Transcript Highlights:

• as intended and requiring positive as intended and requiring positive action<00:05:44.080> from
• The state's >> That position has changed.
• land either negatively or positively land either negatively or positively because<00:33:37.039><
• And it does position us to save money as well as provide, if we make a change for one agency, a positive
• We're seeing more folks like positions.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's seen as a positive.
• That's positive for the credit rating.
• That's positive for the credit rating.
• That's positive for the credit rating.
• That's positive for the credit rating.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee meeting began with an overview from the Legislative Budget Assistant Office on how Ways and Means will work with agencies and leadership during the budget and revenue-estimating process. Staff explained that the governor’s budget is still being developed, agencies are cautious about going on record early, and the committee will use worksheets and updated fiscal reports to track estimates. The presentation emphasized that the fiscal year 2025 budget status is a point-in-time snapshot and remains fluid because the annual comprehensive financial report has been delayed, which could change the beginning balances for both the general fund and education trust fund. The budget update highlighted that the general fund is currently stronger than originally assumed, while the education trust fund is weaker. The speaker said the general fund began FY25 with a much larger balance than expected, while the education trust fund came in lower due to higher-than-budgeted adequacy spending and weaker business tax performance. Revenue trends showed the general fund slightly ahead year to date, but the education trust fund down significantly. The committee also discussed unbudgeted appropriations, including attorney general litigation, legal settlements, abandoned property claims, adequacy true-ups, and education freedom accounts, as well as the role of lapses and off-budget items in the final balance. Members asked about the delayed liquor commission audit and whether it could affect revenue forecasts. Staff said the delay was mainly caused by the commission’s switch in point-of-sale systems and staffing losses, but did not expect major ongoing reporting issues. They also noted that liquor fund variances are more likely tied to Medicaid expansion costs than to commission operations. The governor’s office was said to be working on possible budget reductions, but no January request to the fiscal committee was expected. Commissioner Lindsay Stepp of the Department of Revenue Administration then presented an overview of state revenue sources, focusing first on the meals and rentals tax. She explained that DRA administers 14 taxes that account for most state revenue, and that meals and rentals tax growth has slowed after strong post-pandemic gains. She described factors affecting the tax, including employment, inflation, fuel and food prices, wages, and weather, and noted that online platforms like Airbnb have improved compliance by collecting and remitting tax on behalf of hosts. Members asked about short-term rental compliance and how DRA identifies unlicensed rentals; Stepp said referrals, anonymous tips, and platform data help enforcement.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please come forward with your name, affiliation, and position on the bill.
• Ma'am, your position on the bill only is ... SB 28 protects his due process.
• "Ma'am, your position on the bill only is, are you in support of the bill?" Thank you.
• California is uniquely positioned to compete for those funds.
• Our position is opposed unless amended. Thank you. Good afternoon.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard a series of bills focused on behavioral health, cancer screening, provider reimbursement, research funding, workforce licensing, and tobacco regulation. SB 16 would require counties to maintain procedures for designating and training professionals authorized to perform 5150 evaluations and initiate involuntary holds; supporters said it would expand the pool of qualified clinicians and reduce reliance on law enforcement, while opponents raised concerns about local control and implementation. SB 1124 would require CDPH to create and post lung cancer screening eligibility signage at tobacco point-of-sale locations; supporters emphasized low screening awareness and early detection, and the bill was advanced with amendments. SB 28, a CARE Court cleanup bill, proposed an ombudsperson, reporting, electronic petitions, remote participation, and other changes to improve accountability and access; it drew both strong support and significant opposition over concerns about coercion, scope, and whether the program is working as intended, but it passed the committee as amended to Judiciary. The committee also heard SB 874, which would strengthen oversight of Medi-Cal behavioral health treatment services, including background checks for providers and a stakeholder workgroup to develop standards; it passed to Public Safety. SB 1049 would let providers resubmit corrected claims within 90 days after a plan’s denial or recoupment action when the original claim had a correctable technical defect; supporters described delayed and withheld payments harming practices, while insurers argued the bill could duplicate existing dispute processes. The bill passed to Appropriations on call. SB 1224 would create a state framework to compete for federal ARPA-H funding for emerging therapies research, with testimony from a UC Davis psychiatrist and veterans’ advocates supporting expanded research into treatments for PTSD, depression, and other conditions; it passed to Military and Veterans Affairs. Later, SB 1057 would change how the Department of Public Health evaluates conviction history for certified nurse assistants and home health aides, shifting from automatic denial toward individualized assessment based on the offense, time elapsed, and rehabilitation; it passed to Appropriations with some no votes. Finally, SB 1314, a tobacco-related bill, sought to create a 600-foot buffer around schools and day care centers for certain tobacco retailers and address related issues such as cigar lounge definitions and nitrous oxide sales; several local government and public safety groups supported it, while health organizations and business groups opposed it unless amended. The chair announced that committee amendments were being set aside for now and the bill would move forward to Business and Professions with a commitment to continue working on the language; it passed out of committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are right-sizing our budget and maintaining strong reserves to ensure Florida is well positioned for
• It positions us well for productive discussions with our House partners as we work together to finalize
• That amount is about $48.7 million and 291 officer positions.
• So we don't put Senator Leader Boyd and his counterpart in a position of desperation.
• So, And his counterpart in a position of desperation.

