Transcript Highlights:

• With that, they're going to create some long-term training standards.
• We're going to be the first. ...some long-term training standards.
• Among other things, they're going to come up with equipment, counter-drone equipment standards.
• Mule mentioned about the coordination piece and equipment standards and things like that.
• with the necessary federal partners to get some of those standards adopted nationwide so we can have

Summary: The Louisiana Advanced Aviation and Drones Advisory Committee met with a quorum and opened by noting that, under current law, the committee will sunset after the 2026 regular session unless legislation is passed to reconstitute it. Members discussed the need for a smaller, more workable committee structure in the future so quorum requirements would be easier to meet, and they added an agenda item to consider reconstitution and another for a legislative briefing. The June 2025 minutes were approved. Subcommittee reports focused heavily on counter-drone policy and advanced air mobility. Mr. Muley described the new counter-UAS effort, referred to as the “Let’s Go Act,” which would create a joint task force of state police, sheriffs, and municipal police chiefs to develop training standards and equipment standards for counter-drone operations. Members also discussed federal developments in the NDAA and DOJ’s role in authorizing mitigation capabilities for states with laws and training plans. Public safety members reported that training on recently enacted drone laws is underway in north Louisiana. The committee also heard a major update from Josh Deplanis, newly named Louisiana’s first advanced aeronautics director. He outlined Louisiana’s selection for the FAA’s Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing/Advanced Air Mobility Integration Pilot Program, branded “Lift Off Louisiana,” and described plans for real-world operations beginning as early as August, centered on Houma-Terrebonne Airport. He also reviewed the state’s broader advanced air mobility strategic plan, including vertiport readiness, charging infrastructure, logistics, workforce training, and community engagement. Members emphasized Louisiana’s opportunity to influence FAA policy and international airspace issues related to operations over the Gulf and beyond 12 nautical miles. In final action, the committee adopted a resolution supporting reconstitution of LADAC, with revised proposed membership language reducing the committee from 15 members to 11 and setting a simple majority of six for quorum, with new appointments effective July 1, 2027. No public testimony was offered, and the meeting adjourned after the motion passed.

Transcript Highlights:

• usually is educational level, obviously a doctorate, and they would administer, usually the gold standard
• usually is educational level, obviously a doctorate, and they would administer, usually the gold standard
• The LPP meets these standards. And adolescent physical and psychological development.
• The LPP meets these standards through graduate training and state licensure focused on human development
• And so I guess my question is, within the world of standardized testing, within your training, how best

Committee: All TASK FORCE ON AUTISM

Summary: The Arkansas Legislative Autism Task Force approved the April 1, 2026 meeting minutes and discussed several vacant membership slots, including positions tied to the Arkansas Psychology Board, Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield, UAMS, and parent or guardian appointments. Members said they would try to fill the vacancies and, if not, include the issue in the legislative report and consider statutory changes in the next General Assembly. The task force then heard from the Developmental Disabilities Provider Association and Civitan Services about DDPA’s role in supporting 80 provider organizations serving more than 13,000 children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities across 75 counties. They described services such as early intervention day programs, adult day programs, supported employment, intermediate care facilities, work activities, and community/residential waiver services, and said autism falls within the populations they serve. They also shared survey information on services used by older adults with IDD and offered contact information for providers. Members also heard a proposal to amend Act 656 of 2021 to add licensed psychological practitioners as qualified providers for autism waiver-related evaluations. The presenter argued this would reduce wait times, avoid duplicate assessments, and help families access services sooner, while noting that Arkansas Medicaid already pays for some of these evaluations. Task force members and Dr. Scott discussed the roles of psychologists, speech-language pathologists, and the possibility of using training or board oversight to ensure evaluators are properly qualified, with some noting that speech pathologists’ inclusion has historical and clinical roots. The task force also said it still needs a future discussion on fraud, plans to invite the Attorney General’s office, and wants to identify priorities for the 2027 session before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we, as the standard, we set... And we, as the standard, we set three minutes per speaker.
• Additionally, they are wrapping up website updates ahead of next week's federal accessibility standards
• Additionally, they are wrapping up website updates ahead of next week's federal accessibility standards
• Senate Bill 1242 now covers employee credentialing and training requirements, third-party vendor standards
• depending on the regions and their supervisors, and we're aware of that for sure and working to standardize

