Transcript Highlights:

• This measure establishes, in the Office of Hawaiian Affairs for administrative purposes only, a claims
• This measure establishes, in the Office of Hawaiian Affairs for administrative purposes only, a claims
• </c><00:19:36.360><c> for</c><00:19:36.600><c> revenues</c> for settlement of claims for revenues for
• settlement of claims for revenues due<00:19:37.240><c> to</c><00:19:37.400><c> OHA</c><00:19:37.799>
• up uh a previous bill just cleaning up uh a previous measure<00:58:53.960><c> um</c><00:58:54.760><c

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several measures, beginning with Senate Bill 869 on community outreach boards. The Office of Information Practices said the bill was now clear and raised no concerns after clarification that it applies to Hawaii County community development action plan committees under the Sunshine Law. Written support was received from several individuals, and one testifier initially opposed the bill but withdrew opposition after hearing OIP’s explanation. No vote was taken in the excerpt. The committee then heard Senate Bill 405 on neighborhood board meetings, which would let boards receive and discuss reports from government officials that were not on a noticed agenda, with final action deferred to a later noticed meeting. OIP said the bill was a policy choice but warned it would give boards more flexibility at the cost of less public notice. Support came from the Wke neighborhood board and Jacob Weinek, while Natalie Iwasa and Greg Mian opposed it, arguing it could lead to unclear agenda items and deeper discussion without adequate public notice. No vote was taken. The committee also heard Senate Bill 903 on a claims review working group in the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, with the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands asking for the measure to be deferred because it believed a complete inventory and audit of the public lands trust should come first. Members asked about the status of related House Bill 1358. The committee then heard tax measures: Senate Bill 1469, which would suspend the collection statute of limitations while tax assessments are on appeal, and Senate Bill 1467, which would clarify that county tax appeals do not need to be served on the Director of Taxation. The Tax Department supported both bills, and the Tax Foundation’s witness generally agreed but suggested a possible amendment to SB 1469 regarding insurance premium tax language. The committee then moved to Senate Bill 544 on sentencing of minor defendants, which would require courts to consider youth-related factors and allow departures from mandatory minimums; OHA, the Public Defender, Human Rights for Kids, and others supported it, citing trauma, diminished culpability, and national trends, and no opposition was noted in the excerpt. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 691 on family courts, which would set a minimum age of 12 for adjudication of law violations. The Public Defender and Human Rights for Kids supported the bill, saying very young children should not be treated as law violators and can still receive services through other family court mechanisms. The Attorney General’s office and the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office opposed the measure, arguing it could limit court jurisdiction and services for younger children and might have unintended consequences, including recruitment of children into criminal activity. Members asked whether amendments could preserve the bill’s intent while addressing those concerns; no final action is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• At the same time, he is making this claim. ...best for the universities of Wisconsin.
• At the same time, he is making this claim.
• His claim that he does not or did not know has all of the substance of the shadow of a starving pigeon
• We haven't done anything on water law to make sure that we have clean water in our state.
• or we can make this thing a Superfund site, and you can clean it up and pay for it.

Keywords: 970, all

Transcript Highlights:

• just one example, but throughout the building we have some challenges that we have to continually clean
• What we're doing at this point is we're cleaning the surfaces that we can reach.
• Part of the reason for the request for funding is so that we can do a deeper cleaning. all in between
• </c><00:23:36.320><c> the</c><00:23:36.960><c> the</c> point is is we're we're cleaning the the point
• is is we're we're cleaning the the surfaces<00:23:37.799><c> that</c><00:23:38.039><c> that</c><00:23

