Transcript Highlights:

• Uh you can point to poverty. Uh number. Uh you can point to poverty.
• </c> were not supplanting those federal were not supplanting those federal funds.<00:43:02.400><c> Federal
• Federal funds stay with federal, funds.
• Federal funds stay with federal, state<00:43:04.640><c> with</c><00:43:04.800><c> state.
• </c> identity according to your guidelines? identity according to your guidelines?

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call – 0:00:04 Approval of Minutes – 0:03:57 United Way of Southern Kentucky –0:04:30 Preschool Education – 0:36:46 School Safety Updates – 1:01:41 Kentucky Association of School Superintendents – 1:41:47 Educational Cooperatives – 1:55:18 Adjournment – 2:07:37, 958, all

Summary: The committee opened its sixth meeting of the 2025 Interim Joint Committee on Education, confirmed a quorum, recorded attendance votes, and approved the minutes. Chair Lewis reminded presenters to keep remarks brief because of the full agenda and limited time. The first presentation was from United Way of Southern Kentucky, with Anne Puckett, Craig Browning, and Warren County Schools Superintendent Rob Clayton introducing a regional early childhood initiative. The presenters argued that kindergarten readiness and early childhood support are critical to later academic and life outcomes. They cited research and statistics about brain development in the first five years, the effects of unprepared kindergarten entry, and links between low literacy, school discipline, dropout rates, and incarceration. They said their region’s readiness scores fell during COVID and after a tornado, and that the most effective response was in-home parent education to help families support children from birth to age five. They described the model as voluntary, community-based, and not requiring new buildings, and said similar programs have been successful in Missouri. The group said it had already raised more than $1 million in private donations and committed three years of funding for four additional staff, expanding service in Allen, Logan, and Warren counties. They requested $600,000 per year for the next two-year budget cycle to add 12 more educators, serve about 360 families and 660 additional children, and build evidence for a possible statewide model. Members generally expressed support for the concept, with Representative Tipton and Representative Jackson discussing a prior home-based preschool pilot and the importance of starting early. Representative Calloway questioned whether increased family chaos and government involvement justified the approach; presenters responded that the program uses community educators, not a government-run organization, and is aimed at helping overwhelmed families. Representative Stalker asked about eligibility and early intervention, and presenters said the program serves children from birth to age five and can help identify needs early enough to connect families with services such as First Steps.

Transcript Highlights:

• issue with the federal thing.
• Let's move on to the federal part.
• It lays the groundwork for potential violations of federal law, 18 U.S.C.
• On poverty.
• Federal guidelines and processes are currently inconsistent for event organizers and rarely apply to