Summary: The Executive Advisory Council met without a quorum, so no votes were taken, but the meeting proceeded with public comment and agency updates. Public commenters focused on medical marijuana issues including transparency in OMMA proceedings, delays and accreditation at the OMMA quality assurance lab, THC potency inflation, recall and embargo procedures, and the need for more public data and patient safety protections. One commenter also urged consideration of allowing first responders access to cannabis off duty, while another praised OMMA staff professionalism during inspections and enforcement actions. OMMA leadership responded with updates on the QA lab, saying the agency has been building the lab since receiving authority in 2023 and funding in 2024, and that validations and accreditation are being phased in. They reported current accreditation for pesticides, flower, potency, oils and concentrates, with additional validations for terpenes, water activity, filth and foreign material expected by the end of the month, and heavy metals, mycotoxins, residual solvents, and microbial testing to follow. Officials also said a website page will be launched to provide ongoing lab transparency. Compliance and enforcement updates included 779 inspections, 83 investigations, 65 administrative actions, and the hiring of a recall coordinator. The council also discussed legislative developments. OMMA said seven bills affecting the agency remain active, including HB 4454 on clearer THC labeling and child-resistant packaging, HB 3143 and HB 3144 on extending the grow-license moratorium and capping grow licenses, and amended bills SB 640, SB 1242, SB 1501, and SB 3 addressing cleanup, training, vendor standards, and THC products outside dispensaries. Members asked about access to METRC data, recall timing, inspector training, body cameras, and whether OMMA considers itself a public health agency. OMMA said METRC data is used internally and is confidential under state law, recalls are handled through a combination of agency notice and industry action, inspectors do wear body cameras under policy, and the agency is still building out its public health and education functions. The next meeting was announced for July 17 at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• This situation highlights a clear need for standardized, universally recognized utility identification
• This situation highlights a clear need for standardized, universally recognized utility identification
• However, under current law, utility workers do not have a standardized credentialing credential that
• However, under current law, utility workers do not have a standardized credentialing credential that
• The bill directs the Office of Emergency Services to establish a standardized identification credential

Summary: The Senate Emergency Management Committee held its first meeting and adopted committee rules for the 2025-26 session. SB 1020 was pulled from the agenda for a future hearing. The committee heard SB 1001, which would direct the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services to issue standardized identification cards for essential utility workers so they can more easily access evacuation zones during emergencies. The author and supporters, including Rowland Water District and the Association of California Water Agencies Joint Powers Insurance Authority, described a breakdown during the 2025 Eaton Fire when utility crews were denied access despite having credentials, causing delays in shutting off water at damaged homes. No opposition was present, and members broadly supported the bill as a practical emergency response measure. The committee voted 8-0 to pass SB 1001 to the Senate Public Safety Committee, with the measure held on call until all members voted. The committee also heard SB 1153, a wildfire preparedness bill from Senator Caballero. The bill would require urban retail water suppliers in high-risk areas to include wildfire-specific response procedures in their emergency response plans, and it includes findings clarifying that public water systems are not designed to function as wildfire suppression systems. The author accepted committee amendments clarifying that the bill does not limit liability for negligence, and witnesses from water agencies and industry groups supported the measure, citing the need for better planning and the financial strain of post-fire claims. Members discussed the balance between improving preparedness and avoiding language that could create a liability safe harbor or shift responsibility away from needed infrastructure investments. The committee voted 8-0 to pass SB 1153 as amended to the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee, also held on call until all members voted. A consent item, SB 870, was also approved. After the committee reconvened and all members present voted, SB 870, SB 1001, and SB 1153 each received unanimous 8-0 votes and were reported out of committee. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• that, among other things, is designed to be connected to the building's electrical system through a standard
• offset part of the customer's electricity consumption, meets the most recent National Electric Code standards
• Designed to be connected to the building's electrical system through a standard 120-volt alternating
• offset part of the customer's electricity consumption, meet the most recent National Electric Code standards
• combined with any other device on the same premises, comply with certain electrical product testing standards

