Transcript Highlights:

• During the time where we had some ARPA funds, you all saw fit to dedicate additional funds to 911, so
• So the funds that come through this grant, the eligibility requirements for these funds for granting
• It doesn't actually fund salaries.
• Many counties had hung their hat on their funding off of the old landline, and there are still some funded
• We also are funded ...the funding off the prepaid minutes and go phones.

Committee: House Crime and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• to provide perpetual funding source for public education.
• For our disaster recovery area, we provide significant relief funds to Texas communities impacted by
• These funds help put Texans back in their homes and restore critical infrastructure.
• Are there utilities there? Does there have to be streets realigned?
• I'm assuming utility companies, power companies, water companies have to basically do the same.

Committee: House Land & Resource Management

Transcript Highlights:

• That's a misuse of funds rate of 0.001% compared to the federal government-wide misuse of funds rate
• That was part of our system. funded religious academies.
• And so the idea that using public funds to fund institutions that go and facilitate the education of
• I will provide a breakdown of how these funds will be utilized across various educational sectors, focusing
• They’re here to answer questions about funding options.

Bills: SB 2

Committees: Senate Education K-16 , Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• election on union representation for workers employed at corporations and entities receiving taxpayer-funded
• We should not weaponize government funding so that the government can control private businesses.
• Right now there is significant lack of oversight of these kiosks.
• I'm the Director of Advocacy for Satoshi Action Fund.
• I have decades of experience in airport funding and operations issues.

Summary: The committee first took up SB 1236, which would condition state economic development incentives on employers at subsidized companies using secret-ballot union elections and prohibiting neutrality agreements. The sponsor said the bill is meant to protect workers and taxpayer dollars, and he noted he would amend the Attorney General enforcement language to allow appeals. Supporters argued it protects secret ballots and transparency, while opponents said it is a form of union-busting, could conflict with federal labor law, and would burden contractors and workers. After debate, the committee reported the bill favorably on a roll call vote, with Senators Bracey Davis, Smith, and Errington voting no and the remaining recorded votes in favor. The committee then heard CS/SB 198, which regulates cryptocurrency kiosks to combat fraud, especially against seniors. The bill requires kiosk registration, fraud warnings, blockchain analytics, transaction limits, receipts, and refund protections for certain first-time transactions involving non-U.S. wallets. Supporters from consumer and senior advocacy groups said the bill would help stop widespread scams, while one industry witness praised the bill’s fraud protections but suggested narrowing the daily limits and new-customer period. The committee reported the bill favorably by roll call vote. Next, the committee considered CS/SB 1356 on dog breeding, pet sales, and breeder registration. The sponsor described it as a work in progress aimed at ending inhumane breeding conditions, improving consumer disclosures, and creating breeder standards and penalties; an amendment removed state oversight of local animal shelters. Pet store representatives supported many animal welfare provisions but objected to the three-day financing waiting period, shelter-space requirements, expanded reimbursement, and litigation exposure. Animal welfare supporters backed the bill, and the committee reported it favorably. The committee also heard SB 1722 on app stores and minors’ access to apps. The bill requires age verification, parental consent for minors, notice of app changes, and enforcement by the Department of Legal Affairs. Supporters said it would better protect children online and help enforce existing age-based restrictions, while opponents warned it could require overcollection of personal data, create privacy and constitutional problems, and duplicate tools parents already have. After debate, the committee reported the bill favorably. Finally, the committee took up CS/SB 422, which would bar use of ADS-B aviation data to calculate or collect certain airport fees, with an amendment adding departures to the covered activities. A pilot supported the bill as a safety and privacy measure, while airport advocates opposed it, saying it would undermine airport finances and force less efficient fee collection methods. The transcript ends during testimony on this bill, before final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the last year, we have seen federal funding In the last year, we have seen federal funding frozen,
• They're a separate trust fund and separate funding mechanism.
• Funding cuts crash in on us.
• The funding to do so is ample.
• They had ARPA funding, that funding ran out, and it's a very simple idea.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• metrics for utilities.
• </c><01:02:12.400><c> I</c><01:02:12.559><c> should</c> utilities none of the utilities I should utilities
• in their utility assets. uh utility rates, and believe me, nobody uh utility rates, and believe me,
• it be that for each util for each utility utility utility the<01:34:59.040><c> whatever</c><01:34:59.840
• </c> public utilities commission. public utilities commission.

