Transcript Highlights:

• Let's take up Tab 7, Senate Bill 1000, on trust fund interest, on purposes for...
• Let's take up Tab 7, Senate Bill 1,000, on trust fund interest, on purposes approved by the Supreme Court
• Allman, Second Judicial Circuit, waving in support of the bill.
• fund and funds transferred to the state trust fund.
• fund and funds transferred to the state trust fund.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Banking and Insurance met with a quorum present and heard a full agenda of bills, most of which were reported favorably. Early in the meeting, SB 1000 on trust fund interest for attorney trust accounts was explained as setting a floor and ceiling tied to the Wall Street Journal prime rate and passed without objection after supportive testimony from banking and credit union groups. The committee then took up CS/SB 1082 on a statewide provider and health plan claim dispute resolution program; the sponsor described it as a way to move emergency out-of-network payment disputes away from costly litigation and into an independent dispute resolution process modeled on the federal No Surprises Act. A proposed amendment drew significant questions from senators and concerns from the Florida Insurance Council about confusion over state versus federal eligibility and possible effects on contracted rates, and the sponsor ultimately withdrew the amendment. The underlying bill was then supported by health care and insurance stakeholders and reported favorably. SB 684 on electronic signatures for total loss vehicles and vessels also passed, with Progressive Insurance waiving in support. The committee next approved CS/SB 158 on pet insurance, which requires continuing education for agents, clearer consumer disclosures, and annual reporting to OIR; the amendment was technical and adopted. SB 1494 on breast cancer screening coverage was presented as expanding required coverage for mammograms and supplemental screenings for certain insurance products, and it passed with support from cancer and radiology groups. CS/SB 314 on digital asset issuers was amended to create a Florida framework for payment stablecoin issuers consistent with the federal GENIUS Act, allowing state-level regulation as an alternative to federal supervision, and was reported favorably. SB 1500 on uncontested probate proceedings, including higher small-estate thresholds and clearer authority for personal representatives, also passed after a banking-related amendment requiring letters of administration for safe deposit box access was adopted. Later, the committee approved CS/SB 618 on workers’ compensation insurance, which raises the consent-to-rate cap for workers’ comp policies from 10% to 20% and adjusts the Florida Workers’ Compensation Guarantee Association board membership; a carrier representative testified that the change would help keep more high-risk accounts in the voluntary market. CS/SB 1568 on a Florida Stable Coin Pilot Program was amended to remove authority for DFS to create a Florida coin, limit the pilot to existing stablecoins with at least $1 billion market capitalization, and require qualified public deposit handling; it then passed. CS/SB 838 on electronic payments for retail installment contracts clarified that convenience fees for electronic payments are permissible while preserving a fee-free option, and it was reported favorably after questions about consumer access to free payment methods. SB 1452, the Department of Financial Services agency bill, made a wide range of administrative changes affecting My Safe Florida Home, unclaimed property, licensing, bail bonds, and other DFS functions; a late-filed amendment on title insurer appointments was adopted, and the bill passed. The committee also approved SB 1706 on the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program, targeting condo hardening assistance to owner-occupied units meeting income and occupancy criteria, and SB 990 on protected cell captive insurance companies, which the sponsor and industry witnesses said would modernize Florida law and promote insurance competition and economic activity. The meeting ended with all bills on the agenda reported favorably and the committee adjourning without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• The second request is $2.4 million in trust fund authority for the final year of the Missing and Endangered
