Transcript Highlights:

• Now, the Medical Review Commission was established in 1976, and the old premise is to review the malpractice
• So now, the review commission has rendered essentially ineffective.
• So now attorneys can skip the panel review process and go straight to trial.
• Also, hospitals and their staffs have been excluded from the panel review.
• Drafted for review, but because we won't. We're done.

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from its fourth meeting, held October 27-28 in Santa Fe, with Representative Duncan moving approval and no opposition. The chair then introduced a panel on the cost of providing medical care in New Mexico, focusing on physician shortages, rising practice costs, and access problems, especially in southern New Mexico and Las Cruces. Panelists included family physicians, a pediatrician, a cardiologist/electrophysiologist, and a community health center medical director, who described their backgrounds and practices before turning to the policy discussion. The doctors argued that New Mexico is losing physicians because of three main pressures: medical malpractice exposure, gross receipts tax on medical services, and low Medicaid reimbursement. They said malpractice premiums are much higher than in neighboring states, punitive damages and venue shopping increase risk, and the patient compensation fund and attorney fee structure create additional costs. They also described administrative burdens from insurance billing and referrals, the high debt and long training period for physicians, and the effect of corporate medicine and private equity on practice decisions. One panelist emphasized the economic impact of each physician on jobs and local spending, while another noted that shortages force patients into emergency rooms and delay specialty care. The panel presented a list of proposed solutions: reform punitive damages, limit venue shopping and stacking, restore lifetime medical payments from the patient compensation fund, enact apology protections, cap attorney fees, continue Medicaid funding improvements, and eliminate gross receipts tax on medical and dental services. Committee members generally agreed the presentation was thorough and useful, but several noted that some proposals fall outside this committee’s jurisdiction and would likely need to move through other committees, especially judiciary and tax. Some members supported drafting legislation or working on separate bills, while others urged caution, requested more input from hospitals and economists, and raised concerns about local government revenue impacts from GRT changes. The chair concluded by encouraging members to continue discussions offline and noted that the tax-related issue would be taken up further in the next day’s work.

Transcript Highlights:

• That was a cannabis potency with mental ill health and addiction systematic review.
• Then we have the systemic review.
• date in the and included a sunset date in the original<02:31:38.399> law.
• The date of the change of the sunset... >> 211 and 212. >> Okay, Senator Frentz, two things.
• And I know members, I have received a number of review we are satisfied that the review we are satisfied

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If you've submitted written testimony, the committee has reviewed the testimony.
• agenda moving, that you not read verbatim your written testimony because we've already seen it and reviewed
• And just let you know again, we've reviewed your testimony.
• <00:01:10.280> the testimony the committee has reviewed the testimony the committee has reviewed
• it uh we have a number of bills reviewed it uh we have a number of bills and<00:01:37.920> we

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee opened by outlining hearing procedures, including a two-minute limit for live testimony, a request not to repeat written testimony, and a reminder about decorum. The first bill heard was SB 697, which would create a nonrefundable individual income tax credit for expenses to retrofit residences with wind-resistive devices. The Insurance Division said it supported the concept but noted it may need an appropriation or outside expertise to develop certification standards, while the Department of Taxation said the bill should retain a third-party certification requirement if the Insurance Division cannot administer the credit. The Hawaii Insurers Council supported the bill, and the Tax Foundation suggested a subsidy-style program would be more efficient than a tax credit and criticized the bill’s 100% credit structure. A testifier in support argued the measure would help homeowners fortify houses against hurricanes and reduce shelter demand; written testimony from several others, including HIEMA, was noted as supportive. The committee then moved through SB 76, which would require the Hawaii Property Insurance Association to provide commercial property coverage after two private-market denials, and SB 83, which would require insurers to give advance written premium-change notices and explanations to common-interest community policyholders and the insurance commissioner, along with a report on premium increases. For SB 76, the State Insurance Division stood on its written comments, and testimony in support came from Michael Honda, the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies, and Jessica Herzog. SB 83 drew more extensive discussion: the Insurance Division supported the need for better transparency, while the Hawaii Insurers Council opposed the bill, arguing that agents—not insurers—typically communicate with AOAO boards and that the measure could worsen an already difficult market. Insurance Division staff acknowledged widespread complaints from condo associations about lack of transparency and said the division had received many calls about premium increases and nonrenewals. The discussion on SB 83 expanded into broader concerns about condo insurance, nonrenewals, surplus lines, and the difficulty of getting timely explanations for large premium increases. Committee members and testifiers described older buildings struggling to fund repairs and upgrades while facing steep insurance costs, and some urged the committee to craft baseline statutory protections for unit owners. The Insurance Division said surplus lines serve a critical gap-filling role and warned against regulating that market in a way that could slow access to coverage. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• It did get utilized before the sunset kicked in, but there was not a great deal of utilization.
• <00:04:32.320> kicked utilized before the sunset kicked utilized before the sunset kicked
• Now, after the sunset kicked in and this disappeared, we started having, you know, surpluses and, etc
• possibilities um now after the sunset possibilities um now after the sunset kicked kicked kicked
• And create and review the laws of the state of Minnesota.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> [Clears throat] >> And it will be reviewed by Senate Council. >> Thank you, Madam Chair.
• pass it to Council. >> Yes, Chair Rest. >> The A11 amendment. >> [Clears throat] >> And it will be reviewed
• We provided homeless aid, which we're getting rid of the sunset in this bill, which helps ensure that
• this<00:52:29.440> bill,<00:52:29.960> which<00:52:30.320> helps the sunset
• in this bill, which helps the sunset in this bill, which helps ensure<00:52:31.080> that<00:52