Summary: The Senate began with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then moved into floor consideration of the 2026-2027 budget. Appropriations Chair Hooper presented Senate Bill 2500, describing a $115 billion budget that reduces overall spending from the prior year, maintains reserves, and includes a 3% pay raise for state employees and 5% raises for state law enforcement, firefighters, correctional officers, and park rangers. Committee chairs then outlined major spending in their areas, including K-12 education, higher education, health and human services, criminal and civil justice, transportation/tourism/economic development, and environmental and agricultural programs. Highlights included increased funding for school scholarships and safety, workforce and university programs, Medicaid and child welfare, corrections operations, affordable housing, rural communities, Everglades and water quality projects, and infrastructure. Members then asked detailed questions about several budget items. Senators sought clarification on the Emergency Management Trust Fund, arts and cultural grants, Florida Forever land acquisition versus conservation easements, teacher salaries, charter school capital outlay funding, EASE grants, New College funding, DOC inmate counts and reimbursement, lottery staffing, concealed weapons licensing positions, election security funding, iBudget waiver support, ADAP funding, Medicaid hospital rate reductions, and scholarship and enrollment supplements in K-12 education. Chairs explained that some reductions reflected technical shifts or right-sizing, that some funds were being moved below the line for better tracking, and that several items—such as ADAP and corrections operations—would likely remain conference issues with the House. After questions, the Senate substituted House bills for the budget and implementing measures and adopted amendments placing the Senate language onto the House vehicles to prepare for conference. The chamber passed the budget-related bills and several conforming measures, including bills on retirement, fuel taxes, the state agency law enforcement radio system, court trust funds, judgeships, and K-12 and higher education conforming changes. Votes on the major bills were overwhelmingly unanimous or near-unanimous, and the Senate repeatedly voted to accede to the House’s request for conference on the substituted bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm honored to be considered for the position of the North Florida College Board of Trustees.
• I'm honored to be considered for the position of the North Florida College Board of Trustees.
• This position as trustee is very important to me. And the...
• This position as trustee is very important to me.
• FAU is also uniquely positioned geographically.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met to consider a large slate of confirmations and reappointments to boards of trustees for Florida’s colleges, universities, and the Florida Prepaid College Board. Chair Harrell opened by emphasizing the importance of trustee appointments to maintaining Florida’s higher education system, and the committee heard brief testimony from each nominee about their background, ties to the institution, and priorities such as student success, workforce alignment, fiscal stewardship, and community partnerships. Several nominees highlighted personal connections to their schools, including alumni status, family legacy, or prior service on the board, while others emphasized experience in business, law, education, health care, or public service. Testimony focused heavily on workforce development and institutional growth. Speakers cited nursing, dual enrollment, applied programs, military and veteran support, broadband access, agriculture, law enforcement, and technical training as key areas for colleges to meet regional labor needs. University nominees discussed research expansion, affordability, strategic planning, and partnerships with industry and government, with Florida Atlantic, Florida Polytechnic, the University of West Florida, and the University of South Florida each described as being in periods of growth or transition. Miami-Dade College, Tallahassee State College, Polk State College, and other state colleges were praised for enrollment, economic impact, and job placement outcomes. The committee also heard from the Florida Prepaid College Board reappointee, who described the program as a long-term promise backed by public trust and reported recent technology and customer-service improvements. After testimony, the committee took up the nominations as a group. One nominee, Drew Weatherford, had withdrawn and was not voted on. The remaining trustees were approved unanimously by roll call and reported favorably to the Ethics and Elections Committee. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, you got to promote into that position.
• So, every one of those positions Vacancies even if it's a supervisory position that affects you all the
• You have to be a U.S. citizen to hold the position.
• So, we have 4,435 today, so that leaves us around 7,508 positions short.
• That's the number of vacant positions we have within that category.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The feeling, the vibe, the positivity is, is off the charts.
• Likewise, we're struggling with a few of our positions and, and one of them is counseling.
• I think people will be more comfortable moving into leadership positions.
• They'll move into those leadership positions understanding what it takes to be a leader in those positions
• I'm not sure why my fellow deans voted me into that position.

