Transcript Highlights:

• We also have people online.
• The price has virtually doubled since then.
• Okay, so we're going to go online now.
• We're going to go online, and for those individuals online this morning, we are allowing 2 minutes, and
• Madam Chair, I believe the final sales price is $2,250,000.

Committee: House Investments & Pensions Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• It did increase prices.
• </c><00:04:13.239><c> we've</c> example and we've seen some price we've example and we've seen some price
• Areas that would be primed for growth require lift stations with seven-figure price tags.
• Areas that would be primed for growth require lift stations with seven-figure price tags.
• Um, if all of our online testifiers are able to hang on, that would be great.

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• here in this country illegally that the state of Florida will no longer provide them with a lower price
• And so it is immoral to charge people who shouldn't even be in the country a vastly discounted price,
• So when we get Miami-Dade online, when we get Orange online, when we get Hillsborough online, what are
• Senator Gruders, I... online.
• When we get Orange online, we get Hillsborough online, what are they going to do with these people?

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Summary: The Appropriations Committee took up SB 2B, a major immigration bill by Senator Gruters, described by supporters as a Trump-aligned package to strengthen Florida’s role in immigration enforcement. The bill would create a grant program for local law enforcement, expand jail-ICE agreements beyond sheriff-operated jails, establish a chief immigration officer and a state immigration enforcement council, require more coordination on E-Verify and detention-bed reporting, allow immigration status to be considered in bail decisions, increase penalties for certain offenses tied to illegal reentry and voting, and repeal in-state tuition waivers for undocumented students. Much of the sponsor’s presentation and debate emphasized focusing on criminal offenders, improving coordination with federal authorities, and using state resources to support detention and enforcement. Committee questioning focused heavily on the tuition-waiver repeal, reimbursement for jail costs, E-Verify coverage, and whether the bill could lead to street-level immigration enforcement in schools or churches. Senator Smith, Senator Pizzo, Senator Polsky, Senator Sharief, and others challenged the tuition repeal as unfair to students who were brought to Florida as children and argued for grandfathering current students or studying the fiscal impact first. Senator Fine defended the repeal as ending a state subsidy for people who are not lawfully present and argued the change would save tens of millions of dollars. Sheriff Bob Gualtieri testified that the bill was limited to jail-based enforcement, said there was no current street-level 287(g) program in Florida, and stated he did not believe the bill raised concerns for law enforcement or schools/churches. A representative of the Florida Supervisors of Elections supported the voting-related section, while a Florida Highway Patrol representative said state agencies would need additional funding if they were expected to take on more enforcement duties. The committee adopted Senator Gruters’ late-filed amendment correcting a drafting error. Senator Smith’s amendment to require an OPAGA study on the tuition-waiver policy was withdrawn after discussion, and his handwritten amendment to delete the repeal of in-state tuition for undocumented students failed on a roll-call vote. The bill then advanced as amended, with several members speaking in debate both for and against it. Supporters framed it as a focused public-safety and enforcement measure; opponents criticized the special-session process, the cost, and the tuition repeal’s impact on students already enrolled.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, online would cause your business.
• </c><00:51:41.680><c> currently</c> information maybe not online currently information maybe not online
• </c><01:38:30.560><c> program</c> The federal 340B drug pricing program The federal 340B drug pricing
• ,</c> manufacturers honoring the pricing, manufacturers honoring the pricing, excuse<01:38:47.199><c>
• </c> reimbursement from motans for 340B price reimbursement from motans for 340B price drugs<01:49:32.880

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• Retail Merchants of Hawaii, online, not on Zoom, Chair.
• The next person signed up to testify is Jermine Myers, online. Mahalo, Chair.
• Uh, quick question: if Blue Hawaiian is still on online, yes? Yes, Chair. Hi, thanks.
• Up next is Ky Kon Nakatsuka online. I may have butchered that name; apologize. Oh, no worries.
• Next is Jermaine Myers, also online. Aloha, Chair. My name is Jermaine Myers.

