Transcript Highlights:

• Number one best value college in Florida, and number two in the United States. Amazing school.
• National law, United Nations, diplomacy, West Bank is a term that the entire world uses.
• The county has established municipal service benefit units to address drainage issues.
• CS for HB 1293 establishes the criminal offense of fraudulent entry of a residential dwelling unit, making
• A bill to be entitled an act relating to fraudulent entry of residential dwellings.

Transcript Highlights:

• other to comply: either A, all doors and windows that provide direct access to the exterior of the dwelling
• other to comply: either A, all doors and windows that provide direct access to the exterior of the dwelling
• products on the market, the non-FDA-approved nicotine devices, which are currently sold all across the United

Bills: S0530 , S0658 , S0608 , S1708 , S0680 , S0980 , S0204

Committee: Senate Regulated Industries

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries met and reported several bills favorably. SB 530 on state lotteries, presented by Senator Pizzo, made technical changes to the Department of Lottery’s powers and duties, clarified definitions, and allowed more flexibility to purchase rather than lease machines; two technical amendments were adopted before the bill passed. SB 204, also presented by Senator Bradley, increased penalties for illegal slot machine operations to a third-degree felony and created a process for veteran service organizations to seek binding declaratory statements from the Gaming Commission about whether a machine is lawful; the bill was reported favorably after testimony from supporters and a veteran organization expressing concern about clarity and good-faith cooperation. SB 658 and SB 608 were combined into a proposed committee substitute on water safety for rental and vacation properties, requiring certain pool or water safety devices and adding enforcement provisions through DBPR; the merged bill was reported favorably after strong testimony emphasizing child drowning statistics and support from local residents and industry representatives. SB 980, as amended, created the Florida Agegate Act to restrict advertising, promotion, and display of non-FDA-approved nicotine dispensing devices around minors, with escalating penalties and inspection authority; members discussed concerns about illegal products and enforcement, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 1708 on veterinary licensure by endorsement removed a three-year recent practice requirement for out-of-state veterinarians while keeping other competency standards, and it was reported favorably with support from several animal and veterinary-related groups. SB 680, as amended, addressed double taxation of electricity used at EV charging stations by creating a sales tax exemption for separately metered electricity transferred to consumers, and it was also reported favorably. The committee also noted additional support forms for the water safety bill and adjourned after miscellaneous remarks and announcements.

Transcript Highlights:

• Each new unit costs many times more than the original home.
• Tony’s company specializes in renovating and acquiring new units and managing new units. ...and within
• units.
• units.
• Price fixing functions such that high rents on existing units remove the incentive to bring vacant units

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Housing

Summary: The Joint Committee on Housing held a hybrid hearing on a broad slate of landlord-tenant and home rule bills, with most testimony focused on rent stabilization, tenant opportunity to purchase (TOPA), tenant fees, access to counsel, algorithmic rent fixing, and tenant protections in subsidized housing. Chairs Cyr and Haggerty outlined the hearing procedures and noted that written testimony could also be submitted. Several members and invited speakers emphasized that the committee was hearing from both local officials and residents affected by housing instability, especially in Somerville and other communities facing high rents and displacement. Supporters of rent stabilization and local-option rent control argued that Massachusetts needs tools to prevent displacement while new housing is built. Senator Eldridge, Senator Jalen, Somerville officials, tenant organizers, and residents described steep rent increases, no-fault evictions, and the loss of naturally occurring affordable housing. Somerville’s home rule petition was described as allowing annual increases tied to CPI plus 2%, capped at 5%, with exemptions for owner-occupied two- and three-family homes and a 15-year exemption for new construction. TOPA supporters said it would let tenants or their designees buy buildings before speculative buyers, preserving affordable housing stock; opponents, including small landlords and property managers, argued rent control would reduce supply, discourage investment, and that TOPA could delay sales and harm properties. The committee also heard testimony on bills to curb junk fees and regulate tenant charges, including limits on late fees, lease renewal fees, payment portal fees, attorney’s fees, and other add-on charges. Advocates said these fees can add hundreds of dollars a month and disproportionately harm low-income renters and renters of color. Another major topic was algorithmic rent fixing: Senator Moore and Representative Sabadoza said landlords should not use software such as RealPage to coordinate pricing, citing federal antitrust actions and arguing that competition is essential to lowering rents. Additional testimony supported a statewide right to counsel in eviction cases, with legal services providers saying representation dramatically improves outcomes and can save the state money, and a bill to create an office of tenant protections to better enforce sanitary code violations. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• from $265,000 per unit in 2016 to $425,000 per unit in 2020.
• The mixed-income program in 2025 created over 2,300 units at a cost of about $17,000 per unit.
• The mixed-income program in 2025 created 769 units at a cost of $300,000 per unit.
• The mixed income program in 2025 created over 2,300 units at a cost about $17,000 per unit.
• The mixed how the multi-family housing program in 2025 created 769 units at a cost of 300,000 per unit

