Transcript Highlights:

• For instance, the legislature can bolster school-based mental health services.
• The legislature made the decision. ...to waste tire cleanup as well as transportation purposes.
• The legislature made the decision to increase that fee to $5 per tire last year.
• In 2019, the Legislature passed the bill that enacted the Safer Products for Washington process.
• You, the Legislature, set a timeline to phase it out.

Bills: SB5984 , SB6119 , SB6076

Committee: Senate Environment, Energy & Technology

Keywords: artificial intelligence, chatbots, regulation, technology, consumer protection, pollutants, tire regulation, 6PPD, environment, public safety, SB 6076, consumer-owned utilities, public utility districts, municipal procurement, competitive bidding, public works, clean energy, renewable energy, nonemitting generation, energy storage

Transcript Highlights:

• I firmly believe the model the legislature set up, the model you gave us in code, is a very efficient
• So in this last session, we passed a joint resolution, speaking with the voice of the legislature to
• When Representative Roberts first came in the legislature, he said he wanted to take on hard things,
• This is something the legislature passed several years ago.
• And so to the extent that there's any policy that the legislature has passed in housing over the last

Committee: Joint Economic Development and Workforce Services Interim Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• I've been on the land grant off and on for the whole time I've been in the legislature.
• The first time in 1907 is when their statute was passed, so the legislature created the Manzano Land
• That's how it has become the legislature that defines the power of land grants.
• And then it surprisingly made it through the legislature, and then it got vetoed by the governor.
• This may be something that can be looked at by this committee and by the legislature in general.

Committee: House House Rural Development, Land Grants And Cultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• It's kind of a reset here at the legislature on that. It's a separation of powers issue.
• It's kind of a reset here at the legislature on that.
• </c><00:17:37.120><c> Is</c><00:17:37.360><c> that</c> practice of the legislature.
• Is that practice of the legislature. Is that correct?
• </c> able and independent of the legislature able and independent of the legislature frankly<00:21:21.039

Summary: House Fraud and State Agency Oversight Chair Kristen Robbins and Vice Chair Patti Anderson reviewed the committee’s first session, saying its work focused on exposing fraud, identifying gaps in statute and agency tools, and creating a public whistleblower portal (mnfraud.com). Robbins said the committee helped drive bipartisan opposition to legislatively named grants/earmarks, and that committee testimony from agencies, the Office of Legislative Auditor, and the Office of Grants Management led to late-session committee bills on issues such as a state kickback statute and required grants-management training. She also said the portal received 530 submissions in its first week, which the committee will review over the interim. Members emphasized the need for stronger statewide oversight of grants and fraud prevention. Anderson said existing agency inspector general structures have not worked well and described a bipartisan effort to create a statewide Office of Inspector General with full investigatory authority. Robbins said the Senate version was moving through finance and expected on the floor soon, with the governor indicating he would sign it. Walter Hudson argued that hearings showed agencies often focus on paperwork and compliance checkboxes rather than actually preventing fraud, citing conflict-of-interest attestations and the Feeding Our Future-related testimony as examples. Jim Nash said the state government finance bill includes funding for anti-fraud efforts through the Office of the Auditor and related provisions. In response to questions, Robbins said the committee tried to remain bipartisan despite a 5-3 Republican majority, and that members had handed significant allegations to law enforcement when appropriate. She said the committee did not need subpoena power this session because it is an oversight body, not a law-enforcement body. On legislatively named grants, Robbins said the goal is to change legislative culture rather than impose a formal ban, and she expects future policy to require front-end risk review, 990 review, and capacity checks before such grants are approved. Anderson added that the House and Senate versions of the inspector general bill differ on branch placement and law-enforcement authority, and that the House will decide whether to accept the Senate version once it comes back from finance and the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are looking to invest, and in fact, the legislature has allocated a significant and historic amount
• I don't have any plans beyond those, but we are happy to discuss if the legislature would like to.
• Since our reform efforts four years ago, in 2021, when the legislature passed Senate Bill 158, this was
• We urge the legislature to keep as much pressure on the administration to stay the course with SB 54
• We encourage you and the legislature to use the budget negotiation process to ensure a timely adoption

