Transcript Highlights:

• This bill, substantially the same, was passed by the Texas legislature just a few short years ago, House
• This bill, substantially the same, was passed by the Texas legislature just a few short years ago, House
• So the civics portion of this is an effort to instruct the schools on what this legislature deems necessary
• Instructional requirements are not the role of the legislature, and schools already provide civics instruction
• Since that time, this legislature passed legislation that allowed community colleges to offer four-year

Committee: Senate Senate Education Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several education-related bills. SB 1572, the Return to Civics Instruction Act, would require Freedom Week, civics instruction on the Declaration of Independence and Constitution, and a Declaration recitation for grades 3-12; it passed 3-2 after some members argued schools already provide civics instruction and that the legislature should not mandate curriculum. SB 1798, as amended, would require each high school to designate a FAFSA point person, post contact information, and implement a FAFSA awareness strategy; the Arizona Board of Regents supported it, while some members raised concerns about mandates on charter schools and staffing burdens. The committee also passed SB 1711, which directs the State Board of Education to develop and post age-appropriate resources on preventing and recognizing inappropriate contact, with testimony split between support for parent-accessible safety materials and concerns about sex-education compliance issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, the trust relationship I'm speaking about was created by the legislature.
• The legislature supported some of WDFW's work.
• So you had funding, and then during the budget cuts the legislature cut the funding?
• So you had funding and then during the budget cuts of legislature cut the funding Thank you.
• The legislature must have made this decision, yes? Yes, sir, that's correct.

Bills: SB5838 , SB5960 , SB6097

Committee: Senate Agriculture & Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• As a reminder, a per se violation of the CPA is when the legislature declares that an act or practice
• A per se violation is when the legislature declares that an act or practice is an unfair, deceptive act
• The four dissenting justices said that was clearly not the intent of the legislature.
• That alone should concern the legislature.
• So I think the short answer is the law is written probably more simply than the legislature realized

Bills: HB2229 , HB2274 , HB2294 , HB1269 , HB1078

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Business

Transcript Highlights:

• And I know that the Legislature has been wildly supportive of that as well.
• So last year the Legislature was very kind and gave DEM $500 million. Absolutely.
• So last year the Legislature was very kind and gave DEM $500 million as part of EPRF.
• And I don't think that's the will of this legislature.
• And I really do ask and implore you... ...that's the will of this legislature.

Bills: S7010

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Summary: The Senate Committee on Appropriations met to take up SB 7010 by Senator Mayfield, which would authorize Roth post-tax contribution options in state and local deferred compensation plans. The bill was briefly explained, received one appearance in support, had no debate, and was reported favorably by roll call vote. The committee then heard a lengthy presentation from the Governor’s Office of Policy and Budget on the governor’s recommended $117.4 billion “Floridians’ First Budget.” The presentation highlighted major spending areas including education, health care, public safety, transportation, environmental restoration, and economic development. Key proposals included increased FEFP funding for K-12 schools, teacher salary funding, higher education support, Everglades and water quality funding, emergency preparedness reserves, corrections staffing and pay increases, law enforcement recruitment bonuses, cybersecurity, and affordable housing and infrastructure investments. Members asked extensive questions about property tax reserve planning, litigation funding, emergency response fund balances and expenditures, the use of federal reimbursement for the Everglades detention facilities, the animal abuse hotline, Hope Florida, corrections staffing, and the proposed reduction in ADAP eligibility for HIV/AIDS medication assistance. A member of the public also testified at length about concerns that the ADAP changes would harm access to life-saving medications and alleged improper shifting of program funds. Committee members and the presenter acknowledged follow-up questions on several items, but no additional votes or formal actions were taken beyond the favorable report on SB 7010 and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• is an unfair, deceptive act. ...is when the legislature declares that an act or practice is an unfair
• I'm Representative Larry Springer from the 45th Legislative District, and in 22 years in the legislature
• The four dissenting justices said that was clearly not the intent of the legislature.
• That alone should concern the legislature.
• To my knowledge, there's never been an instance of the legislature repealing a per se...

