Video & Transcript : 'budget penalties' :
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WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Transportation Jan 26th, 2026 at 04:00 pm
Transportation
Transcript Highlights:
- Penalties do have a tendency to help people make better decisions.
- You can't budget. So please consider that as part of this bill.
- You can't budget. A knock on your door with someone saying, you owe us a bunch of money now.
- You can't budget. So please consider that as part of this bill.
- We're talking budget dust that you guys are missing out on.
Committee:
Senate Transportation
Keywords:
snowmobile, snowmobile registration, vehicle registration fees, registration fee, Department of Licensing, DOL, recreational vehicles, winter recreation, vintage snowmobile, parks and recreation, vehicle license fee, RCW 46.17, fee schedule, renewal fee, initial fee, Washington state, electric-assisted bicycles, electric motorcycles, transportation regulation, safety standards
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency - Room 210, 3 March, 2026; 2:30 P.M.
Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency
Transcript Highlights:
- Section 11 amends PEER subpoena provisions to provide criminal contempt penalties for willful refusal
- Section 11 amends PEER subpoena provisions to provide criminal contempt penalties for willful refusal
- requests for the facilitate budget requests for the board's<00:13:51.200><c> operations.
- </c><00:14:24.520><c> for</c> provide criminal contempt penalties for provide criminal contempt penalties
- of perjury, the penalty is that it is perjury.
AR
Arkansas 2026 Regular Session
ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE Feb 19th, 2026
ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE
Transcript Highlights:
- Their projected budget for federal fiscal year 26 is a little over $1.5 million.
- that you were talking about, or is that just the state-level budget and funding?
- Well, I would not be the—I can't really speak to their budget or whether or not the budget is tight with
- And I, you know, we're going into fiscal and looking at budget, and I don't see that money in your budget
- The requirement and the actual penalties won't go into effect until January...
Summary:
The subcommittee first recognized the Arkansas Community Colleges Leadership Institute and received a brief DHS update on the Living Choices Assisted Living Waiver reimbursement process, including that the new cost-reporting period began in January and provider/contractor calls are underway. The main presentation then focused on SNAP and TANF, with DHS describing federal changes under the One Big Beautiful Bill that tighten SNAP work requirements for adults ages 18 to 64 without certain exemptions, remove some prior exemptions, and add new federal definitions for Native American populations. DHS also reviewed SNAP Employment and Training providers, their service areas, projected budgets, participant characteristics, and outcomes, noting that the program is currently voluntary but will shift toward mandatory participation for those subject to the new rules.
Members asked detailed questions about how mandatory participation will be implemented, how referrals will be made, what other training options exist, how verification of work, volunteering, disability, and exemptions will be handled, and whether DHS has enough funding and provider capacity. DHS said it will conduct verbal and written notices during eligibility interviews, make direct referrals to providers, use six-month recertifications and documentation from employers or volunteer organizations, and apply sanctions for noncompliance after determining whether a good cause exists. Members also requested additional data, including age breakdowns of at-risk SNAP recipients, provider-level outcomes and costs, and information on other training programs such as WIOA.
The committee then moved to Medicaid community engagement requirements for ARHOME, which DHS said are also required by the same federal law and must be implemented by January 1, 2027. DHS said it is preparing policy, system changes, communications, and a customer-service/outbound verification vendor, and plans a soft launch beginning in July to help clients understand what would be required if the rule were already in effect. Members raised concerns about timing, local versus central decision-making, and how clients in rural areas will be notified and assisted. The meeting concluded with broader discussion of the committee’s workforce-development goals, the recently released Alliance for Opportunity audit, and interest in continuing the contract with that group to help guide future reforms.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection - 04/10/25
Commerce and Consumer Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- in the original bill I metag gap penalty in the original bill I believe<00:04:19.199><c> it's</c><00
- In the Department of Commerce's budget proposal, one of the modifications that they'd like to do and
- Yeah, within the governor's<00:16:02.639><c> budget,</c><00:16:03.040><c> there</c><00:16:03.199><c>
- is a plan to governor's budget, there is a plan to rebenchmark<00:16:05.360><c> uh</c><00:16:05.680>
- That being said, if a Can Renew budget line item is $15 to $20 million or so, and we have the chance
Committee:
Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- I won't talk about the budget, but there was some stuff in the budget related to it.