Summary: The Senate Public Safety Committee met without a quorum and operated as a subcommittee while hearing a long agenda of bills. Early items included AB 2605, which would require statewide reporting on public defense services; supporters said California lacks basic data on how indigent defense is delivered and that the bill would help identify under-resourced counties, while no opposition appeared. AB 1650 would require rental vehicles used in law enforcement operations to display agency identification; supporters framed it as a transparency and community-trust measure in response to immigration enforcement tactics, while sheriffs and police groups opposed it unless amended, arguing it could compromise undercover and task-force operations and raise legal and indemnification concerns. AB 1930 would require notice to the Attorney General before business entities respond to subpoenas involving legally protected abortion or gender-affirming care information; supporters said it protects patient privacy and provider safety, while opponents raised constitutional, law-enforcement, and business-burden concerns. The committee also heard AB 458, directing state procurement guidelines for firearms and accessories so agencies buy from responsible vendors, with support from police chiefs, gun-violence prevention groups, and local officials, and no opposition testimony offered. The committee then heard AB 1588 on sideshows and street takeovers, which would update the definition of sideshows, include motorcycles and dirt bikes, and align penalties with street racing. Supporters, including police, city, transportation, and road-safety advocates, said the bill responds to dangerous events, property damage, and injuries; opponents from civil liberties and public defender groups argued higher fines and criminal penalties are ineffective and disproportionately harm low-income people, favoring roadway design and community-based prevention instead. AB 910, the Survivors Act, would expand affirmative defenses and vacature relief for survivors of trafficking, intimate partner violence, and sexual violence; supporters, including a survivor who described decades of abuse and wrongful conviction, said the bill gives survivors a chance to tell their stories and seek relief, while district attorneys opposed expanding relief to violent offenses and warned it could erase restitution and undermine victims’ rights. AB 2624 would expand Safe at Home confidentiality protections to immigrant service providers, employees, and volunteers; supporters described threats, doxxing, and harassment against immigrant-serving organizations, while opponents claimed the bill was prompted by investigative reporting on fraud and would chill journalism and transparency. The committee also heard AB 31, making the tribal police pilot program permanent and creating a missing and murdered Indigenous persons task force, which drew strong support from tribal representatives and no opposition. Later, AB 1959 sought to close a resentencing loophole tied to a 2001 Santana High School shooting case by restoring judicial discretion in resentencing for certain juvenile offenders; supporters said the current process can lead to automatic release even after parole denial, while opposition testimony began with concerns that the bill was responding to one case and lacked broader evidence. Throughout the hearing, members repeatedly noted they supported several bills but could not formally vote because the committee lacked a quorum, so motions were held for later action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sarah Brennan with the Whiteman Group on behalf of Supply Chain Federation and opposition.
• Gresia Roscoe, on behalf of the Center on Race, Poverty & the Environment, in support.
• What I know is that Yucca Valley, the federal government, it's been 30 years now.
• What I know that the Yucca Valley, the federal government, it's been 30 years now.
• Greis Yarosco with the Center on Race, Poverty, and the Environment, in opposition.

Summary: The committee heard a long series of bills, beginning with AB 2026 on groundwater recharge. The author and supporters said the bill would streamline permitting for recharge projects, codify long-standing CEQA exemptions for flood diversions to recharge, and add tribal consultation and other guardrails. Water agencies and local districts supported the measure as a way to capture high-flow water and reduce groundwater subsidence, while environmental groups and some irrigation districts opposed it, warning that the bill’s exemptions and broader diversion authority could harm rivers, Delta resources, and public trust values. The bill was discussed but not voted on because the committee lacked a quorum at that point. The committee then took up AB 1577 on data center energy accountability, which would require monthly reporting of energy-use data and permit-related estimates of energy and water demand. The author and the Little Hoover Commission argued the bill would improve transparency, help protect ratepayers, and give regulators better information for grid planning. Data center industry representatives opposed it as duplicative, burdensome, and uniquely targeted, while local governments, environmental groups, and some utilities supported it or supported it if amended. The bill was later reported out with a due pass recommendation once a quorum was established. Members also heard AB 2245 on a producer responsibility program for lubricant products and containers, AB 2170 on CEQA language-access and environmental review protections for overburdened communities, AB 2059 on rural transportation and VMT mitigation, AB 1808 on Western Joshua tree permitting and fee relief, AB 2182 on industrial energy efficiency program changes, and AB 2231 on streamlining two hospital projects. Testimony was mixed on most of these bills: supporters emphasized affordability, local control, environmental justice, or project urgency, while opponents raised concerns about CEQA scope, regulatory duplication, costs, and environmental impacts. Several measures received due pass recommendations and roll-call votes, including AB 2170, AB 2059, AB 1808, AB 2182, and AB 2231, with some members voting no or not voting and some bills left open for absent members.

