Transcript Highlights:

• . felony. felony.
• the punishment for a felony?
• No, not mean charged with a felony.
• It's a felony and they will pursue the charges. ...having a felony is it keeps the church, this pristine
• Now, as you said, class C felony.

Committee: House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• I think it was all felonies on the original bill.
• If it's a dangerous felony, if it's the juvenile's third time with a felony offense, if it's in a long
• It might come back in it if we can find A and B felonies.
• And, for example, for an E felony, they have to serve at least 25%; D felony, 25%, and so on and so forth
• But didn't we hear some testimony that on lower-grade felonies? Great felonies?

Summary: The House first established a quorum after a brief call of the board and then recognized several guest delegations, including a Kansas City Hispanic Day at the Capitol group and later visitors from Grandview, Pagedale, Bolivar, and a fire service leadership program. After that, the chamber took up House Bill 2498, a juvenile justice measure focused on more oversight in serious juvenile cases, expanded data sharing through the MULES system, and changes to certification procedures for certain felonies and repeat offenses. Members debated whether adding prosecuting attorneys to the certification process was appropriate, whether the bill would expand juvenile certification, and whether the bill’s original parent-liability provisions could harm foster placements; those liability provisions were ultimately removed through amendment. The bill was then adopted as amended. The House also considered House Committee Substitute for House Bills 2637 and 3155, described as a “transparency in sentencing” bill. Supporters said it would make sentencing and parole eligibility clearer by setting minimum time-served percentages in statute, while critics argued it would mostly raise minimums, especially for lower-level felonies, without truly increasing transparency. Members discussed changes to dangerous felony treatment, sex offenses, trafficking, prior commitments, and how time served would be certified at sentencing. The committee substitute was adopted and ordered perfected and printed. Finally, the House recommitted House Committee Substitute for House Bills 2780 and 2668 to the Special Committee on Property Tax Reform for further work, with members agreeing more hearings and revisions were needed. The chamber then moved to announcements, including committee meeting notices and a Black History Program invitation, and adjourned until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Upon further inspection, you'll find your family featured, the dome of the old capital, and the Florida
• When you're talking about the additional felony components, that is for crimes that are committed in
• Those felonies are already on the books, and if they are arrested for providing that material support
• And they include revenue summaries, spending summaries, department spending, program spending, capital
• And they include revenue summaries, spending summaries, department spending, program spending, capital

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, quorum calls, and introductory remarks, including recognition of former Representative Ardian Zika and law enforcement officer of the day Representative Chuck Brannan. Members also unveiled a portrait of Speaker Daniel Perez, with extended remarks praising his leadership and the institution of the House. The Speaker then explained the process for taking up returning messages from the Senate, noting that the House would consider Senate amendments to bills already passed by both chambers. The House first concurred in Senate amendments and passed CS/CS/HB 1503 on computer science education and certification, which adds computer science and artificial intelligence content to high school instruction and creates a teacher certification program, with implementation delayed to give the Department of Education time to develop curriculum. The chamber then considered CS/CS/HB 1085 on local government cybersecurity, adopting a House amendment to allow local governments to buy into the cyber grant program whether or not they receive a grant, add a five-year sunset, and keep the program under the Florida Digital Service rather than a university. The House concurred in the Senate amendment and passed the bill 104-1. Members also refused to concur in Senate amendments to CS/HB 351 on concurrent legislative jurisdiction over military installations and HB 6011 on reporting gifts or honoraria, sending both bills back to the Senate. The most extensive debate centered on CS/CS/HB 1471, which would create a process for designating domestic terrorist organizations and related restrictions. Supporters said the Senate amendment clarified the definition of “promote,” refined notice and timeline requirements, and aligned the bill with federal-style procedures; opponents argued it lacked due process, could chill speech, and gave the governor and cabinet unprecedented power without adequate evidentiary standards or judicial review. Members also debated a related public records bill, CS/CS/HB 1473, which would exempt certain records tied to the designation process; critics said the exemption would further reduce transparency and due process. Despite objections, the House adopted the amendments and passed HB 1471 by 80-25, while the public records measure was taken up as a technical companion to align with the newly amended bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• In litigation harvesting financing, outside capital is used to mass solicit legal claims, convert them
• They were the plaintiff that used Burford Capital, the largest funder, as a second shadowy Goliath behind
• in privity with them, it ends up being alleged that they're actually more in cahoots with Burford Capital
• Cisco ends up suing Burford Capital. They settle.
• This crime would be a third-degree felony, similar to a mortgage fraud under Florida law, and that is

