Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Burgess, you are recognized to close on the bill. Waive closed.
• Senator Rawl, you're recognized to close on the bill. Wave close.
• Senator Graal, you are recognized to close on the bill. Wave close.
• Senator Truenow, you are recognized to close on the amendment. Waive close.
• Senator Truenow, you are recognized to close on the amendment. Waive close.

Bills: S0326 , S0598 , S0632 , S0786 , S1110 , S1256 , S1380 , S1588 , S7042 , S7044

Committee: Senate Banking and Insurance

Keywords: curators, estates, court appointment, fiduciary duty, bond requirements, removal, surrogate, funeral homes, cemetery law, cremation, embalmer, funeral director, preneed contract, preneed funeral, human remains, unclaimed cremated remains, disposition of remains, hospice, palliative care, end-of-life care

Summary: The Banking and Insurance Committee met with a quorum present and temporarily postponed SB 7042 on legal tender and SB 1380 before taking up the remaining agenda. The committee first reported favorably C.S. for SB 326, which modernizes Florida’s curator statute in probate law by clarifying when curators may be appointed, what they may do, and what oversight applies. It then reported favorably SB 1256, which standardizes PBM pharmacy audits by requiring uniform audit standards, scope, frequency, penalties, and due process protections for pharmacies; testimony from pharmacists emphasized concerns about conflicts of interest, excessive audits, and disproportionate penalties, while preserving fraud investigations. The committee also reported favorably C.S. for SB 598 on funeral and cemetery services after adopting an amendment that removed provisions on civil damages caps and phasing out direct disposers; the bill updates licensure and contract rules and addresses unclaimed remains. SB 632, which sets insurance requirements for transportation network companies during the period after a ride is accepted but before pickup, was reported favorably despite opposition from an attorney who argued the existing coverage framework should not be reduced. C.S. for SB 786, creating a nonjudicial process to close out undisputed trusts and discharge trustees, was also reported favorably. The committee then took up SB 1110, a major bill expanding Medicaid and private insurance coverage for medically necessary orthotics and prosthetics, including activity limbs, and requiring annual reporting. After adopting an amendment clarifying eligible recipients, the committee heard extensive emotional testimony from amputees, parents, and advocates describing the medical, developmental, and financial importance of prosthetic coverage, and members spoke in strong support before the bill was reported favorably. Later, the committee considered SB 1588, which implements last session’s legal tender law by refining definitions, narrowing custodian provisions, eliminating unnecessary examination requirements, and repealing the sunset clause; members raised questions about verification and anti-money-laundering concerns, but the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee approved SPB 7044 as a committee bill to expand public records exemptions to records relating to newly regulated custodians of gold and silver. The meeting concluded with senators recording additional affirmative votes on selected bills and adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, with that, I close.
• If not, the chair recognizes Speaker Moody to close on. To close on the bill. Great.
• Um, Speaker Moody closes and House Bill 4885 will be left pending.
• Other than that, uh, I close. Thank you. All right.
• Bowers to close on the bill.

Committee: House S/C on Juvenile Justice

Transcript Highlights:

• Close on the bill, go ahead. Thank you, Madam Chair, and now it's my turn. Madam Chair, I close.
• But just a second, do you want to officially close it? Yeah, with that, I close.
• The chair recognizes Chairman Darby to close on the bill. Any questions? I close.
• The chair recognized Representative Ordaz to close on the bill. Members, I close.
• That's to close on the bill. Thank you, members. I close. HB 648 will be left pending.

