation for newly eligible students, and standardize district service logs. An amendment removed notification requirements when a missed service was due to student absence, and it was adopted. The bill drew emotional testimony from a student and parent describing missed accommodations, along with support from Disability Rights Florida and several members who emphasized parent partnership and accountability; one ESE teacher said the bill was a good start but more staffing and support are needed. The bill passed unanimously 15-0, and the meeting adjourned after all agenda items were completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:25:27.840><c> Is</c><00:25:28.080><c> there</c><00:25:28.240><c> any</c> services workers.
• Is there any services workers. Is there any discussion?
• and strategic economic critical services and strategic economic investments<00:27:17.279><c> while</
• to strengthen core services for blind and visually impaired residents statewide.
• to strengthen core services for blind and visually impaired residents statewide.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> provide a variety of different Services provide a variety of different Services as<00:02:40.560>
• </c> it developers or um different service it developers or um different service providers<00:04:34.759
• You know, obviously a very needed service you guys provide, so thank you.
• </c> know obviously a a very needed service know obviously a a very needed service you<00:36:52.680><
• We've also installed fire suppression across all our 42 high-rises.

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Keywords: 1187, senate, all