• The third request is $3.3 million in trust fund authority to purchase the remaining 260 new breath test
• The fourth item is $460,000 in recurring trust fund authority for contract renewals of critical public
• The fourth item is $460,000 in recurring trust fund authority for contract renewals of critical public
• That would be $1.5 million in trust fund authority and $1 million in general revenue.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice met to hear budget presentations from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), an FDLE update on the Uniform Arrest Affidavit and Florida Incident-Based Reporting System (FIBERS), the Department of Juvenile Justice on Florida Scholars Academy, and the Clerks of Court Operations Corporation. FDLE requested funding for a wide range of items, including a new Fort Myers regional operations center lease, technology upgrades for missing persons alerts and criminal justice data systems, replacement breath-test instruments, recurring support for critical public safety contracts, cybersecurity, a career offender registry unit, expanded wellness and peer support for law enforcement, cryptocurrency seizure efforts, vehicle replacement, forensic lab and digital forensics upgrades, a repaired Jacksonville firearm range, and additional resources for criminal alien detection, fentanyl enforcement, and other operational needs. Senators questioned FDLE about the reported 79% increase in officer misconduct cases, body cameras, masking by officers, public records request burdens, and the status of criminal alien detection funding. FDLE’s second presentation explained that FIBERS is Florida’s incident-based crime reporting system and that 61% of agencies, covering 74% of the population, have transitioned to it. The agency also described the Uniform Arrest Affidavit initiative, which standardizes arrest data for statewide sharing. Senators asked about NCIC/FCIC access, hate crime reporting requirements, and why more agencies have not adopted the UAA and FIBERS systems; FDLE said it is working with law enforcement associations and vendors to address technology and implementation barriers. The committee also heard from DJJ Secretary Matt Walsh, who praised FDLE’s wellness program and then reported on Florida Scholars Academy’s first year, including unified education across 39 residential facilities, security fixes after early website access issues, strong enrollment and graduation numbers, and extensive support for students with disabilities. Walsh said the program still faces staffing shortages and a wait list for residential beds, and estimated about 260 additional beds are needed. The final presentation came from Clerk of Court and Comptroller Stacey Butterfield, who said clerks are operating with outdated funding levels and requested $22 million to stabilize operations. She highlighted reimbursement shortfalls for injunctions for protection and other high-risk cases, rising postage and summons costs, and the need to fund clerk staffing for 37 new judges under the “fund the entire courtroom” concept. Senators asked about SB 532, a CPI-based court-fee bill, and about collections of court fines and fees. Butterfield said clerks work with defendants on payment plans and collections, but the system still faces a structural deficit. After the presentations and questions, the committee adjourned without taking any substantive votes or other action.