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• Was the Gainesville utility issue at any point?
• You filed included the Gainesville utility?
• Because utilities, you don't have a free market.
• Because utilities, you don't have a free market.
• It directs the FHFC to conduct necessary rulemaking, oversight, and...

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and included several member introductions recognizing guests, interns, firefighters, and a doctor of the day. The chamber then moved to the special order calendar and began taking up a series of bills, often substituting House companions for Senate measures before final passage. The first major bill, health care patient protection, required hospitals with emergency departments to adopt pediatric emergency care policies, training, a pediatric emergency care coordinator, and readiness assessments; it passed 36-0. A public records bill protecting victim identities and temporarily exempting the name of a law enforcement officer who is a victim also passed after questions about access for victims of police misconduct, with a 33-4 vote. The Senate next approved a local government cybersecurity bill creating a state-administered program through Florida Digital Service to help counties and cities strengthen cyber defenses, with priority for rural and fiscally constrained governments; after amendments, it passed 37-0. A clerks of court bill allowing clerks to retain all revenue above projections and, through a House amendment, revising legal notice and traffic citation distribution provisions, passed 38-0 despite debate over impacts on municipalities and law enforcement. The chamber also passed a trademark modernization bill and a septic system permit bill intended to reduce delays for builders; the septic bill was amended to align the House and Senate versions and passed 38-0. The longest and most contested item was the elections bill, which updated citizenship verification procedures using REAL ID and state databases, changed candidate qualification rules, and altered election administration provisions. Numerous amendments were offered and rejected, including proposals to exempt certain seniors, preserve student and retirement-center IDs, allow attestations in place of documentary proof of citizenship, and require human review over automated systems. One amendment to delay implementation until July 1, 2027, was also debated. The transcript ends while debate is still underway on the elections measure, with no final vote shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• and occasionally by federal funds as well.
• Section 3A is a summary of federal funds.
• of this funding.
• or, or rainy day fund.
• For either bad operators or operators going out of business or whatnot, you utilize those bond funds

