Transcript Highlights:

• be even more strict than the EPA, we can apply for primacy and be in charge of that Class VI classification
• It must consider travel distance, winter road conditions, fuel costs, and whether participation is realistic

Summary: The committee held an interim work session focused first on carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration (CCUS), then on hazardous waste and extended producer responsibility (EPR). On the CCUS topic, industry and nonprofit presenters described point-source capture, direct air capture, mineralization, and geologic sequestration, emphasizing Washington’s basalt formations and state trust lands as strong candidates for storage. They argued that CCUS can help hard-to-abate industrial sectors, support jobs and investment, and provide a pathway for compliance, while also noting the need for clearer permitting, subsurface rights, pipeline authority, and storage infrastructure. Ecology and Commerce staff explained current state policy touchpoints, including Cap-and-Invest offsets and exemptions for permanently stored CO2, the public comment process underway to define “thousand-year” permanence, and how CCUS might fit within the Clean Energy Transformation Act without counting emitting generation as non-emitting. Some presenters supported more state action and primacy over federal permitting, while others warned about costs, energy use, uncertain capture performance, and the need to ensure real net greenhouse gas reductions and long-term liability protections. Members asked about public meetings, whether mineralized carbon would qualify as exempt under the Climate Commitment Act, the timeline for Ecology guidance, aquifer and water-quality concerns, energy intensity of capture systems, and liability if storage later proves problematic. Responses said Ecology’s guidance process is already underway, public meetings will be virtual, mineralized carbon would likely qualify if it meets the permanence standard, and EPA rules require storage in deep saline formations below drinking water aquifers. Industry speakers said capture energy use varies by source and concentration, and one presenter noted that some states use trust funds funded by injectors to address long-term liability. The second half of the session shifted to hazardous waste and EPR. Ecology staff reviewed existing product stewardship programs for electronics, paint, batteries, and mercury lights, and described moderate risk waste and household hazardous waste management in Washington. They highlighted that E-Cycle and PaintCare are producer-funded, that the battery stewardship program will begin in 2027, and that the mercury lamp program is in transition after its prior stewardship organization exited, prompting enforcement notices and a pending replacement plan. Ecology recommended best practices for future EPR programs, including clear producer and product definitions, full producer funding, convenience standards, annual reporting, and strong agency enforcement and plan approval authority. Local government speakers from King County and Douglas County described rising collection costs, equity and access barriers, rural travel distances, and the need for stable funding and flexible local implementation. King County said it collected over 3 million pounds of hazardous products in 2025 and supports EPR as a way to shift costs from ratepayers to producers, while Douglas County emphasized that rural residents will participate when services are accessible and that future systems should account for geography and local infrastructure.

Transcript Highlights:

• They traveled the back roads of this state registering black voters, organizing communities, building
• the steps of genocide, which I've shared with some of your colleagues and step one is simply classification

Transcript Highlights:

• second-degree felony offense, mandating an automatic elevation of the offense to the next highest penalty classification
• officer walks up to the car, and somehow the officer reaches in and the officer's getting drug down the road

Bills: HB75, HB108

Keywords: building standards, youth camps, floodplains, safety regulations, environmental policies, drainage utilities, flood management, land use regulation, county authority, drainage fees