Transcript Highlights:

• poverty line.
• We really need to raise that grant amount at least up to the federal poverty line, and we really need
• Gross income before deductions must be below 200% of the federal poverty level, and net income after
• deductions must be below 100% of the federal poverty level.
• Poverty.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> kind of generational impacts of poverty kind of generational impacts of poverty which<00:13:11.040
• </c> families to help them get out of poverty families to help them get out of poverty to<00:13:32.160
• It addresses a trunk highway fund balance to fall within MNDOT's guidelines.
• </c> um to fall within MDOT's guidelines. um to fall within MDOT's guidelines.
• :27.359><c> that</c> some of this federal IT funding that some of this federal IT funding that will<00

Bills: HF2431 , HF2438 , HF2783 , HF1943

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: higher education, college affordability, student aid, state grants, North Star Promise, scholarships, financial aid, Minnesota State, University of Minnesota, Office of Higher Education, tuition relief, work-study, child care grants, hunger-free campus, food insecurity, student parents, pregnant students, parenting students, sexual misconduct, Title IX

Transcript Highlights:

• It is the core purpose of driving education for me is disrupting generational poverty.
• and purpose of directing our focus in the state of Florida to programs that disrupt generational poverty
• Are we aligning all of this with the federal government requirements to ensure that those students...
• Are we aligning all of this with the federal government requirements to ensure that those students at
• Additionally, the bill adjusts the guidelines for children's services council appointments, allowing

Summary: The committee took up a series of bills and amendments, reporting several measures favorably. Early in the meeting, CS for CS for SB 344 modernizing the Telecommunications Access System Act was approved without opposition. The committee then adopted amendments and passed CS for SB 714 on non-opioid advanced directives, CS for SB 738 updating child care and early learning provider regulation, CS for SB 756 revising health insurance coverage for individuals with developmental disabilities, and CS for CS for SB 1356 creating a Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases at FSU and a newborn genetic testing pilot. Later, the committee also approved CS for SB 1624 on higher education, CS for SB 1626 on child welfare, SB 178 on an agronomic study for emerging crops, SB 1162 on water access facilities and boat ramp parking, CS for CS for SB 958 creating a type 1 diabetes early detection program, CS for CS for SB 1402 expanding dropout retrieval eligibility, SB 774 requiring electronic transmission of certain court orders, SB 1516 creating an international aerospace innovation fund, and SB 994 revising driver education requirements. Most of these bills were reported favorably by roll call votes after brief explanations and, in several cases, amendments. Several measures drew substantive discussion and public testimony. CS for CS for SB 1624 prompted questions about replacing “minority” with “underrepresented,” the role of the Florida Department of Education’s Commission for Independent Education in overseeing private religious postsecondary institutions, and whether the changes could affect access for students at institutions such as FAMU and FIU. CS for CS for SB 1070 on ECGs for student athletes received extensive emotional testimony from parents and advocates describing children lost to sudden cardiac arrest and urging mandatory screenings; the sponsor said the bill would be cost-neutral for districts by encouraging partnerships with screening groups. SB 994 on driver education was discussed as a vehicle to add distracted driving instruction, and the sponsor agreed to work on that issue. SB 774 was presented as a response to a fatal delay in transmitting an ex parte order, with support from clerks and sheriffs. The most extended debate centered on SB 810 on stormwater management systems. The sponsor said the bill, as amended, would narrow annual inspections to infrastructure identified as vulnerable by MS4 entities, but the Florida League of Cities, Florida Association of Counties, and Florida Stormwater Association warned the proposal could impose major costs and duplicate existing MS4 permit requirements. Committee members questioned the fiscal impact, whether the bill would apply to FDOT or other entities, and whether annual inspections were feasible for large and small jurisdictions alike. Despite those concerns, the sponsor and several members emphasized flood prevention and public safety, and the bill remained under discussion with the sponsor indicating continued willingness to work with stakeholders.

Transcript Highlights:

• us to draw down more federal dollars.
• This is a federally mandated system.
• This year, many of our service providers are deeply concerned about the impacts of new federal guidelines
• Federal law does not allow you to have both SSI and federal foster care benefits; they get offset.
• poverty level.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There are more and more poverty, working poor.
• Existing federal law requires all cost sharing to count toward the MOOP.
• That the department has the tools to enforce both state and federal law.
• SB 1199 simply codifies what is already good federal law.
• Good afternoon, Linda Way with Western Center on Law and Poverty, in support.

