Transcript Highlights:

• maybe patients might switch to one of the stores that they own, and then they recapture all of those fees
• And I think it's important that, you know, if fraud is suspected, there's no kind of cap or limit.
• This amendment removes provisions in the bill dealing with caps on damages in civil suits and removes
• And the result is that the trust asset gets unnecessarily consumed by legal and accounting fees.
• Medically necessary orthotics and prosthetics without lifetime or continuous-use caps.

Summary: The Banking and Insurance Committee took up several bills, beginning with CS/SB 326, which modernizes Florida’s curator statute in probate law by clarifying when curators may be appointed, what they may do, and the oversight required. The bill was reported favorably without opposition. The committee then heard SB 1256 on pharmacy audits, which would require PBM audits of pharmacies to follow uniform standards and provide due process protections; pharmacists testified in support, describing current audits as burdensome and conflicted. That bill was also reported favorably. Members next considered CS/SB 598 on funeral, cemetery, and consumer services. An amendment was adopted removing provisions on civil damage caps and phasing out direct disposers, and the bill was then reported favorably. SB 632, dealing with transportation network company insurance, would set coverage requirements for the period after a ride is accepted but before pickup; an opponent argued the existing insurance framework should not be reduced, but the bill passed on a divided vote and was reported favorably. CS/SB 786 on trusts, creating a nonjudicial process to close uncontested trusts and discharge trustees, was supported by banking and legal groups and reported favorably. The committee then took up CS/SB 1110 on Medicaid, health insurance, and HMO coverage for orthotics and prosthetics. A delete-all amendment clarified eligible recipients, and the bill drew extensive emotional testimony from amputees, parents, and advocates describing the high cost of activity limbs and the benefits for children’s health and participation. Several senators praised the testimony and the policy, and the bill was reported favorably. Finally, SB 1588 on legal tender refined last session’s gold-and-silver law, and SPB 7044 created related public-records exemptions for custodians of gold and silver; both were reported favorably, with SPB 7044 adopted as a committee bill. The meeting ended with senators recording additional affirmative votes on selected bills and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• This policy to leave all from supplemental payments traditionally issued and or fee for service models
• continue to support providers that that we're used to receiving supplemental payments or additional fee
• how that would be able to deliver these the supplemental payments that were previously issued under a fee
• This is a change from the average commercial rate which was a previous cap.
• And the average commercial rap became that the average commercial rate became the previous cap during

Transcript Highlights:

• <05:34:09.440> to for a limitation of liability cap to for a limitation of liability cap to
• limitation of liability cap applies. limitation of liability cap applies.
• there there's a real liability cap there there's a real liability cap already.<05:45:18.798>
• <05:46:32.558> for important issue of liability caps for important issue of liability caps
• the renewable energy credit has no cap the renewable energy credit has no cap or or or controls.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Then whatever the amount of the dollars are, 50% of them would be directed to this account, with a cap
• Then whatever the amount of the dollars are, 50% of them would be directed to this account, with a cap
• of uh a to um this account with a cap of uh a million million million dollar<00:04:04.239> the
• <01:05:36.279> to cover Through County costs and fees to cover Through County costs and fees
• Chair and committee members, the bill does not have an upfront fee.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill further prohibits the imposition of taxes, fees, penalties, charges, offsets, or assessments
• Governmental entities are also prohibited from implementing, administering, or enforcing cap-and-trade
• It's not an additional fee or surcharge.
• Unfortunately, the bill as written doesn't just prevent fees and taxes on its citizens.
• Why am I paying more in stormwater fees? And what exactly is that going to? That's transparency.

Bills: S0558, S1294, S1468, S1474, S1682, S1628

Keywords: stormwater systems, environmental standards, municipal infrastructure, engineering certifications, local compliance, Florida Department of Transportation, biosolids, agronomic rate, land application, environmental protection, Florida statutes, nutrient management, recordkeeping, farming, compost products, wastewater treatment, environment, sewage disposal, pollution control, reporting requirements

