Transcript Highlights:

• Jessup, and she's going to bring in the Soil and Water Conservation Commission.
• So again, we're going to be going to the Soil and Water Conservation Commission.
• And I believe we are also joined by some members of the commission.
• Jessup, and she's going to bring in the Soil and Water Conservation Commission.
• themselves. ...commissions themselves.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee first reviewed the Department of Water Resources budget. Analysts and Director Matthew Weaver explained the agency’s staffing, continuously appropriated funds, and the effect of ARPA and other one-time infrastructure dollars on the budget. Members asked about efforts to stabilize the Snake River Plain aquifer, the impact of budget holdbacks, groundwater monitoring, and the status of major recharge and conversion projects. Weaver and Water Resource Board Chairman Jeff Raybould said the state is working to reduce groundwater pumping, expand recharge, and build infrastructure to reach a long-term managed recharge goal of 350,000 acre-feet annually, with current recharge averaging about 251,000 acre-feet and capacity potentially exceeding 500,000 acre-feet in good water years. They also discussed project delays caused by permitting, federal land access, and coordination with multiple landowners, and said the $30 million infrastructure appropriation was fully obligated and largely spent. The committee also discussed water projects in other basins, including the Palouse Basin, Mountain Home, Elmore County, and the Bear River. Raybould said the board is considering a Bear River study to identify storage, recharge, and irrigation opportunities under the Bear River compact, and estimated that some future projects, such as a Moscow-area pump station and pipeline, could be very expensive. Members raised concerns about data centers, water quality in the Snake River Plain aquifer, and the role of private and local matching funds in water infrastructure. Weaver said data center water use is a public-interest issue that depends on scale and location, and that groundwater contamination issues are generally handled by the Department of Environmental Quality. The committee then heard the Soil and Water Conservation Commission presentation, which focused on the proposed merger/affiliation with the Department of Water Resources and on funding for the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP). Weaver, serving as interim administrator, said a stakeholder review recommended moving the commission’s affiliation from Agriculture to Water Resources while preserving its current duties, nonregulatory mission, and resources. He said related legislation and a concurrent resolution would support that transition and allow time for further code review and a combined budget in 2027. Analysts also explained a supplemental and FY 2027 enhancement for CREP funding, noting that rising land values increased the state match needed for enrolled acres. Weaver said CREP can help reduce groundwater pumping, that about 11,000 of the 50,000-acre statewide cap are currently enrolled, and that full enrollment could significantly aid aquifer conservation. The committee adjourned after thanking the agencies and noting the next day’s agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• The uh commission collects license fees The uh commission collects license fees from<00:08:49.480><c>
• </c> operation of the commission. operation of the commission.
• ><c> a</c><00:08:59.440><c> million</c> The commission collects about a million The commission collects
• </c><00:09:12.800><c> to</c> for the Motor Vehicle Commission to for the Motor Vehicle Commission to
• ><c> only</c><00:09:18.600><c> carry</c> Currently the commission can only carry Currently the commission

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so we're going to go through the criteria that we've set up as a commission.
• criteria that we've set up as a commission and go through who I am recommending.
• I shared what the commission is supposed to do.
• This commission soon will be promoted on social media.
• And so to have those entities a part of our commission so that it could be seamless.