Summary: The Consumer Protection and Business Committee held public hearings on three bills. House Bill 2229 would update the professional engineers registration act by removing the U.S. citizenship requirement for board members, increasing pro tem board positions, giving the board more discretion over experience and continuing education requirements, removing some registration exclusions, and making various technical updates. The bill sponsor and the board described it as a cleanup and modernization measure, and a board representative said one naming change in the draft was unintended and would be corrected. No public testimony was taken before the hearing was suspended and later closed. House Bill 2274 would revise the Washington Commercial Electronic Mail Act after a Washington Supreme Court decision led to a wave of lawsuits over email subject lines. The bill would require a sender to have a “reliable basis” to know an email is held by a Washington resident, narrow when a subject line is actionable, require recipients to show they reviewed and relied on the email to recover damages, and repeal the act’s per se Consumer Protection Act violation while keeping statutory damages. Retailers, small business owners, hospitality groups, and e-commerce representatives supported the bill, saying the current interpretation is producing costly, technical lawsuits over ordinary promotional language and creating settlement pressure even without consumer harm. Consumer advocates opposed the bill, arguing it would weaken protections against deceptive subject lines and that the current law already targets false or misleading claims. The committee took no final action on the bill. House Bill 2294 would prohibit future negative use restrictions on real property that block grocery stores or pharmacies, with exceptions for existing restrictions, relocations, and certain retail centers. The sponsor said the measure is intended to improve food and pharmacy access, especially after grocery closures such as the one in Lake City, and noted similar local ordinances already exist. Food industry and grocery association witnesses generally supported the bill as a way to reduce barriers to food access and help independent grocers, while also asking for clearer guardrails to avoid unintended effects on legitimate business arrangements. The sponsor said she was open to working on enforcement and other details. The committee then moved to executive session and passed House Bill 1269, which would adjust pawn broker loan terms, interest, document preparation fees, storage fees, and allow online payment for renewals. Members described it as a modest increase after 11 years without changes, and the bill was reported out of committee with a due pass recommendation by voice vote, with 15 members voting in the affirmative.

Transcript Highlights:

• support their families, without that voice these problems are going to continue to come back to the legislature
• And the legislature does not need to be the HR of huge multi-million dollar global corporations like
• And the legislature does not need to be the HR of huge multi-million dollar global corporations like
• And the legislature does not need to be the HR of huge multi-million dollar global corporations like
• </c><00:18:48.799><c> and</c> been coming to to the legislature and been coming to to the legislature

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:04:20.680><c> will</c> legislature will legislature will say<00:04:22.479><c> I</c><00:04:22.639>
• </c> we were able to say to the legislature we were able to say to the legislature at<00:09:59.120><c
• </c><00:22:34.279><c> has</c> things that the legislature has things that the legislature has recognized
• </c> 2000s one of the things the legislature 2000s one of the things the legislature did<00:25:28.399
• ><c> the</c><00:28:31.360><c> legislature</c> executive Council for the legislature executive Council

Summary: The Department of Administrative Services presented an overview of its budget and operations, emphasizing that it is the lowest-spending agency in state government and that its general fund allocation has declined since 2019. Commissioner Arling House explained that DAS also handles back-office functions for several administratively attached boards, which has affected staffing and spending comparisons. He said the department’s current general fund spending is roughly split between retiree health and other operations, and that the presentation was based on adjusted authorized spending rather than the original budget figures. A major portion of the meeting focused on retiree health benefits and the long-term effort to control costs. Deputy Commissioner Cassie Keane described how the state moved from a projected deficit in retiree health to savings through a series of changes, including higher premium contributions, co-pay adjustments, and shifting Medicare retirees into Medicare Advantage arrangements to capture federal reimbursement. She said the state has about 12,500 retirees and spouses on the plan, with roughly 10,906 Medicare retirees and 1,580 non-Medicare retirees, and that the savings have depended heavily on federal funding and procurement decisions. She also noted that Medicare retirees pay Part B premiums and that the state has grandfathered older retirees from some premium contributions. Members asked about what the expenditures cover, why the state offers retiree health instead of simply giving retirees a payment to buy coverage themselves, and whether out-of-pocket costs changed under Medicare Advantage. Keane said the plan covers actual health claims or insurance premiums, that co-pays and maximum out-of-pocket limits remain in place, and that the state has no authority to change benefit details without legislative action. She explained that retiree health is a long-standing employee benefit that wraps around Medicare and is not collectively bargained in the usual sense, though its eligibility rules and cost-sharing have been tightened over time to better target the benefit to long-term state service. The discussion also covered vendor performance problems. Keane said Anthem recently won the contract back from Aetna, but its pharmacy subsidiary, Caroline, caused serious service disruptions. DAS responded by withholding payments, assessing more than $2 million in performance guarantees, and hiring a third-party auditor to review the pharmacy processes. The current contract runs through the end of calendar year 2026, and officials said they are watching federal Medicare Advantage reimbursement changes closely because future savings are uncertain.

