Transcript Highlights:

• And once that puppy has bonded with a prospective family, it's preferable to take that puppy home so
• they can begin the process of bonding and socialization.
• We keep the internet safe for speech and free enterprise. You might be familiar with...
• We keep the internet safe for speech and free enterprise. You might be familiar with NetChoice.

Summary: The committee first took up SB 1236, which would condition state economic development incentives on employers at subsidized companies using secret-ballot union elections and prohibiting neutrality agreements. The sponsor said the bill is meant to protect workers and taxpayer dollars, and he noted he would amend the Attorney General enforcement language to allow appeals. Supporters argued it protects secret ballots and transparency, while opponents said it is a form of union-busting, could conflict with federal labor law, and would burden contractors and workers. After debate, the committee reported the bill favorably on a roll call vote, with Senators Bracey Davis, Smith, and Errington voting no and the remaining recorded votes in favor. The committee then heard CS/SB 198, which regulates cryptocurrency kiosks to combat fraud, especially against seniors. The bill requires kiosk registration, fraud warnings, blockchain analytics, transaction limits, receipts, and refund protections for certain first-time transactions involving non-U.S. wallets. Supporters from consumer and senior advocacy groups said the bill would help stop widespread scams, while one industry witness praised the bill’s fraud protections but suggested narrowing the daily limits and new-customer period. The committee reported the bill favorably by roll call vote. Next, the committee considered CS/SB 1356 on dog breeding, pet sales, and breeder registration. The sponsor described it as a work in progress aimed at ending inhumane breeding conditions, improving consumer disclosures, and creating breeder standards and penalties; an amendment removed state oversight of local animal shelters. Pet store representatives supported many animal welfare provisions but objected to the three-day financing waiting period, shelter-space requirements, expanded reimbursement, and litigation exposure. Animal welfare supporters backed the bill, and the committee reported it favorably. The committee also heard SB 1722 on app stores and minors’ access to apps. The bill requires age verification, parental consent for minors, notice of app changes, and enforcement by the Department of Legal Affairs. Supporters said it would better protect children online and help enforce existing age-based restrictions, while opponents warned it could require overcollection of personal data, create privacy and constitutional problems, and duplicate tools parents already have. After debate, the committee reported the bill favorably. Finally, the committee took up CS/SB 422, which would bar use of ADS-B aviation data to calculate or collect certain airport fees, with an amendment adding departures to the covered activities. A pilot supported the bill as a safety and privacy measure, while airport advocates opposed it, saying it would undermine airport finances and force less efficient fee collection methods. The transcript ends during testimony on this bill, before final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, I don't know that private utilities or private enterprise free market would handle this the same
• Now, I don't know that private utilities or private enterprise free market would handle this the same
• Obviously, FPL, AT&T, and Comcast had to sit down, and the city ended up doing a bond issuance and paying
• all of us, and we did a five-phase plan. ...doing a bond issuance and paying all of us, and we did a

Summary: The Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee met with a quorum present and first heard HB 11 from Representative Robinson. The bill would address an unintended consequence in Florida’s municipal utility surcharge law by requiring the same water/utility rate for residents when a utility facility is physically located within one municipality but owned by another, rather than allowing the owning municipality to impose a 25% surcharge. The sponsor and several members described it as a fairness issue affecting residents who do not receive local tax support for the facility but still bear the surcharge. Public testimony included support from AARP and Miami-Dade County and opposition from North Miami Beach. The bill was reported favorably on an 18-0 vote. The committee then held a panel discussion on utility use of public rights-of-way and utility relocation. Panelists from FDOT, county government, gas, water, electric, and communications sectors described the permitting process, noting that FDOT uses a detailed utility accommodation manual and that local governments may use permits, franchise agreements, or ordinances depending on the utility type. They emphasized that utilities often must coordinate early with agencies using long-range work programs and project plans, and that the process differs by utility and jurisdiction. Communications witnesses discussed Chapter 337 and the 60-day local permitting shot clock, while others noted the role of Sunshine State One Call in locating facilities before excavation. A major focus was who pays for relocations when road or infrastructure projects require utilities to move. FDOT and several panelists said utilities generally bear the cost when they are in public right-of-way, with exceptions such as certain interstate/interchange projects and easement impacts. Utility representatives said relocations are often effectively new builds, can be costly, and are ultimately reflected in rates or customer costs. Members also asked about easements versus right-of-way, damage and disputes during construction, broadband workforce needs, and whether legislation could improve coordination. Panelists largely said the existing process works best when agencies, contractors, and utilities communicate early and continuously, and that more legislation may not be necessary compared with better planning, staffing, and use of technology.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that a bond? So, Mr.
• And that's what I'm wondering: is that a bond? Mr.
• That's how we deal with reclamation; we make them put up a bond.
• So, zone 1 is at the very bottom of our drilling location.
• You can see the results as you go up from zones 1 through 5.