Keywords: 1212, all

Summary: The commission met to continue work on planning a Cape Verdean Cultural Center in Massachusetts, with a focus on finalizing membership and preparing for a feasibility study. After roll call and introductions, members reviewed and unanimously approved the November 25 minutes. The chair described the commission’s mandate, including monthly meetings, cultural institution visits, listening sessions, and hiring a consultant to conduct the feasibility study. Members also discussed the historical importance of the project in light of Cape Verde’s 50th anniversary of independence and the 250th anniversary of the United States. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to a draft nomination criteria document for expanding the commission. The criteria emphasized geographic, generational, gender, and sector diversity, along with needed expertise in areas such as arts and cultural programming, history, museum work, architecture, fundraising, nonprofit governance, higher education, language preservation, community organizing, economic development, legal issues, and communications. Members highlighted several organizations and institutions as important designees, including Bridgewater State’s Pedro Pires Institute, Mili Mila, the Schooner Ernestina Morrissey Advisory Board, and the New Bedford Whaling Museum. The criteria document was amended to explicitly include Cape Cod, and then approved unanimously. The commission then reviewed a slate of 16 additional nominees to fill the remaining seats, discussing gaps in legal expertise, Taunton representation, and other regional needs. Members noted that some nominees could also support a separate Cape Verdean associations body rather than serve on the commission itself. After discussion, the body approved forming a three-member nominating committee consisting of the chair, Commissioner Monica Vega, and Commissioner Manny Lopes to narrow the list and report back. Commissioners also agreed to schedule another meeting later in the month to vote on final appointments, and the meeting adjourned after those action steps were set.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are hosting a public hearing with the Lummi Nation and the Washington State Gambling Commission on
• Tina Griffin, Director of the Washington State Gambling Commission. Many members, staff.
• Tina Griffin, Director of the Washington State Gambling Commission.
• I am the tribal relations advisor for the Washington State Gambling Commission.
• The Gambling Commission.

Summary: The State Government and Tribal Relations Committee held a public hearing on July 10 at 8:30 a.m. on a proposed amendment to the Lummi Nation’s tribal-state gaming compact. Washington State Gambling Commission Director Tina Griffin and Tribal Relations Advisor Johnny Bray outlined the compact process under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and explained that the amendment had reached tentative agreement after negotiations with the Lummi Nation. Lummi Vice Chair Terence Adams and Councilperson Vindeen Washington described the amendment as the tribe’s sixth compact amendment and said it would expand gaming opportunities while supporting tribal governmental services, infrastructure, and jobs. The main changes discussed were authorization for electronic table games, extension of credit to customers, higher wagering limits, and the possibility of a second gaming facility. Committee members asked several questions about how credit limits would be set, how electronic table games work, whether online gaming was included, and how the systems would be tested and monitored. Witnesses said online gaming is not authorized by this amendment, that electronic table games must be certified by an independent lab and tested under state-tribal procedures, and that higher-limit tables could go up to $5,000 with no more than 25% of tables at those limits. Lummi representatives said credit policies would be developed responsibly after approval and that the tribe already uses strong internal controls. The Gambling Commission said seven tribes currently operate electronic table games and 13 tribes have adopted the limitations appendix related to credit and wager limits. The hearing was informational and part of the required public review before the commission’s later vote that morning on whether to forward the amendment to the governor or send it back for further negotiations. No vote was taken by the committee during this hearing, and the chair closed the meeting after thanking the presenters.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's some language on the commission.
• I should have just followed commission.
• Most of it's language on the commission.
• So that is what the bill does or the amendment. sections on the commission and the sections on the commission
• It has commission does not live forever.

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 25.000><c> of</c> familiar with the commission um some of familiar with the commission um some of the
• commission commission operates<00:43:58.160><c> under</c><00:43:58.440><c> the</c><00:43:59.119><c>
• c> elect</c> and the commiss the commission may elect and the commiss the commission may elect to<00:
• </c><00:49:00.920><c> to</c> the commission to the commission to consider<00:49:03.000><c> uh</c><00:
• <00:53:05.400><c> annual</c> commission annual commission annual report<00:53:07.359><c> um</c><00:53

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:16:28.480><c> Director</c> Hawaii State Ethics Commission.
• Director Hawaii State Ethics Commission.
• </c> we have the campaign spending commission we have the campaign spending commission with<00:18:02.480
• </c><00:18:13.600><c> The</c> Campaign Spending Commission. The Campaign Spending Commission.
• 18:15.440><c> with</c><00:18:15.679><c> the</c> commission has strong concerns with the commission has

Bills: HB1805 , HB2110 , HB2180 , HB2184 , HB2219 , HB2469

Committee: House Legislative Management

Keywords: child welfare, advocacy, oversight, independent office, foster care, child advocate, child safety, nepotism, ethics, government transparency, accountability, legislative standards, electronic voting, legislative transparency, Hawaii House, voting system, appropriation, lawmaker safety, political violence, confidentiality

