Transcript Highlights:

• McClatchy Foundation as our third-party administrator to make sure that we have the expertise and the
• McClatchy Foundation, as I noted; they’re our third-party administrator on the state fund side.
• There’s another $10 million on the Google side that they’ve hired a different third-party administrator
• State Treasurer’s Office Investment Division is also requesting ongoing reimbursement funding for a third-party
• My name is Leslie Rodriguez and I'm here on behalf of Housing Trust Silicon Valley.

Transcript Highlights:

• believe the State Fire Marshal's Office is doing some plan review and I believe they're doing some third-party
• believe the State Fire Marshal's Office is doing some plan review and I believe they're doing some third-party
• What's the third-party answer then to provide that same service?
• Like if you're in Crosby and the nearest vendor third party is Fargo, you're going to pay travel costs
• Go to a smaller community, and what they're going to end up doing is going third party as well.

Committee: Joint Government Finance Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• believe the State Fire Marshal's Office is doing some plan review and I believe they're doing some third-party
• What is the third-party answer then to provide that same service?
• For example, if you're in Crosby and the nearest third-party vendor is Fargo, you're going to pay travel
• But if you go to a smaller community, what they're going to end up doing is going third party as well
• If you go to a smaller community, what they're going to end up doing is going third party as well.

Committee: Joint Government Finance Committee

Summary: The committee first received a general fund and revenue update from the Office of Management and Budget. Staff reported that the state started the biennium about $176 million above prior estimates, but year-to-date revenues were now running below legislative forecast, mainly due to lower individual income tax and sales tax collections. The budget stabilization fund was above its cap, the legacy fund continued to grow, and oil revenues were slightly above forecast overall. Members also asked about federal funding uncertainty and mineral leasing variability, and OMB said agencies would be asked to address potential federal reductions case by case during budget preparation. The committee then reviewed compliance reports and trust fund analysis materials, followed by a bill draft for a fixed-route city transportation grant program. Testimony from transit officials in Fargo and Minot supported the proposal, saying state aid would help match federal transit funds and support operations, but members raised questions about the funding source, fare structures, and whether the program should be limited to the current four fixed-route cities or allow future eligible cities. Several members asked for more time to study the formula and possible funding options before moving the bill forward. Next, the committee approved a bill draft repealing obsolete language related to a proposed North Dakota-South Dakota bi-state authority. Staff explained the provision had been unused for about 30 years and that existing law likely already allowed joint powers agreements without the specific language. The committee voted to adopt the repeal bill draft. The Department of Commerce and the Northern Plains UAS Test Site then provided an update on uncrewed aircraft system initiatives, including the Vantis radar data enclave, the drone replacement program, and future revenue models. Officials said North Dakota had received FAA approval to operate the radar data pathfinder, had begun replacing non-compliant drones from restricted foreign sources, and was working on phased procurement and cost-recovery plans. Members asked about deadlines, funding, supply-chain issues, and how the system would be used; staff said the federal restrictions were already in effect and that Vantis was being positioned as infrastructure for future beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations. Finally, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation presented on the design of a new minimum-security prison and on a reentry housing task force. The new facility is planned for the penitentiary grounds, with a reduced estimated cost of about $263 million, 600 beds initially, possible expansion to 732 beds, and completion projected around 2031 if funded in 2027. The reentry housing task force described a data-driven effort to identify housing needs for people leaving incarceration, with the goal of reducing homelessness and recidivism through targeted housing support and possible subsidies. Members asked about staffing, site selection, housing duration, and whether employment and transportation needs would be included in the assessment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today, California is home to nearly one-third of the entire Asian and Pacific Islander population in
• I also want to note as a point of personal privilege that one-third of my staff are AAPI.
• Assembly third reading.
• Stu remained a trusted advisor and unwavering friend throughout President Reagan's life.
• Stu remained a trusted advisor and unwavering friend throughout President Reagan's life.