Committee: Joint Radioactive & Hazardous Materials Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Third offense within seven years, you're on bond, if you're on community corrections, if you're wearing
• ,</c><00:13:14.560><c> if</c><00:13:14.720><c> you're</c> seven years, you're on bond, if you're seven
• years, you're on bond, if you're on<00:13:15.279><c> community</c><00:13:15.600><c> corrections,</c>
• You'll see drones at both end zones. >> Oh, I know that they can... they have their folks doing that.
• You'll see drones at both end zones. >> Oh, I know that they can... they have their folks doing that.

Bills: HB227 , HB454 , SB323 , HB266 , SB52 , SB53 , SB296 , HB37 , HB429 , HB93 , HB249 , HB328 , HB111 , HB132 , HB26 , SB261 , HB227 , HB454 , SB323 , HB266 , SB52 , SB53 , SB296 , HB37 , HB429 , HB93 , HB249 , HB328 , HB111 , HB132 , HB26 , SB261

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: firefighter benefits, occupational disease, line of duty, disability pension, death benefits, retirement benefits, hypertension, heart disease, respiratory disease, cancer presumption, HIV, hepatitis, municipal firefighters, state firefighters, fire districts, workers' compensation, public safety employees, post-retirement benefits, benefit eligibility cutoff, occupational illness

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> board I believe she mentioned zoning board I believe she mentioned zoning board<01:30:29.440><c>
• ><c> from</c><01:30:31.600><c> uh</c> board planning no zoning board from uh board planning no zoning
• </c><01:31:44.400><c> to</c> your zoning ordinances in that zone to your zoning ordinances in that zone
• </c> problem with one-sizefits-all zoning problem with one-sizefits-all zoning mandates.<01:38:47.199
• It's and it's not just zoning mandates. Zoning mandates are not going to solve any of this either.

Committee: House Housing

Transcript Highlights:

• , and $280 million in supplemental severance tax bonds.
• of general obligation bond capacity, which totals approximately $392.5 million for three bond issues
• What's the next step for these agencies and actually getting and using these bonds?
• The State Board of Finance usually sells the bonds in the spring.
• So I think this doesn't replace bonding reform.

