Transcript Highlights:

• THE 2025 REGULAR SESSION OF THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF SECTION 3D, ARTICLE THREE
• WHEREAS, THE 60 DAYS OF THE 2025 REGULAR SESSION OF THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE WERE SCHEDULED TO EXPIRE
• THE LEGISLATURE ADOPTED HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1631 EXTENDING THE SESSION UNTIL JUNE 6TH, 2025.
• BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, THAT IN A REGULAR SESSION SO EXTENDED, THE LEGISLATURE SHALL CONSIDER ONLY THE
• BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT THE LEGISLATURE SHALL...

Transcript Highlights:

• This is in the hands of the legislature to decide whether they want to fund this.
• So, you know, those options are there for the legislature. All right.
• This is in the hands of the legislature to decide whether they want to fund this.
• So, you know, those options are there for the legislature. All right.
• You said that's up to us as the legislature to whether we want to fund that.

Summary: The Human Services Subcommittee met with a quorum present and took up a presentation from the Department of Children and Families on HB 7089, which revises how Florida’s community-based care (CBC) lead agencies for child welfare are funded. Representative McFarland described the bill’s background, arguing that the prior formula relied too heavily on outdated, static factors and produced inequities among CBCs. She emphasized that the new approach is intended to provide a more stable, transparent, and statute-based funding method that better supports prevention, case management, and family services while reducing year-to-year political uncertainty. DCF Chief of Staff Casey Penn explained that HB 7089 required an actuarially sound, reimbursement-based formula developed with CBC and provider input. The new model uses a cost-based structure with three tiers: Tier 1 for operational and administrative costs, Tier 2 for per-child/per-month service costs, and a possible Tier 3 incentive component for performance measures if the Legislature chooses to fund it. The model includes regional growth factors, inflation adjustments, a 2% risk corridor for Tier 2, a hold-harmless provision for agencies that would otherwise receive less than prior funding, and the ability for CBCs to retain some state general revenue savings. DCF said the model produced a total budget need of about $1.392 billion, roughly $28.6 million above the prior year after offsets, and that the department is also updating its child welfare case management system to improve data quality and future modeling. Members asked about whether prevention spending is captured, how Tier 3 incentives would work and how much they might cost, how the formula accounts for insurance, hurricanes, child acuity, and staffing costs, and whether CBC executives’ compensation is capped. DCF said prevention is included in the model but is not yet separately broken out due to data limitations, Tier 3 is optional and not yet costed, and the formula can incorporate additional growth factors if needed. On executive pay, DCF explained that compensation is limited by statute for CBC contracts, but multiple contracts and non-state funding sources can affect total compensation; staff later clarified that CBC CEOs with multiple contracts had been reviewed for compliance. The meeting ended after questions, and Representative Miller moved to adjourn; the subcommittee adjourned without any vote on the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• , legislature, legislature, um,<00:14:51.920><c> this</c><00:14:52.160><c> legislation,</c><00:14:52.720
• Uh the legislature and discussed.
• for the legislature to act.
• to the legislature for the legislature<01:42:58.719><c> to</c><01:42:59.199><c> act.
• </c><01:43:01.199><c> Chair,</c> legislature to act. Um, Mr. Mr. Chair, legislature to act. Um, Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• As noted in previous hearings, both the administration and the legislature must address the broader issue
• This legislature, in early action, did $90 million.
• OCA was funded and created four years ago by the legislature in the budget, and I'm pleased to provide
• This legislature created that program a number of years ago.
• The legislature has many priorities, and it isn't always just a fiscal consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• to do so. move to new sessions of the legislature, and we have voted to do so.
• , and Maine even had a riot in 1880 after the legislature picked its governor.
• It wasn't any true debate in the Massachusetts legislature.
• Legislature.
• Legislature.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Election Laws