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on Second Substitute House Bill 1906 concerning water systems, focusing on a striking amendment that would require more notice to customers and relevant entities before ownership changes, require certain planning documents to be submitted, and direct the UTC to consider cost of capital, external funding, rate smoothing, notice, and planning compliance when setting rates for private water companies. Testifiers from the Washington PUD Association, Northwest Natural, Thurston PUD, and Washington Water Service generally supported the bill, saying it would improve transparency for customers, help avoid failed systems ending up in receivership, and better inform customers about future costs; one senator asked about PFAS contamination, receivership, and the removal of a right of first refusal, and staff explained the bill’s intent was to improve front-end notice rather than change the back-end takeover process. The committee then moved into executive session and received briefings on several bills and proposed striking amendments, including measures on distributed energy resources (HB 2296), emerging large energy use facilities (HB 2115), AI disclosures (HB 1170), waste-to-energy facilities under the Climate Commitment Act (HB 2416), low-income energy assistance (HB 1903), environmentally sustainable urban design (HB 1742), and the Spark Act AI grant program (HB 1833). Members discussed issues such as utility worker installation authority, data center load and ratepayer protections, AI provenance and disclosure requirements, waste-to-energy allowance timing, reimbursement mechanics for energy assistance, and safeguards for an AI regulatory sandbox. The committee adopted striking amendments and passed HB 2296, HB 2115, HB 1170, HB 2416, HB 1906, HB 1903, and HB 1833 out of committee, generally with due-pass recommendations and referral to Ways and Means where applicable. The committee did not take action on HB 1742. The meeting concluded with members and staff offering personal thanks and farewell remarks to the chair, who was noted to be leaving the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• with the lithium, manganese, cobalt, nickel, that were part of the emissions, and that is not the standard
• And what this bill does is try to provide some standards and guidance, whether it's the bigger ones that
• Standards on lithium batteries, or lithium, widely recognized as the most comprehensive safety and storage
• And so, you know, I'm grateful for these standards being brought forward.
• I'm grateful for these standards being brought forward.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy met without a quorum at first and began as a subcommittee, then later established quorum and heard several measures. The main policy bills discussed were SB 24, which would restrict investor-owned utilities from using ratepayer funds for political advertising, lobbying, and efforts against municipal utilities, and SB 283, the Clean Energy Safety Act of 2025, which would strengthen safety standards for battery energy storage facilities after the Moss Landing fire. The consent calendar also included SB 80, SB 491, SB 593, SB 804, and SCR 25, which were taken up without debate. SB 24 drew strong support from consumer and environmental advocates, who argued that ratepayer money should not be used for political or promotional activity and that current rules lack meaningful consequences. Opponents from the utilities and business community said the bill was too broad, could interfere with shareholder-funded advocacy and legal work, and might unintentionally affect public service communications and expert consulting. Several committee members shared support for the bill’s goal but raised concerns about its breadth, especially around legal fees and communications; the author said he was willing to work on amendments, including on consultant fees, and accepted committee amendments. SB 283 received broad support from firefighters, local governments, utilities, labor, and business groups. Supporters said the bill would improve fire safety, require fire authority consultation and inspections, and prevent battery storage from being sited in unsafe indoor combustible facilities. The author described the Moss Landing fire and said the bill would add standards based on NFPA guidance while preserving local governments’ ability to adopt stricter rules. No opposition testimony was presented. The committee voted SB 283 out 16-0, and SB 24 was also approved after a roll was held open and later closed, ultimately passing 11-1. The consent calendar passed 16-0, and the meeting adjourned after the final roll calls were completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• way they do this is they impose restrictions that are unrealistic, at least under today's modern standards
• is a paragraph that states that cities have to approve a preliminary plat that meets applicable standards
• ponds, and all the other things, there's no way we could even have a hundred-foot wide lots in a standard
• As we've discussed in this committee prior, there are cities that do have material design standards in
• It's time for a new industry standard, and this is one piece that will help us get there.

