Transcript Highlights:

• HB1904 is a Cherokee analysis bill relating to the release of a balloon and associated littering, creating
• Preventing degradation in these pristine waters is more cost-effective than attempting to restore them
• When pristine streams are impacted by nutrient pollution, sedimentation, or altered flows, the cost of
• In addition, the use of more Bicycle content can help to reduce costs in the supply chain for making
• I appreciate that data-driven analysis. Any questions, members? Okay, thank you very much.

Bills: HB1730, HB1823, HB2048, HB2266, HB2440, HB3333, HB4086, HB4271, HB4413, HB4839, HB4841, HB5151

Keywords: PFAS, perfluoroalkyl substances, polyfluoroalkyl substances, forever chemicals, public health study, environmental regulation, drinking water, groundwater, surface water, food packaging, chemical exposure, firefighters, chemical manufacturing workers, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, TCEQ, Railroad Commission of Texas, Department of State Health Services, University of Houston, occupational exposure, contaminants

Transcript Highlights:

• So if they are treating it with the G virus, how much does a G virus cost us to treat it here?
• <00:11:14.399> us Gvirus, how much does a Gvirus cost us Gvirus, how much does a Gvirus cost
• We have to develop it, and that's the cost.
• It will cover all the costs for the testing center moving forward.
• Uh, so it comes down to the operational cost.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees heard House Bill 643, House Draft 2, which would create short-term management initiatives and appropriate funds for the coconut rhinoceros beetle response program. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive. Committee discussion focused on biocontrol efforts, including fungus and virus-based treatments, the need for a biosecure facility, and the timeline for testing and range studies. Department of Agriculture officials said initial testing is underway at the University of Hawaii, but full testing requires a higher-biosafety facility that is not yet available on island. Members also discussed funding levels, the possibility of a mobile facility, and whether the work could be accelerated. The committees later voted to pass HB 643 unamended. The committees also heard House Bill 736, House Draft 1, which would establish a three-year wastewater system and individual wastewater technology testing pilot program at the University of Hawaii Water Resources Research Center. Supporters said the bill could help certify new, lower-cost decentralized wastewater technologies and reduce the cost of cesspool upgrades while improving water quality. University of Hawaii witnesses explained that the center would test technologies, collect samples, analyze results, and provide reports to the Department of Health for certification. Members raised concerns about whether the program would help communities facing immediate wastewater issues, the length of the testing timeline, and whether technologies like the Genki ball could be included. The committee was told the pilot would likely test one technology at a time over about nine months each, though multiple tests could run in parallel later. The committees voted to pass HB 736 unamended. After those measures, the joint committee moved to an AEN-only agenda and began hearing STR 111 / SR 92, which declares a public health emergency relating to climate change and calls for statewide coordination on cross-sector solutions. Testimony in support came from the Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Public Health Institute, and others. Supporters said climate change affects public health through heat, wildfire risk, invasive mosquitoes, and other impacts, and argued that the response should involve agriculture, planning, transportation, and emergency management, not just the Department of Health.

Transcript Highlights:

• These new requirements will help protect families from being misled into high-cost financing schemes,
• The bill would authorize recovery of investigative and legal costs in cases of violations.
• from NBC... ...Detention Camp, based on an analysis from NBC 6 Miami.
• It's actually in the staff analysis, so trying to do it from memory.
• It's actually in the staff analysis, so trying to do it from memory.