Summary: The Assembly met in session, established a quorum, and opened with an Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month ceremony. Members adopted House Resolution 35 recognizing May as AAPI Heritage Month, with extensive floor remarks from caucus leaders and members highlighting AAPI history, contributions, and solidarity with other communities. The chamber then honored 14 AAPI honorees from across the state, including public servants, advocates, artists, health professionals, and community leaders, before moving to the regular file. On the floor, the Assembly passed a series of bills on social media harms to minors, labor privilege, foster care family-finding, low-impact camping areas, student body association governance, drink-spiking prevention at music festivals, behavioral health access, greenhouse gas recapture, physical therapy access, housing enforcement, insurance licensing, density bonus clarification, water district proxy voting, park district updates, secured transactions, and property tax relief during emergencies. Most measures passed with broad or unanimous support; notable votes included AB 2 on social media platform accountability passing 59-0, AB 1109 on union communications privilege passing 45-4, AB 409 on student body association open meetings passing 55-6, AB 518 on low-impact camping passing 55-0, AB 668 on drink-spiking protections passing 72-0, AB 348 on behavioral health access passing 69-0, AB 663 on HFC recapture passing 71-0, AB 574 on physical therapy access passing 68-0, AB 712 on housing enforcement passing 57-1, AB 943 on insurance pre-licensing reform passing 63-0, AB 87 on density bonus law clarification passing 63-0, AB 523 on Metropolitan Water District proxy voting passing 62-1, AB 769 on park district code cleanup passing 68-0, AB 771 on secured transactions passing 69-0, and AB 1416 on property tax installment deferrals passing 66-0. The Assembly also took up AB 446, the Surveillance Pricing Protection Act, which would prohibit businesses from using personal data to charge different prices for the same product or service. Supporters described the practice as predatory and discriminatory, while noting ongoing concerns about preserving legitimate discounts and loyalty programs. The bill was presented as a consumer protection measure aimed at preventing hidden price discrimination and reducing cost-of-living pressures. The transcript ends amid repeated and partially duplicated readings of AB 446, without a final vote shown for that item.

Transcript Highlights:

• McClatchy Foundation as our third-party administrator to make sure that we have the expertise and the
• McClatchy Foundation, as I noticed, they're our third-party administrator on the state fund side.
• There's another $10 million on the Google side that they've hired a different third-party administrator
• State Treasurer's Office's Investment Division is also requesting ongoing reimbursement funding for a third-party
• and advocacy hub for community land trusts spanning the entire state.

Summary: The hearing focused on the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (Go-Biz) and several related budget proposals. Director D.D. Myers described the California Jobs First economic blueprint, regional planning efforts across 13 regions, and the state’s strategy to target sectors such as ag tech, space, life sciences, semiconductors, and emerging technologies. She also discussed the California brand campaign, export promotion, film tax credits, and the California Civic Media Fund, emphasizing job creation, regional equity, and business attraction/retention. Members raised questions about support for journalism, arts and creative industries, AI’s impact on jobs, foreign direct investment, manufacturing, tariffs, and how the Jobs First framework is being implemented across regions. Go-Biz then presented trailer bill language to extend the encumbrance deadline for remaining Jobs First administrative funds and to codify the Office of Regional Economic Development Initiatives. The department said $95 million of the $100 million Jobs First appropriation had already been deployed to grants for counties and tribes, and members asked for more information on regional outcomes, including Orange County and the North State. Public comment supported Jobs First and the Small Business Development Centers’ role in helping businesses access capital and create jobs. The committee also heard a request for ongoing CalExport funding to replace uncertain federal STEP support; the LAO noted the Legislature may want to weigh whether to backfill federal reductions, while Go-Biz argued the state program is needed because federal support appears unlikely to continue and demand exceeds available funding. The committee next heard the film and television tax credit staffing request. Go-Biz asked for funding for three permanent positions to manage the expanded program, and the LAO recommended approval given the increased workload. The Film Commission reported a sharp rise in applications after AB 1138 and the program expansion, with productions taking place both inside and outside the Los Angeles 30-mile zone and activity spread across the state. Finally, Go-Biz presented a request for one permanent position and one graduate student assistant to support innovation and emerging technologies, including quantum and fusion. Members asked about the use of the state’s quantum funding, and staff explained it would support microgrants, state capacity-building, and workforce education. No formal votes were taken in the portions provided, and the chair indicated some items would be moved and heard later in the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• If American parents can trust non-citizens to lead their sons and daughters in combat, they can trust
• Both parties agree that the marriage is over.
• Both parties agree that marriage is over.
• Both parties can agree on custody post-birth, both parties may agree on property and support, and both
• parties want the marriage legally ended, yet the court still says not yet.