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• So last year, we just left it as substantially comply with one of the cybersecurity standards.
• This year, we took all those standards and said, hey, what are common things that all these standards
• There are no industries that we go and say, hey, you have to meet these cybersecurity standards.
• But most of these entities, a lot of entities, are not required to meet any standards. Follow up.
• There's no law that says nobody's going to criminally punish them if they don't meet the standard.

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 1183, by Rep. G. Lombardo, as amended by a strike-all. The bill would provide liability protection for local governments and private-sector entities that substantially comply with certain cybersecurity practices, including multi-factor authentication, disaster recovery plans, and related policies and procedures. Rep. Lombardo said the measure is intended to create incentives for better cybersecurity and to limit class-action exposure after incidents, while still allowing suits where negligence can be shown. Supporters included TechNet, the Florida Justice Reform Institute, the Florida League of Cities, Associated Industries of Florida, the Florida Association of Counties, and Dr. Edward Long of the James Madison Institute; Vice Chair Steele, Rep. Blanco, and Rep. McFarland also spoke in favor. Ranking Member Bracy Davis opposed the bill, saying she was not comfortable granting liability protections to entities that may have contributed to breaches and questioning whether substantial compliance would be self-attested. The amendment was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably by a 14-2 vote. After the vote, the committee shifted into an extended discussion about Florida’s state IT governance structure, procurement, and project management. Members criticized the current federated model as fragmented and lacking clear accountability, with repeated references to long-running problems such as cost overruns, weak vendor oversight, workforce shortages, and the troubled I-Connect system. Several members argued that the state needs a single accountable leader or stronger enterprise authority over agency technology decisions. Ranking Member Bracy Davis raised concerns about the impact of broken systems on vulnerable populations and asked about the role of advisory councils. Rep. G. Lombardo, Vice Chair Steele, Rep. Miller, and Rep. Groh all emphasized the need for centralized leadership, better alignment of authority and budget, and more disciplined procurement and integration practices. A public witness, Victoria Zep of Team 180, testified in support of a more enterprise-wide approach and said the private sector also wants more organization and transparency. She criticized short procurement timelines, limited competition, and poorly written scopes, and urged the state to post procurements more openly and seek broader vendor input. She also discussed the need to respect agency-specific federal requirements while still improving statewide coordination. The chair closed by asking members to bring forward ideas for immediate and long-term reforms, including review of Senate Bill 7026, and the meeting adjourned without further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• of de-escalation and anti-bias techniques, consistent with guidance from the State Peace Officer Standards
• It also falls back on DESE, who continually does not apply the same standards across the board.
• multiple public records requests over to DESE to ask them to provide us with documentation that shows standards
• It also falls back on DESE, who continually does not apply the same standards across the board.
• They seem to not have any presentable standards, so I think without that and the involvement of DESE

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Education

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education held a public hearing on H.5171, an act relative to safer schools, and H.3895, which would expand career and technical education opportunities for Lynn students. The chair outlined short testimony limits and noted the hearing was livestreamed. Most of the discussion centered on H.5171 and the role of school resource officers (SROs) in schools. Witnesses from the Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee and the CPCS Education Law Project supported H.5171, arguing it would limit SRO involvement to serious criminal conduct, reduce school-to-prison-pipeline harms, and encourage restorative justice, de-escalation, and anti-bias practices. They described examples of students with disabilities being arrested or disciplined in ways they said reflected misunderstandings of disability-related behavior. Committee members asked about real-world school safety concerns, including gang activity and weapons in schools, and the witnesses responded that the bill would not eliminate SROs but would better define their role and improve training. A parent advocate, Joey Ford, testified neutrally on H.5171, saying over-criminalization in schools often stems from district discipline practices, restraint and seclusion, and inconsistent DESE oversight, not only from SROs. On H.3895, Ford spoke in favor of expanding CTE, saying such programs helped him succeed and stay engaged in school. After testimony concluded, the committee closed testimony on both bills and then adjourned without taking any votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• That provides a more realistic general standard in relation to the criteria that the material appeal
• nine-year-old wouldn't necessarily have a prurient interest developed at that point, so that's the standard
• All of the minors and the access to the material is judged by that adolescent minor standard.
• the material has to depict sexual conduct that is patently offensive to the prevailing community standards
• That is not a clear, workable standard.

