Transcript Highlights:

• that's about $45 million daily in prompt payments that EED facilitates for the design, construction, inspection
• utilized to protect the public's investment in transportation is the materials acceptance and certification
• This system manages FDOT's construction materials and products testing, acceptance, and certification
• Florida DOT also inspects 13,000 bridges.
• And then we have three MAC materials acceptance certification projects that I mentioned earlier.

Summary: The subcommittee first heard a panel on state cloud modernization efforts after canceling an LBR on the Department of Corrections’ OBIS project because the presentation materials were not submitted on time. Florida Digital Service, the Northwest Regional Data Center, and several agencies described how the state is assessing and migrating applications to cloud environments under the cloud-first policy. Northwest explained its 2023 cloud readiness assessment of 890 applications from 24 agencies, the criteria used to rate readiness and risk, and its recommendation to tackle lower-risk applications first. Agency updates covered the Department of Corrections’ modernization of 98 legacy applications tied to OBIS and cloud-native infrastructure, the Department of Elder Affairs’ Microsoft Power Platform modernization, the Department of Health’s health management and child protection systems, and FDOT’s large cloud program for transportation systems. Members repeatedly asked about costs, data ownership, disaster recovery, single sign-on, security tools, and whether cloud migration actually saves money; presenters generally said the focus is more on modernization, resilience, and efficiency than immediate savings, and that cost analyses are often application-specific rather than enterprise-wide. The discussion also covered governance and architecture questions. Florida Digital Service said agencies remain responsible for their own databases and cloud tenants, while FLDS provides advice and an enterprise architecture framework; it does not have statutory oversight over most projects, except for OBIS project oversight due to its size. Northwest said it is acting as a cloud broker for some agencies and is consolidating Azure and AWS payer tenants to seek better pricing, but agencies still make system-by-system decisions based on business needs, risk, latency, and total cost of ownership. Members raised concerns about fragmented data structures, the lack of a complete statewide application inventory, and the need for better interoperability and enterprise standards. Several agencies said disaster recovery is built into their cloud plans, and FDOT and Corrections described ongoing efforts to keep systems current through core platforms, training, and ongoing support. In the second half of the meeting, the Department of State presented two new technology requests. Secretary Byrd described the SunBiz corporate registry system as a 34-year-old platform supporting more than 3.5 million business entities and generating over $575 million in annual general revenue. He said the department had already virtualized the legacy hardware after earlier modernization efforts failed and is now seeking $800,000 recurring for password protection and $5 million nonrecurring to continue procurement for a replacement system. The department also presented the Florida Voter Registration System modernization request, noting that the current system is outdated and requires manual workarounds for some statutory changes. The department requested $2.4948 million nonrecurring and $44,000 recurring to procure a modernized FVRS solution, and staff said the feasibility study recommended a hybrid approach. Members asked about the study’s findings and about creating a database for voter eligibility information for returning citizens; the department said that would require data sharing with all 67 clerks of court and other entities such as DOC.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, Warriors. >> And really, we do rely on our annual inspections as well as the ... we do inspect the
• </c> inspections as well as the we do inspect inspections as well as the we do inspect the<01:58:24.560
• ><c> mean</c> &gt;&gt; No, the inspection I mean &gt;&gt; No, the inspection I mean &gt;&gt; do<01:59
• .<01:59:16.639><c> But</c> inspections.
• But inspections.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we had one crash recently that had a non-inspectable part of that failure.
• I had it from some senators the other day. day that they showed up and didn't have their birth certificate
• Why do I need a birth certificate? Texas is REAL ID compliant. We're about 98, 99 percent.

Committee: House Appropriations - S/C on Articles I, IV, & V

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:19:52.880><c> to</c> need to carry my birth certificate to need to carry my birth certificate
• Um, so is this bill suggesting that the birth certificate that's, uh, your current birth certificate
• It doesn't just say birth certificate.
• that's uh your current birth certificate that's uh your current birth<00:59:35.119><c> certificate</
• certificate would not be the birth certificate that you would be expected to produce in these circumstances

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Are we talking genital inspections for anybody to enter a restroom?
• Are we talking genital inspections for anybody to enter a restroom?
• Are we talking genital inspections for anybody to enter a restroom?
• Are we talking genital inspections for anybody to enter a restroom?
• </c><02:03:30.599><c> at</c> marker on her birth certificate at marker on her birth certificate at school