Summary: The committee took up several environmental bills, beginning with SB 1682 on local administration of vessel restrictions. Senator Trumbull said the bill would give cities and counties tools to address abandoned, derelict, and long-term anchored vessels while following state standards and FWC guidance. Members from affected areas spoke in support, citing recurring derelict vessel problems and the difficulty and cost of removal once vessels sink. The bill was reported favorably. The committee then heard SB 1468 on advanced wastewater treatment, which would require DEP to compile a detailed statewide report on wastewater treatment plants, including construction age, treatment levels, contaminant data, spill history, flood risk, and receiving waterbody impairment information. Florida Rural Water Association testified that any move to require advanced treatment for all plants over one MGD could create major financial burdens without dedicated funding. The bill was reported favorably. The committee also considered CS/SB 1294 on biosolids management, with a strike-all amendment adopted. Senator Bradley said the revised bill would require bulk Class AA biosolids fertilizer and compost products to be land applied only at agronomic rates and, absent a bona fide sale, only at permitted DEP-approved sites, with a transition date moved to July 1, 2028. Supporters said it would protect water quality and legitimate fertilizer and compost markets, while rural utilities asked for funding and flexibility. The committee reported the bill favorably. Next, the committee took up CS/SB 1628 on net zero policies by governmental entities. Senator Avila said the bill would prohibit local governments and other governmental entities from adopting or funding net zero policies, imposing related fees or taxes, or operating cap-and-trade or carbon trading programs. The committee adopted an amendment clarifying the definition of carbon dioxide. The bill drew extensive debate: supporters argued it would protect residents and businesses from higher costs and preserve predictability, while opponents said it would block local climate and clean-energy policies, including electric buses, energy-efficiency measures, and climate resilience planning. After public testimony on both sides, the bill was reported favorably. The committee also approved CS/SB 1474 on biosolids management, which Senator Gates said would require biosolids and septage to be treated at the highest practical level when wastewater treatment facilities are reasonably accessible and would bar Class B land application within 50 miles of a permitted wastewater facility. An amendment applying the statutory definition of septage was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard SB 558 on stormwater system standards. Senator Burgess said it would create statewide standards for municipal and county stormwater systems using FDOT guidelines and third-party inspections, with an amendment making technical changes and broadening who may perform inspections. Supporters said uniform standards could improve safety and reduce failures, while contractors, engineers, and industry groups warned it could raise costs, delay projects, and preempt stronger local standards. The bill remained under discussion as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• On average in the 300s, we are paying about 0.17 of a percent in asset manager fees.
• If a school district is sued, is there a cap, let's say, for sexual abuse?
• Is there a cap on the damages? It depends.
• So we are in concurrence that we'd like to see the agency start using building use fees.
• And so we've really had kind of a chicken and egg problem with the building use fees.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They're capped at 7 years.
• And so that 5% cap actually penalizes us. So. Right now we have a project.
• I don't think the debt cap has anything to do with like ignoring the will of the voters.
• And so my recommendation would be no cap happen to remove that off of there.
• can get more under the cap or to go out and just finance things long term.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill that we passed off the floor would have raised our current sovereign immunity caps, which on
• I'm wondering if the caps that the Senate is proposing are adequate.
• by requiring local governments to use a plan-based methodology for calculating impact fees, defining
• fee rate phased in over four years.
• Yes, so this would be a fee waiver for students. Further questions of the sponsor?

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present, then moved into returning messages from the Senate. Early action focused on CS/CS/HB 1503 on computer science education and certification, which would add computer science and artificial intelligence content in high school and create a K-12 teacher certificate program; after adopting a House amendment restoring certificate language and adjusting implementation timing, the House concurred in the Senate amendment and passed the bill 105-0. The chamber then took up CS/CS/HB 1085 on local government cybersecurity, adopting a House amendment to allow local governments to buy into the cyber grant program and add a five-year sunset, then concurring in the Senate amendment shifting grant administration back to the Florida Digital Service; the bill passed 104-1. The House refused to concur in Senate amendments to CS/HB 351 on concurrent legislative jurisdiction over U.S. military installations and HB 6011 on reporting gifts or honoraria, sending both back to the Senate. It also refused to concur in the Senate amendment to CS/HB 851 on professional learning for instructional and school administrative personnel, saying the Senate version expanded the bill beyond its original autism-focused scope. After a recess, the House unveiled Speaker Daniel Perez’s portrait and heard extended remarks praising his leadership, institutional reforms, and the work of House staff and members. In the second returning-message list, the House debated CS/CS/HB 1471 on systems of law and terrorist organizations. The Senate amendment clarified the definition of “promote,” refined notice and timeline provisions for terrorist organization designations, and kept references to Sharia law as an example in the foreign religious law section. Supporters argued the bill was aimed at conduct beyond speech and was intended to protect the Constitution and public safety; opponents warned it would chill free speech, target Muslim Floridians, and give the governor and cabinet unprecedented power without adequate due process. After lengthy debate, the House concurred and passed the bill 80-25. The House then took up CS/CS/HB 1473, a public records bill tied to HB 1471, and moved to concur in a technical Senate amendment aligning the records exemption with the revised structure of HB 1471.

