Transcript Highlights:

• And welcome back to the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee.
• There's no better place than Florida to be a part of its natural resources.
• And I think that I will serve the people of Florida and the natural resources.
• They're like vessels pose an ongoing risk to Florida's residents, visitors and natural resources.
• Violations to occur before a vessel is declared a public nuisance.

Transcript Highlights:

• severability, and declaring emergency, and providing retroactive application.
• We are coming under federal guidelines, and there is a support system there.
• voted it down because we said... ...federal programs listed in it.
• It's not that you sit on it until there's a disaster.
• It's not that you sit on until there's a disaster.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is inconsistent with the Federal Constitution and the obligations under the Admissions Act, which
• Federal Constitution under the federal Federal Constitution is<00:52:15.640><c> exists</c><00:52:16.000
• No public road, street, highway, or public construction or improvement of any nature resulting in the
• Young. disasters development and cultural disasters development and cultural economic<01:26:07.480><c
• I believe this is rather housekeeping in nature. It does consolidate a few accounts into one.

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 707, which would create a state income tax deduction for contributions to Hawaii 529 college savings accounts and conform state law to federal changes allowing 529 funds to be used for K-12 expenses. The Department of Taxation said it could administer the bill as written. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities supported the measure but asked that ABLE accounts be included and that the program title be changed; the Department of Taxation indicated the title issue could be a problem because the bill’s expanded purpose may not fit the current program name. No vote was taken. The committee then heard House Bill 617, which would fund a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at the University of Hawaiʻi Community Colleges. UH Community Colleges supported the bill, and Maui nursing staff testified that faculty recruitment is challenging but manageable, clinical placements are available, and the campus already has a statewide RN-to-BSN pathway; they said the new program would create two tracks, including a four-year BSN option. Members also heard support from several organizations, including the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, nursing groups, and health care associations. No action was taken. Next were several UH-related measures. HB 718 would fund faculty and staff positions at the John A. Burns School of Medicine; the dean and other supporters testified in favor. HB 1279 would create a medical education liaison position tied to Project ECHO; the Attorney General raised constitutional concerns about statewide concern and grant standards, while an individual witness supported the concept but suggested the bill should focus on liaison/support functions rather than program administration. HB 1169 would consolidate conference center revolving funds, and HB 1168 would authorize up to $800 million in UH revenue bonds; UH’s CFO said both were procedural/housekeeping measures and supported them. On HB 1168, members questioned debt service, possible uses, and whether deferred maintenance would be included; the CFO estimated annual debt service could be about $33 million to $41 million at current rates, said likely uses could include student housing and research facilities, and said deferred maintenance was not the current strategy. The CFO also explained that revenue bonds require both legislative authorization and a Board of Regents resolution approving the project and amount. Finally, the committee heard HB 548, which would authorize revenue bonds and appropriations to acquire the St. Francis School campus for UH Mānoa. UH supported the bill but noted the property is privately owned and not known to be for sale. A supporter described the site as a unique 11-acre parcel contiguous to the main campus and urged the committee to seize the opportunity for future generations. No vote or final action was taken on the bills in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• The amendment just provides the clarification or the statement that the legislature finds and declares
• The amendment just provides the clarification or the statement that the legislature finds and declares
• My name is Nancy Stewart, and I represent the Federation of Manufactured Homeowners of Florida.
• This is Senate Bill 840, land use regulations for local governments affected by natural disasters, by
• State and federal requirements and water supply and management will be exempted.

Committee: Senate Community Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Because isn't Apache Nation part of federal land? That's correct. It is part of federal land.
• That involves federal money.
• If we're not taking the federal money, we don't have to adhere to the federal guidelines.
• due to major disasters and how monies may be allocated.
• Unlike some federal funding, these monies can be deployed more quickly and are not subject to odd federal

Committees: House Government , House House Government Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:

• But I imagine with a hurricane, you know, the date would be set and then the natural disaster happens
• I would note that I have a bill also on elections during disaster times.
• Federal records, they can use the SAVE database, and that's where... They can use federal records.
• I became a naturalized citizen in 2023.
• This bill can remove or even prevent people like me, a naturalized citizen, from voting.

