Transcript Highlights:

• After that bill, we will be having a discussion.
• After that bill, we will be having a discussion on seaport infrastructure and funding.
• Senators, before we begin with the discussion, I would like to... We begin with the discussion.
• Senators, before we begin with the discussion, I would like to we begin with the discussion.
• With respect to fuel, Senator, I know you wanted to discuss the topic of fuel.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Summary: The Committee on Transportation heard SB 356 by Senator Wright, which would create an opt-in framework for counties and municipalities to allow utility-terrain vehicles (UTVs) on certain local roads with posted speed limits below 55 mph, subject to local safety determinations, licensing, insurance, and other restrictions. Supporters, including a retired sheriff and a Florida Sheriffs Association representative, argued the bill would give law enforcement clearer authority and reflect the reality that UTVs are already being used on roads, while opponents from the Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association and Honda warned that UTVs are not designed for public roads and lack key safety features. Several senators raised safety concerns, especially about speed and crash risk, but the bill was reported favorably after debate, with Senators Martin, McClain, and Truenow expressing reservations. The committee then held a lengthy discussion on seaport infrastructure and funding. FDOT presented data showing Florida’s 16 deepwater seaports generate major cargo volume, jobs, and economic impact, and described state funding programs such as FSTED, SPI, and the construction aggregate grant program. Port representatives from Port Everglades, PortMiami, Port of Palm Beach, and Port Tampa Bay described record cargo and cruise activity, major capital projects, and the importance of state and federal grants, private partnerships, and long-term planning. They also discussed challenges including limited land, bulkhead and berth maintenance, channel deepening, workforce needs, fuel access, resiliency, and intermodal connectivity. Senators asked about return on investment, trade patterns, financing, cruise-versus-cargo balance, and operational risks; the ports emphasized that they are largely enterprise-funded but still depend on public investment for major infrastructure. The committee also approved a block of appointments to the Tampa Hillsborough County Expressway Authority and the Tampa Port Authority without objection. In addition, FDOT presented the statewide mapping programs work group report required by SB 1662, recommending a coordinated statewide aerial imagery and LiDAR program, shared procurement and cost-sharing arrangements, and statutory updates to improve interagency coordination and access to geospatial data. Senators briefly discussed potential uses for the data in insurance, emergency management, and property assessment, and the presentation concluded without further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we conducted discussion sessions—really great sessions—with the industry.
• Also included in Senate Bill 2016, I would like to discuss the Dr. and Mrs.
• And finally, I would like to discuss Senate Bill 1582.
• The discussion turned to smokable products.
• The discussion then shifted to patient-specific needs and physician guidance.

Committee: Senate Health Policy

Summary: The Senate Health Policy Committee received updates from the Agency for Health Care Administration and the Department of Health on implementation of 2024 health care laws. AHCA reviewed progress on workforce and reimbursement measures in Senate Bill 7016 and related bills, including FRAME and TEACH funding, graduate medical education reporting, behavioral health teaching hospitals, acute hospital care at home, advanced birth centers, non-emergent care access plans, and rural emergency hospitals. Agency officials said several programs are already operational or have begun payments, while others are still in rulemaking, federal approval, or report-preparation stages. Senators asked about timing, funding reversion concerns, and whether appropriated dollars would be spent on schedule, especially for behavioral health teaching hospitals and the new birth center category. The Department of Health then reported on practitioner licensure and public health programs. MQA described implementation of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, the Mobile Act licensure pathway, massage therapy enforcement changes, background screening expansion, liposuction safety requirements, pharmacist HIV post-exposure prophylaxis authority, and chiropractic dry needling. Public health staff updated the committee on FRAME and dental loan repayment, the Sinati screening grant program, the cancer research and innovation changes, the health care innovation council and loan program, the pediatric rare disease grant program, telehealth maternity care expansion, newborn screening for congenital CMV, the sickle cell registry and grants, and the swimming lesson voucher program. Members focused questions on how practitioners were being recruited to underserved areas, the pace of licensure approvals, and whether new programs were on track to use appropriated funds. The committee also heard a lengthy update from the Office of Medical Marijuana Use. The director reported more than 900,000 qualified patients, real-time seed-to-sale tracking now integrated across most dispensaries and labs, and ongoing compliance work on product testing, advertising, diversion, and patient safety. Senators questioned the decline in qualified physicians, how THC potency is labeled and verified, and what the agency can do about diversion to non-patients. The director said the office relies on complaints, inspections, lab audits, and coordination with law enforcement, and that patients can be suspended if violations are confirmed.

