Transcript Highlights:

• HB 740 is broadly similar to the COM homes program.
• </c><00:58:53.240><c> be</c> kind of value of having the program be kind of value of having the program
• <01:18:44.040><c> thank</c><01:18:44.239><c> you</c><01:18:44.639><c> nen</c> program thank you nen program
• <02:04:49.159><c> um</c> program um program um uh<02:04:52.280><c> adopt</c><02:04:52.599><c> the</c>
• <02:16:34.599><c> to</c><02:16:34.880><c> offer</c> program to offer program to offer um<02:16:37.719

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Housing held a public hearing and moved quickly through a long agenda, beginning with HB 606 on the Department of Hawaiian Homelands. DHHL and several community testifiers strongly supported the bill, describing it as a way to fulfill long-standing promises to Native Hawaiians, reduce the DHHL waitlist, keep families in Hawaii, and support housing production and the broader economy. Testifiers emphasized the cultural and economic importance of stable housing and noted the large number of people still waiting for DHHL homes. The committee then heard HB 1086, also relating to DHHL, which would allow the department to use a $75 million appropriation from the dwelling unit revolving fund as collateral for loans. DHHL, HHFDC, and other supporters said the measure would help DHHL obtain better loan terms and preserve trust funds for other uses. Members asked detailed questions about how the collateral would work, whether other agencies use similar structures, and what would happen if the collateral were drawn upon; staff explained that the funds would be encumbered for the loan and that a similar model had been used for a HUD-backed project. The committee also heard HB 739, which would create the COM homes program to fund counties to buy voluntary deed restrictions from eligible homeowners or buyers. Supporters said the program could help keep local workers in Hawaii by using existing housing stock and cited examples from places like Aspen and Vail. The Attorney General’s office recommended amendments to remove duration requirements to avoid right-to-travel concerns, and the Tax Foundation suggested clarifying the conveyance tax exemption so it also covers the instrument imposing the restriction. Members asked whether tax dollars would be used to buy homes, who would be eligible, and how enforcement would work; supporters said the program is voluntary and income-blind, with restrictions tied to living and working in the state. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• long-term funding for this program.
• long-term funding for this program.
• long-term funding for this program.
• long-term funding for this program.
• long-term funding for this program.

Committee: House Education Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It's an important program and it's a valuable program certainly in my district. >> Thank you.
• It's an important program and it's a valuable program certainly in my district. >> Thank you.
• It's an important program and it's a valuable program certainly in my district. >> Thank you.
• > expand</c> programs, uh, expand programs, expand programs, uh, expand programs, expand the<00:51:44.480
• As you know, the adult program isn't a managed care program.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee met on January 23, 2026, to approve prior minutes and receive an update from the Department of Health and Human Services. The main presentation focused on “Project Compass,” an internal cross-department effort to prepare for changes to Medicaid and SNAP eligibility. Department staff said the goal is to maintain continuous coverage for eligible people, align policy, operations, communications, legal, finance, and eligibility work, and use the new integrated New HEIGHTS system to streamline implementation. They emphasized outreach to beneficiaries, providers, managed care organizations, and other partners, and said temporary manual workarounds had already been used to stay in compliance with fast-moving SNAP changes. Members questioned how the department would avoid repeating the costly outreach effort used in a prior Medicaid work-requirement rollout. Department officials said they are focusing on ex parte processes, sharing eligibility information across programs, and using community partners to reduce duplicate contacts and paperwork. They also said the department is monitoring the SNAP error rate closely, expects automation and a planned system contract amendment to help reduce it, and noted that current error rates are trending downward and remain below the national average. Questions were also raised about possible future SNAP restrictions on certain foods; the department said it can implement whatever the legislature directs, but that defining and administering such restrictions would be complex. The commissioner and CFO then outlined the department’s budget reduction plan. They said the department has begun implementing required “back of the budget” reductions for fiscal year 2026, using contract savings and not cutting existing services where possible. Examples included dental and home-visitation contracts, where spending was adjusted based on utilization and projected need. Officials said they had already written down a little over $15 million in prior-year encumbrances, but that this one-time source will not be available next year, making fiscal year 2027 more difficult. They also explained the difference between legally required back-of-budget cuts and lapse, and said staffing remains a major challenge because vacancies have increased and customer-facing service levels are strained. Dr. Jonathan Ballard then began an update on opioid overdose fatalities, presenting the latest medical examiner data and describing the long-term rise in deaths after fentanyl entered the illicit drug supply, with a peak in 2017 and a later increase in 2022. The transcript cuts off before his full presentation and any further committee action beyond discussion of the minutes and receipt of the department updates.