Summary: The House Committee on Legislative Management heard testimony on several measures. HB 1805, relating to child welfare, drew support from the University of Hawaii and concerns from the Attorney General about the bill’s definition of state agency and possible separation-of-powers and supremacy clause issues. During decision-making, the committee opted to move the child advocate function to the Attorney General’s office, accepted the Attorney General’s suggested scope and jurisdiction amendments, set the salary at 90% of the Department of Health deputy director’s salary, and passed the bill with amendments. HB 2110, relating to nepotism, received support from the Hawaii State Ethics Commission, which said the bill would apply the rule consistently and noted the existing good-cause exception process. The committee later deferred the bill, saying existing House rules on nepotism were already strict and that the proposal would be duplicative in statute. HB 2180, relating to voting boards, had no oral testimony in the room during the hearing, but the committee later amended it into a blank appropriations vehicle for the House of Representatives and passed it with amendments. HB 2184, relating to lawmaker safety, drew concerns from the Campaign Spending Commission that the bill would require redaction of address information and could create implementation issues, and the Attorney General noted missing language regarding appointed officials and an internal cross-reference issue. The committee adopted amendments to address those concerns and passed the bill with amendments. HB 2219, relating to disclosure of privileged communications to the Ombudsman, was clarified by the Ombudsman’s office as not requiring disclosure of privileged material, only preserving privilege if such material is voluntarily provided; the bill passed with amendments. HB 2469, relating to a regular session review working group, received testimony from the State Procurement Office, the Legislative Reference Bureau, and others in support and opposition, and the committee passed it with amendments after changing references and funding language.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:53:53.760><c> are</c> of this commission are of this commission are specifically<00:53:55.680
• 28.000><c> come</c> committee commission should come committee commission should come out<00:54:30.280
• :03:15.520><c> a</c><01:03:15.760><c> commission</c><01:03:17.039><c> um</c> committee but a commission
• </c> know, possibilities that the commission know, possibilities that the commission could<01:07:52.160
• </c> have heard here that the commission have heard here that the commission might<01:08:01.359><c> do

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Meeting of the Texas Ethics Commission to order at 9:15 a.m.
• Please join me in thanking JR for his service to the commission and to the state of Texas.
• The commission will now order issue a final order in this matter.
• We'd select the date for the next commission meetings.
• Uh, the Texas Ethics Commission adjourns at 2:51 p.m. Thank you all.

Transcript Highlights:

• with that being said, we're going to go ahead and call to order the Governor's Advisory and Review Commission
• The Governor's Advisory and Review Commission on Assistant District Attorneys, which is referred to as
• Notwithstanding the provisions of R.S. 16:53, the determination of the Commission as to the necessity
• Freel, is the history of this commission, the role of the commission...
• Freel, is the history of this commission, the role of the commission, and the approach we took in terms

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The Governor’s Advisory and Review Commission on Assistant District Attorneys met to consider whether additional state-funded assistant district attorney positions should be approved. Louisiana District Attorneys Association Executive Director Zach Daniels presented a report proposing a formula that combines objective factors such as population, violent and sex crime caseloads, civil body representation, and courthouse coverage with subjective input from district attorneys about local needs. He said the combined approach supported a statewide request of 120 to 164 additional assistant district attorney positions, with the commission focusing on the higher end of that range in the report packet. Several district attorneys described staffing shortages and funding pressures in their districts. Colin Sims of the 22nd Judicial District said fast growth in St. Tammany, a long period without added warrants, and recent funding cuts had left his office under strain, especially with felony and sex crime caseloads. Hillar Moore of East Baton Rouge said his office was significantly understaffed, could not fill all existing warrants because of salary and benefit costs, and was asking for 25 positions instead of the formula’s 23 due to a homicide backlog and difficulty recruiting lawyers at current pay levels. James Stewart of Caddo Parish said his office was losing attorneys to higher-paying public offices, handling a heavy homicide and felony trial load, and needed both more warrants and higher salaries to remain competitive. Commission members asked about split warrants and recruitment challenges. Moore said split warrants were not a major issue for his office, while Sims said his office had no split warrants. Daniels said the association wanted the commission to approve the requested positions and continue working with the legislature on funding. The commission then adopted a motion to recommend 164 additional assistant district attorney positions, with members noting that the recommendation would not remove legislative discretion. The meeting then adjourned unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• with that being said, we're going to go ahead and call to order the Governor's Advisory and Review Commission
• The Governor's Advisory and Review Commission on Assistant District Attorneys, which is referred to as
• The determination of the Commission as to the necessity for each additional district attorney position
• Freel, is the history of this commission, the role of the commission...
• Freel, is the history of this commission, the role of the commission, and the approach we took in terms

