Transcript Highlights:

• Scott Governor here for the University of Phoenix.
• This is a negotiation that the Governor will have to lead, and our task has been to craft a bill that
• This bill is only requesting permission that we present a fee proposal to our Board of Governors, and
• And so those are the factors that we will be bringing to our Board of Governors for consideration.
• And so those are the factors that we will be bringing to our board of governors for consideration.

Committee: House Higher Education

Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee heard several Senate bills, beginning with consent items SB 67 and SB 619, both approved on consent. The committee then took up SB 437, which would direct the CSU system to develop a fair, evidence-based process for verifying whether someone is a descendant of a person enslaved in the United States, as part of the state’s reparations work. Supporters, including the author, a former reparations task force member, the NAACP, CSU, and other organizations, argued the bill fills a missing implementation gap and would create a transparent, credible lineage-verification process. Opponents said the process already exists through professional genealogists, warned the bill would delay reparations work and cost millions, and raised constitutional objections. After debate, the committee voted the bill out on a 3-3 roll, with the roll left open for additional members. The committee next heard SB 790, which would allow California to join the interstate reciprocity agreement for online postsecondary education. The author and supporters from UC, CSU, and private universities said joining the agreement would reduce burdensome state-by-state authorization, improve consumer protections for California students taking out-of-state online courses, and help California institutions expand online offerings. Opponents, including the University of Phoenix and other groups, argued the bill conflicted with the existing reciprocity framework, could exclude some institutions, and might not be accepted by other states. The committee discussed fee and implementation issues, then moved the bill forward on a 3-1 roll, with the roll left open. SB 391 was then heard, authorizing the Community College Chancellor’s Office to charge reasonable fees for research data requests. The author and Chancellor’s Office said the office handles many labor-intensive MOUs and data compilations without reimbursement, and that fees would help recover costs and support staff capacity. CTA opposed the bill, warning that fees could burden faculty and smaller researchers and should be limited to actual costs, while committee members raised questions about affordability and implementation. The committee ultimately passed the bill out on a 5-0 roll, with the roll left open. Finally, the committee heard SB 685, a pilot program to provide cost-of-attendance assistance at four CSU campuses for students who experienced homelessness in high school. Supporters said the bill would help students bridge the gap between existing aid and real living costs, while members asked about eligibility and the use of McKinney-Vento homelessness designations; the author explained the pilot is aimed at preventing summer melt and helping formerly homeless students stay enrolled.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sandy Hall, Chief of Staff to Lieutenant Governor Rutledge.
• the former chief of staff left the office to go work in the private sector, and so the Lieutenant Governor
• , gives future lieutenant governors, the room to be able to pay as they wish because when we came in
• , gives future lieutenant governors, the room to be able to pay as they wish because when we came in,
• will be able to pay, but future lieutenant governors will just have the room to be able to give to their

Committee: All JBC-PERSONNEL

Summary: The committee met to consider several budget and staffing requests tied to constitutional offices and the Supreme Court, with opening remarks noting that fringe benefits are now calculated at 40% to 45% and that constitutional officers may pay the maximum if they choose. Item B, a Supreme Court request for one new Supreme Court police chief position with no appropriation increase, was approved. Item C, from the Secretary of State, sought five additional Capitol Police corporal positions, title realignments, and salary maximum adjustments, along with a $498,000 appropriation increase; members questioned how the office could absorb pay changes without new funding, and the office explained it was cleaning up a large and outdated classification structure while also preparing to provide security for an additional building. The item was approved. Item D, from the Lieutenant Governor’s Office, proposed moving from line-item maximum salaries to state pay-plan grades, with no change in total positions but about a $349,000 increase in salaries and matching funds. Office representatives said the office had not had raises in nearly a decade and needed the change to stay competitive and retain staff, but members raised concerns about comparing the office’s pay to other agencies and about office staffing and accessibility. Senator Hill asked to hold the item for offline discussion, and the committee agreed to hold it until the next day. Item E, from the Auditor’s Office, requested salary realignments, increases to line-item maximums, and two new positions tied to UCP claims and compliance work, with a total increase of $579,468. The auditor said the office had already pulled a government relations position from the request after an updated packet was issued, and defended the remaining increases as market-based and revenue-neutral, with some work funded by interest earnings. Members questioned the need for a legislative affairs position and whether the salary increases were aligned with the market, but after discussion the committee approved the item. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have completed making our overall assessment of Governor Little's general fund revenue.
• We have completed making our overall assessment of Governor Little's general fund revenue projections
• Governor Little's projections for fiscal year 2026 were $5,512.6 million.
• And I appreciate the work of the committee because, as you look at that, we respect the governor and
• It is not in any way to reflect adversely upon the governor or his estimate.

