Transcript Highlights:

• And then all of a sudden, as we see in places like Texas and Georgia and Arizona, we see explosive housing

Summary: The committee heard several housing bills, with the longest discussion focused on SB 79, which would allow more housing near high-capacity transit stops and on transit agency-owned land. The author and supporters argued it would address California’s housing shortage, reduce vehicle miles traveled, and strengthen transit systems by putting more residents near rail and rapid transit. Supporters included housing advocates, local officials, environmental groups, and transit-oriented development organizations. Opponents, including many cities, the League of California Cities, and some tenant and legal advocacy groups, raised concerns about affordability requirements, displacement, demolition protections, local control, and the bill’s interaction with existing local planning efforts. The committee discussed amendments to strengthen anti-displacement protections, minimum density, affordability standards, and a local flexibility alternative, and SB 79 was moved out on a due-pass-as-amended vote of 8-1, with one member not voting. The committee then took up SB 21, which would amend the Housing Crisis Act to allow limited unit reductions when converting deed-restricted SRO buildings into larger, more livable affordable units with private bathrooms, kitchens, and supportive services. The author and nonprofit housing providers said many SRO buildings are financially unsustainable and that the bill would preserve deeply affordable housing while improving conditions for residents. There was no organized opposition testimony at the hearing, though one business property group registered opposition. Members expressed support for the preservation-focused approach, and SB 21 was approved on an 8-0 vote and sent to the Assembly Committee on Local Government. Next, SB 92 was heard, a measure to close a density bonus loophole by limiting how much additional commercial floor area a project can receive and preventing the law from being used to justify very large nonresidential projects with only minimal affordable housing. The author cited a San Diego project as an example of the problem, and the City of San Diego supported the bill as a reasonable fix. Several labor and housing groups also supported it, while no formal opposition witnesses testified. The committee accepted amendments, members praised the effort to curb abuse while preserving feasibility, and SB 92 passed on a 7-0 vote. Finally, the committee began hearing SB 522, which would extend just-cause eviction protections to units rebuilt after disaster if they had previously been covered by the Tenant Protection Act. The author and the Los Angeles City Attorney said the bill would help preserve rental housing in disaster-affected communities, especially after the Pacific Palisades fires, and would not create new rent control. Opponents, including apartment, realtor, and property owner groups, argued it would add burdens to rebuilding and could discourage reconstruction. Members raised questions about whether existing law already protects returning tenants and whether the bill was necessary, and the hearing continued into committee discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• , and most significantly extending the deadline for forensic examinations of seized... electronic devices
• more and more sophisticated with multiple layers of encryption and password protections on simple devices
• These common devices also have a significant increase in storage capacity.
• The electronic devices now are capable of holding information beyond...
• And it has to spread the code, access that device.

Transcript Highlights:

• hold what you got, because you've got another bill, I think so, and it is HB 663, Use of Tracking Devices
• Use of Tracking Devices or Applications to Commit Dangerous Crimes. You're recognized.
• This bill increases the penalty for unlawfully installing, placing, or using a tracking device or tracking
• Tampering with an electronic monitoring device. CS for HB 437. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• HB 437 increases the penalties for cutting off an electronic monitoring device.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and considered a large agenda of bills, mostly in the criminal justice, courts, civil procedure, and family/consumer protection areas. Early measures included CS/HB 1161 on removing altered sexual depictions posted without consent, HB 403 modernizing LLC law to allow protected series LLCs, CS/HB 97 on service of process in protection proceedings for vulnerable adults, and HB 813 as the state courts package addressing duty judges, arbitrator compensation, and notarization by judges. All of those bills were reported favorably, with HB 403 and HB 813 amended. The committee also heard and advanced CS/HB 947 on evidence of medical damages in personal injury and wrongful death cases, which drew substantial opposition from insurers, business groups, and defense-oriented witnesses, while the sponsor argued it would let juries hear all relevant evidence; it passed 19-3. Members also approved CS/CS/HB 615 allowing electronic delivery of landlord-tenant notices by email, after an amendment requiring opt-in language and written notice to update an email address; tenant advocates still raised concerns about eviction-related notices and receipt verification. HB 663 increased penalties for using tracking devices or apps to commit dangerous crimes and passed unanimously. CS/HB 385 made technical changes to the Florida Trust Code and passed unanimously after a conforming amendment. CS/HB 255, known as Dexter’s Law, increased penalties for aggravated animal cruelty and was supported by law enforcement and animal welfare groups; it passed unanimously. Later in the meeting, the committee approved HB 513 on electronic transmittal of court orders after the sponsor withdrew an amendment that would have changed the deadline from six hours to six business hours, following concerns that the delay could be too long for urgent orders. CS/HB 1099 gave law enforcement discretion in arrests involving individuals with significant medical conditions in facilities and passed unanimously. HB 653 added aggravating factors for capital felonies involving assassinations or attempted assassinations of heads of state; it drew opposition from the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops and passed 20-2. CS/HB 59 expanded wrongful incarceration compensation by extending the filing deadline, removing the clean-hands bar, and allowing exonerees to choose between civil suit and the state claims process; it passed unanimously. PCS/HB 777 increased penalties for in-person luring or enticing of children and barred certain age-based defenses, passing unanimously. Finally, CS/HB 437 increased penalties for tampering with electronic monitoring devices; two amendments softened the bill by clarifying juvenile treatment and giving judges limited discretion to avoid automatic revocation of pretrial release, and the bill passed 21-1 before the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please silence all electronic devices.
• Please silence all electronic devices.
• Your phone, your cell phone, is a gambling device or parts thereof nowadays.
• And then also the last thing would be the transportation of devices.
• And then also the last thing would be the transportation of devices.

