Transcript Highlights:

• The governor cannot suspend provisions of the election code relating to qualifications or procedures
• Many cities require burdensome zoning procedures that no host properties that we like to partner with
• We're using that mechanism today. in our procedures, but it's the same calculations that we're using
• today, just in this single procedure.
• not recognized as a designated law enforcement agency under Article 18B of the Code of Criminal Procedure

Bills: HB842, HB1907, HB2844, HB2892, HB3439, HB4211, HB4536, HB5111, HB5138, HB5182, HB5247, HB5269, HB5323, HB5435, HJR201, SB871, HB3896, SJR40

Keywords: power lines, Gulf Coast, weather-related outages, Public Utility Commission, infrastructure, government contracts, Chinese companies, information technology, cybersecurity, state regulations, food safety, mobile vendors, licensing, permitting exemptions, health inspections, nonprofit organizations, personal information, government disclosure, privacy, criminal penalties

Transcript Highlights:

• And if there are things that are not, procedures aren't being followed, or something is happening to
• And so procedurally, when it comes to— To the Chiefs Association point, if this does impact how agencies
• And so procedurally, when it comes to reporting investigations across the board in different agencies
• We have to create better process, better procedures. And that's what I see in this bill.
• We have to create better process, better procedures. And that's what I see in this bill.

Summary: The Government Operations Subcommittee heard three bills. HB 1479, by Rep. Baker, created a public records exemption for lethality assessment forms and the victims’ answers under the domestic violence lethality assessment law. The sponsor said the goal was to protect victims and keep the form consistent statewide; a question was raised about whether other agencies such as DCF could access the information. The only public testimony was in support, and the bill passed 17-0 and was reported favorably. The committee then took up HB 317, by Rep. Fabricio, which would require complaints against law enforcement and correctional officers to be written and sworn, require officers to receive the complaint and supporting evidence before interrogation or discipline, and keep unfounded investigations out of personnel files and from being used for promotions or commendations. Supporters, including the Fraternal Order of Police and a state corrections PBA representative, argued the bill would protect officers from frivolous or retaliatory complaints. Opponents, including the Florida Police Chiefs Association and the Florida Sheriffs Association, warned it would undermine transparency, early warning systems, accreditation, and accountability, and could discourage legitimate anonymous complaints. Several members debated the balance between officer due process and victim protection; the bill passed 11-6 and was reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard HB 961, a Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles measure presented by Judge Maney. A strike-all amendment replaced the original language with a package aimed at improving customer service and efficiency in driver and vehicle services, including online title and registration requests, longer renewal periods for certain permanently handicapped persons, and a new misdemeanor offense for selling DHSMV appointment slots. The amendment and the bill as amended were supported by Florida tax collectors, adopted, and the committee passed HB 961 unanimously, 17-0, with a favorable report.

Transcript Highlights:

• The second part was a procedural aspect, which said that the president did not notify Governor Newsom
• The second part was a procedural<00:33:14.080> aspect<00:33:14.559> which<00:33:14.799>
• likely satisfied the procedural likely satisfied the procedural requirements requirements requirements
• Um can you speak to what the outlines of what those policies and procedures are?
• Um I I'm just interested procedures are? Um I I'm just interested actually. actually. actually.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee held an informational briefing on federal and state authority over National Guard deployment in response to civil protest or unrest, prompted by recent federal actions and the California litigation in Newsom v. Trump. The chair explained the purpose was to help lawmakers and the public understand the legal background, the status of the California case, and possible Hawaii policy responses. David Day of the Attorney General’s office outlined several recent federal immigration-related executive actions and enforcement directives, then described Hawaii’s participation in multiple lawsuits challenging federal funding conditions, data-sharing demands, and the birthright citizenship order. A major portion of the briefing focused on Newsom v. Trump. Day summarized the June 2025 Los Angeles protests and the president’s memorandum federalizing National Guard units under 10 U.S.C. 12406, which California challenged as ultra vires, procedurally improper, and violative of the Posse Comitatus Act, the Tenth Amendment, and the APA. He said the district court initially granted relief, but the Ninth Circuit stayed the TRO and held, in a published decision, that review under section 12406 is highly deferential and that the president lawfully exercised authority under paragraph 3. He also noted California-law issues about orders being issued through the governor, and said Hawaii had supported California through amicus briefs and would continue to do so; the bench trial was scheduled for August 11-13. Members then asked how Hawaii law differs from California’s and whether the Ninth Circuit ruling would control here. Day said the standard-of-review aspects would likely apply, but the California-specific procedural language about orders issued in the governor’s name does not appear in Hawaii law. The committee also heard from Colonel Lloyd C. Phelps of the Hawaii Department of Defense, who explained that National Guard activations generally occur under Title 10 federal orders, state orders, or other statuses, and said the June 2025 federalization mechanism was a Title 10 call-up. He began addressing the president’s authority, the Posse Comitatus Act, and Hawaii’s own preparedness, but the discussion was cut short and members indicated they would return to the topic later. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know you've had a hearing on your side, and everybody else knows the procedures on filling out the
• local bill that was properly advertised, and it provides for additional administrative adjudication procedures
• For additional administrative adjudication procedures for the city of Alexandria.
• It also deals with adjudicated procedures for hearings for violations and things of that nature, and