Summary: The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee heard the Economic Outlook and Revenue Assessment Committee’s report on Idaho’s general fund revenue projections for FY 2026, FY 2027, and FY 2028. The report recommended revenues of about $5.665 billion for FY 2026 and $5.8166 billion for FY 2027, both above Governor Little’s projections, with committee members describing the outlook as generally conservative but supported by recent revenue collections and expert testimony. Members also noted a correction to the FY 2027 percentage increase in the report, changing it from 2.8% to 2.4%. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on parliamentary procedure and the difference between “accepting” the report and “adopting” it. Staff explained that accepting the report would acknowledge the committee’s work, while adopting it would set the revenue number for JFAC. After motions were withdrawn and clarified, members debated the implications of the revenue level for future budgeting, including possible impacts on Medicaid, state employee compensation, education, transportation, fire funding, and conformity to federal tax changes. Several members said the recommendation was a prudent middle ground, while others emphasized caution and the need to preserve services or consider tax policy changes. In the end, JFAC voted to adopt the Economic Outlook report with the FY 2027 percentage corrected to 2.4%. The motion passed unanimously, 10-0 in both the House and Senate votes. The committee then adjourned until the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:23.600><c> on</c> executive officers from the governor on executive officers from the governor
• I mean, the governor is the highest-ranking executive in the state.
• I mean, the governor is the highest-ranking executive in the state.
• I mean, the governor is the highest-ranking executive in the state.
• I mean, the governor is the highest-ranking executive in the state.

Committee: House State Government

Transcript Highlights:

• Item number three, messages from the Governor. Mr. Clerk, are there any messages from the Governor?
• </c> number three messages from the governor number three messages from the governor Mr.<00:13:27.279
• Clerk, are there any messages from<00:13:28.639><c> the</c><00:13:28.800><c> governor?
• /c><00:13:29.360><c> Madam</c><00:13:29.680><c> Speaker,</c><00:13:30.000><c> there</c> from the governor
• Madam Speaker, there from the governor? Madam Speaker, there are<00:13:30.320><c> none.

Transcript Highlights:

• it's a low-carbon energy source that could save us money, but the moratorium on building new nuclear power
• There are two smaller ways we deliver nuclear power: advanced nuclear and so-called small modular nuclear
• I don't know that they'll be scaled up to be powering a city of 100,000, but I don't know that they won't
• > So,</c><00:09:41.440><c> if</c><00:09:41.520><c> something</c><00:09:41.760><c> that</c> nuclear power
• So, if something that nuclear power.

Summary: The interview focused on Minnesota’s clean energy policy, energy affordability, and the state’s path toward its 100% clean electricity goal. The senator said Minnesota’s clean energy reputation comes from environmental concern, job creation, and lower long-term costs, noting that wind is now the lowest-cost generation source and that solar costs have fallen sharply. He said rising electricity demand has led to some increased coal use, but argued the state can still meet its 2040 clean energy target through continued renewable buildout, permitting reform, conservation, and demand response. A major topic was data centers. The senator emphasized both concerns and benefits, saying hyperscale data centers can bring substantial construction jobs, property tax revenue, and, under the 2025 law, payments to low-income energy assistance. He cited the Pine Island Google data center as air-cooled, with no water concerns, and said it will pay $5 million annually while funding 1,600 MW of wind, solar, and battery resources at its own expense. He also said Xcel’s filing projected a $1.1 billion ratepayer savings over 10 years, while urging the public to weigh both pros and cons, especially around water use and local tax impacts. The discussion also covered nuclear power and climate costs. The senator said the Senate has passed a nuclear study three years in a row and expects it to advance, while the moratorium on new nuclear plants remains tied to the Prairie Island Indian Community and unresolved nuclear waste storage. He argued Minnesota likely cannot reach its emissions goals without nuclear in the mix, though he acknowledged current nuclear is not cost-competitive and said future advanced or small modular nuclear could change that. On affordability, he pointed to climate-driven costs such as higher homeowners insurance and storm damage, and described Senate energy omnibus provisions including conservation, plug-in solar, and renewable development account projects such as a Como Zoo clean energy project. No votes were taken in the interview itself, but the senator referenced the recently announced budget deal and said he still needed to negotiate a renewable development account agreement between the House and Senate.