Transcript Highlights:

• Party Leader Aguirre Curry moves, and Ms.
• Even against party or other allies.
• I've been proud to have this time of stewardship over the Third Assembly District.
• That brings us to the Senate Third Reading File.
• He completely had faith in her abilities, trusting her to lead and get the job done.

Summary: The Assembly convened, established a quorum, and handled a number of procedural motions, including suspending rules for adjournments in memory and guest introductions, rescinding prior action on SB 493, and re-referring several Senate bills to different committees. Members also recognized guests on the floor, including family members, interns, firefighters from the Corona Fire Department, and the Quartz Hill High girls’ soccer team, which was honored for its historic championship season. The main floor action was on AB 1795 by Assembly Member Gibson, the Smoke Damage Recovery Act, which would create statewide standards for inspecting, testing, and remediating wildfire smoke damage and set clearer insurance claim practices. Supporters said the bill would help wildfire survivors return home safely and urged science-based standards and a rebuttable presumption that contamination after a wildfire was caused by the fire; opponents warned the bill could raise costs and should better address government failures in fire recovery. The bill passed on a 54-6 vote, including the urgency clause. Members also adopted SCR 137, proclaiming March 15 as Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Day, with remarks praising her role in advancing gender equality and equal rights. The resolution was adopted after 65 co-authors were added and then approved by voice vote. The consent calendar, including SJR 11, was adopted 71-0. A large portion of the session was devoted to adjournments in memory, including tributes to Larry Vane, Dr. William A. Burke, Colonel Alfred P. Glover, and Rita Semmel. The Assembly also honored departing Member James Gallagher, who gave extended farewell remarks before leaving for Congress. The house then announced upcoming committee meetings and adjourned until Thursday, June 11, at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Party Leader Aguirre-Curry moves, and Ms.
• Even against party or other or allies.
• I've been proud to have this time of stewardship over the Third Assembly District.
• That brings us to the Senate Third Reading File.
• He completely had faith in her abilities, trusting her to lead and get the job done.

Transcript Highlights:

• The next order of business is Senate bills for third reading, informal.
• House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1470 is third read and passed.
• And we trust your knowledge and what you have.
• The next order of business will be Senate bills for third reading.
• The next order of business will be Senate bills for third reading.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the prior day’s journal by a 129-0 vote. Members then used points of personal privilege to recognize Law Enforcement Week, discuss personal health and family matters, and honor colleagues, spouses, interns, and guests in the gallery, including students, community members, and a visiting governor from Uzbekistan. The chamber also received Senate messages on House Bill 1871 and House Bill 2818, and fiscal review committee reports recommending passage of several deferred bills, including Senate Bills 953, 1470, and 1871, and House Bill 1940. The House agreed to conference requests on Senate Bills 835 and 1111 and on Senate Bill 1020, the latter a Department of Revenue bill focused on customer service and inspection language. Senate Bill 977 and 1011, dealing with limits on international organizations and foreign law, drew extended debate. Supporters argued the bill would protect Missouri from foreign or international mandates and foreign laws that conflict with constitutional rights, while opponents said such bodies already lack authority in Missouri and warned the bill was unnecessary, politically motivated, and could create problems for forum non conveniens and private arbitration. The bill ultimately passed 99-45. House Bill 1470, revising legislative research and statutory publication procedures, was amended on the floor to remove privacy-sensitive provisions and change a state auditor duty from mandatory to permissive; a later amendment to alter committee composition was defeated 50-94. The bill then passed 148-1. House Bill 1940, the newspaper/public notice bill, was adopted and finally passed 142-1 with two present. House Bill 1871, an elections administration bill, was also taken up with debate over added Senate language, including campaign finance and election testing provisions; discussion continued near the end of the transcript, with no final vote shown before the excerpt ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• That brings us to the Assembly third reading file.
• , especially when it comes from their own party.
• It corrodes public trust, not only harm those it targets.
• It corrodes public trust and undermines the values this institution is meant to uphold.
• earned that trust.

