Transcript Highlights:

• Are there substitute amendments? None on the desk, Mr. Speaker.
• Speaker. >> Are there any substitute amendments? >> None on the desk, Mr.
• Is there a substitute amendment? None on the desk, Mr. Speaker. Is there debate?
• Is there a substitute amendment? On the desk, Mr. Speaker. Read the substitute amendment.
• Is there debate on the substitute amendment?

Bills: HB 24, HB 45, HB 15, HB 35, HB 38, HB 47, HB 318, HB 349, HB 554, HB 1359, HB 1373, HB 1647, HB 2254, HB 2259, HB 2853, HB 3073, HB 3088, HB 353, HB 355, HB 786, HB 762, HB 705, HB 932, HB 849, HB 1160, HB 1119, HB 1612, HB 3041, HB 713, HB 3104, HB 3970, HB 3962, HB 5061, HB 4042, HB 4115, HB 4490, HB 1731, HB 1705, HB 2607, HB 3556, HB 138, HB 3689, HB 1788, HB 1887, HB 1914, HB 2402, HB 2306, HB 1809, HB 2350, HB 3000, HB 3237, HB 3326, HB 3211, HB 1056, HB 2081, HB 2187, HB 3092, HB 3308, HB 3526, HB 3750, HB 3527, HB 4219, HB 4230, HB 4290, HB 5238, HB 4804, HB 4749, HCR 6, HCR 12, HCR 34, HCR 50, HCR 55, HCR 58, HCR 70, HCR 71, HCR 72, HCR 74, HCR 75, HCR 78, HCR 80, HCR 93, HCR 100, HCR 107, HCR 116, HCR 117, HCR 90, SB 1806, SB 783, SB 1271, SB 326, SB 1637, SB 769, SB 897, SB 1035, SB 1706, SB 1185, SB 1194, SB 384, SB 1426, SB 1468, SB 1215, SB 1066, SB 599, SB 1930, SB 2065, SB 767, SB 1619, SB 1738, HB 1500, HB 718, HB 23, HB 34, HB 119, HB 128, HB 130, HB 132, HB 2756, HB 166, HB 406, HB 186, HB 331, HB 380, HB 1583, HB 1584, HB 621, HB 303, HB 552, HB 366, HB 463, HB 1211, HB 1327, HB 1461, HB 923, HB 1760, HB 2467, HB 5333, HB 1592, HB 1576, HB 1552, HB 2018, HB 3511, HB 1781, HB 2013, HB 2340, HB 2508, HB 2970, HB 865, HB 2851, HB 3385, HB 3336, HB 3309, HB 1127, HB 1232, HB 1397, HB 4236, HB 4041, HB 1965, HB 2730, HB 3698, HB 3699, HB 163, HB 201, HB 272, HB 405, HB 519, HB 654, HB 694, HB 791, HB 1136, HB 1240, HB 1266, HB 1275, HB 1437, HB 1532, HB 1675, HB 1842, HB 1868, HB 1894, HB 1943, HB 1990, HB 2029, HB 2061, HB 2286, HB 2523, HB 2622, HB 2652, HB 2692, HB 2842, HB 2885, HB 3016, HB 3096, HB 3248, HB 3255, HB 3479, HB 3611, HB 3623, HB 3803, HB 3804, HB 3805, HB 3806, HB 3810, HB 3816, HB 4129, HB 4163, HB 4187, HB 4238, HB 4454, HB 4588, HB 4643, HB 4738, HB 4739, HB 4945, HB 5015, HB 5616, HB 1749, HB 1775, HB 118, HB 1762, HB 2520, HB 24, HB 45, HB 15, HB 35, HB 38, HB 47, HB 318, HB 349, HB 554, HB 1359, HB 1373, HB 1647, HB 2254, HB 2259, HB 2853, HB 3073, HB 3088, HB 353, HB 355, HB 786, HB 762, HB 705, HB 932, HB 849, HB 1160, HB 1119, HB 1612, HB 3041, HB 713, HB 3104, HB 3970, HB 3962, HB 5061, HB 4042, HB 4115, HB 4490, HB 1731, HB 1705, HB 2607, HB 3556, HB 138, HB 3689, HB 1788, HB 1887, HB 1914, HB 2402, HB 2306, HB 1809, HB 2350, HB 3000, HB 3237, HB 3326, HB 3211, HB 1056, HB 2081, HB 2187, HB 3092, HB 3308, HB 3526, HB 3750, HB 3527, HB 4219, HB 4230, HB 4290, HB 5238, HB 4804, HB 4749, HCR 6, HCR 12, HCR 34, HCR 50, HCR 55, HCR 58, HCR 70, HCR 71, HCR 72, HCR 74, HCR 75, HCR 78, HCR 80, HCR 93, HCR 100, HCR 107, HCR 116, HCR 117, HCR 90