Bills: HB431 , HB648 , HB 1006 , HB1926 , HB2037 , HB2468 , HB2788 , HB2791 , HB3255 , HB3260

Committee: House Trade, Workforce & Economic Development

Keywords: HB 431, Texas Property Code, Property Code Chapter 202, solar roof tiles, solar shingles, solar energy device, homeowners association, HOA, property owners' association, POA, renewable energy, residential solar, distributed solar, roof-mounted solar, homeowner rights, architectural control, restrictive covenants, real estate, subdivision regulations, multi-zoned subdivisions

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will close the board and tally the vote.
• For the discussion, seeing none, the lady from Carroll is recognized to close. I close.
• Seeing none, the gentleman from Audrain is recognized to close. Mr. Speaker, I close.
• Seeing none, the gentleman from Warren is recognized to close. I close.
• The gentleman from Cooper is recognized to close. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, I close.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's close. We're close. I'm from the shopping.
• Representative Nix, you are recognized to close. Wave close.
• Representative Nix, you are recognized to close. Wave close.
• Wave closed.
• Waive close.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Lopez, you are recognized to close. I waive close.
• Representative Lopez, you are recognized to close. I waive close.
• Representative Maney, you are recognized to close. Waive close.
• Representative McClure, you may close. Waive close.
• You are recognized to close. Waive close. CS for HB 27.

Bills: HJR 99 , HB 1399 , HB 1400 , HB 1094 , HB 365 , HB 1109 , HB 647 , HCR 35 , SB 14 , HB 12 , HB 1522 , HB 422 , HB 675 , HB 204 , HB 748 , HB 912 , HJR 99 , HB 1399 , HB 1400 , HB 1094 , HB 365 , HB 1109 , HB 647 , HCR 35 , HCR 123 , HCR 124 , HR 57 , HR 87 , HR 111 , HR 228 , HR 230 , HR 322 , HR 624 , HR 625 , HR 626 , HR 627 , HR 628 , HR 630 , HR 631 , HR 634 , HR 635 , HR 636 , HR 637 , HR 638 , HR 639 , HR 640 , HR 645 , HR 646 , HR 648 , HR 649 , HR 651 , HR 652 , HR 653 , HR 654 , HR 664 , HR 665 , HR 668 , HR 675 , HR 676 , HR 678 , HR 679 , HR 680 , HR 683 , HR 686 , HR 688 , HR 689 , HR 694 , HR 695 , HR 697 , HR 698 , HR 699 , HR 472 , HR 622 , HR 632 , HR 633 , HR 643 , HR 655 , HR 657 , HR 660 , HR 661 , HR 662 , HR 663 , HR 667 , HR 670 , HR 674 , HR 681 , HR 682 , HR 696

Keywords: animal feed, tax exemption, ad valorem taxation, retail, constitutional amendment, retail sale, tangible personal property, Texas tax code, groundwater, water conservation, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, innovation fund, local conservation districts, transportation protection agreement, funeral services, insurance exemption, regulation, deceased transportation, HB 365

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Sharif, you're recognized to close on the bill. Wave closed, Madam Chair.
• often hear: wave closed.
• Senator Rodriguez, you're recognized to close on the amendment as amended. Wave closed.
• Senator Rodriguez, you're recognized to close on the amendment. Wave close.
• Senator Gaetz, you're recognized to close on the bill. Waive close, ma'am.

Committee: Senate Fiscal Policy

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Gruters you're recognized to close on the bill with Close. Thank you, chairman.
• Senator Simon, you're recognized close on the bill will close.
• Senator, can Senator Martin, you're recognized to close on the amendment with close.
• Senator Martin, you're recognized to close on your bill with close.
• Senator Martin, you're recognized to close on your amendment with close. Okay.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And with that, debate is closed. Debate is closed. The question we... Debate is closed.
• It is closed the question. The debate is closed.
• And with that, debate is closed. Debate is closed.
• President, debate's closed. The debate is closed.
• The base closed? The debate is closed.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Let's close on this bill. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• Seeing none, the chair recognizes Representative Vasut to close on his bill. I close.
• We'll recognize you to close.
• In closing, I want to thank you again, Mr.
• Seeing none, you close. I close. Thank you, committee. I close. Perfect.