Transcript Highlights:

• and work together to reach the best deal for both parties.
• and work together to reach the best deal for both parties.
• So we cannot trust the military.
• We can't trust you anymore. Thank you so much for hearing this.
• </c><01:16:48.639><c> the</c> focusing on so we cannot trust the focusing on so we cannot trust the military

Committee: House Public Safety

Summary: The Committee on Public Safety met on March 21, 2025, and heard several resolutions related to corrections, emergency preparedness, and wildfire risk. Early items included HCR 62/HR 57 on flying the National League of Families POW/MIA flag year-round at the state Capitol, for which no one testified, and HCR 154/HR 49, which would request a comprehensive forensic audit of DCR and DAGS spending tied to planning and building a new jail to replace the Ahu Community Correctional Center. The ACLU strongly supported the audit, arguing that the state has spent millions on jail planning over many years without clear accounting, that a new jail is unnecessary and fiscally irresponsible, and that public-private partnership arrangements could reduce transparency. Committee members questioned the use of the term “forensic,” the age of some cited allegations, and whether the auditor could instead conduct another type of audit; the ACLU said it was open to other audit language and offered to help compile background materials. No vote was taken in the portion provided. The committee also heard HCR 63, asking DCR to provide separate clinical counseling services for correctional staff, with one supporter, and HCR 23, which asks DCR to include circuit and district court facilities in planning the new Ahu Community Correctional Center and to establish a release procedure that avoids releasing detainees into residential communities or public spaces. DCR Director Johnson said the department supported the intent of HCR 23 and had discussed it with the Chief Justice and court administrator, adding that one multi-purpose courtroom could handle both district and circuit proceedings. The chair then moved on without further discussion. A major portion of the meeting focused on HCR 37, which asks HEMA to work with other agencies on outreach and preparedness for kūpuna. Testifiers from the Pearl City Neighborhood Board, AARP Hawaii, and the Hawaii Council of Community Associations supported the measure, citing the vulnerability of older adults and people with disabilities during disasters, lessons from the Lahaina fires, and the need for clear evacuation plans, siren reliability, and better coordination with care homes and condominium associations. Several speakers described local preparedness efforts and concerns about gaps in communication and implementation. The committee also discussed HCR 69/HR 62 on creating a vegetation management working group to reduce wildfire risk; the Division of Consumer Advocacy supported it, with testimony describing dangerous incidents involving vines and bamboo contacting electrical lines and causing sparking and a utility pole fire. The meeting ended with testimony and questions continuing on that topic, and no final committee action was shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll go into third reading of bills, SR 1036. Bills, SR 1036. It's a resolution.
• You've heard the first third reading of SR 1036.
• All at the hands of the Democrat Party. They knew darn well what was going to happen.
• The comments that were made of a party that I truly believe in, I disagree with.
• Democrats are the party of the people. Gallery will be in order.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, attendance, approval of the prior journal, and several guest introductions, including Arizona agricultural producers and suppliers and sixth graders from James W. Rice Elementary School. The chamber then moved through a lengthy calendar of first- and second-reading bill references and committee reports, with no substantive debate on those items recorded in the transcript. The main floor action centered on Senate Resolution 1036, which was converted from a concurrent resolution to a Senate resolution and brought forward under a suspension of rules. The resolution condemned Attorney General Chris Mays for public comments about the use of force and law enforcement, and called on her to retract, clarify, and resign. Senators debated whether the resolution was a necessary public safety response or a politically motivated stunt, with supporters arguing Mays’ remarks endangered officers and opponents saying the resolution misquoted her and was being rushed without committee review or public input. A floor amendment was adopted, and after extended debate the Senate passed SR 1036 on a 17-13 vote. After the resolution vote, the Senate briefly returned to personal privileges, including an introduction of visitors connected to civics education, and then recessed and adjourned until Monday, February 2, 2026. The transcript does not show any other bill final actions beyond the SR 1036 vote and the routine referral and reporting of other measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this is, I think, the third part of the bill. And they're identical.
• I think the only This is just one of the parts of that bill, so this is, I think, the third part of the
• So since there's not been an allegation that the parties are inability to make a contract, we request
• that that be changed just to reflect language that the parties have to make a contract of what those
• So since there's not been an allegation that the parties are inability to make a contract, we request