Bills: HB2 , SB152

Committee: Senate House Appropriations & Finance

Summary: The committee heard a series of capital, bond, environmental, economic development, juvenile justice, and health care bills. Senate Bill 240, the capital outlay package, was presented as a $1.3 billion statewide appropriation, including discretionary capital projects and agency projects; after questions about CYFD projects and House/Senate capital allocations, the committee voted do pass on the committee substitute. House Bill 248, the general obligation bond package totaling about $392.5 million for senior centers, libraries, higher education, and tribal projects, also received a do pass after questions about project vetting, bond timing, and school bus funding. House Bill 80, which increases the share of oil and gas conservation tax revenue going to the Oil and Gas Reclamation Fund to speed orphan well plugging and site cleanup, drew strong support from business, environmental, and industry groups; members discussed funding balances, procurement bottlenecks, and the distinction between abandoned and orphan wells before voting do pass. House Bill 184, making technical fixes to the Conservation Legacy Permanent Fund and related distribution rules, passed with little debate. The committee also heard Senate Bill 172, which expands the TRIGGER program allowing companies to access national laboratory expertise; supporters from the labs, the governor’s office, universities, and business groups cited job creation, follow-on investment, and commercialization gains, while one senator raised concerns about the long extension of the program. The bill passed do pass. House Bill 95, creating a judge for the First and Second Judicial Districts, was described as matching a previously heard Senate bill and passed do pass. Senate Bill 165, a major juvenile justice bill, generated the most extensive debate: the sponsor said it updates the juvenile code, raises the age for certain serious offenses, extends services for youth sentenced as adults, and expands community corrections; law enforcement supported it, while the Public Defender, youth advocates, the ACLU, and a Bernalillo County commissioner opposed it, arguing it expands adult sentencing and relies too heavily on incarceration. Despite those objections, the committee voted do pass. Finally, House Bill 4, which increases the Health Care Affordability Fund distribution to support premium assistance and related coverage programs, was amended so that a portion of the premium surtax would go to the Behavioral Health Program Fund and any unexpended balance would revert to the affordability fund. Supporters from BeWell, health advocacy groups, the insurance office, and homeless services said the bill would protect coverage gains and help offset federal changes; members asked about the amendment’s effect on the behavioral health fund and the bill’s flexibility if revenues decline. The amendment was adopted, and discussion on the bill continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• yet, but this is creating significant fear among those of us who live in these high fire severity zones
• These are for homes and small businesses in high fire threat zones between 2027 and 2032.
• But getting access to some of those high fire severity zones is just as important.
• The credit is limited to designated wildfire zones and to small businesses with average gross receipts
• Tax credits, bond revenues, and other state housing programs... ...with few options.

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several tax and revenue measures, beginning with SB 1329 on solar property tax assessment. The author and solar industry witnesses argued the bill would create a uniform statewide method, provide certainty for developers, and exclude tax credits and other intangibles from valuation; county assessors and several counties opposed it, saying it would reduce assessed value and depart from market-based appraisal. The bill was moved to Appropriations on a 2-0 vote and placed on call. The committee also heard SB 1406 to close the “Montana tax loophole” used to avoid California vehicle taxes, with support from the California Teachers Association and no registered opposition; it passed 2-0 and was placed on call. SB 984, conforming California law to the federal tipped-income deduction, drew support from the restaurant industry, Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, and enrolled agents, and passed 3-0 to Appropriations, on call. Later, the committee considered wildfire- and energy-related tax credits. SB 1084 would create a fire-safe home tax credit for home hardening and defensible space improvements; supporters said it would reduce wildfire losses and insurance costs, and it passed 3-0 on call. SB 1118 would provide credits for backup generators and solar battery systems in high fire-threat areas; the author framed it as a resilience measure for households and small businesses, but members raised concerns about cost, diesel use, and whether the credit would reach lower-income households. The bill was moved 1-0 and placed on call, with the chair and other members noting unresolved budget and policy concerns. SB 1424, expanding a partial sales tax exemption to zero-emission vehicle refueling equipment, received support from hydrogen and electric transportation groups and passed 4-0 on call. The committee also advanced SB 1249, a senior tax deduction for taxpayers ages 86 to 90, with support from LeadingAge California and senior advocates; members noted it was narrowly targeted and passed 4-0 on call. SB 1113, conforming California tax law to the federal tonnage tax regime for U.S.-flag international shipping companies, drew support from maritime industry groups and opposition from ILWU over the fiscal impact; it passed 4-0 on call. SB 1137, the Medical Expense Deduction Act, would allow a targeted deduction for medical expenses for lower-income taxpayers; supporters said it would help families facing high out-of-pocket costs, and it passed 4-0 on call. Finally, SB 1415 would extend a partial welfare property tax exemption to mixed-income housing that includes moderate-income units; supporters said it would help finance “missing middle” housing, while assessors and housing stakeholders requested amendments and guardrails. The bill was also moved forward on a committee vote and placed on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• bond multiple times.
• then a bond for phase three.
• bond multiple times.
• then a bond for phase three.
• </c> They are not profit-driven enterprises. They are not profit-driven enterprises.