Summary: The Governor’s Advisory and Review Commission on Assistant District Attorneys met to consider whether additional state-funded assistant district attorney positions should be approved. Louisiana District Attorneys’ Association Executive Director Zach Daniels presented a report proposing a more objective formula for allocating warrants, based on factors such as population, violent and sex crime caseloads, civil body representation, and courthouse logistics, while also incorporating subjective input from district attorneys about local needs. He said the combined approach suggested a statewide need of between 120 and 164 additional warrants, and emphasized that Louisiana’s crime rates and office workloads justify more staffing. Several district attorneys testified in support of additional positions and higher warrant funding. Colin Sims of the 22nd Judicial District said St. Tammany has grown rapidly, has not received an additional warrant in nearly 20 years, and faces major funding cuts and heavy felony and sex-crime caseloads. Hillar Moore of East Baton Rouge said his office is significantly understaffed, has lost many lawyers to higher-paying public-sector jobs, and needs more assistants and a higher warrant amount to remain competitive; he asked for 25 additional positions and an increase in the warrant value from $50,000 to $60,000. James Stewart of the First Judicial District described similar recruitment and retention problems, high homicide and felony trial volumes, and rising office costs. Commission members asked about split warrants and whether offices still use them; the district attorneys said the practice is limited or not used in their offices, and that statewide usage was unclear. After discussion, a motion was made and seconded to approve the recommendation for 164 additional assistant district attorney positions, based on the chart in the packet. The commission voted unanimously in favor, then adjourned. The action was described as a recommendation for legislative consideration rather than a final funding decision.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> immediately is and again the commission immediately is and again the commission is<00:53:53.720>
• </c><00:53:58.040><c> that</c> people on boards and commissions that people on boards and commissions
• </c><00:59:16.799><c> of</c> worked with boards and commissions of worked with boards and commissions
• ><c> show</c> people on the commission they don't show people on the commission they don't show up<01
• <01:00:23.680><c> we</c> commissions we commissions we have<01:00:25.400><c> overall</c><01:00:25.680

Committee: Senate Economic Development and Tourism

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Senate hearing covered Senate Bill 1536 and Senate Bill 1571. SB 1536 concerned the Hawaii Tourism Authority’s CEO position and whether the exemption from retirement benefits should be changed. Testimony and committee discussion focused on the estimated cost, the current budgeted amount, whether the change would make the position more competitive, and whether alternatives such as a portable retirement plan had been considered. The witness said the proposal came from HTA’s legislative committee and that the position’s salary and benefits would still likely fit within the budgeted amount. No vote was taken on SB 1536 during the excerpted discussion. The hearing then moved to SB 1571, relating to tourism. Debed and HTA representatives said they supported the bill in written testimony, but HTA’s witness said the measure had not been discussed or voted on by the full board and recommended deferring action until the board could clarify its position. Several members of the public testified both in support and opposition. Opponents raised concerns about changing “Hawaiian sense of place” to “Hawaii sense of place,” warning it could weaken protections for Hawaiian culture and invite broader interpretations that might affect places like the Hawaii Convention Center. Others opposed a provision removing a two-year waiting period for HBCB board members before serving on the HTA board, citing conflict-of-interest concerns. Committee discussion centered on the meaning and practical effect of the bill’s language, especially the distinction between “Hawaiian” and “Hawaii,” the scope of HTA’s tourism and destination-management role, and whether translation and language policy were being applied too broadly or too narrowly. Some members argued the bill could help preserve Hawaiian culture and place, while others worried about exclusionary interpretations, costs, and whether resources would be better spent on programs rather than expanded translation. The hearing ended with the chair announcing a short break and moving toward decision-making, but no final action on the bill was shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• , the Public Service Commission, and the Florida Gaming Control Commission.
• Where is the commission on filling this vacancy?
• Where is the commission on filling this vacancy?
• Where is the commission on filling this vacancy?
• So where is the commission on filling this vacancy?