Transcript Highlights:

• So everything that can be done now will be four times more powerful and more than that in 12 months and
• 00:10:05.920><c> have</c><00:10:06.080><c> quadrupled</c><00:10:06.880><c> in</c><00:10:07.200><c> power
• </c><00:10:07.920><c> So</c> AI will have quadrupled in power. So AI will have quadrupled in power.
• /c><00:10:10.720><c> and</c><00:10:10.959><c> more</c><00:10:11.120><c> than</c> four times more powerful
• and more than four times more powerful and more than that<00:10:11.760><c> um</c><00:10:12.480><c> in

Transcript Highlights:

• pathway for commercial fusion energy has been established, and it has the potential to expand our power
• ... ...energy has been established, and it has the potential to expand our power capacity to meet modern
• And by formally including fusion in the definition of advanced energy, HB 154 sends a powerful signal
• would probably be a hill too hard to climb at this point, but at this point nuclear reactors are powering
• Transmission lines are fairly agnostic as to the power source.

Summary: The House Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Committee met on February 3 and first took up House Bill 153, the Low Carbon Construction Material Rebate Act, with a committee substitute that added an Environmental Product Declaration program and shifted administration to the Environment Department. Sponsor Representative Dixon said the bill would create rebates for buyers of lower-carbon construction materials, support local manufacturers, and reduce industrial emissions. Support came from the New Mexico Home Builders Association, Sierra Club, and the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce. Some members questioned whether the bill would actually lower housing costs or instead create future price pressure once subsidies expire, and raised concerns about rulemaking and whether some materials would be incentivized even without state help. The committee voted 7-4 to do pass the committee substitute and do not pass the original bill. The committee then heard House Bill 154, which would broaden and decouple New Mexico’s advanced energy tax credit definitions from federal law and add fusion energy and related components as eligible advanced energy products. Representative Dixon said the change would give the state more flexibility to include emerging technologies while keeping the existing credit structure and cap intact. The Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, a Santa Fe fusion company, a Los Lunas economic development official, and an online fusion company all testified in support, arguing the bill would provide certainty, attract investment, and help build a local supply chain. One member suggested future consideration of nuclear fission, while another questioned whether some renewable technologies were still appropriate, but the committee ultimately voted 9-2 to do pass HB 154. House Bill 184, a technical fix to the Land of Enchantment Legacy Fund, was then presented by Representative Small. The amendment adopted by the committee delayed the three-year moving average for distributions by one year and extended the time to use funds from two years to three years, with the sponsor saying this would better reflect the fund’s growth and give projects more time to complete. Witnesses from Western Resource Advocates, conservation districts, and Conservation Voters New Mexico supported the measure, saying it would strengthen successful outdoor, watershed, and conservation programs. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed the bill unanimously. Finally, the committee heard House Memorial 20, which would create a study group to examine barriers to renewable energy transmission and project development. The sponsor said the goal was to bring agencies, stakeholders, and possibly courts together to identify ways to speed up renewable infrastructure while preserving environmental review and public input. Sierra Club, Western Resource Advocates, Defenders of Wildlife, and the League of Women Voters supported the memorial, but several members said it should be broadened to include all energy infrastructure or more clearly address transmission, permitting, tribal, federal, and military coordination. In response to those concerns, the sponsor asked to roll the memorial for further discussion and possible revisions rather than advancing it that day.

Transcript Highlights:

• And in the aggregate, we're talking about a massive generation of power in the rural counties.
• We get our power back. We appreciate that.
• I'll have to say that Florida Power and Light, Duke Energy have been good neighbors.
• I'll have to say that Florida Power and Light, Duke Energy have been good neighbors.
• They continue to be, and I think they will, Power and Light. Duke Energy have been good neighbors.