- The bill enhances penalties as follows. Class B.
- But I guess, as I look at the different increases in terms of penalties.
- And the penalties are just a matter of deterrence.
- Thank you to Senator Flores. to increase the penalty for check theft.
Committee:
Senate Criminal Justice
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on Climate Crisis, Resources, Energy, and Transportation May 13th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Welcome to Assembly Budget Sub 4.
- Is there like a penalty of... Is there like a penalty of, you know, perjury?
- revised budget and schedule.
- of our budget change proposals.
- This is not a budget committee, but I will tell you, I'm on the budget committee.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Thirty Seven - Thursday, March 12
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And, you know, over 10 years, that's probably just a rounding error in a budget."
- And if you're talking about sentencing, sentencing has a range of potential penalties.
- It'll be seniors on fixed budgets, everyday Missourians.
- Yeah, well, we've certainly got the civil penalties.
- Increasing penalties for stopping at a failure to yield in front of a school bus.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Government Contract Review Committee - (3-11-25) - Upon Adjournment
Transcript Highlights:
- He then asked how much civil monetary penalties they have accumulated.
- Senator Meredith asked how much civil monetary penalties have been accumulated.
- </c><00:36:26.560><c> have</c><00:36:26.760><c> we</c> monetary penalties have we monetary penalties
- So when they pay those penalties..." "...those penalties are paid straight to CMS, and this is all over
- Two things: one, exactly how much money is in the account, the civil money penalty account?
Summary:
Chairman Hart called the meeting to order, confirmed a quorum, welcomed Representative Rachel Roarx, and the committee approved the February 11 minutes. The committee then moved through its agenda of PSC and related contract items, including a motion to consider the reviewed contracts without objection. One Department of Highways item was deferred when the virtual representatives were not yet available.
The committee first took up Kentucky Housing Corporation contracts. Members questioned outside legal services for foreclosures and bankruptcies, why the work was not handled entirely in-house, and how much of the workload and cost it represented. Witnesses said the agency’s need was largely geographic rather than a lack of expertise, that less than 1% of the loan portfolio is referred out for foreclosures, and that many fees are reimbursable through FHA. Both Kentucky Housing Corporation items were approved.
The committee then considered a Department for Community Based Services contract tied to a protest and a temporary renewal with PCG. Witnesses said the contract increase was needed to bridge the gap while the protest and RFP process were unresolved, and that the initial vendor received no funds. The committee approved the item, with Senator Douglas explaining his vote as a preference for straightforward answers.
The committee also heard a Northern Kentucky University contract for a Workday ERP replacement, including implementation consulting and separate license fees. University officials explained the move from SAP to Workday, the complexity of the systems, and the need for a consulting partner; they said the total effort would span 10 years and that the contract was priced below comparable institutions. After extensive questioning about cost, budget, and value, the vote ended 4-4 and the chair noted the contract would move forward through the Finance Committee if no disapproval motion was made. Finally, the Office of Inspector General presented a contract for culture change training in nursing facilities funded by civil monetary penalties; witnesses said the goal was to improve staff satisfaction, communication, and resident outcomes, and that the CMP fund balance was about $38 million. Discussion also covered survey backlogs and CMS restrictions on the funds, with the item still under review as the transcript ended.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- While we were working on the budget a year ago, we were making cuts to the HHS budget.
- . budgets. budgets.
- </c> this turns into a snowball of penalty this turns into a snowball of penalty fees<00:47:49.839><c
- </c><01:11:18.960><c> to</c> interest and and penalty charges. to interest and and penalty charges. to
- So, in some cases budget.
Committee:
House Finance
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:31:26.240><c> Death</c> predator death penalty bill. Death predator death penalty bill.