Bills: HB2385 , HB3349 , HB3962 , HB3883 , HB4396 , HB4811 , HB5088 , HB4588 , HB4867 , HB4895 , HB5398 , HB5616

Committee: House Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Keywords: NRA, funding, major events reimbursement, annual meetings, exhibits, events trust fund, Pan American Games, Olympic Games, motor sports racing, local control, event support contract, INDYCAR, Arlington, tourism, funding eligibility, sporting events, economic impact, local governments, American Performance Horseman, American Rodeo

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Boussada, you are recognized to close. We close.
• This is not closing on my bill, correct? I waive close.
• Representative Black, you're recognized to close. I waive close.
• President Roosevelt, you're recognized to close. Wave close.
• Representative Baker, you're recognized to close. Wave close.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, a quorum call, approval of the journal, and adoption of the special order calendar. The chamber then took up several Senate bills on special order, with members offering questions and debate before final votes. The first major measure, CS/SB 156, the Officer Jason Rayner Act, would reclassify certain offenses against law enforcement officers and add manslaughter of an officer to the life-sentence reclassification statute. Supporters said it honored Officer Rayner and clarified that resistance to officers with violence is unlawful; opponents argued it reduced judicial discretion and could sweep in unintended cases. The bill passed 100-8. The House next passed CS/SB 688 on naturopathic medicine, which creates a regulatory framework and licensure standards for naturopathic physicians, defines scope limits, and establishes a board under the Department of Health. Supporters framed it as a consumer protection and medical freedom bill, while opponents called it an expansion of scope and criticized the low penalty for unlicensed practice. It passed 85-22. The chamber also passed CS/CS/SB 1062 on speech and debate education, creating a Florida Speech and Debate Hall of Fame, a Speech and Debate Week, and a statewide debate initiative, by a unanimous 112-0 vote. Members then approved CS/CS/SB 1220, a broad transportation bill covering FDOT authority, airports and seaports, drone and delivery devices, autonomous vehicle crimes, tolls, and other transportation issues; an amendment added provisions on Space Florida, golf carts, automated license plate recognition, and related matters while removing digital driver’s license repeal language. The bill passed 87-23. SB 962 on affordable housing, which clarifies that Live Local Act zoning preemption does not unintentionally capture working farms and farm operations, passed 109-2. Finally, CS/CS/SB 1580 on aiding illegal gaming was introduced and discussed; it would strengthen penalties for illegal slot machines and unregulated gaming arcades, clarify reporting and enforcement, and preempt local regulation, with questions focused on VFWs, sweepstakes, fantasy sports, and online betting. The transcript then shifted into lengthy farewell remarks and recognitions, including tributes from members leaving the House and acknowledgments of guests in the galleries.

Transcript Highlights:

• Davis, do you close? I close. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, ma'am.
• You close. Thank you. I close. All right, there's no objection. House Bill 4878...
• Chairman Geren to close. Thank you for that closing.
• The chair recognizes Chairman Darby to close on House Bill 5568. I close.
• On this bill, the Chair recognizes Chairman Metcalf to close. I close. Thank you for that.

Bills: HB551 , HB 1281 , HB1378 , HB1617 , HB2868 , HB2881 , HB3374 , HB4439 , HB4726 , HB4732 , HB4878 , HB4914 , HB4921 , HB4958 , HB5200 , HB5318 , HB5360 , HB5402 , HB5568 , HB5573 , HB5623 , HJR218

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: political contributions, address privacy, Texas Ethics Commission, election transparency, campaign finance, international organizations, World Health Organization, jurisdiction, state law, enforcement, United Nations, World Economic Forum, attorney general, Texas attorney general, state sovereignty, legal enforcement, Texas Attorney General, electric energy storage, municipal regulation, county regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will close the roll and tally the votes. Ayes 45, noes 3.
• Clerk will close the roll and take it to vote. Clerk will close the roll and tally the votes.
• The clerk will close the roll. Tally the votes, close the roll. Ayes 43, noes 14.
• The clerk will close the roll and tally the votes. Ayes 68, noes 0.
• The clerk will close the roll and tally the votes. Ayes 68, noes 0.