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard and advanced a series of bills on candidate disclosure, litigation financing, professional liability, public meetings, problem-solving courts, probate, wrongful conviction compensation, public records, and housing fraud. Senate Bill 620, by Senator Mayfield, would require candidates for federal, state, county, district, judicial, and school board offices to disclose any citizenship in countries other than the United States; it drew one waived-in opposition from Common Cause and was reported favorably 8-0. Senate Bill 1396, by Vice Chair Burton, would regulate litigation financing, including limits on funders’ recovery, restrictions on funder control, and disclosure of foreign entities involved; it received support from several business and tort-reform groups, opposition from the Florida Justice Association, and was reported favorably 7-2 after questions about the purpose and scope of the disclosures. Senator Martin’s bills also moved forward. SB 192 would remove the $1,500 cap on patient funds chiropractic physicians may hold in trust for prepaid services; it was supported by the Florida Chiropractic Society and reported favorably 7-0. SB 888 would extend to private contracts the current limits on indemnity and insurance requirements for architects, engineers, surveyors, and landscape architects, and it was reported favorably 7-0 after testimony from engineering and design professionals. Senator Bradley’s CS for SB 332, as amended, would create a narrow public meetings/public records exemption for pre-suit Burt Harris litigation strategy discussions by local governments; it was adopted and reported favorably 7-0. SB 820 would require quarterly reporting on problem-solving courts, including participant counts, offenses, completion, failure, and recidivism data, and it was reported favorably 10-0. SB 1500 would update uncontested probate procedures, raise certain small-estate thresholds, clarify safe-deposit-box authority, and strengthen enforcement provisions; it was reported favorably 10-0. The committee also advanced several other measures. CS for SB 694, by Senator Bracey Davis, would compensate the descendants of the Groveland Four; it was amended to divide any appropriation equally among the four family branches, received extensive emotional testimony in support, and was reported favorably 10-0. SB 144 would create a public records exemption for personal information of Judicial Qualifications Commission employees and their families due to harassment concerns, and it was reported favorably 9-1. CS for SB 1224, as amended, would make fraudulent entry into a rental dwelling a third-degree felony when done through false statements, counterfeit documents, or impersonation; it was supported by Florida Realtors and the Florida Apartment Association and reported favorably 10-0. SB 1000 would set a floor and ceiling for interest rates on law firm trust accounts tied to the Wall Street Journal prime rate, and it was reported favorably 10-0 after stakeholder compromise. The committee also took up SB 532 only to temporarily postpone it, and at the end members recorded additional affirmative votes on selected bills before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• the person is guilty of a gross misdemeanor; $5,000 or more, the person is guilty of a category D felony
• interruption of services provided by any critical infrastructure, a person is guilty of a category C felony
• A person is guilty of a category C felony with a prison term of not less than one year and a maximum
• year, we anticipate the savings of 1.5 million operating expenditures and 3.1 million savings in capital
• replacement. 1.5 million operating expenditures and 3.1 million savings in capital replacement.