Committee: Senate Health

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Simran Carr, with the Western Center on Law and Poverty, respectfully opposed. Thank you.
• Simran Carr, with the Western Center on Law and Poverty, in support.
• Additionally, it provides law enforcement with guidelines on how to protect worshippers.
• of Los Angeles, the Jewish Federation of Greater Santa Barbara, Jewish Silicon Valley, Jewish Federation
• Jewish Labor Committee, Oakland Jewish Alliance, Jewish Federation of San Diego, Jewish Federation of

Summary: The committee heard several public safety bills and took action on multiple measures. AB 1662 by Assemblymember Wilson, which would require notice to the DMV when a defendant receives diversion in certain driving-related cases so points can still be assessed administratively, drew support from law enforcement, district attorneys, AAA, and road safety advocates, with opposition from the Western Center on Law and Poverty. The bill passed on a due pass motion to Transportation and was held on call. AB 1741 by Assemblymember Pacheco, as amended, would allow sexual battery committed during an unlawful residential intrusion to be charged as a wobbler; prosecutors and victim advocates supported it, while public defender organizations argued existing law already covers the conduct and warned the bill was overbroad. It passed due pass as amended to Appropriations and was held on call. AB 2760 by Assemblymember Sharp Collins would let counties with an Office of Inspector General expand that office’s oversight to probation and animal control departments. Supporters, including the author, an Ella Baker Center representative, and San Diego County Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe, said it would improve transparency and help counties lacking capacity. Probation officials and Fresno County opposed, citing existing oversight structures and concerns about conflicts, confidentiality, and duplication. The bill passed due pass to Local Government, with some no votes, and was held on call. AB 1753 by Assemblymember Wix, the Survivor Pathways to Safety Act, would strengthen firearm relinquishment and protection-order enforcement, expand firearm prohibitions for certain threats and violations, and broaden remote hearing and notification provisions. Support came from gun violence prevention, victim, medical, and law enforcement groups; gun rights organizations opposed on due process grounds. It passed due pass as amended to Judiciary and was held on call. The committee also heard AB 1743 by Assemblymember Wix, which would allow local governments and certain universities to request firearm trace data from DOJ for research and policy purposes. Supporters said the data would help identify trafficking patterns and inform evidence-based policy, while opponents warned about privacy, misuse, and stigmatizing lawful dealers. The bill passed due pass to Appropriations and was held on call. AB 2164, the Care Without Fear Act, would strengthen California’s shield-law protections for reproductive health care providers against extradition and related enforcement; supporters framed it as protecting lawful care in California, while opponents raised concerns about abortion and gender-affirming care and due process. It passed due pass to Judiciary and was held open. AB 2664, the Safe Worship Zone Act, would create a narrow buffer around houses of worship to prevent harassment of people entering or exiting; faith-based and anti-hate groups supported it, while civil liberties and some community groups opposed it as an unconstitutional speech restriction. The bill passed due pass to Appropriations and was held on call. The committee then began hearing AB 2122 by Assemblymember Kalra, which would prohibit bench warrants for Vehicle Code infractions and allow noncustodial warrants for other infractions, but the transcript cuts off before testimony or action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Simran Carr with the Western Center on Law and Poverty, respectfully opposed. Thank you.
• Simran Carr with the Western Center on Law and Poverty, in support.
• of Los Angeles, the Jewish Federation of Greater Santa Barbara, Jewish Silicon Valley, Jewish Federation
• Jewish Labor Committee, Oakland Jewish Alliance, Jewish Federation of San Diego...
• California Jewish Labor Committee, Oakland Jewish Alliance, Jewish Federation of San Diego, Jewish Federation

Committee: Senate Public Safety

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Jonathan Weber, Southern Poverty Law Center, waves in support, and Amy Keith, Common Cause, waves in
• The law firm represented in a federal bankruptcy disclosure that its advertising and referrals had not
• I think it's appropriate, and they should include that in their guidelines. Any other questions?
• He said the framework would provide guidelines and, most importantly, training.
• There were a few appearance forms: Jonathan Weber of the Southern Poverty Law Center waved in support