Bills: S0460 , S0748 , S1180 , S1334

Committee: Senate Ethics and Elections

Summary: The Committee on Ethics and Elections met with a quorum and took up several election-related bills. CS/SB 1180 by Senator Arrington, which creates a recall framework for elected community development district board members and also addresses synthetic turf regulation and CDD eligibility, was presented briefly and then approved unanimously. SB 460 by Senator Polsky, requiring the governor to call special elections within set deadlines after vacancies and allowing judicial relief if deadlines are not met, also passed unanimously after members discussed flexibility for emergencies and the cost of delayed elections. The committee then heard SB 748 by Senator Bracy Davis, which would add constitutional voting-rights restoration language to the sentencing score sheet given to felony defendants. Supporters said it would improve clarity and notice without changing eligibility, and the bill was favorably reported unanimously. The committee also confirmed several appointees, including Jim Milliken and Alicia McShea to the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County, Robert P. Estalas as Director of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, and additional gubernatorial appointees listed on the agenda, all by favorable votes. The longest discussion centered on Senator Grall’s strike-all amendment for SB 1334, an elections bill dealing with citizenship verification, Real ID and SAVE database use, paper-ballot voting, candidate qualification rules, and related election administration changes. Supporters argued it would streamline verification and ensure only citizens vote, while opponents warned it would create burdens, disenfranchise eligible voters, and impose costs and administrative confusion. After extensive public testimony both for and against, the committee adopted an amendment to allow supervisors of elections to observe holidays when not otherwise required to be open, then approved the strike-all as amended by a 6-2 vote, with Senators Polsky and Bernard voting no. The meeting then adjourned after members recorded their votes on earlier items.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I imagine with a hurricane, you know, the date would be set and then the natural disaster happens
• records, which the bill sets out that they can use federal records.
• They can use federal records. They can use the SAVE database.
• I mean, ...to be given a ballot that just has federal elections.
• I became a naturalized citizen in 2023.

Committee: Senate Ethics and Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• disasters.
• disasters are not uncommon.
• disaster operations, that things were being shared with China.
• These are both already illegal under state and federal law.
• Bonta declared that California's limit to one gun within a 30-day period is unconstitutional.

Summary: The committee first adopted a seven-bill consent calendar, then heard several public safety measures. AB 1127 by Assembly Member Gabriel would restrict sale of certain semi-automatic handguns that can be easily converted to automatic weapons with “switches”; supporters, including Everytown and Moms Demand Action, said it targets a specific Glock-style design flaw linked to mass shootings, while the NRA and gun-rights groups argued the bill duplicates existing federal law and effectively bans popular handguns. The bill was moved on a due-pass-as-amended motion to Judiciary and remained on call. AB 468, also by Gabriel, would increase penalties and clarify offenses involving looting and impersonating emergency personnel in evacuation zones and during disasters; firefighters, district attorneys, and law enforcement supported it as a deterrent, while public defenders and justice advocates warned it was overbroad and could worsen racial profiling. The committee approved the bill on a due-pass-as-amended motion to Appropriations, also held on call. The committee then heard AB 1187 by Assembly Member Celeste Rodriguez, which would require eight hours of firearm safety training, including live-fire instruction, before obtaining a firearm safety certificate and would add a requirement for new residents who import firearms. Supporters said California should require training comparable to other safety-sensitive activities and that the measure would reduce gun deaths; opponents argued the bill misunderstands the existing FSC process, would be hard to implement because of range and instructor limits, and would burden a constitutional right. The bill passed on a due-pass-as-amended motion to Appropriations and was held on call. The committee also heard AB 1424 by Rodriguez, which would require CDCR climate resiliency and heat-safety measures in prisons, including temperature monitoring, shade, showers, fans, and emergency planning. Prisoner-rights and labor groups strongly supported the bill, citing extreme heat, wildfire, and flooding risks, while one opponent said the monitoring mandate could be too costly; the bill was moved on a due-pass motion to Labor and Employment and held on call. Finally, the committee began hearing AB 1258 by Assembly Member Kalra, which would extend the sunset of the Young Adult Deferred Entry Program through 2029 for selected counties. Kalra and Santa Clara County Judge Erica You described the program’s success in reducing recidivism and providing wraparound services for young adults with felony charges, including housing, counseling, and parenting support. The transcript cuts off before the committee completed action on AB 1258.