Summary: The Joint Committee on Election Laws held a public hearing focused primarily on ranked choice voting (RCV) legislation and several local home rule petitions, along with one petition to authorize remote participation in Concord town meetings. Chairs Keenan and Hunt outlined hearing procedures and noted the committee would hear both in-person and virtual testimony. The committee also took testimony on Concord’s request for remote participation in open and special town meetings, with supporters arguing it would make town meeting more accessible to residents with childcare, mobility, work, or disability barriers while preserving direct democracy. A large portion of the hearing centered on RCV local-option bills and municipal petitions from communities including Concord, East Hampton, Salem, Chelsea, Arlington, Revere, Amherst, and others. Supporters—among them local officials, legislators, election advocates, educators, veterans, and nonprofit leaders—said RCV would reduce vote-splitting, encourage more candidates, promote more positive campaigning, improve representation, and increase turnout. East Hampton officials described their existing use of RCV, saying it produced record turnout, was easy for voters to understand with education, and could be expanded to multi-winner races without major added cost. Concord and Amherst witnesses said their voters had already approved local steps toward RCV and urged the committee to let municipalities implement the system without further delay. Testimony in favor of the local-option RCV bill emphasized home rule and local control, with several witnesses arguing the state should not block communities that have already voted to adopt RCV. Speakers from MassVOTE, the AFT Massachusetts, Voter Choice Massachusetts, Progressive Massachusetts, the Boston Teachers Union, and Veterans for All Voters said the reform would strengthen democracy, broaden participation, and save money by avoiding low-turnout preliminary elections. Some witnesses also referenced examples from Cambridge, Maine, and Utah to argue that RCV is workable, nonpartisan, and familiar to voters. The hearing ended with no votes or final committee action taken in the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• of the different buckets that the legislature program.
• The Rose Quarter project has quadrupled from what the Legislature approved in 2017.
• The Rose Quarter project has quadrupled from what the legislature approved in 2017.
• Because in 2017, the legislature didn't fund the Abernathy Bridge.
• Similarly, the legislature in its review last year hired a firm called AtkinsRéalis.

Summary: The committee first received an informational update on the Interstate Bridge Replacement Project from Carly Francis and Travis Brower. They described the project’s purpose as improving seismic resilience, safety, freight movement, transit, and bicycle/pedestrian access across the Columbia River, and said the updated cost estimate is $13.2 billion to $14.4 billion for the full corridor. They explained the increase from the 2022 estimate as driven by construction inflation, a more conservative inflation curve, schedule delays, more detailed engineering, and risk modeling. They also outlined the funding plan, including $2.1 billion in federal funds, $1 billion each from Oregon and Washington, and $1.5 billion in projected toll revenue, and said they are working to obligate federal funds by the end of September. The panel described a first funded phase that would include the bridge, highway connections, tolling infrastructure, bridge removal, and transit design, with light rail to Vancouver still intended but dependent on additional funding. Members questioned the risk of losing federal transit funds, whether bridge design decisions were being made with legislative input, and whether the space reserved for light rail could be used for buses if transit funding does not materialize. The committee then heard testimony on maintaining Oregon’s existing roads and bridges from representatives of Knife River, the Asphalt Pavement Association of Oregon, and CRH. Witnesses said pavement and bridge preservation is severely underfunded, with ODOT needing about $400 million per year for pavement preservation but receiving roughly $100 million annually. They showed examples of deteriorating highways such as U.S. 97 and I-84 and argued that delaying maintenance leads to much higher reconstruction costs, more safety risks, and higher user costs. Knife River described layoffs and reduced work in Oregon because of limited preservation funding, while witnesses also said rising wages, equipment costs, fuel, and permitting delays are increasing project costs. Committee members asked about the role of prevailing wage, diesel equipment, hauling distances, and whether preservation work could be prioritized more effectively. Finally, economist Joe Cortright presented on recent ODOT megaproject cost overruns. He said Oregon has experienced persistent overruns driven by overly optimistic revenue forecasts, heavy reliance on debt, consultant costs, inflation above forecast, and projects that have become much larger in scope than originally presented. He cited major increases in the Interstate Bridge, Rose Quarter, and Abernathy Bridge projects and argued that some designs are far wider and more expensive than necessary. Cortright said better accountability, clearer priorities, and more disciplined project sizing are needed, and committee members pressed him on why agencies proceed with larger designs even when consultants recommend narrower, less expensive alternatives.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:05:16.560><c> passed</c> Two years ago, the legislature passed Two years ago, the legislature
• Um, we in taxes committee for sure, but in the legislature we used the but-for test, and there was a
• we used the but for the legislature we used the but for tests<00:23:03.919><c> and</c><00:23:04.320>
• <00:24:34.400><c> because</c><00:24:35.279><c> constituents</c><00:24:36.159><c> are</c> legislature
• </c><00:37:23.359><c> where</c> unique uh time of the legislature where unique uh time of the legislature

Bills: HF2438

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:19.799><c> would</c><00:04:19.959><c> be</c> to this new account legislature would be to this
• new account legislature would be able<00:04:20.400><c> to</c><00:04:20.600><c> choose</c><00:04:21.600
• I guess the legislature gets to pick.
• I guess the legislature gets to pick.
• I guess the legislature gets to pick.