Summary: The subcommittee first heard a lengthy Auditor General presentation on the Department of Management Services’ fleet management operations. The audit found major problems with oversight, recordkeeping, policies, fee-setting, purchase and disposal approvals, public auction controls, and FleetWave system access and processing. Key findings included that 2,279 vehicles valued at more than $57 million could not be matched between FleetWave and FLAIR, disposal records were missing or incomplete, user access remained active long after employees separated, and the department had not documented a reasonable basis for its $1.75 per-vehicle monthly fee. Members expressed strong concern about the accuracy of the state’s fleet inventory and the risk of waste or misuse. DMS Secretary Allende said the department concurred with the findings, was working with the Auditor General, and planned corrective actions, including better training, clearer guidance, improved reconciliation, and possible centralization or pilot programs for fleet purchasing and management. The committee then returned to vacancy discussions with several agencies. The Division of Administrative Hearings said its two long-vacant judges of compensation claims positions had been hard to fill because of low pay and short reappointment terms, but the chief judge said the division could operate without them and offered those positions up as part of a reduction exercise. The Public Service Commission reported 42 vacancies but said statutory deadlines were still being met, though staff workloads and depth of analysis were affected. The commission also said vacancies help it manage salaries within its trust-fund budget. Members questioned whether some of those positions were truly needed given the lack of delays. The Florida Gaming Control Commission reported 29 vacancies, including a vacant chair that prevented appointment of an inspector general, and said the chair vacancy was a gubernatorial appointment issue. The acting executive director also said the commission’s compulsive gambling prevention program had lapsed after no responsive bids were received for a new contract, but an invitation to negotiate was nearly complete and a new provider was expected soon. The Public Employee Relations Commission reported that its caseload had more than doubled after Senate Bill 256, which increased union recertification work; it said it was meeting deadlines only with overtime and that the workload had not fallen despite decertifications. Members asked for follow-up data on union cases, vacancy needs, and whether some positions across agencies could be reallocated to better match workload.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a denied and dismissed claim from the Claims Commission that was appealed by the claimants.
• Catherine Irby, I'm the Director of the Claims Commission.
• The commission found that the claimants had not followed that process.
• The commission found that the claimants had not followed that process.
• Claims Commission.

Committee: All JBC-CLAIMS REVIEW/LITIGATION REPORTS OVERSIGHT SUBCOMMITTEE

Summary: The Joint Budget Committee’s Claims Review and Litigation Reports Oversight Subcommittee met to consider two proposed Department of Corrections litigation settlements and one appealed claim from the Claims Commission. The first settlement, Caroline Arnett v. Larry Norris et al., involved allegations of long-term sexual abuse by a corrections employee. Committee members asked about PREA audits, facility practices, and whether the inmate had been placed at the proper facility. The department said audits and other safeguards were underway, and the committee approved the settlement. The second settlement, Latasha Ridgel v. Arkansas Department of Corrections, also involved sexual harassment/assault allegations. Members questioned the seven-year delay in the case and whether the issue was systemic; the department cited attorney turnover, COVID delays, and legislative changes making inmate exposure a felony. The committee approved that settlement as well. The committee then heard an appeal in Sharon Greer and Deanna Hayes v. Commissioner of State Lands, a denied and dismissed claim involving a tax-delinquent sale of family property in Crittenden County. Staff and the Commissioner of State Lands’ office said the property was certified in 2000, sold in 2009 after notice was sent, and that excess proceeds were available for a limited period before escheating to the county. The claimants argued they were not properly notified of the sale or the excess proceeds and only learned of the matter in 2025 after receiving the deed at a family funeral. Committee members discussed the notice process, statute of limitations, and the handling of excess proceeds, with several noting the issue may call for legislative review rather than relief in this case. After debate, the committee voted to affirm the Claims Commission’s dismissal of the Greer/Hayes claim. Members also discussed broader concerns about how excess proceeds from tax sales are handled and whether the current statutory process should be revisited in future legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't think that the Federal Election Commission included pets.
• to penalties by the commission.
• ethics for the purposes of that subsection dealing with penalties by the Florida Commission.
• Carrie Stillman, I'm here on behalf of the Florida Commission on Ethics.
• I'm here on behalf of the Florida Commission on Ethics.

