Transcript Highlights:

• And how does this factor into the bigger picture of the capital flight?
• And how does this factor into the bigger picture of the capital flight?
• And how does this factor into the bigger picture of the capital flight?

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: House and Senate Republican leaders held a press event to preview the final weeks of the legislative session and criticize several Democratic proposals. Their main focus was a proposed income tax on high earners, which they said is really an income tax that could later be expanded, and which drew what they described as record opposition in public sign-ins and testimony. They also objected to other fiscal bills they said would raise costs for food, agriculture, health care, energy, labor, and consumer goods, and they argued these measures would worsen affordability and encourage people and businesses to leave Washington. The caucus also highlighted bills they opposed on policy grounds, including measures affecting local authority over camping bans and housing permitting, an anti-initiative bill they called anti-voter, and a bill on sheriff background checks. They said they supported or were pleased to see movement on some Republican-backed measures, including tax exemptions for diapers, prepared foods, and certain licensing and continuing-education costs, as well as a repeal of last year’s services tax. They also said the Senate’s move to roll back the estate tax was a partial step in the right direction, though not enough to offset the proposed income tax. A major portion of the event centered on child welfare and the Keeping Families Together Act. Republicans criticized a House bill they said only partially addresses the “imminent harm” standard and does not adequately protect children in drug-affected homes, citing recent fatalities and critical incidents. They said they will keep pushing for changes and also mentioned support for adding fentanyl to the child endangerment statute. In closing, they said they would continue floor fights over the next week, and House Republicans announced they will issue their own media credentials to promote press access in Olympia.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the other important factor is that it provides a hedge for the customers. against rate increases.
• You know, you look at the affordability factor, you look at the small business aspect of this, and making
• And then the grid reliability, that's something that's actually a big factor in my district.

Bills: SB101 , SB58 , SB55

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Keywords: SB 101, Health Care Delivery and Access Act, repeal of repeal, sunset repeal, delayed repeal, health care, healthcare, access to care, medical services, provider regulation, state health law, New Mexico, SB58, metropolitan redevelopment, redevelopment property, property tax exemption, payments in lieu of taxes, PILOT, municipal redevelopment, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• I spend about half of my time working on research on housing supply constraints and factors that are
• This is a huge factor in the cost of building housing, especially apartments, and especially in older
• the two-staircase requirement was adopted, with sprinklers, fire-rated materials, and other safety factors

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The projects balance the following factors.
• between 30 and 60 acquisitions, and that's really dependent on the acreage, the area, and all of the factors
• And then you must meet one of the four factors that I presented, which are related to habitat, water

Summary: The Committee on Agriculture met to hear updates on land conservation and agricultural preservation programs. The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services presented on the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, explaining that it protects active agricultural lands through conservation easements while keeping land in private ownership and on the tax rolls. The director said the program requires participants to use agricultural best management practices, noted strong demand with 428 ranked projects for 2025, and reported that consistent legislative funding and partnerships with USDA, DOD, local governments, land trusts, and water management districts have expanded acreage protected, much of it within the Florida Wildlife Corridor. Committee members asked about eligibility, ranking, local government involvement, and how many projects are typically funded each year. Conservation Florida’s president and CEO testified that both Rural and Family Lands and Florida Forever are critical and complementary tools for preserving working lands, wildlife habitat, water resources, and public access to nature. She warned that uncertainty or cuts in state funding can stall projects, raise land prices, and reduce conservation momentum. In discussion with senators, she said public access is often negotiated case by case and is more common on lands acquired for parks, forests, and other public green space than on conservation easements. The Department of Environmental Protection then updated the committee on Florida Forever, describing it as the state’s premier conservation and recreation land acquisition program. DEP said Florida Forever uses both conservation easements and fee-simple purchases, with about half of acquisitions done through easements, and emphasized that steady funding is needed to keep projects moving. The deputy secretary reported 60 projects on the current work plan, more than $1.4 billion invested since 2019, and recent acquisitions including new state forest, park, and preserve expansions. Members also raised concerns about payment in lieu of taxes for fiscally constrained counties, local notification of acquisitions, and the need for continued support for agriculture, citrus, roads, and conservation funding. No formal votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after member comments and public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then I did want to mention the increase to the secondary student factor, which should be seen.
• Through the last few years, you've also increased at risk factor, and it culminated in in House Bill
• 63, both in a revision to the formula itself, and we should say, to an increase to the at-risk factor