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Transcript Highlights:

• US bonds in our portfolio are up, and our cash positions have been positive as well.
• US bonds in our portfolio are up, and our cash positions have been positive as well.
• US bonds in our portfolio are up, and our cash positions have been positive as well.
• US bonds in our portfolio are up, and our cash positions have been positive as well.
• </c><00:32:36.159><c> in</c> benefited from that greatly us Bonds in benefited from that greatly us Bonds

Transcript Highlights:

• , to reduce the capacity in one transit-oriented development zone by more than 50%.
• And per HCD's direction, we used the overlay zone approach to meet our housing requirements.
• So I do want to ask that the committee supports the overlay zone concept and then also the provision
• In the new common case, the court found those noncompliant overlay zones so clearly inconsistent with
• In the new common case, the court found those noncompliant overlay zones so clearly inconsistent with

Committee: House Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• That's the gap we also know we have in our development and zoning codes.
• That's the gap we also know we have in our development and zoning codes.
• I'll go back to Japan real quick because they're a lot more aligned with our reality of a subduction zone
• code and our cold flexibility is inflexible and that we mire them down in absolute—I mean, they got a bond
• for a project that could be $50 million, and it could be a year that they bonded that and, you know,

Summary: The committee held its first official work session with member and staff introductions, then received an update from the State Building Code Council on the current three-year code cycle and several legislatively directed code changes. Council staff said the council is moving toward CR-102 rulemaking and final adoption in the spring, with legislative mandates nearing completion on minimum dwelling unit size, emergency shelters, single-exit stairs for buildings up to six stories and 24 units, and sixplexes in the residential code. Members asked about how technical advisory groups are selected, and staff explained that the council advertises seats, reviews applications and recommendations, and approves members in public meetings, typically including firefighters, engineers, architects, and other subject-matter experts. A major portion of the meeting focused on the single-stair and sixplex work and on how fire safety, egress, and local service levels are being considered. Council representatives said the single-stair proposal includes emergency escape and rescue openings on all levels and is intended to provide more options for safe egress while reducing building footprint and cost. They emphasized that the recommendations are still entering the public rulemaking process and that cost-benefit considerations were part of the legislative intent. Members also raised questions about whether self-rescue devices or other builder options could be codified, and council staff said such ideas are considered through the advisory process, though not all become required code provisions. The second half of the session covered performance-based codes, prompted by a bill referred to as HB 2381. Todd Byrd explained the difference between prescriptive codes, which specify exact solutions, and performance-based codes, which set outcomes and allow designers and manufacturers more flexibility in how to meet them. He described the bill as a narrow proposal for low-rise residential buildings up to 24 units and under the high-rise threshold, with third-party or state certification and local jurisdiction approval still required. He cited international examples, especially Japan and Sweden, where performance-based approaches supported innovation and prefabrication, and said such systems can lower costs while maintaining safety. Members discussed seismic safety, builder participation, embodied carbon, and energy-code interactions, and council staff said the proposal could help align material, energy, and design optimization without changing the existing energy code. The committee took no vote and adjourned after the informational presentation and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• And last year we passed elimination of gun-free zones, which gave the opportunity for students to conceal
• :05.040><c> elimination</c><00:03:05.519><c> of</c><00:03:05.680><c> gun-free</c><00:03:06.159><c> zone
• </c> our um elimination of gun-free zone our um elimination of gun-free zone bill,<00:03:06.879><c> those
• </c> uh you know, we got gun-free zones uh you know, we got gun-free zones repealed<00:15:06.240><c>
• </c> uh enterprise uh enterprise and<01:38:32.480><c> we're</c><01:38:32.639><c> going</c><01:38:32.719

Bills: HB0111 , HB0112 , HB0122

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• Buffer zones.
• </c> zones remain important. zones remain important.
• Um, the buffer zone we have, our escorts will draw in chalk what the zone is.
• </c> Ginsburg supported buffer zones. Ginsburg supported buffer zones.
• </c> don't need a buffer zone. don't need a buffer zone.