Committee: House Health and Mental Health

Summary: The committee first heard public testimony on House Bill 2570, which would prohibit health insurers from limiting payment for anesthesia services based on the length of a surgical procedure. The bill sponsor said the measure was prompted by a prior Anthem policy that would not cover all anesthesia time if a surgery ran long, and argued that insurers should not create pressure to stop or rush procedures. Supporters from physician and nurse anesthetist groups said the bill would protect patients and providers from unfair time-based payment limits. An insurance industry witness raised concerns about unclear definitions, possible internal contradictions in the bill’s language, the use of time-based billing formulas, and whether dental anesthesia should be excluded; the sponsor responded that the bill was aimed at medical, not dental, anesthesia and that any wording issues could be worked out later. After the hearing, the committee moved into executive session on a combined committee substitute for House Bills 1945 and 2570. Members discussed an amendment rolling HB 2570 into the larger substitute and noted minor changes to the anesthesia language, including adding modifiers and clarifying billing terms, while also adjusting unrelated pathology language to make it workable with the department and possible Medicaid waiver requirements. Questions from members focused on whether the insurance industry’s concerns were addressed and whether dental anesthesia should be exempted; the sponsor said some concerns could be handled later and that dental situations involving separate anesthesia providers might still need careful drafting. The committee adopted the amendment and substitute and then voted the combined committee substitute do pass by roll call, with the motion approved unanimously by those present.

Transcript Highlights:

• All of you out there who did come out here tonight, interested parties, thank you for being here.
• I know we dragged you away perhaps from graduation parties or other festivities and activities with your
• The bill will allow the School of Conservation to apply for Garden State Preservation Trust Funds so
• million data broker or data collection registry fee would place a substantial financial burden on third-party
• New Jersey retailers of all sizes rely on third-party data providers to support essential operations

Committee: Senate Senate Budget and Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• They then transfer money into another vendor that is hired by our third-party vendor, so what does that
• boggles the mind how we have allowed for this program to continue to burgeon out of control under a third-party
• boggles the mind how we have allowed for this program to continue to burgeon out of control under a third-party
• boggles the mind how we have allowed for this program to continue to burgeon out of control under a third-party
• boggles the mind how we have allowed for this program to continue to burgeon out of control under a third-party

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to begin with our Senate third reading file.
• to ensure that we have standards and entities that can create a flexible framework for independent third-party
• We trust teachers and school districts with educating and caring for our children.
• This trust has been violated at a scale in L.A. that has never been seen before.
• And as we know, we live in a two-party consent state, and this makes that two-party consent meaningful

