Transcript Highlights:

• These measures and this measure..." ...from voting at all.
• This is why, for this measure and the many that we have This is why, for this measure and the many that
• This measure here offers protection to any program that meets the requirements of the measure.
• This measure here offers protection to any program that meets the requirements of the measure.
• This measure here offers protection to any program that meets the requirements of the measure.

Summary: The Senate met, opened with prayer and the pledge, and then handled a series of messages and floor actions. The chamber transmitted a large group of Senate bills to the governor and Senate Concurrent Memorial 1004 to the Secretary of State. It also received House requests to return Senate Bills 1175 and 1198 for reconsideration, which were granted without objection. The Senate then moved into Committee of the Whole to consider several House concurrent resolutions. On H.C.R. 2001, a constitutional referral on election requirements, senators debated a Judiciary Committee amendment and a Hoffman floor amendment that would require voter ID, allow election-day tabulation of early ballots at polling places, and require legislative funding for implementation. Supporters said the measure would improve election security, voter confidence, and speed up results; opponents argued it was vague, could undermine mail voting, and lacked clear implementation details. The amendment was adopted, and after further debate the Committee of the Whole gave H.C.R. 2001 a do-pass recommendation by a 15-12 vote. Later, on third reading, the full Senate passed H.C.R. 2001 by a 16-12 vote and transmitted it to the House. The chamber also considered H.C.R. 2003, a referral on student athletics and biological sex. Senator Ortiz offered a floor amendment to replace the blanket ban approach with rules based on athletic ability and inclusion; supporters said it would preserve fairness while avoiding discrimination, while opponents said it would gut the measure and weaken protections for girls’ sports. The Ortiz amendment failed 11-16, and H.C.R. 2003 then received a do-pass recommendation in Committee of the Whole and later passed third reading. H.C.R. 2044, a referral on prohibiting preferential treatment and discrimination, also received a do-pass recommendation without recorded controversy. The Senate then adjourned after completing the remaining procedural motions and votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• All House measures which have been first read are referred for printing. Have you all registered?
• Patients ages 12 and older for flu, strep, COVID-19, and HIV prevention.
• Yeah, as a nurse, I've seen the value of prevention.
• The saying is, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of care. This is one of those examples.
• This measure provides that criminal history is deemed admissible and relevant in child custody...

Transcript Highlights:

• what prevention means.
• So it's not a measure of current use. It's a measure of their experience as a child. Second.
• And how do we prevent that from ever happening?
• Just safety and prevention.
• Does prevention education in schools work?

Summary: The committee met to approve prior minutes and then heard a presentation from Dr. Ramona Danielson on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), focusing on the economic and public-system impacts in North Dakota. She explained that ACEs are a population-level measure, not a diagnostic tool for individuals, and said higher ACE exposure is consistently associated with more chronic illness, mental health challenges, child welfare involvement, justice-system contact, and reduced workforce participation. She emphasized that precise dollar estimates are difficult because of the many interacting factors across a person’s life course, but said the direction of the impact is clear and that evidence-based prevention and protective factors can reduce harm. Members asked about definitions of a “healthy family,” same-sex couples, divorce, substance abuse, historical trends in ACEs, and the role of positive childhood experiences and home visiting. The committee then heard from Allison Mahoney and Missy Barranco about evidence-based home visiting programs in North Dakota, including Healthy Families, Early Head Start, Nurse-Family Partnership, and Parents as Teachers. They described home visiting as voluntary, relationship-based, and tailored to family needs, with referrals coming from hospitals, WIC, human service zones, pregnancy navigators, self-referrals, and other community sources. A parent, Abby, shared that home visiting helped her family after premature births and NICU stays by providing support with postpartum mental health, breastfeeding, developmental screenings, referrals, and parenting guidance. The presenters said the programs are funded through a mix of federal MIECHV/Title IV-E dollars, Medicaid targeted case management, state and tribal funds, philanthropy, charitable gaming, and grants, and they noted that current funding is fragmented and insufficient to serve all eligible families statewide. Members discussed whether the state should expand or better fund these services and how to improve outreach and referrals. Later, the committee received a memorandum on artificial intelligence and sexual exploitation, followed by a presentation from a BCI special agent on how AI is already affecting child exploitation investigations in North Dakota. The memo and testimony described AI-generated child sexual abuse material, deepfakes, sextortion, and risks posed by chatbots, along with relevant federal and state law and recent executive orders. The agent said North Dakota saw 2,698 cyber tips in 2025, the highest on record, and that investigators are increasingly encountering AI-assisted exploitation that is harder to detect and verify. Members discussed the need for child-safety protections, the limits of executive orders, and broader concerns about AI undermining critical thinking and spreading misinformation. No votes were taken on the AI materials during the portion provided, and the committee recessed briefly after the report.

