Transcript Highlights:

• management practices in their on-water facilities by granting them a 10% discount on their sovereign submerged
• land leases.
• These are public lands, public resources, and I think it should be kept that way.
• I don't see a big amount of daylight between a wealthy person wanting to keep the land for their use,
• lands and that just kind of sit there and hang out very similarly to if you had an RV and you pulled

Summary: The Natural Resources and Disaster Subcommittee met and heard several bills on boating, anchoring, plastics, coastal resilience, and permitting. HB 735, expanding the Boating Improvement Program to fund boat-trailer parking at public ramps and offering a submerged land lease discount for manufacturers using environmental best practices, drew no opposition and was reported favorably. HB 371, a nature-based coastal resilience bill, was amended with a strike-all and then reported favorably with committee substitute. HB 287, allowing building or plumbing permits to move forward while septic system permits are still under review, also passed favorably after testimony from the onsite wastewater industry and a brief debate about construction delays and final occupancy certification. The committee also took up HB 565 on auxiliary containers, which would preempt local regulation of items like bags, cups, and bottles and maintain statewide uniformity. The sponsor argued it protects consumer choice and business consistency, while environmental groups, PTA representatives, and others warned it would worsen plastic pollution, microplastics, and local cleanup burdens. Despite opposition and a 13-5 vote with several members opposed, the bill was reported favorably. Members also discussed HB 565’s policy background, including prior DEP studies and the tension between state preemption and local environmental regulation. A major portion of the meeting focused on HB 565 in the transcript’s boating context, actually HB 565 on anchoring limitations in Biscayne Bay and other heavily impacted areas. Supporters from Miami Beach and North Bay Village said derelict and anchored vessels are harming waterways, seagrass, public safety, and enforcement efforts, while cruisers and boating groups argued the bill would displace responsible boaters and fail to solve derelict-vessel problems. The committee adopted an amendment, then reported the bill favorably with committee substitute by an 18-0 vote. The meeting concluded after all agenda items were completed and the subcommittee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:05:04.639><c> the</c><00:05:04.880><c> ground</c><00:05:05.199><c> or</c><00:05:05.520><c> submerged
• </c> or below the ground or submerged or below the ground or submerged underwater.<00:05:07.360><c> Replace

Bills: SB95 , HB322 , SB95 , HB322

Committee: House Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure

Keywords: underground facilities, excavation safety, One-Call Notification System, utility protection, public safety, underground damage prevention, notification system, construction safety, pipeline protection, utility management, Alabama Municipal Electric Authority, director compensation, municipality, electricity supply, board of directors, postpartum depression, postnatal care, maternal mental health, perinatal depression, postpartum screening

Transcript Highlights:

• Many people in this room told me about being on Senior Hill when the land bridge would flood.
• We know from Edward's iPhone data that at 4:09 a.m., he is submerged underwater.
• You know, it's not obviously like some cartoon where they just landed in the tree.
• We know Edward was submerged at 4:09 and swept off the porch around 4:09.
• Dick Eastland submerged, correct?” “Correct.” “He went to be...”

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the Committee on Water and Land, and actually the Committee on Water, Land, and Housing, which
• </c> this in those lands but there are lands this in those lands but there are lands that<00:21:17.760
• It repeals provisions relating to the leasing of fast lands and submerged lands of Ala Wai boat harbor
• </c><00:54:08.480><c> and</c><00:54:08.799><c> submerged</c><00:54:09.440><c> lands</c><00:54:09.920>
• <c> of</c><00:54:10.119><c> alaw</c> fast lands and submerged lands of alaw fast lands and submerged

