Transcript Highlights:

• Section 3, selected fiscal and policy issues.
• Unless there are any other questions on Section 3, move forward to the Rider High School.
• Turning to page 2 and sections 2 items A through G will be discussed in further detail in section 3.
• As mentioned in section 3, there are two riders that have been recommendations to be deleted.
• And then the additional workforce data report that I talked about in section 3. Turning to page 10.

Bills: SB1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• You'll see a similar section like this for all of the agency compliance reports.
• I'm on page 3 of the blue. Mr.
• So we did get that 3% operating expenses cut last session.
• We've got 10 in our audit section, three in the tax return section, three in investigations, and then
• approve, to write up a summary for the budget section.

Summary: The committee met as the Commerce and Legal Services Division and first approved the minutes, then received a Legislative Council overview of the Attorney General’s current budget status and a blue-sheet summary of the AG’s base budget for the next biennium. Staff highlighted compliance with legislative intent items, including FTE changes, one-time funding updates, litigation pool spending, opioid settlement receipts, and continuing appropriations. Members asked about specific funds such as the Missing Indigenous People Grant Fund and the Internet Crimes Investigation Fund, and staff explained the statutory basis and status of those items. The Attorney General’s office then presented an extensive overview of its divisions and budget pressures. Chief Deputy Attorney General Clare Ness described the office’s 14 divisions, the role of the office in defending the state and recouping funds, and concerns about attorney pay, recruitment, and retention. Members discussed whether attorney salaries should be benchmarked across state government and whether more legal work could be centralized in the AG’s office. The office also described challenges with the new-and-vacant FTE pool, operating expense cuts, leased office space, and the criminal justice information systems used to connect law enforcement, prosecutors, and courts. The Crime Laboratory director gave a detailed update on space and infrastructure problems, saying the current lab is overcrowded and outdated, with safety, workflow, air-handling, glycol leak, alarm, and maintenance issues that can delay casework and risk evidence integrity. She said a 2024 study projected a need for a much larger facility and that the preferred option would be a new building on the current health department site, at an estimated cost of roughly $40 million to $45 million. She also reported that backlogs have improved significantly in DNA, firearms, fingerprint, and drug cases, though toxicology had recently developed a small backlog after an air compressor failure. The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, gaming division, and BCI also provided updates. MFCU’s new director said the unit is federally funded 75/25, focuses on fraud, abuse, and neglect, and is seeking two attorney hires while continuing to work with federal partners on cases and recertification. Gaming staff reported continued growth in charitable gaming and electronic pull-tab activity, with concerns about site competition, large trust balances, possible ineligible expenditures, and the need for more scrutiny as revenues have grown. BCI outlined its staffing, drug task forces, ICAC work, and the Missing Indigenous Person Task Force, which is using its $250,000 appropriation to help tribal nations develop emergency response plans and purchase alerting tools such as IPAWS. No formal votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the underlying bill, there was an exception, a carve-out that said this section does not apply if
• When a woman has a medical necessity, you need to get it quickly, and therefore either C-section...
• Federalism, Military Affairs and Elections will meet in House Hearing Room 4 at 3 o'clock.
• Federalism, Military Affairs and Elections will meet in House Hearing Room 4 at 3 o'clock.
• Will be meeting in Hearing Room 3 upon adjournment of the floor. Thank you.