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee held an informational briefing on construction defects and operational problems at the newly opened Hawaii State Hospital Halola building, a $160 million facility with 144 beds for forensic patients. Department of Health and DAGS officials described ongoing issues identified before and after occupancy in April 2022, including anti-ligature safety defects, roof and building-envelope leaks, drainage problems, plumbing failures, HVAC corrosion and moisture-control issues, mold, and corroding materials. They said the problems have affected patient areas, showers, hallways, the gym, and other parts of the building, creating daily operational and safety challenges for staff and patients. Officials said the state believes the defects are the responsibility of the design-builder, Hensel Phelps, but that they are working with the company and its subcontractors to address the problems while preserving the state’s legal position. The Attorney General’s office said it is conducting an inquiry and asked agencies to limit comments to factual matters. Witnesses explained that some defects appear to be latent and that repairs are being documented through photos, invoices, and testimony. They also said some work is being done by Hensel Phelps and some by other contractors, with efforts to preserve evidence for possible future claims. Committee members questioned how the defects were missed during design-build inspection, whether the state should pursue litigation sooner, and how evidence would be preserved if outside contractors make repairs. Officials said the state has two funding requests pending: about $8 million for emergency repairs and about $28.8 million for longer-term repairs, for a total near $40 million, while noting that additional defects may still be discovered. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><03:45:52.080><c> up</c><03:45:52.319><c> that</c> to shift the cost of cleaning up that to shift
• the cost of cleaning up that footprint<03:45:53.199><c> to</c><03:45:53.399><c> the</c><03:45:53.520
• </c> is so upon approval this will be a clean is so upon approval this will be a clean bill<04:08:52.119
• I think we want, you know, I think it’s a good, clean industry for the state. It fits Hawaii.
• </c> want you know I think it's a good clean want you know I think it's a good clean industry<04:15:16.119

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• data, with state and federal claims data, with state and federal agencies,<00:08:18.639><c> to</c><00
• up the department and and uh do clean up the department and and uh do what<01:06:23.039><c> needs</c
• And so, uh, the economist in me tells me that, uh, that you would pursue the claims with the biggest
• reward and forgo pursuing the claims with the smallest reward.
• </c> reward uh and forgo pursuing the claims reward uh and forgo pursuing the claims with<01:37:51.920

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So we're just cleaning up statute to allow for that.
• So we're just cleaning up equivalent.
• So we're just cleaning up statute<00:04:37.680><c> to</c><00:04:37.840><c> allow</c><00:04:38.080><c>
• Um, I can get back to you, but if a provider doesn’t submit their claims for utilization management,
• Um, and there are now claims being made that we are not implementing it as was required.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I get to say and claim somebody as a gang member in your bill. I can say, yeah, he's with me.
• Claim somebody as a gang member in your bill? I can say, yeah, he's with me. He's also in my gang?
• When it comes to affiliation and claiming of an individual, When it comes to affiliation and claiming
• of an individual, a gang member will not claim another.
• But you can have vindictive spouses making claims about certain things. Okay, thanks. Yes, sir.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several criminal justice bills. SB 50 on veterans treatment courts would expand access to veterans courts statewide for eligible veterans with nonviolent charges, while preserving state attorney approval and making the change prospective only; the committee adopted two amendments and reported the bill favorably after testimony from veterans advocates and supporters. SB 52 would create a narrow exemption from private security licensing rules for unpaid volunteer armed security at places of worship; supporters said it would clarify a legal gray area for churches and synagogues, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 436 would add resisting an officer with violence to the list of prior offenses that can trigger felony battery enhancement, with an amendment narrowing the focus to battery on law enforcement involving injury; after debate about mandatory minimums and scope, it was also reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 676, which creates graduated penalties for adults who involve minors in certain animal cruelty offenses and increases penalties for related conduct; it was reported favorably and unanimously. SB 536 would revise criminal gang member definitions and gang-related enhancements, including social media and association criteria; members raised concerns about overbreadth and neighborhood-based misclassification, but the bill passed favorably. SB 432 would add certain xylazine products and 7-OH above a threshold to controlled substance laws, exempt FDA-approved veterinary xylazine, and create trafficking and mandatory minimum penalties for candy-like xylazine products; it was reported favorably. SB 524, an FDLE proposal, would revise duties and appointments related to the Medical Examiners Commission and clarify CJSTC procedures, and SB 590 would toll the statute of limitations for failure-to-report child abuse by mandatory reporters until the offense is discovered; both were reported favorably. Throughout the meeting, the committee heard mostly supportive testimony from law enforcement, advocacy groups, veterans organizations, faith leaders, and other stakeholders. Several bills drew discussion about mandatory minimums, scope, and possible unintended consequences, but no bill was defeated. The meeting concluded with all listed measures reported favorably and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Legislative Audit issued unmodified, or clean, opinions on the state's 2025 ACFER.
• Although several findings were reported, we issued an unmodified, or clean, opinion on most of the major
• Can you give us an explanation, or just talk about that claim if you would please, and are we in the
• So this is going to give you a kind of a 10-year history of the number of claims, and as you can see,
• So, you know, the cash is sufficient to fund claims and claims are getting paid.

