Transcript Highlights:

• Shalant County has foregone one year of preservation and then modified our preservation program to be
• In addition, they are cutting their preservation in half.
• In addition, they do have, they're cutting their preservation in half.
• Instead of new dollars, those dollars are coming out of our current preservation programs.
• Are coming out of our current preservation programs.

Summary: The committee first heard an update on the Joint Transportation Committee study of transportation impacts if the Lower Snake River dams were removed. WSDOT and Jacobs described the study’s phases, including current work on geology, infrastructure risk, and a total logistics cost model. They explained that the study is examining how freight now moved by barge—especially wheat, fertilizer, and wood—could shift to rail and roads, and they outlined several scenarios ranging from no-dam future conditions to new unit-train terminals, short-line rail options, and a combined “many solutions” scenario. Members asked about irrigation, impacts in Idaho and Oregon, port capacity, emissions, competition, EV trucks, and whether the model could estimate transportation effects if grain volumes decline. The presenters said the study assumes current production levels continue, does not model irrigation changes or broader farm-economics impacts, but does account for transloading costs and can estimate transportation impacts under different volume assumptions. WSU’s independent review team said the model has improved substantially but still needed refinement, especially in routing, road data, and spatial detail, and that stakeholder engagement had been strong though delayed by model development. No votes were taken. The committee then received a presentation on the alternative sidewalk funding study. Staff and consultants said the study is exploring ways local governments could sustainably fund sidewalk maintenance, repair, and new construction, using a statewide survey, interviews, national research, and case studies in eight jurisdictions. They noted sidewalks are important for pedestrian safety and connectivity, but there is no dedicated funding source in Washington, and existing grants and local revenue tools are highly competitive or limited. The consultants highlighted sidewalk fees or utility-style charges as the most promising option to study, while a parcel tax was largely set aside because of state property-tax uniformity concerns. Members asked whether the study would duplicate existing funding or add to current taxes, and how a sidewalk fee would be collected; the consultants said the goal is to expand local options, not mandate adoption, and that fees would likely be billed through utilities rather than property taxes. A preliminary draft report is due December 15, with a final report due in mid-June. Next, staff gave a brief update on the ocean-going vessels study, which is examining shore power and emissions rules for vessels at berth. The presenter explained that federal Clean Air Act rules and California waiver authority create legal limits on how far Washington can go if it wants to adopt similar standards, and that deviations from California’s approach can increase litigation risk. The report will summarize stakeholder outreach and will be presented in draft form at the next JTC meeting. Finally, county engineers from Chelan and Douglas counties began a presentation on county transportation challenges, with the association’s director emphasizing collaboration with state agencies and local partners on issues such as fish passage barriers and infrastructure needs. The county presentation was only beginning when the transcript ended, and no committee action or votes were recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• It reflected the enduring strength, prayers, and determination of the Diné people to preserve, perpetuate
• recognize Diné College as a powerful reflection of the Navajo Nation's continued commitment to preserving
• recognize Diné College as a powerful reflection of the Navajo Nation's continued commitment to preserving
• And whereas Arizona proudly claims the longest drivable and continuously preserved stretch of historic
• and supported Arizona's historic Route 66. ...individuals who have preserved and supported Arizona's

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislation modifies Missouri's Local Historic Preservation Act to clarify that in certain large
• I guess the concern I have is, well, one, there's been a lot of historic preservation in Kansas City,
• I guess the concern I have is, well, one, there's been a lot of historic preservation in Kansas City,
• And I want historic preservation just like you, and I love our city.
• But I think it's what is, as Americans and Missourians, what is the best way to preserve life, liberty