Bills: AB6 , AB102 , AB131 , AB212 , AB213 , AB220 , AB259 , AB282 , AB376 , AB396 , AB479 , AB503 , AB570 , AB572 , AB574 , AB576 , AB593 , SB185 , SB207 , SB507 , AB6

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:43:24.600><c> budget</c> to projects in the prior capital budget to projects in the prior capital
• And to your point, the state is now saying it's going to participate in felonies, sex offenses, long
• It's the same for, again, felonies.
• It's the same thing.<01:58:59.080><c> Felonies,</c><01:59:00.080><c> uh</c><01:59:00.160><c> sex</c><
• Felonies, uh sex offenses, thing. Felonies, uh sex offenses, serious<01:59:02.120><c> crimes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hit and run under California law deserves felony punishment.
• And he had been convicted of felony domestic violence.
• We are the sponsor of the bill, as in print, adding felony domestic violence to the list of violent felonies
• Would have added felony domestic violence to the violent felony list.
• History here would have added felony domestic violence to the violent felony list, and I'd like to explain

Committee: House Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, that's what we're talking about: felony crimes, the attempt to commit the felony crime, and any
• We're not even talking felonies.
• I just wanted to go back and clarify a little bit on the felony.
• What felonies would qualify if somebody—basically, if somebody has a felony crime in their past, maybe
• Then, after 2013, all felonies.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• Asbury United Methodist Church in Annapolis, Maryland, guest of the distinguished Senator from the capital
• Asbury United Methodist Church in Annapolis, Maryland, guest of the distinguished Senator from the capital
• Appreciate that. >> Thank you, Senator from the capital city. >> Thank you, Mr. President.
• felony under the<01:34:05.040><c> existing</c><01:34:05.440><c> code.
• </c> after that and then we have capital after that and then we have capital budget<01:53:01.679><c>

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation, journalized the prayer, and recognized Read Across America Day with a special resolution congratulating the Maryland State Education Association on the program’s 28th anniversary. Senators also welcomed several guests and student groups, including Eleanor Roosevelt High School students, Maryland Federation of Republican Women members for Red Scarf Day, medical shadows from Johns Hopkins, a student page prospect, and a group from Matthew Henson Elementary School. The chamber then took up multiple Finance Committee consent calendars and individual local alcohol-related bills, all of which were reported favorably, adopted without objection, and ordered printed for third reading. Measures included changes to alcohol license fee refunds for uniformed service members, Anne Arundel County license classifications and compensation for liquor board officials, a Baltimore City racetrack license extension, a Cecil County license quota change, and new or expanded licenses for golf courses, sports venues, and barber shop/beauty salon establishments. The Senate also advanced bills on social work licensing, a rural readiness economic development program, a Maryland-Ireland Trade Commission extension, peer-to-peer car sharing insurance rules, telematics-based auto insurance disclosures and appeals, and veteran status notation on public profiles. Several bills were amended before being advanced, generally with technical or clarifying changes and no recorded opposition. Senate Bill 18 would create a provisional social work license; Senate Bill 351 would regulate insurer use of vehicle telematics data; Senate Bill 395 would revise insurance and liability rules for peer-to-peer car sharing; and Senate Bill 197 would alter comprehensive plan elements in land use law. Senate Bill 439, protecting fire and rescue public safety employees from adverse action based on medical cannabis certification, also moved forward without amendment. One measure, Senate Bill 69, which would make permanent the nonprofit navigator position in the Department of Commerce, was discussed at length after a member raised concerns about oversight of nonprofit grant funding. On request, the bill was special ordered to the next day for further consideration. All other bills discussed in the transcript were advanced to third reading by unanimous or near-unanimous voice action, with no recorded roll-call votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• He's the founder of Charles & Potomac Capital, a private investment firm focused on venture capital and
• And now as founder and CEO of Charles Truman Capital, my team and I invest in businesses that solve problems
• But you also have been convicted of felony pleading guilty.
• passionate about this and he used, it was of paramount importance to him, and he used as much political capital

Committee: Senate Foreign Relations Committee

Keywords: diplomatic nominations, foreign policy, ambassadors, U.S.-European relations, Bilateral relationships, security, trade