Summary: The House convened on Ash Wednesday with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, the journal approved, and a series of guest introductions recognizing Dr. William Thompson, Disability Day at the Capitol participants, Arizona Cattle Growers, a GCU student guest, striking ASU Aramark workers and union supporters, Nurse-Family Partnership nurses, Navajo Nation visitors, and others. Members also made remarks honoring Lent, Ramadan, Black History Month, and various community figures. Attendance was recorded at 54 present, 3 absent, and 3 excused, and the House received committee substitutions and Senate messages without objection. The chamber adopted House Resolution 2006, a death resolution honoring Yvonne Glee Lyme Federson and her work with Childhelp to combat child abuse. The resolution was adopted unanimously, followed by a moment of respectful silence. The House then resolved into Committee of the Whole and later an additional Committee of the Whole to consider several bills. Measures receiving do pass recommendations included HB 2089, HB 2177 as amended, HB 2258, HB 2322 as amended, HB 2786, and HB 2825 as amended, with amendments adopted on HB 2177, HB 2322, and HB 2825. The House adopted the Committee of the Whole report and ordered those bills engrossed or regrossed as appropriate. In the additional Committee of the Whole, members debated HB 2074, HB 2104, and HB 2105, all property- or health-related measures. HB 2074 drew sharp debate over an amendment removing a life-of-the-mother exception in a partial-birth abortion provision; supporters said the change clarified that safer medical alternatives exist, while opponents argued it would criminalize care even to save a mother’s life. HB 2104 and HB 2105 were amended to add taxable improvements as a trigger for assessor review and to make a standardized report optional, with supporters saying the changes improved county property tax administration and opponents warning they could hinder assessors and create litigation. All three bills received do pass as amended recommendations and were ordered engrossed. The House then took up third-reading votes and passed HB 2173, HB 2203, HB 2223, and HB 2501 by 57-0 votes with three not voting. HB 2307, an emergency measure concerning dangerous and incompetent defendants and out-of-state treatment options, passed 37-20 with three not voting, but failed to achieve the required two-thirds vote for the emergency clause. Members explained votes in support as a temporary response to a lack of in-state treatment beds, and in opposition as a bill that was too broad or not yet implementable. The House adjourned until 10 a.m. on Thursday, February 19, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• On line 220, you'll see the start of Article 3.
• On line 296, the Como Zoo and Conservatory is receiving $3 million.
• On the bottom of that page, you'll see section 12.
• What this section would do is require the Clean Water Council recommendations that they submit to the
• So I think we have some work to do in that section.

Bills: HF2563

Committee: House Legacy Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• We have Doug Bell business law section of the Florida Bar is a proponent. Thank you, sir.
• real Property Probate and Trust Law section of the Florida bar.
• We do have public testimony serco in business law section of the Florida bar's up on it.
• So bar Code 8, 8, 1, 9, 3, 7, You're recognized. >> Thank you, Mr.
• the section where all other exemptions listed in Section 5.

Transcript Highlights:

• Admining section 9462.13.I.R.S. relating to housing. The defer the third read of House Bill 2375.
• House Bill 2931 amending Section 41-1401, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding Section 41-11401, relating
• Senate Bill 1010 amending Title 41, Chapter 4.1, Article 3, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding Section
• Senate Bill 1010, amending Title 41, Chapter 4.1, Article 3, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding Section
• The Transportation Committee will be meeting in 10 minutes in Hearing Room 3.

Transcript Highlights:

• And change to get 3 million above base.
• :06.400><c> section,</c><00:53:06.800><c> I'm</c> first section, the first section, I'm first section
• The first section, sorry I'm so short.
• Uh section four requires a Commerce.
• And section five Department of Commerce.

Bills: HF1646 , HF2443

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: medical debt, debt relief, healthcare financing, consumer protection, financial hardship, commerce, cannabis, insurance, housing, ombudsperson, affordability, property, task force, financial institutions

Transcript Highlights:

• Read the last section.
• Read the last section. Section 2, .
• Read the last section. Section 2, . >> Steve: testify. Call the roll.
• Read the last section.
• Read the last section. Section 2, this act shall take effect immediately.