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then did you guys receive, when you were reviewing the bill, did you see any information about whether
• <00:22:03.760> the guys receive when you were reviewing the guys receive when you were reviewing
• House Bill 274, State Board of Environmental Health Specialists Sunset Extension. sorry.
• environmental health specialists sunset environmental health specialists sunset extension.<00:37
• Um, and this is just to extend the sunset on the task force or to expand the task force. >> It's just

Keywords: House streaming session for Thursday, February 19, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House convened with 124 members present, offered prayer, approved the previous day’s journal by consent, and then moved through introductory matters and a ceremonial resolution recognizing Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated for its 113 years of sisterhood, scholarship, service, and social action in Maryland. Members welcomed visiting sorors and applauded the recognition. The chamber later confirmed 131 members present and proceeded to third reading bills. Several bills were passed without opposition, including House Bill 7, authorizing limited music therapy licenses; House Bill 42, revising the State Board of Massage Therapy Examiners; House Bill 164, on yard waste collection and disposal; and House Bill 177, on bicycles, play vehicles, and unicycles at crosswalks. House Bill 55, which would expand speed camera authority to local jurisdictions statewide for certain roads and areas, drew the most debate. Supporters argued it would give counties and municipalities local control to address speeding and safety concerns, while opponents raised concerns about local autonomy, revenue use, and whether camera fines supplement or supplant public safety funding. The floor leader clarified that the bill would extend authority now limited to three counties, that existing notice and public hearing requirements would remain, and that revenues must still be used for administrative costs and public safety. During debate on House Bill 55, members asked about the speed threshold, fine structure, whether citations go to vehicle owners, and whether the bill would change how local governments use camera revenues. The floor leader said the bill itself does not alter the existing rule that revenues after administrative costs must go to public safety, and that local jurisdictions could still further restrict use of funds. After debate, House Bill 55 passed 98-35. House Bill 164 passed 96-38, while House Bill 7 passed 133-0 and House Bill 42 passed 132-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 2916, utility resource prime commission review. HB 2917, tariff industry fingerprint clearance.
• some concerns about what the continued assessment for those fees will be used for, why there's not a sunset
• As you may know, as Senator Ortiz mentioned, it will sunset.
• And I'm happy to work on an amendment in the House if that is an issue, because I'm, ...sunset, and I'm

