Transcript Highlights:

• I don't believe there is a House companion. Not a House companion.
• would just say, Senator, that I'm going to vote for your bill today, but if you don't have a House companion
• committee stop, I don't know if you can count on my support for a bill that doesn't even have a House companion

Summary: The Committee on Ethics and Elections met with a quorum present and Senator Polsky excused. The committee first heard Senate Bill 1416 by Senator DeSigley, which would move municipal elections to coincide with the general election and extend incumbent terms until the new election schedule takes effect. Members asked about runoff elections, with the sponsor saying runoffs would likely shift to the August primary and that he was open to further discussion, including possibly eliminating runoffs. The bill drew support from a senator citing potential taxpayer savings, while the Florida League of Cities and Florida Association of Counties were noted as opposed. SB 1416 was reported favorably. The committee then considered Senate Bill 766 by Senator Burgess, as amended by a strike-all that refocused the bill on agents of “countries of concern” and narrowed disclosure requirements. The sponsor said the measure was intended to increase transparency around foreign-backed political activity and align with federal Foreign Agents Registration Act concepts. The amendment was adopted, and the bill as amended was reported favorably. Members next heard the reappointment of Mike LaRosa to the Public Service Commission. LaRosa described the PSC’s role regulating investor-owned utilities and emphasized transparency, consumer protection, workforce development, and adapting to new energy technologies such as small modular reactors. Senators questioned him closely about recent Florida Supreme Court criticism of PSC orders as insufficiently reasoned and overly reliant on utility assertions. LaRosa acknowledged the criticism, said PSC procedures and orders had become more detailed, and committed to continued improvement. Despite concerns, his nomination was advanced favorably to the full Senate. The committee then approved a block of nominations in tabs 4 through 27 without objection and without separate hearings. At the end of the meeting, Senator Grall asked to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on SB 1416 and SB 766, and the committee rose.

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't believe there is a House companion. Not a House companion.
• would just say, Senator, that I'm going to vote for your bill today, but if you don't have a House companion
• committee stop, I don't know if you can count on my support for a bill that doesn't even have a House companion

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:

• Although Chairman David Spiller has held a hearing on that companion bill, House Bill 55, Both bills
• Each of these bills has a House companion, both of which were referred to the House of Representatives
• The House companion, House Bill 259, by Representative Hayes, had a hearing on April 14th.

Keywords: immigration, children's rights, E-Verify, social transitioning, election integrity, Texas GOP, legislative session, urgent legislation

Summary: The committee meeting was characterized by fervent discussions surrounding critical legislation, particularly regarding immigration, children's rights, and election integrity. Key bills such as HB2258, aiming to ban social transitioning for children, and E-Verify legislation were highlighted as urgent priorities. Several representatives expressed frustration over stalled bills and emphasized the necessity of decisive action to fulfill their commitments made during their campaigns. The urgency was marked by the approaching deadline for bill passage, with only days remaining in the legislative session. Members urged House leadership to prioritize these bills, warning that failure to act would undermine public trust in their capacity to fulfill the Republicans' campaign promises.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also strengthens protections for children by ensuring AI-generated content that depicts minors in
• It also strengthens protections for children by ensuring AI generated contents that depicts minors in
• This is House Bill 2292, the cross-reporting on child abuse where companion animals are also being abused

Summary: The House met with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the House Journal by roll call vote, 133-0. The session then included many introductions of interns, guests, and a Teacher Appreciation Day statement. A committee report recommended passage of Senate Bill 903, and the chamber moved into third reading and amendment action on Senate Bill 1421 and related measures. Members debated and adopted a long series of amendments covering public safety, criminal justice, schools, and corrections. Topics included drone enforcement authority for law enforcement, a Missouri Ranger school safety program and school bus stop-arm penalties, Clean Slate automatic expungement language narrowed to drug offenses, an Alzheimer’s task force and dementia training for law enforcement, fire hydrant testing, pseudoephedrine access, banning portable electronic devices in prisons, hands-free cell phone law fixes, critical infrastructure protections, parental accountability for minors’ offenses, fentanyl trafficking, attorney general firearms authority, support for St. Louis and Kansas City police boards, DNA collection on arrest for additional crimes, a 25-foot buffer around first responders, a domestic violence registry, squatter and notary fraud fixes, gift card fraud, and post-conviction death penalty procedures. Several amendments drew opposition over civil liberties, school safety, prison penalties, and death penalty concerns, but most were adopted. The most contested item was the death penalty post-conviction relief amendment, which members argued either would streamline appeals and risk wrongful executions or would provide needed finality for victims; it ultimately passed 75-68 after a roll call vote. Another notable debate centered on the St. Louis Police Board amendment, with members disputing who should pay for police overtime and liability costs. The transcript ends amid discussion of a corrections-related amendment on good-time credit and rehabilitation programming, with the amendment to the amendment being supported by members from both parties.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, so this is a companion to some work that's been going on over in the House for a while.
• We've made some changes toward that end in the companion in the other chamber, but we still have work
• Senate Bill 6279 is a bill we support, but as you're aware, and mentioned earlier, a companion bill,
• You've already heard that there's a House companion that has been worked on for quite a while, and we've
• Some of our proposals in the companion bill are going to itemize that you can utilize the WUI code as