Transcript Highlights:

• from $265,000 per unit in 2016 to $425,000 per unit in 2020.
• from $265,000 per unit in 2016 to $425,000 per unit in 2020.
• The mixed-income program in 2025 created over 2,300 units at a cost of about $17,000 per unit.
• The multifamily housing program in 2025 created 769 units at a cost of $300,000 per unit.
• The mixed income program in 2025 created over 2,300 units at a cost about $17,000 per unit.

Summary: Assembly Budget Subcommittee 5 on State Administration heard two housing-related trailer bill items tied to the Governor’s reorganization plan. The first item would codify the creation of a new Housing and Homelessness Agency and a Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency structure; the second would further streamline the state housing finance system by creating a Housing Development and Finance Committee and reserving most private activity bond capacity for affordable housing. Administration officials said the changes are intended to reduce duplication, speed awards to construction, and make housing funding more predictable and efficient. Agency leaders described recent housing investments and implementation steps, including work groups, coordination with Finance, the Controller, and the Treasurer’s Office, and development of new guidelines and staffing. Members raised concerns about limited funding, the need for better program-by-program outcome data, youth homelessness, excess sites, and fraud prevention. The Interagency Council on Homelessness presented new three-year action plan metrics, including goals to increase exits from unsheltered homelessness to 70% and move more people into permanent housing, while also noting current performance data and quarterly public reporting. The Legislative Analyst’s Office said it had no concerns with the first trailer bill, but supported the general concept of the second while recommending changes, including removing or revising the proposed 50% bond-cap floor for the new committee and adding attention to 9% and state tax credits. Public commenters, including local governments, nonprofit developers, housing authorities, and advocacy groups, largely supported the reorganization and streamlining goals, but several urged stronger protections for deeply affordable housing, earlier reallocation of unused bond authority, continued access to 9% credits, and more funding for housing programs. No votes were taken in the portion provided; the chair closed item one and moved to item two after member and public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are defining a prohibitive foreign party in this bill as being those that are hostile to the United
• Members of the terrorist country of Iran that are in the United States legally. I'm sure they are.
• We just entered into a war with the worst terrorist country in the United States, and I can tell you
• That was in the United States Marine Corps for 10 years.
• What it does is currently under state law, breaking and entering an occupied dwelling to be a felony.

Bills: HB1016 , HB1453 , HB1992 , HB2015 , HB2940 , HB2959 , HB2997 , HB3037 , HB3045 , HB3053 , HB3087 , HB3267 , HB3301 , HB3453 , HB3495 , HB3521 , HB3581 , HB3584 , HB3586 , HB3587 , HB3662 , HB3691 , HB3695 , HB3697 , HB3742 , HB3743 , HB3845 , HB4058 , HB4125 , HB4198 , HB4227 , HB4425

Committee: House Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight

Keywords: minors, content creation, trust account, compensation, civil action, digital content, Oklahoma statutes, foreign ownership, property rights, agricultural land, Attorney General, divestment, real estate, felony penalties, motor vehicles, towing services, combination vehicles, wrecker fees, possessory lien, landlord

Transcript Highlights:

• The Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution doesn't just guarantee the right to someone accused
• This existing definition in the state law of firearm accessory. That is correct.
• We're one of the nation's busiest emergency departments, top 20 in the United States of America.
• Debbie Boyd, with Crime Victims United, in support. Thank you very much.
• An individual's right to reasonable expectation of privacy in the Charter of the United States.