Transcript Highlights:

• The PTET is currently scheduled to sunset after 2025, along with the federal SALT cap.
• Yeah, so it's subject to a trigger, depending on what happens federally.
• So AB 518 is, so there is CalFresh, which is there's the federally mandated program, right?
• So again, this is stemming from federal law.
• And so federal law changed to expand eligibility starting next year.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> zero in federal income taxes. zero in federal income taxes.
• disaster. 16 times they said no.
• disaster. 16 times they said no.
• disaster. citizens in a natural disaster. 16<05:57:07.440><c> times</c><05:57:07.680><c> they</c><05
• </c> open border disaster. open border disaster.

Transcript Highlights:

• states of disaster or emergency.
• It's not punitive in nature. And so the... either you or Mr. Daniels. Yes. Thank you. Mr.
• It's not punitive in nature. And so the, the, It is rehabilitative. It's not punishment.
• It's not punitive in nature.
• So that's the nature of the amendment, the reason we requested it. I would thank Rep. Newell again.

Committee: Senate Judiciary C

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and then heard House Bill 1033, which expands the definition of critical infrastructure to include airports, heliports, spaceports, aerospace facilities, certain government and military sites, and oil and gas platforms. Supporters said the bill is part of a broader effort to position Louisiana for aerospace and defense investment, while opponents from the Sierra Club warned that repeatedly broadening critical infrastructure could chill protest and free-speech activity. The bill was reported favorably. The committee then heard House Bill 1034, which authorizes local officials to declare temporary protection zones for public safety for up to 72 hours, with one extension. The sponsor and the Department of Economic Development said it would be a tool for aerospace and defense projects and other public-safety needs; ACLU testimony raised concerns about notice, property rights, and possible impacts on public waterways. The bill was also reported favorably. The committee next considered several criminal justice bills. House Bill 51, barring post-conviction bail for defendants convicted of aggravated offenses against children, and House Bill 55, limiting public disclosure of juror information to protect juror privacy, both received broad support and were reported favorably. House Bill 635, aimed at protecting Louisianians from transnational repression by foreign governments through penalty enhancements for underlying crimes, was supported by a national security advocate and reported favorably. House Bill 133, increasing penalties for students who commit attacks on teachers or other students, was amended to address juvenile procedure and exceptionalities; teachers testified about serious injuries they suffered, while the ACLU and criminal defense lawyers raised concerns about mandatory minimums and individualized sentencing. The bill was reported with amendments. The committee also heard House Bill 676, which creates the crime of fraudulent patient referrals, or “body brokering,” in the substance-use treatment industry. The sponsor and Blue Cross Blue Shield representatives described schemes that steer vulnerable patients into fraudulent treatment arrangements for profit; the bill was reported favorably. House Bill 159 created a Caddo Parish pilot program for pretrial home incarceration with electronic monitoring to reduce jail overcrowding. The sheriff said the jail is far over capacity and that the program would be limited to nonviolent, non-sex-offense defendants with risk assessments, court approval, and behavioral-health check-ins. Witnesses supported the concept but urged tighter liability language; the committee adopted an amendment and reported the bill with amendments. House Bill 106, dealing with unauthorized administration of melatonin to children in child care settings, was reported favorably. Later, the committee amended and reported House Bill 108, which changes juror qualifications to exclude people convicted of crimes of violence or sex offenses from criminal juries, after opponents argued it would unnecessarily bar citizens from jury service. House Bill 784, a cleanup bill on sex offender registration and notification, was amended and reported with technical changes. Senate Bill 388, which removes a trigger clause tied to a border compact and authorizes review of state contracts for foreign-adversary benefit, was amended and reported. Finally, House Bill 772, a bail-procedure reform requiring accurate mailing and electronic notice information and consolidating notice rules, was presented as a fairness and efficiency measure and had support from the bail industry and prosecutors; the transcript ends before final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• states of disaster or emergency.
• It's not punitive in nature. And so the... of the code, children's code and criminal code.
• It's not punitive in nature. And so the, the, It is rehabilitative. It is not punishment.
• It is not punitive in nature.
• So that's the nature of the amendment, the reason we requested it. I would thank Rep. Newell again.