Summary: The Assembly met in session, established a quorum, and opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several guest and retirement recognitions, including tributes to long-serving Assembly staff Liz Foster and Teresa Trujillo. Members also made procedural motions, including placing SB 546 on the inactive file, re-referring SB 716 to the Local Government Committee, and rescinding prior actions on SB 1344 and SB 1273 to return them to the third reading file. The body then took up a long series of concurrence and third-reading items, with most measures passing overwhelmingly. Among the bills discussed were AB 442 on working forest management plans, AB 2042 on civil actions, AB 1145 on vehicles, ACR 162 honoring Congressman Doug LaMalfa, AJR 17 on immigration registry renewal, SB 941 limiting commissary markups in private detention facilities, SB 1306 on controlled substances and semiconductor manufacturing, SB 1169 extending tentative map validity, SB 1211 on conviction integrity units, SB 971 on older adult education, SB 1193 on Alameda County discretionary funds, SB 1115 on public cemetery district trustee removal, SB 1187 removing language-access provisions from a Brown Act transparency measure, SB 505 on money transmitter security, SB 799 on the South Bay Regional Housing Trust, SB 994 banning NDAs for local officials and staff, SB 1405 on unclaimed retirement distributions, SB 881 extending food-bank-related tax incentives, SJR 18 on campaign finance reform, SB 1307 on forged real estate documents, and SB 1196 on utility hookup timelines. Most measures were approved with little or no opposition; SJR 18 passed 43-14, and several items required urgency or 54-vote thresholds and were adopted. The Assembly also adopted HR 136 designating Home Hardening Week and the consent calendar, including ACR 228. The session concluded with adjournment-in-memory presentations for David and Lupe Navarro and Rachel Summers, followed by an announcement that the Assembly would reconvene the next day at 9 a.m. for a floor session recognizing departing members, and the House adjourned until Tuesday, August 18 at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• . of the right to close.
• I mean, we close our houses electronically.
• Chairman, for the opportunity to close.
• If not, the chair recognizes Representative Toth to close on the bill. I close. Thank you, sir.
• If not, the chair recognizes Representative Diala to close on the bill. I close.

Bills: HB3097 , HB3691 , SB108 , SB827 , SB1541 , SB1862 , SB2166 , SB2216

Committee: House Elections

Keywords: Texas elections, Election Code, uniform election date, November election, local elections, political subdivisions, general election date, election administration, municipal utility district, county elections, local government, ballot scheduling, candidate filing, voter turnout, election calendar, HB 3097, early voting, electronic application, mail-in ballot, voting accessibility

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing no debate on the amendment, you're recognized to close on the amendment. Wave close.
• Seeing no further debate, you are recognized to close, sir. Waving close.
• Alvarez, you are recognized to waive close. Wave closed, ma'am. Thank you.
• With that, I close. All right. Having closed on her bill, Kimberly, please call the roll.
• Well, seeing no debate, members, you are recognized to close on your bill. Wave close.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and heard a lengthy agenda of bills, with the chair limiting public testimony to about one minute per speaker. Early action included passage of HB 203, which allows certain counties to opt back into transportation concurrency, as amended to narrow the bill to small counties. The committee also favorably reported CS/HB 43, allowing renters to reuse tenant screening reports for 30 days, and HB 897, a timeshare-related strike-all that clarified timeshare governance provisions and annual board meeting requirements. The committee then approved HJR 1,215, proposing a constitutional amendment to eliminate tangible personal property tax for farmers and agricultural businesses, with support from agriculture and business groups. A major portion of the meeting focused on the committee’s hemp package. Members discussed the committee bill PCB for HAT-25-01, which would create a regulatory framework for hemp-derived intoxicating products, including licensing, packaging and labeling restrictions, testing, and sales limitations. Testimony was mixed: industry representatives and distributors generally supported regulation but urged changes on branding, packaging, milligram limits, and sales locations; convenience store and petroleum marketers opposed restrictions that would exclude gas stations; and consumer-safety and addiction advocates supported tighter controls, including bans on synthetics, online sales, and child-appealing packaging. The committee also heard and approved PCB for HAT-25-02, a companion tax bill imposing excise taxes on hemp consumables and beverages, despite concerns raised about possible triple taxation and higher compliance costs. The committee next passed HB 211, expanding the definition of farm products to include edible and non-edible plants and clarifying agricultural preemption on bona fide farm operations. It also favorably reported PCS for HB 561, creating a chief manufacturing officer role within the Department of Commerce, a workforce development grant program, a voluntary manufacturing promotion campaign, and required reporting, along with PCS for HB 563, which adds an annual fee of up to $100 for participants in the promotional campaign. Both manufacturing bills drew broad support from industry and economic development groups. Finally, the committee took up HJR 1257 and its conforming bill HB 1259, which would create property tax benefits for long-term rental properties owned by Floridians with a separate homestead. Supporters argued the measure would encourage long-term rentals and investment in Florida, while opponents from counties and cities warned it would shift tax burdens and reduce local revenue. After debate, the joint resolution passed 9-4 and the implementing bill also passed 9-4, and the meeting adjourned after all agenda items were completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Close ro. Close ro.
• The roll will now close.
• Senator McIntosh, Goodwin, who wish to vote, parent, close, ro, close the rule.
• Close the roll.
• Social vote change vote print close roll. The roll is closed.

