Transcript Highlights:

• We also have limited ability to do analysis on some of the data that we have because we've just had a
• We also have limited ability to do analysis on some of the data that we have because we've just had a
• Generally, more than half of the commission staff work in the Regulatory Analysis Division.
• The Regulatory Analysis Division is made up of four subunits: Financial Analysis, which handles utility
• meetings the regulatory analysis meetings the regulatory analysis division<01:18:15.120> is

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• originally was, again, two sessions ago, but this last session refined it to be a business case analysis
• And so the State Energy Research Center and the ERC are working on that business case analysis.
• But it won't show up in the SIF trust fund analysis until next biennium because of the delayed effective
• There are a number of activities related to this analysis that have been included in the testimony that
• It's all part of the analysis. And part of it would be the cost of the different.

Summary: The committee took roll, approved the March 18 minutes, and then received a compliance-report update on the Industrial Commission and related funds and programs. Staff reviewed the status of one-time appropriations and grant programs, including electric grid resiliency, lignite research, enhanced oil recovery, the Clean Sustainable Energy Authority, the salt cavern business-case study, and the new NDSU research and technology park grant. Members asked about funding balances, reimbursement timing, matching requirements, and how some commitments would affect the State Investment Fund and future biennia. Industrial Commission staff then gave a broader update on the agency’s administrative office, grant management system, leadership transitions at several commission agencies, and active grant rounds. They reported that the grant management system is nearing completion, that several agency leadership searches have concluded, and that the commission’s grant programs currently have 108 active grants totaling more than $165 million. They also described the Clean Sustainable Energy Authority round, the oil and gas research program’s enhanced oil recovery awards, the grid resiliency grants, the salt cavern study, and the research technology park program, noting that some projects are awaiting federal funds or additional matching cash. Ron Ness, speaking for the Oil and Gas Research Council, focused on the state of the oil industry and the enhanced oil recovery “Bakken 2.0” effort. He said production remains steady, but future growth depends on better infrastructure, longer laterals, and new EOR methods such as CO2, natural gas, and surfactants. He emphasized the importance of the Bakkeneast pipeline and related gas-utilization projects, the recent DOE funding that will return some money to the research council, and the need to modernize tax and incentive rules for CO2-based recovery. Members discussed the potential economic benefits for oil, agriculture, and manufacturing. The Bank of North Dakota then presented its compliance report and a broader strategic update. Bank leadership reviewed the bank’s mission, governance, participation lending, student lending, disaster programs, and legislatively directed programs, and said the bank is managing for a flatter deposit base and stronger liquidity because of fintech competition and changing market conditions. They reported improved earnings, with net income rising to about $231 million, and described Rough Rider Coin as a new internal payment rail for North Dakota banks and credit unions, not a public cryptocurrency. Members asked about student loan eligibility, disaster lending, and the bank’s capacity to support state programs while maintaining its balance-sheet and liquidity requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• I understand the intent here and re-read the analysis.
• I re-read the analysis.
• Our letter somehow wasn't reflected in the analysis.
• We want to thank the committee and the author for the amendments addressed in the analysis.
• We want to thank the committee and the author for the amendments addressed in the analysis.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on privacy, AI, consumer protection, and public safety. AB 1979 would require a licensed health care professional to retain final clinical judgment when using AI tools in health care and would limit chatbot access to medical records; supporters, including nurses and TechEquity, said it preserves human decision-making, while hospitals and industry groups opposed it unless amended, citing burdens and training concerns. The bill passed 6-1 and was placed on call. AB 2624 would expand the Safe at Home confidentiality program to immigrant service providers and workers facing harassment and doxing; supporters described threats against advocates and their families, while one senator raised concerns about a private right of action and penalties. The bill passed 4-1 and was placed on call for further committees. AB 2103 would make Engaged California a permanent statewide public engagement program; supporters said it broadens civic participation and transparency, while concerns were raised about partisan balance in topic selection. It passed 6-0 and was placed on call to Appropriations. The committee also considered AB 2, which would set statutory damages and other financial accountability measures for large social media platforms when negligence causing harm to children is proven in court. The author and supporters, including a parent who lost her daughter and child-safety advocates, argued that stronger remedies are needed because social media design features are harming children and existing enforcement has been insufficient. Opponents, including TechNet, CCIA, CalChamber, and others, argued the bill blurs content and conduct, could increase litigation, and is unnecessary given existing lawsuits and verdicts. Several senators said the bill was a consumer-protection measure and supported it; it passed 5-0 and was placed on call. AB 883, as amended, would use California’s Delete Act/DROP system to help elected officials and judges remove personal information from data brokers, while also shortening the deletion timeline for all Californians from 45 to 30 days. Supporters said the bill responds to rising threats against public servants and improves privacy tools broadly; some opponents removed or softened opposition after amendments, though CalChamber and CCIA remained opposed unless amended, largely over the private right of action. The bill passed 4-0 and was placed on call. The committee then recessed briefly before taking up AB 2023, a chatbot safety bill for children that would require age verification, safety audits, default protections, parental controls, crisis-response measures, and limits on targeted ads and data sharing. Supporters said it builds on prior AI and child-safety legislation and is needed to prevent harms like self-harm and manipulation; opponents raised concerns about vague harm standards, audit requirements, and liability. The hearing continued with testimony and committee discussion, but no final vote on AB 2023 was shown in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you knew there were concerns through the session, why are we still waiting for analysis?
• And I have and also I will provide committee our first analysis of this bill because I all during this
• And I have and also I will provide committee our first analysis of this bill because I all during this
• <00:38:07.440> of<00:38:07.680> this committee our first analysis of this committee
• our first analysis of this bill<00:38:08.880> because<00:38:09.119> I<00:38:09.440>

