Transcript Highlights:

• And we'll wait a moment until the ladies who are passing out the bills.
• And we'll wait a moment until the ladies who are passing out the bills.
• So if anybody has any questions, I would stand for them at this time.
• I did walk through the provisions of the compact in quite a bit of detail last time.
• Is there anything that we need to wait for tomorrow on this one?

Summary: The committee reviewed four bill drafts for the Rural Health Transformation effort. The first required the presidential physical fitness test in PE classes; members asked about DPI and school support, then moved and approved the draft. The second required physicians to complete one hour of continuing education on nutrition and metabolic health each renewal cycle and included legislative intent encouraging other health boards to consider nutrition-related CE; it was approved after brief discussion. The third bill adopted the Physician Assistant Licensure Compact. Members discussed a separate issue involving occupational therapy compact background checks and whether that fix could be added now or would need to wait until later; the committee also discussed Board of Medicine input and the compact’s workforce benefits. The draft was moved forward to the full committee. The fourth bill expanded pharmacists’ prescriptive authority and therapeutic substitution. Legislative Council explained the draft, and Senator Roars proposed substantial amendments to narrow motion sickness, UTI, diabetes supply, and substitution provisions. Members debated whether to vote on amendments now or wait for the special session public hearing; concerns were raised about transparency, stakeholder input, and avoiding premature action. No amendment vote was taken, and the bill was left for later consideration. The committee then recessed until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've been waiting this a long time, waiting for a long time, long fight. Not just for our family.
• We've been waiting for a long time. Long fight. Not just for our family.
• The time not the time is now to honor the truth and to stand on the right side of history and to ensure
• Thank you for your time. Thank you for your time. Thank you very much. Pastor Ray Whiteley.
• So we take all the time we need, but thank you for taking the time to travel.

Bills: S0330 , S0474 , S0694 , S1120 , S1216 , S1366 , S1442 , S7018

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several bills, beginning with SB 694 on compensation for the descendants of the Groveland Four. Senator Bracey Davis described the wrongful accusations, convictions, deaths, and long-term harm to the families, and an amendment added a $4 million appropriation and updated the recipient for Ernest Thomas’s family. Multiple family members, advocates, clergy, and supporters testified in favor, emphasizing the decades-long delay in justice and the need for accountability and repair. Senators from both parties spoke in support, and the committee reported the bill favorably after a roll call vote. The committee then approved SB 330 on disability provisions for firefighters, law enforcement, and correctional officers; SB 474 on military affairs leave and related benefits; and SB 96 on the Veterans Dental Care Grant Program. SB 96 drew the most discussion, with Senator Sharief explaining that the bill raises eligibility to 400% of the federal poverty level and moves $500,000 in recurring funding to the General Appropriations Act. Senator Wright and Senator Harrell raised concerns about whether expanding eligibility could worsen the existing waitlist, while supporters argued the change would help more veterans access needed dental care. The bill was ultimately reported favorably. The committee also passed SB 7018 on child welfare, making the Step Into Success pilot program permanent and statewide, adjusting visitor/background-check rules for foster homes, and creating a best-practices program through the Florida Institute for Child Welfare. SB 480 on information technology was reported favorably after amendments creating a central IT governance structure under the Governor’s office, adding vendor performance metrics and a preferred vendor list, and restoring criminal justice information security provisions. SB 1066 on the Ocklawaha River and Rodman Dam also advanced after extensive testimony from supporters and historians about partial restoration, recreation, and economic benefits; the sponsor said he would continue working through permitting questions before floor consideration. Later, the committee approved SB 1216 on educator compensation, which gives districts more flexibility on cost-of-living adjustments, advanced degrees, and performance pay caps, and SB 1120 on water management district oversight and reporting. The committee also reported favorably SB 1366 on sovereign immunity and claims against government, which would raise damages caps, index them to CPI, shorten claim deadlines, and cap attorney fees at 25%. That bill drew testimony from hospitals, cities, counties, school districts, and others, with some supporting the Senate’s compromise approach and others raising concerns about impacts on self-insured law enforcement agencies and attorney incentives. The meeting concluded with the favorable report on the bill after debate continued over those issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've been waiting this a long time, waiting for a long time, long fight. Not just for our family.
• So we take all the time we need, but thank you for taking the time to travel.
• Martin Luther King reminded us: it is always the right time to do the right thing. ...the right time
• So, like 170 people waiting at 1,000 that have gotten services, so it's a de minimis waiting list, or
• Thank you for your time.