Transcript Highlights:

• schools do not collect or share immigration status information, that schools provide families with trusted
• resources, and that schools require a judicial warrant before law enforcement enters non-public areas
• </c><00:41:16.360><c> resources,</c><00:41:17.480><c> and</c> families with trusted resources, and families
• with trusted resources, and that<00:41:17.920><c> schools</c><00:41:18.200><c> require</c><00:41:18.680
• ><c> a</c><00:41:18.760><c> judicial</c><00:41:19.280><c> warrant</c> that schools require a judicial

Transcript Highlights:

• Dear Lord, we are a blessed nation, and I trust that you will lead us and guide us each and every day
• During her tenure, she served on several key committees and worked tirelessly to build trust and strengthen
• During her tenure, she served on several key committees and worked tirelessly to build trust, on several
• key committees and worked tirelessly to build trust and strengthen the relationships with tribes and
• to investigation of violations and hearings; repealing Section 54-3114, Idaho Code, relating to judicial

Transcript Highlights:

• It modernizes the jury system in a way that respects both judicial efficiency and the realities of aging
• The rule is going to be written up by the Judicial Council, and they may have some flexibility in doing
• I think some ability to do that may be able to be done through this legislation already by the Judicial
• I know people in your industry who I trust, like any industry, you know.
• Jovana Fajardo with ACE and the Sacramento Community Land Trust, in strong support. Thank you.

Committee: House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, members, I trust that you all have the amendments that we will be working off of.
• So that is entirely a judicial discretion decision for a first offender.
• So that is entirely a judicial discretion decision for a first offender.
• I've seen people lose trust in the system that was supposed to help them.
• I trust it's difficult, you know, for personal positions for it to be neutral.

