Transcript Highlights:

• Within that number is $681 million to support the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, including
• $586 million to fully fund the remaining state portion of the Central Everglades Planning Project.
• Within that number is $681 million to support the comprehensive Everglades restoration plan, including
• $586 million to fully fund the remaining state portion of the Central Everglades Planning Project.
• Last year, the legislature asked us to put together a plan to present to you, and that was delivered,

Summary: The committee convened with a quorum, welcomed new member Senator Ralph Massullo, and first took up confirmation of five appointees to water management district and basin board positions. Senator McLean moved favorable confirmation of Ted Everett, Jerome Pate, Michael Romano, Paul Bissfam, John Hall, and Virginia Johns, and the motion passed by roll call. The main agenda item was the Governor’s Florida First budget presentation for the environmental agencies. Kim Kramer and DEP Secretary Alexis Lambert outlined proposed environmental funding of about $5.8 billion, including more than $1.4 billion for water resources, $810 million for Everglades restoration, $408 million for water quality, $202 million for Resilient Florida, $75 million for beach renourishment, $150 million for Florida Forever, $70 million for state park infrastructure, and $221 million for hazardous waste cleanup. They also highlighted proposed funding for FWC operations, manatee care, python removal, oyster reef restoration, forestry and wildfire equipment, and citrus research and disease response. Members asked about Florida Forever funding, state park wastewater and septic needs, a cut to the Florida Wildlife Research Institute, and how beach renourishment is handled after storms. The committee then heard the general government budget presentation. Agencies highlighted included DBPR, Gaming Control, the Lottery, DMS, PERC, DFS, OIR, and Revenue. DBPR discussed funding for license processing, an animal abuse hotline, vehicle replacement, and IT recruitment; Gaming Control requested new law enforcement squads and a licensing/enforcement IT system; the Lottery emphasized marketing, retail engagement, IT, and retention funding; DMS proposed building, fleet, telecommunications, cybersecurity, and local government grant investments; PERC described workload growth after SB 256 and requested staffing, operations, and pay increases; OIR sought more staff for consumer protection and market oversight plus building renovations; DFS highlighted My Safe Florida Home funding, fire marshal and first responder support, financial investigations, and gold and silver legal tender implementation; and Revenue requested operational, IT, and fiscally constrained county funding. Members questioned DBPR about unfunded HOA fraud and condo transparency items, DMS about cybersecurity grants, and DFS about My Safe Florida Home funding levels, abandoned grants, and reduced program uptake. No further action was taken, and the committee adjourned without additional votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• right question is how do we increase cross-sector collaboration and start building more statewide plans
• Another area is recognition of statewide water planning that needs to be done.
• Basin has had some planning done, and those could be used as a leveraging point to start building more
• of a statewide plan.
• But the forum has processed this as a connected issue around planning for ongoing water management to

Committee: House Agriculture & Natural Resources

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, you know, planning years reserve. So is there a way to plainly say what was done this session?
• And those last two years we call the planning years; sometimes people call them the tails.
• </c> planning practices we look out for four. planning practices we look out for four.
• </c><00:02:22.319><c> Um</c><00:02:22.720><c> we</c> that we can plan on. We did that.
• Um we that we can plan on. We did that.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I think that's the biggest issue, and I hope to hear from both of you about your plans to make sure
• You know, the capital budget for the MTA with the 2025-29 plan, there's a glaring hole in that.
• the board as to how the MTA is going to fulfill that gap in funding sources for the 2025-29 capital plan
• Those experiences taught me the importance of accountability, collaboration, and long-term planning in
• And I think there's a plan that they have been rolling out, but it's just not fast enough for me.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The joint meeting of the Senate Finance, Corporations, Authorities and Commissions, and Transportation committees considered four nominations to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority board: Melanie Hartzog, Jeanette Sadecott, Matthew Rand, and James O’Donnell. Each nominee gave opening remarks describing their public service or transportation-related experience and their interest in issues such as affordability, accessibility, state of good repair, regional connectivity, and transit safety. Senators also raised concerns about MTA transparency, the 2025-29 capital plan funding gap, fare and toll evasion, worker safety, and the need for better service in underserved areas. Members pressed the nominees on several policy questions, including the feasibility of free or reduced-fare buses, expanding bus service and bus lanes, restoring Hudson Valley and Harlem Line service, improving west-of-Hudson and Rockland County transit, and advancing the Second Avenue Subway and accessibility projects. The nominees generally said they were open to studying these ideas, emphasized collaboration with the MTA, governor, mayor, and legislature, and supported greater transparency and investment in transit infrastructure. Senators also highlighted labor concerns, including the MTA workers’ contract and safety for bus operators and other transit workers. At the end of the hearing, the committees voted separately on each nomination. Melanie Hartzog, Jeanette Sadecott, Matthew Rand, and James O’Donnell were each approved by the committees and advanced to the Senate floor. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Even after care is requested and the health plan authorizes it, families often cannot fully use those
• The health plan will continue to have full authority to review care, ensure the process, and address
• Health plans have not yet imposed these weekly caps, and this bill ensures they cannot do so.
• Cassidy Heckman, on behalf of the California Association of Health Plans.
• I got them through Planned Parenthood and Kaiser Permanente.