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, recorded attendance, approved the journal, and welcomed several guest groups, including the City of Maricopa Youth Council, students from Alpha School in Scottsdale, Brianna Andrew, and students from Gilbert Edu-Prize. The chamber also adopted a proposed amendment to Senate Rule 7A and then adopted the rules of the 57th Legislature, and the President announced a temporary committee appointment for Senator Shamp and a request to adjourn after Wednesday’s session until Monday, March 16. The floor then considered a long list of bills, with several third-reading votes. Measures that passed included SB 1654 on elections funding, SB 1711 on school safety-related information, SB 1743 on campaign contribution address disclosure, SB 1747 on access technology content, SB 1284 on moving violations, SB 1336 on State Land Department issues, SB 1365 on property tax exemptions for veterans, SB 1655 on juror summons/poll worker service, SB 1662 on probation, SB 1803 on Department of Veterans’ Services claims assistance, SB 1494, SB 1497 on school insurance, SB 1503 on pension benefit plans, SB 1584 on Department of Corrections recruitment, SB 1632 on DES, SB 1723 on bail, SB 1206 on insurance claims, and SB 1827 on aviation. Several bills failed, including SCR 1047 on marijuana establishment licenses, SB 1134 on political signs before reconsideration, SB 1544 on probation, and SB 1585 on sex offender monitoring. SB 1134 was later reconsidered and passed. Many of these votes featured debate over elections administration, privacy, health care access, veterans’ benefits, probation, and public safety. The Senate then resolved into the Committee of the Whole for Calendar One and later Calendar Two. In Committee of the Whole, members adopted amendments and recommended do pass on SB 1009, SB 1050, SB 1054, SB 1071, SB 1086, SB 1317, SB 1461, and SB 1672, with discussion focusing on school training standards, veterans’ park passes, local measures, Arizona Rangers oversight, AHCCCS provider reimbursement, reentry programming, allied health workforce development, and anti-psychotic drug authorization. On Calendar Two, the committee also advanced SB 1173, SB 1234, SB 1295, SB 1611, and SCR 1022 after amendments and extended debate, especially on AHCCCS fraud, juvenile court proceedings, inmate medical release, and the American Indian Health Program. The Committee of the Whole report was adopted, the bills were properly assigned, and committee announcements were made for the next day’s meetings.

Transcript Highlights:

• also has the obligation of the Technology Crimes Advisory Board, and that advisory board is being sunset
• position is going to be opening up some hours on the plate in terms of their workload with the sunsetting
• But it will be the special counsel that... ...sunsetting of the crime advisory committee, but it will
• We were reviewing for a final exam when we heard the strange, loud bang.

Bills: SB156

Keywords: gun violence, firearm safety, special counsel, data collection, community initiatives, grants, Attorney General, public safety, suicide prevention, 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Or they're going to sunset it, slots become available.
• So when you're looking at reviewing this, if ABC is ours, are we going to look a little bit at changing
• So the adequacy review is being conducted. The adequacy review is being conducted.
• And then there's the maintenance of the ongoing duty to study, review, and adjust public school needs
• In 2011, the General Assembly added the requirement that the adequacy study include the review of new

Summary: The meeting began with approval of the prior minutes and then shifted to an update from Department of Education Secretary Jacob Oliva and Deputy Commissioner Stacey Smith on early childhood education, especially the state-funded Arkansas Better Chance (ABC) program. They said Arkansas had received a federal Preschool Development Grant and described ABC as a large state program with about 23,800 funded slots and roughly $114 million in annual appropriations. Department officials said they are reviewing slot allocations because about 1,000 seats are funded but unfilled, while more than 2,000 families are on waiting lists, and they plan to reduce or reallocate slots from providers that have not filled them over several years. They also said they are examining whether income thresholds, curriculum expectations, daily rates, and summer programming should be updated, and members raised concerns about access, local control, transportation, and whether the program should better align with K-12 choice and school readiness goals. The committee agreed to form an early childhood subcommittee and asked the Bureau of Legislative Research to help gather historical data and other information for future discussion. The committee then received a legal presentation from BLR attorney Taylor Lloyd on the constitutional and statutory framework for education adequacy in Arkansas. She reviewed the Dupree and Lake View cases, explaining that the state must maintain a general, suitable, and efficient system of free public schools, and that adequacy and equity are distinct but related concepts. She emphasized that the General Assembly is responsible for defining adequacy, studying whether the system meets that standard, and reacting to the evidence, while the courts ultimately decide constitutional compliance. Lloyd also explained the current adequacy definition, the role of the matrix as a funding tool rather than a spending mandate, and the distinction between unrestricted foundation funding and restricted categorical funding. BLR’s Elizabeth Bynum followed with a historical overview of how Arkansas responded to the court cases and developed the current adequacy process. She traced major legislative actions from the 1980s through the Lake View litigation, including the creation of funding formulas, categorical aid, isolated funding, declining enrollment funding, and the 2003-2004 adequacy study that led to the Continuing Adequacy Evaluation Act and the matrix used to set foundation funding. She also described later changes to the adequacy statute, the financial reporting requirements for districts, and the ongoing use of surveys, stakeholder testimony, and consultant studies in the biennial adequacy process. Members asked questions about whether private or homeschool programs could use public funds for expenses like utilities, whether stakeholders should include those groups, the difference between average daily membership and attendance, and whether school board members are surveyed; staff said those issues would need further research or were outside the scope of the presenters’ role.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's current law, but it's up for a sunset provision.
• The chair replied that if they sunset, they have nothing.
• there we're going to see some um sunsets there we're going to see some um sunsets and<00:50:22.960
• , they're they're going to if they sunset, they're they're going to if they sunset, they<00:50:51.119
• <00:53:11.200> all time where um we weren't sunsetting all time where um we weren't sunsetting