Transcript Highlights:

• The next item, open positions report. Uh this was a House-only provision.
• <00:05:14.160> Uh next item, open positions report. Uh next item, open positions report.
• Adopting the governor's recommended operating adjustment will reflect this in the Senate position and
• position related to Minute's<00:26:50.559> budget<00:26:50.880> proposal.
• will ensure that in the Senate position will ensure that Minnet<00:27:06.960> can<00:27:07.120

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We have an opposed position.
• We also have an opposed-unless-amended position.
• And so that's really what I'm looking at positively.
• They currently have a supportive amended position but are considering a change in position considering
• They currently have a supportive amended position but are considering a change in position considering

Summary: The committee heard several insurance-related bills. SB 371 by Senator Cabaldon would lower uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage requirements for rideshare companies from the current $1 million level to $100,000 per person and $300,000 per incident, with added transparency and data-reporting provisions. Uber, Lyft, and several business groups supported the bill as a way to reduce fares and improve affordability, while consumer attorneys, labor groups, and others opposed it as a major cut in protection for injured passengers and drivers. Committee members raised concerns about whether savings would actually reach riders and drivers, but the bill was approved on a do-pass vote to the next committee, with one member not voting. SB 487 by Senator Grayson would change how settlement or judgment proceeds are distributed when peace officers or firefighters are injured by a third party, ensuring they receive at least two-thirds of the at-fault party’s liability insurance limits in certain cases. Supporters, including public safety unions and an injured deputy sheriff, said current law can leave injured first responders with little or no recovery after employer reimbursement, while opponents representing cities, counties, and public agencies argued the bill would reduce recovery of taxpayer-funded workers’ compensation costs and lacked sufficient data. The committee members who spoke largely supported the bill, and it passed on a do-pass vote to Appropriations, with one member not voting. SB 616 by Senator Rubio would create an independent community hardening commission within the Department of Insurance to develop statewide wildfire mitigation recommendations and a post-catastrophe reporting process. The Department of Insurance, local governments, consumer groups, and fire-related organizations supported the measure as a way to improve wildfire resilience and insurance availability, while water agencies opposed provisions touching water infrastructure and warned of litigation and ratepayer impacts. The bill advanced on a do-pass vote to Appropriations, with some members not voting and one member voting no. The committee also heard SB 547 by Senator Perez, coauthored by Senator Rubio, which would extend wildfire-related insurance cancellation/nonrenewal moratoriums to commercial properties; insurers removed their opposition after amendments, and the bill passed to Appropriations on a do-pass vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• And are you, how are you, your position on the bill? Do you support this bill? Yes.
• State your name, who you represent, and your position on the bill.
• Please state your name, who you represent, and your position on the bill.
• You need to state your name, who you represent, and your position. Yes, ma'am.
• position in the marketplace.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This positions me uniquely to oppose this bill today.
• We request that you say your name, organization, have an affiliation, and your position.
• All those are temporary positions. I am also the proud dad of a young girl.
• Who is an amazing athlete, and that's a permanent position.
• Okay, I'll take that as a position of opposition. Hey, we tried a second time.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill codifies the DSHS's current position, aligning with the FDA's guidance that extracting honey
• This would not impact a positive ordinance, more so prohibiting a city or an HOA from saying that you
• We were able to, uh, add 40 firefighters and support personnel position.
• We create positive financial impacts for agricultural communities and producers.
• We're an agency that has about 1500 positions.