Keywords: zoning, public notice, local government, residential development, protests, peer support, first responders, mental health, confidentiality, emergency services, information network, health services, client referral, data privacy, disaster preparedness, accreditation, community services, sexual assault, victim rights, forensic examination

Summary: The Florida House conducted legislative business including prayer, pledge, and voting on multiple bills. Key legislation included land development and wetlands mitigation (SB 492), renewable natural gas infrastructure investment (SB 1574), local government regulation (SB 1080), housing and accessory dwelling units (SB 184), recovery residences (SB 954), and various health, education, and criminal justice measures. The session also addressed returning messages from the Senate with amendments, transportation facility designations, and claims bills for wrongfully convicted individuals. Several bills passed unanimously while others faced structured debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I have a substitute, a proposed substitute bill that deals with some of the sections of law that your
• So I move that that uh for discussion, Senate Judiciary Committee substitute for Senneal. Oh good.
• that we uh do not pass Senate Bill 510, but we pass uh Senate bill, Senate Judiciary Committee substitute
• I move a do not pass on Senate Bill 510 and a do pass on Senate Judiciary Committee substitute for Senate
• Can we substitute any further discussion? Anyone else? All right.

Transcript Highlights:

• The chair offers a committee substitute.
• Is there objection to the adoption of the committee substitute?
• The chair hears none, and the substitute is adopted.
• The chair offers up a committee substitute.
• The chair hears none and the substitute is adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Carley, you have a substitute that I believe members is in your left-hand pocket as well.
• Okay, so we need to adopt the substitute first, Senator. Adopt the substitute first.
• Senator Carley has offered his substitute. Do I have a second? I have a second.
• And you want a roll call on the substitute? Okay, on the substitute. Yeah, Senator.
• Is there any further discussion on the bill as substituted?

Bills: HB134, SB217, SB180, HB157, HB92, HB335

Keywords: vehicle registration, disability access, fines, law enforcement, public accommodation, bond financing, municipal bonds, county debt, local government debt, debt service schedule, bond disclosure, public finance, bond underwriter, county commission, city council, refunding bonds, swap agreements, interest rate swaps, derivatives, fiscal transparency

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Finance Committee substitute for Senate Bill appropriates $1.3 billion to capital projects
• Chairman, I'll move a do pass on Senate Finance Committee substitute for Senate Bill 240.
• I move to do pass on Committee substitute House. I don't know what committee it is.
• I move the amendment to a committee substitute to House Bill 4.
• Chair, I do pass on the committee substitute for House Bill 4 as once amended.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You're here for the committee substitute for House Bill 77.
• Chairman, may I get a copy of the committee substitute?
• You should have a copy of the substitute in your binder.
• Chairman, may I get a copy of the committee substitute?
• You should have a copy of the substitute in your binder.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, we have a Committee substitute.
• I move that the committee substitute be adopted.
• The Chair hears none, and the substitute is adopted.
• The Chair offers the committee substitute to Senate Bill 673 and moves that the committee substitute
• The Chair hears none, and the substitute is adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• The chair lays out as pending business House Bill 188 and offers up a complete committee substitute.
• The substitute makes three changes.
• And number three, the substitute gives priority to municipal utility districts in qualifying counties
• Is there any objection to the adoption of the committee substitute?
• Hearing none, the substitute is adopted.