Summary: The Commerce Committee met with quorum and first took up several bills in executive session. It adopted a House committee substitute for House Bill 2080 and then voted the substitute do pass on a 6-2 roll call. The committee also voted House Bill 1745 do pass by 6-2 and House Bill 3230 do pass unanimously, 8-0. HB 2080 was described as a proposal related to state investment in cryptocurrency, including Bitcoin, other crypto and stablecoins, with a trigger tied to constitutional changes and language allowing staking of assets. In public hearing, House Bill 3490, sponsored by Rep. Mike Jones, would modify Missouri’s Local Historic Preservation Act so that in certain large cities, property owned by public or private colleges and universities could not be designated as historic landmarks by local commissions. Supporters argued the bill would protect property rights and allow universities to develop campus property, while opponents and some members said it appeared aimed at a specific Kansas City dispute and could be overbroad or an overreach into local historic preservation. No one testified in formal support or opposition, and the hearing closed without action. The committee then heard House Bill 3316, a Department of Revenue cleanup bill sponsored by Rep. Jeff Knight. The department said it would simplify vehicle registration and titling, including flat registration fees instead of horsepower-based fees, changes to alternative fuel decals, disabled placards, Real ID document retention, out-of-state vehicle tax collection, legal-name titling, higher late-registration penalties, and ending even-odd year registration. Members asked about water-damaged titles, dealer plate thresholds, emissions inspections, and temporary tags; the department and sponsor said they were open to amendments on some points. Copart testified in informational support, asking that resale exemptions remain intact. The committee then heard House Bill 3027, also by Rep. Knight, which would create tax incentives for companies producing critical minerals, materials, and certain pharmaceuticals in Missouri. The sponsor and supporters said the bill was aimed at reducing dependence on foreign supply chains and encouraging mining and processing in-state; a chemical manufacturer suggested tightening the bill by making credits nontransferable and tying them to actual production and profitability, and the Missouri Chamber supported the concept. After the hearings, the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• DAHP is required to develop minimum standards for preservation in consultation with federally recognized
• DAP is required to develop minimum standards for preservation in consultation with federally recognized
• So this establishes new requirements for the Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation to help
• To address county concerns while preserving the bill's intent, we recommend two changes.
• Although I recognize that the tribe's desire to preserve their heritage, this bill will not do it.

Bills: SB5609, SB6284

Keywords: cultural resources, land use, environmental policy, exemptions, state laws, artificial intelligence, consumer protection, regulation, data privacy, technological impacts, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But it does so in a manner that preserves flexibility in the face of tremendous uncertainty and threats
• LGBT health services, preserved Medi-Cal, reducing and delaying further harm, defended dental care, and
• Thank you to every single person, and every organization, who helped preserve critical services in this
• If you truly want to preserve our safety net, if you truly want to preserve our rural hospitals, if you
• truly want to preserve IHSS and developmental services and all the things you spoke about today, you

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call and proceeded to floor business, with the main item being SB 101, the state budget bill. Before debate on the bill, Assembly Member Sanchez offered amendments to redirect funding toward Proposition 36 implementation, wildfire prevention, Medi-Cal provider reimbursement, developmental services, and other priorities; the majority moved to lay those amendments on the table, and the motion passed 43-18. The chamber then took up SB 101 as the budget bill for immediate effect. Debate on the budget was extensive and sharply divided. Supporters, including Assembly Member Gabriel and several committee chairs, described the budget as a difficult but responsible compromise that protects Medi-Cal, IHSS, child care, housing, wildfire prevention, and other safety-net programs while responding to a projected deficit and federal uncertainty. Opponents criticized the budget as fiscally unsound and argued it relied on accounting gimmicks, did not adequately fund Proposition 36 or wildfire prevention, and continued spending on high-speed rail and Medi-Cal coverage for undocumented immigrants. Several members also raised concerns about gas taxes, provider reimbursement, probation funding, and the impact on vulnerable Californians. After debate, the Assembly voted on SB 101 and passed it 57-19. The measure was sent immediately to the Senate. The body then announced upcoming session schedules, with no floor or check-in sessions on June 14 and 15, and a floor session set for June 16 at 1 p.m., before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• not a commonly known program but it's very important when the state decided prioritizing wetland preservation
• and restoration was wetland preservation and restoration was a<00:03:39.440><c> state</c><00:03:39.760
• <00:47:51.599><c> and</c><00:47:51.920><c> construction</c><00:47:52.400><c> of</c> preservation and
• Uh as you know our asset preservation.
• And preserving these assets is a fiscally responsible move.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm grateful for your support of the agency-based programs that create and preserve housing opportunities
• homeownership investments outlined in House File 2445 and your commitment to expand production and preservation
• Our organization works to preserve and expand affordable homeownership through resident-owned manufactured
• Affordable housing in the state costs an average of $25,000 per unit to stabilize and preserve a home
• payment assistance to complement this new home loan—are a powerful and cost-effective strategy to preserve