Transcript Highlights:

• We appreciate the concern from the legislature on this important issue and how our students are accessing
• We are ready to advise the legislature and governor as you consider potential means to fund or phase
• Of course, there are some other larger changes that the legislature and administration could consider
• Then we want to hear from the legislature. So they have the Analyst Office.
• We urge the Legislature to affirm these commitments. Thank you. Thank you very much.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's got misuse, and it had an expedited rulemaking, and because the legislature should not ever abdicate
• It had an expedited rulemaking, and because the legislature should not ever abdicate its responsibility
• It had an expedited rulemaking, and because the legislature should not ever abdicate its responsibility
• The legislature should not ever abdicate its responsibility to assure care for seniors in the 300 plus
• The proposal would ensure that the legislature fully funds the mandates of the Nursing Home Workforce

Bills: HF1419 , HF500

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Summary: The committee took up House File 500, which would require the legislature to fund the Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board’s standards before they could take effect. An author’s DE2 amendment was adopted first; the amendment was described as pausing the board’s standards unless the legislature estimates and fully pays the cost for each nursing home. The bill author argued that mandates without money create serious consequences for seniors and providers, and said the measure would keep budget authority with the legislature rather than an appointed board. Supporters, including nursing home operators and the Long-Term Care Imperative, said the board’s holiday pay and minimum wage standards would create large unfunded costs, citing estimates ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars for individual facilities and more than $200 million statewide. They argued that some facilities could face debt, reserve depletion, or reduced access to care if the standards are not funded. Opponents, including SEIU workers and union leaders, said the board has improved staffing, recruitment, morale, and worker safety, and that caregivers deserve higher wages and holiday pay. They argued the bill would weaken the board’s ability to address chronic understaffing and would shift focus away from worker protections. Members also debated whether nursing home reimbursement rates have already risen enough to cover wages and whether the problem lies with how funds are used by providers. After public testimony closed, several members spoke in opposition and support. A roll call was requested, and the committee voted 9-7 to re-refer House File 500, as amended, to the Committee on Labor and Workforce and Economic Development Finance and Policy.

Transcript Highlights:

• And as these creatures of statute, the legislature has routinely, and actually almost every...
• As these creatures of statute, the legislature has routinely, and actually almost every year, has found
• One of the things that the legislature did in the Condo 2.0 was to clearly and unequivocally assign to
• The legislature did not require it. We do not have compatible software systems.
• I knew our response if the legislature wants us to do it.

Summary: The committee held an informational hearing on condominiums, focusing on recent statutory changes, building safety, reserve studies, inspections, insurance, and related enforcement issues. Pete Dunbar, speaking for the Florida Bar’s Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section, reviewed the evolution of Florida’s condominium law and recommended several refinements, including allowing boards to levy special assessments and borrow for post-inspection repairs, easing termination when repair costs exceed value, clarifying treatment of nonresidential condominiums, strengthening recall procedures, clarifying reserve and inspection standards, addressing conflicts of interest, improving electronic participation, and cleaning up notice and disclosure requirements. He also suggested revising insurance provisions so a third coverage option could be used more effectively. Ron Liseca and engineer Mr. Noguera explained the milestone inspection and Structural Integrity Reserve Study (SERS) process, emphasizing that milestone inspections assess structural deterioration while SERS estimates long-term repair and reserve funding needs. They described the 25- and 30-year inspection timelines, the lack of a central statewide database, and the practical challenges of finding qualified professionals and educating associations. Secretary Melanie Griffin said DBPR oversees 27,750 condominium associations, has increased outreach and complaint resolution, and has seen a 39% increase in complaints this fiscal year. She reported that about 11,270 associations self-reported buildings three stories or higher, and that as of early February DBPR had received 4,096 SERS completion submissions after follow-up outreach, with a median reported SERS cost of $6,000, though she cautioned that much of the optional data is unreliable. Emilio Rodriguez, a contractor, stressed the cost and capacity challenges facing associations and contractors, warning that some projects are delayed by board disputes, legal challenges, and a shortage of qualified labor, which can lead to higher assessments and repeated repairs. Members asked about enforcement, insurance availability, coastal deterioration, sinking and foundation issues, and private provider conflicts of interest. Witnesses generally supported more uniform standards, better local and state coordination, and possible tighter oversight of private providers, while cautioning against frequent statutory changes that could add confusion. In closing discussion, members highlighted the burden on older residents and fixed-income owners, the need to keep communities habitable, and the importance of clearer allocation of assessments and stronger board accountability.