Transcript Highlights:

• Legislature, so with that, Madam Chair, thank you for your time today.
• And who is voting on this plan as far as the legislature is concerned?
• It was created before my time in the legislature. I believe 2022.
• I didn't mean the legislature at large.
• So, we've got the office, we've got the board, and we've got members of the legislature which.

Bills: HB1782 , HB2293 , HB3176 , HB3544 , HB3546 , HB3619 , HB4358

Committee: Senate Technology and Telecommunications

Keywords: artificial intelligence, education reform, innovation, funding, advisory council, broadband, Oklahoma Broadband Office, broadband access, statewide broadband plan, internet connectivity, grant programs, expansion council, termination plan, Oklahoma, Gas Hub, national laboratory, public-private partnerships, aerospace, high-performance computing, economic development

Transcript Highlights:

• There's still two more legislative years to extend the sunset if this legislature wants to do that.
• Last year, the legislature appropriated another million dollars to go back and revise the study.
• So I want to make really sure that this very explicitly comes back to the legislature for a final review
• And we'll make... ...decisions to actually implement it or create it would be left with the legislature
• . and we'll make. decisions to actually implement it or created would be left with the legislature and

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact heard several bills focused on trade, affordability, and public finance. AB 2745 (Fong) would update California’s international trade and investment strategy, add a public advisory process, and allow regional trade hubs; supporters from the California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce and California Forward said it would help California compete globally and attract investment, while no opposition testified. AB 2366 (Avila Farías) would require state agencies to analyze cost-of-living impacts when adopting regulations and direct the LAO to develop guidance; supporters from the New California Coalition and the California Manufacturers and Technology Association argued it would improve transparency and help address affordability, while members noted concerns about implementation and unintended consequences. The committee also heard AB 2243 (Haney), which creates a commission to study whether California should establish a state public bank and how it might be structured. Supporters from the California Public Banking Alliance, climate groups, and other organizations said a public bank could reduce borrowing costs and finance housing, climate, and small business needs; the California Bankers Association and credit unions opposed the bill, arguing it could compete with private banks, duplicate prior studies, and raise unresolved regulatory and cost issues. Several committee members said they would support the study concept but wanted the bill amended so any final decision would return to the Legislature, and the author agreed to clarify that point and remove language related to extending local public bank licensing timelines. The committee also took up consent items AB 2048 (Calderon), AB 2583 (Hoover), and ACR 129 (Haney), which were approved without opposition. After quorum was established, the committee voted AB 2366 out on a 7-0 basis to Judiciary, AB 2745 out on a 7-0 basis to Appropriations, and AB 2243 out on a 7-0 basis to Finance, with the consent calendar also approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, of above-the-line appropriations for the next biennium for the legislature, 26,118,778. and
• Chairman, now following is below-the-line appropriations for the legislature.
• Since new legislators aren't officially members of the legislature yet, we appropriate this differently
• </c> officially members of the legislature officially members of the legislature yet,<00:04:16.239><c
• Section seven is a ... having the legislature participate in Taiwan.

Bills: HB0105 , HB0107 , SF0002

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:29.360><c> that</c> fraud, it's only the legislature that fraud, it's only the legislature
• </c> to end a program that the legislature to end a program that the legislature put<00:10:45.279><c>
• schools,</c> legislature created charter schools, legislature created charter schools, correct?
• Either the legislature blur there.
• I think we should be a legislature.

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, while I might appreciate uh the current legislature and our attitudes on this, legislature and our
• They exist only because the legislature created them and only within the bounds the legislature sets.
• </c><03:33:05.600><c> has</c> So for decades, the legislature has So for decades, the legislature has
• ><03:33:25.680><c> a</c><03:33:25.840><c> faithful</c> legislature finally acting as a faithful legislature
• </c><03:37:32.000><c> to</c> constitution requires the legislature to constitution requires the legislature

Committee: House Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, we would display what the legislature intended.
• intends the successor to be, or if the legislature intended it to be a direct successor.
• For the most part, because we're not editorializing or saying what the legislature actually did, we're
• just kind of directing the reader to— Or saying what the legislature actually did, we're just kind of
• So it leaves the impression with the public that the legislature was no longer supportive of that.