- </c> penalty being on the table is an option. penalty being on the table is an option. Mhm. Mhm.
- Without a death penalty, using a death penalty.
- </c> on the education trust fund budget. on the education trust fund budget.
- The members will vote. material uh if it goes over budget. So material uh if it goes over budget.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2025-01-28 (4:30PM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Provide financial penalties for government officials. K.
- However, there would not be the traditional penalty phase.
- So when we're thinking about the death penalty and we're thinking about the ultimate penalty that someone
- So when we're thinking about the death penalty and we're thinking about the ultimate, the ultimate penalty
- The state could prove in a penalty...
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, pledge, quorum call, approval of the journal, and adoption of the Rules and Ethics Committee’s special order report for the day. The chamber then took up House Bill 1B, the immigration bill, and members were told they would have one opportunity to question the sponsor on both the House version and the anticipated Senate changes. Representative McClure described the bill as a major immigration-enforcement package creating a chief immigration officer housed in the Department of Agriculture, an Office of State Immigration Enforcement, a local law enforcement grant program, a state immigration council, and new penalties and enforcement tools. He also outlined anticipated Senate language, including stronger 287(g) participation requirements, enhanced penalties for unauthorized aliens, a mandatory death penalty provision for certain capital offenses, and additional coordination with federal agencies.
The bill drew extensive questioning from Democrats about due process, constitutional issues, school and workplace impacts, and the treatment of people whose immigration status changes over time. Members asked about birthright citizenship, TPS, asylum seekers, pretrial detention standards, the lawful basis for detaining someone based on suspected status, and whether teachers, social workers, school resource officers, and even children could be required to cooperate with immigration enforcement. McClure and Representative Garrison repeatedly said the bill would require cooperation with federal authorities, that status determinations would be handled under existing court procedures, and that the Senate death-penalty language was intended to fit within Hurst by requiring a jury finding beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant was an unauthorized alien. They also said the bill did not provide DMV funding, did not address teacher shortages, and included appropriations such as $25 million for the local law enforcement participation incentive program and broader funding for enforcement and training.
Several amendments were considered. Representative Chambliss offered an amendment to protect schools, churches, and places of worship from enforcement activity; supporters argued it would preserve trust in sacred and educational spaces, but the amendment failed. Representative Escamani offered an amendment to preserve in-state tuition for Dreamers; supporters emphasized the educational and economic contributions of Dreamers and the hardship of higher tuition, but that amendment also failed. The debate ended with no bill vote in the excerpt, but the House completed the amendment votes and continued consideration of the immigration measure.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development Mar 26th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Today you have the proposed budget that we've been working on drafting in tab one.
- Sarah, I encourage all of you to to to dive in deep into this budget.
- Thank you, Senator Avila and again centers encourage you to please, you know, dig into this budget.
- It also provides penalties for using wireless communication device in a handheld manner in work zones
- I was asking if any of you understood what the penalty was what the penalty was receiving.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Public Safety Committee Mar 10th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- We're not trying to enhance the penalty associated with this ridiculous act.
- Students who continue their education will need to retake classes and may not have budgeted for extra
- Students who continue their education will need to retake classes and may not have budgeted for extra
- The judge is the one that describes penalties.
- We've got to give them the latitude to be serious with those penalties and not limit their ability to
Summary:
The Assembly Standing Committee on Public Safety met with several bills on the agenda, beginning with AB 1741 by Assembly Member Pacheco, which would allow felony prosecution of sexual battery committed during a residential break-in. Supporters, including Riverside County prosecutors and victim services staff, said current law leaves some home-invasion sexual assaults as misdemeanors when intent to commit another felony cannot be proven; opponents from public defender and civil liberties groups argued the bill was unnecessary, vague, and overbroad. After discussion, the committee passed AB 1741 to Appropriations as amended.
The committee then heard AB 1701 by Assembly Member DeMaio, which would bar recall and resentencing for juveniles convicted of school shootings. Supporters framed it as a narrow public-safety measure in response to the Santana High School shooting and the potential resentencing of the shooter; opponents argued it was overly broad, ineffective as deterrence, and inconsistent with juvenile rehabilitation principles. The committee ultimately voted the bill out to Appropriations, but it later failed on the final roll call when members added on their positions.