Bills: HB55, SB15, SB247

Keywords: fishing, licensing, jubilee, Marine life, Alabama, regulations, sex offenders, employment restrictions, first responders, public safety, juvenile offenders, local laws, registration requirements, picketing, protesting, residential protest, noise amplification, amplified sound, residential picketing, harassment

Transcript Highlights:

• So much of what we do starts with that analysis.
• So much of what we do starts with that analysis.
• So much of what we do starts with that analysis.
• um we starts with that analysis um we understand<00:38:12.240> that<00:38:12.359> our<
• cost analysis the lcpr is<00:41:12.800> responsible<00:41:13.280> for<00:41:13.480>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Beth continued that the draft would include analysis of fiscal impacts, including the cost of personnel
• Kraft, include counties in that analysis. Mr.
• Kraft that we include counties in that analysis. Mr.
• Maybe we could at least add in the verbiage in the first line under F, an analysis of fiscal impacts
• Okay, so analysis of fiscal impacts and efficiencies. Okay. All right.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I also want to say thank you to your committee for a very thoughtful analysis.
• Oh, I'd like to thank the committee staff for their thoughtful analysis.
• That's not taken into account in some of the economic analysis that you've looked at.
• The taxes in our economic analysis are federal and state taxes, not local.
• The taxes in our economic analysis are federal and state taxes, not local.

Summary: The committee first heard AB 13, which would restructure the CPUC to increase legislative oversight, add legislative liaisons, require more detailed and timely reporting on rate-setting decisions, and add a public advocate member. The author and supporters argued the bill would improve transparency, accountability, and geographic diversity in CPUC decision-making amid rising utility rates. Witnesses from TURN, San Joaquin County, SDG&E, and former CPUC Commissioner Loretta Lynch offered support or support-in-principle, while no opposition testimony was presented. Members generally praised the bill’s transparency goals, and AB 13 passed 10-0 to Appropriations, with the roll left open for absent members. The committee then adopted the 2025-2026 committee rules and approved three consent items: AB 61, AB 365, and AB 406. The next bill, AB 99, would cap investor-owned utility rate increases above inflation except for specified costs such as safety, modernization, and fuel/commodity costs. The author and supporters, including a representative of the California Senior Legislature, said the bill was needed to protect ratepayers, especially seniors and low-income customers, from repeated rate hikes. Opposition came from utility labor, utilities, the Chamber of Commerce, and others, who argued the bill was too simplistic, could suppress labor costs, and did not account for major cost drivers such as wildfire mitigation, mandates, and net metering. Several members supported moving the bill forward as a starting point on affordability, while others criticized it as overly blunt. AB 99 passed 11-0 to Appropriations, with the roll left open. The hearing then shifted to an informational panel on strategies to reduce California transmission costs. A Public Advocates Office staffer described a growing backlog of approved-but-unbuilt transmission projects, rising transmission access charges, and long project timelines driven largely by utility pre-application and construction periods. Panelists from Net Zero California and consulting firms presented research suggesting that public financing or public-private partnership lease models could reduce transmission costs by lowering financing, tax, and capital costs, with estimated savings of up to 57% and as much as $123 billion over 40 years. PG&E’s representative said the utility is already pursuing federal loan guarantees, grants, and a public-private partnership with Citizens Energy, but warned that state ownership could create tax, wildfire-liability, and governance risks. Members asked about the CPUC’s role, the causes of delays, and whether public financing could complement existing competitive solicitation processes.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:27:13.679> um would be needed to conduct analysis um would be needed to conduct analysis
• <00:31:45.200> without<00:31:45.679> being conduct an impact analysis without being
• conduct an impact analysis without being able<00:31:46.159> to<00:31:46.559> identify<
• Chair, Senator Johnson Stewart, um, that was in reference to the cumulative impacts analysis, and we
• Erl's analysis is available to everyone in writing. Senator Nelson.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Everyone, please remember this analysis... All right, members, thank you for being here.
• As part of this resolution, we would have to go through the analysis, not just the inventory, but the
• financial accounting, the cost-benefit analysis, and all of the description.
• It's going to trigger the reporting, the review, analysis, and reporting that's in this resolution.
• did any one of those other triggers, then they would be back in for us to do the inventory, the analysis

