Transcript Highlights:

• </c> want the best for the state of Alabama. want the best for the state of Alabama.
• </c><02:31:12.880><c> Alabama</c> state of Alabama state of Alabama case<02:31:14.880><c> that</c><02
• Alabama Department of Revenue determines that one of the...
• Alabama Department of Revenue &gt;&gt; Yeah.
• > is</c><04:36:54.639><c> going</c> Alabama Department of Revenue is going Alabama Department of Revenue

Transcript Highlights:

• The Department of Commerce will work with Cyber Florida at the University of South Florida to further
• The Department of Commerce will annually report outcomes to the Governor, Senate, and House of Representatives
• of Children and Families, but with the Department of Commerce.
• injuries linked to negligence by the Florida Department of Transportation.
• And it authorizes the Department of Transportation to fund projects at public vertiports.

Bills: S0006 , S0026 , S0206 , S0532 , S0576 , S1012 , S1110 , S1178 , S1192 , S1758 , S1760 , S7046 , S7048

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Summary: The Appropriations Committee met and considered a large agenda of bills, reporting several measures favorably. Early action included SB 6, a settled claim bill involving the Department of Children and Families and the estate of Leila Estrada and Sapphire Williams, which was approved for $3.8 million. The committee also passed a cybersecurity internships bill creating a Department of Commerce program with Cyber Florida, and SB 532, which lets clerks of court retain the full amount of certain excess revenue and clarifies foreclosure-sale procedures. Veterans housing measures, CS for CS for SB 1602 and SB 1604, were approved to create a pilot program and a related trust fund for vacancy relief and risk mitigation for veteran housing. The committee also favorably reported SB 1110 on Medicaid and insurance coverage for orthotics and prosthetics, with emotional testimony from a student and family describing the high cost and importance of activity-specific prosthetics. Members also approved CS for CS for SB 1012 after adopting an amendment that removed inmate emergency and specialty medical service compensation provisions while retaining changes to the contractor-operated institutions inmate welfare trust fund. Another bill, CS for CS for SB 1614, was narrowed by a delete-all amendment to focus on limiting the use of excess fees for new building construction by local governments. All of these measures were reported favorably after brief debate, with some support testimony submitted in writing or waived. The most extensive discussion centered on CS for CS for SB 17, a major Medicaid and public assistance overhaul. The bill would create a Joint Legislative Committee on Medicaid Oversight, allow the Legislature to retain its own actuary, tighten Medicaid program oversight, update encounter-data reporting, set performance standards for managed care plans, revise pharmacy benefit manager rules, and require DCF to implement SNAP fraud-reduction and payment-accuracy reforms, including photo IDs on EBT cards and updated work requirements. It also would direct agencies to seek federal waivers for Medicaid work requirements for able-bodied adults and expanded behavioral health services. After lengthy questioning and testimony, the committee adopted amendments adding a transitional medical benefits glide path for people who gain employment and later lose Medicaid eligibility, and exempting hospice patients with six months or less to live. Supporters argued the bill would improve accountability, reduce fraud, and save money, while opponents warned it would create administrative burdens, increase paperwork, and cause eligible people to lose coverage or food assistance. The committee ultimately reported the bill favorably as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Camden is from Gadsden, Alabama, and is a graduate of Jacksonville State University.
• The program is administered by the Alabama Commission of Higher Education.
• The program is administered by the Alabama Commission of Higher Education and applies to undergraduate
• who is under 27 years of age. ...enforcement officer child under 27 years old and a resident of Alabama
• Of course, in Alabama, we've actually capped... course, in Alabama, we've actually capped how that growth

Bills: HB188 , HB52

Committee: House Ways and Means Education

Keywords: healthcare, insurance, patient rights, medical treatment, access, affordability, income tax, CHOOSE Act, education funding, ABLE account, tax credits, poverty threshold, legislative funding

Transcript Highlights:

• Juliana Dean for the Department of Conservation. We just have one contract today.
• Good morning, I'm Mandy Spears with the Alabama Department of Corrections.
• Good morning, Tina Hams for the State Department of Education.
• Good morning, I'm Dudley Perry from the Alabama Department of Youth. from the Alabama Department of Youth
• Tina Hammond for the Department of Education.

Transcript Highlights:

• of the Jackson County Sheriff's Department, who was tragically killed in the line of duty April 2, 2026
• OF THE JACKSON COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, WHO WAS TRAGICALLY KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY APRIL 2ND,
• of Alabama.
• I met the captain of the New York Fire Department, who later lost his life in 9/11, responding.
• determinants of health that influence maternal health outcomes, like housing, transportation, nutrition

Transcript Highlights:

• I oversee a department of about 225 people, Henry Hammond Paul: And it is inclusive of the Office of
• So I'm just kind of wondering, since the epic failure of the department, since the rulemaking, what do
• And so that's a core tenet of our work and at the department.
• When we created the department, people still thought, "I go to the Department of Health for Early Intervention
• the most out-of-the-box thinking that I've seen in the State Department.