Committee: Senate Health

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Last year, state archives published the preservation plan, which included recommendations, estimated
• 2024 legislation provides that no Lakeland Village records may be destroyed until the preservation plan
• No documents or artifacts identified as part of the preservation plan may be destroyed until fiscal year
• Archives, we are able to pull them all together to look at what records are there and to develop a plan
• Archives, we are able to pull them all together to look at what records are there and to develop a plan

Bills: SCR8406 , SB5892 , SB5863

Committee: House State Government & Tribal Relations

Keywords: civic health, community engagement, committee reestablishment, public participation, governance, voter registration database, election security, public records exemption, Secretary of State, county elections office, election infrastructure, cybersecurity, ballot signatures, ballot return envelopes, signature correction forms, voter privacy, personal identifying information, Social Security number, driver's license number, state ID number

Transcript Highlights:

• , education plans, are sufficient to establish that individuals with a disability under the Americans
• So we've helped a number of states develop plans for the same.
• We've helped a number of states develop plans for the same.
• kind of put together the plan over a day.
• I think that sounds like a good plan. Yeah, I'd worry. What would be helpful for Dina and Katya?

Summary: The Disability Employment Subcommittee met with roll call, approved prior meeting minutes, and began with an inspirational quote from Jane Goodall about every individual mattering and making a difference. Members introduced themselves and described their roles in disability services, workforce policy, accessibility, and advocacy. The committee then welcomed Katia Alpanis and Dina Klumkina from the State Exchange on Employment and Disability (SEED), who explained that SEED provides technical assistance, research, peer-state examples, and policy support to help states improve disability employment outcomes. SEED presented seven broad policy areas where states are active: career readiness and work-based learning, behavioral health supports, stay-at-work/return-to-work programs, employer recruitment and accommodation supports, entrepreneurship and disability-owned business development, interagency coordination, and state-as-model-employer initiatives. They shared examples from other states, including scholarship and transition policies, peer support training, accommodation funds, procurement goals, and state hiring strategies. Members asked about SEED’s role in Massachusetts, digital accessibility, and the status of PEAT; SEED said PEAT has been refunded and that SEED’s role is policy-focused rather than implementation-focused, though it can connect Massachusetts with peer states and examples. The discussion then narrowed to two possible Massachusetts projects: developing a state-as-model-employer roadmap and creating a youth/young-adult employment and volunteer pipeline, especially for transition-age individuals. Members noted related state efforts, including the governor’s executive order reestablishing a disability policy subcommittee, the commission’s Meeting the Moment series, and the need to help people navigate upcoming work requirements and transition cliffs. SEED agreed to follow up with a questionnaire and draft briefs on Massachusetts analysis, career readiness, and state-as-model-employer policies, and the group planned an offline follow-up to define priorities and scope.

Transcript Highlights:

• again, those pro-growth aviation infrastructure recommendations that we received in the 2022 system plan
• hangers, and terminals, and taxiway areas, utilities, making sure that the industry has a strategic plan
• That we can implement, we have not done a holistic strategic planning exercise, so that's what we're
• gonna plan for FY27.
• And so that will hopefully get rolled out again in quarter two along with that strategic planning and

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So upon the plan is to put money into it, and then the emergency would go in just like all the other
• And it also adds in reporting requirements and adjustments on the 80-year plan and asset preservation
• plan.
• The overall goal and intent is To increase funding for the roads eight-year plan.
• This also adds in the reporting requirements with an ear plan and the asset preservation plan.

Bills: HB3882 , HB4273 , HB4280 , HB4281

Committee: House A&B Transportation Subcommittee

Keywords: transportation, revolving fund, grants, infrastructure, economic development, income tax, aerospace, higher education, tax credit, qualified employee, funding, safety, state highways, bridges, apportionment, Oklahoma, transportation funding, sales tax, road maintenance, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• I think it's a terrific plan.
• ,</c><01:21:13.320><c> strong</c> thoughtful planning, strong thoughtful planning, strong collaboration
• That turnaround plan turnaround plan.
• ,</c> turnaround plan, turnaround plan, you<01:45:55.360><c> know,</c><01:45:55.520><c> would</c><01:
• </c> in those turnaround plans. in those turnaround plans.