Summary: The committee heard a series of criminal justice and public safety bills, with most measures focused on tougher penalties, victim protections, and procedural changes. Bills discussed included HB 75, requiring magistrates to make written findings when denying probable cause despite believing an arrestee committed an offense; HB 413, limiting pretrial detention so it cannot exceed the maximum jail term for the charged offense, with competency-related exceptions; HB 1422, expanding sexual assault survivor protections and increasing penalties for certain sexual offenses and voyeurism; HB 2073, increasing penalties for violating protective orders or bond conditions while armed; HB 2593, raising indecent assault penalties against elderly or disabled victims; HB 108, enhancing punishment when body armor is used during violent crimes; HB 3816, expanding cruelty-to-livestock offenses to include unlawful controlled-substance administration; HB 2854, requiring parole officers to notify hospitals or law enforcement when violent parolees visit hospital premises; HB 1871, increasing punishment for attempted capital murder of a peace officer and making such offenders ineligible for parole; HB 3463, clarifying notice methods in theft-of-service cases; HB 2348, allowing video-recorded depositions of elderly or disabled witnesses; HB 2594, expanding venue options for cybercrime and digital theft prosecutions; HB 2761, clarifying that children cannot be deemed to consent to prostitution-related offenses; HB 3185, authorizing administrative subpoenas in cybercrime investigations; HB 2017, increasing penalties for certain intoxication manslaughter cases involving undocumented immigrants with prior DWI convictions; HB 2306, making certain trafficking offenses ineligible for parole; HB 1607, allowing a rear-only license plate when a vehicle lacks a front bracket; HB 1828, creating a legislative leave pool for TDCJ correctional officers; and HB 3664, requiring prospective grand jurors to complete training and proposing additional changes to grand jury procedure in a future substitute. The committee also took up HB 3073, the Summer Willis Act, which would clarify consent in sexual assault law and address intoxication-related incapacity; the committee substitute narrowed the language to situations where the perpetrator knows the other person cannot consent because of intoxication or impairment, while removing withdrawal-of-consent and “reasonably should know” language from the House version. Several bills were laid out with committee substitutes adopted, including HB 3463, HB 2594, HB 3073, and HB 3073’s substitute, and most bills were left pending after no invited or public testimony or after hearing testimony. Public testimony was especially extensive on HB 3073, with survivors, advocates, and prosecutors supporting broader consent language, while some prosecutors said the substitute was an improvement but still favored the House version’s broader protections. HB 3664 drew significant opposition from district attorneys, who argued that mandatory transcription or recording of grand jury testimony would be costly, chill grand juror questioning, and complicate timely presentations; concerns were also raised about new-evidence requirements and grand jury shopping. No final votes were taken on the bills discussed in the transcript, and the committee recessed partway through to return to the floor before continuing its hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is a Florida classification system that has a broadband range. All right.
• We have to continue to make investments in that because it's the costs that you don't see down the road

Summary: The subcommittee met to review agency travel, budget reduction exercises, and member reports from agency meetings. Early discussion focused on the Department of Management Services (DMS), where members questioned the cost of travel for four out-of-state data/cyber staff and the secretary’s absence. DMS defended the hires as highly specialized enterprise cybersecurity and data personnel, said the positions were lawfully paid and posted, and explained that the staff work on statewide data cataloging and cyber risk reduction rather than agency-by-agency systems. Members also raised concerns about fleet inventory discrepancies and requested follow-up information on hiring, travel, and data inventory timelines. The chair said she would consider travel guardrails and possible reductions, and noted that DMS, the Lottery, and the Florida Commission on Human Relations did not meet the requested reduction target, while the Public Employee Relations Commission did not submit reductions. The committee then heard from the Florida Lottery about the secretary’s trip to Paris for the World Lottery Convention. Lottery staff said the trip was reimbursed through the multi-state lottery organization and was intended to share best practices and improve operations, though members questioned the value of the travel and requested reimbursement records and the trip agenda. The subcommittee also reviewed agency reduction exercises from several agencies. The Department of Revenue exceeded its target and was praised for frugality; DFS, the Florida Gaming Control Commission, the Office of Financial Regulation, the Office of Insurance Regulation, the Public Service Commission, the Division of Administrative Hearings, and the Department of Business and Professional Regulation each described how they met or approached their reduction goals, often through vacancies, reversions, or expense cuts. OIR warned that further reductions could hurt insurance regulation capacity, while OFR and PSC said their reductions were based on historical reversions and lower post-COVID travel or vacancy levels. Members then reported back on agency meetings. DMS members raised fleet tracking, real property audits, salary studies, and health plan savings ideas, and asked for follow-up on the Florida PALM project, cybersecurity grants, and state IT modernization. DFS members said the agency was efficient and that its Palm-related work and insurance consumer programs were important. Lottery members emphasized the agency’s revenue generation for education and its low administrative overhead. Gaming Control members highlighted storage costs for seized gaming equipment and suggested technology-based alternatives. PERC members said a union-related law had doubled their workload and asked for more staffing and possible AI assistance. OIR members stressed the need for a Tampa satellite office and more resources to recruit and retain specialized staff. The chair closed by saying the committee would continue reviewing travel, staffing, and reductions with an eye toward taxpayer value and transparency.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also revises sentencing and classifications for those convicted of a sexual crime.