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It requires the State Inspector General to establish protocol and procedures for such reports and investigations
• Requires that procedures for placements on and removals from the list of persons self-excluded from gambling
• include procedures that allow a person to submit requests electronically.
• Requires such procedures to ensure parity between electronic and non-electronic requests with respect

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee, chaired for the day by Senator John Liu, took up a long agenda of bills covering labor and benefits, corrections, health, taxation, government transparency, and public services. Early measures included increasing short-term disability benefits, adjusting a poverty-level-related earned income disregard, expanding correctional health staffing review, and authorizing the Inspector General to investigate sexual assault complaints in correctional facilities; each of these advanced to the floor. The committee also advanced bills on ovarian cancer screening access, retirement system membership changes, a trail stewardship program, live agency representative access, FOIL/open meetings fee awards, a Harriman campus development plan, court data reporting, educator conventions, park water testing, an energy storage tax abatement, a Native American Affairs office, adult changing tables in public facilities, Medicaid Inspector General audit standards, remote training certification for agency personnel, newborn Gaucher disease testing, electronic self-exclusion requests for gambling, and child daycare inspections and opioid antagonist requirements. Several bills drew discussion. The prescription drug transparency bill (Print 488A) prompted questions about possible overlap with federal Hatch-Waxman/FTC oversight and whether a New York notice requirement could slow generic-drug settlements; sponsors and staff said it was intended as a supplemental transparency measure for consumers. The court reporting bill (Print 1849A) raised concerns about mandates on local governments, but supporters said it mainly required OCA to compile data in one format. The Medicaid local-share phaseout bill (Print 5519) generated the most debate, with supporters arguing it would provide major property tax relief and should be addressed in the budget, while opponents emphasized the need to curb Medicaid fraud, waste, and abuse first. Two major fiscal oversight proposals were defeated. Print 8661, which would have required the Comptroller to hire an independent private auditing firm to review state-funded programs for fraud and abuse, was opposed despite support from some members who argued outside auditing was overdue; it failed by one vote. Print 5519 was also ultimately defeated after a recount confirmed it lacked the required majority of the full 22-member committee. Most other bills were approved and sent either to the floor or, in the case of the drug transparency bill, to the Rules Committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those procedural measures will be taken tomorrow when Chair Jordan has the gavel.
• Are there any procedural questions before I ask nonpartisan staff to walk through the bill, members?
• It outlines investigation and other procedures for resolving a complaint and requires the department
• Section 2.1 is for the requires the department to use the standard rulemaking procedure rather than an

Bills: HF1306

Keywords: education, school policy, teacher training, student health, emergency response

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, seeing no other members stepping up into debate, members, this will be a procedural experience
• So we're going to have a little procedural situation in a moment, but Representative Hunschofsky.
• We're going to have a little procedural situation in a moment, but Representative Hunschofsky, you were
• We're going to have a little procedural situation in a moment, but Representative Hachoski, you were

Summary: The Health Care Budget Subcommittee met and took up four bills. First, CS/HB 633 by Rep. Koster on managing entity reporting and transparency for behavioral health services was amended to clarify reporting requirements and timing, and to address the bill’s fiscal implementation through conferencing. Members and one public speaker supported the measure, emphasizing accountability and better use of state funds. The bill was reported favorably. Next, CS/HB 531 by Rep. Hunschofsky on background screenings was amended with a strike-all that would require ACCA to create a public webpage with screening education, level-two screening standards, and a searchable catalog of positions requiring screening. Because the amendment changed the bill’s relating-to clause, the chair noted it would be temporarily postponed under House Rule 7.11D and returned to the committee later. The committee then heard HB 1089 by Rep. Booth, which adds Duchenne muscular dystrophy to the recommended newborn screening panel, subject to appropriation. A parent testified in strong support, describing the benefits of earlier diagnosis and treatment, and several members spoke in favor. The bill was reported favorably. Finally, CS/HB 907 by Rep. Anderson created the Sunshine Genetics Program, an opt-in newborn whole-genome sequencing program, and established the Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases at FSU and a Sunshine Genetics Consortium. An amendment made funding contingent on appropriations and added Nicholas Children’s Hospital and Florida International University to the consortium board. After supportive testimony and debate, the bill was also reported favorably. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1186 by Hughes relating to oversight of certain election procedures by the Secretary. of
• Water Alliance to water Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Senate Bill 1195 by Burwell, relating to procedures
• Child Abuse and Neglect. to Health and Human Services, Senate Bill 1196 by Burwell, relating the procedures
• Bill 1306 by Cook, relating to the age of criminal responsibility and a certain substantive and procedural