Committee: House Education Funding

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We submitted comments basically stating that we prepared a master plan infrastructure master plan for
• We submitted comments basically stating that we prepared a master plan infrastructure master plan for
• We submitted comments basically stating that we prepared a master plan infrastructure master plan for
• </c> coordinator of the office of planning coordinator of the office of planning and<01:49:26.800><c>
• They had plenty of plans they tried to build in the early days, and a lot of plans didn't fly because

Committee: House Energy & Environmental Protection

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection opened its first hearing of the session and heard testimony on several energy and environmental bills. On HB 470, relating to noise and leaf blowers, the Department of Health supported the bill’s intent to reduce noise pollution but raised concerns about using decibel limits alone and suggested using dBA measurements; testimony also noted the bill would regulate future sales rather than current use, and there were three additional testimonies, two in support and one in opposition. No questions were raised before the committee moved on. The committee then heard HB 742 on transit-oriented development, which would require HCDA to prepare a programmatic EIS for Ewa, Kapalama, and West Oahu improvements. UH supported the bill, HHFDC said it was already preparing a master plan and programmatic EIS for the Ewa area, and HCDA explained that the projects are already underway or completed, including infrastructure work funded by prior appropriations. Supporters said the bill would streamline environmental review and potentially reduce costs for future housing, while HCDA emphasized the work is already in progress. On HB 340, concerning a streamlined grid-ready home interconnection process and related cost recovery, DCCA provided comments, the Attorney General suggested changing a deadline to a specific date, and the PUC said it wanted to study the matter further while still meeting the 180-day reporting requirement. Solar and clean energy groups strongly supported the bill as a way to speed interconnection and advance grid-interactive technologies, while Hawaiian Electric supported the goal of more DERs but opposed the process, saying its interconnection performance has improved and that collaboration would be preferable to legislation. Members asked about newer technologies, UL 1741, and ratepayer impacts, and the Consumer Advocate said removing the cost-recovery section would alleviate its concerns. The committee also heard HB 243, requiring PV- and EV-ready new residential construction, which the Hawaii State Energy Office described as a cost-saving no-brainer because installing these features during construction is much cheaper than retrofitting later. The hearing then shifted to HB 350, expanding the water-heater systems that can satisfy building-permit requirements to include heat pump water heaters alongside solar hot water systems. The Energy Office supported the bill, Solar Ray supported the concept but asked for amendments to align efficiency standards and noted the bill’s removal of a 15-year lifespan limit for solar thermal systems, and Hawaii Solar Energy Association raised questions about how heat pump performance should be measured and whether PV-plus-heat-pump combinations should qualify. Committee members asked about impacts on smaller homes and ADUs, and the discussion remained focused on technical standards and possible amendments; no votes or final actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Just I guess the classifications of waste water treatment plans.
• /c> classifications of of waste water classifications of of waste water treatment<00:05:35.280><c> plans
• </c> treatment plans. treatment plans.
• And I understand Madison County is conducting a master plan to deal with some of those issues, but this
• </c><00:11:35.200><c> to</c> County is conducting a master plan to County is conducting a master plan

Committee: House Madison County Legislation

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, if I may, Director, I just want to again compliment you and your staff on a good plan to get
• this... your staff on a good plan to get this out in time.
• Y'all have done a really good job with a whole bunch of money and a plan to really get it out in time
• American Rescue Plan and state local recovery funds trunch two, which we refer to as AIM... two, which
• It's not only a business plan that goes into this recipe, if you will, but also topography.

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Sounds like a plan. Thank you. All right. Thank you.
• And then under subsection one, they changed the plan must be updated every two years instead of three
• And then the only other change is on page 4, line 2, with the wildlife mitigation plan may submit an
• Safety Code is what the trade-off is in order to get the qualification of the wildfire mitigation plan
• . want that protection, then they don't have to do the plan.