Bills: S0014 , S0016 , S0024 , S0052 , S0308 , S0504 , S0506 , S0564 , S0572 , S0590 , S0594 , S0806 , S1396 , S7020 , S7024 , S7026

Committee: Senate Rules

Keywords: negligence, settlement, police conduct, municipal liability, personal injury, compensation, injuries, Miami-Dade County, places of worship, house of worship, church, mosque, synagogue, religious security, armed security, volunteer security, private security, security guard licensing, licensure exemption, Florida Statutes chapter 493

Summary: The Committee on Rules met with 14 members present and considered a long agenda of bills, including several open-government sunset reauthorizations, consumer and election measures, claims bills, and policy bills on public safety, ethics, and child protection. The committee reported favorably SB 7024 and SB 7026, which extend and consolidate public-records/public-meeting exemptions for cybersecurity information and trade secrets held by agencies, and SB 7020, which reenacts the aquaculture records exemption for the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. It also approved SB 14 and SB 24, two uncontested Miami-Dade County claims bills, and SB 16, a claims bill for Heriberto Sanchez Mayan involving severe injuries after an unlawful arrest and transport incident in St. Petersburg. Several bills drew substantial testimony. SB 308, creating the Florida Museum of Black History Board of Directors and designating St. Johns County as the museum site, received extensive support from advocates and lawmakers who emphasized preserving the full and accurate history of Black Floridians; some speakers urged safeguards to ensure historians and community members help shape the museum’s content. The committee also favorably reported CS for SB 564, allowing registered or pre-registered high school students to volunteer at polling places for community service hours, with supporters saying it would build civic engagement and help election offices. CS for SB 52, which exempts unpaid volunteer armed security at houses of worship from Class D and G licensing requirements, was also reported favorably after testimony both supporting the need for church security and cautioning that congregations should retain control over whether weapons are allowed. The committee approved CS for SB 1396 on litigation financing and consumer protection after a lengthy debate over transparency, foreign funding, and whether the bill would chill access to courts. Supporters said it would create guardrails and disclose foreign involvement; opponents argued it could burden plaintiffs and reveal litigation strategy. The committee also reported favorably CS for SB 504 and SB 506, creating a framework and related public-records exemption for code inspector body cameras, with discussion about notice to property owners and protection of sensitive footage. Additional favorable actions included CS for SB 572, updating ethics law to reflect foster family relationships, and CS for SB 590, tolling the statute of limitations for failure-to-report child abuse offenses until the offense is known to law enforcement or another charging authority.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are more and more poverty, working poor. working people, they're more and more poverty, working
• Existing federal law requires all cost sharing to count towards the MOOP.
• Existing federal law requires all cost sharing to count towards the MOOP.
• SB 1199 simply codifies what is already good federal law.
• Good afternoon, Linda Way with Western Center on Law and Poverty, in support.

Committee: Senate Health

Summary: The committee heard several health-related bills, beginning with SB 1124 on lung cancer screening awareness. The author and supporters said the bill would require CDPH signage about lung cancer screening eligibility at tobacco point-of-sale locations to address low awareness and low screening rates. Support came from medical students, physicians, and the California Academy of Family Physicians, while retailers raised concerns about sign size, retailer notification, and implementation. Committee members generally supported the bill and noted the need to work through those concerns. SB 1150 sought to require clearer patient notice when cancer cases are reported to the California Cancer Registry. The author described the bill as a response to inconsistent notification practices and privacy concerns, and the chair and other members shared personal stories about learning they or family members were in the registry without knowing it. Cancer registry and university stakeholders expressed appreciation for amendments but continued to have concerns or wanted more time to review the language. The bill was discussed as a patient-awareness measure rather than a change to reporting requirements. The committee also heard SB 1400 on Alameda Health System governance, SB 1094 on biosimilar substitution and health plan policies, SB 1314 on smoke shop regulation and nitrous oxide restrictions, and SB 1309 on eliminating cost-sharing for medically necessary follow-up after lung cancer screening. SB 1400 and SB 1314 drew support from local officials, labor, and public health advocates, with members emphasizing youth protection and local oversight. SB 1094 passed after extensive debate over pharmacist substitution authority and notification requirements, with a 6-0 vote and opposition from biotechnology and physician groups. SB 1309 also passed after members discussed the cost of follow-up care and the value of early detection, despite opposition from health plans over premium impacts; it received a 7-0 vote and was placed on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• A federal three-judge panel agreed. The U.S.
• California came into compliance with the federal population cap in 2015.
• It risks putting California back on a collision course with the federal courts, reopening litigation
• Public Defenders Union Local 148 and Western Center on Law and Poverty in support.
• The racial... ...was already a means of redress in both state and federal courts.