Summary: The Justice Budget Committee met with a quorum present and took up four bills. The first, PCS for CS for HB 309 on controlled substances, addressed xylazine (“tranq”), exempting veterinary use and creating criminal offenses related to trafficking and misuse. The sponsor explained changes from the prior version, including removal of a federal-order-related concern and raising the threshold for base possession/trafficking concerns from 4 grams to 28 grams. Public testimony was in support from law enforcement and advocacy groups, and the bill passed 14-0. The committee then heard HB 1467 on penalties for prostitution-related acts. The sponsor said the bill increases penalties for those who solicit, operate prostitution establishments, transport, coerce, or traffic others for prostitution, while not increasing penalties for the people being prostituted. Supporters included Florida Family Voice and the Florida Smart Justice Alliance. The bill passed unanimously, 14-0. Next, CS for HB 1159 on sexual offenses was presented as a broad update to criminal law involving sexual offenses, especially crimes involving minors, child pornography, and sentencing/classification changes. A member asked about a possible Romeo and Juliet issue, and the sponsor said staff was working on clarifying language but did not believe the bill created that problem in its current form. The bill received support from the Florida Sheriffs Association and Florida Smart Justice Alliance and passed 14-0. Finally, CS for HB 485 on petitions for injunction added a checkbox for marriage-fraud allegations in domestic violence injunction petitions, defined marriage fraud for that purpose, and required clerks to notify the State Board of Immigration Enforcement within 24 hours when such an injunction is issued. The sponsor and co-sponsor described it as an accountability measure, it drew support from Florida Smart Justice Alliance, and it also passed unanimously, 14-0. The meeting ended after the chair noted budget recommendations had been submitted and no further business remained.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is it just different, if it's different classifications and things like that, I understand.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee met to review Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation budget items, with Representative Steeman asking for clarification on FTE counts and dollar amounts in several line items. DOCR officials explained that the Hart River Correctional Center request was reduced from 26 new FTEs to 7, focused on pre-opening staffing such as security leadership, HR, staff development, warehouse support, and a dentist and dental assistant to address a long dental waiting list. The MRCC temporary housing unit line was adjusted from 7 FTEs to 12.5 FTEs to add case management, treatment, nursing, and maintenance staff, while pretrial, corrections temporary positions, education services, and maintenance items remained unchanged. The Grand Forks line was reduced from 31.5 FTEs to 4, with the remaining staffing tied to case management and treatment rather than full facility operations, and officials estimated that personnel cost at about $670,000. Members also discussed how the staffing changes would be viewed against the closure or transition of Dakota Women's Correctional and Rehabilitation Center in New England. DOCR said the comparison would not be apples-to-apples because Hart River will expand from a 126-bed to a 304-bed facility with more services, and because Dakota Women's staff are not state employees and therefore not counted as state FTEs. Officials noted anticipated efficiencies through shared services such as warehousing, commissary, laundry, kitchen, medical, and dental support across facilities, but acknowledged those savings would be difficult to quantify. The chair thanked the witnesses, noted the committee would return later to address amendments and the bill, and then recessed the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Second, it restores the classification of motion picture and TV production as manufacturing.
• Second, it restores the classification of motion picture and TV production as manufacturing.
• Second, it restores the classification of motion picture and TV production as manufacturing.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a series of economic development, tourism, and tax measures. SB 2411 drew broad support from the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, the University of Hawaiʻi, the Chamber of Commerce, and Retail Merchants, with one technical amendment suggested to change a partnership term from six to seven years. Members asked about implementation and annual costs, and the department said it would follow up with cost information. HB 2583 HD1, relating to economic development and a loan loss program, also received support, but DBED noted the state already has the CBED loan program and suggested the proposal could be placed under that existing framework rather than creating a new program. HB 1612, based on business revitalization task force recommendations, was supported by DBED and several business and advocacy groups, including the Small Business Regulatory Review Board and Grassroot Institute. Testimony emphasized improving Hawaii’s business climate and using a ranking/reporting tool to measure progress, while one senator questioned whether the bill would simply fund another study instead of direct improvements. HB 1613, relating to HTDC, was supported by HTDC, the Chamber of Commerce, and startup and industry representatives who said a permanent marketing/branding specialist would help attract tech talent, founders, and investors; a member asked why the position was not in the budget, and HTDC said federal NIST funding uncertainty affected the request. HB 1614, also on economic development, was supported by HTDC and business groups, and members discussed whether the state was missing federal funds due to lack of matching dollars; HTDC said it was difficult to know, but matching funds could help leverage more federal grants. The committee then took up HB 2590 on taxation for creative industries. The Motion Picture Association and Hawaii Film Alliance strongly supported the bill, saying it would correct GET treatment for payroll service companies, restore motion picture and TV production as manufacturing, and repeal a 2022 provision affecting qualified expenses; the Department of Taxation said it would provide revenue-impact information later. Finally, HB 1950 HD1 on the transient accommodations tax drew strong support from DBED, HTA, the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau, hotel and resort groups, and others, who argued for a dedicated tourism marketing fund and said the state needs more stable, long-term marketing investment. The Tax Foundation opposed the special fund approach, arguing it would reduce legislative flexibility. Members pressed witnesses on the appropriate percentage for the fund, with HTA suggesting 10% to 12% of TAT collections, and the discussion focused on how marketing spending relates to visitor spending, tax revenue, and long-term tourism competitiveness.