Summary: The Committee on Commerce and Tourism considered a series of bills affecting tax policy, workforce development, business regulation, consumer protection, rural development, and artificial intelligence. SB 1076 would raise Florida’s research and development tax credit cap from $9 million to $50 million beginning with the 2027 allocation, and it was reported favorably. CS/SB 1266 would create a cybersecurity experiential internship and clearance-readiness program with the Department of Commerce and Cyber Florida; an amendment removed an appropriation from the bill, and the committee reported it favorably. SB 554, a broad update to Florida’s not-for-profit corporation law, was also reported favorably after supportive testimony from Florida Bar representatives. SB 1004, aimed at protecting buyers of dogs and cats from deceptive sales and predatory financing practices, received strong support from animal welfare advocates and was reported favorably. SB 1074, which provides rounding rules for cash transactions if pennies are unavailable, was likewise reported favorably. SB 214, expanding the rural community definition to include special districts in rural counties for economic development purposes, was reported favorably. SPB 7030, a public records exemption tied to Department of Legal Affairs investigations, was adopted as a committee bill and favorably reported. The committee also heard extensive discussion on SB 998, the Department of Commerce package. The bill would modernize the Florida Small Cities Community Development Block Grant program, clarify rural community eligibility for certain unincorporated areas, exempt military entities from a reverter clause on land conveyances, and revise E-Verify enforcement procedures. Members questioned the E-Verify provisions, including penalties, protections for workers incorrectly flagged, and the treatment of gig workers. Senator Smith opposed the bill, arguing it creates unequal treatment between employers and immigrant workers, while Senator Wright supported the military-related provisions. Despite the debate, SB 998 was reported favorably, with Senators Bracy Davis, Smith, and Errington voting no. The committee also took up SB 482, an “Artificial Intelligence Bill of Rights” that would create consumer protections for companion chatbots, require parental consent and access for minors, mandate periodic disclosures that users are interacting with AI, restrict certain uses of personal data and likenesses, and give the Attorney General enforcement authority. The bill drew both support and criticism: supporters emphasized child safety, transparency, and consumer protection, while opponents raised concerns about privacy, broad definitions, lack of audit mechanisms, and the absence of a private right of action for adults. Senators Smith and Davis urged clearer definitions and stronger accountability, but both said the bill was a starting point. The committee reported SB 482 favorably. The meeting ended with recorded affirmative votes requested by Senators Yarbrough, Wright, and Davis on selected tabs, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because of my love of data and data analysis, when I was asked by faculty members to review different
• And that's very important, obviously, in this time of very high costs for higher education.
• And that's very important, obviously, in this time of very high costs for higher education.
• And authored the definitive scholarly analysis on the Common Core State Standards, which was initiated
• on the Common Core State Standards, and authored the definitive scholarly analysis on the Common Core

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met to continue confirmation hearings, but the chair announced the committee would not present its budget that day and would instead roll it out the following week in coordination with House partners and Senate notice requirements. After a quorum was confirmed, the committee discussed how it would handle a large number of university board appointments, noting that some reappointments would be grouped for a block vote while others could be heard individually if members requested it. The committee then heard testimony from a series of appointees and reappointees to university boards. Florida A&M University nominees Roderick Harris, Victor Young, and Rafael Vasquez emphasized service to FAMU, student success, and support for the university’s national standing; Harris highlighted his FAMU background and faculty experience, Young cited his business and health care leadership, and Vasquez described scholarship support through his company. Florida Atlantic University appointees Linda Stock and Thomas Mersh focused on servant leadership, research growth, entrepreneurship, and FAU’s recent R1 designation and quantum computing initiatives. University of Central Florida reappointee Alex Martins discussed UCF’s preeminence goal, workforce needs, and strong nursing outcomes. The committee also heard from Florida Gulf Coast University appointees James Gris-Mall, Douglas Van Orte, Robert Rommel, Sarah Partial Perry, and reappointment Joseph Fogg, who spoke about workforce development, affordability, student success, water and nursing programs, and FGCU’s role in regional economic growth. University of South Florida reappointee Rogan Donnelly highlighted USF’s AAU status, research growth, and workforce-focused programs. Members and the chair responded positively throughout, praising the universities’ achievements and the nominees’ qualifications. At the end of the hearing, the committee voted by block on all nominees in tabs 2 through 13 and recommended them for confirmation without objection. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• . ...the thoughtful feedback and will be accepting the committee's amendments as outlined in the analysis
• costs.
• In some cases, are too expensive for schools seeking... ...to material and construction costs.
• And then the other issue seems to be the other major issue: implementation cost.
• cost.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now clearly there are costs for issuance, but those costs for issuance are about a percent.
• it but at what cost? it but at what cost?
• That is a huge cost, a cost that is just unbearable to keep up.
• We did lots of analysis.
• Now, here it costs, you know, we're coming up with all kinds of analysis to show how if we spend 10%

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the cost of $450,000.
• And I was told before, for those of you may not be aware, that cost of an EV bus, three times the cost
• of it. those of you may not be aware that cost of an EV bus is three times the cost of $450,000.
• Align financing with true costs of care.
• So we provided our FIR analysis on this.