Transcript Highlights:

• And yes, you want to preserve. Yes, you want to protect, perpetuate. You also want to manage.
• My wife and I are actually also farmers on a piece of ground preserved by Thurston County Conservation
• We've preserved nearly 4,000 acres of farmland primarily in the Puget Sound region and we've leveraged
• They've used their conservation futures funds to preserve farmland.
• I'll talk about the importance of adding to preserve farmland.

Bills: SB5838, SB5960, SB6097

Keywords: tribal representation, natural resources, board of natural resources, environmental policy, community involvement, ungulate populations, wildlife management, habitat restoration, conservation, sustainability, Indian tribes, conservation futures program, federal recognition, environmental protection, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• credits are released, based on the historical record of performance by mitigation bankers as they preserve
• Remember, these banks, the way the model is, this land is preserved in perpetuity.
• It may not make sense to preserve that one small area.
• It's product, and then take the acreage that's the subject of the conservation easement, preserve it
• somewhere else, so we're still preserving on a one-for-one basis.

Summary: The Natural Resources and Disaster Subcommittee heard and acted on several bills related to wetlands, emergency management, fishing licenses, disaster recovery, the Florida Keys, brownfields, wastewater treatment, and spring protection. HB 1175 on mitigation banking drew the most discussion, with supporters saying it would create more predictable release of mitigation credits and help address shortages, while opponents warned it could weaken watershed-based wetland protection and allow credits to be used farther from the impact site. The committee adopted a strike-all amendment making the changes prospective after July 1, 2025, and then reported the bill favorably with committee substitute by a 12-3 vote. The committee also considered HB 1535, a broad emergency management strike-all that would expand local storm-preparedness information, debris removal coordination, shelter planning, permitting procedures after storms, limits on post-storm fee increases and moratoria, and changes to election procedures after disasters. Members raised questions about FEMA coordination, shelter standards, impact fees, and the 100-mile post-storm land-use restrictions. After adopting the strike-all, the bill was reported favorably with committee substitute on a 17-0 vote. HB 673, which would extend the same fishing-license convenience to freshwater guides that saltwater captains already have, and HB 705, which extends a public-records exemption for disaster recovery assistance applicants, were both reported favorably without amendment. Later, the committee approved HB 995 for the Florida Keys, which combines affordable-housing incentives, a Habitat for Humanity bond exemption, an extension of the Florida Keys Stewardship Act, and a modest increase in hurricane evacuation time to allow additional residential permits; it was reported favorably on a unanimous vote. HB 733 on brownfields received a technical strike-all and was also reported favorably. HB 645 creating a general permit for distributed wastewater treatment systems passed unanimously, and HB 691 on a reclaimed-water project tied to Outstanding Florida Springs passed 16-1 after concerns were raised about cost, water quality, and whether the bill could broaden the intent of existing spring-protection law. The meeting adjourned after all agenda items were completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• The operating account has some language on preserve or increase, or both, greenhouse gas sequestration
• storage benefits and forests; this would change the word preserve to retain.
• to the carbon emissions reduction account, or CERA, for transportation infrastructure painting, preservation
• actually be able to be used to preserve, make repairs, and improve against climate forces that have
• That will free up our tax dollars to be able to do more to preserve our roads and our bridges, and make