Transcript Highlights:

• budget has to authorize the creation of a new position, and that position will have, you know, a classification
• budget has to authorize the creation of a new position, and that position will have, you know, a classification
• budget has to authorize the creation of a new position, and that position will have, you know, a classification

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting was an introductory Division One budget briefing led by Legislative Budget Assistant staff Melissa Rollins and Jack Mullen. They explained staff roles and agency assignments within Division One, noting that Jack is taking over the General Government category while Melissa handles Categories 2 and 3, and that members can contact either staffer with questions. They also reviewed the upcoming budget calendar, including the governor’s budget presentation expected in mid-February, agency hearings beginning around February 17–20, a Division One deadline around March 26, and House Finance reporting deadlines in early April. A major portion of the discussion focused on how to read fiscal notes and the difference between expenditures and appropriations. Staff used sample language to explain that a bill may show an expenditure estimate without actually authorizing funding or new positions, and that a zero appropriation means the agency is not authorized to spend the estimated amount unless the bill is amended. Members asked questions about why a bill could show costs but still not authorize spending or hiring, and staff clarified that new positions require specific legislative authorization and classification detail. They also noted that many bills will have expenditure lines without appropriations, and that amendments may be needed if the committee wants to fund or authorize the program. The rest of the meeting walked members through the HB 1 and HB 2 tracking documents used by the division. Staff explained that HB 1 tracking sheets record additional agency requests not included in the governor’s budget, including requests that may be zero-net transfers, corrections, or new spending items, and that grayed-out items indicate actions already taken. They said HB 2 will be handled through a similar tracking process, with amendments routed through LBA staff and the Office of Legislative Services. Members were told that the division will review agency budgets, class lines, and proposed changes over roughly six weeks, with the goal of preparing a detailed change report for full House Finance.

Transcript Highlights:

• from Is that classification? from Is that classification? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
• ,<01:17:17.040> North with regards to Upolu Road, North with regards to Upolu Road, North
• internal roads, all that kind of thing. internal roads, all that kind of thing.
• I've not heard that. put in roads and water. So there's no put in roads and water.
• <02:21:03.720> so majority of them are on the road so majority of them are on the road so