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> to the Alabama State University Board of to the Alabama State University Board of Trustees<00:10
• ><c> of</c><00:28:10.000><c> Alabama</c><00:28:10.399><c> that</c> of the Legislature of Alabama that
• </c> the Alabama Board of Funeral Services. the Alabama Board of Funeral Services.
• state of Alabama have the voice.
• ><c> it</c> that the state of Alabama as they see it that the state of Alabama as they see it going<02

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the pledge, and a roll call establishing a quorum of 28 senators present. The body agreed to excuse absent senators, dispense with reading and adopt the previous journal, and allow bills and committee reports to be introduced throughout the day. The presiding officer also recognized several guests on the floor and in the gallery, including an intern from the Lieutenant Governor’s office and guests of Senator Chambliss. Committee reports focused on confirmations for Alabama State University’s Board of Trustees. Patricia Anne Jones (Confirmation 79), Angela Star (Confirmation 80), and Bobby Singleton (Confirmation 78) each received favorable committee reports and were confirmed by the full Senate, with roll-call votes showing unanimous or near-unanimous support. The chamber spent considerable time in lighthearted debate and personal remarks during Singleton’s confirmation before adopting the motion and confirming him. The Senate also adopted Senate Joint Resolution 81 commending the Coach Safely Foundation for youth sports injury mitigation, and several other resolutions honoring individuals and organizations, including Johnny Williams, Jim America, Senior Trooper Hunter Woodruff, and retired Army Colonel Shawn Thomas Prricett. A resolution encouraging Alabama public high schools to form a consortium was also adopted. On local bills, the Senate passed Senate Bill 243 regarding Jefferson County and House Bill 532 regarding Shelby County, both by using the previous roll and with no opposition. The Rules Committee then reported a special order calendar for the 22nd legislative day, which the Senate adopted 30-0. The special order calendar included bills on the Board of Funeral Services, the Public Service Commission, tax abatements, electric utilities, child support, dogs, school lands, Chambers County, and real property. The first special-order bill taken up was Senate Bill 107 by Senators Figures and Gudger, concerning the Alabama Board of Funeral Services. Senators discussed the bill’s purpose of funding the board’s increased duties, the effect on funeral home license fees, and an amendment offered by Senator Bell to reduce certain fees. The amendment was adopted, and the bill was explained as not affecting pre-need funeral arrangements. Debate continued as members asked questions about costs to families and funeral homes, but the chamber had not yet reached final disposition of the bill by the end of the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the current tax base of that county. the current tax base of that county.
• They use it to lower the price of the lot, which means the price of the house is some multiple of that
• </c> th those are some of our concerns. th those are some of our concerns.
• Of<00:21:08.080><c> that</c><00:21:08.880><c> 115,000</c> Of that 115,000 Of that 115,000 are<00:21:10.799
• </c> lot of times in in tax sales. lot of times in in tax sales.

Committee: House Boards, Agencies and Commissions

Transcript Highlights:

• We all know how big of a beast the Department of Education is, and knowing what you're up against and
• You know, we all know how big of a beast the Department of Education is, and knowing what you're up against
• I cannot discuss that due to a nondisclosure agreement with my town and the Department of Education.
• Department of Education have gutted civil rights data collection, leaving access at the Department of
• However, because of the out-of-district tuition and transportation costs that have skyrocketed, our school