Transcript Highlights:

• are about the adequacy of that, any potential measures.
• These measures fall generally into two categories.
• These measures fall generally into two categories.
• You can do this for tens of dollars on a structure and prevent many ember ignitions.
• The FAIR Plan growth has slowed measurably over the last two quarters.

Committee: Senate Insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• Senators, we are back on drowning prevention.
• This bill adds drowning prevention safety measures and safe bathing procedures to postpartum education
• , hospitals... ...for drowning prevention and safe bathing in this bill are new.
• It is an investment in safety, prevention, and the future of kids like me.
• It is an investment in safety prevention and the future of kids like me.

Bills: S0068 , S0096 , S0340 , S0428 , S0606 , S1480 , S7018

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services heard public comment first on the AIDS Drug Assistance Program and the iBudget waiver. Testimony on the HIV program warned that proposed Department of Health changes could disrupt care for thousands of clients, create confusion, and force people off life-saving medications; a senator suggested affected clients explore medically needy and FQHC/340B options. Testimony on iBudget urged support for a roughly 7% rate adjustment for direct support professionals, citing rising costs and the need to sustain the developmental disabilities workforce. The committee then considered several bills. SB 428 expanded Florida’s swim lesson voucher program from children ages 0-4 to ages 1-7 and was reported favorably. SB 68 required hospitals with emergency departments to adopt pediatric emergency care policies, training, equipment standards, and readiness assessments; an amendment aligning reporting dates with the House was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 1718 lengthened the time an adult may stay in an out-of-home placement before being treated as a visitor, reduced background screening burdens for foster families, made the Step Into Success program permanent, and created a best-practices program; it was also reported favorably. The committee next approved SB 606, which adds drowning-prevention and safe-bathing education to postpartum materials and requires related compliance records, and SB 96, which expands the Veterans Dental Care Grant Program to veterans up to 400% of the federal poverty level; an amendment removed the bill’s specific $500,000 appropriation so funding can be handled in the budget process. SB 340 required nursing education to include a two-hour human trafficking course before licensure, and SB 1480 created a grandfathering process for certain area-of-critical-need health care providers if federal designations change, both of which were reported favorably. The committee adjourned after all bills passed their roll calls.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do spend our prevention money wisely by contracting.
• But there was a quality of life measurement tool.
• We've done all of these supposed preventative measures, but it's still happening.
• And so under preventing initiation, we're conducting health education.
• What works as a prevention message?

Committee: House Tobacco Settlement Revenue Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• That measures out, Senator, thank you so much. We are going to quickly do consent.
• That measure is out. Thank you so much, Senator. Congratulations, Addie.
• That measure is out. Thank you so much, Senator. Thank you. That measure is out.
• That measure is still out. Item number four, SB 68 by Menjivar, for add-ons.
• That measure is still out, and so we are going to hear a vote change on SB 68.