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries heard and advanced several bills, with the most extensive discussion centered on condominium issues, gambling enforcement, and public safety. CS/SB 592 on the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program was amended to clarify the three-story eligibility threshold and to add sliding glass door wind-driven rain mitigation devices as an eligible improvement. A late-filed amendment to appropriate $500 million for the program failed on a 3-4 roll call vote, and the bill was then reported favorably. Members also took up CS/SB 1742, a broad condominium and cooperative association reform bill, which would give associations more flexibility on reserves after milestone inspections, require substitute budgets over certain spending increases, improve disclosure and conflict-of-interest rules, expand data collection, and extend some disclosure rescission periods; the committee adopted an amendment and reported the bill favorably. The committee also approved CS/SB 622 on pari-mutuel permit leasing, as amended to allow leasing to same-class permit holders or Hialeah permit holders and to make related wagering licenses discretionary rather than automatic. SB 1404 on illegal gambling was reported favorably after amendments allowing veterans organizations to seek declaratory rulings on machine compliance and adding ethics/revolving-door restrictions for Gaming Commission personnel; a late amendment concerning a Miami casino property was withdrawn. Testimony on that bill came from prosecutors, the Gaming Control Commission, veterans groups, and amusement machine operators, with supporters emphasizing organized crime enforcement and opponents seeking clearer definitions and compliance guidance. On public safety and infrastructure, SB 1682 to include 911 dispatchers in the definition of first responder was reported favorably with strong support from dispatchers and committee members. SB 818 on utility relocation and SB 1228 on spring restoration were also reported favorably, with counties opposing the utility bill as a taxpayer cost shift. SB 948 on flood disclosures for rental properties and condominium sales/rentals was reported favorably after support from environmental and flood advocacy groups. The committee also heard SB 604 on residential pool safety requirements, but the chair temporarily postponed it after concerns were raised about how the inspection requirement would work in cash transactions and whether it would require permits or delay closings.

Transcript Highlights:

• I was never given an exact number of devices used, but I know there was at least a dozen, with one being
• ><00:03:00.720> exact<00:03:01.040> number<00:03:01.200> of<00:03:01.440> devices
• never given an exact number of devices never given an exact number of devices used,<00:03:02.159
• , the product number, the total number of all chemical irritants, smoke screens, and diversionary devices
• diversionary devices deployed. diversionary devices deployed.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee took up House File 3782, Chair Mueller’s bill, and first adopted an oral amendment changing the term “distraction” to “diversionary” in four places. The DE2 author’s amendment, as amended, was then adopted. The bill was described as a response to concerns raised after the summer’s events and is intended to address safety and cleanup issues when law enforcement deploys chemical irritants inside buildings. Colin Hortman testified virtually about the cleanup of his parents’ home after tear gas was used there. He described extensive residue, health effects when re-entering the house, months of delay before it could be safely occupied, difficulty determining what chemicals and quantities had been used, and confusion over who was responsible for remediation costs. He said clearer documentation, immediate disclosure of the agents used, and faster communication would make the process safer and less traumatic for future victims. Chair Mueller explained that the bill would require law enforcement that uses chemical irritants inside a building to leave a standardized notice for occupants or owners, including information on what was used and how much, and to direct them to the agency for more details. Members asked about the logistics of the notice requirement, including how it would work in multi-agency operations; Mueller said the agency in command of the scene would leave the notice. Representatives expressed support for the bill and its purpose. The committee then renewed and approved the motion to re-refer House File 3782, as amended, to the Judiciary, Finance, and Civil Law Committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• charged with family violence, a condition that the individual refrain from controlling smart home devices
• to include forms of harassment or... ...abuse that can be done electronically through smart home devices
• Yes, a protective device. Yes, right. Courts don't just look at the statute. To read that into it?
• how does it work if the person that you got the protective order against... ...was paying for the device
• is, but it simply provides that if the... ...subject of the protective order has access to those devices

Bills: HB368, HB3311, HB1734, HB2495, HB2716, HB793, HB3376, HB2524, HB3421, HB3446, HB3181

Keywords: electronic devices, family violence, criminal prosecution, protective orders, tracking, harassment, family allowance, decedent's estate, surviving spouse, minor children, inheritance, child support, maintenance, HB 1734, Family Code, Section 155.207, suit affecting the parent-child relationship, SAPCR, continuing exclusive jurisdiction, jurisdiction transfer

Transcript Highlights:

• The problem is when devices overheat.
• If the device running too low.
• And these devices do have chips in them. All the newer devices have chips.
• I mean, the newer devices have chips.
• they had found examples of was devices they had found examples of was devices built<04:14:04.319

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The hearing focused on House Bill 1281, which would establish standards and voluntary certification for agency-owned “facility comfort dogs” used by police and other public safety agencies. Representative Morton, the prime sponsor, said the bill is intended to create a consistent statewide framework because different departments currently use different policies. He emphasized that the bill is meant to distinguish comfort dogs from service animals, emotional support animals, and therapy dogs, and noted that a small amendment may be needed to make that distinction clearer. He also said the bill is timely under the ADA because comfort dogs fall outside service-animal protections, but still need training standards for public safety and consistency. Committee members questioned whether the bill was too detailed and whether the legislature should be setting rules on matters like training methods, diet, and breeding. Laura Barker of Hero Pups, who helped train New Hampshire’s first police comfort dog, supported the idea of a minimum standard but said the bill should be less prescriptive and should not interfere with therapy dogs or private handlers. She explained that comfort dogs vary in temperament and deployment needs, that raw diets raise zoonotic disease concerns, and that the program should remain voluntary and not cost the state money. Detective Michelle Jones of Portsmouth Police opposed the bill as written, saying the term “facility comfort dog” is confusing, the bill is overly restrictive, and some provisions go beyond what should be mandated by statute; she suggested a more flexible, guideline-based approach and noted that departments already have their own SOPs and can enforce them internally. Justin Brassen of the Manchester Police Department also testified, describing the history of comfort dog programs in New Hampshire and the work of a prior subcommittee formed through the governor’s commission on PTSD among first responders. He said there are currently no statewide standards and that the earlier study involved police, fire, EMS, dispatch, corrections, and NAMI New Hampshire, with the goal of creating a thoughtful work product. He agreed the bill needs work and answered questions about how departments handle training and public access. By the end of the hearing, members and witnesses discussed possible amendments, and one committee member suggested the bill may be better handled through interim study because of the amount of work still needed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next, S. 2579, An Act Toxic-Free Medical Devices in Act of 2025, relative to those devices, filed by
• I join you today in support of the Toxic-Free Medical Device Act, S. 2579 and H. 4298.
• ..in medical devices, particularly IV bags and tubing in Massachusetts.
• . ...replacing DEHP with other orthophthalates in newer revised medical devices.
• I'm here today to testify on House 4298, an act relative to toxic-free medical devices.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Health held a lengthy hearing to take testimony on a wide range of bills related to environmental health, PFAS, medical device chemicals, food access, lead poisoning, air quality, oral health, and school food additives. Chair Driscoll and Chair Decker emphasized that the hearing was for testimony only, no decisions would be made that day, and that written testimony could still be submitted. They also noted the high volume of speakers and asked witnesses to keep remarks brief. A major portion of the hearing focused on PFAS-related legislation, including bills to restrict PFAS in products and food packaging and to create a PFAS remediation trust fund. Municipal officials and advocates described the high costs of PFAS cleanup, especially for drinking water systems, citing Easton’s multimillion-dollar treatment investments and rate increases. Testimony from legislators and advocates argued that Massachusetts should act despite federal uncertainty, and that the state should stop PFAS at the source rather than leaving municipalities and residents to pay for remediation. The committee also heard strong support for a bill banning DEHP in medical devices, with physicians, nurses, and a bill sponsor saying the chemical can leach from IV bags and tubing and that safer alternatives already exist. The committee also heard testimony on bills to establish statewide food truck permitting, with food truck owners and a senator describing the current system as costly, duplicative, and inconsistent across municipalities. Another set of witnesses supported the “Bean New Deal,” which would expand plant-based food options in public institutions, senior nutrition programs, and WIC, citing health, equity, and cost savings. On lead poisoning, housing advocates and a representative backed bills to expand lead-safe housing requirements to all rental units, arguing the current law contributes to discrimination against families with children and leaves too much pre-1978 housing uncertified. The committee also heard support for an outdoor air pollution bill that would create an advisory committee, identify pollution hotspots, expand monitoring, and set reduction targets, with testimony from environmental justice groups, pediatricians, and legislators describing disproportionate asthma and other health harms in overburdened communities. Later testimony addressed oral health bills to create dental therapists and allow dental hygienists to administer nitrous oxide, with supporters saying the measures would expand access, reduce costs, and help underserved patients. The committee also heard testimony on a bill to prohibit harmful food dyes in competitive school foods, with parents describing behavioral and health concerns tied to synthetic dyes. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• think if you put legitimate um devices think if you put legitimate um devices under<01:05:57.680
• As well as non-lethal guns. >> So, the way I read it, line 13, security devices is what you say there
• The key words are nonstructural security device, and then such as is just a non-exhaustive list, if I
• Structural security devices such as it's just a non-exhaustive list to give examples of things.
• five training for the use of the devices five training for the use of the devices would<01:15:05.360