Bills: HB2092, HB2114, HB2172, HB2251, HB2374, HB2410, HB2552, HB2588, HB2718, HB2722, HB2727

Keywords: passenger rail, transportation, committee, advisory, infrastructure, defective license plates, vehicle registration, Department of Licensing, state regulations, route jurisdiction, abandonment, local governance, climate change, commitment act, emission reductions, sustainability, environmental policy, electric bicycles, electric motorcycles, regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• interpreting and restore natural cultural while preserving interpreting and restore natural cultural
• Our state parks are managed in a way that preserve them for enjoyment about this in our future generations
• It's quite a balancing act, but active management Park resources is important to ensuring the preservation
• At Allen, David Broussard, Catfish Creek Preserve State Park.
• Cultural resource management is being used to function, projects to maintain, preserve, and restore 6

Transcript Highlights:

• Preserve the independent Soil and Water Conservation Commission agency reporting to germane committees
• ensure that the money that's coming to Swin and Water Conservation Commission today continues to preserve
• Preserve the Independent Soilwater Conservation Commission Agency reporting to Jermaine Committees in
• So that's one concern: there's a number of other things that the Commission does regarding preserving
• in that section around the Soil and Water Conservation Commission, the non-regulatory language is preserved

Summary: The House Agricultural Affairs Committee approved the February 10, 2026 minutes and then introduced RS 331-92, a proposal by Rep. VanderWater to allow additional milk-testing quality categories to be set by rule between producers and buyers. VanderWater said the measure would give the Department of Agriculture flexibility to address testing issues beyond butterfat, protein, and somatic cell counts, including possible bacteria-related standards. Members asked whether organic dairy would be included, and he said it would apply to dairy sold to processors. The motion to introduce the RS passed unanimously. The committee then heard a detailed presentation from Matt Weaver of the Idaho Soil and Water Conservation Commission and Brian Keekley of the Langdon Group on a proposed merger of the Soil and Water Conservation Commission into the Idaho Department of Water Resources. They described a months-long evaluation process that included stakeholder interviews, a survey, a workshop, and a final report. The presenters said the recommended structure would keep the commission’s board and mission intact while moving support functions into IDWR, preserving local conservation district autonomy, maintaining the commission’s branding and non-regulatory identity, protecting funding, and creating a formal partnership framework to guard against enforcement or policy conflicts. Members generally expressed support for the proposal’s sideboards and the involvement of local districts. Questions focused on how the merger framework would be implemented and when. Weaver said Senate Concurrent Resolution 115 and House Bill 503 were the main legislative vehicles, with additional statutory cleanup and a combined budget expected for the 2027 session, along with a memorandum of understanding between the agencies. Committee members indicated they were comfortable with the legislation coming before them as early as Monday. The meeting concluded with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Preserve the independent Soil and Water Conservation Commission agency reporting to germane committees
• Preserve the Independent Soilwater Conservation Commission Agency reporting to Jermaine Committees in
• concern is that there's a number of other things that this, that the Commission does regarding preserving
• in that section around the Soil and Water Conservation Commission, the non-regulatory language is preserved
• in that section around the Soil and Water Conservation Commission, the non-regulatory language is preserved

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The House Agricultural Affairs Committee approved its February 10, 2026 minutes and welcomed a group of BYU-Idaho agribusiness students. The committee then introduced RS 331-92, a proposal by Rep. VanderWater to allow the Department of Agriculture and milk buyers/sellers to establish additional milk-testing categories beyond the current statutory measures of butterfat, protein, and somatic cell count. VanderWater said the change would give parties flexibility to set testing rules, including for bacteria-related testing, and members noted the bill could affect organic dairies as well. The RS was introduced without opposition. The committee also received a detailed presentation from Matt Weaver of the Idaho Soil and Water Conservation Commission and Brian Keekley of the Langdon Group on a yearlong evaluation of merging the Soil and Water Conservation Commission into the Idaho Department of Water Resources. They described a process that included stakeholder interviews, a public survey, a workshop, and a final report involving 48 individuals from 25 organizations, with input from conservation districts, state agencies, and federal partners. The presenters said the evaluation recommended IDWR as the appropriate home for the commission, citing overlapping administrative functions, water-related work, and opportunities for shared technical and career resources. The presenters emphasized several proposed safeguards if a merger moves forward: preserving the commission’s non-regulatory mission and branding, retaining local conservation district autonomy, protecting funding and staff, maintaining the current relationship with conservation districts and NRCS, and formalizing a partnership framework to prevent regulatory confusion. They said the commission board would continue in statute, with the IDWR director serving as a nonvoting member and the commission chair serving as a liaison to the Idaho Water Resource Board. Members generally expressed support for the process and the proposed sideboards, and asked about stakeholder involvement and timing. Weaver said Senate Concurrent Resolution 115 and House Bill 503 are the next legislative steps, with additional statutory review, a memorandum of understanding, and a combined budget expected to follow; the committee indicated it was comfortable considering the measures as early as the following Monday.