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It’s not used on roads or highways.
• <01:17:20.000> Just It's not used on roads or highways.
• Just It's not used on roads or highways.
• This leads to a long recovery road that, just like any other addiction, is often unsuccessful.
• This leads to a long recovery road that, just like any other addiction, is often unsuccessful.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The hearing focused on House Bill 1281, which would establish standards and voluntary certification for agency-owned “facility comfort dogs” used by police and other public safety agencies. Representative Morton, the prime sponsor, said the bill is intended to create a consistent statewide framework because different departments currently use different policies. He emphasized that the bill is meant to distinguish comfort dogs from service animals, emotional support animals, and therapy dogs, and noted that a small amendment may be needed to make that distinction clearer. He also said the bill is timely under the ADA because comfort dogs fall outside service-animal protections, but still need training standards for public safety and consistency. Committee members questioned whether the bill was too detailed and whether the legislature should be setting rules on matters like training methods, diet, and breeding. Laura Barker of Hero Pups, who helped train New Hampshire’s first police comfort dog, supported the idea of a minimum standard but said the bill should be less prescriptive and should not interfere with therapy dogs or private handlers. She explained that comfort dogs vary in temperament and deployment needs, that raw diets raise zoonotic disease concerns, and that the program should remain voluntary and not cost the state money. Detective Michelle Jones of Portsmouth Police opposed the bill as written, saying the term “facility comfort dog” is confusing, the bill is overly restrictive, and some provisions go beyond what should be mandated by statute; she suggested a more flexible, guideline-based approach and noted that departments already have their own SOPs and can enforce them internally. Justin Brassen of the Manchester Police Department also testified, describing the history of comfort dog programs in New Hampshire and the work of a prior subcommittee formed through the governor’s commission on PTSD among first responders. He said there are currently no statewide standards and that the earlier study involved police, fire, EMS, dispatch, corrections, and NAMI New Hampshire, with the goal of creating a thoughtful work product. He agreed the bill needs work and answered questions about how departments handle training and public access. By the end of the hearing, members and witnesses discussed possible amendments, and one committee member suggested the bill may be better handled through interim study because of the amount of work still needed.

Transcript Highlights:

• To maintain safe and efficient road networks? I apologize.
• County Transportation Infrastructure Fund is funded. roads through TxDOT.
• We have a great need for our off-road county road system, and we have largely funded that through local
• that claim that road as we call it.
• Tremendous amount of traffic on our 900 miles of county roads.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The classification process is pretty well thought out, and so we place them in the unit that we feel

Transcript Highlights:

• IN TERMS OF AGRICULTURE CLASSIFICATION, AFTER STORMS MATTHEW AND HELENE THE LEGISLATURE PROVIDED A FIVE-YEAR

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then on pages six and seven, what we do is we have different classifications of penalty based on
• we pages six and seven, what we do is we have<00:54:09.359> different<00:54:09.760> classifications
• <00:54:10.640> of have different classifications of have different classifications of penalty

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Governor's Message, HRD 102, sequence 28001: add $750,000 in FY 26 for classification and compensation
• 01:13:22.120> for 28001 add 750,000 for um FY 26 for 28001 add 750,000 for um FY 26 for classification
• <01:13:23.080> and<01:13:23.239> compensation<01:13:23.800> study classification
• and compensation study classification and compensation study house<01:13:24.480> concurs house

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Of course, the people's initiative may change all that as we move down the road, but we are working on
• ><00:38:39.119> the change all that as we move down the change all that as we move down the road
• 40.079> working<00:38:40.320> on<00:38:40.560> processes<00:38:41.040> to road
• , but we are working on processes to road, but we are working on processes to be<00:38:41.359> uniform
• occupied classification of owner occupied residential<01:37:04.239> properties?

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, the manner of death is a very general classification. Or homicide.
• I mean, the manner of death is a very general classification, but the cause of death is the specific,