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:

• In Callaway, we will have a big unit producing in three months. That's the background.
• In Calloway, we will have a big unit producing in three months. That's the background.
• The national statistics say that 3% of land is needed in the United States to cover solar.
• They don't want to see it from their home, from their dwelling.
• , you need to put up a viewshed blocker to block that from the occupied dwelling, make sure that the

Committee: House Utilities

Transcript Highlights:

• Junior Senator from the 16th. Thank you, Mr. President.
• Junior Senator from the 5th. Thank you, Mr. President.
• Junior Senator from the 5th. Thank you, Mr. President.
• Junior Senator from the 5th. Thank you, Mr. President.
• Junior Senator from the 5th. Thank you, Mr. President.

Summary: The Senate met on March 11, 2026, with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, journal approval, and numerous guest and page introductions, including school groups, prayer caucus visitors, and advocates for Home Family Education Day and Women in Blue Day. The chamber then took up committee reports and a large number of House bills, most of them on third reading, along with several resolutions and referrals. Senate Resolution 62, designating March 12, 2026, as West Virginia Athletic Trainers Day, was adopted after remarks emphasizing the value of athletic trainers in preventing injuries and tragedies in school sports. Several other resolutions and concurrent resolutions were referred to the Committee on Rules or laid over under the rules. The Senate passed a wide range of bills addressing economic development, public safety, health, licensing, and state administration. Measures approved included bills on the West Virginia Collaboratory at Marshall University, the Business Ready Sites program, volunteer fire company spending authority, the Load Forecast Accountability Act, funeral service licensure, work zone fines, biennial business reporting, correctional officer retirement law, the Right to Try Act, quick claim deed tax exemptions, an ibogaine drug-development grant program, aggravated vehicular homicide sentencing, 529 savings plan definitions, opportunity zones, barber apprenticeship, municipal and county hotel occupancy fund uses, criminal-record licensing standards, intimate image disclosure remedies, executor training materials, contempt penalties, PEIA treatment flexibility, PANS/PANDAS information, the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, capitation rate review expansions, convention and visitors bureau board membership, peer support services, cosmetology licensure compacts, natural resource police retirement, DNR fee indexing, ALS care services, the Neighborhood Investment Program, oil and gas well plugging and carbon capture-related provisions, DUI technical changes, abuse intervention program terminology, and a youth summer employment and career readiness program. Most bills passed overwhelmingly, with a few closer votes, including the Load Forecast Accountability Act and the DNR fee-indexing bill. Several bills were amended on the floor, including title amendments and strike-and-insert changes. The Senate also debated the work zone penalty bill, with supporters citing worker safety and fatalities and opponents arguing the bill increased fines too much without requiring removal of outdated work-zone signs. On the energy-related load forecast bill, senators discussed the inclusion of provisions from Senate Bill 420 and concerns about coal plant utilization and utility impacts. After debate, the Senate adopted amendments and passed the bill. In most cases, after passage the Senate ordered the bills communicated to the House, and for a few measures it also adopted title amendments or made bills effective from passage or on a specified date.

Transcript Highlights:

• Junior Senator from the 16th. Thank you, Mr. President.
• Junior Senator from the 5th. Thank you, Mr. President.
• Junior Senator from the 5th. Thank you, Mr. President.
• Junior Senator from the 15th. Thank you, Mr. President. Junior Senator from the 15th.
• Junior Senator for 16. Thank you, Mr. President. Junior Senator for 16. Thank you, Mr. President.