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we suggested saying that solar energy devices excludes plug-in portable solar generation devices that
• of solar energy device in uh section<00:22:15.360> two<00:22:16.000> on<00:22:16.400><
• energy device uh excludes balcony solar. energy device uh excludes balcony solar.
• <00:22:37.520> devices<00:22:38.000> that<00:22:38.240> have gener generation
• devices that have gener generation devices that have maximum<00:22:39.039> aggregate<00:22:39.520

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint hearing covered SB 2120, which would allow certain state and county employees rehired within one year to transfer accrued vacation and sick leave and extend the break-in-service period for health benefits. Testimony was split: the Department of Human Resources explained current leave payout and pension credit rules and raised concerns about the long transfer window, while labor representatives supported the measure. During decision-making, both committees recommended passage with amendments. The amendments narrowed the bill by changing the break-in-service period to 180 days for leave beginning on or after July 1, 2026, making the benefit transfer voluntary with a 90-day notice deadline, and changing the effective date to January 1, 2077. The recommendations were adopted by vote. The committees also heard SB 2523, an appropriation for the City and County of Honolulu Department of Information Technology to modernize the driver’s license and motor vehicle system. DIT described the current COBOL-based mainframe as decades old, said the project would use a code-share arrangement with Arizona, and estimated a $10 million, two-year conversion and rollout. Members questioned the cost, the city-state funding arrangement, and the feasibility of the project, including whether it would move to a cloud-based system. After testimony, both committees deferred the measure. In the Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs portion, SB 2032 on consumer protection for solar sales drew broad support from the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority, the Office of Consumer Protection, the Hawaii Solar Energy Association, and others. Testifiers said the bill was needed in response to misleading solar door-to-door sales and urged amendments to clarify “contractual affiliation,” exclude balcony/portable solar devices, and require disclosure of cash and financed prices. The committee then moved on to SB 2079 on vehicle titles, which had one supporter and one opponent but no testimony in person or online, and SB 2241 on zero-emission vehicles, for which the Hawaii State Energy Office submitted written support. The hearing also began discussion of SB 2579 on water-related grants, where agencies said any program would need clearer statutory standards and likely a feasibility study before implementation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Just a reminder to everyone to please silence all electronic devices, and anyone wishing to speak before
• This bill also, the strike-all also addresses the biofeedback devices.
• And I still want the answer: is an Apple Watch a biofeedback device?
• Yes, and so I believe that an Apple Watch could be used as a biofeedback device.
• the age of the user upon the turning on of that device.