Summary: The Joint State Agencies committee met to approve the October 8, 2025 minutes and then held an extended hearing on the death of Zachary Moore at the Southeast Arkansas Human Development Center. DHS officials Lori McDonald, Jennifer Brise, and Melissa Weatherton described the HDC system, staffing and resident needs, and said Moore died after being held in a prone restraint for about 13 minutes, followed by a delayed chemical restraint and delayed CPR. They said the family settled a wrongful death claim for $725,000, 13 staff were terminated, the facility leadership was changed, and at least five staff had been criminally charged, with the death certificate later described as homicide and the cause of death as physiologic stress associated with struggle and prone restraint. Members pressed DHS on why the family was not kept informed, whether there was a written restraint protocol, how staff are trained, and why the agency did not have more complete information ready for the hearing. DHS said staff receive CPI restraint training, annual restraint training is mandatory, and a consultant is reviewing policies, retraining staff, and conducting a root cause analysis under a directed plan of correction from the Office of Long-Term Care. Legislators also raised broader concerns about low pay, staffing shortages, use of float and contract staff, and a waiting list of about 2,000 people for home- and community-based care. DHS said it is working on a retention and recruitment plan and a rate report for certain PASS services, but that the PASS rate study does not cover CNA pay. Several members said the incident reflected both a failure of restraint practice and a broader staffing and oversight problem. DHS acknowledged that prone restraint should not have been used, that the chemical restraint was given at the wrong time, and that multiple breakdowns occurred in supervision, communication, and equipment use. The committee also discussed whether there should be more regular independent audits of HDC policies, and DHS said it does not currently have a separate annual policy audit beyond existing oversight. At the end of the meeting, the committee asked DHS to keep it updated on recruitment, consultant reports, and to contact Moore’s mother about the communication she had been promised. The meeting adjourned without any additional formal action beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, the manner of death is a very general classification. Or homicide.
• I mean, the manner of death is a very general classification, but the cause of death is the specific,

Keywords: 1204, all

Summary: The Joint State Agencies committee met to approve the October 8, 2025 minutes and then held an extended oversight discussion with the Department of Human Services about the death of Zachary Moore at the Southeast Arkansas Human Development Center (later clarified in testimony as the Warren facility). DHS officials described Moore’s background, said he died after being restrained in a prone position for about 13 minutes, and reported that a nurse later administered a chemical restraint before CPR was attempted. They said the agency settled with the family for $725,000, terminated 13 staff members, changed facility leadership, and brought in consultants under a directed plan of correction from the Office of Long-Term Care to review policies, retrain staff, and conduct a root-cause analysis. Later testimony clarified that the death certificate listed the manner of death as homicide and the cause as physiologic stress associated with struggle and prone restraint; committee members also noted that six people had been charged with manslaughter and neglect of a vulnerable person. Members focused on restraint policy, staff training, chain of command during emergencies, family communication, and whether warning signs had been missed. DHS said it has written restraint protocols, annual restraint training, and a mortality review process, but acknowledged that the Warren facility had multiple failures, including use of a prone restraint, improper chemical restraint, poor supervision, inadequate communication, and problems with equipment and behavior plans. Officials said they were revising policies, creating clearer crisis-team roles, and retraining staff, and that the consultant work would be shared across the other human development centers. Several members pressed DHS on why the family had not been kept informed, why the agency was not prepared with basic facts, and whether a more formal independent audit of facilities should exist. The committee also discussed broader staffing and funding issues across the human development centers. DHS said CNAs start at about $39,000 a year, that the centers rely heavily on float and contract staff, and that there are about 2,000 people on a waiting list for services. Members argued that low pay, turnover, and rural staffing shortages contribute to risk and asked for recruitment and retention plans, possible regional pay differentials, and more legislative support. DHS said it is drafting a systemwide retention and recruitment plan and expects to bring it to ALC, while also implementing a separate rate study for certain PASS program services in January 2027. The meeting ended after comments from Zachary Moore’s mother, Angela Stevens, who said money cannot replace her son and urged the state to ensure no other family experiences the same loss; the committee asked DHS to keep members and Ms. Stevens updated on consultant reports and recruitment efforts before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• more from levying a transaction privilege or excise tax at a rate of more than 2.5% on any TPP classification
• that municipal transaction privilege and excise tax rates don't exceed a reasonable 2.5% per classification

Bills: SB1433, SB1434, SB1435, SB1567, SB1571, SB1686, SB1745, SCR1024, SCR1025, HB2671, HB2676, HCR2044

Keywords: county boundaries, Maricopa, Gila, Pinal, Yavapai, Yuma, La Paz, local governance, Arizona Revised Statutes, Maricopa county, county division, new counties, intergovernmental agreements, special election, shared use agreements, education, explicit material, parental consent, student protection, library access