Bills: AB275 , SB371 , SB457

Committee: Assembly Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• :43.360><c> seek</c> basically allow the applicant to seek basically allow the applicant to seek judicial
• 45.280><c> getting</c><00:04:45.680><c> more</c><00:04:45.840><c> eyes</c><00:04:46.120><c> on</c> judicial
• review getting more eyes on judicial review getting more eyes on this<00:04:47.199><c> creates</c><00
• And then land exchanges can be an issue too when school trust lands are involved, so again more time.
• lands are involved so again school trust lands are involved so again more<00:23:56.799><c> time</c><

Transcript Highlights:

• I bring greetings to you from the judicial branch of government.
• It is the request of the Board on Judicial Compensation.
• The third item on our budget request is a judicial security officer.
• We don't have a judicial security officer assigned to the court system.
• But many states now have a marshal or some form of judicial service that oversees statewide judicial

Transcript Highlights:

• This is our education trust fund situation. These represent our revenues.
• The judicial branch, we have of course the third branch of government, serves an important purpose.
• We all know there's a couple of the investments that the governor's proposed to benefit our judicial
• With that, I'll move to the Education Trust Fund and again, I'll begin with the FY25 before we talk..
• Currently, the Education Trust Fund (ETF) supplemental, as Kirk has alluded to, shows that we do have

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 7040, a bill to be entitled an act relating to trust funds.
• trust.
• So for that reason, I don't have trust. And so I'll be down on this bill.
• Because the trust that I have, the problem of trust that I have, is... ...vote for it.
• Because the trust that I have, the problem of trust that I have, is, and I've heard this in the last

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several member introductions and recognitions, then moved to messages from the House and special order business. The chamber first took up House amendments to Senate Bill 628 on transportation facility designations, CS for CS for HB 1389 on affordable housing/Live Local, and CS for CS for HB 1451 on utility services. Senators asked about the naming of roadways, the Live Local changes for religious institution property and the removal of accessory dwelling unit language, and utility surcharge phase-out and reporting dates. All three measures were concurred in and passed, with votes of 31-4 on SB 628, 35-0 on HB 1389, and 30-6 on HB 1451. The Senate then considered the education package, substituting CS for CS for HB 1279 for CS for CS for SB 7038. An amendment combining provisions from several education bills was adopted, and the bill passed 36-1. The chamber also took up CS for CS for SB 484 on data centers, where the House amendment removed the Senate’s NDA prohibition, kept a 12-month limit on public-records confidentiality, added a PSC tariff filing deadline, and required an OPAGA study. Senators debated transparency, local notice, and ratepayer protections; supporters emphasized that data center energy and infrastructure costs could not be shifted to other ratepayers. The House amendment was concurred in and the bill passed 31-6. After a recess, the Senate returned to the land use and development regulations bill, substituting CS for CS for CS for HB 399 for SB 208. A proposed amendment to remove language affecting a Miami Beach Fontainebleau Hotel water park project failed, while other amendments were adopted, including a sunset provision and changes related to compost-processing facilities. The chamber then adopted an amendment preserving Miami-Dade’s urban development boundary supermajority requirement and related protections, with support framed around water, flood risk, farmland, and the Everglades. Finally, the Senate began debate on a broader amendment by Senator Martin creating a process for rural boundary property owners to seek removal or compensation without litigation; the discussion focused on property rights, county liability, and whether the proposal would affect Orange and Seminole counties, but the transcript ends before final action on that amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• It would also change the law in the middle of an ongoing judicial process.
• We have a lawsuit in place. ...in the middle of an ongoing judicial process.
• We should allow the judicial process to play out.
• authorized to engage in both trust company activities and issuer activities.
• This is not a judicial process, so there is no evidentiary standard.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for former member Chester Clem, the Pledge of Allegiance, and quorum confirmation. Members then adopted the special order report and a rules report amending House Rule 15.3 to allow fundraising under certain circumstances during extended or special sessions. The chamber also heard several recognitions and a farewell speech from Representative Nixon, who reflected on constituent service and her legislative priorities. On the floor, HB 1405, relating to a statewide project for missing persons with special needs, passed unanimously. The House then took up CS/CS/CS/SB 290, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services bill, which drew questions about the handling of surplus conservation lands and agricultural uses; it passed 94-10. CS/CS/CS/HB 905, the “Fire Act” on foreign influence, was explained as a broad package restricting foreign-country influence in government, procurement, gifts, cultural agreements, and related areas. An amendment adding restrictions on surrogacy and adoption involving citizens or residents of foreign countries of concern was adopted after debate over possible impacts on families and adoption practices, and the bill then passed 80-20. The House also passed CS/CS/HB 1197, a bill to modernize state information technology procurement and contracting, unanimously after debate about improving oversight of large IT projects. HB 1103, allowing local governments to fast-track action on derelict vessels, also passed unanimously. The chamber then considered CS/CS/CS/HB 399 on land use development and development regulations, including limits on development fees, changes to local voting thresholds for comprehensive plan and boundary actions, manufactured homes in RV parks, and resort-related provisions. Several amendments were debated, including one on local control and rural boundaries that failed and another strike-all amendment ruled out of order; the bill ultimately passed 71-38. The final item reached before the transcript ended was a local bill for the Pace Fire Rescue District in Santa Rosa County, described as adjusting its assessment formula to provide tax relief.