Summary: The joint committees heard testimony on several measures, beginning with SB 1480 on transportation and road usage charging. Supporters included the Department of Transportation, the Hawaii State Energy Office, county representatives, and the Tax Foundation, while an automotive industry witness opposed the bill, arguing it would be unfair to rural drivers and those with longer commutes. Committee discussion focused on equity, rural impacts, and whether the measure should be tied to future rail funding. The committees ultimately recommended SB 1480 pass with amendments, including broadening allowable uses of funds, clarifying language on infrastructure and safety, addressing motor scooters, and striking a proposed new subaccount; the recommendation was adopted by both committees, with one no vote in TCA. For SB 970 on taxation, the Tax Foundation said the employer transit tax credit would be more efficient as a direct subsidy program, and the Department of Taxation recommended several changes, including a sunset date of December 31, 2030, anti-double-benefit language, deletion of certain reporting requirements, and an effective date of December 31, 2025. The department estimated the bill would reduce revenues by about $11.6 million over the four-year period it would be in effect. The committees moved SB 970 forward with amendments to include bike share in the credit and add a defective date, leaving the department’s suggested changes for later consideration; the recommendation was adopted. The committees also advanced SB 1008 on parking and SB 1088 on electric vehicle charging infrastructure without amendments. DCAB strongly supported SB 1008, saying it would help counties enforce accessible parking design requirements, and noted a related bill without the EV portion. SB 1088 drew broad support from the Public Utilities Commission, State Energy Office, county and advocacy groups, and individuals; one question raised whether the bill should sunset, but the response was that Hawaii still lacks sufficient EV charging infrastructure and the measure expands eligibility for affordable housing. Both bills were recommended to pass unamended and the recommendations were adopted. The Transportation and Culture and Arts committee then heard SB 1011 on the Hawaii Leadership Awards Program, with testimony in strong support from individuals and the State Archivist, who suggested preserving award recipients’ archives, photos, oral histories, and clippings. The committee also heard SB 441 on the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, with support from the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi, the Hawaii Theatre Center, musicians, and others emphasizing cultural value, workforce stability, and statewide access to the arts. The transcript then moved to SB 1581 on the Hawaii Japan Pacific Peace Monument and SB 1577 relating to the State Foundation on the Arts; on SB 1577, the Attorney General warned that using the Works of Special Art Fund for operating purposes could jeopardize the tax-exempt status of related bonds and recommended deleting section five, while also pointing to the Performing Arts Special Fund as an alternative.

Transcript Highlights:

• new home price.
• prices out about 2,100 home buyers in the Twin Cities market.
• prices out about 2,100 home buyers in the Twin Cities market.
• prices out about 2,100 home buyers in the Twin Cities market.
• </c> wanted to know what the contract price wanted to know what the contract price was<00:37:37.839><

Committee: Senate Labor

Transcript Highlights:

• Price. Mr. Roberts. Mr. Sessions. Mr. Shellnut. Mr. Singleton. Mr. Smitherman. Mr. Stewart. Mr.
• Mr.<00:16:02.280><c> Price.</c> Mr.<00:16:05.240><c> Roberts.</c> Mr. Roberts. Mr. Roberts.
• <00:24:44.760><c> either</c><00:24:45.000><c> hooked</c><00:24:45.280><c> up</c><00:24:45.440><c> online
• </c><00:24:46.600><c> So</c> but either hooked up online. So but either hooked up online.
• Price. Mr. Roberts. Mr. Sessions. Mr. Shellnut. Mr. Singleton. Mr. Smitherman. Mr. Stewart. Mr.

Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with a prayer, pledge, and roll call establishing a quorum of 30 senators. The chamber approved excusing absent senators, dispensed with reading the prior journal, and agreed to allow bill introductions and committee reports throughout the day. Several guests were recognized in the gallery, including local officials, construction representatives for the new statehouse, and advocacy groups. A series of House messages were received and referred to committees, including local bills and constitutional amendments for Macon, Winston, Perry, Montgomery, Mobile, Jefferson, Marengo, Covington, Tuscaloosa, and Madison counties, along with measures on campaign finance, title fraud, public health, workforce, income tax, legal tender, consumer protection, seafood products, carbon dioxide injection wells, and boards of registrars. Committee reports included favorable reports on Senate Bill 374 and House Bill 432 from the Committee on Local Legislation. The Senate also adopted Senate Joint Resolution 97 commending the University of Alabama on its planned ROTC facility and Student Veteran Center, and Senate Joint Resolution 98 naming a portion of Highway 9 in Elmore County the Lamar S. "Bubba" Woodham Jr. Highway. During personal privilege, Senator Smitherman urged attention to the lack of septic systems in parts of the state and suggested the Senate may need to study the issue, possibly through a resolution or task force. Senator Orr submitted a notice in writing regarding proposed Senate rules changes. The Senate then took up local legislation, adopting budget isolation resolutions and passing multiple local bills and constitutional amendments, including House Bill 569 (Autauga County), House Bill 337 and Senate Bill 371 (Madison County), House Bill 576 (Mobile County), House Bill 529 (Class 2 municipalities), Senate Bill 369 (Lauderdale County), House Bill 612 (Covington County), and House Bill 514 (Tuscaloosa County), with votes largely unanimous or near-unanimous. The Senate recessed until 1:00 p.m. after completing the local calendar items.

Transcript Highlights:

• Can you talk about online licensing? How do you contract for that?
• Can they originate their license online? Can they renew online?
• And then the price of their season also went up so.
• The prices were through the roof. Beluga sturgeon caviar was in.
• Licensing on online buying licenses.

Committee: House A&B Select Agencies Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• That's the median price. Uh, the median homebuyer.
• So when you have the median home price of $332,000.
• Now, there's also I read it online all the time. Well, let's just get rid of all property taxes.
• No, I'm saying when I read online, we can get rid of all property taxes.
• Pretty powerful and by the way, the um The median home price I told you was $332,000.

Transcript Highlights:

• Delegate Price.
• And again, our students feel the price of that.
• I love that it compares it to the price of a latte because for that price, they are procuring our food
• Vice Chair Price.
• That is a great point, Vice Chair Price.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's why I've taxpayers pay the price.
• This bill, online voter registration.
• They raise prices at the checkout jobs.
• of energy you pay, the price of gas, the price of food.
• You are saints caring for them. live, the price of gas rose 75 cents live, the price of gas rose 75 cents

Transcript Highlights:

• So condo prices, as we had this big population influx between 2020 and 2022, condo prices actually went
• It's going to be really hard to get home prices down that much, especially because land prices haven't
• These are new home prices.
• Prices are cheaper than the resale prices.
• Home prices are coming down.