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Education

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education held a hearing focused primarily on special education-related bills, with testimony centered on two major themes: transition planning for students aging out of school-based services at age 22, and the fiscal strain special education costs place on districts. Committee members explained hearing procedures, noted the House was in formal session, and periodically stepped out for votes while staff recorded testimony. A separate bill on special education due process was also taken up briefly, along with a bill on special education finance and another on equitable access/data reporting. On House Bill 752 and Senate Bill 313, witnesses from the Arc of Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress, the Developmental Disabilities Council, families, self-advocates, and Senator Comerford described the “Turning 22” transition as a crisis point that often leaves families without adult placements, services, or clear communication. Testimony emphasized earlier planning, more accountability, better data collection, and a commission to improve coordination and residential placement. Several parents and advocates shared personal accounts of traumatic transitions, delayed placements, and the need for plans to begin at least a year before age 22. The committee later closed testimony on these bills after hearing from all signed-up speakers. House Bill 4217, on special education due process, drew support from Representative Sullivan-Almeida, parents, and advocates who argued that the burden of proof should shift from families to school districts. Testimony described costly legal battles, delays, and parents having to become experts in reading instruction or hire advocates and attorneys to secure services. Brody Dwyer, a 10-year-old student with dyslexia, and his mother described how evidence-based instruction helped him after years of struggle. The committee also heard testimony on House Bill 546/Senate Bill 317, which would require DESE to publish cross-tabulated data on race, disability, gender, income, and other factors; advocates said this would better expose disparities and help address the school-to-prison pipeline. Finally, on House Bill 691/Senate Bill 430, school leaders, educators, and union representatives testified that special education costs are outpacing district budgets and that increasing circuit breaker reimbursement and creating a commission to study long-term sustainability would help prevent staffing cuts and service reductions. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee repeatedly closed testimony on individual bills as speakers finished and moved through the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• My favorite part of the whole bill is chapter 5A under the Alabama Limited Liability Company law.
• Yeah, you know I love the Alabama Law Institute, and I've carried a number of bills before... of bills
• from the Alabama Society of Health-System Pharmacists.
• Submitted by the Alabama Society of Health-System Pharmacists, an academic health system pharmacist.
• department in Sylacauga, Alabama.

Transcript Highlights:

• Virginia related to the Department of Education and public schools' use of school-issued devices for
• The Senate of Virginia related to the Department of Education and public schools' use of school-issued
• Senate Bill 220 is legislation that would direct the Department of Department of I would move the committee
• Senate Bell 220 is legislation under direct the Department of Department of The bill passes.
• , Department of Veterans Services, Annual Report.

Transcript Highlights:

• A native of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, he was elected to the Tuscaloosa City Council in 1985, a position he
• of Jefferson County Alabama children of Jefferson County Alabama including<00:14:54.000><c> the</c><
• ><c> was</c> a native of Tuscaloosa Alabama he was a native of Tuscaloosa Alabama he was elected<00:15
• from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.
• ><c> Department</c><03:14:05.880><c> of</c> investments from the Department of investments from the Department

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Gary Westcott, Secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections.
• If the Louisiana Board of Regents and the Department of Education are developing programs, and LCTCS
• Up here is because I just don't want the appearance of DOC, Department of Public Safety and Corrections
• That's part of what we do—Department of Corrections, local sheriffs housing offenders—that's what it's
• There's a model within the Department of Corrections and outside of the Department of Corrections for

Committee: House Administration of Criminal Justice

Summary: The committee held an oversight discussion on Louisiana’s reentry landscape, with Chair Villio emphasizing that the hearing was informational only and that no bills were being considered. Department of Public Safety and Corrections officials outlined the state’s reentry mission and current programming in state facilities, local jails, regional reentry centers, and STEP facilities. They described services including literacy and GED preparation, career and technical education, industry certifications, postsecondary partnerships, mental health and substance abuse treatment, victim impact and trauma programming, and pre-release assistance such as state IDs, birth certificates, Social Security cards, Medicaid, SNAP, and driver’s licenses. Officials also discussed a new data-sharing MOU with DCFS for child support matters and a planned “return portal” with Louisiana Works to connect incarcerated people to jobs and training aligned with labor market needs. A major focus was the reentry court program at Angola for men and at the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women. Assistant Secretary DeLouche and Assistant Warden Easley explained that the program is limited to nine judicial districts, requires judge and district attorney consent, and includes a two-year institutional phase followed by three years of intensive supervised probation. Participants must earn a HiSET if needed, complete multiple certifications and life-skills programs, and then petition for resentencing; officials said the program’s current recidivism rate is under 14 percent. They also highlighted specialized offerings such as vocational mentoring, a Braille transcription and repair program, and family-focused events like a father-daughter dance. Testimony from employers and local officials was broadly supportive. Eric Lane described hiring formerly incarcerated workers through the parole project and said the program solved problems he had seen with halfway-house placements by helping people secure housing, IDs, and licenses before release. Sheriff Kevin Cobb said sheriffs are active partners, with 51 of 64 parishes offering some form of programming and more than 75 percent of local facilities providing services; he stressed that local jail programming has grown over time and that data collection is improving. Members repeatedly asked for more data on recidivism, employment outcomes, and what programs are available by parish, and several praised the department and sheriffs for the work already being done. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sorority in the great state of Alabama.
• ><c> and</c> Alabama House of Representatives and Alabama House of Representatives and tell<01:04:17.200
• This bill will align Alabama of 2025.
• Department of Education.
• </c> Alabama House of Representatives. Alabama House of Representatives.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have traditionally been a top 10 school district in the state of Alabama, and we've lost a lot of
• The Alabama Hemp and Bake Association (AHBA) and its members want to be part of the solution.
• Of this 315 number, only six of those have been found in our southern Alabama stores for vape products
• Office, and the Department of Revenue to track and update non-compliant products.
• The registry is already the law in the state of Alabama. It is not being enforced.