Transcript Highlights:

• I guess I can move it now and then we can have the discussion.
• </c> discussing things. So, thank you. discussing things. So, thank you.
• I'm grateful for all these discussions.
• 00:51:42.240><c> one</c><00:51:42.480><c> of</c> for this discussion and I think one of for this discussion
• We don't discussions for two years.

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Any discussion? I don't think so. Seconded. Any discussion? I don't think so.
• It's primarily the invalidation of 2034 is what this case, the Dawson case, is the first one we discussed
• This agenda item, we kind of retooled it a little bit so that you could also discuss any of the topics
• We've had some initial discussions about the Peacers study of animal control officers.
• We're going to bring back the two proposals on the COLA to be discussed in the executive board and to

Committee: Joint Select Committee on Pension Policy

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Any other discussion? >> Wait till later. Any other discussion? Senator Green. Thank you, Mr.
• Any other discussion? Seeing none, this is the motion to adopt the committee report.
• Any<00:21:51.280><c> other</c><00:21:51.520><c> discussion?
• Seeing none, this Any other discussion?
• Any other discussion before we go to the author? Um, Senator Her, your brief comments. Mr.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Can we have a motion from the committee to move the amendment for discussion purposes?
• I think, as Senator Shendo mentioned in committee yesterday, this was discussed this year in terms of
• We're discussing this. Okay, I'm good on. Yes, and I appreciate it.
• I really feel like, yes, and we are in a budgeting discussion.
• I think it's to put some money in to do that, but this discussion seems to me like it would be better

Bills: SB190 , HB247 , HB8

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Keywords: cancer treatment, revenue bonds, Gila Regional Medical Center, Nor-Lea General Hospital, healthcare funding, capital outlay, capital projects, appropriations, reversion, encumbrance, reauthorization, reappropriation, general fund, capital development and reserve fund, tribal infrastructure project fund, Department of Finance and Administration, DFA, state board of finance, severance tax bonds, tax-exempt bonds

Transcript Highlights:

• Many mentioned the DOJ letter and the committee has discussed this letter at length.
• And I thank everyone for their time and discussion on that. We have one more motion.
• Members, any discussion? This one too.
• Also I would note that But there's a lot of discussion about whether or not we could ever. to compel
• Members, any other discussion? Senator Alvarado or Senator Miles, anything else?

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• bill, um, House File 43—uh, I mean, I'll let Representative Myers explain his bill—but as we've discussed
• /c><00:00:51.280><c> but</c><00:00:51.800><c> as</c><00:00:51.920><c> we've</c><00:00:52.359><c> discussed
• </c> explain his bill but as we've discussed explain his bill but as we've discussed um<00:00:54.079>
• House File 403 is a discussion here to talk about that much-needed property tax relief that we hear every
• here to uh talk about that discussion here to uh talk about that much<00:03:53.280><c> needed</c><00

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll have to have that discussion as a committee. Jenny, did you want to speak?
• </c><01:14:33.040><c> earlier</c> section um which was discussed earlier section um which was discussed
• And was vaping left out as an oversight, or was there a discussion about that?
• </c> timelines I think are up for discussion timelines I think are up for discussion amongst<02:45:12.479
• Yeah, so we could have some further discussion at some point on that timeline.