Transcript Highlights:

• In such proceedings, whether the purpose is public and necessary shall be a judicial question.
• In such proceedings, whether the purpose is public and necessary shall be a judicial question.
• Judicial, I understand. But, I mean, you said that you believed it was a public purpose.
• In such proceedings, whether the purpose is public and necessary shall be a judicial question.
• And our citizens trust, or should be able to trust, that the boundaries of our Constitution are strong

Committee: House Natural Resources & Environment

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> of the beneficial interests of a trust of the beneficial interests of a trust or<01:30:40.719><c
• </c> trust or the estate. trust or the estate. uh<01:30:44.800><c> emergency</c><01:30:45.639><c> powers
• You know, we need some judicial determinations on this."
• And judicial uh determinations on this."
• </c> obtain judicial review. obtain judicial review.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• I have the honor of being a circuit judge and the 20th Judicial I'm Troy Braswell.
• I'm Kathy Hess, a circuit judge for the First Judicial District. That's Cross, Lee, Woodruff, St.
• And so we've seen the impact of that, not only in the 20th Judicial District, but across the state.
• And we have 28 judicial districts, so as you can imagine, you can kind of do one at a time.
• And we have 28 judicial districts. So as you can imagine, you can kind of do one at a time.

Summary: The committee first approved the December 10 minutes and then approved Representative Bentley’s appointment to the Child Maltreatment Oversight Committee. Members then received the Arkansas Infant and Child Death Review annual report, which covered unexpected child deaths in 2023. Reviewers said 170 non-natural deaths were identified, but 22 could not be reviewed because of criminal investigations, prosecutions, or missing records. Of the 148 reviewed deaths, 69 were accidents, 14 suicides, 18 homicides, and 47 were undetermined causes, including sudden unexpected infant death. Members asked how the report’s recommendations could be used, and presenters said the report is intended as a prevention tool for agencies, nonprofits, and others; they also noted that child abuse prevention grant applications are being shaped by the report’s recommendations and offered to share the RFP with the committee. A question about suicide and homicide data by age was answered by pointing members to the age breakdown in the report, with most of those deaths concentrated among 15- to 17-year-olds. The committee then took up HCR 1010 and a broader discussion of juvenile justice reform. Representative Shepard said the resolution was meant to confront data on juvenile incarceration and the cost of the system, while Senator Irvin, Judge Troy Braswell, Judge Kathy Hess, and AOC Juvenile Division Director Burke Steen described years of reform efforts built around validated risk assessments, diversion, and community-based services. They said Arkansas adopted tools such as SAVRY, the MAYSI, and substance-abuse screening to individualize juvenile court responses, and they emphasized that the goal is to keep children at home and in their communities when safe to do so. Members discussed the need for more mental health and substance-abuse services, better school collaboration, and the role of school safety dashboards and FINS/truancy cases in identifying problems earlier. Judges and staff said the reforms have reduced delinquency filings, DYS commitments, and revocations, while increasing diversions, though they noted data gaps in some counties and the need for better reporting. They also stressed that some serious offenses still require detention or commitment, and that judges must balance public safety with rehabilitation. Representative Barnes and others asked whether the numbers might be worse without judicial discretion and community programs, and the presenters agreed that individualized decision-making and graduated sanctions matter. Representative Inatt asked about tracking youth with disabilities, and the presenters said that specific diagnoses are not currently tracked but that national court data efforts may soon add behavioral-health data points. The committee then heard from DYS Director Michael Crump, who provided detailed data on DYS commitments, secure and community-based placements, detention-center use, demographics, offense levels, average length of stay, education outcomes, recidivism, dual DCFS/DYS custody, costs, and interagency coordination. He said commitments fell sharply during COVID, have since risen and then begun to decline, and that the system is working to reduce detention use, improve education and treatment, and expand community-based providers statewide.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're like, oh, trust the system. I don't trust the system. Guess what? I don't. No.
• I trust professionals and experts and scientists.
• I trust professionals and experts and scientists.
• Automation court records, statewide court automation fee, law library surcharges in the 22nd Judicial
• collect a law library surcharge in the 22nd Judicial District.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approved the House Journal by a 125-0 roll call vote. Members then spent a large portion of the morning recognizing special guests, interns, students, and constituents, including school groups, interns, a Savannah Bananas player, and several birthday and personal privilege announcements. On legislation, the House agreed to conference on Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 1421. The chamber then took up Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 1000, a bipartisan measure to reauthorize the Missouri Tourism Supplemental Revenue Fund and continue support for the Division of Tourism and Missouri Film Office. Supporters from both parties emphasized tourism’s economic importance statewide; the bill passed 136-6. The House next debated House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1020, an omnibus Department of Revenue bill covering fee office contracting, vehicle registration penalties, Real ID document retention, and other DOR changes. The body adopted an amendment lowering late registration penalties, making document retention opt-in, and restoring a five-year plate option, followed by a second amendment removing cosmetic damage as a basis for rejecting rebuilt-vehicle inspections. The bill then passed 130-10. Later, the House began debate on a combined judiciary/civil legislation bill involving insurance assignment-of-benefits restrictions, anti-SLAPP protections, workers’ compensation and court administration changes, and expungement-related funding; members adopted a title change and several amendments, including one to make attorney-fee awards more even in anti-SLAPP motions, while also debating a proposed St. Louis police legal expense fund amendment and whether it had been properly vetted.

Transcript Highlights:

• As I mentioned, they're paying their taxes, and we trust them to care for their children.
• I believe that we should trust them with a ballot.
• Should trust them with a ballot.
• judicial court.
• If there's other judicial oversight of that, that would make me more comfortable.

Transcript Highlights:

• the Governor's Organized Crime Commission and I'm also a deputy district attorney in the Second Judicial
• This bill is critically important because it gives survivors time, opportunity, hope, faith, and trust
• We're here today to talk about the judicial system and Appropriately so.
• My faith teaches me that God trusts pregnant people as moral decision makers with autonomy and freedom
• When lawmakers eliminate reporting, they violate the public trust.