Committee: Senate Judiciary C

Transcript Highlights:

• The federal government guts of it.
• of the federal government, limiting the terms of office for federal officials in Congress.
• Uh, with disaster in the United States.
• </c><00:05:20.479><c> that</c> Court and have uh somebody declare that Court and have uh somebody declare
• Term limits on federal officials. Fiscal discipline and reclaimed authority can restore federalism.

Bills: HB0108 , HB0039 , HB0091 , HB0070

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• The nature of the way I chair it is not adversarial, but I really want to see the disharmony.
• There are 207 federal scallop permits with home ports in Massachusetts, Boat fleet.
• Chairman, we had an effective disaster with the mortality occurring from natural mortality because of
• However, the natural shift might well be that a horse mussel bed, which we are seeing, However, the natural
• They didn't leave me the gavel today, but I'm declaring the hearing adjourned. Thank you.

Committee: Senate Senate Committee on Post Audit and Oversight

Summary: The joint hearing focused on the Massachusetts sea scallop fishery, especially the economic importance of the industry, federal scallop management, and two policy questions: reopening the Northern Edge area on Georges Bank and allowing permit stacking/permit consolidation. Chairing senators emphasized their interest in hearing both sides, their frustration with federal bureaucracy, and their view that the issue should be guided by science while protecting the long-term resource and local communities. Dr. Kate O’Keefe of the New England Fishery Management Council and Kevin Stokesbury of UMass Dartmouth described the Magnuson-Stevens framework, annual catch limits, rotational area management, and the role of industry-funded surveys and the research set-aside program. They said scallops remain the most lucrative council-managed commercial fishery on the East Coast, but recent changes include more small scallops, lower biomass in some areas, higher natural mortality, and shifting abundance toward Georges Bank. On the Northern Edge, they explained that the council previously considered opening the area through a framework/joint action with habitat management, but discontinued the action in 2024 because of conflicting objectives involving scallop yield, habitat protection, and other species. They said the issue could be revisited through future council priority-setting. Representatives of the Sustainable Scalloping Fund argued that the fishery needs modernization to remain economically viable. They supported reopening the Northern Edge and strongly backed permit stacking, saying it would allow two permits on one vessel while keeping ownership caps in place, reducing costs, improving safety, and helping family-owned fleets avoid financial distress and outside investment. Port of New Bedford representative John Regan stressed the port’s central role in the state economy, the need to protect working waterfront infrastructure, and the importance of any permit changes preserving local ownership and participation. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational, and members asked that the witnesses keep the committee informed as the council and federal agencies consider next steps.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:05:10.240><c> tax</c> list that dependent on the federal tax list that dependent on the federal
• </c><01:08:31.880><c> law</c> is that fall of foul of federal law is that fall of foul of federal law
• </c> secretaries uh trying to get the federal secretaries uh trying to get the federal agencies<03:05
• </c> citizenship data from the federal citizenship data from the federal government<03:29:22.080><c>
• </c><03:34:25.000><c> so</c> November uh it could be a disaster so November uh it could be a disaster

Committee: House Election Law

Transcript Highlights:

• I declare the bill advanced.
• I declare the bill Advanced.
• Declare the bill advanced.
• Declare the bill advanced.
• I declare the bill advanced.

Bills: HB2268 , HB3000 , HB3043 , HB3066 , HB3078 , HB3143 , HB3144 , HB3244 , HB3298 , HB3320 , HB3467 , HB3321 , HB3329 , HB3431 , HB3464 , HB3499 , HB3500 , HB3586 , HB3590 , HB3650 , HB3671 , HB3695 , HB3700 , HB3701 , HB3764 , HB3767 , HB3834 , HB3931 , HB3934 , HB3940 , HB3944 , HB3979 , HB3985 , HB4113 , HB4294 , HB4302 , HB4317 , HB4324 , HB4359 , HB4426 , HB4427 , HB4430 , HB4431 , HB4434 , HJR1077 , SR42 , SR35 , HJR1023 , HB1225 , HB1374 , HB1381 , HB1590 , HB1675 , HB2153

