Transcript Highlights:

• You're absolutely right that the challenges of creating a new type of service in Kentucky, a new child
• </c><00:25:09.160><c> that's</c> about that about technology that's about that about technology that's
• </c> outdoor child care services. Um Mr. outdoor child care services. Um Mr.
• We can focus the services and be much more effective.
• and be much We can focus the services and be much more<00:53:39.880><c> effective.

Committee: Senate Families & Children

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• couple wind farms in my district and wind projects to the north, and we would like to have this technology
• available and installed on those farms so that This technology available and installed on those farms
• A lot of these wind towers, when they were originally built, they did not have the technology and the
• The technology may not have been there when they built some of the towers. That's true.
• I think they've got technology within the farm that detects the plane within, what is it, 1,000 feet

Committee: House Utilities

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have our labor and technology chair Aino, Judiciary Chair Rose, WAM Chair Dela Cruz, staff and
• We also have our labor and technology<00:02:43.599><c> chair</c><00:02:43.840><c> Aino</c><00:02:44.400
• ><c> Judiciary</c><00:02:44.879><c> Chair</c> technology chair Aino Judiciary Chair technology chair
• The bill prohibits the use of facial recognition software, biometric identification technology, photo
• clarifies that this prohibition does not apply to automated license plate readers or non-biometric technologies

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The conference committees met several times on April 25, 2025, to resolve a number of bills, often delaying items until later in the day because of missing FIN/WAM releases or lack of quorum. Early in the day, SB 382 was discussed briefly but not advanced because finance would not release it. HB 1064, relating to the state fire marshal, was taken up and approved after conferees confirmed a $2,212,000 appropriation for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to fund eight positions in the Department of Law Enforcement. Members thanked the many agencies, staff, and advocates involved, and the bill passed by unanimous votes of those present. Several other measures were rolled over to later conference-room meetings, including HB 423 on workers’ compensation, HB 214 on government, HB 1036, HB 1037, and HB 1039 on public employment cost items, SB 828 on workers’ compensation medical benefits, SB 717 on collective bargaining, and HB 286 on the individual housing account program, all pending FIN/WAM release or further agreement. A larger housing agenda was also postponed to 4:30 p.m. in Room 225, including bills on housing, transportation, transient accommodations development, rental housing revolving funds, dwelling unit revolving funds, and low-income housing credit. At the later transportation and housing sessions, HB 1231 was adopted as a conference draft establishing a $5 county motor vehicle registration surcharge for the Safe Routes to School special fund and clarifying rules for automated enforcement citations and liability. HB 4209 on transit-oriented development also passed; it defined transit-oriented development, created a mixed-income subaccount in the rental housing revolving fund, and authorized HCDA to use the definition in planning. HB 1298 on housing passed with amendments to support a government employee housing program tied to a transit-oriented development site, including funding for planning and an HHFC position. HB 830 on historic preservation reviews also passed with amendments limiting third-party review to residential or mixed-use development and setting staggered effective dates. Later, SB 662 on transportation passed with amendments authorizing county police officers to enforce the statewide traffic code on public streets, roadways, and highways. Several other bills remained pending and were recessed for later consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> deserves these services under IDEA. deserves these services under IDEA.
• </c> &gt;&gt; debt service. &gt;&gt; debt service. &gt;&gt; service.<01:08:38.200><c> Yes.
• Um so, that would now that &gt;&gt; service. Yes.
• </c> they're going to pay the debt service they're going to pay the debt service and<01:13:50.520><c>
• Routes to contracted service capacity.

Bills: HB1890 , HB1888 , HB1676

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: teacher pay, teacher salaries, salary step increase, annual increment, longevity step, public school teachers, public charter school teachers, collective bargaining, Hawaii Department of Education, teacher retention, teacher recruitment, cost of living, educator compensation, public employee bargaining, appropriation, salary schedule, school staffing, teacher shortage, HB1888, Hawaii