Committee: House Health

Summary: The committee heard several health-related bills. SB 27 by Senator Umberg would expand and clarify the CARE Court process, with amendments narrowing the new diagnosis category to bipolar I disorder with psychotic features, clarifying the “clinically stabilized” standard, and limiting the role of nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Supporters, including a psychiatrist, a family member, and several local and business groups, said the bill would help more people access needed services; opponents, including counties, disability rights, peer-run organizations, and consumer advocates, warned it would expand the program faster than counties can provide housing, staffing, and court-related services. The committee discussed capacity concerns at length, then passed SB 27 on a do pass motion to the Committee on Public Safety. SB 503 by Senator Weber Pearson would require AI used in health care facilities to be identified, monitored, and mitigated for bias when used in clinical decision-making or resource allocation. The author and supporters from Kaiser Permanente, the California Medical Association, hospitals, and psychiatrists said the bill would help prevent discriminatory outcomes and improve trust in AI tools. Committee members noted the need to clarify deployer and developer responsibilities and accepted amendments before voting. The bill passed as amended to the Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee. SB 68 by Senator Menjivar would require allergen disclosure on restaurant menus, with different requirements for larger chains and more flexible options for smaller restaurants. The bill was presented with emotional testimony from the author and a nine-year-old witness with severe food allergies, along with broad support from medical, nursing, parent, and allergy advocacy groups. The California Restaurant Association opposed the bill unless amended, seeking broader menu-format flexibility and additional liability language. After discussion of those concerns, the committee passed SB 68 as amended to Appropriations. SB 403 by Senator Blakespear would remove the sunset date from California’s End of Life Option Act, making the law permanent. Supporters, including a physician, a social worker, hospice professionals, and family members of terminally ill patients, described the law as a compassionate, carefully regulated option that has worked as intended. Faith-based and Catholic health organizations opposed the measure. The committee approved SB 403 and sent it to Judiciary. The hearing also included consent items, which were approved, and a vote change on SB 68 from no to aye by Senator Sanchez.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><02:12:58.400><c> efforts</c> education, and prevention efforts education, and prevention efforts
• ,</c> traumatic brain injury prevention, traumatic brain injury prevention, improving<03:45:13.600><c
• Second, it prevention efforts.
• That is why it is so prevented.
• </c> on this measure. on this measure.

Bills: HB8823 , HB4541 , HB8790 , HB3029 , HB5578 , HB1722 , HB6330 , HB4123 , HB2069 , HB7283 , HR1118 , HB8205 , HB6238 , HB3491 , HB1493 , HB2001 , HB3747 , HB5160 , HB4348 , HB2821 , HB2715 , HB1703

Keywords: FECA, Federal Employees' Compensation Act, workers' compensation, Department of Labor, medical provider fraud, provider accountability, payment suspension, fraud conviction, health care fraud, federal health care benefit program, state health program, workers compensation medical benefits, program integrity, provider sanctions, injured federal employees, geothermal, next-generation geothermal, enhanced geothermal systems, closed-loop geothermal, supercritical geothermal

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> prevention is worth a pound of cure. prevention is worth a pound of cure.
• of medicine and with security measures that put in this bill, I think it's a very good measure, and I
• of medicine and with security measures that put in this bill, I think it's a very good measure, and I
• It's a safety measure.
• It's a safety measure.

Committee: House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Majority Leader Carbone, for consideration of the measures on Calendar Number Two.
• So what this bill would do is prevent those schemes.
• So what this bill would do is prevent those schemes. Thank you.
• So what this bill would do is prevent those schemes.
• So again, looking for support to prevent this type of behavior in Arizona. Thank you.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the journal, and a proclamation recognizing and strengthening Arizona’s relationship with Taiwan. The proclamation highlighted Taiwan’s trade and economic ties to Arizona, bipartisan legislative support for Taiwan over many years, and support for Taiwan’s participation in international organizations. Members also welcomed Taiwanese diplomatic guests and noted plans for a bipartisan Arizona-Taiwan caucus and a future Taiwan consulate in Phoenix. The House then resolved into Committee of the Whole and considered a series of Senate bills. Among the measures advanced were SB 1004, SB 1012, SB 1040, SB 1049, SB 1168, SB 1326, SB 1021, SB 1052, SB 1172, SB 1188, SB 1212, SB 1346, SB 1452, and SB 1494, with several amended. Topics included law enforcement tracking of homeless sex offenders, spousal maintenance, election/government accountability, hyperbaric oxygen therapy in assisted living, re-credentialing timelines, controlled substance scheduling, vaccine-related concerns, Access fraud prevention, transportation fixes, and protections against patient brokering. Some members raised objections to SB 1049, SB 1021, SB 1212, and SB 1346, citing fairness, separation of powers, public health, and budget concerns, but the bills still advanced. After the Committee of the Whole report was adopted, the House moved several bills to third reading and voted on them. SB 1164, SB 1174, SB 1189, and SB 1754 passed overwhelmingly or unanimously, while SB 1413 failed 2-48 after members argued it contained a significant change to moving-violation liability and restitution that had not been clearly reflected in the bill materials. The House later reconsidered the failed vote on SB 1413 and then adjourned until Monday, April 20, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• All House measures which have been first read are referred for printing without objection.
• All House measures which have been first read are referred for printing without objection.
• Members, without objection, the measure is unanimously adopted. Signed in open session.
• It is an emergency measure and requires at least a two-thirds vote to enact the emergency.
• How to prevent sexual abuse, how to feel confident in themselves, and I vote no.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, just to note, this is a licensing measure. This is an administrative measure.
• </c> testify on this measure? testify on this measure?
• measure? measure?
• </c> measure? Members questions? measure? Members questions?
• measure? measure?