Summary: The Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee took up Senate Bill 1448, with Senator Todd Lakey explaining that the measure makes technical revisions to Idaho’s obscenity-related library law in response to recent court decisions and language suggested by the Attorney General’s office. He said the bill does not change the underlying policy from the earlier law, but updates definitions such as “adolescent minor,” clarifies exceptions for things like breastfeeding, childbirth, medical treatment, and non-erotic contact, and aligns the statute more closely with the Miller test and current case law. Several library and public witnesses testified in opposition. They argued the bill would still chill access to constitutionally protected materials, create liability for libraries, and force subjective judgments by librarians and boards. Speakers from the Community Library, Idaho Library Association, Library Alliance of North Idaho, and individual residents also criticized the process and timing of the bill, saying it limited public scrutiny. One witness raised concern about language referencing homosexuality in the definition of sexual conduct, while another urged repeal of the law rather than further revisions. After Senator Lakey closed, Senator Foreman moved to send SB 1448 to the Senate floor with a due pass recommendation, seconded by Senator Kaiser. Senator Ruchti said the bill’s history gave him pause but acknowledged the new language appeared to improve the statute. The committee approved the motion, with Senator Ruchti recorded as voting no, and sent the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• That provides a more realistic general standard in relation to the criteria that the material appeal
• nine-year-old wouldn't necessarily have a prurient interest developed at that point, so that's the standard
• All of the minors and the access to the material is judged by that adolescent minor standard.
• the material has to depict sexual conduct that is patently offensive to the prevailing community standards
• That is not a clear, workable standard; it invites inconsistency and legal exposure across the state.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Rules

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And, of course, expect you guys to hold me to these same standards.
• And, of course, expect you guys to hold me to these same standards.
• And, of course, expect you guys to hold me to these same standards.
• And, of course, expect you guys to hold me to these same standards.
• And, of course, expect you guys to hold me to these same standards.

Bills: SB19 , HB40 , HB27 , HB40 , HB27 , HB40 , HB27

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: contraceptive rights, healthcare access, civil action, Attorney General, contraception enforcement, prostate cancer, health insurance, screening, high risk, cost-sharing, African American men, savings accounts, catastrophe, emergency funds, financial security, state laws, criminal justice, parole, Board of Pardons and Paroles, risk assessment

Transcript Highlights:

• They want to make sure we're doing it correctly, and there is a standard that... ...there is a standard
• So, my thought is that's what the standard is. All right.
• is that it was asked by several committee members to me, and so I went and looked at the national standard
• The national standard is three instead of two. It that was a state standard.

Bills: HB441 , SB274

Committee: House Health

Keywords: speech-language pathology, licensure, clinical supervision, educational qualifications, healthcare assistant, makeup application, blow-dry styling, cosmetology, licensing, regulation exemption, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Secondly, it moves a... ...folks to come up to the standards required.
• standards, or is your blanket standard going to be lowering those inspections or qualifications?
• It's going to—we're going to develop our standard in Missouri entities.
• It's going to—we're going to develop our standard in Missouri.
• There's just a much higher standard.