Summary: The Legislative Joint Auditing Committee met on June 5 and first adopted prior minutes and several committee reports. The executive committee report noted adoption of its minutes, staff updates on scheduled audits, approval of an annual financial audit for the City of Horseshoe Bend, and an update on the intern program. The Counties and Municipalities report covered delinquent private water and sewer audits, compliance follow-up with towns including Denning, Gum Springs, Omer, Fargo, Jericho, and Haynes, and review of current and deferred reports; the committee filed most current reports but deferred several and referred some matters to prosecutors and the Attorney General. The Educational Institutions report said 103 education audits were reviewed, most with no findings, while several school districts had findings and one Booneville School District finding was referred to law enforcement. The State Agencies report included findings at the Department of Finance and Administration and a deferred Department of Health report, and the committee filed 13 reports. The committee then received lengthy presentations on the State of Arkansas annual comprehensive financial report and the state single audit for fiscal year ended June 30, 2025. Legislative Audit issued unmodified opinions on the state financial statements, but identified two material weaknesses: insufficient internal controls at the Office of State Technology to monitor threats and unauthorized access, and improper methodology changes and documentation issues at the Division of Workforce Services affecting year-end estimates for unemployment-related accounts. The single audit covered $12.4 billion in federal awards across 469 programs, with 16 major programs reviewed. Auditors reported 33 findings overall, including 31 federal findings, $12.9 million in outstanding questioned costs, and qualified opinions for the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer program, the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund, and the Child Care Development Fund cluster. Committee members questioned DHS, the broadband office, OST, DFA, Education, and Workforce Services about the findings, corrective actions, cyber protections, federal drawdowns, child care reporting, and accounting methodology changes. Several agencies described corrective steps. DHS said it had changed how it draws Summer EBT funds, addressed provider revalidation and incarceration-related Medicaid issues, and updated internal processes and staffing. The broadband office said the questioned costs reflected invoice documentation disputes rather than missing payments and expected Treasury review to resolve the issue. OST said it was expanding logging, endpoint detection, and enterprise monitoring, and described broader cybersecurity investments, training, and a roadmap. DFA and Workforce Services addressed the workers’ compensation and unemployment accounting issues, with Workforce Services saying it had updated its policy and submitted the methodology to DFA. After discussion, the committee voted to hold the two statewide audit reports over until the August meeting, with members asked to submit specific questions in advance so only needed agencies would return. The final item was a special report on the Hot Spring County Solid Waste Authority for January 1, 2023 through June 30, 2025. The audit reviewed compliance with laws, board procedures, bidding, payroll, permits, inspections, and cash handling. It noted prior private audit findings on segregation of duties, that recent private audit reports had not been obtained for 2023 through 2025, and that the current administrator said prior office staff and bookkeeping contractors resigned when he was hired. The authority’s operations and revenue sources were described, and the report was presented for committee review.