Bills: SB41 , SB33 , SB32 , SB30

Committee: Senate Senate Health & Public Affairs

Keywords: sexual crimes, statute of limitations, criminal justice, victim rights, child abuse, individualized treatment, investigational treatment, health care, life-threatening illness, patient rights, physician recommendation, informed consent, human trafficking, sexual exploitation, child protection, prosecution, crime amendments, SB30, induced abortion, abortion reporting

Transcript Highlights:

• District, North Central Judicial District, Northeast Judicial District, Northeast Central, as well as
• East Central Judicial District.
• So we would do our—we serve rural counties now up in the northeast judicial district.
• Number five is fines, fees, and forfeitures that go to the Common Schools Trust Fund.
• That would also go to the state tuition fund or the Common Schools Trust Fund.

Committees: Joint Judiciary , Joint Judiciary Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Any increase you give us, trust me, I believe it's the best contract that the state of Louisiana has
• District Attorneys Association; Kevin Hayes, chief of police; Bradley Burchett, from the Seventh Judicial
• Daniels, Executive Director of the Louisiana District Attorneys Association; Bradley Burchett, 7th Judicial
• Kevin Cobb, Executive Director of Louisiana Sheriff's Association; Bradley Burchett, 7th Judicial District
• Director of Louisiana Sheriff's Association; Bradley Burchett, Seventh Judicial District District Attorney

Committee: House Administration of Criminal Justice

Summary: The Criminal Justice Committee met on March 25, 2026, and first voluntarily deferred HB 884. The committee then took up HB 806, which strengthens Louisiana’s hit-and-run laws by adding rapid notification procedures through law enforcement systems and clarifying investigative protocols. Vice Chair LaFleur and several family members of hit-and-run victims testified in strong support, describing the bill as a needed accountability and public-safety measure; it was adopted as amended and reported favorably. The committee also heard HB 143, which raises the per diem paid to sheriffs for housing state inmates in parish jails from $26.39 to $29.39 to match current appropriations practice. Sheriffs and committee members emphasized that local jails are underfunded and provide important programming and cost savings to the state; the bill was reported favorably. The committee next approved several local or criminal justice measures. HB 93, which places the Lincoln Parish jury commission under the clerk or deputy clerk, was reported favorably without opposition. HB 166, which removes Vermilion Parish from the Acadiana Regional Juvenile Justice District, drew discussion about regional juvenile detention funding and representation, with members noting similar concerns from other parishes; it was reported favorably. HB 429, which adds theft or unauthorized entry of critical infrastructure as a predicate crime for terrorism and expands protections for energy facilities, received support from industry groups and law enforcement, with one opposition card filed; it was amended and reported favorably. HB 231, creating the crime of intentional evasion of service of process for certain court orders, especially protective orders, was also amended and reported favorably after testimony from the sponsor and support from domestic violence and women’s advocacy groups. The committee then advanced a package of bills by Chairwoman Villio aimed at protecting minors and addressing impaired driving. HB 58 and its companion constitutional amendment HB 51 would restrict post-conviction bail for offenders convicted of aggravated offenses against minors; the Attorney General’s office and law enforcement groups supported the measures, while the Southern Poverty Law Center opposed them, and both measures were reported favorably. HB 69 would make it a misdemeanor to tamper with or circumvent court-ordered ignition interlock requirements while on probation or otherwise required by law, and HB 82 would increase penalties for repeat DWI offenders with prior serious injury or death-related convictions; both were supported by prosecutors, police, sheriffs, and MADD, amended where needed, and reported favorably. The committee adjourned after completing action on the listed bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I think we put our judicial branch in a...
• I think it will create more confusion, particularly in the judicial branch.
• As a candidate, I don't see how you can make this tenable for the judicial branch.
• not participate, but not to go beyond the non-participation and compel actions that may impact our judicial
• They use the very tools these platforms provide: anonymity, encryption, and false trust to prey on kids

Bills: HB186 , HB201 , HB229 , HB796 , HB1506 , HB2702 , HB2885 , HB3225 , HB3909 , HB4285 , HB5138

Committee: Senate State Affairs