Summary: The meeting focused primarily on diplomatic nominations, featuring discussions about the implications of these roles on U.S. foreign policy. Notable was the introduction of nominees for key ambassadorial positions, including ambassadors to the Dominican Republic, France, and the Netherlands. Senator Shaheen emphasized the importance of U.S.-European relations, particularly in light of current global challenges, while other members voiced their concerns regarding the nominees’ qualifications and the impact on bilateral relationships. Public support for these nominations was evident, as was the committee's commitment to fostering stronger connections with allied nations, particularly in addressing security and trade issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Ways and Means, to whom was referred the bill authorizing the Division of Capital Asset
• the same ought to pass with an amendment substituting therefor a bill authorizing the Division of Capital
• The Committee on Ways and Means, to whom was referred the bill authorizing the Division of Capital Asset
• the same ought to pass with an amendment substituting therefor a bill authorizing the Division of Capital
• Second reading of the bill: An act authorizing the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance

Summary: The House took up several Senate and House bills, mostly under suspension of the rules, and advanced a number of measures to third reading or engrossment. Early in the session, the House dealt with a Senate bill on student learning and mental health by insisting on its position and appointing a committee of conference. It also referred a Senate petition on alleviating poverty to the Committee on Children and Families after the House declined to concur with a Judiciary referral. The chamber then considered and advanced multiple Ways and Means bills, including legislation on police interactions with people with autism spectrum disorder, honoring Blue Star families, land conveyance in Bolton, newborn screening for congenital cytomegalovirus, affordable housing and cultural space in Brighton, increasing access to epinephrine, and civil rights and technology. Several bills drew extended floor debate. Supporters of the epinephrine bill emphasized its life-saving purpose and described the death of Michael Brown as a catalyst for the measure; the House adopted the bill after a roll call vote of 149-0. The newborn CMV screening bill also prompted substantial testimony in favor from public health advocates and parents, who argued that universal screening would enable earlier treatment and reduce long-term harm; an amendment to add other rare diseases was withdrawn, and a later amendment creating a broad opt-out was defeated 1-153 before the bill passed 154-1. The civil rights and technology bill focused on banning weaponized drones and robotic devices, restricting misuse, and preserving law enforcement and civil liberties; it passed 154-1. The Blue Star families bill, creating commemorative plates for families of fallen law enforcement officers, passed 156-0 after emotional remarks from members and supporters. The House also passed without recorded opposition a bill facilitating better interactions between police and people with autism, and it approved a Bolton land conveyance bill and the Brighton affordable housing/cultural space bill. The chamber observed moments of silence for former Congressman Barney Frank and State Trooper Kevin Traynor, welcomed several guest groups, and concluded by adopting an order to meet the next day at 11 a.m. before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• The MHSA is being granted in felony domestic violence cases.
• or participated in a program or diversion for a felony.
• somebody with a felony to eliminate that felony and go on and be more successful.
• It's their first felony offense.
• Most counties also have felony diversions.