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, we serve program.
• </c> enrolled in both the Medicaid program enrolled in both the Medicaid program and<00:41:53.920><c>
• And that 600,000 Insurance Program.
• So for the hospital rate improvement program and the ambulance provider assessment program, those two
• and the ambulance provider program and the ambulance provider assessment<00:54:14.640><c> program,</

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Health and Family Services committee heard an informational presentation on Kentucky personal care homes from representatives of the Kentucky Association of Healthcare Facilities, Management Systems of Kentucky, and Elder Care Partners. Witnesses described personal care homes as a lower-cost, 24/7 residential option for adults, often with serious mental illness, who do not meet nursing home criteria but need structured supervision, medication assistance, meals, and daily support. They said the homes are regulated by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, are not Medicaid-funded, and are supported largely through state supplementation payments and residents’ SSI income. The presenters argued that the current reimbursement rate of about $50.70 per day is no longer sufficient to cover staffing, food, insurance, utilities, maintenance, and other costs, and said the sector has shrunk significantly over time. They cited figures showing a decline from 64 to 34 homes serving the seriously mentally ill since 2002, with 30 closures over 23 years, and said the loss of beds contributes to homelessness, hospital overcrowding, and longer psychiatric stays. They also gave examples of residents who had spent many months in hospitals before being successfully placed in personal care homes, which they said can prevent more costly institutional care. Committee members asked about staffing credentials, fraud controls, referral processes, and how reimbursement works in other states. The presenters said Kentucky does not require licensed or certified staff in these facilities, though some homes use certified medication technicians or an LPN, and they described a county case-manager-based assessment process used to set individualized rates in other states such as Minnesota. Members expressed support for the work but emphasized the need for documentation of savings and budget offsets. The presenters said they are seeking an incremental reimbursement increase over two years, roughly 25% to 50% in the first year and another 50% after that, and urged the committee to support the homes to prevent further closures.

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, yeah, this was the pharmaceutical program that they've had in place.
• Okay, I heard you mention nursing in particular, a nursing program. Could you elaborate on that?
• State or expanding existing project nursing programs.
• Emergency response and relief grant programs to address gaps. Move to pass. You'll be requested.
• What period of time do they have to implement these programs, or will they have?

Bills: HB4028 , HB4029 , HB4059 , HB4063 , HB4073 , HB4074 , HB4075 , HB4076 , HB4077 , HB4078 , SB1130 , SB1131 , SB1132 , SB1133 , SB1134 , SB1142

Committee: Senate Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget

Keywords: tax deduction, venture capital, economic development, Oklahoma, investment, ALS, funding, healthcare, State Department of Health, emergency declaration, public finance, state budget, financial regulations, monetary policy, referendum, constitutional amendments, special election, Oklahoma legislature, public voting, recovery fund

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:32:22.360><c> integrity</c> program integrity program integrity bill,<00:32:24.840><c> and</c><00
• , it reduces the loan program by freezing future loans, winding down the program as loans are repaid,
• ,</c> support loan program, support loan program, uh,<00:40:32.280><c> it</c><00:40:32.720><c> reduces
• :40:41.400><c> loans</c> loans, winding down the program as loans loans, winding down the program as
• </c> HCBS innovation grants program. HCBS innovation grants program.