Transcript Highlights:

• to somebody is: say you have an insurance company that has company cars so they can go out and do claims
• somebody is, so say you have an insurance company that has company cars so they can go out and do claims
• are costs we must pass on to our customers if we are to remain solvent, healthy, and able to pay claims
• House Bill 2382 lumps this clean alternative into the same 95% tax bracket as the products you're trying
• Please stop treating responsible non-smokers using clean, non-tobacco alternatives as if we are burdening

Bills: HB2038, HB2297, HB2382, HB2487, HB2018

Keywords: HB2038, Washington, B&O tax, business and occupation tax, social media tax, platform tax, youth behavioral health, mental health, adolescent mental health, children's mental health, telebehavioral health, behavioral health account, state treasury, digital services tax, internet platform, social media companies, youth services, depression, anxiety, public health funding

Transcript Highlights:

• Opponents claim this bill undermines transparency or public safety.
• What has happened is that our voter rolls have not always been clean, as they should be.
• Now, if you want to clean up the signature process, may I suggest maybe increasing penalties?
• Well, I would claim to be protecting integrity without any evidence of fraud.
• I would claim that the citizen initiative is too taxing, takes up too much time.

Bills: SB6081, SB5902, SB6034, SB6035, SB5892, SB5973

Keywords: SB 6081, Washington privacy, sex designation, gender marker, nonbinary, transgender, vital records, birth certificate, death certificate, fetal death, stillbirth, driver license, ID card, Department of Licensing, public records exemption, confidential records, record sealing, data sharing, government records, privacy

Transcript Highlights:

• that's real come and make the complaint, and now they take it off because I've made the complaint claiming
• Changing and removing the anonymous ability to claim prizes is critically important.
• people that keep us going and set up and take down and keep the sound and everything else and the place clean
• Senate that keep us going and set up and take down and keep the sound and everything else and the place clean

Bills: HB668, HB677, HB766, HB3133, SB3070

Keywords: HB 668, Texas, handgun license, license to carry, LTC, concealed carry, open carry, firearm permit, gun license renewal, public safety, Department of Public Safety, DPS, Government Code Section 411.185, renewal fee, handgun permit, Second Amendment, carry permit, firearms regulation, HB 677, Texas Election Code

Summary: The committee met to hear several bills, beginning with House Bill 766, which would require precinct chair applicants to provide an email address, phone number, or both on their applications while keeping that contact information confidential. No one testified for or against the bill, and it was left pending. House Bill 677, a companion to a previously approved Senate bill, would bar county election administrators from simultaneously holding another office or position appointed by an elected official; it also drew no public testimony and was left pending. Members then heard House Bill 3133, which would add explicit deepfake material to the list of content social media platforms must handle through complaint systems, including prompt acknowledgment, investigation, and status updates. Senators discussed concerns about how platforms would verify whether reported content was actually a deepfake, and the sponsor indicated the bill may be held pending while federal law on the subject is reviewed. House Bill 668 would create a one-year grace period for renewing an expired Texas handgun license to carry, codifying an existing DPS practice; it also received no testimony and was left pending. The committee spent the most time on Senate Bill 3070, a major overhaul of the Texas Lottery system. The bill would move oversight from the Lottery Commission to TDLR, dissolve the commission, impose new restrictions on ticket sales and internet play, create a lottery advisory committee, increase transparency and audit requirements, and include a sunset review that could lead to abolishing the lottery if not continued by 2027. The author described the bill as a response to alleged misconduct and illegal practices by the commission, while a witness from the Christian Life Commission testified in favor, supporting changes to prize anonymity and other lottery restrictions. After testimony, the bill was left pending, and the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• That is just insurance claims of many kinds.
• Small claims where the recovery...
• HB 6515 is a claims bill for $296,400.
• You know, a wrongful death claim... This is a great bill.
• This amendment really just helps clean up some language.