Summary: The House Community Safety Committee met on January 29, 2026, and announced it would not hold executive session that day because of the large number of public hearing sign-ups; those executive sessions were pushed to the following Monday. The committee first heard House Bill 2558, relating to the mental health sentencing alternative (MHSA). Staff explained that the bill narrows eligibility to people diagnosed with a psychotic disorder, adds restrictions for certain domestic violence and prior violent offense cases, requires more detailed DOC reports, lengthens some community custody terms, mandates regular progress hearings, and shifts assessment work to contracted providers. The sponsor said the bill is intended to refocus the program on people whose offenses are tied to serious mental illness and to reduce misuse in domestic violence and other violent cases. No public testimony was taken on HB 2558 that day, and the hearing was held open for later testimony. The committee then heard House Bill 2217, which would replace the current first-time offender waiver with a pretrial deferral option and a suspended sentence option for eligible first-time felony defendants. Supporters, including public defense, immigration advocates, judges, economists, and the Sentencing Guidelines Commission, argued the bill would create a meaningful rehabilitation pathway, reduce recidivism, improve employment outcomes, and avoid the long-term harm of an immediate felony conviction. They also said the deferred-adjudication structure could help immigrants avoid immigration consequences and would better incentivize restitution and compliance. Opponents, including sheriffs, prosecutors, and victim advocates, raised concerns about expanding eligibility to offenses such as assault 2 and robbery 2, the meaning of “violent offense,” the possibility of judicial diversion without prosecutor consent, and the impact on victims and public safety. After testimony, the sponsor said she would remove the bill’s strong presumption in favor of relief, and the committee closed the public hearing on HB 2217. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2641, the “ICE Out Act of 2026,” which would bar Washington law enforcement agencies from hiring people who were sworn ICE officers after January 20, 2025, with the restriction applying prospectively beginning October 1, 2026. The sponsor said the bill was meant to protect communities and prevent hiring officers associated with federal immigration enforcement practices she described as harmful. The committee then heard House Bill 2648, which would require state and local officers who encounter suspected ICE employees conducting immigration enforcement to activate body and dash cameras, report the encounter, and document it, while providing state indemnification for officers acting in good faith. Supporters said the bill would improve transparency and protect communities and officers; the Washington State Patrol said many of the practices already align with its policies. The Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs expressed concerns about added reporting requirements, possible effects on federal-local cooperation, and asked for changes to soften mandatory language and strengthen indemnification. The committee ended the hearing without further testimony and adjourned, noting executive sessions on about a dozen bills would occur the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• appropriations to general government, appropriating money to the State Department of Administration, the Capital
• Committee, an act relating to voting, providing provisions regarding voting by persons convicted of felonies
• In Idaho Code, a felon cannot restore their voting rights if they are convicted of a felony or treason
• As the code currently reads, an individual could be convicted of a felony or treason in another state

Transcript Highlights:

• In part, what it does is then devalues other felonies.
• You look at all the consequences of a felony. And again...
• Every time we make something a felony, it makes the current felonies be worth a little bit less as we
• Why make it a five-year, $10,000 felony, or a 20-year, $40,000 felony, or a 100-year, billion-dollar
• felony?

Bills: HF3489 , HF3990 , HF3825 , HF3826 , HF3827 , HF3822

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Bills: SB5223 , SB6071 , SB5966 , SB6061 , SB5520 , SB6016 , SB5890 , SB5973 , SB5053 , SB5249 , SB5536 , SB5879 , SB5899 , SB6190 , SB6086 , SB5574 , SB5873 , SB5924 , SB6134 , SB6263 , SB6282 , SB6302 , SB5950 , SB6074 , SB6096 , SB5970 , SB5609 , SB5827 , SB5862 , SB5880 , SB5901 , SB5943 , SB5971 , SB5975 , SB5981 , SB5988 , SB6097 , SJM8016 , SB5496 , SB5907 , SB6031 , SB6155 , SB6158 , SB6227 , SB5947 , SB6085 , SB6234 , SB6274 , SB6194 , SB5909 , SB5868 , SB6026 , SB6044 , SB6239 , SB5923 , SB6045 , SB6106 , SB6089 , SB6170 , SB5954 , SB5968 , SB5489 , SB5762 , SB5832 , SB5847 , SB5963 , SB5969 , SB6027 , SB6032 , SB6049 , SB6066 , SB6079 , SB6082 , SB6113 , SB6114 , SB6160 , SB6162 , SB6164 , SB6176 , SB6289 , SB6309 , SB6319 , SB6347 , SB6308 , SB6200 , SB6080 , SB5911 , SJM8014 , SB6177 , SB6052 , SB6182 , SB5828 , SB6335 , SB6017 , SB6346 , SB6262 , SB5470 , SB5990 , SB6244 , SB5961

Keywords: criminal offense, fingerprinting, law enforcement, state regulations, public safety, overpayment recovery, modernization, health care, legislation, healthcare, nutrition, medically tailored meals, dietary support, food security, chronic illness, tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development

Transcript Highlights:

• MHSA is being granted in felony domestic violence cases.
• or participated in a program or diversion for a felony.
• somebody with a felony to eliminate that felony and go on and be more successful.
• While they’re misdemeanors, they can become felonies.
• Most counties also have felony diversions.