Bills: HB294

Keywords: energy efficiency, tax exemption, residential properties, sustainability, real estate

Transcript Highlights:

• They would put us in a position to get data that then could end up in the hands of the defendants, and
• to get data that then could end position to get data that then could end up<00:24:31.679> in<
• The majority found that our position was the correct one, was the right one.
• was the correct one that our position was the correct one was<00:26:41.120> the<00:26:41.320>
• there by implying that losing position there by implying that the<00:26:53.360> Supreme<00:26

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Unfortunately, it also can attract someone who is a child predator to put them in a position to have
• Unfortunately, it also can attract someone who is a child predator to put them in a position to have
• Someone who is a child predator to put them in a position to have access to our children.
• <00:28:37.560> in positions in positions in to<00:28:38.520> look<00:28:38.720> at
• <00:34:18.320> where who has been in a in a position where who has been in a in a position

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, a roll call establishing a quorum, approval of the prior day’s journal, adoption of committee reports, and the first readings of several House and Senate files. The chamber also received Senate File 476, which was referred to Ways and Means, and Senate File 4807, which was sent for comparison with a House file. The Speaker announced members to escort the Governor to the joint convention on April 28. The main floor action was House File 3489, an education bill establishing field trip supervision rules and creating the criminal offense of grooming. Representative Bennett described the bill as a response to survivor testimony and explained that it would prohibit staff from being alone with students in certain circumstances, create felony penalties for grooming, make grooming grounds for educator license discipline, add grooming to mandatory reporting and training, and allow the Department of Education to look back further in investigations. Bennett and several members also noted the bill’s fiscal note, including added investigative staffing and prison costs. During debate, multiple members from both parties voiced support, emphasizing student safety, mandatory reporter training, clearer field trip rules, and better communication with licensing boards. Several members thanked survivor Hannah LaPresto and Detective Chad Clausen for their work and testimony, and some members stressed that grooming is a deliberate process and that the bill is intended to protect children without vilifying educators. Representative Jordan also highlighted prevention through education about consent and grooming. No amendments were offered, and the bill was given its third reading; members repeatedly urged a green vote, though the transcript provided does not include the final roll-call result.

Transcript Highlights:

• State your name, who you represent, and your position.
• Senator, yeah my position is even if they acted outside of...
• Affiliation and position please for the record. Sure.
• Please state your name, your position, who you represent, and your position on the bill.
• State your name, your organization, who you represent, and your position.

Bills: SB552, SB1099, SB1124, SB1208, SB1372, SB1506, SB1667, SB1804, SB1806, SB1870, SB1936, SB1937, SB2180, SB2405, SB2569, SB2570, SB1646

Keywords: community supervision, criminal justice, illegal alien, deferred adjudication, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, SB 1099, undocumented immigrant, unauthorized immigrant, immigration status, felony sentencing enhancement, criminal penalty increase, Texas Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, affirmative finding, judgment finding, deportation, public safety, immigration enforcement, sentencing reform, felony offense

Transcript Highlights:

• I have three people that applied for the positions in my office.
• They likewise are in the same position that we're in.
• Brad Bergett sitting over here to my right. position that we're in.
• other positions...”
• Raleigh: “I appreciate the fact that you come and you speak and take a position.

Bills: HB513, HB581, HB596, HB660, HB719, HB766, HB802, HB940, HB950, HB1028, HB1183, HB1201, SB233, SB300, SB303, SB315, SB324, SB411

Keywords: name image likeness, NIL, student-athlete, college athletics, high school athletics, intercollegiate athletics, interscholastic athletics, athlete compensation, athlete endorsements, sports marketing, athlete agent, marketing representative, sports attorney, publicity rights, right of publicity, Louisiana high school sports, NCAA, school policy, athletic association, athletic conference