Bills: HB187, HB341, HB4, HB175, HB326

Keywords: HB187, court fees, docket fee, sheriff's fund, sheriff's office, jail operations, law enforcement, county sheriff, court filing fees, Alabama Code 12-19-312, solicitor's fund, clerk's fund, forensic services trust fund, budget flexibility, public safety, municipal court, district court, circuit court, cosmetology, makeup application

Transcript Highlights:

• the collection of school impact fees, and it requires SFA to report to the legislature before the sunset
• The proposed CD1 would be effective upon approval and sunset in 5 years, and the footer of that CD1,
• The CD1 proposed CD1 would sunset date.
• <00:04:49.440> in be effective upon approval and sunset in be effective upon approval and
• sunset in 5<00:04:50.759> years<00:04:51.759> and<00:04:52.000> the<00:04:52.639

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint House and Senate conference committee met on April 25 to consider several bills, mostly related to housing, transportation, school impact fees, and housing finance programs. HB 1294 HD2 SD1, relating to agricultural workforce housing, was deferred because final release was not yet available. HB 286 HD2 SD1, relating to the individual housing account program, was agreed to but also rolled over to a later 3:30 p.m. meeting pending final release. The committee then took up HB 1298 HD3 SD1, relating to housing, and HB 422 HD1 SD2, relating to school impact fees. HB 1298 was agreed to but postponed to later in the day pending final release. HB 422 was described as repealing the construction cost component of school impact fees, exempting government housing, affordable housing, and Hawaiian homeland housing from those fees, and requiring School Facilities Authority rules and a report to the legislature; the committee approved a CD1 with mostly technical amendments by unanimous vote, with one Senate member excused. Later, the committee reviewed additional measures including SB 662 on transportation, HB 1409 on transit-oriented development, SB 26 on affordable housing, HB 740 on housing, HB 432 on the rental housing revolving fund, SB 1229 on the dwelling unit revolving fund, and SB 944 on the low-income housing tax credit. Most of these bills had agreement on a CD1 or draft agreement but were deferred or rolled over to 3:30 p.m. in Room 16 because WAM, final, or web releases were still pending; HB 740 had no agreement yet, while HB 432 was said to need revisions. The meeting adjourned after scheduling the remaining items for later consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• This portal will allow voters to review their registration, view sample ballots, find polling places,
• Is there going to be a monitor so we can review film afterward where these drop boxes are and always
• Voters will not be registered without review and confirmation from the county clerk's office.
• We created a pilot program with a sunset date in 2026 to get that.
• In particular, section 6, the removal of the sunset on the collection of odometer readings.

Bills: AB49, AB169, AB188, AB284, AB296, AB306, AB356, AB366, AB467, AB499, AB515, AB540, AB542, AB595

Keywords: educational personnel, teacher licensing, reciprocal licensure, provisional teaching, school counselors, school nurses, school social workers, state education standards, health insurance, speech-language pathology, stuttering, rehabilitative services, habilitative services, coverage requirements, health plans, retired public employees, subsidy, Medicare, health reimbursement arrangement, Public Employees' Benefits Program

Transcript Highlights:

• We've been include them in our Support Our Troops Grant Review Team to help us make decisions in those
• include them in our Support Our<00:02:47.520> Troops<00:02:47.959> Grant<00:02:48.880> Review
• Team<00:02:49.880> to<00:02:50.000> help<00:02:50.200> us Our Troops Grant Review
• Team to help us Our Troops Grant Review Team to help us make<00:02:50.600> decisions<00:02:52.000
• We also eliminated the 8-year sunset for surviving spouses to receive the homestead market value exclusion

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It automatically sunsets after three years unless extended by the General Assembly.
• It's now 2:11 on July 1st, and we're getting a major amendment that we've had no time to review.
• Unfortunately, I haven't been able to review this amendment.
• I reviewed all of those. I didn't review the orange one until yesterday afternoon.
• And I didn't review any of these amendments before they were put in front of me on this floor.