Bills: SJR50 , SJR51 , SJR52 , SJR53 , SJR54 , SJR39 , SB1290 , HB4028 , HB4029 , HB4073 , HB4074 , HB4075 , HB4076 , HB4077 , HB4078 , HB1250 , HB2951 , HB2961 , HB3151 , HB3581 , HB3705 , HB3970 , HB3972 , HB3980 , HB3981

Keywords: Medicaid, federal funding, state law, healthcare, low-income adults, Oklahoma Constitution, healthcare regulations, Oklahoma Health Care Authority, permanent rules, joint resolution, OHCA, health care rules, administrative rules, major rule, Title 75, Title 317, Oklahoma Administrative Code, OAC 317:30, health policy, state health programs

Transcript Highlights:

• The floor to close the debate. Thank you. Debate is closed.
• Here we recognize the closed debate. Debate is closed.
• Debate was closed.
• With that, debate is closed. The debate is closed.
• And with that, debate is closed. The debate is closed.

Summary: The Senate met with a quorum present, opened with prayer and the Pledge, approved the prior journal, and then moved through committee reports, gubernatorial and House messages, and bill introductions. Several measures were referred to committees or held for later action, including new Senate bills on taxation, immigration-related enforcement, and refugee/illegal alien accountability, which were sent to Judiciary and Rules for printing. The Senate also received and processed numerous enrolled bills and committee reports on education, finance, resources, health and welfare, and state affairs. On the floor, the Senate considered and passed a series of bills. Among the measures approved were Senate Bill 1410 on Medicaid state plan amendments for federally qualified health centers and rural health centers; Senate Bill 1426 appropriating additional funds to the Idaho Transportation Department; Senate Bill 1427 funding the Department of Lands; House Bill 797 requiring fire protection sub-district appointees or electors to live in the district; House Bill 843 changing the homestead exemption so the full exemption applies once a complete application is approved rather than prorating it; House Bill 711 creating an alternative administrator authorization pathway for principals and superintendents; House Bill 832 revising CTE industry-professional qualification rules; House Bill 795 cleaning up definitions for obscene material and lewd matter; and House Bill 817 updating tobacco retailer permitting rules for cigar-related businesses while keeping age restrictions in place. The Senate also passed House Bill 831 on school polling places, House Bill 872 allowing constitutional amendments and initiatives to be printed within available ballot space, House Bill 893 making codifier’s corrections, House Bill 650 codifying a Tenth Amendment-based presumption favoring state authority, House Bill 674 streamlining telecom service discontinuance review by removing a duplicative state process, and House Bill 810 adding a 120-day fixed-habitation requirement for legislative candidates, though that bill drew constitutional objections. Most of these measures passed on roll calls, some by unanimous consent to reuse prior vote counts, and titles were approved before transmission back to the House or onward to the Governor as appropriate. The session also included a page graduation presentation and several brief recesses and announcements.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll let you close. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• If not, we'll let you close. Thank you, sir, and I close. All right.
• I close. Thank you.
• Close enough. All right.
• Close enough. All right.