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Any further discussion? All those in favor of approving the minutes say aye. Those opposed, nay.
• Any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor say aye. Those opposed, nay.
• :26.200><c> any</c> amendments offered to these bills any amendments offered to these bills any discussion
• 29.240><c> none</c><00:01:29.479><c> all</c><00:01:29.640><c> those</c><00:01:29.960><c> in</c> discussion
• seeing none all those in discussion seeing none all those in favor<00:01:30.320><c> say</c><00:01:30.600

Committee: House Rules and Legislative Administration

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh thanks again for the discussion &gt;&gt; Yeah.
• </c><00:55:43.840><c> goes</c> we'll see where that discussion goes we'll see where that discussion goes
• . discussion. discussion.
• So, I think under discussion as well.
• </c> there are there will be more discussion there are there will be more discussion in<01:04:47.160>

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> discussion about the mill levy. discussion about the mill levy.
• Any discussion?
• Any discussion?
• Anyone like to discuss? through 30. Anyone like to discuss?
• </c><02:02:18.960><c> I</c> day, I appreciate the discussion. I day, I appreciate the discussion.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I think this is something that is ripe for discussion.
• I uh appreciate the thorough discussion.
• We had that discussion last questions.
• I remain similar, but I'd discussed it.
• Any discussion on the A2 &gt;&gt; Thank you. Any discussion on the A2 amendment?

Bills: HF3429 , HF3418 , HF3431 , HF1597

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Keywords: intelligent speed assistance, transportation, speeding offenses, public safety, license restrictions, speed control, pedestrian safety, traffic safety, roadway improvements, nonmotorized transportation, crosswalks, sidewalks, bike lanes, complete streets, Vision Zero, Toward Zero Deaths, MnDOT, Department of Transportation, Department of Public Safety, local road authority

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of times in my world, I hear discussions about a backlog.
• We'd love to come to you and discuss it.
• So are there any comments on discussion.
• </c> worked on this uh we actually discussed worked on this uh we actually discussed the<00:51:38.880
• </c><01:14:15.199><c> the</c> don't mean to, you know, discuss the don't mean to, you know, discuss the

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board reconvened and heard a presentation from the Attorney General’s Office Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Control unit. AG staff described the unit’s structure and work: it investigates and prosecutes Medicaid provider fraud, and also handles abuse, neglect, and exploitation cases involving vulnerable adults in facility settings when asked to assist. They said the office has prosecutors, detectives, auditors, and support staff, works with federal partners, Commonwealth’s attorneys, CHFS, DMS, OIG, and MCOs, and uses a hotline and referral line for complaints. They also explained the MCO referral process, including monthly meetings, stand-down lists, and review of referrals for a “credible allegation of fraud” before the AG office decides whether to open a criminal or civil investigation. The presentation focused heavily on current fraud trends. Staff said behavioral health is a major concern, along with participant-directed waiver services, medically assisted treatment, cash billing for services, controlled-substance billing, and vision and dental fraud. They gave examples such as duplicate time sheets for family caregivers, questionable Suboxone counseling and urine drug screening practices, and a prior optometry case involving false claims for children’s glasses. They also discussed CMS’s estimate that about 5% of Medicaid payments are improper, noted that most improper payments are at the fee-for-service level, and said there is no reliable overall fraud-rate estimate. They highlighted a sharp shift in behavioral health billing after the cabinet’s November 1, 2024 policy changes, saying individual psychotherapy spending dropped while group billing increased, suggesting providers may have moved billing to different codes. Members asked about the scale and timing of cases, how MCO referrals are screened, and whether the data reflected more people being served or just higher spending. The AG office said investigations can take years, with some federal cases still awaiting sentencing from 2018 and 2019 matters, and that they currently had nine individuals awaiting sentencing in federal court. They also reported 58 hotline reports during the referenced period, six cases opened from MCO referrals, and four additional MCO referrals not accepted for active cases. Several members raised concerns about home-based services and the risk of abuse or fraud when family members are reimbursed, and asked whether the process could be streamlined; the AG office said it had no immediate recommendations but would be willing to return with suggestions after further review.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, um, if discuss more about. Yeah.
• As as discussed public schools area.
• There was no policy discussions.
• </c><01:04:59.839><c> The</c> There was no policy discussions. The There was no policy discussions.
• 00.960><c> was</c><01:05:01.200><c> yeah,</c> discussion during that time was yeah, discussion during