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Bill sponsor: The intent of the SNAP program, which is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program,
• An entitlement program? Yeah. Do you mention an entitlement program in your bill at all?
• “We utilize this program.
• This is a supplemental program.
• But for this program, this is the right move to go for our stewardship of this program. Thank you.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• are already under strain, including the state grant program as we know.
• </c> aid programs? aid programs?
• So while you the state grant program.
• Um and so you know if in our programs.
• Uh we have all human services programs.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:47.120><c> excuse</c> funds going directly to programs excuse funds going directly to programs
• Employee assistance programs have come a long way, and I'm grateful that there's been strides in that
• have come a long way and I'm programs have come a long way and I'm grateful<00:35:34.560><c> that</c
• But just wondering operationally kind of how to think about those programs.
• </c><00:49:08.760><c> um</c> how to think about those programs um how to think about those programs um

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> hopefully make the program a success. hopefully make the program a success.
• </c> program. Thank you. program. Thank you. &gt;&gt; Thank<00:20:21.200><c> you.
• </c><00:42:25.040><c> I</c> programs have not incorporated. I programs have not incorporated.
• </c> existing uh displacement programs. existing uh displacement programs.
• It funds a lot of our programs.

Bills: HB1721 , HB1714 , HB1718 , HB1732 , HB1740 , HB1777 , HB1842 , HB1919 , HB1701 , HB1923 , HB1741 , HB1734 , HB1739

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: housing, expedited permits, insurance, indemnification, construction, affordable housing, executive compensation, Hawaii housing finance, legislative approval, low-income housing, moderate-income housing, mixed-use development, transit-oriented development, TOD, county powers, Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, HHFDC, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, DHHL, affordable housing credits

Summary: The House Housing Committee met on February 4 and heard testimony on several housing measures, beginning with HB1721, which clarifies insurance, indemnification, and certificate-of-occupancy requirements for expedited permits. Testimony on HB1721 was uniformly supportive from the American Council of Engineering Companies, the Grassroot Institute, and individual testifiers, who said the bill would fix insurance issues for design professionals and encourage more participation in the expedited-permit program. No opposition was heard and no questions were raised. The committee then heard HB1714, which would raise salary caps for the executive director and deputy executive director positions at the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation and allow more autonomy in personnel matters, including employment contracts. HHFDC supported the bill, saying greater flexibility is needed to recruit and retain staff and that current pay ceilings are not the main issue because the agency lacks operating funds to reach them. The Department of Human Resources Development offered comments and raised concerns about autonomous personnel authority and employment contracts, saying state personnel matters are governed by existing statutes and collective bargaining rules; the Hawaii Public Housing Authority also offered comments, and one board member and one individual opposed the measure. Members questioned whether performance-based pay or existing incentive policies could address retention instead of statutory salary changes. The committee also heard HB1718, which would make permanent county authority to facilitate mixed-use developments and issue county bonds for low- and moderate-income housing projects. Support came from OPSD, HHFDC, the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Housing and Land Management, and Housing Hawaii’s Future, all emphasizing that permanent authority is needed to finance long-term mixed-use and transit-oriented projects. A member asked whether the sunset provision would make bonding impractical, and the city representative agreed that temporary authority would make financing difficult because development takes time. Later, the committee took up HB1732, establishing the Kamina Homes program to fund counties’ purchase of voluntary deed restrictions from eligible buyers. The Department of Taxation and several groups, including HHFDC, AARP Hawaii, the Tax Foundation of Hawaii, Hawaii Realtors, Holomua Collaborative, and others testified, with most supporting the bill as a way to help local families remain in Hawaii and age in place. Holomua said a recent survey found 75% of 3,200 working families were considering moving, and argued the bill could preserve housing for local residents. Members asked about the bill’s 8% cap on deed-restriction cost and why the program focuses on residency rather than resale restrictions; the bill’s proponents said the cap allows flexibility for county negotiations and that the measure is aimed at workforce preservation rather than land-trust-style appreciation limits. Finally, the committee heard HB1740, which would modify a prior HHFDC housing pathway by reducing the qualified-resident requirement from 100% to 80% and allowing more flexibility for long-term rental instead of owner occupancy. HHFDC and Holomua Collaborative supported the change, saying the earlier 100% requirement had produced no developments or applicants and that the revised standard would make projects more feasible while still preserving housing for local residents. The committee did not take final votes on these measures during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, our child welfare program Yes.
• </c> the ohana navigator program. the ohana navigator program.
• </c> of the development of the Kako program. of the development of the Kako program.
• </c> talked to them about um even programs talked to them about um even programs like<01:33:14.639><c
• </c><01:35:14.320><c> Hey,</c> the Coca-Cola program. Thank you. Hey, the Coca-Cola program.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The department introduced us to the college system funding model and workforce programs.
• It is segregated by major program area. I will touch upon the highlights for each area.
• Rows 33 and 34 move the Open Door Grant Program from recurring to non-recurring.
• performance-based incentives to school district technical career education programs on row 48, adult
• basic education services on row 49, and the teacher apprenticeship program on row 52.