Summary: The committee first took up SB 534, a measure concerning development in Kakaʻako Makai involving the Hawaii Community Development Authority and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. The chairs explained that the hearing was decision-making only and no testimony would be accepted, though members could ask clarifying questions. The chair outlined amendments to clarify HCDA’s approval process, require an environmental impact statement before residential development proposals are submitted, require Department of Health documentation on hazardous substances, and specify that only OHA-owned parcels would be eligible for certain residential development with a 400-foot height limit and maximum floor area ratio of 10.0. The amendments also addressed affordability, owner-occupancy, association fees, and a special fund, while noting Attorney General concerns that the fee could be construed as a tax and suggesting further review by Judiciary and Ways and Means. Members discussed the affordability threshold, with one senator suggesting 160% AMI instead of 140% due to high housing costs and concern that essential workers could be priced out. Others raised concerns about Native Hawaiian affordability, the long-term effect of perpetuity restrictions, and whether the process would protect OHA’s interests. An HCDA representative said 140% AMI was used in existing reserve housing rules and that lower thresholds could make development economically infeasible. OHA and other supporters said the proposal was still early in planning and emphasized the need for public hearings, community input, and compliance with environmental and remediation standards. The committees voted to pass SB 534 with amendments: Water and Land approved it 4-1, and Hawaiian Affairs also adopted the chair’s recommendation, with one member excused and one voting no. The meeting then moved to SB 3, relating to water resource management. The bill would authorize the Commission on Water Resource Management to retain independent legal counsel, create an executive director position, allow challenges to emergency orders under certain conditions, establish fines for water use offenses, and revise emergency and shortage declaration procedures; Red Hill-related provisions were noted as removed from this version. Testimony was largely supportive, including from DLNR, the Board of Water Supply, OHA, and Sierra Club, with OHA stressing the measure’s importance to Native Hawaiian water rights and past litigation. A Department of Hawaiian Home Lands representative supported the bill with amendments and recommended explicit language directing the commission chair or designee to advocate for water rights and reservations for homelands. The chair indicated the committees would use the prior Senate-passed version as the basis for further action, and the discussion then moved on to SB 130, a search-and-rescue reimbursement bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• fixes to the Conservation Legacy Permanent Fund and investment fund that provides revenue for the Land
• The Land of Enchantment Legacy Fund, as many of you know, is a really successful program that you all
• The intent of the Land of Enchantment Legacy Fund is to get money onto the ground where it's needed most
• to support watershed, land use, and wildlife.
• The changes that HB 184 would... ...land use and wildlife.

Bills: HB63 , HB64 , HB184 , HB200 , HB47 , HB48 , HB2 , HB9

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: water project fund, New Mexico Finance Authority, NMFA, Water Trust Board, water infrastructure, wastewater, drinking water, flood prevention, watershed restoration, water storage, conveyance, delivery, water treatment, recycling, reuse, municipal infrastructure, local government finance, capital outlay, grants, loans

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, there was land damage from the mine in that area, and this department got money from that settlement
• CYFD can request funding out of the Land Grant Permanent Fund? Is that why it's no?
• The Land Office usually gets authority for restoration projects that are unanticipated.
• Where does that land in these documents? Okay, thank you.

Bills: HB63 , HB64 , HB184 , HB200 , HB47 , HB48 , HB2 , HB9

Committees: Senate Senate Finance , Senate House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: water project fund, New Mexico Finance Authority, NMFA, Water Trust Board, water infrastructure, wastewater, drinking water, flood prevention, watershed restoration, water storage, conveyance, delivery, water treatment, recycling, reuse, municipal infrastructure, local government finance, capital outlay, grants, loans

Transcript Highlights:

• He said there are some private structures over public submerged lands, and that the department has some
• </c> public submerged public submerged lands<01:34:14.440><c> um</c><01:34:15.040><c> we</c><01:34:15.199
• lands.
• the land.
• </c><01:40:11.560><c> for</c> more intrusive than having a landing for more intrusive than having a landing

Committee: Senate Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 1421 requires land management entities of state-owned conservation lands to consider, when developing
• Albert: of cattle grazing on such lands.
• If these lands are determined to be suitable, the bill requires lands to be leased for such purpose.
• as they don't find the land.
• It allows for coastal resiliency purposes dredging and filling of submerged lands and placement of living

Transcript Highlights:

• This is Senator Hoffman's bill dealing with submerged closed-loop heat exchangers and the commissioner's
• This is Senator Hoffman's bill dealing with submerged closed-loop heat exchangers and the commissioner's
• /c><00:37:02.320><c> closed</c><00:37:03.040><c> loop</c><00:37:03.720><c> heat</c> dealing with submerged
• The<00:43:01.440><c> submerged</c><00:43:02.080><c> closed</c><00:43:02.720><c> loop</c><00:43:03.040
• ><c> heat</c><00:43:03.440><c> exchanger</c> The submerged closed loop heat exchanger The submerged closed

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• You think current agriculture infrastructure on land that has been taken out of production due to disease
• management practices at there on the water facilities by granting them a 10% discount on their sovereign submerge
• land leases.
• Marine manufacturers will be eligible for a discount on sovereign submerge land leases and a waiver of
• Only those places that upon failure result in property damage, land, floods, land floods.

Transcript Highlights:

• It required Alaska Native village corporations that received land to convey some land to an existing
• enabling statehood land entitlements.
• These lands include the Sequoyah Museum, the Chekota Memorial, and other memorials and lands that support
• The dam flooded large portions of the ancestral lands, submerging sacred sites and archaeological remains
• THE DAM FLOODED LARGE PORTIONS OF THE ANCESTRAL LANDS, SUBMERGING SAKE RHETT SITES AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL

Transcript Highlights:

• exemption to protect certain production records related to aquaculture, shellfish facilities, and submerged
• land leases held by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
• exemption to protect certain production records related to aquaculture, shellfish facilities, and submerged
• land leases held by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
• you, and I appreciate you reaching out, Senator Burton, and you also knowing probably where I would land

Summary: The Committee on Rules met and first approved several open-government sunset repeal bills and related measures. SB 7024 and SB 7026, both sponsored by Senator Mayfield, were explained as consolidating and extending public records/public meetings exemptions for cybersecurity information and trade secrets held by agencies; both were reported favorably. SB 7020, sponsored by Senator Trumbull, reenacted an aquaculture records exemption for records held by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and was also reported favorably. Later, the committee approved SB 14 and SB 24, claims bills for relief involving Miami-Dade County, and SB 16, a claims bill for Heriberto Sanchez Mayan against the City of St. Petersburg; all were reported favorably without opposition. The committee also approved CS for SB 806, a consumer right-to-repair bill creating portable wireless device and agricultural equipment repair acts, despite opposition from several industry groups, and reported it favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• Infrastructure on land that has been taken out of production due to disease and adverse weather conditions
• land leases.
• land leases and a waiver of extended-term lease surcharges.
• And hopefully we'll continue to talk and land in a place where we can come to a resolution for this and
• Land floods, if a house floods, that's what we're talking about.

Summary: The committee took up a series of bills and amendments, reporting several measures favorably. Early in the meeting, CS for CS for SB 344 modernizing the Telecommunications Access System Act was approved without opposition. The committee then adopted amendments and passed CS for SB 714 on non-opioid advanced directives, CS for SB 738 updating child care and early learning provider regulation, CS for SB 756 revising health insurance coverage for individuals with developmental disabilities, and CS for CS for SB 1356 creating a Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases at FSU and a newborn genetic testing pilot. Later, the committee also approved CS for SB 1624 on higher education, CS for SB 1626 on child welfare, SB 178 on an agronomic study for emerging crops, SB 1162 on water access facilities and boat ramp parking, CS for CS for SB 958 creating a type 1 diabetes early detection program, CS for CS for SB 1402 expanding dropout retrieval eligibility, SB 774 requiring electronic transmission of certain court orders, SB 1516 creating an international aerospace innovation fund, and SB 994 revising driver education requirements. Most of these bills were reported favorably by roll call votes after brief explanations and, in several cases, amendments. Several measures drew substantive discussion and public testimony. CS for CS for SB 1624 prompted questions about replacing “minority” with “underrepresented,” the role of the Florida Department of Education’s Commission for Independent Education in overseeing private religious postsecondary institutions, and whether the changes could affect access for students at institutions such as FAMU and FIU. CS for CS for SB 1070 on ECGs for student athletes received extensive emotional testimony from parents and advocates describing children lost to sudden cardiac arrest and urging mandatory screenings; the sponsor said the bill would be cost-neutral for districts by encouraging partnerships with screening groups. SB 994 on driver education was discussed as a vehicle to add distracted driving instruction, and the sponsor agreed to work on that issue. SB 774 was presented as a response to a fatal delay in transmitting an ex parte order, with support from clerks and sheriffs. The most extended debate centered on SB 810 on stormwater management systems. The sponsor said the bill, as amended, would narrow annual inspections to infrastructure identified as vulnerable by MS4 entities, but the Florida League of Cities, Florida Association of Counties, and Florida Stormwater Association warned the proposal could impose major costs and duplicate existing MS4 permit requirements. Committee members questioned the fiscal impact, whether the bill would apply to FDOT or other entities, and whether annual inspections were feasible for large and small jurisdictions alike. Despite those concerns, the sponsor and several members emphasized flood prevention and public safety, and the bill remained under discussion with the sponsor indicating continued willingness to work with stakeholders.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, next up, we have a bill on weed, just getting submerged aquatic vegetation. It's a little...
• Submerged aquatic vegetation, I think, is the technical term. Representative Brown, thank you, Mr.