Bills: SB204, SB241, HB34

Keywords: higher education, research funding, federal funding, New Mexico, appropriation, University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, child care, child care assistance, child care subsidy, early childhood education, early childhood care, daycare, preschool, pre-K, Head Start, Early Head Start, Children's Code, early childhood education and care department

Transcript Highlights:

• of purchasing or leasing land the cost of purchasing or leasing land and<02:05:23.520> designing,
• Uh, the sunrise analysis, however, needs to be done by concurrent resolution, and we intend to do that
• Uh the<02:18:43.679> sunrise<02:18:44.240> analysis<02:18:44.800> however<02:18:
• to be the sunrise analysis however needs to be done<02:18:45.920> by<02:18:46.479> um<
• And I will assure the sunrise analysis.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:53:08.160> the<00:53:08.359> costs that reduces costs as you see the costs that reduces
• costs as you see the costs start<00:53:08.880> to<00:53:09.040> go<00:53:09.319> down
• will turn out to be the most coste will turn out to be the most coste effective<01:08:53.759>
• , as well as other operating costs.
• argue and provide data and Analysis argue and provide data and Analysis about<01:26:16.960> why

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• a cost benefit analysis of really was is a cost benefit analysis of the<00:56:03.799> cost<00
• > we about cost benefit analysis didn't we about cost benefit analysis didn't we undergo<01:24
• cost benefit analysis has that that the cost benefit analysis has been<01:24:36.760> St<01:24
• conversations cost Ben benefit analysis conversations cost Ben benefit analysis conversations are
• > we<04:16:50.279> don't see a cost benefit analysis and we don't see a cost benefit analysis

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Water tests done on the water cost as much as $2,000 a piece.
• And, Madam Chair, Representative, in looking at the document here, one of the analysis talks about $5.7
• Lots of agencies did not provide an analysis on this, and that's not on you.
• Lots of agencies did not provide an analysis on this and that's not on you.
• I would feel more common. ...of agencies did not provide an analysis on this, and that's not on you.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I know any time that we have a statutory change to the Legacy Fund, we try to get a cost-benefit analysis
• I know any time that we have a statutory change to the Legacy Fund, we try to get a cost-benefit analysis
• I do think the cost-benefit analysis would be prudent. Any other discussion?
• I do think the cost-benefit analysis would be prudent. Any other discussion?
• That's our cost.

Summary: The committee met to approve prior minutes and receive updates on the Legacy Fund transparency website and fund performance. Staff reported the website procurement was in contract negotiations, with a planned go-live around November 1, and that the site would provide downloadable, more transparent information on fund holdings, allocations, history, and legislative appropriations while protecting confidential data. The investment office then reviewed performance through January 2026, describing strong returns relative to benchmarks, noting real estate and fixed income as weaker areas, and explaining that the fund’s diversification and internal management had helped offset market volatility, including recent geopolitical impacts. Members also discussed the in-state investment program, especially the Bank of North Dakota’s CD-match allocation. Several members questioned whether the program had been static for years and whether the uncommitted balance should remain parked there if it was not being used. The committee voted to pause further transfers into the program until the Bank provides a report and the committee can consider possible statutory changes; the motion also requested a cost-benefit analysis from RVK, and it passed by roll call vote. In the afternoon, RVK presented its review of the investment policy statement as it relates to the in-state investment program. The consultant said it found no major policy impediments, and that implementers and stakeholders generally felt the program was proceeding as intended. RVK emphasized best practices such as third-party due diligence, competitive risk-adjusted returns, diversification, pacing, and exit strategies, while cautioning that required lower-return investments or spending commitments can create pressure on the fund’s long-term real value. The consultant also raised ancillary concerns about state-level concentration risk, the need to distinguish between public and commercial infrastructure, and the lack of a central repository for all state funding commitments to the same projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, LFC's analysis as Recent analysis as of August demonstrates that there is no correlation or causal
• So, for child care assistance, the most recent analysis that we did was a causal match analysis where
• And that is actually based on the true cost of delivering that care. what it costs to pay educators and
• caregivers wages that are fair and competitive, what it costs to occupy space, what it costs to meet
• We're actually paying the true cost, close to the true cost.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Those costs do not stay in the courtroom.
• Those costs do not stay in the courtroom.
• And Senators, on page nine of your analysis, I think this gets to Senator Pizzo's earlier comments or
• So on page nine of your analysis, you'll see the differences between a micro data center, small size,
• So on page nine of your analysis, you'll see the differences between a micro data center, small size,