Summary: The Senate first handled routine business, approving the prior journal and taking up several messages and motions. A Rules Committee report was accepted on Senate Print 915, a Cannabis Law bill, and the chamber then moved to debate that measure on the controversial calendar. The bill was described by supporters as clarifying how distances are measured for adult-use cannabis dispensaries near schools and houses of worship, with the sponsor saying it would create statewide consistency and provide clearer direction to the Office of Cannabis Management. Opponents argued it would weaken protections for children and churches, reward agency mistakes, and allow dispensaries to be sited closer to school property than intended. After extended debate, the Senate passed the bill 36-23. The cannabis debate centered on whether the bill merely clarifies legislative intent or substantively changes the law. Supporters said the current language left measurement methods undefined and that the bill would help legal dispensaries, reduce confusion, and push back illicit stores. Opponents said the original law already protected school grounds and houses of worship, and that the new language would allow dispensaries to abut school playgrounds, fields, or church-related property in some cases. Several senators also raised concerns about youth exposure, public consumption, local zoning, and the performance of the Office of Cannabis Management. After the vote, the Senate returned to the calendar and passed additional measures, including Calendar 121 (Public Authorities Law), Calendar 170 (Public Health Law), and Calendar 190 (Labor Law), each by comfortable margins. The chamber also adopted a resolution package honoring Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School’s boys cross country team and girls field hockey team for state championships, with Senator Tedisco introducing the guests. Later, the Senate passed Senate Print 6990A, the Civil Voice Law, which requires state agencies to conduct exit interviews for employees who resign or retire. Supporters said the bill would improve accountability, morale, and retention by standardizing a way to hear from departing workers. The bill received affirmative explanations of vote from Senator Jackson and others, and the Senate continued through the calendar after its passage.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, the question is, can someone go in and have a section of land lock up a $10,000 per year contract
• So, we're putting an additional 500 feet all the way around the corner section. That is correct.
• I do have one question on page 3, section two, which is lines 4 to 6.
• So would we kick functioning minds over into section two, where they can't get a renewal?
• section 2, just that this may arbitrarily close currently operating mines.

Bills: SB1246 , SB1510 , SB1979 , SB1929 , SB1930 , SB1976

Committee: Senate Energy

Keywords: environmental permitting, Oklahoma, Department of Environmental Quality, public participation, regulatory framework, administered applications, energy, wind energy, financial assurance, property restoration, environmental regulation, mining, blasting, residential protection, buffer zone, Department of Mines, public utilities, electric transmission lines, landowner rights, payment regulations

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> mean in the the news these new sections mean in the the news these new sections are<00:28:02.120
• </c><00:28:22.440><c> that</c> sure that the the new sections that sure that the the new sections that
• Oh, no, no, section number four—on section three.
• section 5.
• First, on page 7, section 3, we want to delete that out in its entirety, per the discussion here in the

Summary: The Committee on Education heard several Department of Education-related bills and received extensive testimony on school meals and veteran diplomas. HB 628 would restore authority for the Department of Education to issue high school diplomas to veterans whose schooling was interrupted by World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War. The superintendent testified in support, explaining the authority had sunset in 2020 and describing the measure as a way to recognize veterans. No opposition or questions were raised, and the bill was left without further action in the excerpt. The committee also heard HB 1074 and HB 110, both supported by the Department of Education and the School Facilities Authority. HB 1074 was described as a cleanup measure to clarify land-related language and make the statute more consistent across state agencies and DOE. HB 110 concerned benchmarking and the farm-to-school/local food effort; DOE and several supporters, including county councils, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, and the Hawaii Farmers Union, said the bill would help align metrics and support the 30% local food goal by 2030. Members questioned DOE about progress, and DOE said it was working on menus, procurement, and coordination with distributors and farmers. A Farm to School representative said the current bottleneck was poor communication with farmers and the need to bring them into planning earlier; DOE said it was still figuring out the process and that island-based procurement and separate RFPs were being explored. HB 328, relating to school meals and local resource food and plant-based options, drew the most testimony. DOE testified with comments, and the Attorney General’s office suggested revisions to clarify that the bill would apply to both DOE and charter schools, to separate public and private funds if donations or grants are accepted, and to add standards if nonprofit or private entities receive public money. Supporters included HSTA, the Hawaii Public Health Institute/Farm to School Network, Climate Protection Hawaii, the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, and numerous individuals and organizations. Supporters emphasized healthier school meals, student-requested plant-based options, support for local farms, and the 30% by 2030 goal. Some testimony urged more local purchasing and raised concerns about decentralization, while DOE said it was considering island-based procurement and separate contracts to better support local producers. No votes were taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• This exemption is stated in Article 8, Section 3 of the New Mexico Constitution, which applies to student
• The question I have is on page 3, Mr.
• Chair, Representative Parajon, yes, under Article 12, Section 3 of the Constitution, all of the university
• Once we get to the significant issues page section, there's a lot of history.
• And so we could probably move it 3 months faster, which would make a big difference. Thank you, Mr.