Committee: House Appropriations - S/C on Articles VI, VII, & VIII

Summary: The committee met with a quorum present to hear Article VI Natural Resources agency budget recommendations, beginning with the Railroad Commission. LBB staff summarized the commission’s 2026-27 base recommendation at $458.7 million, down from the prior biennium, with an increased FTE cap. The presentation highlighted reduced federal IIJA funding, volatility in oil and gas regulation account 5155, continued support for IT modernization, and rider changes. The commission’s major exceptional items were then presented, including requests for produced water and injection data reporting, an authorized pit registration system, regulatory filing/permitting upgrades, an underground injection well investigation team, site remediation support, and especially $100 million for orphan well plugging. Members asked about biennium-to-biennium comparisons, salary biennialization, the scale of orphan well risks, federal funding delays, bonding, and whether the state should rely more on industry or general revenue for plugging costs. Commission leadership explained that orphan wells can threaten water and public safety, that plugging costs have risen sharply, and that current funding is insufficient to keep up with emergency wells and the backlog; they also said the agency is moving to cloud-based systems with cybersecurity protections and that the proposed performance measure may need adjustment if funding does not increase. The Railroad Commission testimony was followed by LBB and agency testimony for the Texas Animal Health Commission. LBB described a $42 million recommendation for 2026-27, an increase overall, but with a reduced FTE cap due to turnover and salary reallocation. The recommendation maintained funding for cattle fever tick work, chronic wasting disease, lab testing through an MOU with Texas A&M’s veterinary diagnostic lab, and a new $5 million spay-and-neuter pilot program, while deleting a capital budget rider and adjusting riders tied to entry point inspection stations and clinical trials. Agency leadership then outlined the commission’s mission to protect livestock health and the state’s $22 billion animal industry, and described major disease threats including highly pathogenic avian influenza, cattle fever ticks, New World screwworm, and chronic wasting disease. Their exceptional items focused on recruiting and retaining veterinarians, replacing fleet vehicles, creating an ectoparasite identification lab, adding field staff and IT support, improving records and epidemiology reporting, strengthening central administration, supporting secure food supply planning, expanding chronic wasting disease work, and staffing the new spay-and-neuter program. Members asked about field identification of ticks, the use of disinfectants and PPE, fleet management, the scale of cattle fever tick risk, and chronic wasting disease; the agency explained its current inspection and lab-confirmation process, its reliance on field disinfecting and biosecurity, and the need for more staff and better data systems to keep pace with growing workloads and disease threats.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so what I'm speaking about are the different utility monopolies that we have in place for utility
• Well, you're protected by the Public Utilities Commission because that electric utility has a defined
• Well, you're protected by the Public Utilities Commission because that electric utility has a defined
• By the Public Utilities Commission, because that electric utility has a defined service territory.
• And so when an electric utility goes in front of the Public Utilities Commission, they have to bring

Committee: House State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• It into the Rainy Day Fund as well as withdrew from the Rainy Day Fund as part of the 2024 Budget Act
• Are you thinking of a fund that is actually funded by the Legislature?
• There's no funding that would go into a said fund.
• When we say new funding, has there ever been funding for Prop. 36?
• These safer projects require stable, multi-year funding to ensure consistent funding.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee opened its hearing on the Governor’s 2026-27 budget with remarks emphasizing the start of a months-long process, the need for fiscal responsibility, and concerns about structural deficits, federal funding losses, housing and homelessness, and oversight. The vice chair echoed those concerns, warning against budgets built on short-term fixes and urging accountability. The Department of Finance presented a balanced budget year proposal of about $349 billion in total expenditures, including $248 billion General Fund, while acknowledging a structural imbalance in the out years and proposing a workload budget with limited new spending or cuts. Finance said the budget relies on stronger-than-expected revenues, but also on constitutional obligations such as Proposition 98 and Proposition 2, and on suspending a rainy-day fund true-up deposit to cover a projected $2.9 billion budget-year deficit. The administration highlighted higher education funding, climate and wildfire resilience investments, a new ZEV incentive, added Health and Human Services costs tied to H.R. 1, child care funding, and three tax proposals: third-party delivery tax compliance, a sustainable aviation fuel tax credit, and an extension of the California Competes tax credit. The LAO, by contrast, warned that the budget is “precariously balanced,” cited downside risk from stock market-driven revenues, and urged the Legislature to use reserves, avoid suspending rainy-day deposits, and begin shrinking multi-year deficits sooner rather than later. Member questions focused on wildfire mitigation and insurance, transit and GGRF funding, federal cuts affecting CalFresh and Medi-Cal, the proposed tax credits, homelessness accountability language, and education funding. Several members pressed for earlier partnership on deficit solutions and for more scrutiny of budget choices. The committee also discussed declining enrollment in K-12, community colleges, and CSU, with concerns about whether funding formulas are aligned with actual student demand. No formal votes or final actions were taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am looking to expand the funding. This bill does not do that.
• That funding is always going to be in appropriations.
• By making them available for the federal funding, now you have federal funds that come in regardless
• of the state funds, but it's not necessarily limited to local funds.
• It's a funding issue. It really is; it comes right down to it.