Committee: House Public Safety

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the other is we're aligning with the federal guidelines as they exist today, where relief is granted
• That aligns us with federal law. It makes good sense.
• Mike Moscoe with the Southern Poverty Law Center.
• Federal courts are staying federal habeas corpus cases...
• The problem that we have is federal courts are staying federal habeas corpus cases for years on end to

Bills: HB63 , HB91 , HB98 , HB108 , HB131 , HB151 , HB161 , HB294 , HB305 , HB310 , HB320 , HB336 , HB622 , HB789 , HB1040

Committee: House Administration of Criminal Justice

Keywords: HB63, Louisiana bail, bail bond, surety, failure to appear, FTA, bench warrant, NCIC, National Crime Information Center, criminal procedure, Article 331, defendant registry, surrender of defendant, rule to show cause, law enforcement records, pretrial release, bond forfeiture, disclosure, criminal records, witness protection

Transcript Highlights:

• It ensures that care aligns with the latest guidelines while protecting people.
• We have already submitted to the federal government, and we're merely waiting.
• Whitney Francis with the Western Center on Law and Poverty in support.
• Whitney Francis with the Western Center on Law and Poverty, in support.
• Whitney Francis with the Western Center on Law and Poverty in support.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard several bills focused on health care access, oversight, and affordability. The first major item was SB 306 by Senator Becker, a prior authorization reform bill. Becker and supporters, including the California Medical Association and California Hospital Association, argued that prior authorization delays care, adds administrative burden, and can lead to serious patient harm. The bill was substantially amended late in the process to have DMHC and CDI identify services and drugs to exempt from prior authorization based on utilization data, with safeguards for fraud, waste, abuse, and patient safety. Health plans and insurers opposed the measure as written, saying prior authorization remains an important utilization-management tool and raising concerns about the 90% threshold, drug inclusion, and how modifications are counted. The committee also heard SB 35 by Senator Umberg, which would let cities or counties inspect unlicensed sober living homes if DHCS does not act promptly on complaints. Supporters said the bill would address weak enforcement and protect residents, while one behavioral health directors group opposed it unless amended. Members generally supported the measure, citing problems with unlicensed facilities and the need for local enforcement backup. The committee then heard SB 62, which would codify California’s updated essential health benefits benchmark if approved by the federal government. Senator Wiener said the package would add hearing aids, durable medical equipment, and infertility treatment including IVF, acknowledging that premiums could rise but arguing the benefits were worth it. Health Access California and other advocates supported the bill, while the California Family Council opposed it. The committee also took up SB 596 by Senator Menjivar, which would tighten the rules for hospitals claiming an on-call list as a defense to nurse staffing ratio penalties. Supporters, including nurses and SEIU, said hospitals have used vague or ineffective on-call practices to avoid accountability and that the bill would improve enforcement and patient safety. Hospital groups opposed it, arguing that staffing is highly dynamic, that hospitals need flexibility to manage acuity and emergencies, and that the bill could increase costs and interfere with collective bargaining arrangements. Finally, the committee heard SB 40 by Senator Wiener, the Insulin Affordability Act, which would cap insulin copays at $35 for a 30-day supply and restrict step therapy unless a plan covers at least one insulin in each drug type. Supporters, including physicians, diabetes advocates, nurses, students, and patient groups, said insulin is life-saving and too often unaffordable, forcing patients to ration or choose between medication and basic needs. There was no formal opposition testimony, though one member questioned why insulin remains so expensive. The committee also began discussion of SB 363, but the transcript cuts off before that bill’s full presentation or any action on the measures. No votes are recorded in the portion provided, and several bills were noted as consent items earlier in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Federal records, they can use the SAVE database, and that's where... They can use federal records.
• Most of us have not seen poverty up close. For most of my life, I didn’t.
• Poverty leads to many problems in collecting the documents that you need to vote.
• Most of us have not seen poverty up close. For most of my life, I didn't.
• Poverty leads to many problems in collecting the documents that you need to vote.