Committee: House House Taxation & Revenue

Transcript Highlights:

• Court adjourned at 3 a.m.
• The 3-day rule is suspended.
• Section 41107, I think it's a new section.
• It simply strikes this section, page 3, lines 11 through 12.
• Constitution, Article 3, Section 66, Limitations of Liability. for non-economic damages.

Bills: SCR37 , SB60 , SB226 , SB231 , SB264 , SB387 , SB570 , SB596 , SB651 , SB769 , SB855 , SB863 , SB991 , SB1079 , SB1085 , SB1151 , SB1191 , SB1214 , SB1243 , SB1247 , SB1314 , SB1364 , SB1372 , SB1401 , SB1409 , SB1504 , SB1522 , SB1625 , SB1662 , SB1663 , SB1728 , SB1759 , SB1762 , SB1804 , SB1818 , SB1838 , SB1839 , SB1851 , SB1855 , SB1872 , SB1873 , SB1874 , SB1877 , SB1879 , SB1901 , SB1919 , SB1921 , SB1923 , SB1936 , SB1937 , SB1968 , SB1977 , SB2034 , SB2053 , SB2066 , SB2077 , SB2124 , SB2143 , SB2166 , SB2180 , SB2204 , SB2231 , SB2237 , SB2243 , SB2321 , SB2569 , SJR39 , SJR68 , SCR29 , SCR42 , SB22 , SB30 , SB33 , SB37 , SB75 , SB217 , SB240 , SB331 , SB393 , SB505 , SB530 , SB546 , SB552 , SB584 , SB586 , SB618 , SB626 , SB636 , SB732 , SB762 , SB769 , SB825 , SB844 , SB870 , SB884 , SB926 , SB964 , SB1080 , SB1099 , SB1150 , SB1177 , SB1184 , SB1261 , SB1262 , SB1314 , SB1325 , SB1364 , SB1398 , SB1455 , SB1506 , SB1524 , SB1577 , SB1596 , SB1620 , SB1624 , SB1642 , SB1643 , SB1646 , SB1667 , SB1727 , SB1760 , SB1789 , SB1791 , SB1804 , SB1806 , SB1851 , SB1868 , SB1870 , SB1901 , SB1923 , SB1927 , SB1951 , SB1960 , SB1962 , SB2010 , SB2023 , SB2024 , SB2037 , SB2051 , SB2052 , SB2056 , SB2066 , SB2122 , SB2129 , SB2180 , SB2183 , SB2185 , SB2207 , SB2226 , SB2252 , SB2323 , SB2361 , SB2368 , SB2405 , SB2420 , SB2425 , SB2569 , SB2717 , SB2949 , SB1 , SJR36 , SJR50 , SJR39 , SJR63 , SJR68 , SCR12 , SCR39 , SCR38 , SCR37 , SCR42 , SCR29 , SB1596 , SB33 , SB505 , SB37 , SB62 , SB666 , SB847 , SB284 , SB854 , SB1073 , SB810 , SB1539 , SB1505 , SB583 , SB957 , SB1502 , SB507 , SB1026 , SB1349 , SB1433 , SB1434 , SB264 , SB1364 , SB1376 , SB1585 , SB1772 , SB2016 , SB1163 , SB619 , SB1122 , SB1877 , SB732 , SB731 , SB397 , SB508 , SB1436 , SB964 , SB287 , SB2143 , SB261 , SB1247 , SB1882 , SB618 , SB393 , SB2243 , SB2226 , SB1919 , SB1791 , SB22 , SB651 , SB1080 , SB826 , SB1079 , SB1243 , SB1504 , SB1851 , SB1879 , SB2237 , SB1257 , SB2034 , SB1522 , SB1151 , SB596 , SB1191 , SB226 , SB570 , SB870 , SB991 , SB60 , SB1401 , SB1728 , SB586 , SB529 , SB217 , SB209 , SB1923 , SB1839 , SB387 , SB1874 , SB1872 , SB1873 , SB1921 , SB1883 , SB1620 , SB1838 , SB2024 , SB2429 , SB1999 , SB511 , SB2309 , SB2166 , SB510 , SB2420 , SB1860 , SB1314 , SB1398 , SB855 , SB2425 , SB2037 , SB1759 , SB1924 , SB1818 , SB1762 , SB1968 , SB1977 , SB2077 , SB2321 , SB1662 , SB1663 , SB2124 , SB2204 , SB1855 , SB863 , SB2252 , SB1962 , SB2253 , SB825 , SB1577 , SB1184 , SB2018 , SB2206 , SB1901 , SB2368 , SB1963 , SB1960 , SB1643 , SB1625 , SB1299 , SB841 , SB668 , SB584 , SB231 , SB1085 , SB2431 , SB2231 , SB1490 , SB530 , SB1261 , SB552 , SB1099 , SB1646 , SB2180 , SB1804 , SB1937 , SB1936 , SB2569 , SB1372 , SB1506 , SB1806 , SB1868 , SB2361 , SB2314 , SB769 , SB1409 , SB2122 , SB434 , SB1214 , SB1951 , SB2183 , SB2046 , SB1667 , SB1870 , SB1727 , SB2405 , SB2127 , SB1975 , SB1760 , SB1734 , SB1335 , SB2066 , SB2129 , SB2246 , SB2439 , SB1624 , SB1244 , SB1468 , SB2717 , SB1612 , SB1262 , SB604 , SB2395 , SB2185 , SB1832 , SB1745 , SB1746 , SB2207 , SB2023 , SB1784 , SB1524 , SB626 , SB528 , SB437 , SB269 , SB1137 , SB968 , SB636 , SB747 , SB1325 , SB1789 , SB1455 , SB2056 , SB75 , SB1940 , SB2052 , SB1927 , SB2010 , SB1579 , SB2068 , SB3034 , SB844 , SB1920 , SB1177 , SB1558 , SB1236 , SB1044 , SB926 , SB884 , SB463 , SB331 , SB227 , SB240 , SB517 , SB1200 , SB1410 , SB1626 , SB1845 , SB1863 , SB2216 , SB2681 , SB1717 , SB2053 , SB546 , SB2141 , SB2949 , SB2323 , SB2200 , SB2332 , SB2199 , SB1642 , SB1150 , SB1757 , SB2050 , SB1138 , SB2051 , SB2626 , SB2458 , SB1864 , SB30 , SB2201 , SB1862 , SB1583 , SB1055 , SB2660 , SB1898 , SB2662 , SB2161 , SB2964 , SB2881 , SB1065 , SB801 , SB2743 , SB2533 , SB1413 , HJR4 , SB2073 , SB3014 , SB3013 , SB2774 , SB2702 , SB2629 , SB2443 , SB2349 , SB2167 , SB2145 , SB2121 , SB758 , SB648 , SB647 , SB512 , SB438 , SB1721 , SB2268 , SB1495 , SB2705 , SB2366 , SB1422 , SB1369 , SB1013 , SB682 , SB2692 , SB2570 , SB2797 , SB2111 , SB1896 , SB1164 , SB1020 , SB663 , SB2371 , SB1152 , SB2196 , SB2383 , SB2581 , SB2798 , SB330 , SB646 , SB843 , SB1998 , SB1418 , SB2788 , SB1169 , SB2873 , SB1754 , SB1534 , SB1718 , SB2779 , SB2004 , SB1143 , SB1756 , SB912 , SB2119 , SB2032 , SB527 , SB1580 , SB1952 , SB2601

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, so can you help me understand when we're referring back to the section?
• Back to the section.
• The same actual thing is under Tier 3 sex offense. So that's obviously confusing.
• So Tier 2 is when the victim is 13 to 18 years of age, and Tier 3 would be not...
• Madam Chair, if we do do that, I'm just looking at section 30-9-13.