Transcript Highlights:

• Broad picture is it's been put on hold basically for the legislature work through.
• The document references what the 88th legislature did.
• As part of the what the Legislature has done over the last few biennium.
• That we will do the will of the legislature. I feel very strongly.
• What can the legislature help you do or is there are there things that are that legislature has done?

Bills: SB1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, this is a package of six, and so we are moving these things through the legislature.
• So who all 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.
• I think, just to be completely candid, legislatures are grappling with how to address this issue.

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

Committee: Senate Technology and Telecommunications

Summary: The Senate Technology and Telecommunications Committee considered several House bills focused on artificial intelligence, data infrastructure, broadband, and education technology. House Bill 3176 would create an Oklahoma Gas Artificial Intelligence and Space Research Hub under the Department of Commerce and a National Laboratory Development Program to help Oklahoma pursue federal research designations; members questioned the fiscal impact, public reporting, and agency placement, and the bill passed 7-1. House Bill 3544 would prohibit minors from accessing AI social companions and authorize civil penalties; supporters cited research and safety concerns, and it passed 8-0. House Bill 3619 would modernize state geographic data collection and mapping for census and boundary purposes; members raised concerns about county boundaries, costs, and possible impacts on property and taxation, and it passed 6-2. The committee also advanced House Bill 3546, which bars artificial intelligence and other non-human entities from being granted legal personhood under Oklahoma law, passing 8-0 without debate. House Bill 1782 would create an Oklahoma AI Education Innovation Act with an advisory council and grant fund; members asked about funding formulas, membership, and dual office-holding, and it passed 8-0. House Bill 2293 would extend the Oklahoma Broadband Office sunset while requiring a wind-down plan and legislative review; members discussed the office’s consultation and termination process, and it passed 8-0. Finally, House Bill 4358 would limit screen time for pre-K through fifth grade students to one hour per school day. After questions about enforcement, classroom logistics, and special events, the author struck the title to continue working on the measure, and the bill passed 8-0. Throughout the meeting, members generally expressed support for the policy goals of the bills while flagging implementation, fiscal, and jurisdictional concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the concerns the legislature has had the last few years is how those rules are handled.
• We bring the rules coordinator back under the purview of the legislature, out of the executive branch
• Thank you. ...that the legislature has control of them before they're published.
• And in the legislature, I believe that there are two women for every six.
• The legislature, I believe, has two women for every seven men on our side of the House.

Committee: House State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• So, a lot of the partners and a lot of the people that the Legislature have funded over the years, like
• So, a lot of the partners and a lot of the people that the Legislature have funded over the years, like
• So, a lot of the partners and a lot of the people that the Legislature have funded over the years, like
• So it's a revolving loan fund, and we use some of the interest to support operations, and the legislature
• </c> support operations and the legislature support operations and the legislature has<00:16:22.880><

Transcript Highlights:

• Audits and will be appointed to two-year terms by the Legislature.
• Miller: The Legislature still retains the responsibility for it, so... ...doesn't really change anything
• CURRENT PROCESS IS BEING CHANGED OVER TO THE&nbsp; ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WITHIN THE LEGISLATURE&nbsp;
• Or is it just the allocation of what was before is now being put in the Legislature?
• must approve any changes that impact the space and gives the Legislature first right of refusal for

Summary: The State Administration Budget Subcommittee met to consider four conforming committee bills tied to the proposed 2026-27 House General Appropriations Act. Rep. Maggard presented PCB SAB 26-04, the annual retirement bill, which updates Florida Retirement System contribution rates based on the annual actuarial study and was said to produce a $31.7 million state savings. He also presented PCB SAB 26-02, which addresses collective bargaining impasses for state employees by tying resolution to spending decisions in the appropriations act or implementing legislation. Both bills drew brief questions, mainly from Rep. Gantt, and both passed favorably on roll call. Rep. Miller presented PCB SAB 26-03, which reorganizes state audit functions and creates the Florida Accountability Office, consolidating legislative audit work into four divisions and adding whistleblower protections and reporting requirements. Rep. Gantt asked whether the bill changed the use of outside auditors and whether it had a fiscal impact; Miller said the work would be absorbed within existing resources and that the Legislature would retain responsibility. A taxpayer witness supported the bill and urged stronger local-government audit standards and broader whistleblower coverage. The bill passed favorably. Rep. Abbott presented PCB SAB 26-01, a broader appropriations conforming bill focused on the State Employee Health Insurance Trust Fund, prescription drug formulary changes, a health insurance assessment on agencies and vacant positions, the $3 traffic violation surcharge for the State Law Enforcement Radio System, Capitol complex space management, and changes to the Office of Supplier Diversity. Much of the discussion centered on whether a closed formulary would make medications harder to obtain, with Abbott saying prior authorization would still allow access and that the change was needed to control costs and protect the trust fund. Rep. Gantt and Rep. Robinson raised concerns about employee health benefits and the repeal of supplier diversity provisions, arguing the committee lacked data on the impact to minority- and women-owned businesses; Abbott said the changes would still allow small businesses to compete and that the bill was intended to save money and modernize procurement. PCB SAB 26-01 also passed favorably, and the meeting adjourned after all agenda items were reported out.

Transcript Highlights:

• by the voters. report that was given to the Legislature regarding this issue.
• What happened is this log rolled through the Legislature; they reduced the funding for parks where we
• We are now on the verge of seeing how much more challenging it will be for this Legislature to address
• While we recognize that the legislature might not be able to fund our full request that would have a
• Chair Vang, you mentioned to the staff that we are a part-time citizen legislature, and oftentimes, we

Bills: HF2563

Committee: House Legacy Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• more than expenditures, it would go back into a savings account or a tax account that then the legislature
• </c><00:01:48.079><c> could</c> account that then the legislature could account that then the legislature
• </c><00:02:15.239><c> could</c> would be you know the legislature could would be you know the legislature
• This House bill would, if it is passed here and is passed through the legislature and put on the ballot
• </c><00:03:33.959><c> and</c> is passed through the legislature and is passed through the legislature

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota Legislature prioritizes R&D, we can once again position our state as the nation's epicenter
• So yeah, this is the—we joined the legislature at the same time, yes.
• So yeah, this is the—we joined the legislature at the same time, yes.
• So yeah, this is the—we joined the legislature at the same time, yes.
• So yeah, this is the—we joined the legislature at the same time, yes.

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2019, the Legislature approved legislation requiring a seller of real property that is In 2019, the
• Legislature approved legislation requiring a seller of real property that is located in the high fire
• And I think the Legislature, rightfully, in the last decade, took steps,...
• We all get offended by different things in this legislature.
• The Legislature has highlighted that as well.