Transcript Highlights:

• assessing the fee.
• they might be for, you know, whatever it is, that those fees are...
• And I think this bill sets up the framework. ...establish fair fees.
• on some of these fees that are being permitted through your bill?
• We do not have a cap.

Summary: The Senate convened with an opening prayer, pledge, and a series of gallery introductions recognizing visitors, local officials, students, and public safety personnel. The chamber first took up a report from the Ethics and Elections Committee on 42 executive appointments; after Senator Gaetz explained that the committee had reviewed the appointees’ qualifications and suitability, the Senate adopted the report and confirmed the appointments by a 36-0 vote. The Senate then moved through a long special-order calendar focused largely on open-government sunset reviews and other policy bills. It passed measures to continue or consolidate public records and meeting exemptions for aquaculture records, agency-held trade secrets, and cybersecurity information, with one technical amendment adopted on the cybersecurity bill. The chamber also approved bills extending the statute of limitations for failure to report child abuse, strengthening regulation of commercial driving schools, requiring human trafficking education for nursing graduates, creating a new injunction for protection against serious violence by a known person, and making the related public-records exemption. Additional bills passed included a nature-based coastal resiliency measure with an amendment restricting dredge-and-fill in Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve, a chiropractic trust-funds bill, specialty license plates, a one-time waiver of late financial disclosure fines, public school personnel compensation changes, the annual Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services “Farm Bill,” homestead exemption clarification for long-term leaseholders, disability-presumption clarifications for first responders, reinsurance intermediary manager changes, patriotic displays in public schools, ADS-B fee restrictions, autism-related law enforcement training and a Blue Envelope program, campus safety policy transparency at public colleges and universities, and veterinary prescription disclosure. Several bills were temporarily postponed, including local vessel restrictions, temporary certificates for practice, and domestic animals. The Senate also debated and passed a bill allowing licensed insurance agents to market health care sharing ministries, despite concerns raised by Senator Polsky about consumer confusion, commissions, and the sale of non-insurance products; supporters argued it restored free speech, religious liberty, and consumer choice. The chamber approved the bill 32-5 after debate. Most other measures passed with strong bipartisan support, often by unanimous or near-unanimous votes, and several companion House bills were substituted in place of Senate bills before final passage.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hi, I'm Rufika La Rosa with CAPS UAW.
• I'm with CAPS UAW. Hi, I'm Karen Odkins.
• I work for the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration.
• I'm a proud CAPS UAW member.
• I'm a senior environmental scientist at DTSE and a member of CAPS UAW 1115.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 987 protects Californians against the growing issue of unreasonable toll fees.
• AB 987 protects Californians against the growing issue of unreasonable toll fees.
• paying storage fees for days when the facility is not open.
• AB 1190 will stop these junk fees by capping what partners can charge at no more than 5% of the DMV rates
• This bill does not increase any existing surcharges or consumer fees and is revenue neutral.

Summary: The Assembly met after a quorum call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through a long Daily File with several guest introductions and floor speeches. Members recognized visiting student leaders, championship football teams from Tuolumne County, Alpha Kappa Alpha members at their Capitol day, and later a descendant of Wong Kim Ark. The chamber also adopted a procedural motion allowing certain members to host guests in the rear of the chamber. Among the major policy items, AB 578 on food delivery platform refund practices passed 47-2, AB 344 on successor beer manufacturer definitions passed 61-0, AB 454 to make California’s migratory bird protections permanent passed 55-12 on the urgency clause, AB 482 updating the Table Grape Commission passed 64-1, AB 1237 to support transit access for 2026 FIFA World Cup ticket holders passed 56-15 on the urgency clause, AB 738 on wildfire rebuild solar exemptions passed 42-2, AB 1460 on 340B pharmacy access for clinics passed 41-5, AB 750 on homeless shelter oversight passed 49-1, AB 1061 on housing in historic districts passed 41-13, AB 1523 on expanding mandatory mediation thresholds passed 65-0, and AB 316 on AI-related civil liability passed 56-0. AB 761 authorizing the Monterey-Salinas Transit District to seek a sales tax ballot measure passed 47-12. The chamber also adopted several resolutions. AJR 3 urging protection of Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid passed 53-2 after extensive debate that included criticism of federal cuts and counterarguments focused on state Medi-Cal policy and budget decisions. ACR 65 proclaiming California Tourism Month was adopted by voice vote after coauthors were added, and ACR 62 recognizing California Nonprofits Day was also adopted by voice vote with 65 coauthors. AJR 5 affirming birthright citizenship and opposing efforts to end it passed 58-1 after a lengthy, highly partisan debate centered on the 14th Amendment and the Wong Kim Ark precedent. The session also included passage of AB 571, a CEQA exemption for the Southern California Veterans Cemetery at Gypsum Canyon, which was presented as a long-running bipartisan effort to create a final resting place for Orange County veterans.