Summary: The committees heard three measures, beginning with HB 1890 HD3, which would provide automatic step increases and a COVID-era retention bonus for teachers. Supporters included HSTA, the Democratic Party’s Education Caucus, and a student who said higher pay and predictable salary growth would help retain teachers in Hawaii. The Department of Education supported the intent but asked that the bill be expanded to cover all department employees. The Attorney General’s office said the draft needed clarification to avoid conflict with Chapter 89 and to make clear any funding was subject to legislative appropriation. The Office of the Public Defender and B&F testified in opposition, and committee members questioned whether the step increases were already in the current contract and whether the bill was needed. HSTA said the current contract includes automatic step increases subject to funding, but argued the bill was still needed because funding is not guaranteed and the measure would codify the policy. HSTA also said the COVID bonus would apply only to active teachers who worked during the pandemic and estimated the total cost at roughly $150 million to $200 million over four years. No vote was taken in the portion provided. The committee then took up HB 1888 HD3, which would require DOE and charter schools to report harassment incidents and strengthen penalties for harassment of educational workers from a petty misdemeanor to a misdemeanor. DOE supported the bill and suggested narrowing language about assisting workers with temporary restraining orders, saying that function would be better handled through the Attorney General’s pilot program. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing the harassment language was overly broad, vague, and potentially unconstitutional, and that existing assault and terroristic threatening statutes already protect educational workers. HSTA, the State Commission on the Status of Women, and several individual testifiers supported the measure, describing increased intimidation and harassment of teachers and other school staff, especially since COVID. The Special Education Advisory Council opposed the bill’s language on “disrupting and interfering” with school functions, saying it could chill parents of students with IEPs from advocating for their children. Testimony was split, with the chair noting 20 in support and 16 in opposition in the portion shown. A final witness, Michelle Pestana, testified in opposition based on her family’s experience with special education services, describing alleged seclusion and restraint of her daughter and expressing concern that DOE testimony in prior hearings had targeted special education parents. Her remarks were cut off as time expired. The transcript ends before any committee action or vote on HB 1888 was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• They do provide services to the community.
• So this is recreation; you don't get a service, you don't get a product.
• My understanding is this is a tax on services, right?
• So it's not a service; it's just a license to enter.
• It actually is a service being provided by somebody at the place.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Revenue

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a hybrid hearing on 17 miscellaneous and late-file bills, with testimony focused on several local tax and policy measures. The first major item was H. 4687 for Watertown, which would make permanent a temporary tax classification adjustment allowing the city to maintain a 50% minimum residential factor and a 175% commercial shift. Watertown officials and legislators said the change is needed because the city’s commercial growth has triggered an old statutory formula that would otherwise push a larger share of the tax burden onto homeowners, especially seniors and fixed-income residents. They said the current temporary relief expires in fiscal 2027 and warned that, without permanent action, residential tax bills could rise sharply; committee members asked about the regional business impact, commercial taxpayers such as Alexandria Real Estate, and Watertown’s stabilization and free cash balances. The committee also heard H. 4435, a Charlemont bill authorizing a tax on commercial recreation services. Town officials said the measure would help a small rural town with a large tourism and recreation economy cover increased police, fire, and EMS costs caused by visitors, while reducing pressure on local property taxpayers. A committee member questioned whether the proposal fit within existing tax law and whether it was more like a tax on entry than on services; town witnesses responded that it would apply to recreation-related services such as guides and lifts and was modeled on the meals and rooms tax. Finally, testimony was taken on H. 4722, which would promote fair tax treatment for zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, including electric school buses and trucks, by capping sales and excise taxes at the level of comparable diesel vehicles. Supporters said the bill would remove an unintended tax penalty, help school districts and transportation providers afford electrification, and remain revenue-neutral. Representative Gentile also testified in support of H. 4722 and H. 4755, a Sudbury bill to amend the town’s means-tested senior citizen property tax exemption so the local program can continue without requiring a new special act if it lapses. No votes were taken; the hearing concluded after testimony and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• It simply ensures retirees are not financially devastated by their service-related illnesses.
• Of service to their communities. Just a couple of questions, Senator Middleton.
• Department of Family and Protective Services shortfall.
• For a state program known as SHARS, School Health and Related Services.
• This is a unique program because it bridges both health services and special education services to students

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We just may not know their name for getting service in the old fashion way.
• through the service or communication method that they used to contact the victim.
• So that's a service. It's down after the petition has already filed.
• But oftentimes adult protective services will be notified and that a DR Project, Protective Services,
• We went to all service members, veterans alike. That was great.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• went to our farming partners, and we decided to upgrade our planting equipment to some precision technology
• So it was really fun to see 10 years of advancing technologies and changing our farming practices to
• to adopt no-till and strip-till practices, I want you to be aware that the reliance on precision technology
• Because tillage usually eradicates the weeds, that our reliance on GMO and Roundup technologies is just
• you said,... because tillage usually eradicates the weeds, that our reliance on GMO and Roundup technologies