Bills: SJR36, SJR3, SB616, SB565, SB384, SB5, SJR52, SJR53, SJR54, SJR55, SCR18, SCR19, SCR22, SB27, SB29, SB35, SB1151, SB1152, SB1153, SB1154, SB1155, SB1156, SB1157, SB1158, SB1159, SB1160, SB1161, SB1162, SB1163, SB1164, SB1165, SB1166, SB1167, SB1168, SB1169, SB1170, SB1171, SB1172, SB1173, SB1174, SB1175, SB1176, SB1177, SB1178, SB1179, SB1180, SB1181, SB1182, SB1183, SB1184, SB1185, SB1186, SB1187, SB1188, SB1189, SB1190, SB1191, SB1192, SB1193, SB1194, SB1195, SB1196, SB1197, SB1198, SB1199, SB1200, SB1201, SB1202, SB1203, SB1204, SB1205, SB1206, SB1207, SB1208, SB1209, SB1210, SB1211, SB1212, SB1213, SB1214, SB1215, SB1216, SB1217, SB1218, SB1219, SB1220, SB1221, SB1222, SB1223, SB1224, SB1225, SB1226, SB1227, SB1228, SB1229, SB1230, SB1231, SB1232, SB1233, SB1234, SB1235, SB1236, SB1237, SB1238, SB1239, SB1240, SB1241, SB1242, SB1243, SB1244, SB1245, SB1246, SB1247, SB1248, SB1249, SB1250, SB1251, SB1252, SB1253, SB1254, SB1255, SB1256, SB1257, SB1258, SB1259, SB1260, SB1261, SB1262, SB1263, SB1264, SB1265, SB1266, SB1267, SB1268, SB1269, SB1270, SB1271, SB1272, SB1273, SB1274, SB1275, SB1276, SB1277, SB1278, SB1279, SB1280, SB1281, SB1282, SB1283, SB1284, SB1285, SB1286, SB1287, SB1288, SB1289, SB1290, SB1291, SB1292, SB1293, SB1294, SB1295, SB1296, SB1297, SB1298, SB1299, SB1300, SB1301, SB1302, SB1303, SB1304, SB1305, SB1306, SB1307, SB1308, SB1309, SB1310, SB1311, SB1312, SB1313, SB1314, SB1315, SB1316, SB1317, SB1318, SB1319, SB1320, SB1321, SB1322, SB1323, SB1324, SB1325, SB1326, SB1327, SB1328, SB1329, SB1330, SB1331, SB1332, SB1333, SB1334, SB1335, SB1336, SB1337, SB1338, SB1339, SB1340, SB1341, SB1342, SB1343, SB1344, SB1345, SB1621, SJR57

Keywords: dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, research funding, state budget, prevention, healthcare, medical research, Dementia Prevention and Research Institute, aquifer, water management, Edwards Aquifer, sustainability, regulatory framework, SB 565, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, compliance agreement, enforcement suspension

Transcript Highlights:

• requirements for creating county district plans and public participation in the process, providing procedures
• requirements for creating county district plans and public participation in the process, providing procedures
• requirements for creating county district plans and public participation in the process, providing procedures
• Representative Ferrary, an act relating to protected persons, amending the Uniform Probate Code to provide procedures

Transcript Highlights:

• The medical and mental effects of these procedures allow for the state to protect vulnerable victims.
• effects of these procedures allow for the state to protect vulnerable victims.
• It's unheard of for minors in Missouri to have any surgical procedures. I'm not aware of that.
• Yeah, it was my understanding that the community generally supported these types of procedures.
• Gender transition procedures save lives. 2013. Gender transition procedures save lives.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And this is more of a procedural question.
• And this is more of a procedural question.
• There might be further um agency procedures that are not outlined in this bill. >> Mr.
• There might be further um agency procedures that are not outlined in this bill. >> Mr.
• might be further um agency procedures might be further um agency procedures that<00:19:39.400>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• um um procedure um um procedure uh<01:49:38.719> in<01:49:38.960> this<01:49:39.280
• Well, entire procedure at that level.
• This would put it back into that type procedure.
• This would put it back into that type procedure.
• This would put it back into that type procedure.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill also standardizes voir dire procedures statewide.
• Finally, the bill clarifies procedures when there are not enough qualified jurors available, allowing
• , selection pro uh procedures, selection pro uh procedures, particularly<01:05:14.720> in<
• It requires that procedures statewide.
• Finally, the bill clarifies<01:06:24.079> procedures<01:06:24.960> when<01:06:25.200>