Summary: The Higher Education Budget Subcommittee met to release its fiscal year 2025-2026 budget recommendations. Chair Busata explained that the higher education budget recommendation totals $8.6 billion, which is $385 million, or 4%, below the current year, citing strong recent budget growth and projected future deficits as reasons for tighter spending. The chair also noted that the committee’s earlier meetings provided background on vocational rehabilitation, blind services, private colleges, student financial aid, workforce programs, and universities. The recommendation included increases for service provider rates in Vocational Rehabilitation, use of additional federal funds in Blind Services, an EASE grant increase for private colleges and universities, and adjustments to several student financial aid programs based on enrollment projections. It also moved the Open Door Grant Program from recurring to non-recurring funding, added modest increases for workforce education programs such as technical career education incentives, adult basic education, teacher apprenticeships, and workforce capitalization grants, and provided increases for the college system and state universities, including IFAS, strategic emphasis programs, performance funding, and faculty recruitment and retention. The chair also highlighted that the proposal includes recommended higher education member projects and outlined the next steps in the budget process, including compilation into a proposed committee bill, publication of the bill and related language, and consideration by the Budget Committee the following week. No votes were taken on the budget recommendation itself, and the meeting adjourned after a motion to rise without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• state being in charge, and you would send them to a state institution, and they would do everything, program
• Otherwise, it's a lifelong commitment of social programs and trying to deal with that.
• They had after-school programs. Was that part of the grant funding that you have, Ms. Marshall?
• They had after-school programs. Was that part of the grant funding that you have, Ms. Marshall? Ms.
• What they think about this kind of a program.

Committee: House Education

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The program as proposed would be to hold the institutions harmless and let people go from there.
• Is the tuition expansion program itself? I mean, really, these are two separate issues.
• One's the tuition program. One's the prioritization program.
• So all the hard funding in the fiscal note is in the tuition program.
• But fortunately, the state university that he went to had its own full-ride scholarship programs that

Committee: House Higher Education and Workforce Development

Summary: The Committee on Higher Education and Workforce Development met in executive session and first took up House Bill 2585. The committee adopted a House Committee substitute and a separate amendment, both described as clerical and technical changes to align the bill with Department of Higher Education workflow and state and federal law. The substitute for HB 2585 was then approved do pass by a 10-0 roll call vote. The committee then held a public hearing on House Bill 1627, which would revise the Career and Technical Education Advisory Council by adding the Commissioner of Higher Education or designee, increasing business and commerce representation, shortening member terms, reducing required meetings, and adjusting reporting requirements. Representative Haley said the changes would better reflect workforce needs and strengthen ties between education and industry. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education testified in support, saying the changes were recommended by the advisory group. No opposition testimony was offered. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2123, a broader higher education funding proposal that also includes a Bright Flight scholarship increase to full in-state tuition. Representative Black and Representative Shields described the bill as an effort to modernize Missouri’s long-standing base-plus funding model by moving toward a metric- and performance-based system tied to workforce needs, with a phased testing and approval process before implementation. Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development staff, the Missouri Community College Association, and the Council on Public Higher Education testified in support of continuing the work, though the council urged removing bill language that was too specific about the consultant’s model and timeline. Some members raised concerns about fiscal impact, implementation, and whether the model could be rolled out without harming institutions or students. The hearing on HB 2123 concluded without any vote taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, Madam Chair, Representative Lujan, everything that we do, particularly because of the programs
• Yeah, Madam Chair, Representative, everything that we do, particularly because of the programs that we
• But it also allows our educator prep programs to train on one standard form for the IEP so that when
• And so this monitoring program, the evaluation program, this is what that is referencing.
• "To support that family for their benefit programs and medical and health care provisions.