Committee: House House Consumer & Public Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, so can you help me understand when we're referring back to the section?
• Back to the section.
• The same actual thing is under Tier 3 sex offense. So that's obviously confusing.
• So Tier 2 is when the victim is 13 to 18 years of age, and Tier 3 would be not...
• Madam Chair, if we do do that, I'm just looking at section 30-9-13.

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 38 and Senate Bill 101, both of which had already received public comment and questions earlier. In each case, a member moved a due pass recommendation, the motions were seconded, and both bills were approved on 4-1 votes, with Representative Locke voting no and the other members present voting yes. The committee then considered House Bill 199, as amended by a House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee substitute, dealing with sex offender registration and notification laws. The sponsor and Department of Public Safety explained that the bill is intended to bring New Mexico closer to federal SORNA standards under the Adam Walsh Act by creating a tiered registration system, shortening the reporting deadline from five business days to three, requiring in-person reporting for changes, expanding public website information, and adding some offenses to the registry. Supporters included DPS, State Police, and the Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, while an opponent on Zoom argued the bill would hurt public safety and noted low recidivism rates. Committee members raised several drafting and policy questions, including definitions, tier placement for certain offenses, out-of-state registration, and the impact of publishing employment information. The committee adopted amendments to remove a superfluous definition of “sexually violent offense,” clarify “three business days,” and replace vague school language with “public or private school or an institution of higher education.” After the amendments, the committee voted 5-1 to give House Bill 199 a do pass recommendation, with the amended committee substitute moving forward to the next committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Article 4, Section 62, voting on amendments, adoption of committee reports.
• To<00:07:50.680><c> amend</c><00:07:50.960><c> Section</c><00:07:51.360><c> 27-104-7,</c> To amend Section
• > introduction</c><00:09:09.800><c> and</c> Article 4, Section 59, introduction and Article 4, Section
• > voting</c><00:09:35.400><c> on</c> Article 4, Section 62, voting on Article 4, Section 62, voting on
• It should only last about 3 chamber. It should only last about 3 minutes. minutes. minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're asking for $3 million for this one.
• 3 of Tierra Contenta.
• Talk a little bit about that as well, moving on to slide 3.
• We are asking, under Section 10 and Section 5, for a request to put $10 million into Kiki to replenish
• As Chairman Small said, we will be in tab 3, business unit 361.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:04:26.559><c> the</c> code section 3 and four remove the code section 3 and four remove the minimum
• Section 2 amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 352.30, subdivision 3, to clarify the vesting requirements
• Section 3 amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 352.30 ... of the correctional plan May repay a of
• section 352.30 subdivision<01:29:21.400><c> 3</c><01:29:22.159><c> to</c><01:29:22.360><c> clarify</
• 3 amends Minnesota reference Section 3 amends Minnesota statutes<01:29:36.199><c> 2024</c><01:29:37.159

Transcript Highlights:

• In section two, you will see an House File 3, which is implementation of audit recommendations.
• And that is sections<00:08:28.000><c> 1,</c><00:08:28.319><c> 2,</c><00:08:28.639><c> 3,</c><00:08:29.039
• 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
• Um, and it goes sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
• Oh, section 10 also. believe. Oh, section 10 also.

Bills: HF2783

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• On page six, lines 4 through 10, by deleting Section 4 in its entirety and renumbering subsequent sections
• On page 6, lines 4 through 10, by deleting Section 4 in its entirety and renumbering subsequent sections
• Page 3. Senator Kurt, you're recognized to explain the revisions of Senate Bill 1837.
• 3 in its entirety and renumbering subsequent sections, and by amending the title to conform.
• Section 3 in its entirety and renumbering subsequent sections, and by amending the title to conform,

Bills: SB1290 , SB1332 , SB1369 , SB1379 , SB1381 , SB1386 , SB1390 , SB1428 , SB1584 , SB1696 , SB175 , SB1778 , SB1794 , SB1806 , SB1836 , SB201