Transcript Highlights:

• I did serve on transportation when I first came into the legislature.
• Our overall mission is established by the legislature.
• There were very good policy changes made by the legislature.
• There were very good policy changes made by the legislature.
• A lot of that is because of the Florida Legislature giving us the tools we need to deliver.

Summary: The Transportation and Economic Development Budget Subcommittee met to organize for the session, take roll, and hear introductory remarks from members and agency heads. Members briefly introduced themselves and their districts, with several noting transportation, economic development, emergency response, military, and hurricane recovery issues in their areas. Chair Shove then outlined the subcommittee’s jurisdiction and current-year budget, noting a total of about $20.3 billion, with most funding coming from trust funds and only a small share from general revenue. The committee also heard that upcoming meetings would include presentations from major agencies in the subcommittee’s purview. The first agency presentation was from the Department of Military Affairs and the Florida National Guard. Major General John Haas described the Guard’s three missions—supporting national security, responding to state emergencies, and adding value to the state—and highlighted deployments for hurricanes, border security support, and ongoing support to the Department of Corrections. He emphasized that the Guard is understrength relative to Florida’s size and demand, said recruiting is strong, and identified force structure growth as the main challenge. Members asked about aircraft, funding sources, and recruiting; Haas explained the Guard’s helicopter and fixed-wing fleet, said aircraft purchases are funded through legislative appropriations, and reported strong interest in the Florida State Guard’s recruiting pipeline. Executive Director Mark Thieme then described the Florida State Guard’s expansion into air, ground, and maritime capabilities, including Black Hawks, boats, drones, canine search-and-rescue teams, and ground support units. He said the agency supported immigration enforcement and hurricane response, and asked for continued legislative support to expand aviation, maritime, and medical capabilities. Members praised the Guard’s disaster response work and asked about aircraft, funding, and staffing. Secretary Cord Byrd of the Department of State followed, focusing on election administration, election security, the SunBiz and voter registration IT systems, arts and culture, corporations, libraries, and historical resources. He said Florida’s election system remains a national model, reported two prosecutions for non-citizen voting, and discussed modernization needs for legacy IT systems. The committee also asked about voter lookup tools, password privacy for SunBiz, and arts funding vetoes. Secretary Alex Kelly of the Department of Commerce described the agency’s broad portfolio, including workforce, economic, community, and international commerce functions, plus housing recovery, broadband, small business support, rural infrastructure, defense-community grants, and law enforcement recruitment bonuses. He said access to capital is the biggest barrier for small businesses and noted ongoing work with CareerSource, the Department of Corrections, and other partners on workforce and reentry. Secretary Jared Perdue of the Department of Transportation then outlined FDOT’s record budget and five-year work program, emphasizing emergency response, preservation and maintenance, safety, and major investments in roads, ports, airports, transit, and spaceport infrastructure. He said the department has removed millions of cubic yards of storm debris, is ahead of schedule on the Moving Florida Forward initiative, and faces a large unfunded project backlog. Members asked about supply chain issues, project priorities, and workforce needs, and Perdue said FDOT is open to collaboration on recruitment and retention.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the reason is Geiger was not something that the Legislature did.
• SB 1004 does exactly what the court invited the Legislature to do.
• This bill builds on legislation... and the State Legislature.
• This bill builds on legislation. and the state legislature.
• The Legislature needs to see how such laws are working in our state.