Bills: S0544 , S0636 , S0848 , S0546

Committee: Senate Environment and Natural Resources

Summary: The Environment and Natural Resources Committee met with a quorum and took up several bills. SB 636 on beach management, by Senator Leek, would create additional pathways for counties and municipalities to obtain critically eroded beach or area of critical state concern designations, shifting the process toward a more proactive approach. Senator Smith and Senator Harrell raised concerns about local capacity and funding, and the Florida Shore and Beach Preservation Association said the bill was an alternative pathway but emphasized the need for more recurring funding. The bill was reported favorably. The committee then considered SB 544, which transfers the Golf Course Best Management Practices Certification Program from DEP to FDACS and establishes certification and training standards there. Senator Smith and Senator Harrell asked about environmental oversight, taxation, and whether the change would affect state park restrictions; the sponsor said it would not change tax treatment or park rules and that DEP would still handle enforcement if BMPs are not followed. The Florida Springs Council opposed the bill, arguing golf courses are not agriculture and warning of weaker protections for springs, while the Florida Golf Course Superintendent's Association supported the move as a continuity and participation measure. After adopting a technical amendment, the committee reported the bill favorably, with Senator Smith voting no. SB 848 on stormwater treatment, also by Senator Trunow, was amended to clarify the role of water quality enhancement areas while stormwater rules are still being finalized and to make public-land project review forward-looking. Resource Environmental Solutions supported the amendment and bill as providing a clearer market for water quality credits, and the Florida Home Builders Association supported the measure. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. SB 546 by Vice Chair Mayfield would require 30-day public notice before meetings reviewing the sale or exchange of state conservation lands, including at water management districts; after a technical amendment, it received support from conservation groups and was reported favorably. The committee also received a DEP presentation on the State Park Amenities Report, which said Florida’s 175 state parks drew over 28 million visitors and generated a $3.6 billion economic impact. DEP identified nearly $759 million in needed repairs and upgrades over 10 years and $1.39 billion in contemplated new construction and development in unit management plans. No votes were taken on the presentation, and the meeting adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am looking to expand the funding. This bill does not do that.
• That funding is always going to be in appropriations.
• By making them available for the federal funding, now you have federal funds that come in regardless
• of the state funds, but it's not necessarily limited to local funds.
• It's a funding issue. It really is; it comes right down to it.

Committee: Senate Environment and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• . funding. funding.
• </c> meeting about ARPA funding running out. meeting about ARPA funding running out.
• </c> look for other sources of funding. look for other sources of funding.
• </c> Medicaid uh work requirement oversight. Medicaid uh work requirement oversight.
• The working group evaluates service quality, workforce stability, funding adequacy, and oversight across

Bills: HF3738 , HF2295 , HF3520 , HF3666

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• In addition to our core business, USIC affiliates Bloodhound, Recon Utilities, Utility Services, and
• On Target Utility Services provide a range of highly specialized services and advanced utility solutions
• We fund them, and then we hold these agencies accountable.
• There's a delay between when a utility makes investments and when the utility begins recovering on its
• Currently, the Gas Utility Regulatory Act provides utilities the opportunity to earn a reasonable return

Bills: HB2766 , HB2891 , HB3334 , HB3791 , HB3911 , HB4021 , HB4041 , HB4042 , HB4384 , HB4426

Committee: House Energy Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• Power to the People Act prohibits utilities from engaging in the campaign process for PSC members.
• I think it went through the other one, went through general fund. So, this..."
• "I think it was general fund the first time.
• I think it went through the other one, went through general fund. So, this..."
• "I think it was general fund the first time.