Bills: HB134 , SB217 , SB180 , HB157 , HB92 , HB335

Committee: Senate County and Municipal Government

Keywords: vehicle registration, disability access, fines, law enforcement, public accommodation, bond financing, municipal bonds, county debt, local government debt, debt service schedule, bond disclosure, public finance, bond underwriter, county commission, city council, refunding bonds, swap agreements, interest rate swaps, derivatives, fiscal transparency

Transcript Highlights:

• exemption to protect certain production records related to aquaculture, shellfish facilities, and submerged
• land leases held by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
• exemption to protect certain production records related to aquaculture, shellfish facilities, and submerged
• land leases held by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
• you, and I appreciate you reaching out, Senator Burton, and you also knowing probably where I would land

Bills: S0014 , S0016 , S0024 , S0052 , S0308 , S0504 , S0506 , S0564 , S0572 , S0590 , S0594 , S0806 , S1396 , S7020 , S7024 , S7026

Committee: Senate Rules

Summary: The Committee on Rules met with 14 members present and considered a long agenda of bills, including several open-government sunset reauthorizations, consumer and election measures, claims bills, and policy bills on public safety, ethics, and child protection. The committee reported favorably SB 7024 and SB 7026, which extend and consolidate public-records/public-meeting exemptions for cybersecurity information and trade secrets held by agencies, and SB 7020, which reenacts the aquaculture records exemption for the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. It also approved SB 14 and SB 24, two uncontested Miami-Dade County claims bills, and SB 16, a claims bill for Heriberto Sanchez Mayan involving severe injuries after an unlawful arrest and transport incident in St. Petersburg. Several bills drew substantial testimony. SB 308, creating the Florida Museum of Black History Board of Directors and designating St. Johns County as the museum site, received extensive support from advocates and lawmakers who emphasized preserving the full and accurate history of Black Floridians; some speakers urged safeguards to ensure historians and community members help shape the museum’s content. The committee also favorably reported CS for SB 564, allowing registered or pre-registered high school students to volunteer at polling places for community service hours, with supporters saying it would build civic engagement and help election offices. CS for SB 52, which exempts unpaid volunteer armed security at houses of worship from Class D and G licensing requirements, was also reported favorably after testimony both supporting the need for church security and cautioning that congregations should retain control over whether weapons are allowed. The committee approved CS for SB 1396 on litigation financing and consumer protection after a lengthy debate over transparency, foreign funding, and whether the bill would chill access to courts. Supporters said it would create guardrails and disclose foreign involvement; opponents argued it could burden plaintiffs and reveal litigation strategy. The committee also reported favorably CS for SB 504 and SB 506, creating a framework and related public-records exemption for code inspector body cameras, with discussion about notice to property owners and protection of sensitive footage. Additional favorable actions included CS for SB 572, updating ethics law to reflect foster family relationships, and CS for SB 590, tolling the statute of limitations for failure-to-report child abuse offenses until the offense is known to law enforcement or another charging authority.