Summary: The Committee on Community Affairs met with a quorum present and took up SB 122, which would repeal Chapter 205 on local business taxes while allowing municipalities to continue imposing a gross-receipts-based business tax on merchants. Senator Trumbull presented the bill for the sponsor, and committee members questioned what services local governments fund with local business tax revenue and whether the bill should be considered alongside broader property tax changes. County and city representatives opposed the bill, arguing that local business taxes are capped home-rule revenues used for general fund services such as public safety, zoning and licensure checks, economic development, and business support, and warning that repeal would shift costs to residential taxpayers and reduce local flexibility. Senator Shreve said he would vote no because of ongoing property tax discussions, while Senator Pizzo said he would support the bill but wanted clearer accounting of how the revenue is spent. The committee voted 5-1 to report SB 122 favorably. The committee then held a housing panel discussion focused on Florida’s housing shortage, affordability, and supply constraints. Dr. Samuel Staley said Florida is in a housing crisis driven largely by insufficient supply, arguing that the state needs roughly 100,000 additional units per year just to keep up with in-migration and that local planning systems often do not prioritize housing enough. He urged more emphasis on measurable impacts, streamlined permitting, accessory dwelling units, smaller lot sizes, and other market-responsive tools. Ann Ray of the Shimberg Center said Florida is seeing more single-family and multifamily construction but that production is concentrated in a handful of counties, while condo construction remains limited; she also noted that rents and home prices spiked sharply in the early 2020s and remain above pre-2020 levels, with nearly 905,000 low-income renters cost-burdened. Leslie Deutsch of John Burns Research said the national housing market is slow, Florida has a severe affordability problem, and builders are lowering prices and offering incentives but still face high land, labor, materials, and insurance costs. In committee discussion, senators focused on whether Florida should encourage more density, including townhomes, build-to-rent products, modular housing, and redevelopment of existing sites rather than relying on large new subdivisions. Members also discussed the role of local zoning, impact fees, density bonuses, and state incentives tied to housing targets. Several senators said Florida’s growth and affordability challenges require updating land development codes and planning for where future residents will live without overbuilding rural or environmentally sensitive areas. The chair closed by emphasizing that density can support affordability and that Florida should use existing footprints more efficiently.

Transcript Highlights:

• Where are we and what is actually coming online?
• It has impacted prices in California. It has impacted prices in the rest of the U.S.
• and California gas prices.
• terms of how much prices have gone up versus others.
• But we need those truck prices to go down, so it's less incentive and less price, and it makes it better

Committee: Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• So for those of you that are online, thank you so much for being here. We miss seeing you.
• Housing prices are up 172% since 2004. Incomes are up only 98%.
• Housing prices are up 172% since 2004. Incomes are up only 98%.
• And then the other comment is that these homes were very competitively priced.
• It's a rental product that we had come online.

Committee: Senate Housing

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from Civic Commons on the Starter Home Production Plan, developed under the Covenant Home Ownership Act to address Washington’s shortage of starter homes for low- and moderate-income buyers. Speakers said housing prices have far outpaced incomes, and argued that incremental fixes have not worked. They described a statewide, systems-based plan centered on smaller, standardized homes, off-site construction, pre-approved plans, new financing tools, a developer network, and a temporary cross-sector crisis task force to coordinate implementation. Committee members asked about the role of silos, target income ranges, geographic applicability, and pre-approved plans; Civic Commons said the effort is intended to support households roughly from 60% to 120% of area median income and to work across urban and rural contexts. The Department of Labor and Industries then reported progress on factory-built housing regulation. L&I said it has prioritized residential plan reviews, reducing turnaround times from months to about two days, and has created a new plans examiner supervisor position. The department also said it is formalizing third-party review and inspection rules, building a customer-tracking database, and reviewing national standards from the Modular Building Institute for possible alignment with state code. Committee members and L&I discussed the value of standardized plans and the need to balance speed with code compliance and safety. The Washington State Building and Construction Trades Council testified that it supports efforts to reduce permitting delays but warned against weakening safety standards or labor protections. Labor representatives said off-site fabrication can help housing delivery only if it preserves worker safety, fair wages, apprenticeship opportunities, and compliance with labor laws. They raised concerns about wage theft, misclassification, and underground-economy risks in residential construction, and suggested stronger front-end contractor licensing and training. Committee members responded that the state needs both housing production and good jobs, and that apprenticeship and workforce development remain important. The committee also heard from several cities about local housing code changes. Olympia described an affordable housing emergency ordinance that prioritizes affordable projects in the permitting queue, while noting that staff capacity and cross-department communication are critical. Walla Walla, an early adopter of middle housing, said it eliminated single-family zoning, expanded ADUs and MFTE, and has seen more duplexes, ADUs, and smaller-lot development, though it still faces neighborhood opposition and infrastructure-related barriers. Des Moines described adopting middle housing and ADU ordinances just before the deadline, after a lengthy process involving density, parking, and staffing challenges. Poulsbo said it proactively adopted multiple housing code changes, including duplexes on corner lots, unit lot subdivisions, a manufactured home overlay, and six shared pre-approved ADU plans with neighboring jurisdictions; it also highlighted a senior housing project using city land and public funding. Across the city testimony, speakers emphasized that zoning changes help but are only one part of the housing puzzle, and several urged more support for local staff, standardized plans, and broader reforms to permitting and infrastructure requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:10:08.720><c> Is</c> uh someone someone online, right? Is uh someone someone online, right?
• </c> particularly most uh um lower priced particularly most uh um lower priced houses,<00:12:37.279><
• </c> assessed market values, and land prices assessed market values, and land prices also<00:14:18.560
• I don't think price that was affordable.
• Finally, it could to curb price hikes.