Transcript Highlights:

• it's being prescribed, the type of steroid, the dosage of the steroid, there would be a number of factors
• It, it certainly can depending on all of the factors, uh, shouldn't we outlaw it no matter what the reason
• life, their mental health improves, anxiety and depression go down, their character improves, risk factors

Committee: House Public Education

Transcript Highlights:

• So, you know, they would take into account all of the various factors in determining whether someone
• One of those factors is how long have they been in business?
• low businesses, the mitigation effort by the Department of Transportation. ...doesn't necessarily factor

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development considered a full agenda of transportation, economic development, housing, emergency services, and specialty license plate bills. Several measures were explained and advanced without opposition, including the Department of Transportation agency bill (CS/CS/SB 1662), a Purple Heart toll exemption bill (CS/SB 574), a Florida Highway Patrol specialty plate bill (CS/SB 824), a construction disruption assistance loan program for small businesses (CS/CS/SB 324), a manufactured housing assistance bill for local housing plans (CS/SB 1714), a foreign agents registration bill (CS/CS/SB 766), military academy specialty plates (CS/SB 1024), a Safe Coastal Wildlife specialty plate (CS/SB 1246), an emergency services warning-light bill (CS/SB 1644), the Florida Wildflower specialty plate (SB 1152), and a toll exemption bill for 100% disabled veterans and Purple Heart recipients (CS/SB 532). The committee adopted amendments on several bills. On CS/CS/SB 1662, Senator Collins’ strike-all amendment made a range of DOT-related changes, including the Florida Transportation Academy, seaport and airport accountability provisions, and allowing cranes to move under special blanket permits at night. On CS/CS/SB 324, the committee adopted a delete-everything amendment and a further amendment removing liability language; the bill would create a revolving loan program for small businesses harmed by public works construction, with members raising concerns about eligibility, verification of losses, and public records issues for financial documents. On CS/SB 766, an amendment clarified definitions and aligned the bill with federal FARA standards, including a 20% beneficial ownership threshold. On CS/SB 532, an amendment added Purple Heart recipients to the toll exemption. Testimony and debate were generally supportive, with several outside witnesses appearing in favor of the bills, including Florida PBA, the Florida Manufactured Homeowners Federation, the Florida Manufactured Housing Association, the Center for Security Policy, and the Florida Wildflower Foundation. Members highlighted constituent impacts and policy concerns on a few measures, especially the construction disruption loan bill and the disabled veteran toll exemption, where some senators suggested narrowing the scope or adding protections. All bills considered were reported favorably, and senators later requested to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on selected tabs before the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, you know, they would take into account all of the various factors in determining whether someone
• One of those factors is how long have they been in business?
• FDOT, that at least the mitigation effort by the Department of Transportation doesn't necessarily factor

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development met to consider a full agenda of bills, beginning with CS/CS/SB 1662, the Department of Transportation agency bill. Senator Collins presented a strike-all amendment that retained creation of the Florida Transportation Academy, clarified the Florida Transportation Research Institute, restored legislative budget commission review for certain work program amendments, adjusted small-business and supply-chain grant provisions, added airport and seaport accountability measures, and allowed special blanket permits for oversized cranes to travel at night under FDOT safety protocols. The committee adopted the amendment and then reported the bill favorably. The committee also favorably reported SB 574, allowing Florida Purple Heart license plate holders to pass tolls free, and CS/SB 824, creating a specialty plate supporting Florida Highway Patrol troopers and scholarships. The committee then took up CS/SB 324, which creates a revolving low-interest loan program at the Department of Commerce for small businesses harmed by significant public works construction. Senator Smith described a local example involving prolonged sewer work in Orlando that hurt businesses in the Lake Ivanhoe district. Members raised concerns about fiscal impact, eligibility standards, proof of loss, business age, and whether financial records should be protected from public disclosure. The bill was amended to remove a hotline, add a webpage, and refine liability language, and the committee reported it favorably. The committee also favorably reported CS/SB 1714, requiring local housing assistance plans to include support for mobile home owners, including lot-rent assistance; CS/SB 766, revising registration requirements for agents and organizations tied to foreign countries of concern; and CS/SB 1024, creating specialty plates for the U.S. Military Academy and U.S. Naval Academy. Additional measures approved included CS/SB 1246, authorizing a Save Coastal Wildlife specialty plate with proceeds going to the Zoo Miami Foundation; CS/SB 1644, expanding warning light use for volunteer firefighters, medical staff, and organ transport vehicles, with discussion focused on Hatzalah emergency services; SB 1152, increasing the Florida Wildflower specialty plate fee to support conservation, research, and native seed industry development; and CS/SB 532, exempting 100% disabled veterans from tolls. An amendment to SB 532 also added Purple Heart recipients to the toll exemption. Several members requested to be recorded voting in the affirmative on selected tabs, and the committee adjourned after all bills were reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• Substantially comply means they must have multi-factor authentication, have disaster recovery plans,
• They all require multi-factor authentication.
• because the people who are leading the organizations don't want the inconvenience of having multi-factor