Committee: Senate Ethics and Elections

Summary: The Senate Committee on Ethics and Elections met with a quorum present and took up two bills. First, it heard SB 72 by Senator Berman, which would allow candidates to use campaign funds for dependent child care expenses incurred while actively campaigning, with limits to prevent use for general family living costs and a requirement to keep records for at least three years. The League of Women Voters appeared in support, and Senator Rouson joked about whether the bill should also cover dependent pets. The bill was reported favorably by committee vote. The committee then considered SB 348 by Chair Gaetz, dealing with ethics violations related to falsely claiming military rank or honors for material gain and with collection of delinquent ethics fines. Gaetz explained that the bill would make such false claims a violation of the Florida Code of Ethics and authorize penalties including censure, fines, and possible removal recommendations; it would also allow public employers to withhold pay to satisfy unpaid ethics penalties. Senator Bradley asked for clarification that “material gain” includes political and professional benefits, not just money, and the chair confirmed that it does. An amendment defining delinquent penalties as unpaid 90 days after imposition was adopted, and the Florida Commission on Ethics spoke in support of the bill’s salary-withholding provisions and expanded jurisdiction. Senator Collins, a veteran, strongly supported the anti-stolen-valor section. The committee then reported CS for SB 348 favorably and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• :22.399><c> very</c> liquor commission has been very liquor commission has been very supportive<00:15
• We aggregate for the commission.
• Liquor Commission, Appreciate it. Liquor Commission, welcome<01:08:04.480><c> back.
• grant</c> commission.
• The commission will grant commission.

Committee: Senate Commerce

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I do have a question on the commission, the film commission as a whole, because this has come up in the
• So the film commission, like so many of our commissions, are appointed by our governor. the lack of data
• So the film commission, like so many of our commissions, are appointed by our governor. and Like so many
• of our commissions, they are appointed by our governor.
• I think the other area where we saw some deficits in the commission was just staffing.

Summary: The committee heard SB 756, authored by Senator Skinner, which would expand reporting and accountability for California’s film and television tax credit program. The senator said the bill is intended to improve equity and transparency by requiring the California Film Commission to collect better demographic and geographic data, including workers’ zip codes and veteran status, using existing payroll and third-party systems without adding new mandates. Supporters said the information is needed to evaluate whether the state’s film incentive benefits California workers and communities, especially in areas like South Los Angeles. Public testimony was limited. Dylan Hoffman, on behalf of California Arts Advocates, testified in support. No opposition testimony was presented. Committee members, including Assembly Member Quirk-Silva and Assembly Member McKinnor, voiced support and emphasized the need for standardized data collection and stronger oversight of the tax credit program. The author also noted recent staffing increases at the Film Commission to help monitor the program. The committee moved the bill on a motion and second, and SB 756 passed out of committee with a due pass recommendation to the Appropriations Committee. The roll call was recorded as 8-0, with one member not present in voting.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2912—this is about the Corporation Commission. Mr. Fleming, I'm sorry, House Bill 2912.
• The results of these studies are reported to the Commission and become part of the process for future
• The Constitution does permit the Commission to go along with these kinds of changes if they want to.
• Chairman, members, House Bill 2192, this is about the Corporation Commission. Mr.
• The commission adopts the rates. Requiring an analysis is a policy decision we can make.