Bills: HB240 , HB2097 , HB2731 , HB3087 , HB3234 , HB3319 , HB3394 , HB3687 , HB4105 , HB4205 , HB4350 , HB4462 , HB4642 , HB4801 , HB5403

Committee: House S/C on County & Regional Government

Keywords: quorum, tax levy, county governance, local government, population regulations, quorum requirement, Texas counties, population threshold, deputy sheriff, civil service, law enforcement, appeals process, sheriff's department, HB 2731, roadside vendors, solicitors, county regulation, border counties, Mexico border, Transportation Code

Summary: The subcommittee on county and regional government heard a long agenda of county-related bills, with most measures left pending after testimony. HB 2097, by Rep. Martinez, would let counties that opt in use an independent hearing examiner instead of a civil service commission for certain deputy sheriff discipline appeals; the bill drew support from CLEET’s Robert Leonard, who said it would be fairer and faster, and it was left pending. HB 4642, by Rep. Gonzalez, would require counties that contract with out-of-state jail facilities to include Texas jail-standard protections and oversight; Gonzalez, detainee Jess Hampton, his wife, Texas Jail Project’s Krish Kundu, and TCJS director Brandon Wood all discussed deaths and poor conditions in Louisiana facilities, staffing shortages, and the need for guardrails and data collection. The bill was left pending. The committee also heard HB 4350, by Rep. Capriglione, allowing peace officers to request redaction of personal information from online real property records. Supporters said officers face targeted threats and should have protections similar to judges; a title industry witness warned about preserving the integrity of land records. The bill was left pending. HB 3687, by Rep. Harless, would require county fire marshals in counties over 100,000 to meet training and certification standards within set timeframes; Harris County Fire Marshal Laurie Christensen supported professionalization, and the bill was left pending. HB 4105 would let very large counties give a local-bid preference for construction and infrastructure contracts, and HB 4205 would require pay parity for similar law enforcement ranks within large counties; both were supported by Harris County officials and constables and left pending. Later, the committee heard HB 5403, which would repeal a special rule limiting Dallas and Tarrant county sheriffs’ control over commissary funds; the author said it would remove an outdated population bracket, and the bill was left pending. HB 4462 would require large counties to allow elected officials named in civil suits to seek outside counsel and have a role in settlement decisions; supporters argued county attorneys and commissioners court can have conflicts of interest, while questions focused on who qualifies and whether the bill could complicate settlements. The bill was left pending. Finally, HB 240, by Rep. Swanson, would restore a five-member quorum requirement for Harris County tax levies, effectively preventing tax action without all commissioners present and defaulting to the no-new-revenue rate if quorum is not met; urban counties opposed it as a potential budget obstruction, while supporters said it protects taxpayers and representation. That bill was also left pending. The transcript ends as the committee begins HB 3319, which would create a civil service system for constable department employees in large counties, but the discussion is cut off before testimony or action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Kaladeud, you're recognized to close on the bill as amended. We've closed.
• Seeing none, Senator Simon, you're recognized to close. Waive close.
• President Gates, you're recognized to close. Waive close, sir.
• Seeing none, Senator Trumbull, you recognized to close. I'll waive close.
• Senator Yarborough, you are recognized to close. Wave closed, sir.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee took up a long agenda of bills, beginning with SB 1434 on infill redevelopment. A late-filed strike-all narrowed eligibility to certain properties in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties, added environmental and zoning criteria, and included exemptions for agricultural land, parks, military-adjacent land, and other areas. The amendment was adopted without opposition, and the bill was reported favorably 8-0. The committee then heard SB 212 on sexual offenders and predators, as amended to add public swimming pools and related child-centered locations to residency and presence restrictions. Testimony was sharply divided, with supporters emphasizing child safety and opponents arguing the bill lacked empirical support and would worsen homelessness and impose retroactive burdens. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably 8-1. Members next approved SB 686 on agricultural enclaves after adopting an amendment allowing certain enclaves adjacent to interstate highways to be developed for commercial, industrial, or single-family residential uses while clarifying protections for critical areas, the Florida Wildlife Corridor, and military installations. The bill drew opposition from a county Republican committee representative who argued it would weaken zoning and comprehensive planning and encourage urban sprawl, while homebuilders and industry groups supported it. The committee also reported favorably SB 554 on nonprofit corporations, a Florida Bar-backed update intended to modernize and harmonize nonprofit corporate law, and SB 1338 on charitable giving, which would create donor remedies for endowment restrictions and limit state reporting burdens on certain charitable organizations; members noted the latter would need further work on cy pres and related issues. The committee then approved SB 532 on court fees after a strike-all that would let clerks retain all collections above revenue projections rather than splitting excess with general revenue, with clerks’ groups supporting the change and members citing long-standing funding shortfalls. SB 218 on land use regulations was also reported favorably; it would restore normal land-use authority to counties unaffected by the 2024 hurricanes while keeping SB 180 protections in place for damaged areas. SB 692 on cybersecurity standards and liability passed 9-2 after debate over whether the bill created enough compliance incentives and whether its liability presumption was retroactive; supporters said it would encourage adoption of cybersecurity frameworks and reduce class-action litigation, while opponents wanted stronger compliance requirements. Finally, SB 1138 on qualified contractors was amended and passed unanimously as a process-reform measure allowing licensed professionals to conduct pre-application reviews, and SJR 1104 on religious expression in public schools was reported favorably 8-3 after extensive testimony and debate over whether it would protect free expression or invite coercion and litigation. The committee also began consideration of SB 1106 on requiring state agencies and instructional materials to use “Judea and Samaria” instead of “West Bank,” with the sponsor framing it as historical accuracy and opponents arguing it erased Palestinian identity; the transcript cuts off during that item.