Committee: Senate Agricultural Affairs

Summary: The Agricultural Committee held its first meeting of the session with member introductions, welcome remarks, and introductions of two committee pages. The chair also noted that committee rules would be reviewed later and that the session would likely be busy. No formal legislation was considered or voted on at this meeting. The main presentation focused on Idaho’s sugar beet industry. Growers described sharply lower crop prices, rising input costs, and the resulting strain on farm finances, especially for small and family farms. They said the downturn is largely tied to federal sugar policy and trade issues rather than state policy, and emphasized that reduced farm income will also hurt rural businesses and communities. Committee members asked about the volatility of sugar prices and whether any Idaho-level changes could help. A second presentation highlighted regenerative agriculture practices such as strip-till, cover crops, and manure application. The speaker argued these methods can improve soil health, reduce costs, and conserve water, while also noting that cover crops may be cut back when farm finances tighten. Members asked about cover crop choices and whether similar practices are used internationally. The final presentation from Amalgamated Sugar explained the federal sugar program, the role of import controls and loan rates, and why the company believes the current system is failing because of excess imports, inflation, and an outdated high-tier duty. The presenter said the industry is working with federal officials to raise the duty, improve demand estimates, and protect domestic sugar production and food security.

Transcript Highlights:

• is a very first beginning here in North Dakota law to start taking a look at the advancements of technology
• able to move forward, continue to use what we're using now, and put guardrails on future use of technology
• because not only will people come up with new ways of doing things, customizing them, but also technology
• move forward, and we're going to have to keep working this to kind of manage the law around as new technology
• So that was my goal, a basis on which we can continue to build as new technology comes, and we'll look

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard House Bill 1582, a study bill on false accusations and false reports of a crime. The sponsor argued the issue is broad but important, citing concerns about weaponized accusations in custody, civil, and political disputes and saying the study should gather statistics on how often these offenses are charged and prosecuted. Testimony in support came from the Commission on Legal Counsel for Indigents and the North Dakota Association for Justice, both describing cases where false domestic-violence allegations or false reports caused arrests, jail time, and court burdens, while noting the difficulty of finding statistics or examples of prosecutions. Members questioned the bill’s scope, and the committee amended it to narrow the study to North Dakota Century Code Chapter 12.1 before giving it a do pass recommendation by roll call vote. The committee then took up House Bill 1613, which addresses autonomous vehicles, robots, and law enforcement use of technology. The sponsor explained the amendment was intended to create definitions for autonomous, remote, lethal, and less-than-lethal systems, while preserving current law enforcement tools such as body cameras, license plate readers, and other cameras, and requiring warrants or use-of-force policies in certain situations. Testimony and discussion focused on ensuring humans remain involved in decisions to deploy weapons, limiting autonomous use of lethal force, and clarifying how drones and other devices could be used for surveillance or emergency response. After discussion of concerns from law enforcement, technology, and other stakeholders, the committee adopted the amendment and then passed the bill as amended by roll call vote. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 1499, which would make home addresses and telephone numbers of federal judges, magistrate judges, and U.S. Supreme Court justices confidential under state open-records law. The sponsor and the Attorney General’s office said the bill would extend protections already given to state judges and other justice-system employees, noting increased threats to judges and explaining that federal law does not fully protect these records in state files. With no opposition offered, the committee gave the bill a do pass recommendation and then adjourned after noting it had completed action on all 122 bills before it, with only two conference committees remaining.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chris Nero is the associate dean for administrative services.
• Prior to me being in this position, I was the associate dean for student services.
• Shared services. Tons of questions about this, but the list really is endless.
• The next one is NDSU, and they do all of our payroll services.
• She's our director of student services. I'll have Bridget Gustafson come in here.