Summary: The committee first took up a short-form administrative licensing measure requested by the administration to correct and clarify renewal provisions in a prior bill. Members raised no questions, and the committee voted to adopt the proposed Senate draft and recommit the bill back to the Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee for a further public hearing. The committee then heard SB 2876 on natural hair braiding, which would exempt natural hair braiders from licensing under certain conditions. The Board of Barbering and Cosmetology said it views hair braiding as within the broader scope of cosmetology, but agreed that people who only braid hair should not need a license because the training and exam requirements are minimal. The board warned, however, that exempting braiders could create consumer protection gaps involving sanitation, training, and enforcement, and noted that related services such as waxing, cutting, coloring, shampooing, and relaxing would still require licensure. Supporters included the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii and the Institute for Justice. The committee also heard SB 2950 on captive insurance and SB 2951 on insurance proceeds. On SB 2950, the Insurance Division opposed the bill, saying captive insurance is designed for formal self-insurance for companies and that allowing captives to insure the public would not fit the existing regulatory framework; a fire survivor advocate supported the measure as a way to expand disaster-related insurance options. On SB 2951, which would require mortgage servicers to follow certain rules for disbursing insurance proceeds after residential damage or destruction, United Policy Holders strongly supported the bill, citing delays in releasing funds and the need to help survivors rebuild, while banking and financial industry groups submitted opposition or comments. Finally, the committee heard SB 2952, SB 2960, and SB 2964, all related to property insurance and disaster recovery. SB 2952 and SB 2960 would extend the time policyholders have after a declared disaster to submit documentation and recover replacement cost value, with supporters arguing that rebuilding after major disasters takes far longer than standard policy deadlines allow and that the bills would improve consumer protection and transparency; the Insurance Division, the Insurance Council, and national insurance groups opposed the measures. SB 2964 would require annual disclosures of replacement cost value and coverage sufficiency; the Insurance Council opposed it as costly and unnecessary because policies already include inflation-related adjustments, while United Policy Holders and fire survivors supported it, saying many homeowners are underinsured and do not understand their coverage.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our suicide prevention program has been augmented pretty heavily.
• How does the State Land Office Measure and monitor workload. Mr.
• I don't see anything that would prevent that. Mr.
• But that will be something that we will be measuring and taking.
• And we met the first performance measures outright.

Transcript Highlights:

• Appreciate you bringing the measure forward. We'll be keeping an eye on this one.
• But I appreciate you bringing the measure.
• So I'll be supporting the measure today and allow you to close. Thank you.
• Measure is out. File item number 4, SB 1299, out again. Do pass to Senate Labor.
• That measure is out, and we will adjourn.