Summary: The House first established a quorum, then heard a presentation from Debbie Huang of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Denver. Huang thanked Missouri lawmakers for their annual Taiwan resolutions and described Taiwan as a democratic and economic partner of the United States, emphasizing cooperation with Missouri in agriculture, manufacturing, logistics, semiconductors, and AI, while also warning about pressure from China and the need for stronger Taiwan-U.S. ties. The chamber then took up House Bill 311, which would move oversight of bail bondsmen under the existing board for private investigators and fire investigators, add bail bondsmen to that board, and increase training and oversight. Members said the bill was industry-requested, had unanimous committee support, and carried no fiscal note. The House adopted the committee substitute and perfected and printed the bill. Lawmakers also debated and adopted a committee substitute for House Bill 3009, a pharmacy bill aimed at clarifying rules for pharmacies serving low-income and underserved patients, emergency medication dispensing, and out-of-state pharmacy accreditation. Amendments were adopted to update the title and align Missouri law with national pharmacy board accreditation standards. The bill was described as a response to access problems during the 2025 St. Louis tornado and was said to have no state cost. A large block of floor action followed on a combined package of bills and amendments covering public safety, criminal law, health, and licensing. Measures discussed and adopted included changes to the sex offender registry and related corrections, an offense for impeding first responders, Mason’s Law to flag drivers with disabilities in law enforcement databases, a hands-free cell phone law update, Highway Patrol equipment purchasing authority, psilocybin language for first responders and veterans, AI-generated explicit material and child pornography provisions, gift card fraud penalties, stronger fentanyl trafficking penalties, Melanie’s Law on ignition interlock/DUI penalties, a domestic violence registry, boiler inspection and Missouri fire/life safety standards, Kansas City police retirement age corrections, and a commercial driver English proficiency bill with stronger penalties for drivers and carriers. One amendment on the sex offender registry was withdrawn after debate, and the House ultimately adopted the remaining amendments and referred the combined House Bills 368 and 3049 substitute to the Committee on Legislative Review.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, this bill basically just sets a standard for the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
• limit where no one can uh provide services that are not up to that standard.
• limit where no one can uh provide services that are not up to that standard.
• limit where no one can uh provide services that are not up to that standard.
• standard standard uh<00:03:40.159><c> so</c><00:03:40.319><c> I</c><00:03:40.480><c> don't</c><00:03

Committee: Joint Insurance

Keywords: Insurance - Room 216, 3 February, 2026; 9:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the Deputy Director of HCD's Division of Codes and Standards.
• Codes and Standards is also called upon by state and local agencies to support post-disaster efforts
• HCD's Codes and Standards Division is funded by fees for services.
• If the Codes and Standards accounts are projected to become insolvent?
• Codes and Standards, that's a division that's well within HCD.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Carrie Camille Caples to the Standards Carrie Camille Caples to the Standards and<00:07:23.520><c> Assessments
• </c><00:07:39.000><c> Process</c> the Standards and Assessments Process the Standards and Assessments
• </c> to the Education Professional Standards to the Education Professional Standards Board,<00:08:12.320
• </c><00:08:21.120><c> Board,</c> Education Professional Standards Board, Education Professional Standards
• Standards Board, Senator Mills. Senate Standards Board, Senator Mills.

Keywords: In an effort to stave off issues that may occur with long format live streams, we have split this stream into two parts., 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The federal standards are not... ...not mean humane or even adequately regulated.
• The federal standards are not humane.
• These stores are highly regulated, inspected, and provide warranties, standards that are not required
• Traps that meet these modern standards are mostly unlawful for Massachusetts trappers, animal control
• Traps that meet these modern standards are mostly unlawful for Massachusetts trappers, animal control

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee hearing covered a wide range of animal, wildlife, hunting, and environmental bills. Early testimony focused on deer management, with Rep. Markey urging creation of a deer commission to address crop damage, vehicle collisions, and Lyme disease, and Sen. Durant supporting bills to allow Sunday bow hunting, expand crossbow use, and reduce the 500-foot dwelling restriction for archery hunting. Supporters framed these measures as practical wildlife-management tools, while questions centered on how they would differ from existing Fish and Wildlife authority and whether they would allow hunting closer to residences. Later, Rep. Sena also spoke in support of a bill to increase protected wildlife management areas and another to require non-lead ammunition, arguing both would benefit biodiversity and reduce environmental harm. A substantial portion of the hearing addressed animal welfare and commerce. Multiple witnesses supported bills to ban or phase out the retail sale of dogs, cats, rabbits, and guinea pigs in pet shops, arguing that pet stores rely on puppy mills and obscure the source of animals, while opponents said the bills would hurt responsible breeders, small businesses, and consumer choice. The committee also heard strong testimony for bills to ban the sale of cats and dogs in pet shops, with supporters citing sick animals, consumer deception, and the need to cut off the puppy mill supply chain. In a separate animal-testing segment, witnesses backed bills requiring non-animal testing methods for cosmetics and household products, saying alternatives are more accurate and humane; biomedical research representatives opposed those bills and a related research-animal measure, warning of unintended restrictions on research institutions and arguing animal models remain necessary for many studies. The committee also heard testimony on horseshoe crab conservation, with supporters of H. 898 urging an end to taking horseshoe crabs for bait because of population declines, shorebird impacts, and the species’ importance to biomedical science. On wildlife trafficking, witnesses backed bills to ban intrastate sales of ivory and rhino horn, saying Massachusetts should close loopholes that aid poaching and align with federal law and other states; one antique dealer testified in support, saying he avoids such items and still sees them in the marketplace. Additional testimony supported bans on fur products from factory farms and on force-feeding birds for foie gras, with advocates emphasizing cruelty, public health, and environmental concerns. The hearing was lengthy and heavily attended, with the chairs repeatedly limiting testimony to three minutes and inviting written submissions; no committee votes or final actions were taken during the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those same standards.
• That is not standard practice. There were actually two members that did.
• That is not standard practice. There were actually two members that did.
• That is not standard practice. There were actually two members that did.
• 02:02.200><c> us</c><01:02:02.360><c> to</c> not standard protocol for us to not standard protocol for