Summary: The subcommittee considered a long agenda of civil justice and claims measures. HB 1173, relating to the Florida Trust Code, was presented as a clarification of standing in trust litigation after recent case law; after questions about who may sue, an amendment was adopted clarifying that an expressly named charity retains standing, and the bill passed 14-2. HB 1437, on attorney’s fees in motor vehicle PIP disputes, drew testimony from insurers and reform groups opposing a return to fee-driven litigation and from medical groups supporting fee recovery for prevailing parties; it passed 17-0. CS/HB 147, addressing prohibited debt-collection communications during nighttime and early morning hours, was described as a clarification of an outdated statute in light of modern communications, with support from business groups and no opposition in the vote; it passed 18-0. The committee then heard several claims bills against the Department of Children and Families. HB 6511, for relief of L.P., described severe injuries to a child after DCF allegedly failed to act on warning signs; a technical amendment was adopted and the bill passed 18-0. HB 6515, for relief of Michael Barnett, involved DCF’s alleged failure to investigate domestic violence that preceded the killing of three children and injury of a fourth; members asked about the settlement amount and the case’s circumstances, and the bill also passed 18-0. HB 1517, expanding wrongful death law to allow parents of an unborn child to recover for the child’s death, generated the most extensive debate. The sponsor said it aligns civil law with existing criminal definitions and excludes claims against mothers and providers of lawful medical care, including IVF; opponents warned it could be used to target reproductive care, support networks, and domestic violence survivors, while supporters framed it as a justice measure for families. An amendment clarifying damages rules for minors and unborn children was adopted, and the bill passed 13-4. Finally, HB 947, on evidence of medical damages in personal injury and wrongful death cases, sought to allow broader evidence at trial and to change “shall” to “may”; supporters said it would improve fairness and transparency, while opponents argued it would weaken post-2023 tort reforms and reintroduce inflated medical damages. The amendment was adopted and the bill was then taken up with additional opposition testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are, by all counts across the country right now, 952,173 claims that are currently over 125 days
• There are 241,601 claims backlogged beyond that.
• I appreciate staff for helping us clean this bill up to get it into the proper posture.
• That is the claims bill. So the bill is the claims bill. Are there amendments?
• This is a bill with a settled excess judgment claim for $200,000.

Summary: The Senate convened with an opening prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance led by pages, and several introductions recognizing guests, family members, and a USF Day at the Capitol presentation. The chamber then moved to the special order calendar, where it first passed two Open Government Sunset Review bills: CS/SB 7010, preserving a public records exemption for certain Department of Financial Services receiver information, and SB 7008/HB 7003, preserving confidentiality for financial technology sandbox application records. Both measures passed unanimously. The Senate also passed CS/SB 1430 on post-judgment execution proceedings relating to terrorism, a bill intended to help victims enforce judgments against terrorist entities, and CS/CS/SB 910 on veterans benefits assistance, aimed at improving veterans’ access to benefits and transition support. Additional measures passed included CS/CS/CS/SB 832 on former phosphate mining lands, SB 796 on general permits for distributed wastewater treatment systems, CS/CS/CS/SB 700, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services bill, and several claims bills, including relief for Darlene Angerville and J.R., Eric and Jennifer Miles on behalf of EEM, and Marcus Button. SB 994 on driver’s license education requirements also passed after an amendment making texting while driving a moving violation with points and a distracted-driving course requirement. The most extended debate centered on CS/CS/CS/SB 700, where senators discussed provisions on fluoride in drinking water, labeling of plant-based products, drone penalties, charity registration, agricultural housing, and other agriculture-related policy changes. Several amendments on fluoride were offered and defeated, while a technical amendment on financial institution definitions was adopted. Senators also briefly discussed the policy implications of the bill’s fluoride language and its relationship to local control and public health. Several other bills on the calendar were temporarily postponed, and at the end of the session the Senate adopted motions to certify passed bills to the House, retain postponed bills on the special order calendar, and remove CS/SB 7016 from the special order calendar. The Senate then adjourned until April 16.