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee met with a quorum present and took up several measures for final committee action. On House Bill 188, the committee adopted a substitute that expanded eligibility for grants to municipal utility districts, added water infrastructure to the list of prioritized grants for several public entities, and gave municipal utility districts priority for water infrastructure grants in qualifying counties under the governor’s grant program. The bill, as substituted, was then reported favorably to the full House by a vote of 17 ayes and 1 nay. The committee also voted to report House Bill 265 favorably, with 16 ayes and 2 nays, and House Joint Resolution 35 favorably, also by 16 ayes and 2 nays. House Joint Resolution 47 was reported favorably by a vote of 17 ayes and 1 nay. Finally, Senate Bill 1901 was reported favorably to the full House unanimously, 19 ayes and 0 nays. No testimony or extended debate was included in the transcript. After completing action on the pending bills and resolutions, the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Bill 576 with House Committee substitute Bill 576 with House Committee substitute one<00:05:59.360
• 598 with House Committee Substitute One. 598 with House Committee Substitute One.
• "I had Committee Substitute 1." "House Committee Substitute 1 to House Bill 2."
• Um, this committee substitute, Mr.
• <00:09:43.760> Gentleman substitute one is adopted. Gentleman substitute one is adopted.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House convened with an invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum, excused absent members, suspended rules to allow co-sponsorships and vote modifications, and approved the journal from February 26, 2026. The clerk then reported several bills on second reading, including measures on state personnel, domestic violence, fish and wildlife resources, open records, workforce investment, data centers, guardians ad litem and domestic relations, along with Senate Concurrent Resolution 9 on a Medicaid pilot feasibility study and Senate Joint Resolution 23 declaring Kentucky a “food is medicine” state. The main floor business was House Bill 2, the Medicaid reform and appropriation bill. The sponsor described it as a response to rising Medicaid costs and federal changes, saying it would improve transparency, oversight, fraud prevention, and program operations. He said the bill would apply mainly to the Medicaid expansion population and include community engagement, cost-sharing, eligibility safeguards, stronger managed care oversight, transportation and dental delivery changes, waiver program prioritization, greater legislative access to CHFS data, a transparency dashboard, periodic auditor review, and limits on certain weight-management drug coverage. A House committee substitute was adopted, and a floor amendment on phasing in a marginal medical loss ratio requirement over four years was offered as a friendly amendment and adopted. The House then debated House Floor Amendment 1, which would have removed state-mandated co-payments and limited cost sharing to the federal minimum, while also prohibiting reporting medical debt to credit agencies. Supporters argued the amendment would protect low-income Kentuckians from barriers to care and prevent medical debt from worsening poverty. Opponents said the bill’s co-pays were intended to encourage appropriate use of care, especially to reduce non-emergency emergency room visits, and noted that providers and MCOs could waive or work around some charges. After a roll call vote, the amendment failed 20-39. After the amendment vote, the House continued discussion of the bill, with the sponsor defending the co-payment structure as a way to promote personal responsibility and sustainability while preserving access to primary care. The transcript ends during further debate on House Bill 2, and no final passage vote is shown in the provided excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Assembly Committee substitute for Assembly Bill 4014...
• The Assembly Committee substitute for Assembly Bill 4013 is amended and reported.
• The substitute for Assembly Bill 4015 is amended and reported.
• On the motion to report a committee substitute for Assembly Bill 5336, Mr. Barless, Mr.
• The committee substitute for Assembly Bill 5336 is reported.