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 1183, by Rep. G. Lombardo, as amended by a strike-all. The bill would provide liability protection for local governments and private-sector entities that substantially comply with certain cybersecurity practices, including multi-factor authentication, disaster recovery plans, and related policies and procedures. Rep. Lombardo said the measure is intended to create incentives for better cybersecurity and to limit class-action exposure after incidents, while still allowing suits where negligence can be shown. Supporters included TechNet, the Florida Justice Reform Institute, the Florida League of Cities, Associated Industries of Florida, the Florida Association of Counties, and Dr. Edward Long of the James Madison Institute; Vice Chair Steele, Rep. Blanco, and Rep. McFarland also spoke in favor. Ranking Member Bracy Davis opposed the bill, saying she was not comfortable granting liability protections to entities that may have contributed to breaches and questioning whether substantial compliance would be self-attested. The amendment was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably by a 14-2 vote. After the vote, the committee shifted into an extended discussion about Florida’s state IT governance structure, procurement, and project management. Members criticized the current federated model as fragmented and lacking clear accountability, with repeated references to long-running problems such as cost overruns, weak vendor oversight, workforce shortages, and the troubled I-Connect system. Several members argued that the state needs a single accountable leader or stronger enterprise authority over agency technology decisions. Ranking Member Bracy Davis raised concerns about the impact of broken systems on vulnerable populations and asked about the role of advisory councils. Rep. G. Lombardo, Vice Chair Steele, Rep. Miller, and Rep. Groh all emphasized the need for centralized leadership, better alignment of authority and budget, and more disciplined procurement and integration practices. A public witness, Victoria Zep of Team 180, testified in support of a more enterprise-wide approach and said the private sector also wants more organization and transparency. She criticized short procurement timelines, limited competition, and poorly written scopes, and urged the state to post procurements more openly and seek broader vendor input. She also discussed the need to respect agency-specific federal requirements while still improving statewide coordination. The chair closed by asking members to bring forward ideas for immediate and long-term reforms, including review of Senate Bill 7026, and the meeting adjourned without further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• So there's that kind of factor too. So it's, it's.
• This section of the code requires judges is to consider several factors when setting bail amounts and
• looking at the same case may come to different, may come to three different conclusions on these factors

Bills: SB260 , SB263 , SB293 , SJR18

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: school safety, Foundation School Program, education funding, student allotment, Texas education, SB 263, Texas franchise tax, cost of goods sold, COGS, broadcasters, television broadcasting, radio broadcasting, media tax, broadcast license, FCC, 47 C.F.R. Part 73, 47 C.F.R. Part 74, film production, television production, tax deduction

Transcript Highlights:

• So there's that kind of factor too.
• This section of the code requires judges to consider several factors when setting bail amounts and conditions
• May come to 3 different conclusions on these factors because there is no clear and uniform way to measure

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• need to rent a car for more than 30 days for long term travel, temporary transportation, or other factors
• I also understand that the signal factor here, um.
• then financial assets in general, how we manage assets but financial assets in general, uh, two, two-factor

Bills: SB 21 , SB 72 , SB 140 , SB 262 , SB 370 , SB 372 , SB 495 , SB 627 , SB 703 , SB 764 , SB 842

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Keywords: cryptocurrency, bitcoin, investment reserve, economic resilience, financial security, vehicle rental, damage waiver, consumer rights, business regulations, refund policy, telephone solicitation, telemarketing, text message marketing, SMS marketing, robotext, spam text, consumer protection, deceptive trade practices, DTPA, Business & Commerce Code