Transcript Highlights:

• Fortunato, which would create a law enforcement officer facial covering account for the purpose of claims
• of Washington currently is somewhere—I've heard numbers of $500 million in liability from lawsuit claims
• Basically, this is something we put together related to clean energy projects and appeal. Seconds.
• Basically, this is something we put together related to clean energy projects and appeal.
• Today, I see in the morning as strongly opposed Senate Bill 2974, a proposal that claims to modernize

Bills: SB5865, SB5880, SB5912, SB5855, SB6011, SB6009, SB5868, SB5974

Keywords: garnishment, debt, form standardization, financial protection, legal processes, toxicology testing, laboratories, accreditation, public health, standards, indigent defense, task force, criminal justice, legal aid, public defense, face coverings, law enforcement, public safety, civil liberties, court security

Transcript Highlights:

• It removes the restrictive clean hands bar.
• He is saying that Officer Rayner lacked probable cause and that he feared for his life, claiming he was
• NOT BE ABLE TO CLAIM SELF DEFENSE AS AN AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE IN SUCH A SITUATION.
• Senator Brodeur: Let's keep it Clean, Senator Burgess.
• Wright: Senate Bill 402 cleans up Florida statutes. 817.312.

Bills: SJR37, SJR57, SCR8, SB8, SB108, SB125, SB251, SB318, SB378, SB379, SB396, SB472, SB487, SB503, SB533, SB565, SB583, SB608, SB650, SB686, SB689, SB707, SB710, SB763, SB854, SB875, SB916, SB924, SB925, SB958, SB961, SB965, SB987, SB988, SB1006, SB1019, SB1021, SB1024, SB1026, SB1038, SB1146, SB1185, SB1194, SB1202, SB1252, SB1253, SB1330, SB1343, SB1362, SB1497, SB1498, SB1499, SB1527, SB1547, SB1596, SB1697, SJR36, SJR12, SJR57, SJR37, SCR22, SCR12, SCR8, SB925, SB1362, SB565, SB765, SB62, SB666, SB707, SB888, SB687, SB847, SB1248, SB504, SB857, SB305, SB296, SB284, SB1497, SB1499, SB1498, SB241, SB304, SB621, SB1023, SB1024, SB686, SB371, SB204, SB609, SB670, SB850, SB854, SB413, SB1346, SB1033, SB1220, SB1073, SB810, SB1539, SB447, SB875, SB406, SB985, SB965, SB1119, SB1505, SB1194, SB1253, SB1215, SB1302, SB856, SB583, SB673, SB681, SB1172, SB1252, SB378, SB608, SB955, SB957, SB988, SB1019, SB1021, SB1120, SB251, SB541, SB379, SB1737, SB266, SB1415, SB1527, SB125, SB599, SB1330, SB53, SB916, SB1352, SB785, SB710, SB472, SB1450, SB1502, SB1566, SB414, SB1062, SB961, SB1038, SB578, SB711, SB746, SB942, SB1404, SB1448, SB1738, SB108, SB8, SB318, SB507, SB533, SB689, SB1026, SB1349, SB1355, SB1433, SB1434, SB1596, SB1403, SB1146, SB763, SB667, SB1059, SB617, SB1567, SB503, SB16, SB310, SB311, SB396, SB505, SB1209, SB1210, SB1470, SB264, SB924, SB1029, SB1185, SB1202, SB1358, SB1364, SB1569, SB1697, SB1376, SB1228, SB519, SB878, SB1350, SB462, SB1535, SB827, SB1585, SB207, SB1207, SB1619, SB1396, SB920, SB1484, SB1273, SB1741, SB7, SB927, SB1227, SB1229, SB1353, SB1366, SB1464, SB1709, SB1729, SB1733, SB1744, SB1772, SB1816, SB1841, SB2188, SB1147, SB879, SB1008, SB378, SB710, SB916, SB1019, SB1146, SB1194, SB1253, SB1499, SB213, SB925, SB1362, SR263, SR311, SR333, SCR8, SB2407, SB2722, SB2949, SB2407, SB2722, SB2949

Keywords: voter ID, citizenship, election integrity, constitutional amendment, voting rights, central bank digital currency, CBDC, Federal Reserve, digital dollar, digital currency, cashless payments, financial privacy, cybersecurity, government surveillance, financial surveillance, money laundering, terrorism financing, illicit finance, banking policy, monetary policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Trump officials try to defend this recklessness by claiming they're making things more efficient and
• If I might, you and I talked about the clean energy tax credits.
• What's your position on the clean energy tax credits?
• Because they already had eight years of tax cuts that ran up the debt, Congressional Republicans claim
• Claiming that somehow losing 4.6 trillion dollars in tax revenues is free is just plain nuts.