Summary: The committee heard several public safety bills and took testimony on each, with members often noting amendments and continuing negotiations. SB 1009 by Senator Becker would require juvenile courts to find that less restrictive alternatives are unsuitable before ordering detention, and would require periodic review of continued detention and consideration of alternatives at disposition. Supporters argued it would reduce unnecessary youth detention and improve transparency; probation, judges, and police groups opposed it as an undue limit on judicial discretion and potentially unsafe in serious cases. The chair said he would recommend an aye with amendments, but the bill was held pending quorum and later remained on call. SB 1130 by Senator Gomez Reyes would update privacy law for wearable recording devices such as smart glasses, requiring consent before recording in places where people have a reasonable expectation of privacy and banning devices or accessories designed to defeat recording indicators. Supporters said the bill addresses secret recording and invasive surveillance; opponents from tech and hospitality groups sought clarification to avoid unintended liability for businesses and exempt workplace communication devices. Members discussed those exemptions, and the chair recommended an aye, but the measure also remained on call. Senator Blake Spear presented SB 99, which would let courts consider military protective orders in domestic violence proceedings and require better communication between civilian law enforcement and military authorities. Supporters from the Department of Defense, local officials, and military representatives said it would close protection gaps for military families; the ACLU opposed it on due process grounds because MPOs are issued without judicial process. The chair and author emphasized that the bill only allows consideration of MPOs and does not require civilian enforcement of them. The bill passed out on a vote, though it remained on call for additional members. The committee also heard SB 937 by Senator Gonzalez, restricting flashbang use for crowd control and banning flashbangs and explosive breaching charges in immigration enforcement, and SB 1022, creating a statewide anti-trafficking task force. SB 937 drew support from civil rights and community groups and opposition from police and sheriffs over the use-of-force standard and limits on tactics; it passed out on a vote but remained on call. SB 1022 was supported by survivor and faith groups and opposed by public defenders and sex worker advocates who raised concerns about racial disparities and enforcement harms; it also passed out on a vote. Later, SB 1395, extending criminal protective orders for certain felony sex offenses against minors up to 20 years, and SB 1230, increasing penalties for repeat illegal dumping, were both heard with mixed testimony and were held on call after committee votes. The committee also adopted a consent calendar and several bills were moved forward with amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• DESE would also report annually on the use of funds to the legislature.
• The legislature seeks to broaden educational opportunities for students enrolled in the school choice
• It does seem to me we need a special plan working with the MSBA and, you know, and the legislature in
• I'm very proud of the work the legislature has done, obviously the Student Opportunity Act, but many
• At the state level, the Legislature failed to include in their 2026 budget a commission to begin the