Transcript Highlights:

• States, and the United States Composting Council standards.
• </c><00:09:31.279><c> States</c> Department of Health, the United States Department of Health, the United
• ><c> Composting</c><00:09:34.080><c> Council</c> and the United States Composting Council and the United
• EPA, as well as our United States Composting Council standards.
• So that's what we're farm dwellings.

Bills: SB2885 , SB2174 , SB2925 , SB2798 , SB2320 , SB2800 , SB1230 , SB2706 , SB3233 , SB2405 , SB2350 , SB2169 , SB3320

Committee: House Agriculture & Food Systems

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 2885 SD1, which would create mandatory handling and storage rules for commercial and residential coconut rhinoceros beetle host material beginning in 2027, with penalties and an effective date. Support came from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, DLNR, Maui County Department of Agriculture, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Farmers Union, and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Testifiers generally said the bill would help reduce CRB spread, though some urged additional science-backed methods, better coordination, and technical or cost-share support for smaller operations. Hawaiian Earth Recycling recommended amendments to align the bill with existing Department of Health/EPA composting rules, add other materials that can harbor CRB, allow future approved treatment methods, and replace the bill’s 60-day turning requirement with existing pathogen-reduction standards. One individual supported the goal but argued the state’s CRB strategy has lacked community and cultural consultation and should include a cultural advisement role. Department witnesses said enforcement would rely on inspection and an educate-before-regulate approach, and they noted the challenge of creating enough drop-off sites, especially in rural areas. The committee then took up SB 2174 SD2, which would authorize the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to declare an emergency quarantine, halt operations in affected areas for 96 hours with possible extension, quarantine suspected pest areas, issue notices and compensation to affected farmers, and adopt interim transportation rules for materials that may harbor high-impact invasive species. The department and DLNR supported the measure, emphasizing the need for fast action in the first hours of an invasion. Hawaii Farmers Union supported the compensation provisions but asked for stronger communication with producers and a post-action report to the Board of Agriculture after about 90 days to evaluate effectiveness and economic impacts. In response to questions, department staff said the bill would be a short-term, department-only quarantine authority distinct from the governor-declared biosecurity emergency authority enacted previously, and that it could serve as an intermediate step. They also said outreach would need to be done through farm organizations such as Farmers Union, Farm Bureau, and Cattlemen’s groups. The final measure discussed was SB 2925 SD1, relating to coconut trees. The bill would recognize coconut trees as a source of food and water and a cultural treasure, require rules for coconut tree seed banks, require signage identifying landscape palms where applicable, set labeling standards for non-consumable landscape palms, and create an income tax credit for consumable coconut trees maintained through natural management practices. The transcript ended before testimony or action on this bill was completed, and no vote was taken on any of the measures discussed in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the United States, it's age 70.
• Junior Senator from 16. Thank you, Mr. President.
• Junior Senator from the 15th.
• Junior Center from 15.
• Junior Senator from the 15th. Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• Indeed, goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of
• 02:31.680><c> the</c><00:02:31.920><c> Lord</c><00:02:32.160><c> for</c><00:02:32.400><c> years</c> dwell
• in the house of the Lord for years dwell in the house of the Lord for years to<00:02:33.040><c> come
• >> I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one
• </c> Senators, as we prepare to celebrate the United States' 250th anniversary of the signing of the

Transcript Highlights:

• And the rental part, or having a dwelling, is so that it would allow us to A property.
• And the rental part, or having a dwelling, is so that it would allow us to pay our mortgage.
• Our family owns three units in the Grays Harbor area here in Washington.
• Two of those units are on land that has been family owned for 60-plus years.
• Two of those units are on land that has been family owned for 60-plus years.