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on wildfire resilience, land use, and local government authority. SB 911 would require notification to fire agencies when a home in a high fire severity zone is sold under an agreement to complete defensible space compliance; the California Association of Realtors said it would drop opposition if the bill is amended to use the preliminary change of ownership report, and the bill passed 4-0 to Appropriations. SB 994 would bar local officials from entering nondisclosure agreements that prevent them from sharing information with the elected decision makers of their jurisdiction; supporters framed it as a transparency measure, and it passed 4-0 as amended. The consent calendar, including SB 958 and several other bills, was also adopted 4-0. The committee then took up SB 1041, which would expand PACE financing for wildfire home-hardening improvements statewide and add consumer protections, hardship provisions, and reporting requirements. Supporters, including Renew Financial and Cal Fire Local 2881, argued it would help homeowners finance fire-resistant roofs, vents, and other upgrades. Opponents, including homeowner advocates, county tax collectors, mortgage lenders, and consumer groups, warned that PACE has a history of contractor abuse, high costs, liens that survive bankruptcy, and risks to vulnerable homeowners. After extended debate, the bill advanced 3-2 to Appropriations and remained on call. SB 1075 would require local governments in AB 617 communities to consider air-quality impacts and community emissions reduction plans when approving certain commercial and industrial projects. Environmental justice supporters said the bill would help implement long-promised pollution reductions in heavily burdened communities, while business, local government, planning, and industry groups argued it duplicated CEQA and existing permitting processes, created litigation risk, and could deter investment and jobs. The bill passed 3-2 and remained on call. SB 958, relating to the Midway Rising redevelopment project in San Diego, was presented as a path for a long-planned housing and entertainment project with at least 4,250 homes, including 2,000 affordable units, and it passed 3-0 to Appropriations. Finally, SB 1182 would require local governments to consider insurance availability in safety planning for development in high fire hazard areas. The author said the bill responds to rising insurance costs and the Fair Plan’s growth, while supporters said it would better align land-use decisions with wildfire risk. Opponents and some committee members argued the bill was too vague, could burden cities, and would not solve the underlying insurance market problem. The discussion was ongoing when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• So given this is our eighth and final opportunity to present a budget to this legislature within the
• The Legislature had the foresight to invest funding that helps coastal communities plan to continue to
• We've heard this from the Legislature and the Governor.
• We at the LAO have never suggested that the Legislature take an across-the-board approach.
• One of these days, the Legislature isn't going to get a two-thirds vote.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Climate, Crisis, Resources, Energy, and Transportation opened its first hearing on the governor’s natural resources budget with Secretary Wade Crowfoot of the Natural Resources Agency. Crowfoot reviewed California’s recent climate and environmental challenges—drought, wildfire, heat, sea level rise, and federal uncertainty—and highlighted progress on clean energy, zero-emission vehicles, wildfire resilience, water management, coastal planning, conservation, tribal land return, and streamlined project delivery. Members praised his engagement and the administration’s work with tribes, and Crowfoot emphasized that the administration is focused on finishing major projects, improving nature-based solutions, and considering whether some temporary streamlining measures should be codified. He also discussed the Mediterranean Climate Action Partnership and said the state is working with other Mediterranean-climate governments on wildfire, drought, and heat response. Members and the LAO then focused on budget conditions and priorities. The Legislative Analyst’s Office said the state budget remains precarious despite strong revenues, with the governor’s proposal relying on borrowing and reserves and leaving large out-year deficits unresolved. The LAO urged a high bar for new spending, especially in a deficit environment, and recommended prioritizing immediate health and safety needs, avoiding new ongoing commitments, and thinking carefully about special funds. On Proposition 4, the LAO said the administration’s approach generally appeared reasonable and consistent with the bond, but noted implementation has been slow and that the Legislature may want to use appropriations language to shape broad programs such as home hardening, outdoor recreation, and climate education. The chair stressed that climate and environmental funds should be used for their intended purposes and that wildfire spending should shift more toward community hardening and home protection. The hearing then turned to water resilience and Proposition 4 spending. Department of Finance and department staff outlined the bond’s water-related funding for safe drinking water, drought, flood, water recycling, stormwater, groundwater management, dam safety, and the State Water Project. Members pressed for details on how funds would be prioritized, how grants would reach disadvantaged communities, and how the state would track the bond’s 40% target for vulnerable communities. Staff said new tools and reporting systems are being used to monitor allocations, and that AB 107 and related changes should speed up grant implementation by reducing redundant regulatory steps. The committee also discussed dam safety needs, State Water Project repairs, groundwater implementation grants, and the risk of relying on uncertain future revenues from the Salton Sea lithium tax. No votes were taken, and the hearing was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> with the legislature. with the legislature.
• To address that, I began providing regular updates to the governor, the legislature, our congressional
• ,</c><00:06:51.360><c> our</c> governor, the legislature, our governor, the legislature, our congressional
• Our partners, the Vermont Council on World Affairs, cabinet secretaries, and this legislature have a
• </c><00:33:50.159><c> will</c> As I look ahead, our legislature will As I look ahead, our legislature