Keywords: nomination, Deputy Secretary of Treasury, economic policy, inflation, tariffs, tribal nations, government relations

Summary: The meeting convened to consider the nomination of Mike Falkender for the position of Deputy Secretary of the Treasury. During the session, multiple members voiced concerns regarding current economic policies under the Trump administration, particularly around inflation, tariffs, and the impact on small businesses. Discussions frequently centered on the administration's approach to tariffs and taxation, and how these factors contribute to the rising cost of living and potential job losses. Additionally, the importance of bolstering government-to-government relationships with tribal nations was emphasized, highlighting the need for specialized offices focused on tribal affairs within the Treasury Department.

Transcript Highlights:

• deployed machine learning technology to successfully prevent more than 50,000 fraudulent unemployment claims
• From preventing fraudulent unemployment claims to streamlining regulatory frameworks, these technological
• From preventing fraudulent unemployment claims to streamlining regulatory frameworks, these technological
• It's never been cleaned up. It's never been organized. It's never been cleaned up.
• And so when we look at data as a whole, we want to make sure that you clean that data up.

Summary: The subcommittee met to hear a panel discussion on artificial intelligence and automation in Florida government. Panelists from Worldwide Technology, OpenAI, the James Madison Institute, and the Florida Digital Service described AI as a tool to improve efficiency, constituent services, fraud detection, translation, HR workflows, public safety, and regulatory review, while emphasizing that AI should supplement rather than replace workers. They also stressed the importance of data readiness, workforce training, governance, and having existing technology systems and policies in place before broader deployment. Members asked about public records concerns, vendor vetting, model integrity, and how to balance innovation with privacy and security. Chief Schoonover said agencies are already using or exploring AI in areas such as Medicaid analysis, environmental data, emergency management, tax forms, and child support, and noted that the Digital Service publishes prohibited vendor and application lists. OpenAI discussed its red teaming, safety evaluations, privacy controls, and government products such as ChatGPT Gov, and said it does not train on personal data or target users with ads. The committee also discussed concrete examples of efficiency gains, including reduced call times, faster translation turnaround, and streamlined HR classification work, as well as concerns about job disruption and constituent access. In closing, members raised data center infrastructure and energy needs, with panelists noting that AI depends on substantial compute, power, cooling, and utility capacity. The chair concluded by encouraging continued dialogue and noting that future AI legislation should be targeted to specific problems rather than overly broad.

Transcript Highlights:

• District court is because small claims court is not an area they can go to because small claims does
• clean water in their district.
• to have uh clean air and clean<03:08:06.399><c> water</c><03:08:07.120><c> um</c><03:08:07.279><c> in
• </c> clean water um in their district. clean water um in their district.
• </c> for the Clean Transit Enterprise. for the Clean Transit Enterprise.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill will save local governments, like ours, money by reducing litter and our costs to clean it
• I ask you to consider what it says about our state when children feel compelled to clean up the waste
• I ask you to consider what it says about our state when children feel compelled to clean up the waste
• Furthermore, the idea that people can't or won't claim their money back is certainly not a reason to
• He said that while they support the bill's goals of collecting a clean stream of beverage containers