Committee: House Energy and Natural Resources

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The House Energy and Natural Resources Committee met with a quorum and took up several bills, beginning with Senate Bill 2267 on on-site wastewater systems. DEQ testified that the bill would make DEQ the sole agency responsible for developing statewide wastewater code and licensing installers, replace local public health unit codes, create enforcement authority and civil penalties, and provide a $99,500 general fund appropriation for implementation. Members discussed whether the bill and proposed amendments adequately protected existing functioning or nonconforming septic systems, and DEQ said it would compare the Senate amendment with the committee’s draft and return the next day with feedback. The committee then considered Senate Bill 2339, a wildfire mitigation plan bill, and adopted amendment 02001 with a change from “Shell” to “May” on one line. After amendment, the bill passed 9-3 on a do pass as amended vote, despite opposition from members who argued it created a utility carve-out, reduced liability exposure for utilities, and incentivized safety without requiring compliance. The companion study bill, Senate Bill 2340, on fire service operational response needs also received a do pass recommendation, and the committee later agreed it should be handled on the floor before the mitigation bill so the two measures could be explained together. The committee also approved Senate Bill 2210, a study bill on watershed boundaries, with members noting it would help inform ongoing work on related water legislation. Finally, Senate Bill 2325, dealing with ordinary high watermark determination, received a unanimous do not pass recommendation after members expressed concern that high-water-mark language is difficult to define and may be better addressed in a separate study or resolution. The committee adjourned after noting that DEQ would return the next day with proposed amendments and that work on Senate Bill 2276 would continue with interested parties.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the facilities plan is a $30 million facility to last the state another 40 to 50 years, with... ..
• last the state another 40 to 50 years, and still they would have the opportunity to build on that plan
• They would have to raise $20 million in order to build their full plan of a $30 million facility.
• But the build plan is $30.5 million all in.
• Is that part of what they laid out in the plan? Senator Sickler?

Bills: SB2012

Committee: Senate Appropriations - Government Operations Division

Keywords: transportation, funding, infrastructure, grants, municipal, 908, all

Summary: The Government Operations Division met to continue work on budget and bill amendments. The committee first took up the Attorney General’s budget and reviewed a detailed amendment package that adjusted FTE levels, salary equity funding, funding sources, and several one-time appropriations. Changes included removing some House-added items, adding contingent funding tied to other bills, restoring certain funding sources, increasing the electronic smoking device manufacturer fee, and adding a provision on 24/7 sobriety program fees. Senator Dwyer then offered a further amendment to make the electronic smoking device fee a $2,000 application fee with a $500 annual renewal fee, which passed. The committee then voted 4-1 to adopt the budget as amended and give it a do pass recommendation as amended. The committee next considered House Bill 1143, relating to Great Plains Food Bank funding. After testimony from Amy Cleary on behalf of Great Plains Food Bank, members discussed the organization’s statewide role and the project’s financing, including a planned $30 million facility and existing fundraising. Senator Burkhard moved to restore the appropriation from $5 million to $10 million, and the motion passed 4-1. The committee then voted 4-1 to give the bill a do pass recommendation as amended, with Senator Burkhard designated as carrier. Finally, the committee discussed House Bill 1524, which would fund regional planning councils and authorize 16 FTEs. Members expressed sympathy for the councils’ work but concerns about approving new state-funded positions. No action was taken, and the chair asked to hold the bill over for further review. The committee then recessed, noting remaining budget work and upcoming hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• the bill for two years because we had some concerns about some of the complexity with the compliance plan
• moves that to September 2027, and it allows for operators and the Railroad Commission more time to plan
• individuals with these types of wells the ability for the Railroad Commission to think through it, plan
• it, and for those well owners to think through and plan it.
• The compliance plan is what we're tolling for two years, and that's where the adverse action could come

Bills: SB2122 , SB2050 , HB16

Committee: Senate Natural Resources

Keywords: oil and gas waste, application fees, permit amendments, environmental regulation, Texas natural resources, battery recycling, battery disposal, consumer batteries, energy storage modules, electrochemical devices, lithium-ion battery, household hazardous waste, solid waste, municipal recycling, waste management, battery stewardship, producer responsibility, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, recycling program

Transcript Highlights:

• He said, “This is my retirement plan.”
• Representative Smith said his specific question was about farm transition planning.
• </c><00:56:13.880><c> obviously</c> in uh Farm transition planning obviously in uh Farm transition planning
• </c> struggling with those actual planning struggling with those actual planning for<00:57:01.640><c>
• </c><01:09:05.080><c> and</c> struggling with transition planning and struggling with transition planning