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Education

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education opened a hybrid public hearing on a large slate of bills related to school buildings, school finance, technology, data privacy, safety, and related education issues. Chairs Jason Lewis and Ken Gordon outlined procedures for the hearing, including two-minute testimony limits and the plan to group similar bills together. Several bills drew no testimony and were closed without further discussion, while others drew extensive testimony from legislators, school officials, parents, advocates, and educators. A major theme was school safety and student well-being. Lori Al-Hadeth testified in support of bills on alert systems in public schools, describing the loss of her daughter in the Parkland shooting and urging adoption of Alyssa’s Law-style panic alert technology. Representative Gallagher and disability advocates also supported a bill authorizing, but not requiring, airway clearance devices in schools, arguing they could save lives in choking emergencies and provide an option for people who cannot use the Heimlich maneuver. Another bill on reducing cafeteria waste drew support from a legislator and a Lexington sustainability official, who said installing dishwashers during construction would reduce waste and long-term costs. Much of the hearing focused on Chapter 70 school funding and the inflation cap. Senator Pavel Payano, Senator Sal DiDomenico, Representative Senna, and multiple local officials and school committee members from Bridgewater, Chelsea, Groton-Dunstable, and other districts argued that the 4.5% cap on inflation adjustments has left schools underfunded during years of high inflation, forcing layoffs, larger class sizes, and cuts to programs and student supports. They urged bills to eliminate the cap, restore lost funding, increase the Commonwealth’s share of the foundation budget, or create commissions to study reforms. Testimony also highlighted the impact on special education, English learners, and low-income students, with Chelsea witnesses saying the cap has cost their district about $7 million annually. School construction and MSBA reform were the other major topic. AIA Massachusetts, Boston Public Schools, Lynn officials, and AFT Massachusetts described aging facilities, overcrowding, deferred maintenance, and the difficulty of financing new schools under current reimbursement rules. Boston officials said the district has many pre-World War II buildings and has only built a handful of new schools in decades, while Lynn leaders said reimbursement rates have fallen well below the statutory 80% because of caps and ineligible costs. Witnesses urged modernization of the MSBA program, higher reimbursement rates, and more resources for school construction. The committee also heard support for a bill to study the adequacy and equity of the school building program, and chairs indicated some bills would be closed after no one signed up to testify.

Transcript Highlights:

• So that as we sort of put this together, if there's something that makes sense to the legislature, you
• So that as we sort of put this together, if there's something that makes sense to the legislature, you
• So that as we sort of put this together, if there's something that makes sense to the legislature, you
• Approved by the legislature or something like that.
• </c><00:53:52.559><c> passed</c> this this is what the legislature passed this this is what the legislature

Committee: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• We get about 10% of that money from the legislature and operating budgets.
• </c> While we recognize that the legislature While we recognize that the legislature might<00:37:02.320
• and also within this legislature too.
• We are a part-time citizen legislature.
• Oftentimes when we go home, legislature.

Bills: HF2563

Committee: House Legacy Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• And when I got to the legislature, I asked, "Well, what's the timeline?
• And when I got to the legislature, I asked, "Well, what's the timeline?
• ,</c><02:41:56.240><c> I</c> And when I got to the legislature, I And when I got to the legislature,
• </c><02:52:00.000><c> took</c> colas before the legislature took colas before the legislature took control
• ,</c> really when I came into the legislature, really when I came into the legislature, we<04:06:12.000

Transcript Highlights:

• Over the years, that has been used as a method for legislatures to get around the two-thirds requirement
• Significant tax increases have occurred without the legislature having any voice in establishing what
• Chair Senator Mesnard given the polarization here and I mean just and not just at the legislature but
• And I remember thinking, I was a candidate for the legislature at the time, but I wasn't in the legislature
• The legislature is supposed to set tax rates.

Bills: SB1142 , SCR1028

Committees: House Ways & Means , House House Ways & Means Committee of Reference

Keywords: scholarships, tax credit, education funding, nonprofit organizations, Arizona Revised Statutes, constitutional amendment, state revenue, tax policy, legislative approval, two-thirds vote

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, he used his, um, experience with the legislature, I think, to really streamline our process
• It's nice to be back where I once belonged for my 24 years in the legislature.
• And another thought from 30 plus years ago, is that the legislature had a goal, which is that things
• So it is a, it's, it, it's a worthy goal that, that um the legislature had, and it's a worthy goal that
• Uh, people who are watching the legislature at the end of the session will be familiar with this.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think my question is, so let's just say that the Legislature fails to act, and those standards are
• And I just don't want to give our power up as a Legislature over this oversight.
• We, in essence, I think the standards, when the Legislature did not reject the standards, they went into
• When the Legislature did not reject the standards, they went into effect.
• So that was, in fact, the voice of the Legislature.

Committee: House Common Education

Transcript Highlights:

• I think my question is, so let's just say that the legislature fails to act, and those standards are
• And I just don't want to give our power up as a legislature over this oversight.
• We, in essence, I think the standards, when the legislature did not reject the standards, they went into
• Standards, when the legislature did not reject the standards, they went into effect.
• So that was, in fact, the voice of the legislature.