Bills: HB2559 , HB2135 , HB2133 , HB2442

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: affordable housing, local government funding, housing programs, community development, financial assistance, adaptive housing, disabled veterans, tax preferences, housing affordability, retail sales tax, property tax, senior citizens, tax exemption, permanent legislation, local government, tax authority, sales tax, use tax, real estate excise tax, REET

Transcript Highlights:

• "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands
• KPMG report specified that we would need $582 million to be invested just to have air conditioning units
• who are incarcerated, but also for staff. $582 million to be invested just to have air conditioning units
• So when the tax holiday was put together, it was to include all the accessories that either go on to
• modifications to whichever respective firearm is used in hunting activities, there are certainly accessories

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then moved to the conference report on House Bill 501E, the General Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2026-27. Budget chairs presented the major spending areas, describing a $114.5 billion overall budget that they said was fiscally responsible and below the prior year’s spending. Highlights included pay increases and retirement adjustments for public safety employees, education funding for K-12, higher education, health and human services, criminal justice, transportation, environmental programs, and agriculture/regulatory agencies. Members then questioned chairs on several items. In education, senators discussed K-12 declining enrollment funding, teacher salary set-asides, private school scholarship spending, mental health funding, preeminence funding for universities, the Hamilton Center at UF, and charter school PICO funding. In health and human services, questions focused on the iBudget waiver waitlist, provider rates, ADAP/HIV funding and the return of Biktarvy to the formulary, KidCare, rural health funding, SNAP-related IT and error reduction efforts, and the IDD managed care program. In criminal justice, senators asked about correctional officer pay, prison staffing and infrastructure, air conditioning in prisons, juvenile justice facilities, law enforcement recruitment, and court system funding. Environmental and transportation questions covered Florida Forever, water quality, state parks, water projects, housing, elections funding, and emergency management. Several specific actions and explanations were given during debate: the budget includes $8.8 million for state attorney competitive area differentials but no funding for public defender CAD requests; assistant state attorneys will start at $70,000 and assistant public defenders at $65,000; the battery disposal issue was described as a temporary study/preemption approach; and the Senate said the budget does not fund Medicaid expansion, preeminence funding, or the SunBucks Summer EBT state share. Senators also noted that some proposals discussed in committee did not make it into the final budget. The transcript ends with debate statements from members praising the budget process and Chair Hooper, while also expressing concerns about public schools, health care access, affordability, and the lack of funding for certain priorities.

Transcript Highlights:

• criminal justice system, and more particularly our children are encountering guns as though they were accessories
• criminal justice system, and more particularly our children are encountering guns as though they were accessories
• use the example that will upset some of my friends in the audience or online: the President of the United
• With me, as he mentioned, is Deputy Solicitor General Van Snow, the Director of our Criminal Appeals Unit
• The frustration is coming down from the United States Supreme Court, which cannot give us a straight,

Committees: Senate Senate Judiciary , Senate House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• Gus is a junior from Ada.
• Catherine is a junior from Norman.
• Gus is a junior from Ada.
• Catherine is a junior from Norman.
• Gus is a junior from Ada.

Summary: The House convened, the clerk called the roll, and members proceeded through the day’s ceremonial order of business, including prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and introductions. Chaplain Ronnie Wilson delivered the invocation, and Representative Shaw introduced Veteran of the Week Edward Marion Green of Chandler, a Navy veteran and chaplain’s assistant who was honored with a House citation. Mr. Green’s family and friends were recognized on the floor, and he led the chamber in the Pledge of Allegiance. The House also featured several special presentations. Representative Culver promoted Tahlequah’s Red Fern Festival and introduced the festival court. Representative Duel introduced psychologist Dr. Sherry Fleming, highlighting her work in higher education and transitional services for students with disabilities. Representative May introduced nurse Alyssa Jones of Broken Arrow, emphasizing her work in rural health care. Representative Hill introduced the week’s pages, recognizing a group of high-achieving students from across Oklahoma. Additional announcements included Speaker Pro Tem Moore welcoming his family to the chamber and Representative Harris recognizing them as well. Representative Patskowski announced an agriculture committee meeting. No legislation was debated or voted on in the transcript; the only formal action was the reassignment of measures according to the majority floor leader’s list, followed by adjournment until the next day at 9:30 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands
• and therefore the bill that you mentioned about finding contractors would not be relevant to the dwelling
• and therefore the bill that you mentioned about finding contractors would not be relevant to the dwelling
• Executive session open on SB 27-FN, relative to dwelling over water.
• Chair: Open executive session on SB 27-FN, relative to dwelling over water.