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• But we do have a publication online that shares what a bunch of in-home filters are, and so you can just
• But a carbon price on the facility in Washington, they may just back off production in Washington and
• And based on the average auction settlement price—remember, auction prices fluctuate up and down—but
• based on the average price, the value of those allowances given at no cost to the EITEs was about $504
• up and, you know, make them pay a high price.

Summary: The committee held a work session covering PFAS regulation and impacts, no-cost allowance allocation for emissions-intensive trade-exposed industries (EITEs), and regional resource adequacy and data center load growth. Senator Victoria Hunt was welcomed as a new member. The Department of Ecology reviewed Washington’s Safer Products for Washington PFAS work, including completed restrictions on PFAS in outdoor furniture, carpets, rugs, stain/water-resistant treatments, and newer rules adopted in November restricting PFAS in most apparel, cleaning products, and automotive washes, with reporting requirements for some other products such as cookware and firefighting gear. Ecology also described Cycle 2 PFAS reviews now underway, including artificial turf and paints, and answered questions about compliance, online sales, sell-through periods, and how Washington’s approach differs from broader bans in states like Maine and Minnesota. The Department of Ecology also presented on PFAS in biosolids, describing a 2024 sampling study, limitations in testing methods, and a 2025 statutory amendment requiring additional sampling between 2027 and 2028 and a report to the legislature in 2029. The Department of Health then updated the committee on PFAS in drinking water, reporting that most Group A public water systems have completed sampling, that 317 sources and 188 systems are expected to exceed new contaminant levels, and that treatment costs for public systems are estimated at about $970 million, leaving a large funding gap; members also asked about private wells, health effects, bathing exposure, and home filters. The Board of Health’s new state action levels are being aligned with federal MCLs, and the department said it expects to continue monitoring and notification under state rules. Ecology also briefed the committee on no-cost allowance allocations to EITEs under the Climate Commitment Act, explaining the leakage-mitigation rationale, the current allocation schedule through 2034, and a forthcoming report on policy options for 2035-2050; members asked about industry barriers, competitiveness, and whether facilities might leave the state. Finally, E3 presented a regional resource adequacy study showing rising load, retirements outpacing additions, limited winter reliability value from wind, solar, and batteries, and a projected shortfall beginning in 2026 that could grow to about 9,000 MW by 2030 if planned projects are not built. The presentation emphasized winter cold-weather events, hydro variability, the importance of permitting and transmission, and longer-term options including nuclear, geothermal, hydrogen, carbon capture, and long-duration storage. EPRI then introduced its DC Flex initiative, which is studying how data centers can provide flexible load through workload shifting, cooling optimization, and on-site backup or bridging resources to reduce grid stress and protect ratepayers.

Transcript Highlights:

• The median sales price statewide has been on a consistent upward trajectory, increasing $150,000 since
• The median sales price statewide has been on a consistent upward trajectory, increasing $150,000 since
• ...with rising home prices making it difficult for so many to get into sustainable home ownership.
• 1.14 we've got that Luna one uh online 1.14 we've got that Luna brought<00:43:13.480><c> this</c><00
• coming in online loans that money<00:46:58.160><c> has</c><00:46:58.280><c> to</c><00:46:58.480><c>

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• So condo prices, as we had this big population influx between 2020 and 2022, condo prices actually went
• It's going to be really hard to get home prices down that much, especially because land prices haven't
• These are new home prices.
• are cheaper than the resale prices.
• Home prices are coming down.