Keywords: 1146, all

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee met on June 28, 2026 and considered a long list of budget and policy bills, reporting many of them out of committee, often with amendments. Early measures included AB 2550 on continued dependent health coverage for certain adults with disabilities, AB 4794 allowing tax data sharing with the New Jersey Innovation Authority and Secure Choice Savings Board, and AB 3381/SB 1493 updating occupational therapy licensure requirements. The committee also advanced AB 4014, creating a social media research center at a public four-year institution, though one member opposed it as unnecessary spending given existing research on social media harms. Another bill, AB 5048/SB 1281, would ban certain apparel and diaper products with intentionally added PFAS; some members opposed it over safety and cost concerns, especially for firefighter gear, but it was reported. The committee also moved AB 383, which promotes volunteerism to help FamilyCare and SNAP recipients meet eligibility requirements, and AB 4357, extending telehealth pay parity, though one member objected to parity between telehealth and in-person care. The committee then took up several energy, environmental, and housing-related bills. AB 5188, the Advanced Grid Technologies Act, was released despite opposition from some members and labor interests. AB 2524 would let dual-use solar projects participate in community solar, and AB 5236 would strengthen pediatric psychiatry and behavioral health services; both were reported. AB 5348, allowing temporary use of open-space and related funds for certain municipalities, drew sharp criticism as a diversion of preservation money to fill budget holes, but passed. AB 5280 returned unexpended county appropriations to Hudson County and authorized supplemental operating aid; it also passed despite objections about prior bidding violations. AB 5347 provided certain motor vehicle-related funding to municipalities and was reported, as was AB 5334/SB 4423, appropriating Green Acres and CBT revenues for local open space and park projects. A major portion of the meeting focused on tax and business-related bills. AB 5329 increased the child tax credit for 2026-2028, with testimony urging that the expansion be made permanent; it was reported. AB 3899, the General Contractor Licensing Act, also passed. AB 5310/SB 4406 clarified sentencing under certain circumstances and was reported. AB 5330, allowing temporary transfers in the pension system, drew testimony from NJEA warning that the State Health Benefits Program was in crisis and asking for a longer repayment period to avoid rate spikes; the bill was still reported. AB 1326 created a higher education governance and funding task force and was amended to add a Talmudic institution or theological seminary representative. Later, AB 5333/SB 4424 appropriated additional Green Acres and CBT funds for recreation and conservation projects and was reported. The committee also advanced several business and alcohol-related measures, including AB 5235 establishing the School-Based Partnership for Access and Resilience for Kids program, AB 5325 reducing business formation fees, AB 4836/SB 2368 on portable solar devices, AB 4881 establishing an advanced nuclear energy procurement program, AB 3974/SB 3183 revising renewable energy incentive and solar interconnection rules, AB 4013 creating a social media research center focused on addictive behavior, AB 5225 making temporary alcohol beverage provisions permanent, and AB 5295 revising alcoholic beverage licensing laws. The most contentious debate came on AB 4085, the Fair Price Protection Act, which would restrict “surveillance pricing” and regulate grocery pricing practices. Consumer advocates supported the bill as a protection against individualized pricing, while retailers and chambers of commerce argued the language was too broad and could undermine loyalty programs, discounts, and electronic shelf labels. Despite those objections, the committee voted to report the bill after amendments. Finally, AB 4530/SB 3739 on EV supply equipment standards was reported, and AB 5322 imposing a temporary cap on net operating loss deductions under the corporate business tax sparked strong opposition from business groups and a policy debate over whether legitimate losses and investment-related deductions should be limited; the bill was still moved out of committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 134 should pass as consent with Senate Committee Substitute 1.
• House Bill 280 should pass with Senate Committee Substitute 1.
• Senate Bill 224 should pass the rules with Senate Committee Substitute 1.
• Senate Bill 225 should pass the rules with Senate Committee Substitute 1.
• Senate Bill 224 should pass the rules with Senate Committee Substitute 1.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I say I like to say that we have a substitute.
• So, do I need that we have a substitute.
• <00:28:53.200> or substitute or substitute or >> just<00:28:54.080> just<00:28:54.640
• >> just just uh just tell the substitute?
• use the bill to substitute. use the bill to substitute. >> Okay. >> Okay.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The chair lays out a committee substitute and recognizes Chairman Tepper to explain the committee substitute
• The committee substitute is substantially...
• My substitute makes two changes.
• The Chair lays out the committee substitute.
• The Chair withdraws the committee substitute.

Bills: HB259, HB259, HB 1128, HB1337, HB1506, HB1794, HB2215, HB2470, HB2771, HB2882, HB2993, HB3053, HB3428, HB3669, HB3789, HB3924, HB4201, HB4675

Keywords: redistricting, Independent Citizen Redistricting Commission, Texas Legislature, elections, district boundaries, voter representation, healthcare, insurance, patient rights, medical expenses, access to care, affordability, legislation, firearms, penal code, regulation, short-barrel firearms, ammunition, gun control, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• There is a committee substitute. All right, thank you. The chair sends up the committee substitute.
• Senator King is recognized to tell us about the substitute.
• Senator Paxton moves that House Bill 15, as substituted, be reported to the full Senate with the recommendation
• House Bill 15 substitute, will the clerk call the roll? Bettencourt, Bettencourt on 15. Aye.
• There being six ayes and two nays, House Bill 15 has been substituted and reported to the full Senate

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The intent is, or it does, because if I substitute at Lake Forest and substitute at CR, unless something's
• Members of the Education Committee, it's my pleasure to present House Substitute 1 for House Bill 425
• The substitute incorporates feedback from Autism Delaware that includes The substitute incorporates feedback
• Please, yeah, and I am not as concerned as I originally was in the substitute. That's a good thing.
• DASA appreciates the underlying positive intent behind House Substitute 1 for House Bill 379.