Summary: The House Committee on Health and Welfare met on May 26 for what was described as the last meeting of the legislative session. H.R. 318 was voluntarily deferred without discussion. The committee first took up H.R. 298, which would have directed the Louisiana Department of Health, with the legislative auditor, to study LDH’s relationships with certain nonprofits, foundations, professional associations, and other nongovernmental entities. The author presented amendments narrowing the definitions, but LDH testified the language was still too broad, would still require substantial review of contracts, memberships, conferences, and related interactions, and would still carry a significant fiscal note. Members raised concerns that hospitals, provider associations, nonprofit care facilities, and other stakeholders could be swept in. The author then voluntarily deferred the resolution, and the committee agreed without objection. The committee then heard Senate Bill 405, which establishes a statewide quality oversight initiative for nursing facilities, directs LDH to work with facilities on care standards and remediation for lower-rated homes, and requires reporting and transparency for families. The bill drew broad support from members and stakeholders, including nursing home and senior advocacy groups, and was reported favorably without objection. House Resolution 290, which asked LDH to study a possible correlation between gender-affirming hormone therapy medications and psychosis or related psychiatric conditions in people 26 and younger, prompted questions about the purpose of the study and concerns that it could affect broader policy debates. The author, a licensed clinical social worker, said the request was intended to examine whether medications were being used too quickly and what effects they might have on adolescent mental health; after discussion, the author voluntarily deferred the resolution, and the committee agreed. Finally, the committee considered Senate Concurrent Resolution 61, urging LDH and commercial insurers to increase reimbursement rates for behavioral health crisis centers operating under a crisis receiving center license. Testimony focused on the Bridge Center for Hope, described as the state’s only Level 3 crisis receiving center, and the need to revisit Medicaid reimbursement for the first 23 hours of crisis care. With no questions or objections, the resolution was adopted. The meeting ended with members thanking the chair and staff, and the committee adjourned for the year.

Transcript Highlights:

• I was trying to understand the analysis and the language.
• make sure that I address a couple of the concerns here in my closing, specifically around the staff analysis
• The staff analysis correctly outlined some basically fiscal impact that was based on the Department of
• Commerce Department analysis on the bill.
• Just want to make a notation here is that in the staff analysis it is showing probably a little bit higher

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ALARMING STATEMENT FOR ME AS A LEGISLATURE TO HEAR THE CHIEF JUSTICE OF OUR FLORIDA SUPREME COURT, HIS ANALYSIS
• THE GATE AND IT'S ALREADY IN THE IMPLEMENTATION PHASE WHICH IS A LITTLE LATE TO ACTUALLY HAVE THE ANALYSIS
• OF IS THIS COURSE THAT WE'RE ON, DOES IT HAVE THE ANALYSIS OF IS THIS COURSE THAT WE'RE ON, DOES IT
• BELIEVE STORM PROTECTION PLANS, WOULD YOU LIKE AS THE PSC TO BE REQUIRED TO HAVE A BIT MORE ROBUST ANALYSIS
• LOOKING LIKE AND I APOLOGIZE CHAIRMAN, I'M NOT 1000% FAMILIAR WITH YOUR BILL, I AM FAMILIAR WITH THE ANALYSIS

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These were informed by 2020 analysis from our office.
• Standards of practice also necessitate certain risk analysis to go along with contribution rates that
• assumptions related to contribution rates, and standards of practice also necessitate certain risk analysis
• Then, looking to the future, we still have further analysis to produce a funding valuation that would
• of each institution's... ...to perform an actuarial evaluation and analysis of each institution's higher