Summary: The committee held a public hearing and briefing on several bills, with House Bill 2441, House Bill 2159, House Bill 2521, House Bill 2531, House Bill 2543, and House Bill 1607 discussed in that order after agenda changes. HB 2441 would expand reimbursement from the LEO retirement fund for survivors of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty, covering Medicare Parts A and B premiums and retroactive health insurance premiums during the period before a death is officially determined to be work-related. Staff described a relatively small number of affected survivors and modest actuarial impacts, and the prime sponsor spoke emotionally in support. A representative from the L&I Board also testified that the board had studied the issue and endorsed the bill. HB 2159 would create the Pre-K Promise Account to receive philanthropic funds for ECEAP expansion. Staff explained ECEAP eligibility and the proposed non-appropriated account structure, noting Governor Ferguson’s budget included $34.5 million in non-appropriated authority for about 2,000 new school-day slots. Testimony was strongly supportive from Ballmer Group, DCYF, Head Start/ECEAP advocates, a Yakima provider, and the governor’s office, all emphasizing the public-private partnership, expanded access, and support for children furthest from opportunity. HB 2521 would remove the $18 cap on the State Patrol’s firearm background check fee and allow the fee to be set to cover total program costs. Staff said the fee could rise to about $33 per check based on current costs, and the State Patrol testified that the cap no longer matches actual expenses and threatens staffing and service levels. One member of the public opposed the bill, arguing the state system should be scrapped or capped and that consumers would face higher costs. HB 2531 would freeze the ambulance quality assurance fee at its July 4, 2025 level to comply with federal law and adjust Medicaid add-on payments accordingly; the Washington Ambulance Association strongly supported it as essential to preserving federal matching funds and improving wages and benefits. HB 2543 would update county clerk fees and modernize outdated references, with county officials supporting the changes as necessary to reflect current electronic-record practices. HB 1607, the Recycling Refund Act, drew the most extensive testimony. Staff described a 10-cent refund system for covered beverage containers, a producer responsibility organization, Ecology oversight, and fiscal impacts tied to program administration and lost tax revenue. Supporters, including environmental groups, youth advocates, Seattle Public Utilities, and some industry voices, argued the bill would reduce litter, increase recycling rates, support reuse systems, and complement the existing recycling reform law. Opponents from recycling haulers, grocers, beverage interests, counties, and solid waste providers argued it would function like a tax, raise consumer and retailer costs, duplicate or undermine curbside recycling and EPR, and create siting and implementation problems. No votes were taken on the bills in this transcript; the hearing concluded with public testimony and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• And representing Altadena, I'll tell you that smoke claims after the Eaton fire, and I know my colleague
• from Thousand Oaks representing the Palisades fire can attest, smoke claims have been a nightmare.
• And it has really been the big... ...fire can attest, smoke claims have been a nightmare, and it has
• Burke believed that clean air is a right, not a privilege, and made environmental justice a central focus
• Burke believed that clean air is a right, not a privilege, and made environmental justice a central focus

Summary: The Assembly convened, established a quorum, and handled a number of procedural motions, including suspending rules for adjournments in memory and guest introductions, rescinding prior action on SB 493, and re-referring several Senate bills to different committees. Members also recognized guests on the floor, including family members, interns, firefighters from the Corona Fire Department, and the Quartz Hill High girls’ soccer team, which was honored for its historic championship season. The main floor action was on AB 1795 by Assembly Member Gibson, the Smoke Damage Recovery Act, which would create statewide standards for inspecting, testing, and remediating wildfire smoke damage and set clearer insurance claim practices. Supporters said the bill would help wildfire survivors return home safely and urged science-based standards and a rebuttable presumption that contamination after a wildfire was caused by the fire; opponents warned the bill could raise costs and should better address government failures in fire recovery. The bill passed on a 54-6 vote, including the urgency clause. Members also adopted SCR 137, proclaiming March 15 as Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Day, with remarks praising her role in advancing gender equality and equal rights. The resolution was adopted after 65 co-authors were added and then approved by voice vote. The consent calendar, including SJR 11, was adopted 71-0. A large portion of the session was devoted to adjournments in memory, including tributes to Larry Vane, Dr. William A. Burke, Colonel Alfred P. Glover, and Rita Semmel. The Assembly also honored departing Member James Gallagher, who gave extended farewell remarks before leaving for Congress. The house then announced upcoming committee meetings and adjourned until Thursday, June 11, at 9 a.m.