Keywords: 1064, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We all review those, and we look forward to hearing more from you.
• We all review those, and we look forward to hearing more from you.
• With these amendments, AB 1837 will extend the sunset on the authority for public transit agencies to
• With these amendments, AB 1837 will extend the sunset on the authority for public transit agencies to
• However, we are still reviewing the recent amendments from this committee and believe that they move

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The committee heard AB 1798 by Assembly Member Wilson, which would prohibit life and non-health disability insurers from using non-diagnostic genetic information, including direct-to-consumer test results, to deny coverage or raise premiums. Supporters, including the Department of Insurance, UCSF, and several patient and privacy groups, argued the bill would reduce fear of genetic discrimination and encourage early testing and treatment. Opponents from the insurance industry said genetic information should be treated like other predictive health data and warned the bill could limit access to medically relevant information in underwriting. After questions about how insurers obtain genetic information and whether doctors’ assessments could still be used, the bill was approved on a 7-0 vote and held on call. The committee then took up AB 2190 by Assembly Member Wallace, a website accessibility bill aimed at improving compliance with disability access standards and reducing serial litigation. Supporters from the blind community and Disability Rights California said current law is not enough and that the bill would promote proactive fixes rather than lawsuits. Business and civil justice groups opposed unless amended, raising concerns about workable defenses, remediation timelines, and liability for platform providers. Members discussed whether the bill would increase lawsuits, but the measure passed 9-0 and was sent to Appropriations, with the vote left open for absent members. AB 2721 by Assembly Member Carrillo would require hotels to post notice when they know or should know that rooms are reserved for U.S. Customs and Border Protection or ICE. Supporters, including Unite Here Local 11 and the California Labor Federation, said hotel workers and guests deserve transparency and safety when federal agents are present. Hotel and business groups opposed, arguing the bill could invade privacy, create liability, and put hotels in the middle of political conflict, while members also raised concerns about interference with legitimate federal operations. The bill passed 6-2 and was held open. Finally, the committee heard AB 2027 by Assembly Member Ward, which would limit employers’ use of worker data to train or deploy AI systems intended to replace workers and restrict sharing that data for job automation. Labor groups supported the bill as a guardrail against workers unknowingly training their own replacements, while business, county, and public agency opponents warned the definitions were too broad and could block useful AI tools for scheduling, safety, permitting, and public services. Members discussed the line between AI that replaces workers and AI that assists them, and the bill was left under consideration after testimony and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• go six, seven, 10 review cycles.
• go six, seven, 10 review cycles.
• go six, seven, 10 review cycles.
• go six, seven, 10 review cycles.
• Because our review, like I said, our code review for residential is about 10 days, one week.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several measures, beginning with SB 946 on wastewater management, which would clarify that the ban on discharging wastewater or raw sewage into state waters after 12/31/26 applies to treatment plants. Testimony was in support from the Department of Health, Maui County Council, Mayor Bisson, and individuals, and no one testified in opposition. SB 849 on wildlife conservation would prohibit intentional taking, harming, or killing of the Hawaiian hawk (ʻio) and increase penalties for taking native aquatic life, wildlife, and land plants; DLNR supported the bill, noting the ʻio was delisted federally in 2020 and that the measure also updates penalties and adds a rehabilitation/community service option. No questions were raised, and the bill drew support testimony only. For SB 330 on invasive species prevention, the Attorney General raised a supremacy clause concern with language requiring state enforcement of federal quarantines and recommended reverting to a prior version with a catchall for federal regulation. The Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species supported the bill as a way to close a biosecurity gap, while the Department of Agriculture said it supported the intent but wanted to avoid acting without a cooperative agreement with USDA and suggested deleting the portion allowing action without such an agreement. The committee also heard SB 1393 on public land use, which would require the School Facilities Authority to consult with DOE and other agencies before land conveyances or leases and repeal a requirement that DOE transfer title upon request; both SFA and DOE supported the measure, with DOE emphasizing the need for early communication and consultation, and members asked about possible disagreements or stalemates. The committee then heard SB 321 on private roads and ways, which would deem certain privately owned roads and similar ways transferred to adjacent owners or community associations if conditions are met. The Hawaii Land Title Association said the bill as drafted would create uncertainty and proposed a court process to clarify ownership and create a recordable order; written support came from the Mortgage Bankers Association of Hawaii, Hawaii Financial Services Association, and one individual. SB 66 on housing permitting would require permit decisions within 60 days for certain housing projects and deem permits approved in some circumstances; DLNR’s historic preservation office supported the intent but noted county historic preservation roles, OHA suggested amendments to clarify county duties, and DPP opposed the time limits as risky for health and safety reviews, warning about back-and-forth review cycles and possible mismatches between approved plans and field work. Realtors, NAIOP, Hawaii Food Industry Association, Hawaii YIMBY, and the Maui Chamber supported the measure, while Lahaina Strong, Hawaii Good Neighbor, and two individuals opposed it. Finally, the committee heard SB 1170 on expeditious redevelopment of affordable rental housing, which would speed permits for rebuilding permanently affordable multifamily rental housing damaged by natural disasters and exempt certain projects from EIS requirements. HHFDC supported the bill, citing the Front Street Apartments rebuild and the long SMA permit timeline on Maui, and the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development supported the intent while suggesting technical placement of amendments. Testimony in support also came from the Maui Chamber of Commerce and Joe Blanco, who described difficulties rebuilding a project originally developed under older statutory requirements and said the bill’s added language addressed those issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:51:11.520> but<00:51:11.720> this<00:51:11.839> one is that has a sunset
• The current law does sunset in 2042.
• The bill as drafted would keep the sunset for the regular qualified data centers and the refurbished
• ones, but the large-scale new ones that are in this bill would not have a sunset.
• sunset of all tax expenditures.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This just takes the sunset off what the Senate bill had on it.
• We wanted it without the sunset and the... We wanted it without the sunset and the whole group.
• To clarify, the sunset was not advertised. It was an amendment, and now we decided to take it off.
• So, I did have the sunset on... So, okay, I did have the sunset on that.