Keywords: HB2268, Oklahoma Health Care Authority, OHCA, appropriation, General Revenue Fund, PACE, Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, elderly care, aging Oklahomans, long-term care, Medicaid, health care funding, provider reimbursement, rate increase, low-income seniors, senior services, integrated care, emergency measure, cosmetology, barbering

Transcript Highlights:

• So that's already a federal crime, is it not?
• It may depend on whether it's a federal election, but I will defer to you on federal law. U.S.
• The strength of minority votes is illegal. under federal law.
• And frankly, we've talked a lot about USAID on the federal level.
• disaster. to the Select Committee on Disaster Preparedness and Flooding. 1772 Following motion in writing

Bills: SB5 , SB11 , SB12 , SB9 , SB42 , SB15 , SB5 , SB11 , SB12 , SCR1

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> employee</c> blocks employee federal employee blocks employee federal employee reforms,<00:09:05.440
• Please request for federal assistance.
• :05.040><c> a</c><01:26:05.360><c> key</c> Federal Reserve reported that a key Federal Reserve reported
• </c> are rampant in the federal government. are rampant in the federal government.
• </c><05:22:32.000><c> debt,</c> very concerned with the federal debt, very concerned with the federal

Transcript Highlights:

• He's primarily responsible for water, natural resources, economic development, disaster response, and
• So just real briefly on our federal programs, we do have a number of federal programs that are passed
• This is our state's 20% match for our federal cap grant programs.
• That's a natural part of our business.
• It is a federal match.

Committee: Senate Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• The amendment just provides the clarification or the statement that the Legislature finds and declares
• The amendment just provides the clarification or the statement that the Legislature finds and declares
• My name is Nancy Stewart, and I represent the Federation of Manufactured Homeowners of Florida.
• This is Senate Bill 840, land use regulations for local governments affected by natural disasters, by
• Finally, land use decisions related to certain unique communities, state and federal requirements, and

Bills: S0330 , S0354 , S0504 , S0506 , S0526 , S0594 , S0840

Committee: Senate Community Affairs

Summary: The committee took up several bills related to public safety, housing, disaster recovery, construction, and land use. SB 330 clarified the heart disease presumption for firefighters, law enforcement, and correctional officers, aligned the definition of heart disease with medical practice, and allowed a transferring law enforcement officer to rely on a prior physical if the new agency does not provide one. An amendment stating the act serves an important state interest was adopted, and the bill passed unanimously after supportive testimony from law enforcement and fire groups. SB 594 expanded local housing assistance eligibility to residents of mobile home communities, including SHIP rental assistance for lot rent and rehabilitation/emergency repair programs for the home itself; it also passed unanimously after support from manufactured housing advocates. SB 840 revised the hurricane-related land use limits enacted in prior legislation by sunsetting certain temporary restrictions on June 30, 2026, narrowing the affected area from 100 miles to 50 miles from a storm track, and exempting certain planning, water, wastewater, stormwater, and flood-related decisions. The sponsor said the bill was intended to fix unintended consequences of prior hurricane recovery legislation, and the measure was reported favorably on a unanimous vote. SB 526 addressed commercial construction projects by prohibiting “no damages for delay” clauses in public construction contracts, directing the Florida Building Commission to create a uniform commercial permit application, requiring permit fee reductions when private providers are used, and adding mitigation to product approval categories; county representatives raised concerns about implementation and fees, but the bill passed favorably. The committee also approved SB 504 and SB 506, both by Senator Burgess, creating a framework for code inspector body camera use and a related public records exemption for recordings. Both were described as optional for local governments and were reported favorably without opposition. Finally, the committee considered CS/SB 354, a major “blue ribbon projects” bill creating a framework for very large developments that would reserve at least 60% of land for conservation, agriculture, recreation, utilities, and related uses in exchange for streamlined approval and state preemption over local land use controls. The bill drew extensive testimony both for and against, with supporters emphasizing housing supply and land preservation and opponents warning about local control, sprawl, infrastructure costs, and weak conservation protections. Two amendments were adopted to define reserve areas more specifically and address conservation easements, and the committee reported the bill favorably on a divided vote, with Senator Passidomo voting no.