Committee: Senate Emergency Management

Summary: The Senate Emergency Management Committee heard several bills focused on emergency response, fire safety, and school threat prevention. SB 904 would codify and expand the coordinated permitting and rebuilding response used after major wildfire disasters, with the author saying it would standardize agency coordination without eliminating protections. Climate Action California opposed the bill, raising concerns about streamlining and permitting. SB 1299 would create a clearer statutory framework for State Fire Marshal certification, training, and enforcement for fire sprinkler fitters; supporters, including the Sprinkler Fitters Association and State Building Trades, said it would ensure qualified installation of critical life-safety systems, while no opposition was presented. SB 1181 would create a limited pilot allowing schools to communicate with regional threat assessment centers when there is a credible safety concern, with the author and supporters describing it as a privacy-protected way to connect warning signs and prevent violence; committee members generally supported the concept and discussed fusion centers, social media threats, and recent incidents. The committee also took up a consent calendar. After recesses to establish quorum and repeated calls for absent members, the committee voted to move all measures forward. SB 1299 was approved on a 9-0 vote to the Senate Committee on Labor, Public Employment, and Retirement. SB 904 was approved 9-0 to the Senate Committee on Appropriations. SB 1181 was approved 9-0 to the Senate Committee on Education. The consent calendar items were also approved 9-0. All measures were left on call briefly for absent members before the final votes were recorded and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also adopted equity and quality measures so that we can measure equity and quality at the same time
• we're measuring cost.
• I just wanted to comment on item 18, BHSA population prevention.
• I just wanted to comment on issue 18, BHSA population prevention.
• I just wanted to comment on issue 18, BHSA population prevention.

Summary: The hearing began with testimony from Let California Kids Hear and supporters urging action on pediatric hearing aid coverage. Advocates said California has repeatedly failed to enact a workable solution over the past eight years and argued that children need early access to sound to support development. The proposal discussed would limit the coverage mandate to the large-group market, which advocates said would cover roughly 70% to 80% of affected children and avoid the exchange-related cost issue that contributed to prior vetoes. Supporters, including parents, audiologists, and children’s health groups, backed the proposal, and the chair expressed sympathy and support while noting hope for a federal solution for exchange plans. The Department of Finance then gave opening remarks about the state’s structural deficit and the need to balance new investments against projected out-year shortfalls. HCAI followed with a broad overview of its programs, including CalRx insulin and naloxone initiatives, reproductive health grants, the Office of Health Care Affordability, hospital seismic compliance, workforce programs, and the diaper access initiative. Members asked about geographic targeting of workforce funds, the behavioral health workforce pipeline, and the status of the 21st Century Nursing Initiative, which HCAI said had reverted funds. The committee also discussed a proposed transfer of the Data Exchange Framework and Office of the Patient Advocate to HCAI, new reporting on long-term care staffing and health coverage waiting periods, and a Behavioral Health Services Act workforce proposal that would use BHSA funds to support training, stipends, and technical assistance while offsetting $100 million in General Fund spending; members and LAO questioned the offset and asked for more detail, and the item was held open. HCAI also presented the Rural Health Transformation Program, explaining that California received $233.6 million in federal funds for the first year and had to revise its proposal so that $35 million in provider payments would be tied to specific transformative activities rather than general financial relief. The program will fund rural care model redesign, workforce development, and technology/infrastructure improvements, with grants to be rolled out on a tight timeline and subject to CMS approval. Members asked about the size of California’s award, the use of funds for maternity care, labor and delivery access, dialysis, tribal set-asides, and the role of a technical assistance contractor. The department said the program will use supply-and-demand workforce modeling to target funding and that all funds must be obligated by October 30. Finally, the Department of Managed Health Care outlined its budget and two major bill-related proposals: SB 41 on PBM reform and SB 306 on prior authorization transparency. DMHC said SB 41 would require PBM licensure, ban spread pricing, require rebate pass-through, and regulate pharmacy network practices, while SB 306 would require reporting on prior authorization and create a list of services exempt from prior authorization. DMHC requested additional positions and funding to implement both measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, we cannot prevent flooding, okay? We just manage it.
• And we try to prevent overflow of rivers, and we construct these levees.
• There's nothing preventing recharge.
• The second thing we need is support on bond measures.
• So really quickly, why did your ballot measure not pass?