Bills: HB303 , SB360 , SB325 , HB477 , SB329 , HB381 , SB330

Committee: Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• , $14,500 from dedicated funds, and $4,248,300 from federal funds, for a total of $4,862,800, for an
• As a reminder, limited service means those positions are tied to that funding, so when the funding goes
• I find that interesting, just in the general funds we've funded out, what, five billion plus out of this
• I find that interesting, just in the general funds we've funded out, what, five billion plus out of this
• I find that interesting, just in the general funds we've funded out, what, five billion plus out of this

Summary: The joint Senate Finance and House Appropriations committee first revisited the Office of the Attorney General budget after House Bill 951 had failed on the House floor. Members considered two competing restorations from the Consumer Protection Fund: one to restore broader personnel costs and another limited to the Internet Crimes Against Children program. The narrower ICAC-only motion failed, while the broader restoration passed and received a do pass recommendation. The committee then took up several Department of Health and Welfare items from Senate Bill 1428, including the Division of Early Learning and Development, Division of Youth Safety and Permanency, and Division of Family and Community Partnerships. Members approved funding for moving the Idaho Home Visiting Program to Early Learning and Development, a mower replacement at the Southwest Idaho Treatment Center, population forecast adjustments, transfer-limit exemptions, a report on home visiting outcomes, restoration of foster care/post-adoption and safety assessment funding, and $180,000 for kinship navigation services. They also approved a supplemental and FY 2027 budget for Public Health Services, including one-time funding for home visiting, immunization assessment, HIV and hepatitis prevention, suicide prevention, and ARPA grants, along with language requiring reports on outcomes and immunization fund use. A separate Public Health Services language item requiring public health districts to report documented immigration status of HIV prevention service users drew debate. The motion to adopt the language passed after discussion about its purpose and concerns about discrimination. The committee also approved a SNAP-related federal fund appropriation for House Bill 730 and then turned to the Rural Health Transformation Program, creating the fund and oversight structure, approving a FY 2026 supplemental, and approving the FY 2027 appropriation for the program. Members discussed legislative oversight versus executive administration of the new federal dollars, and the committee adopted intent language on physician assistant and dental hygienist reforms. The meeting ended early because of time constraints, with plans to reconvene the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• the housing trust fund that are not STB funds to help.
• We do leverage these funds with some Department of Energy energy funds, some LIHEAP funds that we get
• fund, but more activity under this with other funding.
• Funding. So we're excited that that mechanism is being utilized.
• Finally, there was a trial balance of $95 in the fund, in the fund 06-700, which was a fund that didn't

Transcript Highlights:

• engineering projects to make contributions toward apprenticeship funds, apprenticeship fund.
• engineering projects to make contributions toward apprenticeship funds, apprenticeship fund.
• We're not here to ask for additional funds for training.
• Now I have to pay into a fund whether I want to or not. And that's what I'm confused about. Why?
• Regulations and oversight of the PRC as well? Just for consistency sake?

Summary: The committee took up a series of bills in its final meeting, beginning with House Bill 200, which had previously been left on the table on a tie vote. The committee voted to bring it back and then approved it as amended on a 7-2 vote. House Bill 38, dealing with coverage for complex rehabilitation technology devices and allowing up to two devices in a three-year period, received testimony in support and was advanced on a 9-0 vote. Members then heard House Bill 270, which would require certain public works projects to contribute to apprenticeship and training programs or the state apprenticeship fund. Supporters argued it would create a level playing field and strengthen workforce development, while opponents said it would raise costs, burden contractors without accessible apprenticeship programs, and hurt small businesses. An amendment to delay the effective date failed 4-6, and the bill was then approved 6-4. House Bill 291, the Taxation and Revenue Department’s annual tax cleanup bill, was presented as a package of technical and policy updates, including rounding rules, fee changes, tax credit clarifications, and property tax collection adjustments; it passed 8-2. House Bill 108, a cleanup measure for watershed districts to address tax-levying authority after a change from elected to appointed boards, passed 10-0. House Bill 306, which limits facility fees for preventive care, vaccinations, and telehealth while exempting rural facilities, also passed 10-0 after brief discussion. House Bill 20, allowing Native American applicants to request a voluntary designation on driver’s licenses and ID cards with privacy protections, received supportive testimony from tribal and law enforcement representatives and passed 10-0. Finally, House Bill 309, expanding a special property tax valuation method to include electric power storage facilities, drew support from labor and energy representatives and passed 10-0. The chair closed by thanking staff and members and adjourned the meeting, noting it was likely the committee’s last of the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because they have to have some kind of oversight, I would think. Would you agree?
• Now, this is only if they're getting state funds. Follow up.
• have to pay this fee, but if it's an industry that's going to use taxpayer funds, they're going to utilize
• those taxpayer funds to pay that 5%.
• So what kind of cost specifically did they need to be funded for?” “Thank you, Mr.