Summary: The committee first took up SB 694, which would compensate the descendants of the Groveland Four—Charles Greenlee, Walter Irvin, Samuel Shepard, and Ernest Thomas—for the wrongful convictions, incarceration, and death tied to the 1949 case. Senator Bracey Davis described the bill as a final step after prior state apologies, pardons, and exonerations. The committee adopted a $4 million amendment that divided compensation equally among the four families and updated the recipient for Ernest Thomas’s share. Multiple family members and advocates testified in support, emphasizing the decades of trauma and the need for full justice. Senators in debate largely supported the bill, and it was reported favorably. The committee then approved SB 330, which clarifies disability provisions for firefighters, law enforcement officers, and correctional officers by refining the definition of heart disease and allowing certain officers who transfer agencies to rely on a prior physical under specified conditions. SB 474 also passed, expanding military leave protections to include public officials and employees who serve in the Coast Guard or Florida State Guard, adjusting pay eligibility for federal service, and updating related retirement and assistance provisions. SB 96, the Veterans Dental Care Grant Program bill, was amended to expand eligibility to veterans with incomes up to 400% of the federal poverty level and to move funding into the General Appropriations Act; members debated whether the broader eligibility could increase demand, but the bill was reported favorably. The committee also advanced SB 7018 on child welfare, making the Step Into Success pilot program permanent statewide, adjusting visitor/background-check rules for out-of-home placements, and creating a best-practices program through the Florida Institute for Child Welfare. CS/SB 480 on state IT governance was reported favorably after amendments that strengthened vendor performance metrics and restored state data center security provisions; it creates a new central IT governance structure under the Governor’s office and aims to improve oversight of procurement, spending, and technical debt. SB 1066, addressing partial restoration of the Ocklawaha River and Kirkpatrick Dam, passed after a late-file amendment and extensive testimony from environmental, recreation, and local economic interests. SB 1216, which gives school districts more flexibility in educator compensation, and SB 1120, which increases oversight and reporting for water management district spending, were also reported favorably. Finally, the committee considered SB 1366 on claims against the government, which raises sovereign immunity caps, ties future adjustments to CPI, shortens claim deadlines, and changes attorney-fee provisions. The bill drew support from local government and public-hospital groups as a compromise, but also significant concern from some senators about the impact on self-insured agencies and whether the fee changes would discourage attorneys from taking cases. The discussion remained ongoing, and the bill was still moving forward as the meeting continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's what I was waiting for. I couldn't.
• We're waiting for the Senators to come.
• Thank you Senator for your time. Thank you.
• Yep so with that we're gonna wait a couple more minutes we're gonna wait for leave the roll open and
• We'll wait five more minutes, so we'll wait for Ms. Bonta to get here. Thank you so much.

Committee: House Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact

Transcript Highlights:

• for from people nearby while waiting for from people nearby while waiting for emergency responders to
• so we won't do a long time so we won't do a long time so we won't do that but you're recognized thank
• he he sir and uh he in his spare time he he sir and uh he in his spare time he he helped his father
• for a second this while we're waiting for a second this while we're waiting for a second this time if
• out to effective time out to effective time out to 2026 so um gives the companies more time 2026 so

Bills: SJR 36 , SJR 2 , SB 4 , SR 45 , SR 47 , SR 63 , SR 66 , SR 70 , SR 85 , SCR 14 , SB 10 , SB 11 , SB 10 , SB 11

Transcript Highlights:

• There at least will not be a Democratic caucus, so I think we'll be able to hand back some time to you
• performance, with the goal of minimum trip-time reliability of 88% on-time performance; providing a
• Cascades was on time only half the time the past 10 years, as you know.
• So I'd like to go through that fiscal note one more time.
• She has audio waiting on... She has audio waiting on, or she has visual waiting on audio now.

Bills: HB1823 , HB2092 , HB2111 , HB2114

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: transportation improvement board, TIB, transportation improvement account, motor vehicle fund, arterial streets, local match, private match, grant funding, transportation grants, county roads, city streets, transportation benefit district, urban county, small city program, active transportation, pedestrian, bicycle, bike routes, transit, public transit

Transcript Highlights:

• This helps reduce long wait times, stretches the behavioral health workforce, and ensures that care is
• This helps reduce long wait times, stretches the behavioral health workforce, and ensures that care is
• This helps reduce long wait times, stretches the behavioral health workforce, and ensures that care is
• </c><00:05:10.160><c> time,</c> patients in and there's long wait time, patients in and there's long
• wait time, sometimes<00:05:11.360><c> six</c><00:05:11.600><c> months</c><00:05:11.840><c> or</c><00:

Committee: House Health Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for your time. Thank you.
• Thank you so much for your time.
• Well, okay, wait, wait, wait, wait. No, no, I mean, that’s my point. Direct it to the chair.
• Wait, wait, wait, no, direct it to me. Okay.
• time.