Summary: The committee considered a series of bills and resolutions for constitutional and proper-form review, with Tim Fleming from the Rules Attorney’s Office flagging potential issues and suggesting floor amendments in several cases. House Bill 2313, dealing with teachers’ strikes and work stoppages, was found to raise a pension-rights problem under the state constitution because it could diminish retirement benefits; the suggested fix was to remove the words “or former employment.” The committee also reviewed House Bill 2697 on opioid overdose emergencies and related immunity provisions, House Bill 2912 concerning Corporation Commission review of integrated resource plans for electric utilities, House Bill 2991 on parental consent for minors’ social media accounts, House Bill 4010 regulating genetic counselors and conscience protections, and House Bill 4115 and HCR 2051 regarding petition circulator identification requirements. In each of those measures, the rules attorney identified constitutional concerns tied to anti-abrogation, separation of powers/rate-making authority, First Amendment issues, or lawsuit-threat language, but indicated proposed amendments could resolve them. Members asked questions and debated the constitutional analysis, especially on HB 2912 and HB 2991. On HB 2912, one member argued the bill concerned policy and modeling rather than rate-setting, while others noted the complexity of the commission’s authority. On HB 2991, the sponsor said the measure had been under negotiation for months and was intended to avoid constitutional conflict, though the rules attorney said the First Amendment case law was not yet well developed. For HB 4010, the committee focused on a provision that could prohibit threatening a lawsuit against a genetic counselor, which the attorney said should be removed. For HB 4115 and HCR 2051, the attorney cited Buckley v. American Constitutional Law Foundation as a reason to delete the petition-circulator name-disclosure requirement. The committee voted to recommend each of the individually discussed measures as constitutional and in proper form, generally by 4-2 votes with two absent, including HB 2313, HB 2697, HB 2912, HB 2991, HB 4010, and HB 4115/HCR 2051. At the end of the meeting, the committee approved a large mass motion covering many additional bills and resolutions, and that package was recommended by a 6-0 vote with two absent. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is an honor to be serving on the Florida Public Service Commission.
• I felt this before I got to the commission.
• I also added term limits and another structure to the commission.
• Michael LaRosa is the current chair of the Public Service Commission.
• I want the staff to actually be making those. ...be done by the commission.

Committee: Senate Ethics and Elections

Summary: The Committee on Ethics and Elections met with a quorum present and first considered SB 1416, which would move municipal elections to coincide with the general election and extend incumbent terms until the new schedule takes effect. Senators discussed whether the bill would affect runoff elections, with the sponsor explaining that runoff timing would shift to the August primary/general election framework. The Florida League of Cities and Florida Association of Counties were noted as opposed, while members cited potential taxpayer savings and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then took up SB 766, as amended by strike-all, which would require agents of certain “countries of concern” to register with the Division of Elections when engaging in political activity. The amendment narrowed the bill’s focus and aligned terminology with existing state law. After no opposition or debate on the amendment, the committee adopted it and then reported the bill favorably. Members next heard the reappointment of Mike LaRosa to the Public Service Commission. Questioning focused heavily on PSC transparency, the sufficiency of commission orders, Supreme Court criticism of PSC decisions, storm protection plans, utility rate cases, and how the commission evaluates evidence and consumer impacts. LaRosa said the commission had changed its procedures to produce more detailed orders and more robust discussion, and he described ongoing work on rate cases, public engagement, and emerging energy issues such as small modular reactors. Despite concerns raised, the nomination was reported favorably to the full Senate. The committee then approved a block of additional appointments in tabs 4 through 27, also reporting them favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members of the Commission, do likewise. We will prepare to start. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
• Additionally, both resolutions tie the hands of the Commission, Louisiana Wife and Fisheries Commission
• I'm well aware this commission has discussed that.
• Brister and the commission analyze all the facts and regulate therein.
• The SCR is separate from this commission, so it's in the legislative process.

Summary: The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission met on April 17, 2026, with a quorum present, adopted the agenda and prior minutes, and then focused primarily on chronic wasting disease (CWD) management in light of a new positive deer detection in Washington Parish. Staff explained that the March 11 declaration of emergency expanded the CWD control area into portions of Washington and surrounding parishes, including parts of Morehouse, Union, Lincoln, and Jackson, and that the emergency rule remains in effect for 180 days unless rescinded earlier. The commission also discussed the task force’s report and recommendations, but the chair indicated those recommendations would be tabled pending legislative action on Senate Concurrent Resolution 24 (SCR 24)."} 0}