Bills: SB5633, SB6279, SB6291, SB6274, SB6309, SB5903, SB6016, SB5820, SB6132, SB6189

Keywords: land subdivision, zoning, property development, local government authority, real estate, infrastructure, wildfire, wildland urban interface, WUI, building code, fire-resistant construction, defensible space, hazard map, risk map, state building code council, department of natural resources, fire marshal, regional fire defense board, roofing standards, exterior walls

Transcript Highlights:

• be eligible for UI benefits, and also the joint experience rating, as the committee did with the companion
• There was a request, the House companion was House Bill 1205, and in that House companion, the funding
• :28:08.120><c> request,</c><00:28:09.120><c> the</c><00:28:09.440><c> House</c><00:28:09.840><c> Companion
• </c> there was a request, the House Companion there was a request, the House Companion was<00:28:11.120
• 28:15.360><c> was</c><00:28:15.600><c> going</c><00:28:15.760><c> to</c><00:28:15.919><c> the</c> companion

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I ask that you please read and support HB 890 and SB 1265, the companion bill.
• </c><00:50:14.000><c> bill</c><00:50:15.000><c> neither</c> SP sp1 1265 the companion bill neither SP
• sp1 1265 the companion bill neither of<00:50:15.480><c> those</c><00:50:15.599><c> were</c><00:50:15.799
• HB 890 and its companion bill, SB 1265, is a bill I've already stated would establish an ombudsman office
• </c><01:01:31.760><c> bill</c> members uh HB 890 and its companion bill members uh HB 890 and its companion

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce met on March 12, 2025, and heard testimony on several bills, with most measures drawing support from state boards, agencies, and industry groups. SB 102 (restaurants) had one supportive testifier and no questions. SB 1367 SD1 (installment loans) drew support from DCCA and other boards, but the chair raised concerns about a proposed $5 debit-card convenience fee, saying it seemed high and suggesting it might be amended downward; DCCA said it would check with industry on the likely impact. SB 1373 SD2 (administrative licensure action against sex offenders) received broad support from DCCA and multiple professional licensing boards, including psychology, physical therapy, naturopathic medicine, chiropractic, dentistry, massage therapy, nursing, optometry, barbering and cosmetology, the Hawaii Medical Board, and HPD. The committee then heard SB 1142 SD1 (insurance proceeds), which was supported by DCCA, the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, AARP, Hawaiʻi Realtors, and the Hawaiʻi Insurers Council, while State Farm offered comments and the Hawaii Bankers Association opposed. Testimony focused on insurance access after the Lahaina wildfires and the need to address underinsured homeowners. The committee also discussed SB 144 SD2 (stabilization of property insurance), with support from the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority, AARP, Hawaiʻi Realtors, and the Hawaiʻi Insurers Council, and comments from the Attorney General and DCCA Insurance Division about revising the financing structure and correcting bill language. Opponents and reservationed supporters argued the bill may not help if applicants can still obtain coverage at very high prices, while supporters said it would expand market capacity and provide a safety net as climate-related losses continue. Finally, SB 253 SD2 (condominium reserves) received support from Hawaiʻi Realtors, CI, and several individual testifiers. Supporters said it would enforce existing disclosure requirements under Act 199 and improve reserve funding transparency, while one individual argued stronger enforcement and an ombudsman-style office would be more effective. The chair reminded testifiers to stay on the bill at hand. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the meeting reflected in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, an updated 2026 fiscal note on the Senate companion indicates that the costs are indeterminate
• You heard the official companion to this bill, Senate Bill 59, 51 earlier this session.
• The Senate heard the companion bill this session, though there are a few differences between the bills
• Pursuant to Senate Rule 49, as the committee has previously heard the official companion, Senate Bill
• Pursuant to Senate Rule 49, as the committee has previously heard, the official companion, Senate Bill