Transcript Highlights:

• In many cases, they were established directly by voters, such as the Marion County Farmland Preservation
• So we have to be careful in coming up with something that is not overly prescriptive so that it preserves
• Also, preserving the ability to address compatibility through conditions at the site plan approval stage
• Marion County does have a farmland preservation area. It's 165,000 acres.
• And so I understand the need for preservation. And so I understand the need for preservation.

Summary: The Committee on Community Affairs met with a quorum present and heard three bills. First, the committee considered Senator Osgood’s home hardening products bill (CS/SB 78). The sponsor offered and the committee adopted a strike-all amendment that changed the sales tax exemption for impact-resistant doors and windows into a refund program. The refund is limited to homeowners with site-built homesteads valued at $700,000 or less, requires application to the Department of Revenue with proof of eligibility, caps the refundable tax at $500,000 per property, and runs for two years beginning July 1, 2026. The bill, as amended, was reported favorably after a roll call vote. The committee then took up Senator McLean’s land use and development regulations bill (SB 208), which would redefine compatibility, define infill residential development, allow administrative approval in certain cases, and set standards for local development-related fees. Members and stakeholders discussed concerns about the compatibility definition, the scope of administrative approval, and whether 100 acres is too large to qualify as infill. Testimony came from Audubon Florida, the Florida Association of Counties, the Florida League of Cities, Highland Homes, 1,000 Friends of Florida, and others, with supporters emphasizing housing supply and affordability and opponents warning about sprawl, reduced public participation, and impacts to rural lands and the Florida Wildlife Corridor. The sponsor said he would continue working on the language, and the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard Senator Truenow’s bill on special assessments for recreational vehicle parks (SB 118). The bill clarifies that if a local government levies a special assessment on an RV park space or campsite, the assessment may not exceed the maximum square footage allowed for an RV site. An amendment clarified that maximum as 400 square feet, resolving confusion about the cross-reference in current law. After brief discussion and one appearance form in support, the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• In many cases, they were established directly by voters, such as the Marion County Farmland Preservation
• So we have to be careful in coming up with something that is not overly prescriptive so that it preserves
• Also, preserving the ability to address compatibility through conditions at the site plan approval stage
• So Marion County does have a farmland preservation area. It's 165,000 acres.
• And so I understand the need for preservation. And so I understand the need for preservation.

Summary: The Committee on Community Affairs met with a quorum present and heard three bills. First, the committee considered Senator Osgood’s home hardening products bill (CS/SB 78). An amendment was adopted that changed the sales tax exemption for impact-resistant doors and windows into a refund process, limited eligibility to homeowners with site-built homesteads valued at $700,000 or less, capped the refundable tax at $500,000 per property, and set the refund period for two years beginning July 1, 2026. After the amendment, the bill was reported favorably. The committee then took up Senator McClain’s SB 208 on land use and development regulations. The bill would define compatibility and infill residential development, allow administrative approval of certain infill projects, and set standards for local development-related fees. Several members and stakeholders discussed possible changes to the compatibility and fee provisions. Testimony included opposition from Audubon Florida, the Florida Association of Counties, the Florida League of Cities, and 1,000 Friends of Florida, who raised concerns about sprawl, public participation, the 100-acre infill threshold, and impacts on rural lands and the Florida Wildlife Corridor. Support came from Highland Homes and several groups that waived in support, including AARP, the Florida Chamber of Commerce, and Associated Industries of Florida. The bill was reported favorably after debate. Finally, the committee heard Senator Trumbull’s SB 118 on special assessments for recreational vehicle parks. The bill clarifies that if a local government levies a special assessment on an RV park space or campsite, the assessed square footage cannot exceed the maximum square footage allowed for a recreational vehicle. An amendment clarified the maximum square footage as 400 square feet. After brief discussion and no opposition, the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• You may know that we are charged with preserving many of the records that are in our office, and the
• thought was to increase our ability to preserve those records.
• The idea behind this bill was to increase our fees so that we could enable us to preserve the historical
• records that we're charged with preserving.
• between the Children's Fund advocate, the filing fees that the clerk uses that are dedicated to preserving