Summary: The committee took up several bills and confirmations. It reported favorably SB 332, as amended, on a narrow public-meetings/public-records exemption for legal strategy and settlement communications during the pre-suit period in Burt Harris claims; SB 464, requiring K-12 schools to formally observe Veterans Day; SB 984, clarifying firefighter cancer/death-benefit provisions and related prevention language; SB 576, expanding and codifying the local government cybersecurity protection program under Florida Digital Service; SB 964, revising how certain gifts and honoraria are reported to the Commission on Ethics; SB 1612, requiring local governments to accept electronic payments with exceptions and a delayed effective date; SB 830, creating public-records exemptions for certain local government administrators and their families; SB 1096, clarifying the filing deadline for Florida Civil Rights Act complaints; and SB 1656, designating the SS American Victory as Florida’s official state flagship. The committee also considered a large confirmation package. Jeffrey Aaron’s appointment to the Public Employees Relations Commission was discussed separately after Senator Polsky raised concerns about his political connections and prior work; the committee still recommended him favorably. The remaining appointees on tabs 12 through 30 were also recommended favorably in one vote. The longest and most contentious item was SB 1296, with a committee substitute, on the Public Employees Relations Commission and public-sector unions. The PCS would change union certification/recertification rules, require a recent showing-of-interest form, create different voting thresholds for public safety and non-public safety employee organizations, limit paid union leave for non-public safety unions unless reimbursed, require equal access to certain employer communication spaces, and speed up impasse procedures for legislatively funded salary increases. Senators raised constitutional concerns, especially about the single-subject rule and collective-bargaining rights, and many speakers opposed the bill as union-busting and harmful to teachers, bus drivers, nurses, utility workers, and other public employees. Supporters argued it would improve accountability, ensure genuine member support, and prevent taxpayer-funded union activity. The committee continued debate on SB 1296 after extensive testimony, but the transcript ends before a final vote on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I believe we're just waiting for, I think we have agreement.
• We're just waiting for Fin release. Yeah. WAM release? Yes. Okay.
• Uh, we're waiting on a CD on this one.
• </c> Uh we're waiting on a CD on this one. Uh we're waiting on a CD on this one.
• Tomorrow, same time, same place. April 29th, 2:40 p.m.

Bills: SB2876 , SB3253 , SB2125 , SB2781 , HB549 , HB1768 , SB2053 , SB2494 , SB2851 , SB3073 , HB1678 , HB1721 , HB2475 , HB2246 , HB1667 , HB1516 , SB2532 , SB3131 , SB3154 , HB2297 , HB1737 , SB2143 , SB2398 , SB2623 , HB1740 , HB1920 , HB1682 , SB2153 , SB3140 , HB1515 , SB2835 , HB2282 , SB3083 , SB2031 , SB2519 , SB2667 , SB2140 , SB2544 , SB2069 , SB2697 , SB874 , SB2043 , SB888 , SB2721 , HB2152 , HB1334 , HB2385 , HB1643 , HB2314 , HB1688 , HB1692 , SB2568 , SB2983 , SB2108 , SB3136 , HB1959 , SB3156 , HB1511 , HB1753 , HB1824 , HB2137 , HB1810 , HB2279 , HB2309 , HB1548 , HB2078 , HB2293 , SB3262 , SB2169 , SB2607 , SB2964 , SB3255 , HB2576 , HB1481 , HB1864 , HB1550 , SB2818 , SB3067 , SB2061 , HB1728 , HB1881 , HB2361 , HB2395 , HB1823 , SB2050 , SB2397 , SB2175 , SB2852 , SB847 , SB3001

Transcript Highlights:

• We're waiting for senators. The last few days have been rough.
• We've been waiting for you. You are the star of the show today.
• Risk for the state when waiting months for reimbursement.
• We'll wait for absent members. Thank you. Okay, we're just waiting for Senator Rubio.
• Yes, while we're waiting, we can do the consent calendar.

Committee: House Governmental Organization

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> observes a two-minute testimony time observes a two-minute testimony time limit<00:04:00.519><c>
• We'll send them a violation and wait again and then wait again, then you go through the process.
• </c> we'll send them a violation and wait we'll send them a violation and wait again<00:07:51.039><c>
• </c><00:16:36.639><c> to</c> feel like that's a lawsuit waiting to feel like that's a lawsuit waiting
• The last time— is this an extension of the last time we did this, or is this 44?