Summary: The Pension Funding Council met on June 23, 2026, for a work session that began with an overview of the Higher Education Supplemental Retirement Plan (SRP) and a 2025 accounting valuation of that plan. Staff explained that the SRP is a closed defined benefit supplement for higher education employees hired before the 2011 closure, with employer contributions currently pre-funding benefits in institution-specific trusts while institutions still pay benefits on a pay-as-you-go basis. The State Actuary’s office reported that the plan’s accounting position has improved, with combined market assets of about $245 million against $377 million in accrued liability, and that strong market performance since 2022 has increased the asset-to-liability ratio. The office emphasized that this was an educational accounting valuation, not a funding valuation for rate-setting. The council then received the 2025 actuarial valuation report for the state retirement systems. Actuaries reviewed the recent demographic experience study, noting updated assumptions for mortality, retirement, termination, and salary growth, and said the net impact on most plans was small. They reported that most plans’ funded ratios improved, with all plans at least 94% funded and several at or above 100%, and that contribution rates for the 2027–2029 biennium are generally lower than current rates. They also noted that future rates could be affected by market volatility as deferred gains are recognized over the next few years. During public comment, a representative of the Association of Washington Cities urged the council to consider rate reductions to help local governments facing budget pressures. In executive session, the council first approved a motion directing the Office of the State Actuary to perform an actuarial evaluation and analysis of each institution’s Higher Education Supplemental Retirement Plan, including institution-specific contribution rates, asset sufficiency, and funding policy options, due by July 1, 2028. The council then adopted the 2027–2029 pension contribution rates based on the 2025 actuarial valuation report. Both motions passed 5-0, with one member excused. The meeting concluded with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• what we were thinking in terms of medical frailty, what other states were doing, and show you that analysis
• They've been doing a lot of the analysis associated with this, so I want to recognize their hard work
• know that that was baked into the rule in part, which does align with the way we've been doing our analysis
• Not to say that, again, the analysis equals the Align with the way we've been doing our analysis.
• Not to say that, again, the analysis equals the implementation practice.

Keywords: 962, all

Summary: The Care Management Committee met to receive a status update on the DSS/CHN PCMH program and to discuss implementation of HR1, especially the new medical frailty requirements. CHN reported the PCMH program remained steady at 124 practices and 553 sites, with 54.6% of the HUSKY population attributed to PCMH providers, and noted ongoing recruitment, provider turnover, and recent practice consolidations/acquisitions that will shift some sites to Yale and Hartford HealthCare. CHN also reported strong quality improvement engagement for 2026, with 83% of contacted PCMHs engaged, and said preliminary 2025 results showed improvement across measures. The bulk of the meeting focused on DSS’s response to the June 1 CMS interim final rule on HR1. DSS explained that it had been building a medical frailty definition based on diagnosis codes and comparisons with other states’ approaches, but the new federal rule adds a requirement that the condition significantly impair a person’s ability to work or comply with community engagement requirements. DSS said it is still evaluating how to combine claims-based data with the new federal overlay, may submit comments to CMS during the open comment period through July 31, and is considering options such as self-attestation, especially given CMS’s allowance of self-attestation for calendar year 2027. Committee members raised concerns about the rule’s complexity, possible legal challenges, the need for a good-faith waiver or implementation delay, and the risk of noncompliance if the state gets the process wrong. Members also pressed DSS for broader outreach, clearer public communication, training, and better reporting on implementation impacts and costs. DSS said it is developing a website, webinars, and a communications plan, and is working with community-based organizations, community health workers, and administrative services organizations to reach potentially affected members. DSS said it is also building a Medicaid pre-screener to help people determine whether they may be subject to work requirements. In the PCMH Plus discussion, DSS said it was not yet ready to present the 2024 quality data but would try to bring the Wave 3, Year 5 results and related quality/shared savings information to the July 8 meeting, along with the regular PCMH update and another HR1 update. The committee also discussed future agenda items including community health worker reimbursement, peer support services, and the inmate medical program.

Transcript Highlights:

• Many organizations, including ours, participated in a comprehensive analysis to identify the needs of
• The statewide IEP—we’ve learned through data analysis that students with disabilities have a slightly
• We’ve learned through data analysis that students with disabilities have a slightly higher transfer rate
• The data analysis reveals that one in three New Mexico high school students with disabilities change
• Because in the bill analysis, it talks about on the second page, it says...