AB 1743 by Assembly Member Wix proposed allowing local governments, state agencies, and higher education institutions to request firearm trace data from DOJ for research and policy purposes. Supporters said the data could help identify trafficking patterns and inform evidence-based gun violence prevention, while opponents said trace data only shows the first lawful retail sale and could mislead policymakers or burden DOJ. The bill was passed to Appropriations. AB 1716 by Assembly Member Stefani, supported by UC and victim advocates, would let CalVCB reimburse tuition costs for college students whose education is disrupted by sexual violence; it passed to Appropriations after a strong debate over victim compensation. AB 1667 by Assembly Member Burner, adding fentanyl to the serious felony list for furnishing to a minor, also passed after emotional testimony from a bereaved parent and law enforcement support, despite opposition from drug policy and civil liberties groups. The committee adopted a consent calendar including AB 1549, AB 1681, AB 1723, and AB 1737, while AB 1538 and AB 1727 were pulled by their authors. In the final tally, AB 1701 and AB 1723 failed on the floor add-on roll call, while AB 1716, AB 1741, AB 1743, and AB 1667 advanced.
DE
Transcript Highlights:
- HB 134 strengthens Delaware's animal cruelty statute by escalating penalties for repeat offenders and
- We have put together in our budget this year $5 million to cover the cost of this bill.
- It is covered underneath the money that was provided in the budget for the governor this year, yes.
- This $5 million will continue to be provided in the budget going forward. I think that's right.
- Once that is part of the operating budget, it is included in the operating budget going forward.
Committee:
Senate Judiciary
Summary:
The Senate Judiciary Committee met and heard presentations on several bills. House Amendment 1 to Senate Substitute 1 for House Bill 145 would restrict government use of reverse keyword searches, generally prohibiting reverse keyword court orders and voluntary requests, with a narrow exception for Class A violent felony investigations and rules on notice, deletion, and inadmissibility of unlawfully obtained evidence. House Substitute 1 for House Bill 368, with House Amendment 1, would limit Delaware law enforcement and the Department of Correction’s participation in federal civil immigration enforcement, especially regarding civil immigration warrants and detainers, while preserving exceptions for serious offenses and valid judicial processes; the Department of Correction said it had no operational or fiscal impact and supported the exclusions, and an ACLU-affiliated witness testified in support. House Substitute 1 for House Bill 427 would allow certain 16- and 17-year-olds to participate in hunting and target practice without direct adult supervision if they have parental permission, hunter education, and a valid Delaware hunting license. House Bill 355, the “Speak Your Truth Act,” would expand anti-SLAPP-style protections for survivors of sexual assault, discrimination, and harassment by raising the burden in defamation suits and allowing attorney’s fees and damages; advocates from the National Women’s Defense League and the Speak Your Truth movement supported it. House Bill 134 would increase penalties for repeat animal cruelty offenders and lengthen animal ownership bans.
The committee also heard House Bill 133, as amended, which would create a hardship waiver process allowing courts to waive fines and fees for defendants who cannot afford them, while preserving restitution and exempting certain traffic-related penalties and victim compensation assessments. The administration said the bill is intended to address uncollectable debt and noted millions in outstanding fines and fees, while local government and police representatives raised concerns about lost revenue, administrative burden, and consistency; the Fines and Fees Justice Center supported the measure. Committee members asked about how the waiver funding would affect local governments, volunteer fire companies, and related fees, and the administration said the $5 million budgeted this year would cover the waiver costs and be treated as an annual expense going forward. No committee votes were taken during the excerpted discussion, but the chair indicated that bills ready for action would be circulated for signature or moved to the floor.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Special Committee on Property Tax Reform Mar 12th, 2026
Special Committee on Property Tax Reform
Transcript Highlights:
- I think the committee budget chair told me that there's going to be $20 million remaining in that fund
- head down on my pillow, and I looked at the clock, and it was one minute till one this morning, so budget
- I was not on the budget committee, but my head might have hit the pillow closer to 1 a.m. than was prudent
- The difference is they're going to get hit with a 9% penalty after they're three months out.