Bills: HF711 , HF653

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Keywords: agriculture, agricultural education, leadership development, Minnesota Agricultural Education and Leadership Council, MAELC, chapter 41D, grant funding, general fund appropriation, commissioner of agriculture, farm education, youth agriculture programs, ag literacy, workforce development, extension education, research funding, extension services, technology transfer, grant programs, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a 30-year plan.
• We range planning for transportation.
• We look at what have a 30-year plan.
• Uh be part of that long range planning.
• Also zoning and planning requirements.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The task force approved the October 14, 2025 meeting minutes and then heard a presentation from Austin Kaylor of WSP on alternative aviation fuels. Kaylor described an ongoing feasibility study focused on Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport and the other four commercial airports in Kentucky, with an eye toward both near-term use of alternative aviation fuel in existing supply chains and longer-term in-state production using local feedstocks. He said Kentucky’s current jet fuel use at the five airports is about 609 million gallons annually and could approach 1 billion gallons by 2050, and he outlined potential feedstocks such as soybeans, corn, and waste oils, along with existing logistics assets like river terminals, trucking, rail, and some pipelines. He also discussed federal and state policy support, including renewable fuel credits and the recent 45Z tax credit extension, and said the study suggests significant economic-development potential if Kentucky can leverage existing infrastructure and incentives. Members asked about the cost of sustainable aviation fuel, whether taxpayers would be subsidizing it, and whether food crops would be diverted from food use. Kaylor responded that the market is increasingly using second-generation and waste-based feedstocks, that federal incentives can cover much of the price differential, and that SAF is a direct substitute for conventional jet fuel with some efficiency benefits. He said demand comes from both U.S. and foreign carriers, including major U.S. airlines that have made emissions-reduction commitments. Members also raised the possibility of locating production in Appalachia to create jobs closer to feedstock sources; Kaylor said that approach has worked in other states and could fit Kentucky’s logistics network. The committee then heard from Leif Elder of the Utah Department of Transportation, who introduced himself and said he would discuss advanced air mobility legislation in Utah. The transcript cuts off before his substantive presentation, and no further votes or actions were recorded after the question-and-answer discussion on alternative aviation fuels.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:09:39.840><c> or</c> coming up with resource plans or coming up with resource plans or you<00
• </c> with guidance and master plan. with guidance and master plan.
• </c> uh, especially in their lesson plan uh, especially in their lesson plan design<01:03:31.920><c>
• So, Marty, I'll turn it over to you. about our master plan being in place. about our master plan being
• our education technology plan.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Artificial Intelligence Task Force met and adopted the prior minutes before turning to AI in education. Jeff Gagne of the Southern Regional Education Board described SREB’s Commission on AI in Education, which has organized its work into committees on policy, K-12 instruction, postsecondary instruction, and skills development. He highlighted eight commission recommendations covering statewide AI networks, targeted guidance for different user groups, professional development, standards and curricula, local capacity assessments, risk management, procurement, and AI-ready workforce skills. He also emphasized that states need more specific guidance for students, teachers, faculty, administrators, and parents, and that training is essential because many educators have not been prepared to use AI in instruction. Gagne also summarized two recent SREB reports: one on AI-ready workforce skills and one on AI use in K-12 classrooms. The workforce report recommends embedding AI across standards, strengthening computer science and digital learning standards, collaborating with industry and workforce agencies, building AI competencies into training and upskilling, providing educator professional development, and monitoring readiness. He said the report identifies three skill areas: success skills, industry baseline skills, and technical skills. The classroom guidance report promotes responsible AI adoption, with four pillars focused on increasing cognitive demand, streamlining teaching and administrative work, supporting personalized learning, and developing ethical AI users. He also noted that the report includes an AI procurement tool for school districts. Members thanked Gagne for providing outside examples and resources. One member noted JCPS has an introductory AI professional development offering for educators. Gagne said Kentucky’s David Couch serves on the SREB commission and that the commission’s member list and reports are available on SREB’s website. The committee then heard from Travis Powell of the Council on Postsecondary Education, who said CPE had surveyed campuses and found that Kentucky institutions have broadly embraced AI in teaching, research, student services, and administrative operations. He said all institutions have AI-focused degrees, minors, or courses, and many are integrating AI into general education and across disciplines. Powell also said CPE is considering an AI consortium and that campuses are using AI in research partnerships and applied work, while continuing to focus on ethical and effective use.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:12:50.040><c> and</c> they're in the commissioner's plan and they're in the commissioner's plan
• Most were in the commissioner's plan, but not the retirement plan. It was a mix.
• Most were in the commissioner's plan, but not the retirement plan. It was a mix.
• of managerial or commissioner's plans of managerial or commissioner's plan<01:18:59.880><c> the</c><
• commissioner's plan includes plan the commissioner's plan includes both<01:19:02.440><c> classified</

Bills: HF1 , HF98

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: Office of Inspector General, inspector general, legislative audit, fraud prevention, waste and abuse, public funds, grant oversight, state grants, grant management, whistleblower protection, retaliation, subpoena power, data practices, government transparency, accountability, law enforcement referrals, sanctions, debarment, payment withholding, public assistance fraud