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Summary: The committee heard and advanced a long series of Senate bills covering criminal justice, courts, education, health, water infrastructure, economic development, and social services. Early measures included SB 1584, which shortens the timeline for submitting sexual assault evidence kits for forensic testing, and SB 1386, a courtroom transparency bill creating a pilot program for audio/video recording in certain courtrooms; SB 1386 drew the most extended debate, with concerns raised about privacy, selective editing, political use of footage, and impacts on victims, witnesses, jurors, and attorneys. The author said the bill was intended to improve the accuracy and context of the record, not to add live streaming or AI transcripts, and both bills advanced. Several education and justice-related bills also moved forward. SB 1381 would require arrested persons to be brought before a judge within 48 to 72 hours and establishes a pilot in Oklahoma County; SB 201 raises each step of the minimum teacher salary schedule by $2,500; and SB 1778 revises the Strong Readers Act by directing a single state-paid screening instrument, adding early intervention and transitional/pull-out reading support, and phasing in changes beginning in 2027. SB 1836, requiring a board-approved mental health screener in routine primary care visits, passed after debate over its costs and implementation. SB 1806, allowing some young adults to remain in or re-enter DHS care until age 21, and SB 1428, creating an Alzheimer’s and dementia coordination office at the Health Department with private funding, also advanced. The committee approved multiple public health and human services funding and coordination measures, including SB 1369 creating a revolving fund for the 988 crisis line, SB 1290 creating a 2-1-1 hotline revolving fund, SB 1794 establishing a statewide real-time behavioral health bed/capacity registry, and SB 1379 creating a two-year private grant program for certified human trafficking service providers. Members questioned fiscal impacts, administrative overhead, and service continuity, but the bills moved on. Other bills passed included SB 1696 to fund local recruitment incentives for new residents in rural and mid-sized communities, SB 1332 creating zero-interest water infrastructure loans for housing-related projects, SB 175 creating a reimbursement fund for abandoned uninsured commercial vehicles, and SB 1390 extending the gross production tax sunset to July 1, 2032.

Transcript Highlights:

• 3(c), Florida Constitution, and Section 11.01, Florida Statutes, do hereby proclaim: Section 1.
• 3(c), Florida Constitution, and Section 11.01, Florida Statutes, at the Capitol in Tallahassee, Florida
• Section 2.
• Section 3.
• It does not change the employee's contribution rate, which remains 3%.

Summary: The Senate convened in special session for budget conference work, opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and moments of silence honoring Coral Springs Vice Mayor Nancy Mateer and former Senator Bill Posey. The Secretary read the joint proclamation calling the special session, which was limited to the budget, implementing bill, collective bargaining/state employee issues, retirement, DMS, law enforcement radio system, health, higher education, K-12 education, government administration, correctional facilities financing, judges, documentary stamp tax distributions, petroleum cleanup programs, fuel taxes, and taxation. Chair Hooper outlined the process for moving Senate and House budget conforming bills into conference posture, noting that conference meetings would be on one-hour notice. The Senate then took up and passed a series of Senate conforming bills and House companion bills, generally by unanimous 32-0 votes, with delete-all amendments used to place Senate language onto House bills or to clear bills for conference. Measures addressed fuel taxes, the state agency law enforcement radio system, judges, pre-K through 12 education, retirement, higher education, health care, government administration, correctional facilities financing and capital improvements, documentary stamp tax distributions, petroleum cleanup programs, state employees/collective bargaining, and the implementing bill for the 2026-27 budget. Senators repeatedly moved that, when the House version was not passed as received, the Senate request conference or accede to the House’s request for conference. The General Appropriations Bill was handled by substituting House Bill 5001E for Senate Bill 2500E, amending it with Senate substance, and passing it 32-0 before requesting conference. House Bill 7031E on taxation was also amended and debated; Senator Berman used the debate to urge consideration of suspending the motor fuel tax for summer relief, but the bill ultimately passed and the Senate requested conference after failing to pass the House version as received. The session ended with a motion to waive rules for publishing the Special Order Calendar for the remainder of the special session, followed by adjournment upon the call of the President for committee meetings and other Senate business.