Summary: The committee first took up SB 1272 on guardianship, which would limit a guardian’s ability to isolate an adult ward from family and require notice to family or other named persons about major events such as a ward’s death or medical relocation. Senator Jones said the bill was intended to curb abuse by bad actors while not affecting good-faith guardians. Fortuna Smuggler and Phyllis Smith spoke in support, describing the need for family notification and closure. The bill passed unanimously, 8-0, and was reported favorably. The committee then considered CS/SB 1284 on wrongful death for an unborn child. Senator Graal explained that the bill would expand Florida’s Wrongful Death Act to allow parents to recover economic and non-economic damages for the death of an unborn child. An amendment was adopted to define “unborn child” as a member of the species Homo sapiens carried in the womb and to state that the act does not authorize a wrongful death action against the mother or a health care provider acting within the applicable standard of care. The amendment drew questions about abortion, medical emergencies, and whether fathers could sue; the sponsor said the bill was not intended to create claims against mothers or lawful medical care. Public testimony was sharply divided, with supporters arguing it gives families parity and accountability, and opponents warning it could be used to target abortion care, increase malpractice pressure, and worsen physician shortages. The committee approved the bill as amended by a 6-4 vote. Finally, the committee heard a strike-all amendment to SB 1288 on parental rights. The amendment would strengthen parental consent requirements for minors’ medical care, with exceptions for emergencies, court orders, certain legal categories of minors, and other existing statutory exceptions. It also would require parental consent for treatment related to STD screening, give parents more control over school or health surveys, and address use of biofeedback devices. Supporters said the measure restores parents’ authority and protects children from inappropriate questioning or treatment, while opponents argued it could block needed care for minors in unsafe homes, reduce access to STI treatment and mental health services, and create unintended consequences. The amendment was adopted, and the committee continued hearing testimony on the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a device as an alternative to the mask you see people wearing at night.
• However, this is for access, and there is a process to get devices put onto the access device list, the
• Access already covers sleep apnea devices, and I think that that is sufficient for our access patients
• I think sleep apnea is definitely a problem, and this device that they're recommending does have promise
• It's $1,600 for the device itself, and other than that, I echo a lot of representation. device itself

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The House convened, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, welcomed judicial branch guests for Judges Day, and recognized several visitors and proclamations, including 2026 Social Work Month. Members also received routine announcements and committee substitutions before moving into Committee of the Whole on multiple calendars. In Committee of the Whole, the House considered and advanced a large number of bills, often after committee and floor amendments. Notable measures included HB 2035 on kinship placement in child welfare; HB 2041 on keeping children from being removed from parents solely due to poverty; HB 2251 on licensed midwifery standards; HB 2429 on short-term rental regulation; HB 2444 on pharmacist-provided testing/treatment, which drew strong opposition from several members over safety, oversight, and cost concerns but still advanced; HB 2615 on court-appointed supervisors; HB 2726 on a sleep apnea device for AHCCCS/Access coverage, which drew concerns about vendor specificity and process; HB 2914 on protecting vulnerable adults in long-term care; HB 4018 on public safety; HB 2127 on an omnibus transportation/license plate measure; HB 2240 on tuition waivers for children of disabled veterans; HB 2344 and HB 2403 on appropriations-related matters; HB 2991 on social media and youth safety; HB 4070 on trafficking-related corporate penalties; and HB 4136 on unlawful entry involving vulnerable adults. Several sponsors described stakeholder negotiations and policy goals, while opponents raised concerns about safety, scope, costs, or process. The House then adopted Committee of the Whole reports and sent many bills to engrossing. In third reading, HB 2123 failed on a 24-28 vote after debate over gold and silver legal tender; HB 2270, HB 2324, HB 2404, HB 2557, HB 2574, HB 2594, HB 2611, HB 2681, HB 2697, and HB 2800 were among the bills voted on, with most passing. Members explained votes on several measures, including support for county authority changes, mental health services, patient records access, domestic violence address confidentiality, child welfare rights, and a bill tied to impaired-driving-related tragedy. The session ended with additional votes still underway on later third-reading bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• homeroom, and then keeping them there until the end of the day using some sort of pouch or other device
• an amendment was offered from Minority Arc to make sure that we criminalized the use of a skimming device
• Dooner: local option for device policy compliance. The question comes on adoption of the amendment.
• President, the device that has become now very common in our lives in the form of a cell phone is an
• President, the device that has become now very common in our lives in the form of a cell phone is an