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee opened a hearing on House Bill 148, with the chair limiting testimony to two minutes and asking for no outbursts so the committee could get through eight bills that day. Representative Kofalt, the prime sponsor, said HB 148 was the same as last year’s HB 396, which passed both chambers but was vetoed by the governor. He explained the bill would allow, but not require, separation by biological sex in bathrooms, locker rooms, houses of correction, and certain athletic competitions, leaving local school boards and administrators discretion to set policies. He argued the bill was meant to address safety and privacy concerns and cited a Milford incident and concerns in several school districts as examples of why local flexibility was needed. Committee members questioned the lack of a definition of “biological sex” and how the bill would be applied. Kofalt said he did not think a definition was necessary because males and females are generally understood, and he said the bill would give local policymakers latitude to make practical rules. He also said the bill was intended to address situations where people might misuse transgender claims to access spaces inappropriately. In response to questions, he said he was aware of issues in Kearsarge, Milford, and Mascoma school districts and had heard of discomfort in the State House, though he did not know all the details. Several opponents testified that the bill would discriminate against transgender and non-binary people and create enforcement problems. Executive Councilor Karen Hill said the bill would roll back New Hampshire’s anti-discrimination protections and conflict with the state’s Live Free or Die values. Alice Wade, a trans woman, said she had used women’s restrooms without incident and argued the bill would invite invasive enforcement and harassment. Representative La Selig said the bill was discriminatory and that bathroom concerns were being confused with unrelated harassment by cisgender males. Betsy Harrington supported the bill, citing a girls’ soccer game at Kearsarge that she said was disrupted by a boy playing on a girls’ team. Rosie Emer and her child testified against the bill, saying bathroom restrictions would increase anxiety and risk for trans and non-binary children. Stephen Scaer and Wendy Stallings supported the bill, arguing sex is biologically fixed and that excluding males from female spaces should not require genital inspections. No vote or final committee action was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And there are many more specific rules about certification inspections, licensure inspections, that are
• And there are many more specific rules about certification inspections, licensure inspections, that are
• </c> rules about um certification rules about um certification inspections,<04:09:19.520><c> lensure<
• inspections um that inspections, lensure inspections um that are<04:09:21.680><c> not</c><04:09:21.840
• Certification. Yeah.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 585 will set a 48-hour shot clock on mechanical, electrical, and plumbing inspections.
• Again, as you'll recall last year, we did this with building inspections.
• and gentlemen of the body, I would ask for your green light on House Bill 585 to streamline our inspections
• Speaker, I'll make a declaration under Rule 80 as I do have a company that undergoes these inspections
• But they may have a family relation that has those certifications, whether it's driving heavy equipment

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the journal, then received several Senate messages and committee reports. A number of bills were introduced or advanced, including measures on health care, elections, schools, water districts, crime victims, and animal protection, along with several resolutions and memorials. The House also took up a constitutional resolution on parental rights in education, but House Joint Resolution 9 failed because it did not receive the required two-thirds vote, finishing at 44 ayes and 25 nays. The chamber then considered and passed several bills on third reading. House Bill 585 would impose a 48-hour deadline for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing inspections and allow refunds and third-party inspections if the deadline is missed; members disclosed Rule 80 conflicts because of permit-related businesses, and the bill passed 69-1. House Bill 736 lowered the voter threshold for ballot rotation requirements to expand rotation to more elections and passed 68-1. House Bill 626 changed county impact-fee language from “may” to “shall,” House Bill 749 addressed annexation-related septic system costs, House Bill 650 affirmed federalism principles, House Bill 788 created a pilot incentive for medical preceptors, House Bill 738 added an LLC filing option using a commercial registered agent address, House Bill 685 added a sentencing enhancement for crimes committed while masked, House Bill 696 updated prison sexual-contact language, House Bill 686 created a narrow nepotism exception for small towns, House Bill 670 clarified urban renewal/fire district opt-out rules, House Bill 734 fixed a wind/geothermal tax distribution formula, and House Bill 570 increased penalties for reckless driving in active construction zones. Most of these bills passed with comfortable majorities, though House Bill 685 passed narrowly at 38-31 and House Bill 570 passed 68-1. Later, the House passed House Bill 561 on flag displays by government entities, despite debate that it was aimed at restricting certain local flags; it passed 58-11. The House also passed House Bill 692 on foster-care court proceedings and House Bill 575 on centralized civil asset forfeiture reporting, both after debate about transparency and court procedure. Additional bills passed included House Bill 562, extending the notice period for insurance nonrenewals to 60 days; House Bill 810, setting residency requirements for legislative candidates with exemptions for military service and missions; House Bill 593, repealing obsolete waste-management and Big Payette Lake provisions; House Bill 714, updating hazardous waste siting law; and House Bill 507, revising Idaho National Guard military justice procedures to restore non-judicial punishment authority. The House recessed and later returned to continue business, with several bills transmitted to the Senate after passage and no title corrections on the measures considered.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill also repeals the Department of Law Enforcement's authority to inspect medical cannabis use
• and certification records.
• But the current medical cannabis inspection enforcement law does not require the DLE to violate any laws