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• basis um we have established procedures basis um we have established procedures to<01:26:46.400>
• <01:26:57.320> that statute uh so that's the procedure that statute uh so that's the procedure
• procedures procedures uh<04:18:33.720> it's<04:18:33.920> currently<04:18:34.279> set
• been Consolidated there are procedural been Consolidated there are procedural things<04:20:02.479
• counsel and fighting procedural counsel and fighting procedural Corrections<04:50:18.120> using

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met for its first meeting of the new session with opening remarks, member introductions, and a discussion of committee logistics. Members described their backgrounds and priorities, including criminal justice, right-to-know and privacy issues, domestic violence, death-with-dignity legislation, abortion, firearms, landlord-tenant policy, housing, and technology/privacy concerns. The chair noted there were already 34 bills assigned to the committee and expected more, and said the committee would likely continue to have a heavy workload this session. The chair also outlined how the committee would operate: meetings would generally be on Wednesdays, with possible Mondays as needed; hearings would not require a quorum, but executive sessions would; and members were asked to provide updated phone numbers and email addresses, especially cell numbers. He explained that the committee would continue its practice of seating members in a mixed partisan arrangement to encourage communication, and that the new clerk had joined the committee. A significant portion of the meeting focused on procedures for executive sessions and meeting times. The chair said the committee would follow the traditional rule allowing executive sessions on bills heard that day if proper notice was given, but he would avoid taking up controversial matters without full attendance. Members then discussed whether meetings should start at 9, 9:30, or 10 a.m., with concerns raised about long commutes, evening obligations, and winter driving after dark. No formal vote was taken in the portion provided, but the chair indicated he would try to accommodate the committee’s preference while balancing the workload.

Transcript Highlights:

• ALAC previously formed a work group to study the preservation of error doctrine and the procedural default
• work group initiated a survey last year of other states on the preservation of error doctrine and procedural
• Other states on the preservation of error doctrine and procedural default, and will continue to collect
• error doctrine, The Virginia Supreme Court ruled that the harmless error doctrine only applies to procedural
• happenstance, suggested that the General Assembly may want to amend the APA to be more in line with common procedures

Keywords: Code Commission, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is Civil Procedure 101.
• have to... ...for that employer or insurer not to have to provide those benefits, and that is the procedural
• —this was the procedure that was agreed upon when the stakeholders got together and said this process
• shielded from the assessment of penalties and attorneys' fees by the institution of the safe harbor procedure
• They will get safe harbor if they follow the guidelines and procedures under 1201.1.

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is Civil Procedure 101.
• have to... ...for that employer or insurer not to have to provide those benefits, and that is the procedural
• —this was the procedure that was agreed upon when the stakeholders got together and said this process
• shielded from the assessment of penalties and attorneys' fees by the institution of the safe harbor procedure
• They will get safe harbor if they follow the guidelines and procedures under 1201.1.

Summary: The Senate Labor Committee met on March 14 and adopted the prior minutes. It voluntarily deferred Senate Bill 358, which would have addressed workers’ compensation coverage for independent contractors and sole-proprietor subcontractors. Senator Abraham said the bill would instead be studied to determine whether such workers should be able to buy occupational accident coverage or be required to carry workers’ compensation coverage, particularly where no employees are involved. The committee then heard House Bill 456, which would expand and clarify workers’ compensation petition requirements and broaden employers’ and payers’ ability to file disputed claims beyond fraud and medical-director appeals to other disputes under the chapter. The bill drew strong support from business groups and strong opposition from injured-worker attorneys, who argued it would revive problems seen in 2012 when employers could sue injured workers without a ripe dispute, burden unrepresented claimants, and increase litigation and administrative costs. Supporters said it would improve access to the courts and help employers investigate questionable claims. After debate, the committee voted 5-1 to report HB 456 favorably, with Senator Barrow voting no. The committee also heard House Bill 549, which creates the Bayou Growth Opportunity Workforce Program, or Bayou Works, a proposed statewide workforce training grant program aimed at helping employers quickly train workers for specific skill needs. The sponsor and Louisiana Workforce Commission representatives said it would be privately funded, modeled on Michigan’s “Going Pro” program, and coordinated with technical colleges, apprenticeships, internships, and other workforce partners. Members asked about statewide reach, youth pipeline efforts, and timing; the department said implementation would likely begin later next year. The committee reported HB 549 favorably by unanimous consent and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill revises licensure requirements and procedures for funeral directors, embalmers, direct disposers
• This bill, all it does is it modernizes trust law by creating a simple procedure for closing out a trust
• Under current law, there is not a procedure.
• This bill, all it does is it modernizes trust law by creating a simple procedure for closing out a trust
• Under current law, there is not a procedure.