Committee: Senate Public Safety and Military Affairs

Summary: The joint Senate committee hearing considered HB 472 HD1 on digital identification and HB 1097 HD1 on public housing evictions, followed by HB 1325 HD3 on housing redevelopment and tenant relocation rights. HB 472 would require digital IDs to be accepted under certain conditions and allow law enforcement to use them as proof of identity; the committee heard limited testimony, then adopted a recommendation to pass with amendments, including changing “shall” to “may” and adding effective and defective dates. HB 1097 would shorten the storage period for unclaimed personal effects after a public housing eviction; the Hawaii Public Housing Authority supported the bill, while some members raised concerns about the impact on displaced families. The committee moved the bill forward with discussion of the agency’s eviction process, waitlist size, and the need to free units sooner for other applicants. HB 1325 HD3 drew extensive testimony and discussion. The bill would require developers of certain HHFDC affordable housing projects to provide displaced tenants with a right of first refusal for a comparable unit or relocation assistance, along with information, tracking, and enforcement provisions. HHFDC supported the measure but suggested amendments to require both relocation assistance and a right of first refusal, without requiring the same rent as the prior unit. Legal aid, housing advocates, community organizations, and many tenants testified in strong support, emphasizing displacement during public housing redevelopment, inadequate communication, accessibility problems, and the need for enforceable rights to return. Several tenants described confusing notices, unsuitable replacement units, and hardship for elders, disabled residents, and children. The discussion also highlighted concerns about developer compliance and the need for state-level enforcement. No final vote on HB 1325 was shown in the transcript excerpt, but the hearing included substantial questioning of the housing authority and testimony from affected residents. The committee also discussed the broader redevelopment context, including large-scale public housing demolition and replacement plans, and the potential consequences for families if relocation and return rights are not clearly enforced.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is one-time money.
• It is one-time money.
• Really appreciate your time.
• By 2013, we were able to clear the wait list, and no state has had a wait list since then.
• Well, I really appreciate your time today.

Committee: House Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, we have the CD1 agreement waiting on FIN WAM release. Yes.
• Uh, we have the CD1 agreement waiting on FIN WAM release. Yes.
• So, we're waiting for approval.
• So, we're waiting for approval.
• So, we're waiting for approval.

Transcript Highlights:

• When I need to do a proactive sting on an alcohol establishment in my city, there's a wait time.
• There's a wait time.
• At the same time, they go on the state's wait list.
• Our wait time in FY25 was 209 days on average, and so far for FY26 that's 189 days, so still not—I'm
• They often have no mental health beds, no psychiatric staff, long wait times, and chaotic environments

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:07:26.599><c> where</c> that we may be at a point in time where that we may be at a point in
• time where the<00:07:26.919><c> state</c><00:07:27.120><c> of</c><00:07:27.280><c> Minnesota</c><00:07
• Don't wait for the general public and people that are driving on the way home from work to die.
• Don't wait for the general public and people that are driving on the way home from work to die.
• please do not wait for somebody to<00:12:58.959><c> die</c> to die to die don't<00:13:00.800><c> wait

Transcript Highlights:

• Should you select to waive your speaking time?
• So they do stick around for a long time. They do get to know the families.
• a long time like Senator Bradley said.
• And just the application, the the the time that it takes to get Medicaid in place.
• It will be statewide as well as for the people who are waiting to get on the waiver.

Transcript Highlights:

• This time, we're going to go ahead and move on to agenda item number one.
• This time, we're going to go ahead and move on to agenda item number one.
• So for that, we're going to have to wait for a couple of minutes until we have quorum.
• So let the public know that we're waiting until 9:41.
• So let the public know that we're waiting until 9:41. Yes, on time. Thank you. Thank you.

Summary: The Assembly Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact Committee met to hear two bills. The main item discussed was AB 72 by Dr. Jackson, which would direct the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency to work with Riverside County to expand access to electric vehicle manufacturing jobs and related education in the Inland Empire. The author argued the region is well positioned for EV manufacturing because of its growing population, nearby higher education and technical training institutions, and local lithium resources, and said the bill would help keep residents closer to home for livable-wage jobs. Committee members expressed support for the goal of creating local jobs and reducing long commutes, and there was no opposition testimony in the room. The committee also considered AB 685 on the consent calendar, which was moved with a due pass recommendation to Appropriations. After quorum was established and roll was called, both AB 685 and AB 72 were approved. AB 72 passed the committee on a 7-0 vote and was sent to Appropriations. The hearing then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we don't have the time we did 50 years ago to wait for an addicted person to spontaneously overcome
• And we don't have the time we did 50 years ago to wait for an addictive person to spontaneously overcome
• And I said, wait a minute.
• And I said, wait a minute.
• During that time we’re waiting for the call back, the person in distress is often becoming more and more