Bills: HB422

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• submitted to the President Pro Tem and Speaker no later than December 1, 2028, and this act will sunset
• on June 1, 2029, to allow parties to review the actual report and determine if changes need to be made
• So it does sunset on June 1, 2029. And with that, Mr.

Bills: SB9, HB400, SB9, HB400

Keywords: Alabama Athletic Commission, Attorney General, criminal penalties, unarmed combat, regulation, boxing, mixed martial arts, civil fines, dental insurance, benefit rollover, healthcare, insurance policy, annual maximum, smoking ban, vaping, public health, indoor air quality, clean air, ambulance services, health insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• When we review it, what we look at is: will this make our roadway safer, or will it cause more hazards
• So if you think about how close we are to 2030 now, 25% of our workforce is sunsetting over the next
• So if you think about how close we are to 2030 now, 25% of our workforce is sunsetting over the next

Summary: The Transportation Committee met and first considered SB 88, which would allow local governments to authorize utility terrain vehicles (UTVs) on certain low-speed county roads and municipal streets, with limits on who may operate them and where they may travel. An amendment from Sen. Wright was adopted to require minimum motor vehicle insurance, keep a registration certificate in the vehicle, and delay the effective date to January 1, 2026 for implementation. The bill drew mixed testimony: supporters said it would create a safe, locally controlled path for UTV use and reflect how the vehicles are already being used, while opponents from the Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association and Florida Justice Association argued UTVs are designed for off-road use and lack the safety features needed for public roads. After debate, the committee reported CS/SB 88 favorably, with Sen. Davis voting no and several members expressing support while noting safety concerns for future work. The committee then heard SB 274, which designates a portion of International Drive in Orlando as Harris Rosen Way in honor of the late hotelier and philanthropist Harris Rosen. Sen. Arrington described Rosen’s business success and extensive charitable work in Central Florida, and the bill received supportive comments from committee members and a representative from UCF. The committee voted the bill favorably without opposition. The final item was a discussion on transportation workforce issues led by FDOT Secretary Jared Perdue, with remarks from Florida Transportation Builders Association president Dan Hurtado. Perdue said Florida’s growing transportation needs, an aging workforce, and projected retirements require a broader workforce strategy, including a proposed Transportation Academy, craft and trade programs, learning labs, and a transportation research institute. He said FDOT has already reduced vacancies through recruit-and-retain efforts and hiring events, but still needs more skilled workers. Hurtado said FTBA supports expanding workforce development efforts and noted the industry’s own Florida Connect Academy. No vote was taken on the workforce discussion, and the committee adjourned at the end of the meeting.