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• SCHOOLS PROVIDING SUPPORT AND INCLUDE SITE-BASED PROFESSIONAL LEARNING, COLLABORATIVE PLANNING DATA ANALYSIS
• WE WOULD HAVE TO RUN DATA ON THAT TO DO SOME MORE ANALYSIS.
• THE ANALYSIS WE GET IS WE LOOK AT WHICH SCHOOL IS IDENTIFIED AS A RAISE SCHOOL AND AGAIN WE DON'T SEE
• OVER TIME HAVE YOU DONE ANY STUDIES OR ANALYSIS OF ABILITIES TO READ ON GRADE LEVEL MAYBE IN A 10 YEAR
• CONSISTENCY IN DEFICIENCIES ESPECIALLY IN MATH, LACK OF KNOWLEDGE OF FRACTIONAL REASONING, DATA ANALYSIS

Transcript Highlights:

• It was a cost analysis by ERCOT that came up with those numbers.
• we, in our interim report, discussed or put in there that the PUC should complete an independent analysis
• it sufficient do you think do you have as much confidence in ERCOT's methodology regarding a cost analysis
• versus doing an independent analysis and waiting for that independent analysis before deciding. deciding
• islanded and taken away from the grid. we would effectively do what's called a reliability must run analysis

Bills: SB 6, SB6, SB504, SB765, SB815, SB929

Keywords: hemp, consumable hemp, hemp-derived cannabinoids, CBD, cannabidiol, CBG, cannabigerol, delta-8, delta-9, intoxicating hemp, hemp gummies, hemp vape, edibles, cannabinoid regulation, hemp licensing, retailer registration, product registration, QR code labeling, child-resistant packaging, minor access

Transcript Highlights:

• And so having the analysis that we need to take a peek at how we're doing these things is just very,
• So we have that analysis done.
• Have those distinctions been made in your analysis with respect to pharmaceuticals? No.
• We work with an outside vendor when we can for some analysis.
• Like, so we did a whole month-by-month analysis and it does—people go in and out.

Keywords: 962, all

Summary: The Complex Care Committee meeting focused first on a new Diabetes Caucus launched at the Capitol. Rep. Johnson described the caucus as a forum to educate people about type 1 and type 2 diabetes, genetic risk, early testing, pregnancy-related diabetes, and ways Medicaid policy might improve prevention and lower long-term costs. Members agreed the caucus could intersect with care management, and Carolyn Grandell of CHNCT offered to share information about current diabetes-related care management services at a future meeting. The committee then heard a detailed presentation from Alex Rigger of the Office of Health Strategy, who is moving to the Office of Policy and Management. He reviewed Connecticut health care benchmark data, including total health care expenditures, medical spending, and market-by-market trends. He said 2023 to 2024 per-capita spending grew more than 8.5% statewide and 14% in Medicaid, with long-term care accounting for about 46% of Medicaid spending and retail pharmacy also identified as a major cost driver. Members asked about enrollment changes, dual-eligible populations, Medicare Savings Program members, 340B drug pricing, and value-based payment models. Rigger explained that his office tracks alternate payment models and quality benchmarks, but does not separately capture 340B data. Discussion then shifted to Medicare Advantage, dual eligibles, and hospital discharge planning. Members said they want better data on how many Medicaid members are in Medicare Advantage plans and whether those plans shift costs back to Medicaid or affect access to care, especially for complex-care patients. Staff noted DSS does have some Medicare Advantage indicators and that CMS is developing encounter-data rules for states. Kathy Holt and others raised concerns about denials, nursing home stays, and the need to compare Medicaid spending for dual eligibles in Medicare Advantage versus traditional Medicare. The meeting ended with plans for follow-up data sharing, including Alex Rigger’s slides, the diabetes caucus materials, and a future discussion with DSS and other agencies; no formal votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• So a lot of analysis goes into the decision point of what's the path forward, and then once we have that
• So a lot of analysis to approach this?
• So a lot of analysis goes<00:08:16.080> into<00:08:16.319> the<00:08:16.560> decision
• Uh, the analysis process is really kind of—>> that's what I get for being late.
• So when we get to that analysis stage, that's when we start asking the questions about, you know, is