Bills: S0460 , S0748 , S1180 , S1334

Committee: Senate Ethics and Elections

Keywords: special elections, vacancy, Governor authority, election timeframe, judicial determination, voting rights, felony, sentencing, civil rights, criminal justice, rehabilitation, elections, voter registration, citizenship, provisional ballots, election fraud

Summary: The Committee on Ethics and Elections met with a quorum and took up several election-related bills. CS/SB 1180 by Senator Arrington, which creates a recall framework for elected community development district board members and also addresses synthetic turf regulation and CDD eligibility, was presented briefly and then approved unanimously. SB 460 by Senator Polsky, requiring the governor to call special elections within set deadlines after vacancies and allowing judicial relief if deadlines are not met, also passed unanimously after members discussed flexibility for emergencies and the cost of delayed elections. The committee then heard SB 748 by Senator Bracy Davis, which would add constitutional voting-rights restoration language to the sentencing score sheet given to felony defendants. Supporters said it would improve clarity and notice without changing eligibility, and the bill was favorably reported unanimously. The committee also confirmed several appointees, including Jim Milliken and Alicia McShea to the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County, Robert P. Estalas as Director of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, and additional gubernatorial appointees listed on the agenda, all by favorable votes. The longest discussion centered on Senator Grall’s strike-all amendment for SB 1334, an elections bill dealing with citizenship verification, Real ID and SAVE database use, paper-ballot voting, candidate qualification rules, and related election administration changes. Supporters argued it would streamline verification and ensure only citizens vote, while opponents warned it would create burdens, disenfranchise eligible voters, and impose costs and administrative confusion. After extensive public testimony both for and against, the committee adopted an amendment to allow supervisors of elections to observe holidays when not otherwise required to be open, then approved the strike-all as amended by a 6-2 vote, with Senators Polsky and Bernard voting no. The meeting then adjourned after members recorded their votes on earlier items.

Transcript Highlights:

• records, which the bill sets out that they can use federal records.
• They can use federal records. They can use the SAVE database.
• I mean, ...to be given a ballot that just has federal elections.
• Most of us have not seen poverty up close. For most of my life, I didn't.
• Most of us have not seen poverty up close. For most of my life, I didn't.

Committee: Senate Ethics and Elections

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That is thanks to both state and federal funds over the past many years.
• For any households at 135% of the federal poverty level or lower, approximately 40% say they cannot afford
• Are there any federal guidelines? I'm thinking about efficiencies moving forward.
• This is federal dollars from the Federal Communication Commission. Okay, thank you. Thank you.
• There is a federal ETC designation from the Federal Communications Commission.

Bills: HB2 , SB152

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: general appropriation, budget, Medicaid, education funding, public safety, telecommunications, low-income assistance, lifeline, broadband, rural broadband, universal service fund, public regulation commission, PRC, 911 surcharge, telecommunications relay service, VoIP, mobile service, internet affordability, digital equity, digital inclusion

Transcript Highlights:

• So we recognize that for that range between 139 percent and 500 percent of the federal poverty level,
• The SSI/SSP payment amount for individuals, however, is still below the federal poverty level by 7.5%
• Raising the grants to at least the federal poverty level will help people to sustain their lives, also
• As such, any reduction in federal funding for those programs risks increases in poverty.
• Two, raise the SSI amount to the federal poverty level. Three, we need more housing. Thank you.