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate first debated and advanced Senate Bill 2561, an act to promote student learning and mental health, centered on a statewide bell-to-bell restriction on student cell phone use in schools. Supporters argued the bill would reduce distraction, improve academic performance and mental health, and encourage social interaction, while preserving flexibility for districts and exceptions for emergencies, special education, health needs, and instructional uses. Several senators emphasized local control and the need for public input, and a number of amendments were considered: some were withdrawn, some were rejected, and others were adopted, including an amendment requiring consistent and necessary exceptions and another requiring public hearings and local public input. The bill was then ordered to a third reading and passed to be engrossed by a roll call vote of 38-2. The Senate also took up a conference committee report on a $259 million FY2025 supplemental appropriations bill. The report funded EMS costs, home care, the Healthy Incentives Program, DTA chip card technology, veterans benefits, the state police crime lab, the SSI state supplement, the Fair Housing Fund, and the National Guard, and included major indigent defense provisions: $40 million for 320 new CPCS staff attorneys, rate increases for private bar advocates, guardrails to reduce future work stoppages, and an independent review of the indigent defense system. Senators questioned the timing of the report, the inclusion of items not previously voted on by either branch, and the funding sources, including use of the transitional escrow fund and excess revenues. The report was accepted, the emergency preamble was adopted, and the supplemental budget was enacted. In addition, the Senate passed other measures, including a bill authorizing the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority to supply water to the Linfield Center Water District and a municipal roads and bridges financing bill, both by roll call vote. The chamber also enacted a health care protections bill, and it concurred in referrals on a governor’s municipal empowerment legislation. The session included a brief memorial tribute and adjournment in memory of Harry C. Christensen.

Transcript Highlights:

• If the device running too low.
• <03:58:41.439> so regulating this kind of a device so regulating this kind of a device so
• :56.560> changed device has to be changed device has to be changed you<03:58:58.319> know
• And these devices do have chips in them. All the newer devices have chips.
• I mean, the newer devices have chips.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you think with the explosive growth in charter schools, do you think it would be safe to assume that
• right now, they just have the magnetic strip, and the magnetic strip can be subject to a hijacking device
• , a skimming device.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• think you’re right about us being more of a system when it comes to this particular field, which is explosives
• wing is really like the kind of high-level production, so we're using all of the lights, the motion devices
• The kind of high-level production, so we're using all of the lights, the motion devices, all of those

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Please silence all electronic devices. Quorum is present. Please silence all electronic devices.
• It also bars insurers and HMOs from denying claims when such devices are needed to restore or maintain
• Many families face costs in the thousands or tens of thousands of dollars for these devices.
• So people need access to these devices. And we're not talking about a huge population here.
• So people need access to these devices. And we're not talking about a huge population here.

Bills: S0326, S0598, S0632, S0786, S1110, S1256, S1380, S1588, S7042, S7044

Keywords: curators, estates, court appointment, fiduciary duty, bond requirements, removal, surrogate, funeral homes, cemetery law, cremation, embalmer, funeral director, preneed contract, preneed funeral, human remains, unclaimed cremated remains, disposition of remains, hospice, palliative care, end-of-life care