Keywords: 0:20 Rollcall 2:28 Definition of Legacy system and demands of modern workplaces 10:48 Discussion of funding and planned expenditures 22:26 Contingency funding 23:16 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Personnel, Public Retirement, and Finance heard a presentation from the Commonwealth Office of Technology on legacy IT modernization funds and how they are used to address outdated, unsupported, or unsustainable systems. David Carter and Carrie Welch explained the state’s definition of a legacy system under KRS 7A.180, emphasizing not only vendor support issues but also changing business needs, regulatory compliance, and the loss of institutional knowledge for older systems. They described the office’s review process for determining whether a project qualifies, including assessing business risk, comparing options such as upgrades, replacements, shared solutions across agencies, or commercial products, and then matching the project to available funding. The presenters said COT reports twice a year to the Interim Joint Committee on Appropriations and Revenue on progress with legacy modernization projects. They reported 30 projects funded to date, with 18 completed, and said remaining projects are still moving forward while agencies continue to identify modernization needs. They highlighted examples of completed work, including modernized security cameras, replacement of unsupported systems, migration of documents to the Commonwealth Enterprise Content Management Platform, restoration of vendor support, a digital policy acknowledgement portal, replacement of the State Police dispatch system, and digitization of paper records for faster retrieval and better disaster resilience. Members asked for more detail on how the $10 million request would be allocated, including system-by-system spending, the split between software, hardware, vendor contracts, and staff time, and how the office determines when a system needs replacement. COT said it did not have a system-by-system or cost-category breakdown at the hearing but could provide one later, and explained that the funds are intended for development and first-time acquisition costs rather than ongoing maintenance. They also said the $5 million annual request was based on prior years’ experience and that agencies often contribute some funding themselves, so the program could still operate if appropriated less than the full amount. The committee then approved the minutes and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• page, the first page is cost analysis. page, the first page is cost analysis.
• financial analysis for this. financial analysis for this.
• modelers in the state did this analysis. modelers in the state did this analysis.
• They're risk analysis people.
• It's a risk analysis.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As part of this report, Florida Park Service conducted an analysis of repair, maintenance, and upgrades
• DEP also conducted analysis that evaluated future growth and recreational demands through the review
• The Florida Park Service analysis of our unit management plans for all 175 state parks identified and
• We also conducted analysis that evaluated future growth and recreational demands through the review of
• The Florida Park Service analysis of our unit management plans for all 175 state parks identified and

Bills: S0544, S0636, S0848, S0546

Keywords: golf courses, best management practices, fertilizer regulation, Department of Agriculture, environmental protection, certification, beach management, beach erosion, beach nourishment, coastal resilience, shoreline protection, critical erosion, critically eroded beach, Florida DEP, Department of Environmental Protection, coastal flooding, compound flooding, storm surge, inlet management, coastal engineering

Summary: The Environment and Natural Resources Committee met with a quorum and took up several bills. SB 636 on beach management, by Senator Leek, would create additional pathways for counties and municipalities to obtain critically eroded beach or area of critical state concern designations, shifting the process toward a more proactive approach. Senator Smith and Senator Harrell raised concerns about local capacity and funding, and the Florida Shore and Beach Preservation Association said the bill was an alternative pathway but emphasized the need for more recurring funding. The bill was reported favorably. The committee then considered SB 544, which transfers the Golf Course Best Management Practices Certification Program from DEP to FDACS and establishes certification and training standards there. Senator Smith and Senator Harrell asked about environmental oversight, taxation, and whether the change would affect state park restrictions; the sponsor said it would not change tax treatment or park rules and that DEP would still handle enforcement if BMPs are not followed. The Florida Springs Council opposed the bill, arguing golf courses are not agriculture and warning of weaker protections for springs, while the Florida Golf Course Superintendent's Association supported the move as a continuity and participation measure. After adopting a technical amendment, the committee reported the bill favorably, with Senator Smith voting no. SB 848 on stormwater treatment, also by Senator Trunow, was amended to clarify the role of water quality enhancement areas while stormwater rules are still being finalized and to make public-land project review forward-looking. Resource Environmental Solutions supported the amendment and bill as providing a clearer market for water quality credits, and the Florida Home Builders Association supported the measure. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. SB 546 by Vice Chair Mayfield would require 30-day public notice before meetings reviewing the sale or exchange of state conservation lands, including at water management districts; after a technical amendment, it received support from conservation groups and was reported favorably. The committee also received a DEP presentation on the State Park Amenities Report, which said Florida’s 175 state parks drew over 28 million visitors and generated a $3.6 billion economic impact. DEP identified nearly $759 million in needed repairs and upgrades over 10 years and $1.39 billion in contemplated new construction and development in unit management plans. No votes were taken on the presentation, and the meeting adjourned after no further business.