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2017, the legislature issued a formal apology via resolution.
• This legislature has already taken important steps to acknowledge that injustice.
• Chair, members of the legislature, thank you for this moment. You didn't have to hear this bill.
• In 1993, the Florida Legislature allocated $900,000 for future planning for the Rodman Dam.
• It's kind of at the whim of the Legislature.

Summary: The committee first took up SB 694, which would compensate the descendants of the Groveland Four—Charles Greenlee, Walter Irvin, Samuel Shepard, and Ernest Thomas—for the wrongful convictions, incarceration, and death tied to the 1949 case. Senator Bracey Davis described the bill as a final step after prior state apologies, pardons, and exonerations. The committee adopted a $4 million amendment that divided compensation equally among the four families and updated the recipient for Ernest Thomas’s share. Multiple family members and advocates testified in support, emphasizing the decades of trauma and the need for full justice. Senators in debate largely supported the bill, and it was reported favorably. The committee then approved SB 330, which clarifies disability provisions for firefighters, law enforcement officers, and correctional officers by refining the definition of heart disease and allowing certain officers who transfer agencies to rely on a prior physical under specified conditions. SB 474 also passed, expanding military leave protections to include public officials and employees who serve in the Coast Guard or Florida State Guard, adjusting pay eligibility for federal service, and updating related retirement and assistance provisions. SB 96, the Veterans Dental Care Grant Program bill, was amended to expand eligibility to veterans with incomes up to 400% of the federal poverty level and to move funding into the General Appropriations Act; members debated whether the broader eligibility could increase demand, but the bill was reported favorably. The committee also advanced SB 7018 on child welfare, making the Step Into Success pilot program permanent statewide, adjusting visitor/background-check rules for out-of-home placements, and creating a best-practices program through the Florida Institute for Child Welfare. CS/SB 480 on state IT governance was reported favorably after amendments that strengthened vendor performance metrics and restored state data center security provisions; it creates a new central IT governance structure under the Governor’s office and aims to improve oversight of procurement, spending, and technical debt. SB 1066, addressing partial restoration of the Ocklawaha River and Kirkpatrick Dam, passed after a late-file amendment and extensive testimony from environmental, recreation, and local economic interests. SB 1216, which gives school districts more flexibility in educator compensation, and SB 1120, which increases oversight and reporting for water management district spending, were also reported favorably. Finally, the committee considered SB 1366 on claims against the government, which raises sovereign immunity caps, ties future adjustments to CPI, shortens claim deadlines, and changes attorney-fee provisions. The bill drew support from local government and public-hospital groups as a compromise, but also significant concern from some senators about the impact on self-insured agencies and whether the fee changes would discourage attorneys from taking cases. The discussion remained ongoing, and the bill was still moving forward as the meeting continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• By tracking participation statewide, the legislature also gains visibility into where civic access is
• By tracking participation statewide, the legislature also gains visibility into where civic access is
• working, and wearing Participation statewide, the legislature also gains visibility into where civic
• Given the budget climate, should we be going back to right before the legislature decided to increase
• Since the legislature expanded Running Start from 1.4 FTE in 2023, we have seen summer participation

Bills: SB6130 , SB6247 , SB6260 , SB6268 , SB6278

Committee: Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education