Summary: The committee held an informational hearing on flood risk and flood management in California, with opening remarks emphasizing that flooding is a statewide and growing threat due to climate change, including the possibility of extreme losses in a worst-case event. Members noted recent flooding in places such as San Diego, the Tulare Basin, and Pajaro, and framed the hearing as a way to better understand prevention, response, and how to capture excess water for later use. Jeffrey Mount of PPIC gave the main overview, describing California’s high flood exposure, the different flood types the state faces, and the mix of structural and non-structural tools used to manage them. He stressed that levees, dams, bypasses, land-use planning, flood insurance, and emergency response all matter, but that risk is rising because current standards are based on past hydrology rather than future climate conditions. He also warned that flood management is underfunded, that the National Flood Insurance Program is weak, and that federal support is increasingly uncertain. Members asked about groundwater recharge, permitting, NOAA and federal cuts, and which communities are most at risk; Mount said recharge can help but does not eliminate flood risk, and that small Central Valley communities and heavily developed floodplains are especially concerning. State officials Laura Hollander of the Department of Water Resources and Jane Dolan of the Central Valley Flood Protection Board described the state’s role in forecasting, emergency response, grants, planning, and the Central Valley Flood Protection Plan. They highlighted aging infrastructure, the need for better coordination, and the state’s special liability in the Central Valley after the Paterno decision. Dolan reviewed the history of major floods and said the plan calls for about $1 billion per year over 30 years to meet current needs, while Hollander said the state works with local and federal partners on preparedness, response, and subventions projects. Both emphasized that floodplain planning, regional coordination, and faster permitting are important, but that more consistent funding is needed. A later panel from local flood agencies and districts reinforced those points, arguing that the state’s annual flood funding is below identified needs and that a proposed statewide flood and dam safety bond was reduced substantially in the broader climate bond package. Witnesses urged more routine maintenance funding, support for regional flood planning, and continued federal-state-local partnerships to reduce risk and maintain eligibility for federal assistance. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the informational hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we'll talk more about some of the prevention measures that we've put in place that are working well
• We work closely with our local partners as a force multiplier to remove and prevent DVs statewide as
• So we'll talk more about some of the prevention measures that we've put in place that are working well
• We work closely with our local partners as a force multiplier to remove and prevent DVs statewide as
• The next preventive measure that we've been able to stand up and put in place is our vessel turn-in program

Committee: Senate Environment and Natural Resources

Summary: The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources received a presentation from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on derelict vessels, enforcement challenges, and a long-term stored vessel study. FWC reported about 1,040 derelict vessels currently in its database, with roughly 600 new cases entering each year, and noted that hurricanes account for a large share of recent cases. The agency explained the legal definition of derelict vessels, the environmental and navigation hazards they create, and its enforcement process, including investigation, notice to owners, administrative hearings, removal authorization, and recovery of costs through registration holds. FWC also described prevention efforts such as at-risk vessel enforcement, nuisance vessel designations, public awareness campaigns, and the vessel turn-in program, which has received more than 250 applications and removed more than 145 vessels since rollout. Committee members asked about owner resistance to removal, rapid-response options for hazardous vessels, county differences in derelict vessel numbers, and how local governments participate. FWC said only a small percentage of owners contest removals, that the agency relies on contractors and does not generally have its own removal equipment, and that local governments may conduct removals with their own funding but must still provide due process. Members also asked where removed vessels go; FWC said they are taken to landfills, with recyclable materials recovered, and that storage is used only when necessary for public safety because it is costly. The presentation also highlighted the long-term stored vessel study, which found a strong correlation between long-term anchored vessels and later derelict vessels, especially in Monroe County. No votes were taken on the presentation, and the committee adjourned after Senator Errington moved to adjourn and there was no objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Since the measure goes into effect pretty swiftly over the summer.
• SB 423 provides a common-sense transparency measure. ...is critical.
• But as for now, it might make a good statewide measure next year.
• It's an important step to prevent displacement, homelessness, and It's an important step to prevent displacement
• Thank you, and we hope that you will oppose this measure. Thank you.

Committee: House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• , and some of the best practices to prevent it in the future.
• I think that absolutely serves as a preventative measure for other staff.
• measure for other staff.
• How do you measure it? Do you measure it by how much contraband you seize or experience inside?
• The actual measurement and deliverables does fall on the program.