Summary: The Assembly convened, established a quorum, offered a prayer and pledge, and then moved through a lengthy floor session with many Senate concurrence votes and procedural motions. Members also approved several rule waivers and committee re-referrals to allow same-day hearings, moved some bills to the inactive file, and later recessed under call for committee meetings. In addition, the body heard several adjournment-in-memory tributes, including remembrances of Kathleen Kerrigan Dazzney, George Joseph, and Paloma Foster. On the policy side, the floor took up a wide range of bills, including housing and land use measures, energy and utility bills, elections and campaign disclosure bills, public health and safety measures, privacy and AI-related bills, and measures affecting labor, agriculture, and public entities. Notable items included SB 615 on EV battery labeling, SB 1256 on limiting duplicative housing litigation, SB 1383 on density bonus labor standards, SB 900 and AB 1130 on campaign disclosure, AB 686 and AB 502 on deepfakes and election communications, SB 905 on electricity rates, SB 1394 changing Farmworker Day to April 10, and SB 813 creating a framework for independent third-party assessment of AI systems. The Assembly also considered SB 577, a major and contentious bill addressing childhood sexual abuse claims against public entities. Supporters argued it balanced survivor access to justice with the fiscal stability of counties and other public agencies, while opponents said it gave government entities preferential treatment and could weaken survivors’ rights. The transcript cuts off during that debate, so the final vote on SB 577 is not shown in the provided text. Most other bills discussed in the session were passed or had Senate amendments concurred in, often by wide margins, with a few urgency measures requiring 54 votes and receiving the necessary support.

Transcript Highlights:

• do want to clarify that for the record, the RAISE Act that was actually passed did not include the third-party
• would it be the property of the local government, or would they also be eligible to contract out to a third-party
• 52 would not allow the software to use aggregated data, such as market reports, trend reports, and third-party
• 52 would not allow the software to use aggregated data, such as market reports, trend reports, and third-party
• However, based on a recent proposed amendment regarding third-party audits, that may change.

Committee: House Privacy and Consumer Protection

Summary: The committee heard several bills on consumer protection, privacy, AI, and employment technology. SB 53 by Senator Wiener would require large AI developers to disclose safety and security protocols, report serious incidents quickly, and create CalCompute and whistleblower protections; supporters said it is a transparency-based, narrower follow-up to SB 1047, while industry groups opposed unless amended over concerns about size-based thresholds, trade secrets, and security. SB 766 by Senator Allen would codify FTC car-sales rules and create a three-day cooling-off period for certain used-car purchases; testimony was broadly supportive, and several dealer and industry groups moved from opposition to neutral after amendments. The committee also heard SB 7 by Senator McNerney, which would require notice and human oversight for automated decision-making in employment, and SB 833 by the same author, which would require human review and monitoring for AI use in critical infrastructure; both drew support from labor and consumer advocates and opposition or concerns from business and public-sector groups about scope and compliance. The committee also began hearing SB 11 on AI-generated voice/image/video cloning and nonconsensual deepfakes, with supporters backing consumer warnings and liability rules and opponents seeking narrower language and lower penalties. Members and witnesses repeatedly emphasized the need to balance innovation with safety, with supporters arguing California should act where Congress has not, and opponents urging narrower definitions, stronger trade-secret protections, and more limited enforcement. On SB 53, committee members praised the author’s outreach but noted the bill still needs work; the bill was moved out on a do-pass-as-amended motion with seven votes and held open for absent members. SB 766 received unanimous support after amendments and was reported out 9-0. SB 7 and SB 833 were both advanced on do-pass motions but were left open with only partial vote counts at the time of the hearing. The committee later recessed and returned to continue the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• Friends and family are not the key party responsible for contraband substances.
• We need to have correctional officers in a position of trust that are worthy of that trust.
• I don't know if circumventing is because they're already in a position of trust.
• And so maybe we're trusting them — correctional officers or trusting their fellow correctional officers
• As we put people in for law parties, this should apply as well.