Transcript Highlights:

• So you're recognized to close on your amendment. I waive close.
• Members, you're recognized to close on the amendment, Senator Oswald. Close. Wave close.
• You're recognized to close on your bill? Wave close.
• You recognize the close on your bill? Wave closed.
• Having waived close on her bill, Madeline, please. Nice to close on your bill. Wave closed.

Bills: S0086 , S0422 , S0706 , S1054 , S1670

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: unauthorized aliens, commercial motor vehicles, safety regulations, civil penalties, law enforcement, ADS-B, automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast, aviation, airports, airport fees, landing fees, departure fees, touch-and-go landing, general aviation, pilot privacy, airspace radius, aircraft tracking, surveillance data, Florida Statutes chapter 330, Part 91

Summary: The Senate Committee on Transportation met and considered several bills, beginning with CS/SB 86 on commercial motor vehicles operated by unauthorized aliens. The sponsor described the bill as a highway safety measure requiring commercial drivers to be lawfully present, hold a valid CDL, read English, and communicate with law enforcement, with vehicle impoundment, civil penalties, and out-of-service orders for violations. After questions about impacts on carriers and interstate operations, the committee adopted an amendment and reported the bill favorably, with one no vote. The committee then heard CS/SB 706, which would preempt naming of major commercial service airports to the state and rename Palm Beach International Airport as Donald J. Trump International Airport. An amendment added FAA approval, trademark authorization, and a flexible implementation period for Palm Beach County; county representatives supported the amendment and bill. The committee also approved CS/SB 1670 on the Outsider specialty license plate after an amendment reduced the Huber Brothers Foundation’s share of proceeds from 25% to 10%. Next, the committee considered CS/SB 1054, dealing with traffic infractions resulting in crashes with another vehicle. The bill would impose escalating fines and license suspensions for crashes caused by running red lights or stop signs, and require bodily injury insurance for a year when injury results. A clarifying amendment limited the insurance requirement to one year, and the bill was reported favorably after supportive testimony from law enforcement and advocacy groups. The final major bill was CS/SB 422 on automated dependent surveillance broadcast (ADS-B) data; it would bar use of ADS-B information to calculate or collect certain landing-related fees. Supporters argued the technology should remain focused on aviation safety and warned against false invoices and discouraging pilot training, while airport representatives said they currently use the data for fee collection and wanted further discussion. After an amendment narrowing the bill’s application, the committee reported CS/SB 422 favorably. The meeting then adjourned.