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery

Summary: The committee held its fourth public hearing of the 2025-2026 session on bills dealing with involuntary commitment and access to addiction treatment, especially proposals to move Section 35 civil commitments away from jails and prisons and into facilities licensed or approved by DPH or DMH. Chairs Velis and Domb framed the hearing as a discussion of how to support people in crisis with compassion, while also warning against using involuntary commitment as a way to remove unhoused people from public view. The hearing also touched on related concerns about discharge practices, treatment capacity, and the need for a broader continuum of care. Testimony split largely along two themes. Addiction researcher Keith Humphreys argued that many people enter treatment under pressure, that involuntary treatment can be ethically justified in the face of overdose risk, but that it should not be mandated unless high-quality services exist first; he emphasized the need for inpatient care when someone is a grave danger, followed by case management and outpatient support. MAMH’s Kate Alicante supported the bill, saying Massachusetts is the only state that commits people with substance use conditions to jails or prisons and that carceral settings add trauma and stigma; she pointed to prior legislative steps, including the Section 35 commission and the planned closure of DOC’s MESAC facility, as evidence that the Commonwealth is moving toward health-based settings. A major portion of the hearing focused on Stony Brook, a sheriff-run stabilization and treatment center in Hampden County. Boston City Councilor John Fitzgerald, several committee members, and multiple people in recovery described the facility as humane, well-run, and effective, with longer stays, medical monitoring, medication-assisted treatment, counseling, and warm handoffs to aftercare. Several witnesses said Stony Brook saved their lives or helped family members recover, and they argued that the sheriff’s office model should be expanded rather than eliminated. Others, including family members and advocates, countered that even a well-run correctional setting remains stigmatizing and that people should not be treated in facilities run by sheriffs or corrections when they have committed no crime. No vote was taken. The hearing concluded with continued testimony, including Senator Friedman’s support for Section 35 as a civil commitment tool but not in a criminal justice setting, and her separate support for a bill to speed inpatient mental health treatment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is he in the waiting room? Don, is anybody in the waiting room?
• </c> waiting room? waiting room?
• </c> of the time. of the time.
• Wait. Wait. Wait. Um, HPD, do you want to comment on that question? Mhm.
• Wait. Wait. Wait.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, at this point, as we wait on the Senate to send us the GAA, to best utilize our time, we will
• times.
• Do, friend, do I need to wait so you get it so you can see? I'm going to wait. Mr.
• Members, we're waiting, still waiting on the Senate.
• Eastern Time.

Summary: The House met on the final day of session, swore in Representatives Boyles and Hodgers, and observed a moment of silence for the Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, as well as for Representative Rosenwald’s father. The chamber then moved into final budget work, with leaders outlining the plan to take up H.J.R. 5019, HB 7031, HB 5017, HB 5015, and then the general appropriations act once the Senate transmitted it. H.J.R. 5019, a proposed constitutional amendment to expand the budget stabilization fund, was explained and amended to raise the rainy day fund cap, require annual deposits, and allow withdrawals for critical state needs by a two-thirds vote; it passed 100-1. The House then adopted the conference report on HB 7031, the tax package. The bill repeals the business rent tax and aviation fuel tax, delays the natural gas fuel tax, creates or expands several sales tax holidays and exemptions, including permanent exemptions for disaster-preparedness items, hunting/fishing/camping items, and ammunition and firearms-related purchases, and makes changes to property, corporate income, local tax, and economic development provisions. Members debated the removal of recurring housing trust fund and transit-related revenue streams, the new ammunition exemption, and the data center tax changes; supporters argued the package reduces taxes and preserves annual budget flexibility, while opponents raised concerns about housing, transportation, and gun violence. The conference report passed 93-7. HB 5017, creating a debt reduction program funded by a recurring transfer to retire state bonds early, passed unanimously. HB 5015, the state group insurance conforming bill, which directs DMS to develop a formulary management plan and codifies the administrative health insurance assessment, also passed. The House then began explanation and questions on the fiscal year 2025-26 general appropriations act, described as a $115.1 billion budget that is down $3.8 billion from the current year and includes more than $12 billion in reserves. Subcommittee chairs summarized major spending areas, including pre-K-12 funding increases, health care funding for Medicaid, KidCare, nursing homes, opioid treatment, and mental health, transportation and economic development funding, environmental and water projects, higher education, state administration, justice, and information technology. Questions focused on school vouchers, inflationary pressures on school districts, and the adequacy of funding for housing, transportation, and other priorities.