Summary: The Banking and Insurance Committee took up several bills, beginning with CS/SB 326, which modernizes Florida’s curator statute in probate law by clarifying when curators may be appointed, what they may do, and the oversight required. The bill was reported favorably without opposition. The committee then heard SB 1256 on pharmacy audits, which would require PBM audits of pharmacies to follow uniform standards and provide due process protections; pharmacists testified in support, describing current audits as burdensome and conflicted. That bill was also reported favorably. Members next considered CS/SB 598 on funeral, cemetery, and consumer services. An amendment was adopted removing provisions on civil damage caps and phasing out direct disposers, and the bill was then reported favorably. SB 632, dealing with transportation network company insurance, would set coverage requirements for the period after a ride is accepted but before pickup; an opponent argued the existing insurance framework should not be reduced, but the bill passed on a divided vote and was reported favorably. CS/SB 786 on trusts, creating a nonjudicial process to close uncontested trusts and discharge trustees, was supported by banking and legal groups and reported favorably. The committee then took up CS/SB 1110 on Medicaid, health insurance, and HMO coverage for orthotics and prosthetics. A delete-all amendment clarified eligible recipients, and the bill drew extensive emotional testimony from amputees, parents, and advocates describing the high cost of activity limbs and the benefits for children’s health and participation. Several senators praised the testimony and the policy, and the bill was reported favorably. Finally, SB 1588 on legal tender refined last session’s gold-and-silver law, and SPB 7044 created related public-records exemptions for custodians of gold and silver; both were reported favorably, with SPB 7044 adopted as a committee bill. The meeting ended with senators recording additional affirmative votes on selected bills and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 721 is an act relating to juvenile proceedings, criminal procedures, and forensic facilities
• Bill 721 is a act relating to juvenile proceedings,<00:06:56.160> criminal<00:06:56.560> procedures
• ,<00:06:57.520> and proceedings, criminal procedures, and proceedings, criminal procedures
• criminal<00:06:59.680> justice >> H721, an act relating to juvenile proceedings, criminal procedures

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a devotional led by Rep. Anne Donahue and the Pledge of Allegiance, then moved into first readings of 10 House bills. The bills covered building energy standards and a residential building code (H.717), building energy efficiency (H.718), hospital collaboration and state action immunity (H.719), cloud computing/public utility issues (H.720), juvenile proceedings and forensic facilities (H.721), municipal regulation of surface water use for drinking water supplies (H.722), posting of land (H.723), involuntary psychiatric medication in emergency circumstances (H.724), the State Labor Relations Act (H.725), and flexible working arrangements (H.726). Each was read the first time and referred to the appropriate committee; H.648, affecting state revenue through banking, insurance, and securities, was referred to Ways and Means under House Rule 35A. On the action calendar, the House took up and passed H.84, allowing telehealth appointments to be recorded with patient and provider consent, and H.534, relating to community action agencies. Both bills were read a third time and approved by voice vote, with the chair announcing that the ayes appeared to have it. The chamber then completed its orders of the day. Several announcements followed, including guest introductions, caucus meetings, an ice cream social, and notice of a press conference on immigration protections. The chair also reminded members to return later in the day for the joint assembly to hear the governor’s budget address. The House then adjourned until Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at 3 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• 572.058.0585 and establishes that public utility agencies are subject to the same regulatory framework and procedures
• thing IOUs can enforce under current law, that DCPs for retail public water suppliers must include procedures
• That sets forth quantified targets for how they will reduce water pumpage during dry times and procedures
• they already have to adopt these drought contingency plans with these targets and the enforcement procedures
• are not strong enough or protective enough include the fact that if you implement the enforcement procedures

Bills: HB 4530, HB 4931, HB 5559, HB 5560

Keywords: water rights, Texas Water Trust, water bank, environmental conservation, water quality, instream flows, aquifer, water injection, Edwards Aquifer, environmental regulation, groundwater, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, water conservation, drought, utility regulation, water use restrictions, Public Utility Commission, civil penalties, drought contingency, environmental protection