Committee: Joint Higher Education Institutions Committee

Summary: The committee met at Dakota College at Bottineau, approved the January 15, 2026 minutes, and heard a campus presentation from Dean Corey Gorder and President Steve Shirley. Gorder outlined DCB’s leadership changes, its affiliation with Minot State, and extensive shared services with Minot State, UND, and NDSU in areas such as business office functions, financial aid, payroll, HR, Title IX, printing, and institutional research. He said shared services help smaller campuses access expertise, and committee members asked about cost allocation and accreditation limits; Gorder said the arrangements are negotiated between institutions and that, to his understanding, academic accreditation is not affected by these service-sharing agreements. The committee also discussed DCB’s enrollment, dual credit reach, and program mix, including nursing, dental assisting and hygiene, paramedic training, drone certification, and farm management. Gorder said DCB wants to expand higher-demand, trade-oriented programs, strengthen Minot programming, and address facility needs, especially residence halls and space constraints in dental programs. Members asked detailed questions about dual credit, including how DCB develops relationships with high schools, whether it has exclusivity, who teaches the courses, and whether credits transfer. Gorder said relationships are built through outreach and existing school connections, that schools may choose other providers, and that DCB pays stipends to instructors under institution-specific formulas. NDUS staff Lisa Johnson said transfer problems are rare within North Dakota and usually arise only with highly selective out-of-state institutions. Gorder also noted that DCB’s dual credit and campus programming are heavily tied to rural schools and that the college is trying to streamline dual credit delivery as enrollment and staffing demands grow. The committee then heard from the North Dakota Student Association, whose representatives outlined student priorities from the last legislative session and the interim. Their main themes included campus safety, mental health resources, academic freedom, scholarships and affordability, teacher incentives, workforce readiness, housing, food accessibility, student research funding, internships, and campus collaboration. They said they supported or opposed various bills related to those issues during the 69th Legislative Assembly and emphasized that students want affordable, safe, and academically strong campuses. Committee members asked about housing affordability, food insecurity, research opportunities, and dual credit transfer and expansion. No votes were taken on policy matters during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• And without action, we risk devastating service cuts to this system.
• Armed Service members deployed overseas cast their ballots.
• In 2018, the Electronic Transmission Service was narrowed into the DOD FACS service, which allowed military
• As we know, the Postal Service announced that it would terminate mail service to several countries, including
• of the Federal Voting Assistance FACS Service.

Summary: The committee met on June 17, 2026, beginning without a quorum and initially proceeding as a subcommittee. Members heard several Senate bills, with testimony focused mainly on redistricting, Bay Area transit funding, and military/overseas voting access. The chair also announced committee membership changes and that SB 1369 had been pulled by the author. Written testimony was accepted through the committee portal, and public testimony was limited by the chair’s rules. SB 1414 by Senator Reyes would create an independent redistricting commission for San Bernardino County. Supporters, including Inland Empire United, Common Cause, and the League of Women Voters, argued the bill would improve transparency and reduce political influence in map drawing. Opponents, including San Bernardino County and several local government/election groups, said the county’s existing advisory commission already provided substantial public input and raised concerns about cost. The bill was moved do pass as amended and re-referred to Local Government, with one no vote from Assembly Member Lackey; it was later taken off call and passed 6-1. SB 830 by Senator Wiener made technical changes to the administration of the Bay Area regional transit sales tax measure authorized by SB 63, including uniform ballot naming and county-specific ballot arguments. Support came from labor, transit, business, and advocacy groups, who said the bill would help voters understand the measure and protect transit funding. Members emphasized the Bay Area’s transit funding crisis and the need for local action. The bill passed do pass as amended, 5-1, and was later recorded as out 6-0 on call. The committee also approved a consent calendar containing six bills. SB 970 by Senator Cervantes addressed military and overseas voting after the federal discontinuation of the Department of Defense fax service used for ballot return. Supporters, including county election officials and local government organizations, said California needed a secure replacement to avoid disenfranchising service members and overseas voters. The Secretary of State’s office and Verified Voting raised security concerns and suggested a task force or more detailed standards, but the author and supporters argued the bill was urgent and should direct the Secretary of State to develop secure regulations. The bill passed do pass and was re-referred to Military and Veteran Affairs, and the meeting adjourned after all agenda items were completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• staff presenters, and all who are watching live from TVW, to the Senate Environment, Energy, and Technology
• utility with an emerging large energy use facility, which I'll be referring to as a data center, in its service
• appointed by the governor must have expertise with Bonneville Power Administration transmission services
• appointed by the governor must have expertise with Bonneville Power Administration transmission services
• priority, rather than the purpose, of WITA is to maintain or improve the reliability of electric service

Bills: SB6124 , SB6171 , SB6284 , SB5609 , SB6172 , SB6246 , SB5932 , SB6269 , SB6223 , SB5975

Committee: Senate Environment, Energy & Technology

Keywords: appliance affordability, cost index, energy efficiency, consumer protection, Washington state, energy facilities, large energy consumers, regulation, environment, sustainability, artificial intelligence, data privacy, technological impacts, cultural resources, land use, environmental policy, exemptions, state laws, Washington climate policy, greenhouse gas