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries met with a quorum and heard several bills, with SB 1742 on condos temporarily postponed. SB 1298 on building construction was reported favorably after sponsor testimony about continuing education for building professionals, rural sharing of building officials, residential inspector limits, a planning examiner internship, permitting modernization, and contractor transition liability. SB 638 on home inspectors was also reported favorably after discussion of increasing required education from 120 to 200 hours, adding subject-specific exam and course requirements, and requiring $300,000 in errors and omissions insurance. SB 960 on elevator accessibility requirements was reported favorably, allowing additional shorter support rails in elevators while keeping the existing 42-inch rail requirement. The committee also unanimously recommended confirmation of a block of board and commission appointees. The committee adopted amendments and reported favorably CS/SB 940 on third-party restaurant reservation platforms, aimed at stopping bots and unauthorized resale of restaurant reservations; the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association and Booking Holdings supported the bill, and members discussed how the measure would preserve direct restaurant-platform relationships like OpenTable and Resy while targeting third-party marketplaces that resell reservations. CS/SB 196 on foods containing vaccines or vaccine materials was reported favorably after amendments that defined mRNA vaccine use and added a cosmetics-related amendment addressing harmful chemicals such as PFAS, phthalates, formaldehyde-releasing agents, and mercury compounds; the Florida Retail Federation raised concerns but said it was working with the sponsor. CS/SB 1418 on heated tobacco products was reported favorably after an amendment clarifying the definition of heated tobacco products and excluding hookah, with support from the Florida Retail Federation and comments that the bill would distinguish these products from cigarettes for tax purposes. The committee also adopted a strike-all amendment and reported favorably CS/SB 1262 on construction contracting, which adds consumer protection and financial literacy topics to contractor continuing education, increases penalties for unlicensed contracting, creates a standardized disciplinary reporting system, and requires timely refunds and project completion standards; the Florida Home Builders Association supported the measure. Finally, CS/SB 1304 on solar facilities was reported favorably after extensive testimony from county commissioners and local officials supporting greater local oversight and decommissioning requirements for utility-scale solar on agricultural land; the bill would remove the current statewide by-right treatment for solar on agricultural land and authorize counties to adopt decommissioning ordinances. The meeting ended with members recording additional affirmative votes on selected bills and adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sincerely, Brad Little, Governor of Idaho. Brad Little, Governor of Idaho. March 31, 2026. Dear Mr.
• Sincerely, Brad Little, Governor of Idaho. From the Senate, March 31, 2026, Mr.
• Referred to the Judiciary Rules and Administration Committee for delivery of the Governor. Mr.
• Now, this is an increase, so this is an add-back that the governor did cut out.
• That the governor appoints, and then the Senate will approve that.

Transcript Highlights:

• Recommendations to the Governor, the General Assembly, and the Legislative Council, as the JPR Committee
• talk about a governor's office position, one of the same board members that was adamant that the governor
• But in the interim, he continues to do his job as an advisor to the Governor. I understand that.
• the job were to go away and the appropriation for the money, there's nothing that prohibits the Governor
• And just to make sure, if I may, just that members are clear, the Governor is making no request of you

Committee: All JBC-PERSONNEL

Transcript Highlights:

• So the governor's education unit focuses on our two main agencies: the Board of Governors, which represents
• We were so proud that the governor announced yesterday a 92.2% graduation rate.
• regarding the FEFP funding, which has been historic each year, thanks to your support as well as Governor
• Governor DeSantis is once again acknowledging our hardworking educators by investing an additional $201
• Kelly today, she showed where the governor, through efficiency and their team, is being able to save