Transcript Highlights:

• And keep in mind that the pages before this are the best interest factors of the child and there is a
• factor here that talks about whether the parents are able to get along in order to... that's one of
• the factors to consider.
• </c><01:41:24.560><c> talks</c> and there is a factor here that talks and there is a factor here that
• </c><01:41:33.520><c> to</c> to in that's one of the factors to to in that's one of the factors to consider

Bills: HF3951 , HF4005 , HF962 , HF4585 , HF3870 , HF4542 , HF3893 , HF4293 , HF4075 , HF4057 , HF3809

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Keywords: submetered utility service, tenant rights, digital payment, eviction protection, housing policy, biometric data, consent, data protection, civil penalties, privacy laws, HF4585, Minnesota, harassment restraining order, HRO, restraining order, temporary restraining order, petitioner notice, service of process, law enforcement notification, sheriff

Transcript Highlights:

• , and, you know, I'm not an expert on these factors.
• </c> tax policy depends on a lot of factors tax policy depends on a lot of factors and<00:13:33.200><
• Ramsey um these factors. So when Ms.
• </c> &gt;&gt; Well, and it also includes other factors &gt;&gt; Well, and it also includes other factors
• But but income part you know factors in.

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> Because of the budget adjustment factor, Because of the budget adjustment factor, nursing<00:42
• </c> with other factors with other factors uh<01:16:02.640><c> like</c><01:16:02.880><c> not</c><01:16
• </c> it because there are many other factors it because there are many other factors but but but in<01
• And that is a factor here in setting rates, but it's also a factor in wanting to ensure that reserves
• And that is a factor here in setting rates, but it's also a factor in wanting to ensure that reserves

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, we also saw the discontinuation of some policies that had payment factor increases.
• </c><00:31:20.480><c> This</c> that had payment factor increases.
• This that had payment factor increases.
• in recognition of USDA's historic factor in recognition of USDA's historic discrimination<00:31:28.880
• </c> that that um payment factor increase. that that um payment factor increase.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint informational briefing focused on how federal policy changes, tariffs, funding cuts, the federal shutdown, and delays in the farm bill are affecting Hawaii agriculture and food access. Opening remarks emphasized Hawaii’s heavy dependence on imported food and farm inputs, the state’s vulnerability to disruptions in USDA services, and the need for stronger state, county, and community coordination. Speakers also noted that immigration enforcement and broader global supply-chain pressures can affect local farm labor, production, and food availability. Sharon Herd, chair of the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, described both positive and negative federal impacts. She said Hawaii has benefited from some recurring grants and a large new $8.8 million federal grant, but also reported about $22 million in losses from suspended or terminated grants, including farm-to-school and water-related projects. She said some USDA programs, such as microgrants for food security and FISMIP, are currently suspended, while the specialty crop block grant remains active. She also said Hawaii farms declined from 7,328 to 6,569 between the 2017 and 2022 censuses and argued the state cannot rely on imports alone to feed its people. Amanda Shaw of Agriculture Stewardship Hawaii presented findings from federal funding cut reports. She said the first report, in March, identified about $88 million in potential cuts, and the newer report found $64.7 million in confirmed cuts and about $175 million in potential cuts. She said federal shifts are creating uncertainty for farmers, food-system organizations, and school and community food programs, and noted that 4,000 to 5,000 Hawaii farmers could receive less money because of changes to payment-factor provisions for socially disadvantaged farmers. She also said Hawaii has lost 18% of local USDA staff since September 2024, with possible further national reductions expected. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational only, and the chair noted that any legal questions, including the reported SNAP changes, would be for the Judiciary Committee to assess later.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, the unknown factor is we can only project how successful the HHRF is going to be.
• There are other considerations out there that are sort of outside factors that could play a role.
• how factor is we can only project how successful<00:08:27.199><c> the</c><00:08:27.440><c> HHRF</c><
• that could uh, play a of outside factors that could uh, play a role.<00:08:54.640><c> Um,</c><00:08:
• Uh, but we are trying to rapidly get all these factors put in place so we can go live by summer.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• do encourage you to remember that some of the other states have lower income tax, so you have to factor
• Like Indiana is 2.95, Arizona is 2.5, but when those are factored in, the fiscal impact of the Tax Foundation