Committee: House Common Education

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 4427, with the sponsor explaining that it would place guardrails on the use of adjunct teachers in school districts. The bill would, beginning in the 2026-27 school year, prohibit adjunct teachers from teaching core subjects in pre-K through 4th grade, including math, ELA, science, and social studies, with a limited exemption process through the State Board. After brief discussion, the committee voted 8-0 to report the bill out as a do pass. Next, House Bill 3021 was presented as a graduation requirements measure that had been worked on with SDE, higher education, and career tech. The sponsor said a PCS or amendment would remove a conflicting section and that the agencies were in agreement on the planned changes. After questions about agency alignment, the committee voted 10-1 to report the bill out as a do pass. The committee then heard House Bill 3711, a transparency bill requiring school districts to post the percentage of spending devoted to instruction on the front page of their websites and include it in bond applications. The sponsor said the goal was to give taxpayers clearer information about how school funds are used. After discussion about how districts define instructional versus support spending, the bill passed the committee on a 7-9-4-N-A vote as announced in the transcript. Finally, House Bill 2987 would change the default outcome for academic standards if the legislature fails to act within 30 legislative days, making them deemed disapproved rather than approved. The sponsor argued this would preserve legislative oversight and prevent substandard standards from taking effect, while opponents raised concerns about delays and outdated standards. The committee discussed how the process would work if standards were rejected or sent back with instructions, and then voted 10-1-1-0 to report the bill out as a do pass.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've always served on appropriations in my time in the legislature.
• And I've enjoyed almost every moment that I've been here in the legislature.
• And this legislature has just been a brick wall of no...
• And this legislature has just been a brick wall of no, no, no.
• Each year the legislature is required by law to balance the budget.

Summary: The joint House and Senate Appropriations committees met to hear the FY 2027 budget package, beginning with the General Appropriations Act (HB 4154/SB 1847). Staff outlined the overall budget, including one-time fund transfers, lump-sum reductions, funding for state employee health insurance, school facilities, corrections, flood and wildfire relief, education and child care, and other ongoing and supplemental items. Members briefly discussed the absence of a requested $1.5 million for the oversight office, but the chair said no amendments would be taken in committee and that only limited technical changes were likely later in the process. Public testimony on the feed bill was largely supportive but focused on specific funding concerns. Testimony highlighted school safety funding, Alzheimer’s services, small business tax expensing provisions, disability oversight for group homes, county use of opioid settlement dollars, adult education/community college funding, victim notification funding, and ESA oversight. Several speakers praised the budget for funding DDD and other services, while others opposed or sought changes to items such as the COMIT group home monitoring program, Maricopa Community Colleges’ lack of operating aid, and a possible cut to the victim notification program. The chair repeatedly emphasized that changes to the negotiated budget would be difficult and should be routed through leadership. The committee then moved quickly through the remaining budget reconciliation bills. Staff summarized bills covering amusement and wagering, capital outlay, commerce, criminal justice, environment, health care, higher education, human services, and K-12 education. Notable provisions included continued wagering assessments, highway and building renewal funding, defense innovation and economic development changes, corrections and wrongful conviction provisions, groundwater and water banking measures, health insurance oversight and opioid settlement provisions, higher education funding and ABOR operating caps, SNAP and housing trust fund changes, and a 2% inflation increase for K-12 formula components. The K-12 bill also included a biometric school safety pilot and a child sexual abuse prevention pilot. No votes were taken in the portion provided, and the chair indicated the committee would continue through the remaining bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• As a result, the Legislature has prioritized wildfire prevention and resilience...
• In addition, the Legislature successfully put on the ballot and the voters...
• But Legislature, you know, should also worry about that because they're competing needs.
• The legislature and how they interpret their statutory mandate.
• The coalition believes there are essential policies the legislature...