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committees received an informational briefing from Hawaii DOT and related partners on the Navahine settlement and the department’s plan to meet its climate and transportation commitments. Speakers described the settlement as a first-of-its-kind agreement rooted in the state constitution, the public trust doctrine, and prior legislative findings and laws, including Act 131. They said the settlement is intended to formalize DOT’s work, establish milestones, and keep climate and transportation policy less dependent on changes in administration. The presentation emphasized that transportation is Hawaii’s largest source of greenhouse gas emissions and that the plan is aimed at meeting 2030 and 2045 clean energy goals. DOT outlined several major implementation pieces: creation of a new Office of Energy Security and Community Outreach, formation of a youth council, and development of an emissions reduction plan that will be updated over time. The youth council reported on its membership, statewide representation, meetings, and work on charter, bylaws, and committees focused on policy and legislation, events and advocacy, and ground transportation. Youth members said they provided feedback on the energy security plan and discussed walk audits and safe routes to school. The department also described a new project-scoring tool to measure greenhouse gas impacts of every DOT project, which it said is intended to make Hawaii a national leader in evaluating transportation emissions. A major topic was the settlement’s transportation network requirement, which speakers said compresses roughly 15 years of pedestrian, bicycle, and transit network work into five years and will require about $40 million to $50 million per year over the next five years. They said a GIS map is being developed to identify gaps and that the work will involve counties and other partners, with benefits for safety, connectivity, and emissions reduction. Other topics included clean fuel standards, electrification of ground transportation, sustainable aviation fuel, marine fuel transitions, cold ironing at ports, and the costs and availability challenges associated with those transitions. DOT also reported progress on EV charging infrastructure, including two completed sites and more planned, and said it is using a sustainability partner contract to maintain chargers and recover only electricity costs. The briefing also highlighted carbon sequestration and fire mitigation work, including native tree planting. DOT said it has exceeded its minimum annual tree-planting commitment, with 3,000 trees planted in 2024 and 4,200 by mid-2025, and noted that the Legislature provided $15 million for fire mitigation that is being used for this work. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the informational briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:20:52.120><c> um</c> it it's good to have the discussion um it it's good to have the discussion
• Uh, let's have discussion on this. Is there any discussion?
• </c> seconded uh let's have discuss seconded uh let's have discuss discussion<02:14:51.360><c> on</c>
• on this is there any discussion on this is there any discussion<02:14:53.159><c> representative</c><
• </c> basically try to discuss basically try to discuss this this this and<02:20:58.080><c> um</c><02:

Committee: House Election Law

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Finally, I will say there were some discussions in the halls.
• The mayors of both Marksville and Bunkie, and I'd like to make... ...discussions.
• Maybe we can discuss some more things about the program.
• And in fact, that was discussed on the House side. I promise I'm wrapping up, Mr. Chairman.
• And in fact, that was discussed in the House side. I promise I'm wrapping up, Mr. Chairman.

Committee: Senate Judiciary B

Summary: The Senate Committee on Judiciary B met on May 14, established a quorum, approved the May 5 minutes, and then took up a long agenda of bills and resolutions. The committee first heard House Bill 1252, which would expand and modernize local court jurisdiction in Avoyelles Parish by enlarging the Marksville and Bunkie city courts, adding small claims, misdemeanor, juvenile, and civil jurisdiction, and allowing online payments and virtual appearances. Supporters said it would keep justice local and reduce pressure on district court, while opponents urged more study and warned about impacts on existing courts and funding. The committee adopted Amendment Set 3835 and reported HB 1252 with amendments. It also reported HB 167, requiring state prisons to provide release documentation to inmates; HB 1038, after amendments and continued negotiation with marshals and constables; HB 1077, allowing microbreweries to sell at certain special events; HB 1204, changing administration of the Back on Track Youth Pilot Program to the Office of Juvenile Justice; HB 492, placing the Governor’s Impaired Driving Task Force into statute; HB 175, dedicating $500,000 in lottery proceeds annually to a veterans service grant fund; HCR 41, directing ATC to allow electronic beer rebates; HB 833, creating a Sexual Assault Survivor Empowerment Task Force; HB 656, creating a pilot program for inmate-administered services; HB 978, raising the population threshold for mayor’s courts to remit indigent defender fees; and HB 969, updating and expanding the crime victim compensation program. The committee also approved HB 985, which adds QR codes to sex offender identification cards, after adopting Amendment Set 3861, and HB 579, updating the Sexual Assault Survivors’ Rights Act, after adopting Amendment Set 3830. Several bills drew notable opposition or requests for further work. HB 968, which creates a framework for electronic monitoring providers to notify courts before removing ankle monitors for nonpayment, drew objections from the ACLU and a vendor representative who argued it would turn criminal courts into debt-collection forums and could lead to jail for inability to pay; the author said the bill was intended as a public-safety framework, not debt collection. Despite those concerns, the committee reported HB 968 favorably and agreed to move a 10-day-to-15-day notice change on the floor. HB 525, requiring DOC to publish more incarceration data, especially from local facilities, was opposed by the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association, which said the bill would impose substantial new reporting burdens; DOC said it was already posting most of the data and would continue updating it. The committee ultimately deferred HB 525, with members encouraging further work. HB 1005, a cleanup-and-restructuring bill for the Office of the State Public Defender, was reported favorably after the Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers raised concerns about substantive changes, including removal of board approval for the state public defender and changes to district defender protections; Vice Chair Harris said he would work with stakeholders on those issues. HB 1029, a local alcohol-permit moratorium bill for House District 3, was voluntarily deferred to next week so the author could address concerns about the length of the moratorium. The meeting ended after all scheduled business was completed, with the committee agreeing to revisit the deferred items later.