Transcript Highlights:

• They invested money in land intending to take that water from that land to Phoenix, Phoenix AMA.
• Senator, there's been land subsidence that has been documented by ADWR.
• It replaces the term 'land' with 'agricultural real property.'
• formula would apply to the entire property instead of just the land.
• All righty, is Lynn or State Land here? Oh, yep, in the back.

Bills: HB2014 , HB2031 , HB2078 , HB2102 , HB2103 , HB2117 , HB2261 , HB2262 , HB2264 , HB2278 , HB2428 , HB2494 , HB2756 , HB2758 , HB2762 , HB2782 , HB2932 , HB2933 , HB2986

Committees: Senate Natural Resources , Senate Senate Natural Resources Committee of Reference

Keywords: air emissions, fuel blends, environmental quality, feasibility study, Arizona Department of Agriculture, water rights, groundwater, Willcox, active management area, certificate of grandfathered rights, Arizona legislature, aggregate mining, reclamation plans, environmental protection, public safety, land use, domestic water, improvement district, water delivery, water hauling

Transcript Highlights:

• wildfires or my own constituents in Wiki who are watched each year as the sidewalks and beaches are submerged
• and beaches each years as the sidewalks and beaches are<01:11:42.560><c> sub</c><01:11:43.120><c> submerged
• </c><01:11:45.520><c> These</c> are sub submerged by the ocean.
• These are sub submerged by the ocean.
• natural resources, including native forests, native plants and animals, aquatic resources, coastal lands

Transcript Highlights:

• Is it assumed that a submerged vessel is derelict based on the description you gave of what has to happen
• Is it assumed that a submerged vessel is derelict based on the description you gave of what has to happen
• Then it would go to the agency that's having jurisdiction over that land.

Summary: The subcommittee received an overview from FWC Deputy Director in Law Enforcement Lt. Col. Rob Rowe on boating safety, derelict vessels, and marine debris. On boating safety, he said FWC uses inspections, BUI enforcement, public education campaigns, boater education courses, warnings, and citations to reduce accidents and fatalities. Members asked about probable cause for stops, geofenced safety messages, boating education age requirements, and common violations such as life jacket issues. Rowe said most stops are based on probable cause, the education requirement currently applies to those born after Jan. 1, 1988, and FWC is considering whether broader education requirements would improve safety. The committee then focused heavily on derelict vessels. Rowe explained the legal definition of a derelict vessel, the at-risk and nuisance vessel tools used to intervene earlier, and the V-TIP voluntary turn-in program. He described the removal process, including owner notification, a 21-day administrative hearing period, contractor selection, and disposal/recycling, and said FWC works with local governments, emergency management, and sometimes the Coast Guard on larger pollution-related cases. Members asked about timelines, costs, salvage rules, title issues, and jurisdictional differences between state, county, city, and federal authorities. Rowe said the agency has added staff and grant tools, but continued funding remains important, and he noted that local governments can also use ordinances to address floating structures, liveaboards, anchoring, and storm-related risks. On marine debris, Rowe said FWC works with DEP, FDACS, NOAA, the Gulf of Mexico Alliance, local governments, and volunteers to remove debris ranging from plastics to storm-damaged fishing gear and derelict vessels. He said hurricane events greatly increase debris and derelict vessel removals, and the agency is updating the Florida Marine Debris Reduction Plan with partners. The meeting ended after members and the vice chair emphasized local tools such as mooring fields and pumpout enforcement, and the subcommittee adjourned without taking any formal vote or action beyond rising without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• exemption to protect certain production records related to aquaculture shellfish facilities and submerged
• land leases.
• The land that we're using is land that's owned by the city of St. Petersburg.
• This is six consecutive lots, less than one acre—0.83 acres of land.
• And so we really started with land that would have ordinarily been used to build homes and just started