Transcript Highlights:

• was first done, there was no cap on it. was first done, there was no cap on it.
• <00:37:58.720> to we're there was no original cap to we're there was no original cap to answer
• <00:38:08.079> was amendment, that $3 million cap was amendment, that $3 million cap was proposed
• And the facility fee for a Medicaid birth at a freestanding birth center is less than the facility fee
• And the facility fee for a Medicaid birth at a freestanding birth center is less than the facility fee

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have actually lowered the apprenticeship program fees, which is sort of unheard of.
• So in terms of the fees, are they sliding, for example, not-for-profit and for-profit?
• The fees, our fees? Yeah, fees for placement of apprentice. Yeah, so that, so the, so that... Fees.
• Our fees? Yeah, fees for placement of apprentice. Yeah, so our fees are pretty modest.
• There is a statutory cap, but we're not anywhere close to that.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The subcommittee opened with roll call and approved the January minutes. Members then heard from Undersecretary of Labor and Workforce Development Josh Cutler, who gave an update on the Healey-Driscoll administration’s apprenticeship efforts and emphasized apprenticeship as an earn-while-you-learn model that can help address workforce shortages while including people with disabilities. He described growth in apprenticeships across sectors such as banking, bio, early education, health care, and human services, and noted recent milestones including the state’s 10,000th registered apprenticeship, expanded tax credits, reduced program fees, added apprenticeship liaisons, and Grow grants to support program development. Committee members focused on how apprenticeship could be adapted for human services and disability-related jobs, including early education, direct care, PCA work, sterile processing, and related health occupations. They asked about funding structures, employer participation, community college involvement, and how to make programs accessible to people with disabilities. Cutler explained that apprenticeship programs are employer-designed but must meet core requirements such as paid employment, at least 2,000 hours of on-the-job learning, related technical instruction, mentorship, and progressive wages. He said the state can support programs through the registered apprenticeship tax credit, which he said is $4,800 per apprentice and can be stacked with the disability employment tax credit, and through Grow grants, which were most recently awarded at about $2.1 million statewide. Members and Cutler discussed using intermediaries such as trade associations, nonprofits, and disability organizations to help employers set up programs and navigate incentives. He said the commission could be useful as a convener and suggested a targeted panel or information session with apprenticeship liaisons, employers, and existing sponsors to identify a few specific occupations and build a proof of concept. The meeting ended with agreement to follow up offline on potential partner employers, including Eastern Bank, and on possible next steps for a focused panel or pilot opportunities.

Transcript Highlights:

• She noted that Indiana has medical malpractice caps and punitive damage caps.
• and punitive damage caps.
• to our other caps.
• So non-economic caps will equal punitive caps.
• Fee caps will limit our attorney's ability to conduct due diligence and obtain the independent expert

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• my question is, not only should we pass this bill, I mean, should we also consider limitations on caps
• House Bill 3314 is a marijuana public safety impact fee.
• is entitled to attorney's fees but if somebody files a nuisance claim the city can't come back and get
• any kind of fees from them bear with me one second I'm going to read what you quoted you said line ive
• the the the logic is always in this state that the losing side should be on the hook for attorneys fees

Bills: HB3057, HB3130, HB3310, HB3314, HB3985, HB4113, HB4486

Keywords: government reporting, information technology, child welfare, environmental policy, state agency compliance, gender transition, minors, health services, punitive damages, parental rights, health care providers, purchasing, compliance, state employees, longevity pay, contract management, marijuana tax, public service impact tax, county funding, voter approval

Transcript Highlights:

• OF COURSE THERE ARE LOCALLY COLLECTED TUITION FEES THAT HELP SUPPORT THESE PROGRAMS BUT BY IN LARGE THE
• THE TUITION AND FEES ESTIMATED FOR 24 25 BASED ON THE FIRST FTE CALCULATION YOU SEE THERE ABOUT 704 AND
• A HALF MILLION DOLLARS IN TUITION AND FEES AND THEN WE ALSO HAVE PERFORMANCE BASED INCENTIVES SIMILAR
• FUND AND 30 PERCENT TUITION AND FEES FOR THE FLORIDA COLLEGE SYSTEM.
• IF I AM THE CAP TINY'S I WILL GET THE MOST CONSIDERATION IF I GET A LITTLE BIT CONSIDERATION BUT NOT

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . cap. cap.
• funded through one fee. funded through one fee.
• What I'm seeing here is more fees, fees, fees, and more fees.
• ,<03:58:36.800> fees, What I'm seeing here is more fees, fees, What I'm seeing here is more
• fees, fees, fees,<03:58:37.880> and<03:58:38.000> more<03:58:38.200> fees.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the previous day’s journal, and heard several announcements, including recognition of the University of Denver men’s hockey championship and a sesquicentennial flag presentation for Colorado’s 150th anniversary. Members also received committee meeting notices and a reminder about open enrollment benefits. Committee reports were then read, advancing several bills from Appropriations, Judiciary, and Transportation, Housing, and Local Government to the Committee of the Whole or to Appropriations with favorable recommendations. The chamber adopted the majority leader’s motion to add a slate of bills to the special orders calendar for May 6, including Senate Bill 5 and several House and Senate bills. The House also adopted a motion limiting debate on Senate Bill 5 to one hour, with the vote recorded at 36 aye, 24 no, and five excused. The House then resolved into committee of the whole and took up Senate Bill 5, which creates a state-court civil remedy for constitutional violations committed during civil immigration enforcement and includes an appropriation. Supporters of Senate Bill 5 argued that the bill is needed to provide a meaningful remedy when federal immigration enforcement violates Fourth Amendment and other constitutional rights, citing alleged abuses, surveillance practices, and court decisions narrowing federal remedies. Opponents argued the bill is likely unconstitutional, duplicates existing federal remedies, and would be struck down in court; they also criticized the use of Rule 14 to limit debate and said Colorado should wait for litigation in other states. The transcript ends during continued debate on the bill, with no final vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:23:26.799> last<00:23:27.120> session<00:23:27.520> through<00:23:27.840> cap
• <00:23:28.400> $5 last sess last session through cap $5 last sess last session through cap
• for each grade level, the goal is to do those caps without additional spending by the district.
• for each grade level, the goal is to do those caps without additional spending by the district.
• <01:51:06.000> without the goal is to do those caps without the goal is to do those caps without

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is this fund going to have a cap like the revenue stabilization fund has a cap?
• The only cap that is in here is Going to be the $1 billion, which triggers the income stream starting
• I declare House Bill 4031 to House Bill 4037 raises the cap on ethics fees from $150,000 to $250,000.
• How long ago or when was the most recent increase on this fee structure? Do we know?
• It's a fair question, but I'm not sure when the fees were changed. Any further follow up?

Bills: HB4030, HB4031, HB4032, HB4033, HB4034, HB4035, HB4036, HB4037, HB4038, HB4039, HB4040, HB4041, HB4042, HB4043, HB4044, HB4045, HB4046, HB4047, HB4048, HB4049, HB4050, HB4051, HB4052, HB4053, HB4054, HB4056, HB4057, HB4065, HB4067, HB4071, HB4072, SB1144, SB1145, SB1146, SB1147, SB1148, SB1149, SB1156, SB1157, SB1158, SB1159, SB1161, SB1162, SB1163, SB1164, SB1165, SB1166, SB1167, SB1174, SB1175, SB1176

Keywords: education funding, budget appropriations, public schools, teachers' retirement, early childhood education, aeronautics, infrastructure, funding, sustainability, Oklahoma, mining, operator fees, coal production, noncoal mining, department of mines, revenue, state budget, budgetary reform, financial legislation, fiscal accountability

Transcript Highlights:

• That has reached its cap for the biennium.
• The Energy Conservation Grant Fund is 1.5%, but that is capped at $1.2 million.
• And we do cap our loan forgiveness at 75% of eligible...
• We do cap our loan forgiveness at 75% of eligible costs.
• , sewer fees, city sales tax, and more often we're seeing more creativity...

Keywords: 908, all