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education met to hear the governor’s fiscal year 2026-27 budget recommendations for education from the Office of Policy and Budget and the Department of Education. Shelby Salmons and Commissioner Stasi Kamoutsis outlined the governor’s proposed $117.4 billion state budget, including about $32.5 billion for education, with major emphasis on public schools and early learning. The presentation highlighted a $30.6 billion K-12 budget, a $486 million VPK program, continued funding for VPK Summer Bridge, TEACH, HIPPY, and Help Me Grow, as well as increases for teacher pay, base student allocation, mental health, school safety, civics education, and school hardening initiatives. The commissioner also cited a 92.2% statewide graduation rate and Florida’s national rankings in education and education freedom. Senators used the question period to raise concerns about counselor staffing, mental health services, school closures, school choice oversight, the Guardian Program, data reporting, and school capacity. Senator Jones asked about counselor ratios, school closures in historically Black communities, and whether school choice schools are properly monitored for safety and instructional quality. Senator Osgood argued that mental health funding should support more clinical services on campuses, not just academic counselors, and Senator Bradley asked whether the centralized data repository includes scholarship students. Senator Gates praised the civics and debate funding and asked for more detail on the Guardian Program’s performance; the commissioner said 53 of 67 districts participate and described it as a successful safety option with sheriffs approving training. Senators Simon and Osgood also pressed for better use of the FISH report and more accurate space data to understand school capacity and right-sizing. During public testimony, Pinellas County School Board member Laura Hine said her district is an A-rated district with no D or F schools, but spends far more on safety and mental health than it receives in state categorical funding. She said Florida’s mental health staffing ratio is about one counselor per 2,203 students, compared with a recommended one per 1,106, and urged the committee to consider funding full-day VPK statewide, estimating it would cost about $375 million. Committee members followed up on her comments about local flexibility and whether districts can shift funds to meet needs. The meeting ended after members thanked DOE and executive branch staff for the presentation, and the committee adjourned without taking any substantive vote on legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:30:00.240><c> goes</c> an executive order so the governor goes an executive order so the governor
• The governor goes around the legislature.
• </c><01:02:33.400><c> who</c> because of a spontaneous governor who because of a spontaneous governor
• Together, we made the recommendation to the governor.
• </c> Commerce fraud Bureau when Governor Commerce fraud Bureau when Governor penni<01:26:17.800><c> signed

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• But as the governor works through it, doesn't Ways and Means also refine their numbers?
• But as the governor works through it, doesn't Ways and Means also refine their numbers?
• But as the governor works through it, doesn't Ways and Means also refine their numbers?
• at them, and that's where the number comes from, the 185. governor and I spoke about Revenue governor
• </c> other places that's how the governor other places that's how the governor covered<00:47:58.400><

Summary: The committee heard a budget presentation from New Hampshire Lottery Director Charlie McIntyre and CFO Jim Durus. McIntyre said the Lottery has more than tripled its return to the Education Trust Fund since 2011, from $62 million to $207 million in FY 24, while keeping expenses relatively flat over time. He explained that the Lottery operates like a business, is heavily audited, and that the governor’s budget raises the FY 26-27 revenue estimate to $185 million, up about $12 million annually from prior estimates. He attributed FY 24’s unusually strong results to record Powerball sales driven by a spike in billion-dollar jackpots tied to higher interest rates, and said scratch tickets still make up most gross sales, though Powerball is the highest-margin product. Members questioned the Lottery about the difference between gross revenue and profit, the steep rise in operating expenses, and the reasons for requested budget increases. McIntyre said the main drivers were payroll, benefits, advertising, added regulatory responsibilities from expanded gaming, and a new Salesforce customer-tracking system. He also described requested capital needs, including an outdated security system, building access and ADA improvements, and upgrades to the front office for employee safety. He said the security system is still running on an old Windows 7-based setup and that the requested upgrade would modernize cameras and add redundancy. The discussion also covered staffing and gaming expansion. McIntyre said the Lottery has 84 employees including three commissioners, with 13 funded vacancies, and that it plans to fill positions as two new gaming rooms come online in Rochester and Derry. He said the Lottery’s revenue estimates were revised upward because sports betting in Massachusetts had less impact than expected and historic horse racing machines have been more profitable than forecast. He also explained the governor’s proposal to shift historic horse racing toward slot-style machines, saying the physical machines would look largely the same but the content and math would change, and that the state’s revenue share would increase under the proposal. No votes were taken; the committee mainly asked questions and received explanations about the Lottery’s budget and revenue assumptions.

Transcript Highlights:

• It sends a message that you are not an equal citizen to those in power.
• It sends a message that you are not an equal citizen to those in power.
• It sends a message that you are not an equal citizen to those in power.
• It sends a message that you are not an equal citizen to those in power.
• </c> not an equal citizen to those in power. not an equal citizen to those in power.