Summary: The committee approved the February 4, 2026 minutes and held SB 1571 until the following week. It then heard and advanced several measures, beginning with SB 1745, which would cap transaction privilege/excise tax rates in the state’s largest cities at 2.5% per classification unless approved by voters, and would allow enforcement through the attorney general and state-shared revenue withholding. Supporters argued it would protect taxpayers and restrain municipal tax increases; the bill received a technical amendment and a due pass recommendation. The committee also advanced SB 1686, renaming Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza as the Wesley Bolin and Charlie Kirk Freedom Plaza and authorizing memorial placements for Don Bowles and Charlie Kirk, after brief supportive discussion and no substantive opposition testimony. The committee spent substantial time on SB 1567 and SB 1435, both aimed at restricting public entities, schools, and libraries from exposing minors to sexually explicit materials and from using public facilities for sexually explicit filming or access. Supporters framed the bills as child-protection measures and cited examples of explicit books and materials in libraries and schools; opponents, including the ACLU, warned the definitions were broad, could chill speech, and could criminalize librarians and educators for handling constitutionally protected literature or sex-education materials. Both bills were amended and passed on 4-3 votes, with supporters emphasizing existing obscenity standards and opponents stressing First Amendment concerns and implementation problems. The committee also advanced SB 1433 and SB 1434, which would redraw Maricopa County boundaries and, in the latter bill, create three new counties with a transition board and staggered elections. The sponsor argued Maricopa County had become too large and politically dominant, making government less representative and less responsive; opponents called the proposals expensive, disruptive, and politically motivated, citing concerns about debt division, duplicated county systems, and fiscal impacts. Both bills received due pass recommendations on 4-3 votes. Finally, the committee approved SCR 1024, requiring legislators to live in their district for one year before election, and SCR 1025, moving the legislative session start date from the second Monday to the fourth Monday in January; both resolutions passed unanimously or near-unanimously after sponsor testimony that they would modernize outdated rules and improve use of time.

Transcript Highlights:

• Also, how to benchmark according to Carnegie classification.
• Carnegie just updated their classification model.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met to examine how Florida’s state universities are funded and to begin discussing a possible university funding model. The panel included the State University System chancellor and CFOs from FSU, UF, FAMU, FAU, UNF, and UCF. Members first reviewed major cost drivers, which the universities said are broadly similar across institutions: wages and benefits, equipment and supplies, financial aid, professional services, utilities, IT, and maintenance. Several institutions noted unique pressures from geography, growth, research intensity, and mission, such as UCF’s size and engineering focus, UF’s land-grant and research enterprise, FAMU’s need to recruit top talent while serving a high-Pell student population, and FSU’s large facilities and research obligations. The chancellor also summarized systemwide cost growth since 2012-13, including higher health insurance, retirement, and salary costs, while noting tuition had been held flat. The committee then discussed other revenue sources, including auxiliaries, restricted funds, capital projects, and component units such as foundations and health systems. University leaders explained that many of these funds are restricted to specific purposes, and some, like UF Health, account for a large share of operating expenses. Members also discussed the current performance-based funding process. University representatives generally praised it for transparency, accountability, and its focus on student success, but said the heavy use of one-time funds, nonrecurring appropriations, and unfunded mandates makes long-term planning difficult. FSU and others argued that rising employee costs, waivers, and facilities expenses are not fully covered, while FAMU said performance funding has improved outcomes but can disadvantage institutions serving more low-income students. In response to questions about improvements, the universities suggested more recurring and predictable funding, better coverage of mandated costs, more flexibility in fees, and continued investment in research and strategic priorities. The chancellor said the Board of Governors is considering a version 3.0 of performance funding that would benchmark institutions against peers and Carnegie classifications. The committee also explored whether universities should have more flexibility to set out-of-state tuition and professional school tuition. Most university leaders favored giving boards of trustees more authority, while the chancellor cautioned that increasing out-of-state enrollment or tuition too much could affect legislative support. No votes were taken; the meeting ended with the chair thanking the panel and adjourning the committee.