- With a 9% penalty after they're three months out, and then a 2% every month penalty up to 18% for the
Summary:
The Special Committee on Property Tax Reform met in executive session and considered three measures. House Bill 3354 was amended to clarify language concerning the blind pension fund rate, with members discussing whether the revised rate would be 2.75 cents and whether the fund would remain adequately supported. The committee adopted the amendment, rolled it into a substitute, and then voted the House Committee Substitute for HB 3354 do pass by a 13-0 roll call.
The committee then took up House Bill 2925, which had been narrowed to standardized ballot language for property tax-related elections after removing the original November election scheduling requirement. Members discussed the purpose of the change, the different vote thresholds for bond issues in various election types, and concerns about whether the ballot language problem actually existed. The substitute was adopted, and House Committee Substitute Number Two for HB 2925 was voted do pass by 12-1, with Representative Hales voting no.
Finally, the committee considered House Bills 3253 and 3254 together, but the substitute focused on a smaller set of provisions: assessor training, monthly installment payments, partial payment during appeal, and electronic records/electronic communication options. The most detailed discussion concerned the revised appeal-payment process, which would let taxpayers pay last year’s amount while appealing, then settle the balance within 30 days after resolution, with interest tied to CPI or 5 percent and a $10 fee to offset revenue that would otherwise go to certain funds. The substitute was adopted, and the House Committee Substitute for HB 3253 and HB 3254 was reported do pass unanimously, after which the committee adjourned.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Instead, it should be a budgeting decision based on context.
- So the governor's budget has cut over 1,000 FTEs.
- The adjustment in this budget, the governor's budget, does not result in layoffs of state workers.
- So there's a right way and a wrong way to budget.
- Budgeting with full context and full information is the right way.
Summary:
The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, a roll call showing 29 present, and several guest introductions, including Scout groups from Phoenix/Levine, Dr. John Galgiani for Valley Fever Awareness, and Dr. Sarah Lee Davidson as Doctor of the Day. Senator Kavanagh read a proclamation recognizing Valley Fever Awareness and the work of the University of Arizona’s Valley Fever Center for Excellence. The chamber also adopted a death resolution for Victor E. Hardy and observed a moment of silence.
The Committee of the Whole considered SB 1036 on unemployment insurance, SB 1056 on reporting vacant state positions, SB 1236 on AHCCCS enrollment verification and presumptive eligibility, and SB 1238 on the physician assistant licensure compact. SB 1036, SB 1056, and SB 1238 were approved in Committee of the Whole, with SB 1036 and SB 1238 amended. During floor debate, SB 1036 drew criticism from Democrats as adding burdens and reducing benefits for unemployed workers, while supporters said it was aimed at preventing fraud; it later passed the Senate 17-12. SB 1056 also passed 17-12 after debate over whether automatic elimination of long-vacant positions would improve efficiency or harm agency staffing. SB 1238 passed with a conforming amendment and later the House version HB 2190 was substituted and passed.
The Senate then took up several third-reading bills. SB 1126 on educational records passed 29-0. SB 1189 on campaign expenditures passed 27-2 after debate about political violence and campaign-related expenses. SB 1211 on sentencing passed 29-0. The chamber also reconsidered and substituted House bills for identical Senate bills: HB 2206 for SB 1333 and HB 2396 for SB 1368, both related to SNAP. HB 2206 passed 17-12 after debate over a proposed SNAP error-rate penalty and its impact on food access, and HB 2396 passed 17-12 after debate over restricting SNAP purchases. Finally, HB 2796 was substituted for SB 1236 and passed after debate over AHCCCS enrollment barriers. The Senate adjourned until Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Instead, it should be a budgeting decision based on context.
- So the governor's budget has cut over 1,000 FTEs.