Summary: The Senate Education Committee met with enough members present to conduct business and approved the June 17 minutes. It first heard HB 459 with House Amendment 1, which would prohibit the sale of energy drinks on public middle and high school campuses during school hours or school events. The sponsor and Department of Education explained that the bill targets beverages containing caffeine and marketed as energy drinks, not ordinary soft drinks or coffee/tea products. Public testimony from the Medical Society supported the bill on health grounds, while the beverage industry said its companies already voluntarily limit school offerings and that the bill does not reflect current practice. No vote was taken in the transcript. The committee then heard HB 461, a follow-up to prior legislation on New Castle County property reassessment and school tax rates. Senator Cruz said the bill would let New Castle County school districts adjust and reset tax rates to reflect reassessment changes without increasing projected operating revenue, and that it includes a sunset. DSEA supported the measure, saying fair property values are important to public education funding. The committee also heard HB 452, which would require additional background checks and training for DIAA sports officials and strengthen DIAA enforcement procedures. Members questioned how checks would be handled, who would see the results, and who would provide training; the DIAA compliance coordinator said the checks would be maintained through the state process and that associations would verify eligibility. The bill’s sponsor and DIAA said the goal was to align officials with existing child-safety standards. Next, the committee considered HS1 for HB 425, which raises the salary supplement from 6% to 12% for nationally certified school counselors, nurses, and school social workers, and allows DOE to identify additional qualifying positions by regulation. Supporters, including school social workers, nurses, and DSEA, argued the change would improve retention and recognize advanced credentials. Senator Hansen raised concerns that school psychologists were not included; sponsors said a broader study and possible future legislation or budget language would address other nationally certified school-based professionals. The committee then heard HS1 for HB 358 on student elopement notifications, inspired by Ace’s Law, but administrators and the chair raised concerns that the bill may be too prescriptive and difficult to implement in practice, especially when schools may not immediately know a student has left campus. Finally, the committee discussed HB 379 on the comprehensive school discipline improvement program; DOE said the substitute was intended to consolidate prevention and intervention supports and avoid competition for funding, while DASA asked that the bill be paused or tabled. The meeting ended before action on the remaining bill, and HB 443 was deferred to a future executive meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is a... there is a committee substitute. All right, thank you.
• And the Chair sends up the committee substitute.
• Senator King is recognized to tell us about the substitute.
• House Bill 15 substitute. Will the clerk call the roll? Betancourt, Betancourt on 15. Aye.
• Clerk: There being 6 ayes and 2 nays, House Bill 15 as substituted is reported to the full Senate.

Transcript Highlights:

• I now move that House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 890 do pass. Is there any discussion?
• By the vote of 8 yes, 0 no, you have do pass, House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 890.
• By the vote of eight yes, no, you have do pass House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 890.
• By the vote of seven yes, one no, and one voting present, you have do pass House Committee Substitute
• You have do pass House Committee Substitute for House Bills 2762, 2816, and 2402.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I now move that House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 890 do pass. Is there any discussion?
• By the vote of 8 yes, 0 no, you have do pass House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 890.
• By the vote of eight yes, no, you have do pass House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 890.
• You have do pass House Committee Substitute for House Bills 2762, 2816, and 2402.
• You have do pass House Committee Substitute for House Bills 2762, 2816, and 2402.

Summary: The Missouri House Legislative Rules Committee met in executive session and moved quickly through its agenda. The chair announced the committee would vote on Senate Bill 890 and House Bills 2762, 2816, and 2402, all related to solar energy projects, and noted the committee might need to recess and return later if needed on the floor. After calling the roll, the committee first considered House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 890 and voted it do pass by an 8-0 vote. The committee then took up House Committee Substitute for House Bills 2762, 2816, and 2402, with members discussing the measure as an important solar energy bill that had come up late in the session. Representative Pollitt said the bill was needed and hoped it would be pursued again in the future, while the chair thanked members for their work on it and said the issue deserved further attention in the interim. The substitute bill was approved do pass by a 7-1 vote, with one member voting present. After completing the votes, the committee recessed. Later, the meeting was formally adjourned with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• “No, I don’t think the substitute. No, this is just kind of a...
• Representative Minna is offering a substitute to his bill, HB 947.
• All right, Representative Minna on your substitute bill? Yes.
• Well, thank you for the substitute bill. I like it a lot. So thank you.
• Well, by substitute. Any objection? Seeing none, the substitute bill is reported.