Transcript Highlights:

• But I remain incredibly thankful and incredibly proud of the way that we are preserving health care right
• But I want to talk a little bit about how we're preserving affordability in this budget, because I also
• But I want to talk a little bit about how we're preserving affordability in this budget, because I also
• We want to express our appreciation to you, this body, and your staff for the work in preserving the
• Preserving health coverage is a primary policy objective we all share, and we appreciate your efforts

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee met to consider the final three-party agreement for the 2026-27 state budget and 19 implementing bills, including two budget bill juniors and 17 trailer bills. Committee leadership and administration officials described the budget as a balanced plan that reduces out-year structural deficits, maintains large reserves, and makes major investments in health care, education, housing, child care, public safety, and other core services while also responding to expected federal cuts and fiscal uncertainty. The Department of Finance outlined the package’s major components, including Medi-Cal adjustments, education funding increases, higher education changes, child care and human services updates, housing and homelessness funding, energy and transportation provisions, and tax and general government changes. Members asked questions about several provisions, including CSU enrollment targets and turnaround plans, the Prop. 98 settle-up mechanism, the plastics market development payment program, housing accountability measures, NextGen 9-1-1 implementation, and veteran services. Staff and administration witnesses explained that the higher education language is intended to improve campus-by-campus reporting and oversight, that Prop. 98 settle-up would be finalized later through the statutory certification process, and that NextGen 9-1-1 now includes one-time funding, quarterly reporting, an independent technical review, and a state audit. Members also discussed the HAP homelessness funding increase to $900 million and the balance between accountability and timely distribution of funds. The most extended exchange centered on comparisons between funding for veterans and Medi-Cal/immigrant health coverage. Republican members argued the budget spends far more on undocumented immigrant services than on veterans, while Democratic members and Finance staff responded that the comparison was misleading because many veterans’ services are federally funded and the state budget also includes dedicated veteran support. The chair and other members emphasized that the budget reflects difficult tradeoffs and that the package protects vulnerable populations, preserves health care access, and advances affordability. No final vote was described in the excerpt, but members indicated support for the overall package and said they would support it on the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• It preserves current child care slots and adds 22,770 new child care slots in 2026-27.
• Fiscal discipline matters, so preserving $36.5 billion in reserves is critical, especially considering
• This action preserves a range of critical positions, including those for game wardens.
• And finally, I support the budget's efforts to preserve...
• And finally, I support the budget's efforts to preserve access to health care for some of California's