Summary: The Revenue and Taxation Committee met on January 23, 2026, and considered only one item: RS 33071, Representative Jeff Ehlers’ annual tax conformity bill. Ehlers explained that the proposal would conform Idaho tax law retroactive to calendar year 2025 and forward to federal changes in the One Big Beautiful Bill, while continuing Idaho’s longstanding nonconformity with bonus depreciation. He said the bill also addresses federal R&E/R&D expensing and allows individuals to benefit from the federal changes, which he described as providing tax relief to Idaho taxpayers. Ehlers also said the bill would prevent “double dipping” by taxpayers who might otherwise use the same qualified expenses for both the new federal deduction and Idaho’s research activities credit or investment tax credit. Representative Gannon questioned the fiscal note, arguing that the Tax Commission’s estimate appeared too low compared with analyses from the Tax Foundation and other states, and raised concerns that the true revenue impact could be much higher, potentially affecting future budgets. Ehlers responded that the Tax Commission’s zero-impact view applied to the credit portion, while the main cost came from the R&D deduction and the personal provisions, and he said the committee’s fiscal estimate of about $155 million was based on the midpoint of Tax Commission estimates. After discussion, the committee took up Representative Raybould’s motion to introduce RS 33071. The motion passed on a voice vote, with one recorded nay, and the bill was introduced. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I do have a concern about the delivery factor, you know, in fact.
• The factors that you described, the factors that Dr.
• So it is multiple factors here that we're trying to sort through. Thank you. Vice Chair.
• I mean, I just, I guess I'm just like, there's so many factors here. I'm not sure.
• There's so many issues, so many factors.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health heard a series of bills focused on access to care, insurance coverage, and public health. AB 387 on youth sports AED access drew support from the author and safety advocates, but opposition from school, park, city, and county groups over liability, cost, and access concerns. The author said he would continue working on amendments to shift the bill toward requiring access to existing AEDs rather than mandating facility procurement. Committee members emphasized the life-saving purpose of the bill while also raising affordability and access concerns for youth sports programs. The committee also heard AB 1682, which would require health plans and insurers to cover FDA-cleared scalp cooling devices for chemotherapy patients. Supporters, including breast cancer survivors and health groups, described the emotional and quality-of-life benefits of preventing hair loss and said cost is the main barrier to access. There was no formal opposition, though one senator raised concerns about whether the mandate could exceed essential health benefits. The chair and members expressed support for the bill’s goals and said it would be taken up when quorum was established. AB 2093, a follow-up to the 988 crisis line law, sought to clarify statewide leadership, improve coordination among 988, 911, and mobile crisis teams, and create a more sustainable funding structure. Behavioral health organizations and crisis center representatives supported the bill, saying implementation challenges and demand growth require statutory fixes. Committee members generally supported the concept but noted the bill was a gut-and-amend and that additional work was needed with county and behavioral health stakeholders. The committee then heard AB 1843 on hepatitis C treatment, AB 1629 on dental assignment of benefits, AB 2540 on community college access to medication abortion services, and AB 1929 on disclosure of health plan investments. AB 1843 had broad support from medical and public health groups but opposition from health plans, which argued it conflicted with the prior-authorization framework in SB 306 and could raise drug costs. AB 1629 was supported by dental and patient advocates but opposed by dental plans and insurers over concerns about network participation and out-of-pocket costs. AB 2540 drew strong support from reproductive health advocates and student representatives, while community college health services and some others opposed or were neutral pending amendments; the author said the bill was about equity and accepted amendments to reduce burdens. AB 1929 was backed by labor and immigrant rights groups as a transparency measure, but opposed by health plans and insurers who said Covered California was not the right entity to administer the disclosures and that the information was already publicly available. Throughout the hearing, members repeatedly weighed public access and transparency against cost, administrative burden, and implementation concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• If the legislature doesn’t act, this cut will be passed along with the competitive workforce factor in
• But if there's a what-if factor where all of a sudden there isn't payment coming from a source, and Mr
• So, the what-if factor, if this happens in the future, what can we do to assure that Lydia and people
• </c> But if if if there's a what if factor But if if if there's a what if factor where<01:24:53.720><
• , if this happens So, the what if factor, if this happens in<01:25:29.040><c> the</c><01:25:29.160><c

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all