Bills: SB210 , SB225 , HB280 , HB287 , HB94 , HB88 , SB157 , HB7 , HB8 , HB42

Committee: House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• Oh Lord our God, our creator and redeemer, we pause before this session of the Alabama House of Representatives
• of Alabama well this day in the business of our great state.
• the state of Alabama is going to be what?
• I don't know if I've ever heard of anyone cloning anyone in the state of Alabama.
• That's what we're saying today in the Alabama House of Representatives.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> member of the Alabama Ethics Commission. member of the Alabama Ethics Commission.
• of Insurance through the Department of Treasury.
• of Insurance through the Department of Treasury.
• of Insurance through the Department of Treasury.
• </c> our governor and all the people of our governor and all the people of Alabama, Alabama, Alabama,

Transcript Highlights:

• That established the Department of Workforce, and so in the establishment of...
• Workforce, and so in the establishment of the Department of Workforce, in the legislation you had two
• We are working hard at the Department of Workforce.
• Today, we are working hard at the Department of Workforce.
• So all of that is going to be a focus of the leadership of this department, and your recognition of that

Committee: Senate Confirmations

Transcript Highlights:

• County Department of Social Services.
• of Commerce and and the Department of Commerce and oversees<03:41:00.239><c> cutting</c><03:41:00.560
• c><05:08:38.798><c> prevent</c> Department of the Interior to prevent Department of the Interior to prevent
• We will diminish the Department of Education.
• </c><08:33:38.958><c> of</c> We will diminish the Department of We will diminish the Department of Education

Transcript Highlights:

• The budget provides additional funding of $20 million for the Department of Veterans Affairs for various
• Regarding the Department of State approved grant list, my budget recommendation includes a total of $24.3
• In the data collection from the districts with the Department of Education and all of that, there was
• In fact, this bill was stopped last year because of concerns with IVF out of Alabama, and here we are
• It directs the Department of Children and Families to adopt rules for a priority review of applications

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present, then adopted the special order report and moved into a series of budget-related bills. The chamber first took up HB 5011/SB 2506 on environmental resource management and natural resources funding, where Democrats argued the bill would reduce recurring support for the Resilient Florida program, the Florida Wildlife Corridor, invasive species removal, and other conservation efforts. Supporters said the change would shift money from recurring to nonrecurring funding so the Legislature could reassess priorities each year and rely more on private-sector stewardship. After a strike-all amendment and conference posture change, SB 2506 passed 97-12. HB 5013, reducing state-funded property reinsurance reserves, passed 108-0, and HB 5501, redirecting documentary stamp tax distributions from housing and transportation trust funds into general revenue, passed 82-26 after extended debate over its impact on affordable housing and transportation funding. The House also passed HB 5015 on state group insurance, which requires DMS to develop a formulary management system and was described as producing significant savings; members raised concerns about prescription access and implementation, but the bill passed 109-0. HB 5201 on state financial accounting and HB 5203 on the Capitol Center both passed unanimously, as did HB 5009, which creates a Florida Accountability Office and reorganizes audit functions. The chamber then passed HB 7031, a major sales tax reduction bill lowering the state sales tax rate and several related rates; supporters framed it as permanent relief for all Floridians, while opponents said property tax relief would be more meaningful and that the sales tax cut would also benefit tourists and out-of-state visitors. HB 7031 passed 112-0. The House then began consideration of HB 501, the proposed fiscal year 2025-26 budget, totaling $112.9 billion and emphasizing reduced recurring spending and large reserves. Subcommittee chairs outlined their budget silos: K-12 education at $20.6 billion with teacher raises, school hardening, literacy, transportation stipends, and security funding for Jewish day schools; health care at $47 billion with full Medicaid and KidCare funding, opioid settlement spending, mental health beds, and senior services; transportation/economic development at $18.5 billion; agriculture and natural resources at $5.8 billion with reduced Everglades spending but continued water, resiliency, and land management funding; higher education at $8.7 billion; state administration at $2.9 billion; justice at $7.3 billion; and IT at $529 million for Florida PALM, FX, and other systems. Members then began questioning the K-12 budget, focusing on FEFP funding, proration, voucher growth, stabilization dollars, mental health and school safety funding, and whether districts would be held harmless under the proposed allocations.