Bills: HB153 , HB1828 , HB2306 , HB2498 , HB3464 , HB3488 , HB3636 , HB3673 , HB3834 , HB3860 , HB4120 , HB4937 , HB1515 , HB153

Committee: House Corrections

Keywords: education, funding, student resources, technology access, equal opportunity, veterans treatment court, mental health, criminal justice, rehabilitation, eligibility criteria, veterans, treatment court, military service, legislation, legislative leave, correctional officers, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, accumulated leave, compensatory time, parole eligibility

Transcript Highlights:

• party, and never paid the sales tax.
• “The funds from the excise tax on soda go into the Medicaid trust fund.” “Medicaid trust fund.
• “Is that the only money that’s given to the trust fund?” “No, sir.
• There’s several other revenue sources that go into the trust fund.
• for the benefit of everybody in the audience who makes this: when money comes out of the Medicaid trust

Committee: All REVENUE & TAXATION- HOUSE SALES, USE, MISC. TAXES & EXEMPTIONS SUBCOM.

Summary: The committee first approved special expenses incurred by the committee, then took up interim study proposals. ISP 2025-069, sponsored by Representative Perry and presented by Representative Eaton, would move collection of sales tax on motor vehicles from the current post-purchase registration process to the point of sale at dealerships. Committee members and DFA discussed the current 60-day registration/tax payment window, possible fiscal and programming impacts on DFA, the added administrative burden on dealers, verification and audit issues, and concerns about whether the change would improve or complicate tax collection. After questions, the committee voted to send the proposal to research/interim study. The committee then considered ISP 2025-071, from Representative Ray, based on House Bill 1636, which would phase out the state excise tax on soda over five years if revenue triggers were met. Representative Ray explained the tax revenue supports the Medicaid trust fund and said the proposal was intended to continue discussion after the bill failed on the House floor in the regular session. Members asked about the annual revenue generated, the trust fund’s other revenue sources, and whether the revenue would be replaced. DFA was asked to provide additional information on how withdrawals from the Medicaid trust fund are authorized and whether the legislature has oversight. The committee then approved the proposal for interim study and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Public trust regarding vaccines has diminished.
• Public trust regarding vaccines has diminished.
• I believe it's a trust issue.
• And we must build back public trust when it comes to this.
• party?

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries heard and voted on several bills. SB 986 would prohibit smoking or vaping marijuana in public places and also restrict smoking in rooms and bars; the sponsor said it is intended to protect public health and outdoor spaces, while the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association supported the goal but raised concerns about impacts on designated smoking areas, and cannabis advocates warned about unintended effects on patients and property rights. The committee reported SB 986 favorably. The committee also passed SB 678, which restores statutory authority for DBPR’s long-standing rule allowing alcohol distributors to deduct unsellable alcohol from monthly excise taxes; a strike-all amendment was adopted, including retroactive application to January 1, 2025, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 800, which increases penalties for repeat unlicensed engineering practice and creates an engineering student loan assistance program for engineers working for state agencies and water management districts, was amended and reported favorably as well. Members then considered SB 408 on vaccine advertising and liability. The sponsor argued the bill would address declining public trust in vaccines by allowing claims against manufacturers that advertise in Florida, while opponents said the measure is preempted by federal law, raises First Amendment concerns, and would create unnecessary litigation. After extensive testimony and debate, the committee reported SB 408 favorably. The committee also heard SB 484 on data centers, which would set PSC tariff requirements so large load customers pay their own costs, preserve local planning authority, and limit water permits for large data centers; testimony was mixed, with supporters emphasizing ratepayer protections and economic benefits and critics warning about overregulation and confidentiality limits. The bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee approved SB 1118, which creates a time-limited public records exemption for certain data center development information held by local governments, after the sponsor said it was meant to prevent extended NDAs while still allowing local notice and input. SB 1050, requiring veterinarians to provide written prescriptions so pet owners can choose their pharmacy, was also reported favorably. The meeting ended after several members recorded votes on bills they had missed.