Bills: SB1519 , SB1775 , SB1900 , SB1948 , SB2080

Committee: Senate Local and County Government

Summary: The Senate Local and County Government Committee considered several bills dealing with municipal regulation, penalties, incentives, fireworks, and tax increment financing. Senate Bill 1519 would allow low-impact home-based businesses to operate without additional municipal permitting or zoning restrictions, while still requiring compliance with state and federal laws and applicable professional boards. Members questioned how the bill would define “no-impact” businesses, how it would affect short-term rentals and home-based services like nail salons or dispensaries, and whether it reduced local oversight. The bill passed 7-2. Senate Bill 1775 clarified that municipalities may impose penalties for traffic-, alcohol-, and drug-related offenses that are less than or equal to the state statutory penalty, and set caps for other municipal fines. After extended questioning over whether the bill lowered or matched state penalties, a legislative analyst was brought in to explain that the measure was intended to resolve confusion about municipal authority. The bill passed 10-0. Senate Bill 1900 would direct 5% of the value of state economic development incentives to cities or counties for infrastructure, with members raising concerns about how the funds would be split, whether counties or cities would control them, and how the bill would apply in unincorporated areas. The author said he was open to revising the language, and the bill passed 11-0. Senate Bill 1948 would expand the time frame for licensed fireworks sellers to sell consumer fireworks year-round and would also bar counties from prohibiting private outdoor consumer fireworks displays, subject to burn bans and other safety limits. Questions focused on safety, county zoning, and whether the bill relied on an outdated building code reference. The bill passed 8-2. Senate Bill 2080, a request bill from county assessors, would require assessors to be included as an information resource in TIF/TID processes, align district boundaries with parcel lines, and allow administrative fees to cover assessor costs. Members debated the justification and size of the fee and whether it would burden local governments, but the bill passed 8-2.

Transcript Highlights:

• hear AB 2790 by the Communications and Conveyance Committee relating to the California Teleconnect Fund
• hear AB 2790 by the Communications and Conveyance Committee relating to the California Teleconnect Fund
• We're hearing item number one, AB 2790, relating to the California Teleconnect Fund.
• , the CTF program, administered by the California Public Utilities Commission, CPUC.
• , the CTF program, administered by the California Public Utilities Commission, CPUC.

Summary: The Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee met with Chair Tasha Berner presiding and reviewed one item, AB 2790, a committee bill concerning the California Teleconnect Fund. The chair opened with extensive ground rules on orderly conduct and public comment, then the committee secretary called the roll and established a quorum. The bill was described as updating eligibility and administrative procedures for the CTF, clarifying treatment of non-instructional facilities, and revising how applicants coordinate CTF applications with the federal E-Rate program. Supporters said the measure responds to concerns raised in a prior oversight hearing about CPUC rulemaking that could make the program harder for schools and other eligible entities to use. Kim Lewis of CENIC said the bill would preserve continuity, stability, and fairness for broadband support to educational and research institutions, while Christina DeCaro of the California Library Association and Kimberly Rosenberger on behalf of Superintendent Tony Thurmond also voiced support. No opposition testimony was presented. The committee then voted to pass AB 2790 and refer it to the Assembly Committee on Appropriations. The roll was left open briefly for additional votes, and the bill ultimately passed 9-0 before the committee adjourned.