- The adjustment in this budget, the governor's budget, does not result in layoffs of state workers.
- So there's a right way and a wrong way to budget.
- Budgeting with full context and full information is the right way.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Finance Chair Joan Huffman, for finding the $699 million that we have out of the $700 million budget.
- Our budget from the Finance Chair was $700 million.
- And then the last one that I think there was a concern was removing the disability penalty.
- Are you familiar with that disability penalty?
- Adopt their budgets and tax rates before entering the election cycle.
Bills:
SJR12 , SJR81 , SCR39 , SB22 , SB32 , SB241 , SB393 , SB414 , SB458 , SB464 , SB568 , SB583 , SB609 , SB660 , SB693 , SB731 , SB732 , SB746 , SB783 , SB785 , SB897 , SB993 , SB996 , SB1008 , SB1029 , SB1035 , SB1036 , SB1120 , SB1122 , SB1147 , SB1163 , SB1188 , SB1197 , SB1209 , SB1227 , SB1245 , SB1267 , SB1307 , SB1321 , SB1332 , SB1386 , SB1394 , SB1396 , SB1470 , SB1494 , SB1537 , SB1596 , SB1598 , SB1610 , SB1664 , SB1814 , SB1822 , SB1841 , SB1948 , SB2065 , SB2155 , SB2406 , SB2407
Summary:
The Senate opened with a quorum call, invocation, approval of routine motions, and the reading of gubernatorial nominations and several honorary resolutions. The chamber adopted resolutions recognizing Jack and Jill of America Day and DJ Daniel Day at the Capitol, with multiple senators offering remarks praising youth leadership, perseverance, and public service. The Senate also introduced the Doctor of the Day and then proceeded to a long series of floor actions on bills.
A major focus was Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 568, which overhauls special education funding and services in public schools by moving from a placement-based model to an intensity-based system tied to student needs and IEPs. Senators Bettencourt, Creighton, and Menendez emphasized transparency, parent input, evaluation funding, dyslexia services, and better alignment of funding with actual services; Senator Hinojosa shared a personal story about dyslexia and the importance of early intervention. The bill was advanced on second and third reading and finally passed 30-0. The Senate also passed SB 1396 to prohibit national sex education standards in public schools, SB 2065 on the Texas Emergency Services Retirement System, SB 1664 requiring clearer public disclosure of transmission and distribution utility rate changes, SB 1029 on advertising certain used motor vehicles, SB 1120 expanding rights for family violence victims, SB 1036 regulating residential solar retail transactions, SB 464 creating school-proximity restrictions and penalties for tobacco and vaping sales, SB 1035 giving farmers and ranchers equitable relief from certain local agricultural regulations, SB 1610 addressing civil commitment facility safety and prosecution issues, SB 1197 extending drone restrictions to spaceports, and SB 1386 changing legislative witness immunity from transactional to testimonial immunity.
Another major bill was Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1188, which updates electronic health record requirements. Senator Kolkhorst said the bill builds on Texas medical privacy law by requiring U.S.-based storage of EMR data, prohibiting recording of voter registration status and credit score information, requiring provider verification and disclosure for AI-assisted diagnosis or treatment recommendations, preserving parental access to minors’ records until age 18, and ensuring EMRs can capture metabolic health and biological sex information. A floor amendment clarified the bill’s scope and enforcement, and the bill passed 23-7. Several measures drew debate, especially SB 414 on bond ballot transparency, where Senators Eckhardt and Menendez questioned whether requiring estimated interest and total debt cost on ballots could be misleading or difficult to implement because interest rates and financing terms can change before issuance or over time. The transcript ends during that discussion, with no final action shown on SB 414.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
JDC, JDC DEFER Public Hearings 03-24-2026
Transcript Highlights:
- This is the judiciary budget for the fiscal year beginning; it's a supplemental budget.
- - It would be, in a sense, an increase, but our budget request for $574,000 and change for substance
- If you don't file your report on Time, yes. - You're just like a $200 penalty no matter what. - Yes.