Bills: HB1796

Keywords: school construction, contract indebtedness, school districts, bonding authority, education funding, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, senators, I'm sure, have heard a great deal about this bill and its companion, 209, which will be
• As I mentioned, there will be a companion bill.
• there</c><00:17:52.320><c> will</c><00:17:52.480><c> be</c><00:17:52.559><c> a</c><00:17:52.799><c> companion
• </c> mentioned, there will be a companion mentioned, there will be a companion bill.<00:17:54.080><c>

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Hagen Boo asked me to carry the House Companion to this bill.
• There's a Senate companion to this being authored by Senator Zaffirini.
• The Senate companion bill 1728 was placed on the local and uncontested calendar.

Bills: HB1821, HB1822, HB1943, HB3882, HB4263, HB4476, HB4628, HB4631, HB4885, HB4923, HB5461, HB5483, HB5525

Keywords: juvenile records, sealing, privacy, criminal justice, youth rehabilitation, legal procedures, juvenile court, record sealing, nondisclosure, age jurisdiction, criminal justice reform, juvenile board, compensation, Winkler County, juvenile justice, county funding, grants, career education, technical programs, workforce development

Transcript Highlights:

• A shout-out to Senator Putnham, the author of SF1894, the Senate companion.
• A shout-out to Senator Putnham, the author of SF1894, the Senate companion.
• A shout-out to Senator Putnham, the author of SF1894, the Senate companion.
• And I also want to Companion.
• Representative, um, the companion bill in the Senate was amended to remove the accreditation piece in

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Therefore, we will start by taking up Senate conforming bills that do not have House companions.
• For House bills that have a Senate companion bill, an amendment will be filed that takes the substance
• For House bills that do not have a Senate companion bill, an amendment will be filed that deletes everything
• language was adopted by the Senate during regular session as an amendment to House Bill 5205, the companion

Summary: The Senate convened in special session, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and observed a moment of silence for Coral Springs Vice Mayor Nancy Mateer. The Secretary then read the special session proclamation, which limited the session to budget-related matters including the General Appropriations Act, implementing bill, collective bargaining/state employee issues, retirement, law enforcement radio system funding, health, higher education, K-12 education, government administration, corrections, judges, documentary stamp tax distributions, petroleum cleanup, fuel taxes, and taxation. Chair Hooper outlined the process for handling Senate and House budget bills and conference posture. The Senate took up and passed several Senate bills, including SB 2506E on fuel taxes, SB 2508E on the state agency law enforcement radio system, SB 2512E on judges, and SB 2514E on K-12 education, each by 32-0. The chamber then received House bills and, for each, adopted delete-all amendments to place the Senate language onto the House vehicle or delete everything to prepare for conference. Bills addressed included HB 7031E (taxation), HB 5701E (petroleum cleanup programs), HB 5203E (government administration), HB 5207E (Department of Management Services), HB 5403E (correctional facilities financing and capital improvements), HB 5501E (documentary stamp tax distributions), HB 5001E (the General Appropriations Act), HB 5003E (implementing bill), HB 5201E (collective bargaining), HB 5205E (retirement), HB 5601E (higher education), and HB 5301E (health care). Most passed 32-0, with HB 5403E passing 31-0. During debate on HB 7031E, Leader Berman urged consideration of suspending the motor fuel tax to provide immediate relief at the pump, citing high gas prices. The Senate ultimately passed the House bill as amended and then acceded to the House request for conference on the taxation package and the other House bills. The Senate also substituted HB 5001E for SB 2500E and HB 5003E for SB 2502E, and similarly substituted House bills for the related Senate conforming bills before voting to send them to conference. At the close of business, the Senate observed a moment of silence for former Senator Bill Posey. The Rules Chair announced the Special Order Calendar Group would not meet that day or the next, and the Senate adopted a motion to establish the special order calendar for the remainder of the special session by website publication and Secretary announcement. The Senate then adjourned upon the call of the President for committee meetings and other business.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 1272 is companion legislation to Senate Bill 661. Mr.
• reflects the agreement reached between the House and the Senate and aligns this bill with the Senate companion
• The companion legislation is House Bill 1272.
• The companion legislation is House Bill 1272.