Summary: The committee first considered and unanimously recommended confirmation of Melanie Ressler to the Florida Citrus Commission. It then took up SPB 7020, a Department of Agriculture bill to reenact an expiring public records exemption for certain aquaculture production records held by the department. The department supported the measure, and the committee adopted a motion to submit it as a committee bill and reported it favorably. Next, the committee heard SB 534, which would create a Hunger-Free Campus Pilot Program in the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Senator Bernard explained that the program would target campuses with high percentages of Pell-eligible students, require a survey and SNAP-related assistance, provide at least one food pantry on participating campuses, and direct a report to the Governor and House Speaker by December 1, 2028. A supporter waived in, there was no debate, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then received a lengthy presentation from Carla Bristol and youth ambassadors from the St. Pete Youth Farm. They described the farm as a youth-led response to local food access problems after grocery store closures, and outlined programs in leadership, financial literacy, career readiness, mental wellness, composting, aquaponics, community education, and food production. Members praised the program and asked about expansion, including a culinary kitchen or food truck, partnerships with schools and colleges, and how the initiative began. Bristol said the farm is funded mainly through local redevelopment dollars and that future plans include a food truck, more youth opportunities, and a possible culinary kitchen. The committee concluded with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• land leases.
• facilities designated as clean marine manufacturers will be eligible for a discount on sovereign submerged
• land leases and a waiver of extended-term lease surcharges.
• And hopefully we'll continue to talk and land in a place that we can come to resolution for this and
• Land floods, if a house floods, that's what we're talking about.

Committee: Senate Fiscal Policy

Summary: The committee first heard CS for CS for SB 344, which would modernize the Telecommunications Access System Act of 1991 based on Public Service Commission recommendations. The bill drew no opposition and was reported favorably. Members then took up several Senator Burton measures: CS for SB 714 on non-opioid advanced directives, which was amended to create a Department of Health website access point for a voluntary form allowing patients to notify providers they do not want opioid medications; CS for SB 738 on child care and early learning providers, which streamlines and updates child care regulation and was supported by industry and business groups; CS for SB 756 on health insurance coverage for individuals with developmental disabilities, which removes the age-8 diagnosis limit and age cap for mandated autism-related coverage; and CS for CS for SB 1356, creating a Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases at FSU and a newborn genetic testing pilot, later amended to add FIU and Nicklaus Children’s Hospital to the board and remove specific appropriations. All of these bills were reported favorably. The committee also approved CS for CS for SB 1624 on higher education, a broad bill affecting tuition policies, workforce programs, institutional governance, and naming changes. The bill generated extended discussion over replacing references to “minority” with “underrepresented,” with the sponsor explaining the intent was to focus on low-income access and student support, while members raised concerns about impacts on majority-minority institutions and preeminence pathways. An amendment added guardrails for private religious postsecondary institutions by requiring public review of affidavits of compliance and giving the Commission for Independent Education enforcement authority. After debate, the bill was reported favorably. The committee then passed CS for SB 1626 on child welfare, which addresses military-family investigations, emergency shelter certification, children’s services council appointments, criminal-background exemptions, group-home rates, licensing extensions, small residential group homes, missing-children procedures, and psychotropic medication refills; it was amended to adjust council board composition and then reported favorably. Additional bills approved included SB 178, directing Florida A&M University to conduct an agronomic study on emerging crops for land taken out of production; SB 1162, expanding boating improvement funding for trailer parking and offering lease incentives for clean marine manufacturers; CS for CS for SB 958, creating a type 1 diabetes early detection information program for parents and schools; CS for CS for CS for SB 1070, requiring ECGs for student athletes with phased implementation and exemptions, after extensive testimony from parents and advocates about sudden cardiac arrest; CS for SB 774, requiring electronic transmission of certain court orders to sheriffs within six hours; SB 1516, creating an International Aerospace Innovation Fund administered by Space Florida; SB 994, revising driver education requirements and prompting a commitment to add distracted-driving instruction; and CS for CS for SB 1402, expanding eligibility for dropout retrieval programs. The committee also took up SB 810 on stormwater management systems, amending it to focus annual inspections on vulnerable MS4 infrastructure. That bill drew significant opposition from the Florida League of Cities, counties, and stormwater groups, who argued the mandate would duplicate existing permit requirements and impose major costs, but supporters said it was a basic flood-prevention measure. The transcript ends during debate on SB 810, before a final vote is shown.