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• Since President Trump started his legal war in Iran, the cost of gas and diesel has cost Americans more
• That has cost Americans more than $62 billion.
• However, the real impact of these thefts, the actual cost to repair, and the cost of downtime can be
• This costs $34 to buy, but it costs between $60 and $100 to recycle.
• Third, the cost is significant, estimated at over $500 million annually.

Summary: The committee heard several bills, though no final votes were taken because a quorum had not yet been established. SB 493 by Senator Becker would add war or armed conflict to California’s price-gouging emergency triggers, with the author and supporters arguing it would protect consumers from gas-price spikes tied to international conflict. Opponents, including business and housing groups, warned the bill could over-trigger emergency powers and create broad, ongoing price controls. The chair indicated support for an aye-as-amended recommendation once quorum was reached. SB 1056 by Senator Grayson would require protective orders for disclosure of sexually explicit material involving adult victims in specified criminal cases. Denise Huskins-Quinn and Aaron Quinn testified in support, describing how sensitive evidence in their case was copied and handled without adequate safeguards; supporters said the bill would extend privacy protections similar to those already used for child sexual abuse material. Criminal defense attorneys supported the goal but raised concerns about notice procedures and how the bill would apply when material is in the public domain. The chair said the bill filled a gap in existing law and would receive an aye recommendation. SB 1208 by Senator Grayson would let law enforcement seize and return crypto assets used in scams and fraud to victims. The Attorney General’s office and law enforcement groups supported the bill as a tool to recover losses from transnational crypto fraud, while the ACLU and public defenders argued it lowered the burden of proof, raised constitutional concerns, and could be misused against unbanked or low-level defendants. The chair nevertheless said the bill aligned with existing law for stolen property and would be recommended aye. SB 874 by Senator Weber-Pearson would strengthen oversight of Medi-Cal behavioral health treatment services, including requiring background checks for employees of providers and convening a stakeholder workgroup; it drew support from the California Association for Behavior Analysis and no opposition was heard. Later, SB 1266 by Senator Stern would change how the value of stolen copper and related infrastructure damage is calculated, aiming to address copper theft and its costs to cities and utilities. Supporters said the bill would better capture the real harm from thefts that disrupt streetlights, telecom, and emergency services, while opponents argued it would inflate charges, turn many misdemeanors into felonies, and increase court and incarceration costs. The author said he would continue discussions and accept the amendments. Senator Cervantes presented SB 1379, which would separate the Riverside County sheriff and coroner offices and create an independent medical examiner; supporters cited in-custody death concerns and conflicts of interest, while opponents said the problem was not unique to Riverside and that the bill would override local control. Cervantes also presented SB 1418 to extend ballot-custody protections to other election records and equipment after a Riverside County ballot seizure, with support from the Attorney General’s office. Finally, Senator Blakespear began presenting SB 936 on nitrous oxide misuse, describing public health, impaired-driving, and disposal concerns, but the transcript cuts off before the bill’s testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• A building that might have cost $15 million then might cost $40 million now, due to inflation, especially
• that you will actually cut your costs. that you will actually cut your costs.
• Thank you. be raising the cost of a boat decal fee be raising the cost of a boat decal fee and<00:54:
• During the conceptual analysis, when we were looking at different designs, the cost for rehabilitating
• /c> at different designs, uh the cost for at different designs, uh the cost for rehab<01:22:01.120>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard testimony on House Bill 1042, which would increase the BFA contingent credit limit. State Treasurer Monica Misipelli explained that under RSA 66, state debt capacity is tied to unrestricted revenue and that guaranteed debt counts in the calculation even though it is contingent rather than direct debt. She said the state currently has about 4.2% to 4.3% debt-to-revenue ratio, about $120 million in additional capacity, and that approving the bill’s proposed increase would reduce available capacity for future state borrowing, including capital budgets. She noted the BFA has a long history of using guarantees without a state payout, but said the legislature should consider whether the full additional $250 million is needed and whether unused guarantee authorizations, such as one for the Pease Development Authority, should be reviewed in the future. Committee members asked whether guarantees have the same effect as actual debt for bonding capacity, and the treasurer confirmed that they do for purposes of the formula. Members also asked about the usual level of debt relative to the statutory 10% cap, and she said the state generally stays well below that limit. BFA Executive Director James Key Wallace then testified that the request was driven by rising project costs, inflation, and the need for more runway so the agency does not have to return to the legislature in an emergency. He said the BFA is self-supported, has never had a guarantee paid out by the state, requires collateral and reserves, and believes the appropriate range is closer to $400 million to $450 million; he also said a Senate bill would raise the limit to $400 million. He added that the BFA’s pipeline includes projects from about $15 million to $100 million and that housing availability is an important factor in business location decisions. After closing the work session on House Bill 1042, the committee opened House Bill 241, a bill on health insurance coverage for pain management services for chronic pain. Representative Dave Nagel, the prime sponsor, gave extensive background on his long career in pain medicine and said the bill is intended to improve access to non-opioid therapies and evidence-based pain management. He described the broad population affected by chronic pain and opioid use disorder, and said the proposal has long had bipartisan and stakeholder support. No vote or final action was taken on House Bill 241 in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Also below that is what we call soft cost or owner project cost, which pays for all the design, project
• we call soft cost or owner project cost we call soft cost or owner project cost which<00:10:35.399
• <01:14:58.480> and working with management analysis and working with management analysis and
• <01:27:21.719> and Federal um any analysis and Federal um any analysis and recommendation<
• <01:27:29.840> and holistic approach in our analysis and holistic approach in our analysis