Keywords: March 14, 2026 - Regular Session Part 3, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Substitute Senate Bill 6039 is the companion bill to Substitute House Bill 2406, which this committee
• This bill is a companion to House Bill 2188, which this committee heard and reported out earlier this
• We do have one amendment that was added to the House companion.
• We do have one amendment that was added to the House companion in appropriations.

Bills: SB6136, SB6188, SB5944

Keywords: workers' compensation, industrial insurance, premium rates, rate transparency, actuarial rates, contingency reserves, Department of Labor and Industries, L&I, risk classifications, employer premiums, insurance regulation, rate setting, premium increase limits, workers' compensation advisory committee, retrospective rating, state insurance fund, accident and medical aid funds, SB 6188, asbestos, asbestos training

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Um, Senator Johnson, is there a House companion to your bill?
• >> Excuse me. >> Is there a House companion to your bill?
• >> Yes, I believe Representative Burkel will be carrying the House companion. >> Thank you very much.
• This does have a companion bill in the House. Representative Patty Anderson is carrying it.
• </c><00:22:06.240><c> Uh</c> companion bill in the House. Uh companion bill in the House.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator, there's a companion House bill.
• Senator, there’s a companion House bill.
• “Senator, there’s a companion House bill.
• Senator, there is a companion House bill.
• Senator, there is a companion House bill.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognized several guests, including a state champion Crossroads Academy girls basketball team and a Florida State University student intern. The chamber then turned to executive appointment confirmations reported by the Committee on Ethics and Elections and other reference committees under Rule 12.7, with Chair Don Gates explaining that the committee had reviewed the qualifications and suitability of the nominees and held public hearings where required. Members debated several confirmations at length. The report containing 186 appointments was adopted 31-0 after Senator Polsky explained her no votes on three nominees, citing concerns about past comments and ideological views. The Senate then confirmed Jeffrey Aaron to the Public Employee Relations Commission by a 26-10 vote after sharp debate over his role as counsel to the Hope Florida Foundation and allegations tied to the diversion of Medicaid settlement funds; supporters argued he was a competent lawyer and no formal action had been taken against him. Chavon Harris was confirmed as Secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration by a 32-5 vote, with supporters praising her work on Medicaid funding and opponents criticizing her prior leadership at DCF and the Hope Florida-related issues. Taylor Hatch was confirmed as Secretary of the Department of Children and Families by a 33-4 vote, despite concerns raised about SNAP/EBT compliance, child welfare practices, audits, and DCF’s handling of Hope Florida; supporters emphasized her commitment to reform and the difficulty of the agency’s mission. After a brief recess, the Senate held a lengthy recognition of outgoing President Kathleen Passidomo. Senators from both parties offered personal tributes focused on her leadership, toughness, humor, mentorship, and support for colleagues, especially women in the chamber. Several speakers also referenced her handling of difficult bills, her post-presidency service as Rules Chair, and her resilience after personal loss. No further legislative action was taken during the recognition segment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator, there's a companion House bill.
• Senator, there's a companion House bill.
• Senator, there is a companion House bill.
• Senator, there is a companion House bill.
• Senator, there is a companion House bill.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator, the House companion is here. Please explain any differences. Mr. President.
• Seeing none, Senator, the House companion bill is here.
• President, we'd like to substitute the House companion.
• Senator Leek, the House companion bill is here.
• Senator, the House companion bill is here.