Committee: House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• The bonds do not. There's a hard ceiling at that level.
• The bonds do not. Without the exemption, these deals do not pencil. The bonds do not get issued.
• LiTech tops out at 60, and the state's bond cap caps at 80.
• No LIHTC, no bond cap allocation, no state appropriation.
• Public-private partnerships and unlocking government revenue bonds.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bonds do not... Without the exemption, these deals do not pencil. The bonds do not get issued.
• LiTech tops out at 60, and the state's bond cap caps at 80.
• bond cap are one of the few ways to add capacity without enlarging that bottleneck.
• No LIHTC, no bond cap allocation, no state appropriation.
• One, would a housing bond create the CAP program, and are you familiar with it?

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several housing-related proposals and policy ideas. One speaker urged changes to the welfare property tax exemption for affordable housing, arguing that annual income recertifications are outdated and burdensome, and proposing a one-time qualification at move-in, streamlined monitoring through TCAC or HCD, and continued exemption protection for projects that remain in compliance. The witness said rising insurance costs and administrative burdens are hurting cash flow and threatening the viability of affordable housing operations. A major portion of the meeting focused on social housing and the SB 555 study. HCD described its ongoing study process, including public engagement with residents, practitioners, and experts, and noted that California already has many building blocks for social housing, such as public land tools, long-term affordability mechanisms, community land trusts, and tenant protections. Community land trust and housing policy witnesses argued that social housing will require legislative action, expanded public subsidy, tax abatements, public land, and simplified financing, and they emphasized the need to reframe the concept for the “missing middle” and middle-class households to build broader political support. Committee members discussed stigma around “social housing,” the need for a rebrand, and the possibility of a pilot program, especially on excess public land. The committee also heard a proposal for a certified professional plan-check system modeled on Vancouver, Canada. The presenter said California’s permitting delays, inconsistent reviews, and staffing shortages add cost and uncertainty even for streamlined projects, and proposed allowing state-certified private professionals to perform plan checks and inspections under state oversight while local governments retain zoning and enforcement authority. Members discussed local control concerns, infrastructure costs, and the need to reduce delays and uncertainty in the entitlement process. Finally, the committee heard testimony supporting changes to HCD loan disbursement so funds can be used during construction rather than only after completion. Witnesses said this would reduce interest costs, improve feasibility, and could produce additional affordable homes with existing funding. The discussion also referenced AB 1053 as the vehicle for implementing that approach.

Transcript Highlights:

• The development of the technology and the ability to access really hot zones of the Earth's heat has
• The development of the technology and the ability to access really hot zones of the Earth's heat has
• Representative Murphy, we're going to be hearing a road bonding bill coming up.
• I personally don’t believe this is in lieu of bonding.
• I personally don’t believe this is in lieu of bonding.

Committee: House House Energy, Environment & Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• You cannot do that through zoning alone.
• </c><05:01:58.638><c> You</c> cannot do that through zoning alone.
• You cannot do that through zoning alone.
• issues, um, on a address zoning issues, um, on a bipartisan<05:02:46.560><c> basis</c><05:02:46.798>
• You cannot do that through zoning alone.

Transcript Highlights:

• I was able to get my first lease in the aquaculture use zone down there, and I got a loan for a boat
• We lease from FDACS, so I have five leases down in Aquaculture Use Zone 2222, which is in Wakulla County
• not overirrigate, then we have a much better chance of keeping the nitrogen fertilizer in the root zone
• You know, in some cases different types of easements require an assurance bond to make sure that they
• Do you think that would be helpful in some way to do a surety bond or something like that and to make