Summary: The committee first handled House Bill 513 by Rep. Young, which would regulate name, image, and likeness issues for intercollegiate and interscholastic athletes, especially high school athletes. Young said the bill reflects recommendations from a statewide NIL task force and sets parental-consent and prohibited-category guardrails while preserving flexibility for colleges. The committee adopted a technical amendment and reported the bill favorably as amended. Members then advanced several procurement and administrative measures. Senate Bill 233 by Sen. Mizell would create a statewide data exchange compact for state agencies; testimony from the Department of Health said it would improve eligibility and program administration by allowing agencies to share data more efficiently, and the bill was reported favorably. Senate Bill 300, also by Mizell, would make various changes to the Procurement Code, including auction techniques in negotiated procurement, sole sourcing for consulting services in limited cases, and other technical and legal remedy revisions; it was reported favorably. Senate Bill 303 by Sen. Cloud would let executive branch agencies directly contract with other states for information technology systems and use the federal GSA schedule, and it was reported favorably as amended. Senate Bill 411 by Sen. DePlessis, removing a 20-year lease cap for certain state property in Orleans Parish, was also reported favorably. The committee then took up several bills affecting criminal justice funding. House Bill 660 by Rep. Egan would raise the state warrant amount used to fund assistant district attorney salaries from $50,000 to $60,000; Egan and district attorneys argued the increase is needed to recruit and retain prosecutors, while an opponent said the state should fund prosecutors and public defenders more equitably. The committee adopted an amendment making the bill effective only upon appropriation and reported it favorably as amended. House Bill 719, also by Egan, would increase the number of assistant district attorney warrants statewide, with most of the new warrants directed to Baton Rouge, St. Tammany, and Caddo; supporters cited workload studies and local needs, while an opponent raised concerns about New Orleans court consolidation and broader funding balance. It too was amended to be subject to appropriation and reported favorably as amended. Other measures included House Bill 76 by Rep. Freeman, which addresses coverage for orally administered anti-cancer medications and was reported favorably as amended after changes to cost-sharing and high-deductible plan language; House Bill 802 by Rep. Sawyer, which redirects existing revenue to watershed and flood-control restoration in the Amite River Basin, was reported favorably as amended; House Bill 940 by Rep. Barrow, creating a law-enforcement task force and rules framework for counter-drone operations, was reported favorably as amended; and House Bill 950 by Rep. Boyd, aimed at consumer protection education for seniors, was reported favorably. House Bill 596 by Rep. McCormick, which would have created an inactive-well fee assessment credit tied to plugging wells, drew concerns that it would reduce funds for orphan-well restoration, and the bill was voluntarily deferred after discussion. House Bill 581 and House Bill 1183 were also voluntarily deferred.

Transcript Highlights:

• The next request is to seek two positions to supplement our judicial security unit.
• So right now we are having to figure out how to hold positions open to pay the cost of Minnesota paid
• So, that's why we're in this position.
• I, as I understand, the position you're I, as I understand, the position you're looking<00:29:21.360>
• So, that's why we're in this position. So, that's why we're in this position.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee took up House File 3874 and laid it over for possible inclusion in a finance bill. The Minnesota Judicial Branch, represented by State Court Administrator Jeff Shorba and Chief Judge Michael Fritz, presented a supplemental funding request focused on two main areas: judicial safety and security, and the employer share of Minnesota Paid Leave costs. Shorba said the branch was grateful for prior budget support but noted it did not receive salary increases for staff or judges and did not get funding for juror per diem. He explained that the branch is seeking funding for personal data protection, home security, two additional judicial security positions, security for the chief justice at public events, and a revived courthouse security grant program. Much of the testimony centered on rising threats against judges and court staff. Shorba and Fritz described increases in incidents, threats, and disturbances, and Fritz gave several examples of threatening behavior involving judges’ homes, personal information, and online doxxing. They argued that the branch needs better threat assessment, coordination with local law enforcement, and security measures at homes, courthouses, and online. Members expressed support for the concerns and asked questions about how threats are currently handled and whether state patrol officers assigned to security duties would need additional training. The second major topic was the judicial branch’s request for funding to cover its employer contribution to Minnesota Paid Leave, which took effect in January 2026. Shorba said the branch followed MMB’s calculations and expected the cost to be addressed through broader state government funding, but the branch did not receive an operational adjustment. He said the branch is now having to hold positions open to absorb the cost. Members questioned why the request was not included in the earlier budget process, and Shorba responded that the branch believed the issue would be handled centrally and later learned it had not been funded for the judiciary. No vote on the funding requests was taken in the discussion shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• And right now, that's not the position of my colleagues across the aisle.
• That is the position of the of of aisle.
• And right now, that's not the position of my colleagues across the aisle.
• , We can take a strong house position, We can take a strong house position, declare<00:29:42.720>
• <00:29:56.880> on going to take a strong position on going to take a strong position on making

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• an amendment on a positive motion. an amendment on a positive motion.
• Positive<00:20:21.760> motion.<00:20:22.600> So, Positive motion.
• So, Positive motion.
• That is the Senate position.
• and go with the current Senate position. and go with the current Senate position.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:05:41.360> on to see a um non an advisory position on to see a um non an advisory position
• I think in that position I might Hm.
• kind of the balance that this position kind of the balance that this position could<00:23:24.320
• , where you would be roing that position, where you would be roing that position, I<00:25:21.600>
• being put in that position. being put in that position.

Keywords: 1189, house, all