Summary: The joint Assembly Budget Subcommittee hearing focused first on long-term services and supports for older adults, especially the “forgotten/overlooked middle” who earn too much for Medi-Cal but cannot afford private long-term care. Administration witnesses from DHCS, the Department of Aging, and Social Services described Medicare’s limited long-term care coverage, Medi-Cal’s role, the elimination of the Medi-Cal asset test, and ongoing state studies and listening sessions on financing options. Testimony from advocates and researchers emphasized rising homelessness among older adults, the need for better navigation and coordination across health, aging, housing, and social service systems, and short-term policy steps such as share-of-cost reform, housing stability supports, and protecting home- and community-based services. Members highlighted the need for a coordinated, no-wrong-door approach and asked for the most impactful budget investments to address affordability and homelessness risk. The second major topic was the Community-Based Adult Services (CBAS) program. CDA reported that CBAS helps participants remain in the community, that 304 centers operate statewide serving about 42,000 people, and that demand is stable but access gaps remain in some regions. DHCS explained that a 2024 rate increase authorized by SB 159 became inoperative after Proposition 35, and that a separate 10% rate change on the fee schedule was the result of a DHCS system error; the department said it would not require recoupment, though managed care plans may act under their contracts. CBAS providers and advocates warned that reimbursement rates have not kept pace with costs, that several centers have closed, and that clawbacks could trigger more closures. They requested $74.8 million ongoing General Fund to close part of the rate gap and preserve the program, while members expressed concern about closures and the cost savings of keeping people out of more expensive institutional care. The hearing then moved to In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) and statewide collective bargaining. CDSS reviewed provider recruitment and retention efforts, including electronic timesheets, direct deposit, and the now-completed IHSS Career Pathways program, which trained more than 59,000 providers. CDSS also summarized its AB 102 workgroup report on statewide versus regional bargaining, saying the final report would be sent to the Legislature soon and that statewide bargaining appeared more viable than regional bargaining, though it would require clear statutory scope and major fiscal changes. The department estimated that each $1 per hour statewide wage increase would cost at least $1.3 billion to $1.5 billion annually. Labor advocates argued that IHSS wages, benefits, and training are too inconsistent across counties and called for statewide bargaining, consumer participation, and ongoing state funding. County representatives supported stronger wages but cautioned that counties need protection from new costs and administrative burdens, and consumer advocates warned that moving bargaining to the state could weaken local consumer control and the program’s consumer-driven structure.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the next step, because if the federal government does follow through with any one of those steps
• Devices must comply with building codes and safety standards and manufacturer guidelines.
• I would also add that the bill allows for jails to accept federal detainees without a contract.
• I would also add that the bill allows for jails to accept federal detainees without a contract.
• In fact, I understand the AG office has like 70 cases pending against the federal government.

Bills: SB5223 , SB6071 , SB5966 , SB6061 , SB6016 , SB5973 , SB5053 , SB5249 , SB5899 , SB6190 , SB5574 , SB5873 , SB5924 , SB6263 , SB6282 , SB5950 , SB6074 , SB6096 , SB5609 , SB5901 , SB5943 , SB5975 , SJM8016 , SB5907 , SB6031 , SB6155 , SB6158 , SB6227 , SB5947 , SB6085 , SB6234 , SB6274 , SB5909 , SB6044 , SB6239 , SB6045 , SB6089 , SB6170 , SB5954 , SB5762 , SB6032 , SB6066 , SB6082 , SB6164 , SB6176 , SB6319 , SB6308 , SB6200 , SB6080 , SJM8014 , SB6177 , SB6052 , SB6182 , SB5828 , SB6335 , SB6017 , SB5470 , SB5990 , SB5046 , SB5387 , SB5637 , SB5647 , SB5839 , SB5888 , SB5962 , SB6018 , SB6037 , SB6047 , SB6078 , SB6130 , SB6147 , SB6151 , SB6197 , SB6220 , SB6256 , SB6311 , SB6343

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