Committee: Senate Agriculture

Summary: The Senate Committee on Agriculture met with a quorum present and heard three presentations focused on Florida aquaculture, agricultural nutrient reduction, and land preservation. First, clam farmer Tim Solano of Cedar Key described the economic and environmental importance of the state’s clam industry, noting Florida’s strong national production, the industry’s recovery role after the net ban, and the severe damage caused by recent hurricanes and red tide. He said the Dislocated Workers program helped farmers return to work and asked that existing state programs be written more broadly to include aquaculture. Oyster producer Canaan Greg of Pelican Oyster Company then discussed the growth of off-bottom oyster farming, the losses his industry suffered from Hurricane Michael and the pandemic, and the need for better access to recovery loans, student internships, local seed production, and waterfront protection. Members asked questions about leases, production, predators, and storm resilience, and the presenters emphasized that aquaculture is a sustainable, year-round industry that filters water and supports local economies. The committee next heard from UF/IFAS regional extension agent Dr. Bob Hockmouth on education, research, and extension efforts to reduce nitrogen in the Suwannee Valley Basin Management Action Plan area. He explained that the region’s agricultural load reduction target has increased from about 4.2 million to 5.8 million pounds of nitrogen, and that extension programs are helping farmers adopt practices such as precision fertilizer placement, soil moisture sensors, controlled-release fertilizer, petiole sap testing, and irrigation automation. He highlighted corn and watermelon as major examples, saying on-farm demonstrations and cost-share programs are essential because the equipment and technology are expensive. He reported substantial reductions from participating farms and said growers are generally cooperative when funding is available. Finally, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services presented an update on the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. The program acquires development rights through voluntary conservation easements to keep working agricultural lands in production, protect water resources and wildlife habitat, and preserve taxable land without transferring ownership. The presenter said the program has expanded rapidly in the last two years, with more acreage acquired, faster application review, and more properties in the Florida wildlife corridor. He noted new online application and monitoring tools, a shortened review timeline, and stronger partnerships with federal and defense-related programs. Committee members asked about long-term maintenance responsibilities and the Board of Trustees approval process, and the presentation closed with support for continued funding and efficiency improvements before the committee adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• over industrial— —compliance, where municipalities would put these zones over industrial parks or abutting
• We had worked very diligently to try to get the zones done.
• The community is continuing to strive to find those zones, and as my colleague specified, you know, a
• And I'm not sure if our new zones will pass.
• which has done a workaround that has been approved without having to pass the MBTA Communities Act zoning

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, are run as small enterprises, and they definitely are in trouble.
• <00:33:22.080><c> and</c><00:33:22.559><c> they</c> enterprises and they enterprises and they definitely
• project coming along, they can let it build up and make sure that they're not having to go out and bond
• project coming along, they can let it build up and make sure that they're not having to go out and bond
• I think it's important to reiterate that this fund also keeps us from having to go out and bond for the

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on SB 63, a bill described by Senator Tim Lang and other supporters as a technical correction to the rooms and meals tax distribution formula. Lang said the bill would clarify that the Division of Travel and Tourism’s 3.15% promotional allocation is taken from gross rooms-and-meals revenue before the 30% municipal reimbursement fund is calculated, which he argued restores the intended 2009/2021 structure and avoids an unintended loss to tourism marketing. Committee members raised questions about whether the bill actually changes section one or instead addresses DRA’s interpretation, and whether the measure could be affected by the budget process or HB 2. Jessica Keeler of Ski New Hampshire testified in strong support, saying the bill would preserve the promotional budget formula that had been in place since 2009 and that the 2019 revision effectively reduced the promotional allocation by placing the municipal share first. She said tourism promotion has helped increase visitation, revenues, and jobs, and warned that without a fix, the joint promotional program and other tourism efforts could be cut in future budgets. She also said the bill would not change the current year’s tourism budget but would matter for future cycles. Mike Summers of the New Hampshire Lodging and Restaurant Association also supported SB 63, calling it a correction to the 2021 changes and arguing that state tourism marketing is essential because small businesses cannot reach distant markets on their own. He said the industry has benefited from state promotion, especially after COVID, but is now facing softer occupancy rates, lower Canadian visitation, and financial strain from debt and operating costs. Summers said the industry cannot make up for major tourism budget cuts on its own and urged maintaining or increasing travel and tourism funding. No vote or final action was taken at the hearing.