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 124, which would create a permanent Office of New Americans within the Department of Workforce Solutions. The sponsor and supporters said the office would help immigrant and refugee workers access training, licensing, language support, and other workforce resources, while also helping employers fill labor shortages in industries such as construction, agriculture, oil and gas, health care, and child care. Support came from advocates, business groups, faith organizations, and immigrant-rights groups; there was no opposition. Members asked about data protection, the number of other states with similar offices, and whether the office could help recruit and credential foreign-trained medical professionals. The bill passed on a do-pass motion with several yes votes and some no votes recorded, and the sponsor explained the vote as a way to support families and workforce integration. The committee then considered House Bill 314, which would authorize zero-interest loans through the Local Government Division for political subdivisions to repair flood- and debris-damaged public infrastructure and remove debris from the October 19, 2024 storm event. There was no public testimony in support or opposition. Members briefly asked about the $150 million appropriation and whether it was already in the budget, and the sponsor said it was. The bill received a do-pass motion, a second, and was approved without opposition. Finally, the committee took up Senate Bill 64, as amended, to codify the Office of Special Education and a deputy secretary position within the Public Education Department. The sponsor and department officials said the bill would formalize an office already created by executive order, improve statewide coordination, support compliance with IDEA and the Yazzie-Martinez case, and develop a statewide IEP template to reduce inconsistency across districts. They emphasized that gifted education would remain in Curriculum and Instruction and that the bill would not add new paperwork or mandates for districts. Supporters included education leaders, disability advocates, vocational rehabilitation, and special education professionals; there was no opposition. Members raised questions about parent understanding of IEPs, monitoring and enforcement, funding, charter school coverage, and the treatment of gifted and twice-exceptional students. The bill passed on a do-pass motion with unanimous support from those present.

Transcript Highlights:

• Usually, it's what I've seen is the ideas are the killer of programs, not the outcome of programs.
• And we've added on top of a lot of different programs and, ...on top of a lot of different programs and
• We have antiquated programs within how we do funding.
• We have antiquated programs within how we do funding.
• So he went back into that that program.

Committee: House Education

Summary: The committee heard testimony from Representative Josh Tanner, the House co-chair of JFAC, on state budgeting and education funding. Tanner argued Idaho has a spending problem driven by policy decisions and supplementals, said education funding should be judged by outcomes rather than inputs, and criticized what he described as declining test results, enrollment shifts, and loopholes in the funding formula, including students allegedly being counted for sports participation without attending class. He also questioned heavy technology spending in classrooms and said many programs should be reexamined for return on investment. Members responded by asking for more information from LSO and the Impact Team on how the school funding formula and support units work, and several suggested the committee should better educate itself before making changes. Tanner agreed that the formula is complicated and supported more analysis, audits, and possible sunset provisions or other mechanisms to force policy review. He also said JFAC analysts can help members understand the budget and that the committee should look backward at existing programs, not just forward at new ones. The discussion broadened to whether the state has a spending problem or a revenue problem, with Tanner pointing to growth in supplemental spending, Medicaid, corrections, and uncertainty around federal conformity costs, while noting education had not been targeted for cuts. Members raised concerns about mental health resources, school climate, and the need to listen to local school boards and parents. The meeting ended with the chair saying he would gather the needed materials for the committee’s upcoming discussion with JFAC, and the committee adjourned without taking a vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• For a layoff program are eligible for benefits.
• As part of that process, ETS offered a severance program to reduce the staff.
• As part of that process, ETS offered a severation program to reduce the staff.
• I entered the separation program in good faith. I remained available to work.
• I entered the separation program in good faith. I remained available to work.

Bills: HB2107 , HB2137 , HB2243 , HB2264

Committee: House Labor & Workplace Standards

Keywords: construction safety, hazard notification, worksite regulations, labor safety, state law, law enforcement, correctional officers, interest arbitration, collective bargaining, public safety, workers' compensation, healthcare providers, physical therapy, occupational therapy, employment, unemployment insurance, benefits, layoffs, workforce reduction, 904

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a point of pride, and that program is working and producing real results.
• And that's to bolster after-school and summer school programs.
• And we have a College Corps program in this state. You have funded. Thank you.
• Through all of these programs, through all of these targeted tax credits, these rebates and program expansions
• Through all of these programs, through all of these targeted tax credits, these rebates and program expanses