- Are your administrative penalties precluded at that point? - No, I don't believe they are.
- This is the Judiciary's supplemental budget for the year.
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee heard and acted on several nominations and bills. It first recommended advise and consent for Governor’s Message 573, confirming Luann Blake to the Statewide Elections Accessibility Needs Advisory Committee after she described her experience as a blind voter and her goals of improving outreach and accessibility for voters with print disabilities. The committee then took up the judiciary supplemental budget bill, HB 2095, with testimony from the courts and several supportive organizations. The courts requested funding for security, cybersecurity, substance use treatment contracts, public guardian services, staffing, and capital projects; members questioned the lump-sum CIP request, the substance use contract funding, and the Kamanu Hale elevator project. The committee later voted to pass HB 2095 with amendments, including changes to cybersecurity funding, security-related report language, and other committee-report notes.
The committee also heard HB 1520, which changes the five-year statute of limitations for criminal prosecutions of campaign finance violations to begin upon discovery by the Campaign Spending Commission. The commission supported the bill, saying it would prevent delayed reporting from avoiding prosecution, while one senator raised concerns about due diligence, tolling, and the difference between administrative and criminal enforcement. The bill drew broad support from advocacy groups and was advanced with an amendment clarifying “criminal prosecution.” HB 1548, which reduces the maximum sentence for misdemeanors and other offenses punishable by up to one year to 364 days, received strong support from the Public Defender, immigrant-rights groups, OHA, and others, who said the change would reduce immigration consequences for noncitizens. The committee later amended and passed the bill, limiting it to non-violent offenses.
HB 2050, increasing partial public financing limits and available public funds, was supported by the Campaign Spending Commission and good-government groups, while OHA asked for parity with lieutenant governor races. The committee passed it with amendments increasing the public-fund match and funding levels, and requested additional appropriations in the committee report. HB 2494, which would set factors for warrantless arrests for petty misdemeanors and violations and require documentation of the justification, drew strong support from the Public Defender and civil-liberties advocates but opposition from the Attorney General’s office, prosecutors, police, and some business groups, who warned it would restrict officer discretion and trigger litigation. The committee nevertheless passed it with amendments. In a final decision-making agenda, the committee also passed HB 2250 with amendments, adding blank appropriations and committee-report language related to claims against the state, including claims involving exonerees and a disputed USEPA-related claim.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development Mar 26th, 2025
Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- Members, today you have the proposed budget that we've been working on, drafting in tab one.
- I encourage all of you to dive in deep into this budget.
- We've developed a good government budget that provides for the transportation, tourism, and economic
- And again, senators, I encourage you to please dig into this budget and we will, of course, answer any
- The penalty for receiving a second distracted driving ticket in the state of Florida is $60.
Summary:
The committee first reviewed the fiscal year 2025-2026 budget proposal for transportation, tourism, and economic development, which totals about $18 billion and includes major funding for the Department of Transportation work program, Visit Florida, affordable housing, library/cultural/historical initiatives, National Guard tuition assistance, and Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles needs. Members approved staff technical adjustments and then adopted the budget proposal as a recommendation to the full Senate Appropriations Committee.
The committee then heard and approved CS/SB 666, which creates a specialty license plate for the Miami Northwestern Alumni Association, with proceeds supporting scholarships and school academic, athletic, and arts programs. CS/SB 1318, the hands-free driving bill, drew extensive testimony from the sponsor, law enforcement, advocates, and victims’ families. Supporters argued it would create a clearer, easier-to-enforce prohibition on holding a wireless device while driving and help reduce crashes and deaths; some senators raised concerns about enforcement, privacy, and impacts on drivers with older vehicles, but the bill was reported favorably.
The committee also approved SB 1408, designating memorial highways for Tampa Police Officer Jesse Madsen and Charlotte County Sergeant Elio Diaz, and SB 1516, which would create the International Aerospace Innovation Fund administered by Space Florida to support partnerships between Florida and international aerospace companies. Both bills had supportive testimony and no opposition noted. The meeting ended with adjournment after the final votes.