Summary: The committee began with introductions and a description of the day’s process: a full committee work session on four bills, with no public testimony, followed by caucus and then executive action. The first bill discussed was HB 113, concerning OHRV operation on certain highways in Windsor. Representative Nab presented an amendment that would require a public hearing and Department of Transportation approval, modeled on procedures used in Coös and Grafton counties. Members discussed whether Windsor had already held a local vote or hearing, whether minutes from a town meeting existed, and whether the amendment truly preserved local control. A Windsor resident testified informally that the town had not taken a final vote and that the matter had been left to the state. Committee members also raised concerns about noise, dust, public safety, and the fact that the road in question would connect OHRVs on a state road rather than a trail system. The chair closed the work session on HB 113 and said the committee would return after caucus to vote on the bill and amendment. The committee then took up HB 595FN, relative to coastal resilience zones. Representative Nat said the bill addressed flooding concerns in both coastal and inland New Hampshire, but that the sponsor viewed it as too complex and had recommended breaking the issue into separate parts in future legislation. On that basis, Nat said it was appropriate to ITL the bill, and noted that the sponsor supported that course. No further discussion followed, and the work session was closed. Next was HB 629FN, funding the operation, maintenance, and repair of state dams. Representative Darby explained that the original bill had proposed both a waterfront frontage tax and a $5 charge tied to boat registration, but that the amendment would replace the bill by removing the frontage tax, moving the $5 dam-maintenance fee to the boat decal section of statute, and changing the effective date to January 1, 2027. Darby said the larger fee had raised concerns about impacts on current-use property and enforcement, while the revised $5 fee would raise roughly $500,000 to $600,000 annually. Representative Dunn thanked Darby and said the Marine Trades Association supported the revised approach. A question was raised about whether the original prime sponsors supported the amendment; the chair said they were on board, and Darby added that the proposal reflected recommendations from a prior study committee. The committee then closed HB 629FN and opened SB 27FN, relative to dwellings over water. On SB 27FN, Representative Derby said he opposed the bill because it would take away public access rights and amounted to a one-off legislative solution for a private concern. Representative Donnelly asked how many similar structures might be affected and whether the Department of Environmental Services knew of other cases; DES responded that there was one other related case under settlement compliance and no other active cases with the same issue. In follow-up discussion, DES clarified that the proposal was not a shoreland 50-foot setback issue, but rather involved structures extending over public water. The discussion remained focused on the scope of the bill and its potential precedent-setting effect, with no vote taken in the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Every state in the United States that allows adult use of marijuana has either a complete public smoking
• Every state in the United States that allows adult use of marijuana has either a complete public smoking
• You know, your house is your dwelling, and the front door of your house is not the same as being in a
• In addition, this potentially violates the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.
• I would say Texas rivals Florida as the tort reform champion of the United States.