Committee: Senate Rules

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules first handled several routine items, including governor’s appointments not required to appear, references to bills, and floor acknowledgments. The committee approved the appointments of Heather Lynn Gonzalez and Allison Salton-Sall to the Court Reporters Board, and then moved on to appointments required to appear from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). Kathleen Ratliff and Joseph Tuggle, both proposed associate directors in CDCR’s Division of Adult Institutions, testified about their backgrounds and emphasized staff safety, rehabilitation, trauma-informed practices, and the California model. Senators focused heavily on the rollout of the California model, the August 2024 use-of-force incident at Central California Women’s Facility, sexual abuse prevention, retaliation concerns, and prison visitation. Both nominees said the department had improved communication and training, had disciplined or removed staff in response to misconduct, and was working to strengthen PREA reporting, investigations, and family visiting consistency. Public testimony was strongly supportive, and the committee voted 4-0 to send both nominations to the Senate floor. The committee then heard from Jason Johnson, nominated as CDCR Undersecretary of Operations. Johnson framed his work around rehabilitation, public safety, and culture change, and addressed concerns raised in late opposition letters and a lawsuit alleging retaliation, hostile work environment, discrimination, and whistleblower issues. He said he could not discuss pending litigation in detail, but described his leadership as focused on accountability, professional standards, and improving relationships with staff and community partners. Senators questioned him about parole supervision, risk assessment, contraband interdiction, and the Prison Rape Elimination Act response; Johnson said adult parole uses risk-based supervision and GPS for registered sex offenders, operations is working with correctional safety and law enforcement on contraband and drone interdiction, and CDCR continues to expand reporting channels and training. The committee also discussed the importance of rehabilitation and reentry programs, with Johnson saying most people return to the community and that CDCR must prepare them for successful reintegration.

Transcript Highlights:

• measures are not taking place.
• I'm with the Orange County Drowning Prevention, or Drowning Prevention Task Force.
• measures are not taking place.
• I'm with the Orange County Drowning Prevention, or Drowning Prevention Task Force.
• Is there any part of your bill that would prevent anyone from doing the electric slide?

Bills: S0018 , S0028 , S0260 , S0848 , S0934 , S1014 , S1102 , S1264 , S1566 , S1622 , S1724

Committee: Senate Community Affairs

Keywords: negligence, compensation, child welfare, law enforcement accountability, personal injury, police negligence, law enforcement, monetary compensation, civil rights, city liability, electric vehicle, EV, battery fire, lithium-ion battery, towing, wrecker service, vehicle storage, submerged vehicle, saltwater damage, fire marshal

Summary: The committee heard and approved several bills on water quality, public safety, utilities, and transparency. CS/SB 848 on stormwater treatment and water quality enhancement areas was presented as a follow-up to prior water quality legislation and was reported favorably with no opposition. SB 28, a claim bill for Reginald Jackson against the City of Lakeland, was also reported favorably. CS/CS/SB 658, a bipartisan child drowning prevention bill for rental properties, drew extensive testimony from child advocacy, drowning prevention, and autism advocates who described Florida’s high child drowning rates and supported requiring at least one pool or water-safety feature at short- and long-term rentals; the committee adopted two amendments, including one requiring license applicants to certify compliance, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee also approved CS/SB 1724 on municipal utility services, which addresses outside-city utility service agreements, revenue use, rate limits, and customer meetings; an amendment added gas utilities back into the bill. CS/SB 934 on Florida Keys areas of critical state concern was amended to remove a section viewed as conflicting with the Live Local Act and then reported favorably. SB 1622, creating a one-time waiver for certain late-filed financial disclosure fines, was supported by speakers and reported favorably. CS/CS/SB 260 on electric vehicle storage at towing facilities was amended to focus on storage only and to limit the extra fee period until inspection clears fire risk; the bill drew mixed testimony from insurers, towing-related interests, and fire officials, but was reported favorably. Later, SB 1264 on private schools was presented as easing zoning and occupancy barriers for small schools and microschools, with supporters saying it would help meet demand for school choice; members raised concerns about local implementation, but the bill was reported favorably. CS/CS/SB 1014 on municipal utility service to properties outside city limits was amended to apply only to residential properties and to clarify capacity and annexation-related exceptions; it was supported by local-government and environmental testimony and reported favorably. CS/SB 1102, expanding the local government infrastructure surtax to include body camera costs, was amended so any use would require a new referendum and was reported favorably. Finally, SB 1566 on local government spending and transparency required online posting of budgets and related information, drew testimony from counties, cities, and transparency advocates about costs and uniform templates, and was reported favorably after amendment, with several senators noting concerns for smaller local governments while supporting the transparency goal.