Bills: HB2217 , HB2558 , HB2641 , HB2648 , HB1239 , HB1591 , HB2209 , HB2310 , HB2526

Committee: House Community Safety

Keywords: rehabilitation, felony offenses, criminal justice reform, first-time offenders, pathways to rehabilitation, mental health, sentencing alternative, criminal justice, diversion programs, HB 2641, ICE out act, law enforcement hiring, immigration and customs enforcement, ICE officers, former federal employees, sworn officer, police staffing, general authority law enforcement agency, limited authority law enforcement agency, immigration enforcement

Transcript Highlights:

• It would be a felony, $100,000 fine per conviction.
• And so looking at a felony charge.
• It would be a felony, $100,000 platform.
• </c> not receive two felony expungements. not receive two felony expungements. that's<00:46:06.480><c
• </c> is a felony? is a felony?

Committee: Joint Judiciary, Division B

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the capital of the state of Mississippi. the capital of the state of Mississippi.
• </c> &gt;&gt; Yeah, uh this is capital &gt;&gt; Yeah, uh this is capital post-conviction,<01:02:56.160
• </c> capital expense funding availability. capital expense funding availability.
• </c> also had two projects for capital also had two projects for capital expense One was for a water
• </c> million for capital million for capital or<01:57:18.120><c> for</c><01:57:18.960><c> out</c><01:

Transcript Highlights:

• the felonious use of firearms?
• ><c> when</c> or attempts to commit any felony when or attempts to commit any felony when armed<00:45
• :47.200><c> one,</c> felony, even a nonviolent one, felony, even a nonviolent one, um<00:45:49.839><c
• </c> like but those other felonious use. like but those other felonious use.
• Um, I suppose it could be felony.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• I am from the potato capital, southwest St.
• I am from the potato capital, southwest St.
• convictions, first-degree felonies or felonies of moral turpitude.
• A third-degree felony, while increasing the penalties for related illegal gaming activities.
• SB 1580 closes this loophole by reclassifying key offenses as third-degree felonies.

Summary: The Committee on Rules heard a long agenda of growth-management, elections, education, housing, and professional-licensing bills. The first major item was SB 354 on “Blue Ribbon Projects,” a framework for very large planned developments on at least 15,000 contiguous acres with 60% reserved area. After adopting a strike-all amendment, senators debated whether the bill adequately protected conservation land, local government authority, neighboring property, concurrency, and multi-county projects. Supporters argued it would create more orderly, master-planned growth and preserve large areas of land; opponents said the reserve areas were too weakly protected and the bill preempted local control. The committee adopted the amendment and then reported the bill favorably on a party-line style roll call, with Chair Pasadomo and Vice Chair Jones voting no. The committee then approved SB 620 on candidate qualifying, which requires candidates to disclose any foreign citizenship and, through amendments, adds a 2026 congressional qualifying framework tied to apportionment and redistricting, including revised petition rules and deadlines. Members discussed disclosure, redistricting, and candidate vetting, and the bill was reported favorably. CS/CS/CS/SB 1452, a Department of Financial Services bill, was also amended and approved; the amendments addressed My Safe Florida Home, unclaimed property, firefighter hiring, workforce housing code accommodations, and related financial-services issues. CS/CS/SB 1620, the school board members’ bill of rights, was narrowed by substitute amendment to focus on access to records, fiscal transparency, NDAs, and related rights, and it passed after supportive testimony from school board and superintendent representatives. The committee also passed CS/HB 245, which replaces the term “child pornography” with “child sexual abuse material,” after debate over whether the terminology change could affect the seriousness of the crime or existing case law. SB 1548, a Live Local/affordable housing update, was reported favorably with little debate. Finally, the committee approved the veterinary medicine bill creating veterinary professional associates, after amending it to require immediate supervision by a licensed veterinarian. Throughout the meeting, many public commenters and senators weighed in on the balance between development and conservation, local control, and the scope of state regulation, with several bills drawing both strong support and strong opposition before final votes.