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• deconstruction, and damaged materials, and to amend the Labor Law in relation to deconstruction contractor certification
• by Senator Kappa, an act to amend the Public Housing Law in relation to priority applicants and inspection
• by Senator Kappa, an act to amend the Public Housing Law in relation to priority applicants and inspection

Committee: Senate Housing, Construction, and Community Development

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Housing, Construction, and Community Development met on March 31, 2026, with a quorum present and noted that the Legislature was in budget negotiations and approaching a scheduled break. The committee took up several housing-related bills, with most being reported to Finance after discussion. The first bill, S.3742A, would require information to be provided in new and renewal leases for certain housing accommodations, and it was reported without opposition. S.4659B, the Rental Emergency Stabilization for Tenants Act, generated the longest debate; supporters said it would give local governments outside New York City a more flexible way to determine a housing emergency and opt into rent stabilization, while opponents argued it lacked a clear vacancy-rate standard, could discourage development, and would benefit higher-income tenants. The bill was ultimately reported, with some negative votes and one or more votes without recommendation. The committee then discussed S.8168, which would create a deconstruction and salvage framework for building materials, including local options, technical assistance, grants, and related code updates. Supporters said it could reduce landfill use, lower disposal costs, and encourage reuse markets, while opponents questioned costs, market demand, and whether the program would raise housing and demolition expenses. The bill was reported, again with some negative or without-recommendation votes. S.8595, dealing with how certain valuations and amounts due are calculated in foreclosure actions, was also reported. S.8672, the Employer-Assisted Housing Matching Grant Act, would provide a state match for employer housing assistance for certain nonprofit human services employers; members raised concerns about scope, possible double-dipping, and whether the program should be expanded to other workers, but the bill was reported with some negative and without-recommendation votes. The final bill, S.94A, made a minor amendment to the Housing Access Voucher Pilot Program regarding priority applicants and unit inspections, and it was reported as well. Throughout the meeting, members repeatedly emphasized that several proposals were optional for local governments or employers rather than mandates, and many of the exchanges focused on affordability, housing supply, local control, and the fiscal effects of the bills. No floor votes were taken; the committee’s actions were limited to reporting the bills to Finance, with some reported favorably and others reported with negative or without-recommendation votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• oftentimes share a lab test result with us, but what we would find is those lab tests or those certificates
• They receive the license; that means that they can be audited and inspected at any time.
• violation in addition to making them remediate or dispose of it and then paying us to come back out and inspect

Committee: Senate Agricultural Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There is one misnomer in the name: it is not a regulation bill, it is a certification bill.
• They are the ones who were responsible for elevator inspections. Questions.
• They are the ones who were responsible for elevator inspections, and we had to do some work with them
• You just— They are the ones who were responsible for elevator inspections.
• And we already regulate, per se, by inspection from the Industrial Commission.

Committee: House Government

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Who are here legally, who for one reason or another may not have a birth certificate or things like that
• recognize the 40-plus thousand law enforcement officers in the state of Florida who will seek certification
• And this was to raise the rate of working-age Floridians with a high-value postsecondary certificate
• enforcement agencies for expenses that support enforcing federal immigration law, and it supports inspection
• attempts to enter Florida after entering the United States by eluding or avoiding examination or inspection

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Committee met to hear SB 2-C, a major immigration enforcement bill sponsored by Senator Gruters and co-introduced by Senator Fine. The sponsor described the bill as a response to federal immigration priorities and said it replaces a single immigration officer with a State Board of Immigration Enforcement, expands local-federal cooperation, increases penalties for crimes committed by unauthorized immigrants, requires detention in certain cases, broadens information sharing, funds detention-bed expansion and law-enforcement training, and ends in-state tuition waivers for undocumented students. The bill also includes provisions related to sanctuary policies, voter fraud, transport of unauthorized aliens, and driver’s license-related offenses. The sponsor said the bill appropriates roughly $300 million overall, including $250 million for grants and $48 million for the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for interdiction and border-related enforcement work. Committee members questioned the bill’s scope, costs, and implementation. Senators focused heavily on the tuition-waiver repeal, asking how many students would be affected and whether the bill would harm students who have long lived in Florida. They also pressed on whether the bill should include stronger E-Verify provisions, how sanctuary-policy enforcement would work, whether local officials could be penalized for policy choices, and how immigration status would be verified in court and jail settings. The sponsor and Senator Fine said the tuition waiver would be removed for undocumented students, that the bill does not address E-Verify, and that the measure is intended to make immigration status a factor in detention and sentencing. Questions also addressed detention-bed capacity, reimbursement rates, and whether corrections staff would receive bonuses or salary increases; sponsors said bonuses are included for participating law enforcement, while broader salary issues would be handled in the regular budget process. Public testimony was sharply divided. Supporters and information-only witnesses, including Sheriff Bob Gualtieri and former officials, said the bill would help Florida coordinate with federal authorities, expand bed space, and close loopholes in existing immigration enforcement. Opponents from the Southern Poverty Law Center, ACLU of Florida, Florida Policy Institute, labor groups, and immigrant advocates argued the bill is unconstitutional, likely to trigger litigation, and harmful to families, schools, and the economy. They warned that the pretrial detention provisions could lead to wrongful detentions and that the tuition changes would reduce access to higher education and cost the state tuition revenue. No final vote is reflected in the transcript excerpt, but the committee continued through public comment and extended the meeting to complete the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• facilities and FTEs to operate those inspection facilities. including mobile inspection stations 24-
• , you know, an organic inspection. or to get a license for a pesticide applicator.
• We inspect the eggs.
• So our egg inspection program is now going to be inspecting less eggs, which means we'll take in less
• We cooperate with a federal program called the Texas Cooperative Inspection Program.