Committee: House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• We can all see that basically Representative Simmons is upset because Anthony Powers and his organization
• Is it an ethical violation for her to tell Anthony Powers that she's upset about it?
• Is it an ethical violation for her to say to Anthony Powers, look, I've helped you guys out in the past
• Finally, the text exchanged with Anthony Powers.
• official capacity and the fact that in the future, she would not be available to help either Anthony Powers

Summary: The Washington State Office of Administrative Hearings held oral argument before the Legislative Ethics Board in the matter of Representative Tara Simmons, docketed as Legislative Ethics Board case 2025-5. The hearing concerned Simmons’ motion for summary judgment in an ethics complaint alleging violations of RCW 42.52.020 (conflicts of interest) and RCW 42.52.070 (special privileges), based on her work involving an EEC proviso, her employment relationship with EEC, a campaign surplus donation connected to AEJG and Jerry Stone, her involvement in an AEJG-EEC subcontract dispute, and related text messages with Anthony Powers. No evidence was taken; the session focused on legal argument over whether the alleged facts, if accepted as true, were sufficient to establish violations as a matter of law. Simmons’ counsel argued the complaint was legally insufficient because the alleged actions benefited her employer or others, not Simmons herself, and that existing board opinions allow legislators to support employers absent a direct personal benefit. He also argued the board was effectively trying to adopt a new bright-line rule prohibiting legislators from funding employers, which he said would be an improper retroactive change. Board staff, through Assistant Attorney General Julia Eisentrout, opposed summary judgment and argued the facts were enough to show Simmons had an indirect financial or other interest in EEC’s funding, that her job duties and legislative actions created conflicts, and that her actions around the donation, subcontract dispute, and text messages could be viewed as using her position to secure special privileges. A board member asked whether the allegations themselves were sufficient and whether the standard required assuming the facts as alleged; staff responded that the motion failed because the record contained sufficient facts to proceed, and that any factual disputes should be resolved at hearing. After rebuttal, the ALJ closed the oral argument and turned the matter over to the Legislative Ethics Board for deliberation. No ruling was issued during the hearing, and the board was to decide whether to grant the summary judgment motion or set the case for an evidentiary hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Including two seats held by a husband and wife, this is effectively consolidated 40% of the board's voting power
• Yet when residents do not pay, it relies on Chapter 720 lien and foreclosure powers.
• In plain terms, CH6 asserts business status for profit purposes while also invoking association powers
• Gundal decision confirms a simple principle: any entity using Chapter 720 powers to collect mandatory
• So, no, we were not aware of the full power of CH6 and, you know, the ability to override whatever is

Summary: The Senate Committee on Regulated Industries met with a quorum and considered four bills. First, the committee took up SB 1724 on municipal utility services. A late-filed strike-all amendment by Senator Martin was adopted after he explained it would require annual customer meetings for certain extraterritorial utility customers, cap the use of utility revenues for general government purposes, eliminate a 25% surcharge and reduce the rate differential cap, remove municipal natural gas utilities from the bill, and preserve certain surcharges only as needed to satisfy existing bond covenants. The Florida League of Cities raised implementation concerns about the July 1, 2026 effective date and the time needed for rate studies and budget adjustments, but the bill as amended was reported favorably. The committee then heard SB 936 on temporary door locking devices by Senator McLean. The bill would define temporary door locking devices, authorize their installation at any height, require the Florida Building Commission to add standards to the Florida Building Code, and require their use to be incorporated into safety plans, drills, and training. With no opposition or debate, SB 936 was reported favorably. Next, the committee considered SB 1014 by Senator Mayfield, which would prohibit municipalities from refusing water and wastewater service solely because a property owner declines annexation, if the property is near a municipal main line, not served by another utility, and the utility has capacity. An amendment narrowed the bill by defining “main line” and reducing the distance threshold from 2,000 meters to one-half mile. The Florida League of Cities opposed the bill as amended, citing concerns about large users, possible conflict with annexation law, potential enclave creation, and revenue impacts, but Senator Mayfield said he would continue working on the issues. The committee reported the bill favorably. Finally, Chair Bradley presented SB 1498 on community associations. A strike-all amendment was adopted that made technical changes to video conference recording, turnover inspection reports, and electronic voting, and added provisions requiring associations to provide records to law enforcement and prosecutors, creating a second-degree misdemeanor for willful refusal. It also targeted mandatory club or amenity fee structures controlled by developers or third parties, declaring such provisions against public policy, limiting assessments to proportional expenses, and allowing suits and conveyance of common areas after turnover. Testimony from homeowners described alleged governance abuses and opaque, profit-driven mandatory fees in their communities, while the Community Associations Institute supported the amendment. The committee reported CS for SB 1498 favorably. Members then recorded additional votes for the record, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Including two seats held by a husband and wife, this is effectively consolidated 40% of the board's voting power
• Yet when residents do not pay, it relies on Chapter 720 lien and foreclosure powers.
• In plain terms, CH6 asserts business status for profit purposes while also invoking association powers
• Gundal decision confirms a simple principle: any entity using Chapter 720 powers to collect mandatory
• So, no, we were not aware of the full power of CH6 and, you know, the ability to override whatever is