Transcript Highlights:

• There was a report from the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, and they had mentioned that
• So it is, in a sense, a payment for service or work. And I think that's valid.
• quality health care and we have seen firsthand the problems that Arise when patients are not provided services
• Chair, it's been a conversation that we've had with the leadership at the Health and Human Services Center
• agree with Senator Ramos in terms of really having a unified, collaborative effort to have these services

Bills: SB106 , SB171 , SB179

Committee: Senate Senate Education

Keywords: graduate scholarship, higher education funding, New Mexico, appropriation, financial aid, education, documentary, historical figure, Padre Antonio Jose Martinez, Northern New Mexico State School, SB179, Senate Bill 179, UNM, University of New Mexico, medical Spanish, Spanish-language curriculum, health sciences, health professions education, language access, bilingual healthcare

Transcript Highlights:

• funds, and then it looks like, again, to assist in preservation and maintenance of the USDA Forest Service
• They've applied for funding for a National Park Service underrepresented community grant to hire a consultant
• That is a grant that they will apply for from the National Park Service that we can use again for local
• install exhibits, address maintenance challenges, fabricate exhibit components, fix aging exhibition technology
• record, my name is Jennifer Sheet, and I'm the Division Chief for the Fiscal and Administrative Services

Bills: HB1603

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Keywords: Native American, grave protection, repatriation, cultural heritage, tribal compliance, 908, all

Summary: The Appropriations Committee met with a quorum and announced it would begin meeting at 8 a.m. for the rest of the week to work through a growing bill list. The committee first approved House Bill 1603, a companion to the Historical Society budget dealing with NAGPRA, including a $500,000 matching grant to be divided among North Dakota’s five tribes and a committee to address repatriation of human remains and cultural items. The vote was unanimous, 15-0. The committee then considered House Bill 1225, which would increase penalties for reckless endangerment involving a firearm and create a mandatory prison term. After debate over public safety concerns versus the bill’s fiscal note and prison costs, the committee adopted a do not pass recommendation by a 9-6-1 vote. Members also discussed House Bill 1018, the State Historical Society budget, and approved an amendment that adjusted one-time funding items, including NAGPRA compliance, museum exhibits, military gallery funding, local historic grants, and line-of-credit repayment. The amended bill then received a due pass recommendation by a 14-2 vote. The committee next approved House Bill 1468, a behavioral health facility grant for St. Hayes, which supporters said would expand in-state access to acute and adolescent behavioral health care and reduce the need to send patients out of state. The bill passed 14-1. It then amended and passed House Bill 1485, increasing the personal needs allowance for certain Medicaid recipients by $15 and indexing it to inflation; the amendment and the bill as amended both passed 14-2. Finally, the committee approved House Bill 1016, the Adjutant General/National Guard budget, after adopting an amendment that funded disaster relief, response equipment, IT and website costs, and staffing changes for the watch center; the amended bill passed 14-2. The committee adjourned after completing six bills and planned to resume the next morning at 8 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF FLORIDA. I AM GEORGE HARPER, A RESIDENT OF ST.
• RESIDENTS DESIRE AND NEED THAT HAVE NO COST IMPLICATIONS TO RESIDENTS OR TO THE PROVIDERS WHO DELIVER SERVICES
• IT'S A REAL FINE BALANCE THERE BECAUSE THE EFFICIENCIES IN THE TECHNOLOGY ADVANCEMENTS, THE INNOVATION
• YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD, PLEASE. >> MY NAME IS JASON MITCHELL WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES
• INCLUDES PERMISSIVE LANGUAGE ALLOWING THE CFO OFFICE TO MAKE ORAL READING ESTABLISHMENTS IN THE HEALTH SERVICE

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm specifically in what's called the global high-tech group, which contains our collateral technologies
• There’s also another technology called CMP, which is chemical mechanical planarization, because when
• fab that we suspected was having water losses within their operation, and with a lot of our key technologies