Committee: Joint Statute Law Committee

Summary: The Statute Law Committee meeting began with introductions of new staff, approval of the December 10 minutes, and election of Kyle Shiketty as vice chair by acclamation. The committee also approved a step increase for Code Reviser Kathy Buckley, with members praising her work and noting she had reached the top step. Max Weeks reported on publications: session laws had been published online and physical copies were nearing completion, while RCWs were expected online by the end of the next month with print copies following about a month later. The committee discussed print runs, free distribution to libraries and courts, and rising shipping costs, with a plan to charge actual shipping rates rather than the prior flat fee. Kathy Buckley also reviewed the office’s financial condition, reporting healthy balances in the publications account and general fund and expecting a year-end return of about $600,000. Alice reported on the annual multiple-amendment review process, explaining how the office merges nonconflicting amendments and flags possible items for a future technical corrections bill. The committee adopted the multiple amendments table and discussed plans to prepare a technical corrections bill for the fall and likely the 2027 session. The committee then heard a presentation from Kevin and Judge Anne Levinson on improving RCW disposition tables by adding hyperlinks to repealed session laws and chapter-level cross-reference notes to help readers trace recodified or replaced laws, especially in areas like protection orders and unclaimed property. In other business, the committee discussed clarifying statutory references that sometimes use “Statute Law Committee” when “Office of the Code Reviser” is intended, and agreed to review the statutes for possible cleanup legislation. Members also received an update on the office’s upcoming move to a new building in September, with an open house planned for September 24. The meeting adjourned without setting the next meeting date.

Transcript Highlights:

• In previous years when the Legislature has made changes to millage or sales tax referendum, they have
• In 2019, the Legislature had to go in and fix what was taking place where a lot of these districts were
• So with regard to the referendums in 2019, 4 years ago, the Legislature made the decision to basically
• The Legislature decided we are going to have another authorizer because several school districts were
• It was something that was lost in the process when that change was made and the Legislature decided to

Committee: Senate Finance and Tax

Transcript Highlights:

• Now therefore be it resolved by the legislature of Alabama, both houses thereof concurring, that Abby
• , Senator Reed had a... legislature, Senator Reed had a successful career in business, working first
• Therefore be it resolved by the legislature of Alabama, both houses. legislature of Alabama, both houses
• Session of the legislature, Mr. President. Senator Waggoner moves to adopt the resolution.
• I know that the families of... ...legislature.

Bills: SB 2 , SJR 36 , SB 2 , SR 19 , SR 27 , SR 30 , SR 32 , SCR 11

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2017, the Legislature issued a formal apology via resolution.
• The legislature created the Step Into Success Pilot Program in 2023...”
• The legislature created the Step Into Success Pilot Program in 2023, The Legislature created the Step
• It's kind of at the whim of the legislature.
• It's kind of at the whim of the legislature.

Bills: S0330 , S0474 , S0694 , S1120 , S1216 , S1366 , S1442 , S7018

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several bills, beginning with SB 694 on compensation for the descendants of the Groveland Four. Senator Bracey Davis described the wrongful accusations, convictions, deaths, and long-term harm to the families, and an amendment added a $4 million appropriation and updated the recipient for Ernest Thomas’s family. Multiple family members, advocates, clergy, and supporters testified in favor, emphasizing the decades-long delay in justice and the need for accountability and repair. Senators from both parties spoke in support, and the committee reported the bill favorably after a roll call vote. The committee then approved SB 330 on disability provisions for firefighters, law enforcement, and correctional officers; SB 474 on military affairs leave and related benefits; and SB 96 on the Veterans Dental Care Grant Program. SB 96 drew the most discussion, with Senator Sharief explaining that the bill raises eligibility to 400% of the federal poverty level and moves $500,000 in recurring funding to the General Appropriations Act. Senator Wright and Senator Harrell raised concerns about whether expanding eligibility could worsen the existing waitlist, while supporters argued the change would help more veterans access needed dental care. The bill was ultimately reported favorably. The committee also passed SB 7018 on child welfare, making the Step Into Success pilot program permanent and statewide, adjusting visitor/background-check rules for foster homes, and creating a best-practices program through the Florida Institute for Child Welfare. SB 480 on information technology was reported favorably after amendments creating a central IT governance structure under the Governor’s office, adding vendor performance metrics and a preferred vendor list, and restoring criminal justice information security provisions. SB 1066 on the Ocklawaha River and Rodman Dam also advanced after extensive testimony from supporters and historians about partial restoration, recreation, and economic benefits; the sponsor said he would continue working through permitting questions before floor consideration. Later, the committee approved SB 1216 on educator compensation, which gives districts more flexibility on cost-of-living adjustments, advanced degrees, and performance pay caps, and SB 1120 on water management district oversight and reporting. The committee also reported favorably SB 1366 on sovereign immunity and claims against government, which would raise damages caps, index them to CPI, shorten claim deadlines, and cap attorney fees at 25%. That bill drew testimony from hospitals, cities, counties, school districts, and others, with some supporting the Senate’s compromise approach and others raising concerns about impacts on self-insured law enforcement agencies and attorney incentives. The meeting concluded with the favorable report on the bill after debate continued over those issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• And at our core, we strive to strengthen state legislatures. So next slide.
• And at our core, we strive to strengthen state legislatures. So next slide.
• This was really kind of bucking the trend in state legislatures in the last 15 years.
• Thanks to resources from the state legislature, this journey for a long time.
• The legislature can reduce the seriousness...