Committee: Senate Community Affairs

Summary: The Committee on Community Affairs met with a quorum present and first took up SB 122, which would repeal Chapter 205 governing local business taxes while allowing municipalities that already levy a gross-receipts-based business tax to continue doing so, with limits on changing the tax rate. The sponsor’s proxy and committee members discussed whether local business taxes fund identifiable services, with supporters saying the bill would reduce burdens on businesses and opponents arguing it would remove a capped home-rule revenue source used for general services, economic development, inspections, fire and police support, and business regulation. The Florida Association of Counties and the Florida League of Cities opposed the bill, citing a statewide revenue loss and concern that costs would shift to residential taxpayers, while one member noted the bill should be considered in the context of broader property tax changes. SB 122 was reported favorably by a roll call vote, with Senators Leek, Passidomo, Pizzo, Trumbull, and Chair McClain voting yes and Senator Sharief voting no. The committee then held an extended informational panel on Florida’s housing shortage and affordability challenges. Dr. Samuel Staley said Florida is in a housing crisis driven primarily by insufficient supply, arguing that the state needs far more units each year, that local comprehensive plans and zoning often fail to prioritize housing, and that the state should focus more on measurable impacts, density, accessory dwelling units, smaller lot sizes, and other ways to let the market respond. Ann Ray of the Shimberg Center presented data showing increased single-family and multifamily construction but limited condo growth, highly concentrated new development in a handful of counties, and continued high cost burdens for renters, especially lower-income and older households. Leslie Deutsch of John Burns Research and Consulting said the national housing market is slow, Florida prices are easing but remain well above pre-pandemic levels, and affordability problems are being driven by land, construction, financing, and insurance costs; she urged more product diversity, including build-to-rent, townhomes, manufactured housing, and higher-density redevelopment tailored to local demographics. Members questioned the panel about density, vertical development, impact fees, construction costs, and incentives for local governments. Several senators said local governments need clearer direction or incentives to approve more housing, while others emphasized preserving local character and avoiding overdevelopment. The panel generally agreed that no single policy will solve the problem, but that Florida needs more housing types, more density in appropriate places, updated zoning and building codes, and a more market-responsive regulatory framework. After the presentations and discussion, the committee adjourned with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• In other words, if everybody's actuarially accurate, there's only so low that the price can go.
• Prices are coming down and in some cases are coming down rapidly.
• accurate, there's only so low that the price can go.
• accurate, there's only so low that the price can go.
• The system that they use would have to get online for it. I'm talking months.

Transcript Highlights:

• They not only hijack trucks and rob rail cars, but they exploit vulnerabilities in online transactions
• Perhaps you could describe to this committee how cargo theft also contributes to increases in prices
• Considering it's relatively new, I can't tell you exactly how much is going directly to pricing, but
• And future price increases. Right, yeah, thank you.
• They also impact consumer prices, which are currently on the rise. Mr.

Committees: Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee , Senate Surface Transportation, Maritime, Freight, and Ports

Keywords: Committee, Transportation, aviation safety, confirmation, Lieutenant Commander, Deputy Secretary, Bradbury, Hafensteiner, aircraft incidents

Summary: The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation convened to consider the promotion of Coast Guard Lieutenant Samuel Hafensteiner to Lieutenant Commander and the nomination of Stephen Bradbury as Deputy Secretary of Transportation. The meeting highlighted ongoing concerns regarding aviation safety, especially in light of recent aircraft incidents. Members discussed the critical need for knowledgeable leadership within the Department of Transportation to address these safety challenges effectively. Mr. Bradbury's background as a former General Counsel of the Department was presented as a strong asset for the role he seeks.