Bills: S0408 , S0986 , S0678 , S0800 , S1050 , S0484 , S1118

Committee: Senate Regulated Industries

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries considered several bills and took final action on each. SB 986, by Senator Gruters and presented by Senator Rodriguez, would prohibit smoking or vaping marijuana in public places and in certain indoor spaces; restaurant and lodging representatives supported adding marijuana and vaping to clean indoor air rules but asked to preserve designated smoking areas on private property, while cannabis advocates warned the bill was overly broad and could affect patients and property rights. The committee voted the bill favorably. SB 678, by Senator Mayfield, would restore statutory authority for DBPR to continue allowing alcohol distributors to deduct unsellable alcohol from monthly excise tax calculations; the committee adopted a strike-all amendment and reported the committee substitute favorably. SB 800, also by Senator Mayfield, increases penalties for repeated unlicensed engineering practice and creates an engineering student loan assistance program for engineers working for state agencies and water management districts; after adopting an amendment clarifying eligibility, the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee then heard SB 408, by Senator Grall, which would create a Florida cause of action against vaccine manufacturers that advertise in the state, allowing injured individuals to sue in Florida courts. Supporters argued the bill would rebuild public trust and hold manufacturers accountable, while opponents from the Florida Justice Reform Institute, American Tort Reform Association, BIO, the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform, and several medical and business groups argued the field is largely preempted by federal law, that existing federal compensation programs already address vaccine injuries, and that the bill raises First Amendment and policy concerns. After debate focused on vaccine injury data, compensation rates, and liability, the committee voted SB 408 favorably. The committee also considered SB 484 and SB 1118, both by Senator Avila, dealing with data centers. SB 484 would preserve local planning authority, bar nondisclosure agreements that prevent disclosure of potential data center development, require the PSC to set large-load tariff requirements so data centers pay their own costs, and limit consumptive use permits for large-scale data centers absent no harm to water resources and compliance with local zoning; supporters emphasized ratepayer protection and economic development, while some witnesses urged flexibility for behind-the-meter projects and confidentiality in negotiations. The bill was reported favorably. SB 1118 would create a time-limited public records exemption for county or municipal information about data center siting and protect proprietary business information; Senator Pizzo raised concerns about how the exemption would affect disclosure of competing projects and local officials’ ability to speak, but the sponsor said he would work on clarifying the language. The committee also passed SB 1050, by Senator Calatayud, which requires veterinarians to provide pet owners with written prescriptions and information about pharmacy choice while preserving veterinary judgment and emergency dispensing authority. The meeting concluded after all bills were reported favorably and members recorded additional votes on prior items.

Transcript Highlights:

• knowingly aid in such disinterment, removal, or conveying away, every such offender and every person accessory
• c> away every such offender and every away every such offender and every person<00:27:40.480><c> accessory
• </c><00:27:41.200><c> thereto</c><00:27:41.840><c> either</c><00:27:42.240><c> before</c> person accessory
• thereto either before person accessory thereto either before or<00:27:43.279><c> after</c><00:27:43.600

Summary: The Committee on Hawaiian Affairs heard multiple gubernatorial nominations to island burial councils, with testimony focused on the importance of filling vacancies so the councils can reach quorum and fulfill their kuleana to protect iwi kūpuna and burial sites. For GM 674, Kavuna Khalipi was introduced as OHA’s nominee for the Molokaʻi burial council, with OHA, SHPD, and several community members testifying in support and describing her cultural grounding, community service, and experience in mālama ʻāina. Testifiers also stressed that burial councils are essential for protecting ancestral remains and that prolonged vacancies have left sacred sites vulnerable. Khalipi herself said she was honored to serve but expressed concern about accepting the appointment without quorum, saying she did not want to waste a term if the council could not function effectively. The chair explained the Senate advice-and-consent process and the consequences of inaction, and after discussion Khalipi asked to pull her nomination from the committee. The chair then deferred decision-making on GM 674 until April 10 at 1 p.m. to clarify the process and avoid unintended rejection. The committee then heard testimony on GM 676, Dane Maxwell for the Maui and Lānaʻi burial council, GM 677, Noani Parisa, GM 678, Caroline Hartman, and GM 679, Benedict Duman. Supporters, including SHPD and OHA, highlighted each nominee’s cultural knowledge, preservation work, genealogy, and experience with burial or historic preservation matters. Testimony repeatedly linked the nominations to the need for functioning burial councils, especially in light of the 2023 Maui fires and long-standing vacancies. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided; the chair indicated votes would be taken at the end of the agenda.