Summary: The joint convention convened to receive Governor Gavin Newsom’s final State of the State address, with legislative leaders introducing the Governor and welcoming constitutional officers, judges, and other guests. The proceedings opened with a moment of silence honoring Renee Nicole Good and other immigrants affected by detention and due process concerns. After introductory remarks from the Speaker, Senate President pro Tem Monique Limón, and Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, Governor Newsom delivered a wide-ranging address reflecting on his administration and California’s response to recent crises. The Governor highlighted California’s economic performance, tax structure, minimum wage increases, education funding, child care and school meal investments, housing reforms, apprenticeships, infrastructure projects, clean energy progress, and efforts on homelessness, mental health, and public safety. He also discussed state action on artificial intelligence regulation, climate resilience, insurance reform, and wildfire recovery, while sharply criticizing the federal government and President Trump on immigration, health care, food aid, disaster response, and other issues. He announced that his upcoming budget would include major education spending, a five-year extension of the CalCompete tax credit, additional community school funding, a rebuilding fund for fire survivors, and other policy proposals. At the close of the address, the Legislature formally ordered the Governor’s State of the State speech printed in the journal as a special appendix. The joint convention then adjourned sine die.

Transcript Highlights:

• And there are, last count, about over 32,000 folks utilizing this program.
• parity across programs because our workers operate across multiple programs.
• That's not how any other program I've ever seen does.
• The state general fund program has a limited service menu.
• There is also the what-if around needing to backfill other programs or services.

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Florida Forever is the state's premier conservation and recreation land acquisition program.
• This milestone comes as the program celebrates its 25th anniversary.
• PFOA by John Truitt, Deputy Secretary of Regulatory Programs, is here from DEP. Mr.
• We have state-funded cleanup programs with landfills and everything else.
• It's just like the program that we do for individual wells and things like that.

Committee: Senate Environment and Natural Resources

Summary: The committee first received a Department of Environmental Protection presentation on Florida Forever and the sale or exchange of conservation lands. DEP described Florida Forever as the state’s main conservation land acquisition program, funded in recent years at high levels, and said most acquisitions since 2019 have been within the Florida Wildlife Corridor. The presentation also explained the legal process for disposing of conservation lands: requests are reviewed by the Acquisitions and Restoration Council, then the governor and cabinet decide whether land is no longer needed for conservation or whether an exchange provides a net conservation benefit. Senator Smith asked several questions about recent land-swap proposals, public notice, political influence, and whether any transactions had bypassed the usual sequence; DEP said applications can be withdrawn before ARC review, notice is posted seven days in advance, and the council and cabinet are the decision-makers. Senator Harrington asked about the difference between Florida Forever land sales and water management district surplus lands, and DEP said the reported 2.3 acres sold referred only to Florida Forever-funded projects. The committee then heard presentations from the Department of Health and DEP on PFAS and PFOA. DOH outlined what PFAS are, their common uses, possible health impacts, and ways Floridians can reduce exposure, including water filtration and avoiding certain products. DOH said it conducts well investigations, health consultations, fish consumption advisories, and monitoring in coordination with DEP and FWC. DEP followed with a more technical overview of PFAS regulation and cleanup, explaining federal testing and drinking-water standards, Florida’s provisional cleanup levels, and the state’s response at contaminated sites, including bottled water and filtration for affected residents. Senators asked about testing requirements for public systems and private wells, disposal of used filters, and how federal rulemaking and litigation could affect Florida’s standards; DEP said public systems are required to test under EPA monitoring rules, private wells are not directly required to test, and Florida may adopt its own standards if federal action does not occur by the statutory deadline. Finally, the committee took up SB 150, which would designate the flamingo as the state bird and the scrub jay as the state songbird. The sponsor argued the bill better reflects Florida’s identity and conservation values, noting the flamingo’s iconic status and the scrub jay’s status as a Florida-only species. Members asked lighthearted questions about mockingbirds, flamingo color, and feeding costs, and an appearance card was filed in support by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The committee debated the bill briefly and then passed SB 150 favorably by roll call vote, with all members present voting yes except Senator DiCeglie, who was excused.