Bills: S0936 , S1724 , S1014 , S1498

Committee: Senate Regulated Industries

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries heard and advanced four bills. First, members took up SB 1724 on utility services, adopting a late-filed delete-everything amendment by Senator Martin. The amended bill would require annual customer meetings for certain municipal utility customers outside city limits, cap use of gross utility revenues for general government purposes, require excess funds to be reinvested or returned, reduce the outside-city surcharge and rate differential caps, and phase out certain surcharges tied to existing bond covenants. The Florida League of Cities raised implementation concerns about the July 1, 2026 effective date and the need for time to complete rate studies and budget adjustments. The committee then reported the bill favorably. Members also heard SB 936 on temporary door locking devices, which would define and authorize such devices, direct the Florida Building Commission to add standards to the building code, and require their use to be incorporated into safety plans, drills, and training. With no opposition or debate, the bill was reported favorably. The committee next considered SB 1014, which would prohibit municipalities from refusing water and wastewater service solely because a property owner will not annex, if the property is near a municipal main line, not already served by another utility, and the utility has capacity. An amendment narrowed the distance trigger to one-half mile and clarified the main-line requirement. The Florida League of Cities opposed the bill as amended, citing concerns about impacts on annexation policy, potential duplication of services, and possible subsidy of outside customers, but the committee still reported the bill favorably. Finally, the committee heard SB 1498 on community associations. A strike-all amendment made technical changes to turnover inspection and electronic voting provisions and added two major policy changes: requiring associations to provide records to law enforcement and prosecutors, with a misdemeanor penalty for willful noncompliance, and prohibiting certain developer-controlled mandatory club fee arrangements that generate perpetual profit beyond proportional expenses. Testimony in support came from homeowners describing alleged governance abuses and mandatory fee schemes in their communities, while the Community Associations Institute supported the amendment. The committee reported CS for SB 1498 favorably. At the end of the meeting, Senators Bracey Davis and Calatayud asked to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on selected bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• And you've been in the House Chamber for several of these speeches, both with Governor Walz, even former
• Governor Dayton.
• So, it's always a bit of legacy casting that a governor will have when they are giving the state of the
• , lame duck governor, after a rise to potentially being the vice president and now effectively being
• And finally, uh, what do you hope to hear from the governor Tuesday night?

Transcript Highlights:

• Message from Her Excellency the Governor. Message from Her Excellency, the Governor. The echo bill.
• A message from Her Excellency, the Governor: A message from Her Excellency the Governor recommending
• A message from our Excellity, the Governor.
• A message from Her Excellency the Governor recommending legislation relative to Massachusetts winning

Summary: The House convened, recited the Pledge of Allegiance, and received a Senate petition concerning certain property in Lowell, which was concurred in after suspension of Joint Rule 12 and referred to the Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight. The Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling then reported several bills for House consideration, including measures designating October 15 as Pregnancy and Infancy Loss Awareness Day, addressing security bonds, police appointment age requirements in Worcester and Boston, a Somerville net-zero emissions standard for new buildings and major renovations, a waiver of the maximum age requirement for a police officer applicant, maintenance of pre-employment physical exam records in Peabody, smart meters, and an additional alcohol license for Bridgewater. The House suspended Rule 7A, gave the listed bills second reading, and ordered them to a third reading. The chamber also welcomed former Pennsylvania House Speaker Dennis M. O'Brien as a guest of Speaker Mariano. Several bills were then taken up for final action, including a bill naming the Wheeler Park Tennis Courts as the Kim O'Connell Tennis Courts, for which the emergency preamble was adopted, and a bill enacting the membership of the select board in the town of Munson, which was passed to be enacted. A gubernatorial message recommending legislation on Massachusetts winning global investment, talent, and innovation was filed and referred to the Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies. The House adopted an order to meet again the following Thursday at 11 a.m. and then adjourned. No recorded roll-call votes or substantive opposition were noted in the transcript beyond voice votes and the emergency-preamble count.