Bills: HF3643 , HF4470 , HF4462 , HF4366 , HF4172 , HF3629 , HF4356 , HF3093

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Keywords: Melissa Hortman, Mark Hortman, memorial park, state park, working group, Minnesota Historical Society, Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board, Saint Paul, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Administration, Legislative Coordinating Commission, general fund appropriation, park planning, interpretive services, public engagement, state memorial, land use, natural resources, commemorative legislation, HF4470

Transcript Highlights:

• Do those tools, to make sure that they're meeting the standards, remain under your bill?
• And certainly, we know having a gold standard would be...
• And certainly we know having a gold standard would be—there's been discussion that having a gold standard
• And again, I want Florida to be a leader in adopting gold as a standard. Thank you.
• We set the standard. We're the best of the best.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and heard several member introductions before taking up the special order calendar. The chamber first postponed CS/SB 80 on state land management, then moved through a series of bills, often substituting House companions when identical or nearly identical. Early actions included unanimous passage of HB 295 on a comprehensive waste reduction and recycling plan, which directs DEP to develop a recycling and waste-diversion roadmap, and passage of CS/CS/SB 492 on land development and mitigation banking after amendments addressing out-of-service credits and former phosphate mine lands; that bill passed 35-3 after debate over possible constitutional concerns. The Senate also passed HB 255 on aggravated animal cruelty, adding a sentencing multiplier and a searchable FDLE database of convicted animal abusers, and HB 711 establishing the Spectrum Alert for missing children with autism, with $190,000 in nonrecurring implementation funds and a July 1, 2026 implementation date. The chamber then approved HB 1089 to add Duchenne muscular dystrophy to newborn screening, and HB 393 revising the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program to expand eligible mitigation projects, lower the approval threshold, and clarify ownership and reimbursement issues. Members discussed funding levels and whether insurance premium credits would be required, but the bill passed unanimously. The Senate also passed HB 1145 on workforce education, HB 827 on a statewide study of automation and workforce impact, and HB 181 on parole guidelines, all without recorded opposition. CS/CS/SB 976 on court-appointed psychologists also passed unanimously, as did HB 1451 on sexual cyber harassment, which broadened protections against non-consensual and digitally forged intimate images. Later, the Senate approved HB 1156 creating the Home Health Aid for Medically Fragile Children Program, after clarifying training requirements and hearing support that the measure would help families keep medically fragile children at home while compensating trained parents. The chamber also passed HB 1091 on substance abuse and mental health care, with an amendment allowing designated facilities to retain stabilized patients who still meet involuntary examination criteria. Throughout the day, senators used questions and debate to probe charter school governance in CS/CS/SB 822, which was substituted with HB 443 and amended to expand charter autonomy over conduct codes, enrollment, reporting, and facility use while maintaining sponsor oversight; that bill was placed on the calendar for third reading rather than voted on in the excerpt. Several other measures, including SB 716, SB 76, and the final SB 1252 item, were postponed or not reached before the transcript ended.