Summary: The Senate convened with opening prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions, including guests from Miami Northwestern Senior High School, Clay County, and others. Senators also observed a moment of silence for Pope Francis. After routine announcements, the chamber moved to the special order calendar and took up a long series of bills, often substituting House companions for Senate bills before final passage. Among the measures approved were bills creating an expedited DNA testing grant program for local law enforcement, adding aggravating factors in capital cases involving gatherings for religious, school, or government activities, requiring state health coverage for fertility preservation services for cancer patients, authorizing indemnification for commuter rail providers, prohibiting abandonment of migrant vessels in Florida waters, and creating new specialty license plates. The Senate also passed bills on Alzheimer’s awareness, relocating the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys to Florida Memorial University, charter schools, sex offender registration, utility worker protections, juvenile justice, student mental health reporting, foster home licensure transfers, water access facilities, Florida Virtual School, school readiness, sexual images involving children, tampering with electronic monitoring devices, certified recovery residences, the FSU Election Law Center, the Office of Faith and Community, and bonuses for county property appraiser employees. Several other bills were temporarily postponed, including measures on social media use by minors, veterans’ nursing homes, Parkinson’s disease, mental health and substance use disorders, education, educator preparation, officers injured in the line of duty, school social workers, and Brownfields. Debate was especially extensive on the Office of Faith and Community bill, where an amendment to bar political activity by office staff was offered but failed 13-23 after arguments over election-related communications and the scope of existing law. The certified recovery residences bill also drew notable debate, with supporters emphasizing housing as essential to recovery and opponents raising concerns about implementation and local control. Most other bills passed with little or no opposition, though a few drew dissenting votes, including the capital aggravating factors bill, charter schools, and the Office of Faith and Community measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator, the House companion is here. Please explain any differences. Mr. President.
• Seeing none, Senator, the House companion bill is here.
• President, we'd like to substitute the House companion. It has one change.
• Senator Leek, the House companion bill is here.
• Senator, the House companion bill is here.

Summary: The Senate convened with an opening prayer by Rabbi Moshe Umatz, the Pledge of Allegiance led by pages, and several introductions and recognitions, including guests from Miami Northwestern Senior High School, Clay County, and a moment of silence for Pope Francis. The chamber then moved to the special order calendar after a motion to reconsider SB 1080, which was temporarily postponed. Several bills were also set aside during the day, including measures on social media use by minors, veterans’ nursing homes, Parkinson’s disease, mental health and substance use disorders, education, educator preparation, and school social workers. The Senate passed a series of bills, often substituting House companions for Senate bills. These included funding for expedited DNA testing grants for local law enforcement (SB 1072/HB 847), additional aggravating factors in capital cases involving religious, school, or government gatherings (SB 984/HB 693), fertility preservation coverage for cancer patients (SB 924/HB 677), commuter rail indemnification for Miami-Dade and Broward counties (SB 916/HB 867), restrictions on disposing of migrant vessels in Florida waters (SB 830), specialty license plates including Miami Northwestern and several colleges and institutions (SB 824), an Alzheimer’s and dementia awareness campaign (SB 398), relocation of the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys to Florida Memorial University (SB 364), charter school changes allowing parent conversion and municipal job-engine charter schools (SB 140), sex offender registration reporting changes (SB 1654/HB 1351), penalties for assaulting utility workers (SB 1386), juvenile justice revisions and truancy process updates (SB 1344), reporting of student mental health outcomes (SB 1310/HB 969), foster home license transfer simplification (SB 1174/HB 989), water access facility funding and boating industry incentives (SB 1162/HB 735), Florida Virtual School operational changes (SB 1122), school readiness program support for children with disabilities (SB 1102), sexual image offenses involving minors (SB 1180/HB 757), age-related defenses in child sex offense cases (SB 1136/HB 777), tampering with electronic monitoring devices (SB 1054/HB 437), certified recovery residences and local zoning accommodations (SB 954), and the FSU Election Law Center (SB 892). Most of these bills passed with strong bipartisan support, though SB 984 and SB 140 drew some opposition. One of the most extensive debates centered on SB 820, codifying the Office of Faith and Community. Senator Polsky offered an amendment to bar political activity by office staff, citing emails and campaign-related communications tied to Amendment 4; the amendment failed on a 13-23 vote. Senators then debated the bill’s relationship to state election law, free speech, and the role of faith-based outreach. Supporters emphasized the office’s service network and reported benefits to children and families, while some senators raised concerns about interfaith representation and political use of government resources. The bill was then read a third time and the Senate proceeded toward a final vote as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, House Bill 3041 by Representative Paul is a companion to Senate Bill 1716.
• House Bill 2856 by Representative Howard is the companion to Senate Bill 1908 by Dean Zaffirini.
• Members, House Bill 5180 by Representative Wilson is a companion to Senate Bill 2815.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all