Bills: HF1867, HF1240

Keywords: lottery, retailer contracts, Minnesota Statutes, contract qualifications, public integrity, criminal background, legislative auditor, public funds, state government, compliance, transparency, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• THIS INFORMATION WAS SHARED WITH BOTH INDUSTRY AND OUR PARTNERS AND TO USE THE ANALYSIS TO IDENTIFY IF
• THE CONCLUSION OF THIS ANALYSIS WAS THAT WHILE THEY WERE ALREADY PROGRAMS AVAILABLE THE ONES THAT DID
• EXAMPLE TO BRING IT HOME IF THE BOARD IS FOUND THROUGH COMPLIANCE NOT ENTERING TO HAVE DISALLOWED COST
• COSTS FOR THEIR ADULT AND DISLOCATED WORKERS AND IN THIS CASE THAT 30% OF THEIR WORKER BUDGET.
• TO THEIR COSTS IS ABOUT 14%.

Transcript Highlights:

• We received a revenue of $51,000, and so that extra $1,000 cost them about $20,000 in revenue that they
• On the analysis of the fiscal impact report, it said there were some technical issues.
• Just a warning, we will probably be visiting you in the future to up that as costs increase.
• The current cost share, the 50% cost that the legal service provider pays towards the salaries, is restricted
• This is the second time I've read that, so maybe it's just a person doing the analysis, but.

Transcript Highlights:

• that the aate ammonia fertilizer costs that the aate ammonia fertilizer costs are<00:02:56.239><
• certainty to an area of significant cost certainty to an area of significant cost and<00:08:26.919
• analysis of the program.
• analysis of the program.
• > uh<01:14:15.440> that cost benefit analysis provided uh that cost benefit analysis provided

Bills: HF2103, HF2793

Keywords: energy, renewable energy, ammonia, hydrogen, certificate tracking, funding, environment, community solar, energy policy, sustainability, solar garden program, regulation sunset, 1183, house