Bills: SB1041

Committee: Senate Natural Resources

Keywords: electronic monitoring, nursing care, assisted living, resident rights, privacy, consent, surveillance, 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Services started around 9:45 in the morning, but people tend to trickle into Shabbat morning services
• Thank you so much for your service. In the prosecuting space, they're going to me.
• Thank you so much for your service. In the prosecution's case, we need fairness and justice.
• No other faith community has to hire security guards to attend to its hands-on social services.
• I'm working in school technology. I was born in Israel and I have family.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The meeting focused on the commission’s work addressing antisemitism in Massachusetts, including security, education, victim services, and legal responses. A major presentation came from former federal prosecutor Eric O’Sham, who described the 2018 Tree of Life synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh, the attack’s planning and execution, the 11 victims killed, the defendant’s white supremacist and antisemitic online activity, the federal prosecution, and the long aftermath for the victim community. Commissioners asked about prevention, radicalization online, security for houses of worship, and how to support victims; O’Sham emphasized the limits of law enforcement when speech is protected, the importance of public education, security grants, and victim-witness support. The commission also heard from Ariel Holman of Agudath Israel, who described a wide range of antisemitic incidents affecting Orthodox Jews, including assaults, threats, vandalism, school harassment, and zoning barriers, and urged expanded security personnel grants, mental health resources, kosher food access, and support for synagogue development. Other speakers included advocates and local officials who supported Holocaust education, the planned Boston Holocaust Museum, cemetery protection, and broader public education efforts, while some public commenters criticized the commission’s focus or raised concerns about definitions of antisemitism and free speech. The meeting concluded with approval of prior meeting minutes and the start of public comment, which was limited to three minutes per speaker due to time constraints.

Transcript Highlights:

• And because we didn't have Bluetooth or any other technology, that's the only place we could do it.
• Bluetooth or And because we didn't have Bluetooth or any<00:04:25.600><c> other</c><00:04:25.760><c> technology
• ,</c><00:04:26.320><c> that's</c><00:04:26.520><c> the</c><00:04:26.600><c> only</c> any other technology
• , that's the only any other technology, that's the only place<00:04:27.000><c> we</c><00:04:27.120><c

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• combinations of all those physical features I just mentioned, with increasingly electronic safety technology
• To this new technology that's going to keep, you know, evolving probably to the point someday where these
• Would have to be included in the inspection of vehicles that have that modern technology incorporated
• And to know that other states are also practicing this with the technology of autonomous vehicles.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• starting their shopping experience for homes these days online, we've had a big transition with technology
• starting their shopping experience for homes these days online, we've had a big transition with technology
• manufacturing sector by strengthening coordination, promoting the industry, and addressing workforce and technology
• workforce gaps for small manufacturers, and fund workforce training programs that incorporate new technologies

Summary: The Housing, Agriculture, and Tourism Subcommittee heard five bills and reported all of them favorably. House Bill 827, by Rep. Anderson, would require online real estate listings to disclose estimated ad valorem taxes based on the listing price rather than the seller’s current taxes, to reduce surprise tax increases for homebuyers. The bill drew support from the Property Appraisers Association of Florida, the Florida League of Cities, and the Florida Association of Counties, and passed unanimously after a technical amendment. House Bill 483, by Rep. Cobb, aimed to support Florida’s manufacturing sector by formally recognizing the chief manufacturing officer, creating a workforce development grant program, launching a voluntary promotional campaign for Florida-made products and manufacturing careers, and requiring biennial reporting. The bill received broad support from manufacturing, economic development, and business groups, was amended with technical cleanup language, and passed unanimously. House Bill 675, by Leader Driscoll, sought to expand affordable housing efforts by limiting Live Local Act incentives to affordable housing, extending affordability periods from 30 to 50 years, lowering the income cap for eligible units, and eliminating documentary stamp taxes for certain first-time homebuyers. After two amendments and supportive testimony from United Way Suncoast, the bill passed on a party-line style roll call with all members voting yes or excused. House Bill 495, by Rep. Albert, transferred golf course best management practices certification from the Department of Environmental Protection to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services without changing the underlying BMP requirements. After an amendment clarified that all BMPs remain in place, the Florida Golf Course Superintendents Association testified in support, and the bill passed unanimously. House Bill 1497, by Rep. Hunschofsky, revised the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program by narrowing eligibility to lower-income associations, removing a coastal-only requirement, and tying grants to completion of opening protection for all common elements; two amendments further refined eligibility and grandfathered pending applications. The Community Associations Institute supported the measure, and it also passed unanimously. The committee ended with remarks about the prior night’s softball game and then adjourned.