Summary: The Banking and Insurance Committee met with a quorum present and temporarily postponed SB 7042 on legal tender and SB 1380 before taking up the remaining agenda. The committee first reported favorably C.S. for SB 326, which modernizes Florida’s curator statute in probate law by clarifying when curators may be appointed, what they may do, and what oversight applies. It then reported favorably SB 1256, which standardizes PBM pharmacy audits by requiring uniform audit standards, scope, frequency, penalties, and due process protections for pharmacies; testimony from pharmacists emphasized concerns about conflicts of interest, excessive audits, and disproportionate penalties, while preserving fraud investigations. The committee also reported favorably C.S. for SB 598 on funeral and cemetery services after adopting an amendment that removed provisions on civil damages caps and phasing out direct disposers; the bill updates licensure and contract rules and addresses unclaimed remains. SB 632, which sets insurance requirements for transportation network companies during the period after a ride is accepted but before pickup, was reported favorably despite opposition from an attorney who argued the existing coverage framework should not be reduced. C.S. for SB 786, creating a nonjudicial process to close out undisputed trusts and discharge trustees, was also reported favorably. The committee then took up SB 1110, a major bill expanding Medicaid and private insurance coverage for medically necessary orthotics and prosthetics, including activity limbs, and requiring annual reporting. After adopting an amendment clarifying eligible recipients, the committee heard extensive emotional testimony from amputees, parents, and advocates describing the medical, developmental, and financial importance of prosthetic coverage, and members spoke in strong support before the bill was reported favorably. Later, the committee considered SB 1588, which implements last session’s legal tender law by refining definitions, narrowing custodian provisions, eliminating unnecessary examination requirements, and repealing the sunset clause; members raised questions about verification and anti-money-laundering concerns, but the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee approved SPB 7044 as a committee bill to expand public records exemptions to records relating to newly regulated custodians of gold and silver. The meeting concluded with senators recording additional affirmative votes on selected bills and adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• By restricting personal device use during school hours, students can remain engaged in their learning
• By restricting personal device use during school hours, students can remain engaged in their learning
• I don't know if you would be um opposed to adding other personal electronic communication devices in
• students to use their personal devices students to use their personal devices for<00:32:57.840><
• <00:34:14.480> for access to their personal devices for access to their personal devices for

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 69, which would require local school boards to publicly vote on whether to accept or reject charitable gifts or donations, prompted by a case in which a church offered to pay off school lunch debt but the offer was refused and families were sued instead. Senator Keith Murphy said the bill is intended to force transparency and public accountability in similar situations, while acknowledging that boards may still reject gifts with strings attached or for ethical reasons. Members raised questions about anonymity, privacy, and whether school boards already have authority to address meal debt before litigation. Murphy said the bill was aimed at cases where money is refused and families are sued, and he said he would accept amendments to make the vote requirement apply to both accepted and rejected gifts. The hearing on the bill was then closed. The committee then took up Senate Bill 206, which requires public schools to adopt policies limiting student cell phone use during the school day. Trisha Milo, presenting for Senator Rashardi, said the bill is meant to improve focus, reduce distraction and cyberbullying, and create more consistent policies across districts, while still allowing exceptions for medical, disability, language support, and instructional needs. Committee members questioned whether districts would retain flexibility, whether the bill should apply to charter schools and other devices, and whether the annual policy-update requirement and enforcement language were too prescriptive. Milo said districts would still have flexibility in how they write their policies and that she would seek clarification from the senator on several drafting questions. Becky Wilson of the New Hampshire School Boards Association testified in support of the general concept of a cell phone policy, saying many districts already have some form of policy, though not all do, and that existing sample policies are outdated. She said the annual update requirement would likely be burdensome and that the enforcement language seemed intended to ensure administrative involvement rather than teacher discipline, but she suggested the wording may need revision. Members also discussed whether very small districts or districts without schools should be covered and whether the bill should better distinguish between classroom enforcement and student discipline. The chair closed the hearing on Senate Bill 206 after no further testimony, and the committee moved on to the next bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• ballot counting device.'
• <01:41:06.239> The electronic counting device. The electronic counting device.
• ballot counting device. ballot counting device.
• device, apply a seal, and so on.
• the election when the memory device the election when the memory device uh<01:59:43.920> is

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's basically making it easier for people to get speeding tickets with photo monitoring devices?
• It also provides that a state or local law enforcement agency may operate photo speed monitoring devices
• Also provides that a state or local law enforcement agency may operate photo speed monitoring devices
• This limits the photo speed monitoring devices in highway work zones...
• This limits the photo speed monitoring devices in highway work zones to where workers are present, as

Keywords: House Committee Room B, General Assembly Building, 976, house, all