Bills: SB6062

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: juvenile justice, criminal offense, minors, rehabilitation, legal provisions

Transcript Highlights:

• For instance, the legislature can bolster school-based mental health services.
• For instance, the legislature can bolster school-based mental health services.
• The legislature made the decision.
• You, the Legislature, set a timeline to phase it out.
• You, the Legislature, set a timeline to phase it out.

Summary: The committee heard public hearings on three bills. SB 6076, sponsored by Sen. Gaynor, would streamline procurement for consumer-owned utilities on clean energy, storage, transmission, and distribution projects through 2045 by raising contract thresholds, allowing more use of vendor lists, electronic bids, and broader competitive-bidding exemptions for certain energy-related projects. The sponsor and utility and labor supporters said the bill would help PUDs respond to rising costs, supply-chain shortages, aging infrastructure, and growing electricity demand, while keeping work with union labor. No opposition testimony was presented, and the hearing closed with 60 people signed in pro and 3 con. The committee then heard SB 5984, a governor-request bill sponsored by Sen. Wellman that would regulate AI companion chatbots by requiring disclosure that users are interacting with AI, restricting manipulative engagement techniques for minors, requiring safeguards against sexual content and self-harm, and creating enforcement under the Consumer Protection Act with a private right of action. Supporters included the governor’s office, the Attorney General’s office, privacy officials, parents, child-safety advocates, researchers, and some tech-industry voices who urged stronger safeguards; they emphasized harms to minors, suicide risks, and the need for transparency and accountability. Opponents and critics argued the bill could sweep too broadly, create constitutional/free-speech problems, burden general-purpose AI and consumer-facing businesses, and rely on unclear or ineffective definitions. The hearing closed with 697 signed in pro, 219 con, and 477 other. Finally, the committee heard SB 6119 on 6PPD-containing tires. The bill would phase out sale and distribution of tires containing 6PPD or regrettable substitutes beginning in 2035, create a mitigation fee on such tires, and dedicate revenue to Ecology administration, monitoring, salmon and waterbody studies, and waste tire removal. Supporters, including the bill sponsor, scientists, environmental groups, Seattle Public Utilities, and salmon-recovery advocates, said 6PPD-Q is acutely toxic to coho salmon and that a deadline and fee would accelerate safer alternatives and fund mitigation. Ecology and industry witnesses acknowledged the problem but said no proven alternative is yet available and warned the bill could be premature, raise costs, and affect tire safety and affordability; business and trucking groups also opposed the measure, citing duplication of the existing Safer Products process and the need for further stakeholder work. No votes or executive action were taken in the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• The legislature found that we needed to be providing more supports along the continuum to those young
• We do that through family reconciliation services, a program authorized by the legislature, which allows
• It isn't often in the legislature that we do things intersectionally.
• There are four ways the legislature can enhance the educational continuum this year or beyond.
• By law, we must complete each health impact review in 10 days when the Legislature is in session.

Bills: SB5911 , SB5940 , SB5942 , SB5957

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: children, youth, financial stability, care services, department of children and families, housing assistance, foster care, pilot program, social services, accountability, family services, state department, child welfare, homeless youth, youth homelessness, runaway youth, young adult homelessness, housing instability, family reunification, family stability