Summary: The committee first deferred House Bill 1102 without hearing it. It then took up House Concurrent Resolution 66, which urges Louisiana Economic Development and other state agencies to continue studying rural parishes’ economic assets, infrastructure, workforce, and development opportunities. Representative Weible and Secretary Bougoir described the resolution as part of a broader effort to align state rural programs and create a strategic framework for rural development. Members emphasized infrastructure, workforce training, local coordination, and retaining young people in rural communities. An amendment requiring LED to report to the legislature by January 1, 2027 was adopted, and HCR 66 was reported favorably as amended. The committee next considered Senate Bill 102, which would allow qualified trade associations for motor vehicle dealers to bring declaratory and injunctive actions against manufacturers on behalf of dealers. Senator Presley and the Louisiana Automobile Dealers Association said the bill would consolidate similar disputes into one action, reduce costs, and help smaller dealers avoid retaliation or uneven litigation. Questions focused on standing, the limited remedies, and whether the bill would affect nontraditional sales models. Technical amendments were adopted, and SB 102 was reported favorably as amended. Senate Bill 521, concerning banks’ continued use of a non-surviving bank’s name after mergers or consolidations, drew the most debate. Senator Boudreau and former Senator Fred Mills said the bill would preserve community-bank identity while following FDIC guidance on clear disclosure and consumer notice. Several members raised concerns about codifying federal guidance, future changes to federal rules, and whether the bill should instead set a fixed transition period; an amendment to limit use of the old name to 24 months was adopted after discussion. Another proposed amendment tying the bill to 1998 FDIC branch-name guidance failed on a roll call vote. The bill, as amended, was then reported favorably. The committee also advanced House Bill 387, which narrows the scope of incidental engineering work by architects and clarifies the state fire marshal’s authority to review plans under both architecture and engineering laws, and House Bill 1228, which updates hearing-aid dealer licensing and consumer-protection rules, including testing periods, cooling-off rights, and refund/cancellation procedures. Both bills were reported favorably with technical amendments. The transcript then shifted to additional measures, including House Bill 975 on Public Service Commission reconstitution and several Senate bills by Senator Abraham on self-storage facilities and contractor licensing, but the provided text cuts off before those items are fully concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we support the committee substitute for Senate Bill 1082. Any of you have any questions?
• Let's take the substitute. ...and there is a substitute amendment for Barcode 6524444.
• Let's take a substitute amendment, Barcode 719174, by Senator DeSigley to Senator DeSigley.
• You are recognized to explain the substitute amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• That is the substitute. Are there questions on the amendment? Any debate on the amendment?

Bills: S0158, S0314, S0618, S0684, S0838, S0990, S1000, S1082, S1452, S1494, S1500, S1568, S1706

Keywords: pet insurance, consumer protection, insurance regulation, policy disclosure, agent training, payment stablecoin, financial regulation, anti-money laundering, state oversight, digital currency, financial services, workers compensation, Florida statute, commercial insurance, insurance board, electronic signatures, vehicle titles, insurance regulations, auditing, total loss vehicles

Summary: The Banking and Insurance Committee heard and advanced a wide range of insurance, financial services, and probate bills. 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 was reported favorably. The committee then took up CS/SB 1082 on a statewide provider and health plan claim dispute resolution program for emergency out-of-network claims. After extensive discussion about the relationship between the state and federal No Surprises Act processes, an amendment was withdrawn due to concerns about clarity and scope, but the bill itself was supported by providers and insurers and was reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 684 on electronic signatures for total loss vehicles and vessels, CS/SB 158 on pet insurance consumer disclosures and agent education, SB 1494 expanding breast cancer screening coverage, CS/SB 314 on digital assets and stablecoin issuers, and CS/SB 1500 on uncontested probate procedures and small-estate administration. SB 618 on workers’ compensation insurance was amended to raise the consent-to-rate cap for workers’ compensation policies from 10% to 20% and then reported favorably, with supporters saying it would help keep higher-risk employers in the voluntary market. CS/SB 1568 creating a Florida Stablecoin Pilot Program was amended to remove authority for a Florida coin and limit the program to existing stablecoins, then passed. Later, the committee approved CS/SB 838 on electronic payment convenience fees for retail installment contracts, with the sponsor emphasizing that a fee-free payment option must still be offered. SB 1452, the Department of Financial Services agency bill, was amended and reported favorably; it covered My Safe Florida Home administration, insurance and licensing changes, unclaimed property updates, and other DFS-related provisions. The committee also passed SB 1706 on the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program, targeting owner-occupied condominiums at or below 80% of area median income, and SB 990 on protected cell captive insurance companies, which supporters said would modernize Florida’s captive insurance laws and encourage more competition. The meeting ended with all listed bills reported favorably and the committee adjourned.