Transcript Highlights:

• We did not look at how much it costs, and I think that that discussion, again, We did not look at how
• And part of that discussion, along with having a discussion of mechanisms to address the, quote-unquote
• You know, it doesn't seem We might want to have further discussion about it.
• We have three key audit results we would like to discuss today.
• We have recognized the issues that the auditor's office is discussing.

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee subcommittee held a hybrid hearing to receive three State Auditor’s Office performance audits. The first audit examined implementation of the Law Enforcement Training and Community Safety Act. Auditors said the Criminal Justice Training Commission had developed most required training, but six community/cultural topics were still unfinished, the patrol tactics curriculum was incomplete in one area, and the agency lacked a systematic project management approach. They reported that most officers had not completed the 40 required hours, with low participation in patrol tactics training, weak communication, limited data to track compliance, and ineffective incentives or consequences. Committee members questioned staffing, liability, and enforcement, and the Commission said it generally agreed with the findings and had begun implementing recommendations, including improving training development and communication. The second audit reviewed Washington’s digital equity planning. Auditors concluded the state lacked a comprehensive, unified digital equity strategy, a designated lead, and reliable funding. They said the existing PEAR/Impact Plan, BEAD five-year plan, and NTIA-approved digital equity plan each addressed parts of the issue but none provided a full statewide framework with clear authority across agencies. The Department of Commerce’s Broadband Office and the Office of Equity said they agreed with the findings and were open to working with the legislature and the Digital Equity Forum on a more structured approach. A public witness described local and regional digital equity planning efforts and emphasized the importance of coordination and community-based work. The third audit focused on Commerce’s management of the Digital Navigator Program. Auditors said Commerce did not consistently use a competitive process, did not adequately vet grantees and subgrantees, wrote contracts that lacked clear deliverables and monitoring requirements, failed to enforce reporting, and paid $10.7 million without sufficient documentation to verify reimbursement eligibility. They said agency staff had raised concerns that were ignored and that some payments and contract expansions occurred despite warnings. Commerce officials said new leadership had already begun major contract-management reforms, including centralized oversight, risk assessments, clearer documentation standards, and staff training, and they said they would pursue recapture where appropriate. Committee members expressed strong concern about accountability, and the hearing ended after public testimony and committee discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Any discussion? If not, all those in favor of Any discussion?
• The end of today is meant to be an update and a discussion, to the extent that folks want to have a discussion
• It was a discussion with Mayville, myself, and UND to come up with what they thought.
• Had a nice discussion, had a completely full room.
• So it's been really great to have those discussions.

Committee: Joint Higher Education Institutions Committee

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Consumer awareness needs to be part of this discussion.
• Consumer awareness needs to be part of this discussion.
• I think it's on the menu of discussion items.
• Earlier there was a discussion about the You don't want to disrupt that period of time.
• just having a more collaborative discussion about what is the best path forward.

Committee: Senate Rules

Keywords: 987, senate, all