Summary: The Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee heard AB 109, the Budget Act of 2026, as the main item. Committee leaders described the legislative budget agreement as a balanced two-year plan with about $355.9 billion in total spending, $253 billion from the General Fund, and $36.5 billion in reserves. The Legislative Analyst and Department of Finance said the package assumes about $5.5 billion in higher revenues than the May Revision and uses those resources for a mix of spending changes, including higher Proposition 98 support, additional child care slots, housing and homelessness funding, delayed Medi-Cal reductions, and added support for counties, public hospitals, and distressed hospitals. The administration said the plan resembles the May Revision’s overall structure but includes new spending and revenue assumptions, and members noted that separate revenue trailer bills would be heard later in the week. Much of the committee discussion focused on Medi-Cal, H.R. 1, and the impact on immigrants, low-income workers, counties, and hospitals. Several senators criticized the budget for locking in savings from delayed or reduced Medi-Cal coverage and for not including a mechanism to restore eligibility, while administration and LAO staff said the package delays some reductions but does not automatically reinstate coverage. Finance staff said roughly 1.5 million to 2 million people with unsatisfactory immigration status would move from managed care to fee-for-service, with coverage largely unchanged except for certain services not federally allowed. Members also discussed county administrative funding, indigent care, public hospital support, and the expected rise in uncompensated care. Other topics included In-Home Supportive Services, child care, homelessness funding, Prop. 36, courthouse construction and new judgeships, transit and cap-and-invest/GGRF funding, local journalism, and workforce or reentry programs. Committee members split along party lines in their comments. Democratic members generally supported the agreement as a difficult but responsible compromise that protects core services, preserves reserves, and makes targeted investments in education, housing, health care, and justice system capacity. Republican members argued the budget relies on unrealistic revenue assumptions, does not sufficiently reduce spending, and includes costly policy choices and tax increases. Public testimony largely came from advocates and stakeholders who supported IHSS, Medi-Cal, child care, domestic violence services, hospitals, transit, and other programs, while some business and health plan representatives raised concerns about tax proposals and the shift from managed care to fee-for-service. The chair then moved the committee to public comment and indicated that the revenue bills would return later in the week; no final vote on AB 109 is reflected in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We believe that there should be some preservation of the current safe harbor process.
• At the same time, we must preserve the gains made under the existing California Voting Rights Act.
• At the same time, we must preserve the gains made under the existing California Voting Rights Act.
• We must preserve the gains made under the existing California Voting Rights Act.
• So obviously, the intent of this bill is to preserve, you know, our elections.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Department of State's legislative budget request helps preserve Florida's history and heritage and
• One of our missions at the Department of State is to preserve 14,000 years of human habitation in Florida
• , and these funds will preserve and maintain historic properties throughout the state.
• Preservation network.
• We are required by law to do maintenance and preservation before any new capacity.

Bills: S0048

Keywords: housing, accessory dwelling units, affordable housing, local government, zoning regulations, military families, density bonus, homeownership, property taxes, 999, senate, all

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development heard the Governor’s proposed FY 2026-27 budget for the TED silo and presentations from Commerce, Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Military Affairs, the State Guard, State, Transportation, and Emergency Management. The Governor’s office outlined a $117.4 billion overall budget, including $18.3 billion for TED agencies, with major allocations for FDOT, Commerce, emergency management, tourism, military affairs, and state operations. Agency heads emphasized priorities such as housing and disaster recovery, workforce and rural infrastructure, law enforcement recruitment, defense support, tourism marketing, aerospace and spaceport investment, election audits, historic preservation, road and bridge maintenance, aviation safety, and emergency preparedness systems. Members asked several questions about the use and effectiveness of funding. Visit Florida officials said the public-private match is essential and that they exceeded the required match last year. Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles discussed trooper pay, vehicle replacement, aviation support, and transparency tools such as vehicle camera systems, with senators praising the department’s recruitment efforts. Military Affairs and the State Guard described readiness, recruiting, facility construction, and support for domestic missions, including hurricane response and perimeter security at the Everglades detention site; questions focused on deployment tempo, staffing, and costs. The Department of State explained funding for automated election audits, a conservation lab, and historic preservation, and said its arts grant changes were intended to standardize scoring rather than cut programs. Transportation highlighted a $15.4 billion total budget, major work program funding, safety initiatives, seaport and aviation investments, and the elimination of Florida Rail Enterprise funding due to reduced documentary stamp revenues. The committee also heard and passed CS/SB 48 by Senator Gates, which requires local governments to allow accessory dwelling units on a voluntary basis, while preserving local authority over setbacks, construction, and permitting. An amendment removed reusable tenant screening reports and clarified that conforming ADUs are allowed by right without separate hearings. The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association and several industry and business groups supported the bill, citing the need for long-term rental housing for workers. After debate, the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably by roll call vote.