Committee: House Appropriations - S/C on Articles VI, VII, & VIII

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They're my two Whip level 6 inspection leads. I, they're my go to people for all things.
• One's an inspection photo that I stole from the DPS website, and that photo there, um, on the right is
• They have to get a full level 6 inspection again before they can get released back on their route.
• They're all trained for level 6 inspection.
• Each of the drivers, they're inspected annually by, they, they receive an audit annually by DOE and then

Committee: House Radioactive & Hazardous Materials Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> believe we're waiting on certification believe we're waiting on certification so<00:50:56.559><c
• Um also clarify inspected regularly.
• </c><03:37:11.279><c> someone's</c> that I had to go and inspect someone's that I had to go and inspect
• So, you not to inspect home locations.
• </c><03:39:27.920><c> your</c> much of a how am I inspecting your much of a how am I inspecting your

Committee: House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Fire Marshal already inspects, as does the Department of Health.
• if anybody wanted to open a group home or a shelter or what have you, they already have to get a certificate
• They already have to get a certificate of occupancy, and that would already require fire marshal safety
• inspection, and they would check out the building for occupancy, especially they'd set the number of
• The homes have to go through certification in order.

Bills: HB165 , HB175 , HB198 , HB272 , HB457 , HB488 , HB566 , HB603 , HB763 , HB902 , HB909 , HB971 , HB981 , HB1066 , HB1125 , HB1154 , HB1231

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: HB165, lottery proceeds, Lottery Proceeds Fund, Veterans Service Grant Fund, constitutional amendment, veterans, military veterans, veterans' benefits, veterans services, family support, state lottery, education funding, Minimum Foundation Program, problem gambling, compulsive gaming, state treasurer, ballot proposition, constitutional referendum, lottery revenue, Louisiana resident veterans

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Public Health to issue a register every quarter of the restaurants that have failed the inspection
• And if you failed the inspection, we tweaked on the enforcement side too, you get five points off on
• And if you failed the inspection, we tweaked on the enforcement side too, you get five points off on
• And if you failed the inspection, we tweaked on the enforcement side too, you get five points off on
• And if you failed the inspection, we tweaked on the enforcement side too, you get five points off on

Bills: HB44 , HB400 , HB444 , HB487 , SB249 , SB252 , SB58 , HB44 , HB400 , HB444 , HB487 , SB249 , SB252 , SB58

Committee: House Ways and Means General Fund

Keywords: teachers retirement, credit purchase, St. Clair County, DAY Program, pension reform, dental insurance, benefit rollover, healthcare, insurance policy, annual maximum, HB444, vaccines, vaccine exemption, religious exemption, religious liberty, private school, church school, faith-based school, parochial school, school immunization

Transcript Highlights:

• county auditor or recorder redact their residential address and associated parcel number from public inspection
• utility to this that I think having a background either as a retired police officer that still has a certification
• the Medicaid fraud unit, and I know that there are a lot of feelings amongst law enforcement in certification
• the Medicaid fraud unit, and I know that there are a lot of feelings amongst law enforcement in certification

Committee: Senate Law & Justice

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Death certificates will be issued, deaths will be certified, and death certificates will be issued in
• </c><00:14:34.920><c> so</c> in preparing the death certificate so in preparing the death certificate
• They look at the body, they look at the death certificate, they fill out the cremation certificate, and
• <00:19:58.039><c> the</c><00:19:58.159><c> certification</c> certificate the certification certificate
• </c> view it doesn't change the certification view it doesn't change the certification of<00:21:05.880

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , your housing has not passed the inspection, the HUD inspection, that doesn't mean anything in the sense
• If they don't pass that inspection, they're not going to be held up to this law.
• have time to do the inspection.
• You just need to be able to pass the HUD inspection. Thank you, Mr.
• I'm not going to pass the inspection.