Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Beach: aye. I just don’t know on it. Senator Beach: aye. Senator Mezzan: aye.
• We are really using these fees to keep the public safe and to facilitate economic activity.
• Like, we're talking about public policy: agency and business both deciding what's in the best interest
• A pesticide business has to ensure that, like, it's keeping the public safe but still able to operate
• Senator Beach. Molly, would you give him a white sheet, please? I'll just take one of these.

Committee: Senate Senate Finance Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee heard several tax, retirement, and property-related measures. SB 1215, the so-called “comma bill,” was described as a technical correction to firefighters’ cancer coverage language: it reorganizes the listed cancers into a column format to avoid comma-delimitation confusion, and an amendment removed unintended police-officer language. The bill was amended and passed 6-1. SB 1180 would codify the Department of Revenue’s practice of assuming federal tax conformity for above-the-line items when preparing state tax forms; DOR said it would not have changed this year’s executive-order-driven changes, and the bill passed 7-0. SCR 1028, a referral to voters, would narrow an existing exception under Prop. 108 for agency-set fees and assessments; supporters said it would curb delegation of taxing authority, while opponents warned it could hinder public services and business operations. The resolution passed 4-3. The committee also advanced several other measures. SB 1292 clarifies that the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System’s 5% ownership cap applies only to publicly traded corporations, to avoid problems with investment funds being classified as corporations; PSPRS supported it, and it passed. SB 1294 restores county assessors’ authority to prorate property value for property destroyed in any manner, while preserving the five-year classification protection for property destroyed by verifiable accident; it passed 6-1. SB 1430, the annual tax corrections act, made minor cleanup changes and codified current practice, and passed unanimously. SB 1270 would allow CORP employers to make optional supplemental defined-contribution incentive payments of up to $5,000 to certain Tier 3 corrections employees to aid recruitment and retention; supporters called it an optional tool, while some members raised concerns about county costs and pension policy, and it passed 6-1. SB 1290 drew the most extended debate. It requires advance notice and inspection reports for property inspections by DOR and county assessors and bars repeat on-site inspections of agricultural property for three years after an inspection. Farm and ranch groups said the bill would improve transparency and reduce repeated disputes over agricultural classification, while county assessors opposed it, arguing it would add costs, create inconsistent reporting, and interfere with their duty to inspect and value property annually. The bill passed 4-2 with one member not voting, and the chair noted it would likely remain a work in progress.

Transcript Highlights:

• Everyone in this room wants and deserves public safety, but no matter what your vision of public safety
• It's an ongoing public safety issue.
• It's an ongoing public safety issue.
• It's public safety. Murphy's It's public safety.
• Molly Mal, on behalf of the California State Association of Public Administrators, Public Guardians,

Summary: The committee met without a quorum and operated as a subcommittee while hearing a long agenda of public safety bills. The chair announced recess and return times, noted several consent items, and said SB 906 was pulled from the agenda. Testimony procedures were explained, including limits on principal witnesses and public comment. Several bills were heard out of file order with authors presenting and witnesses speaking in support and opposition. SB 1446 would expand discretion in en banc parole review, make votes public, and allow CDCR referrals for sexually violent predator evaluations in certain cases. Supporters, including the author and district attorneys, said it would improve transparency and public safety; opponents from Uncommon Law, the Ella Baker Center, and public defender groups argued it would add confusion, litigation risk, and unnecessary duplication. The bill was not voted on because the committee still lacked a quorum. SB 1278 would exclude certain sex offenses and habitual or serial sexual offenses from elderly parole eligibility; the author and district attorneys cited recent releases of serious sex offenders and the need to respect victims and sentences, while opponents said the elderly parole process is already rigorous and evidence-based and that the bill would reduce rehabilitation incentives. The chair and other members strongly supported the measure, but no vote was taken. The committee also heard SB 1354, which would bar out-of-state military or law enforcement forces from entering California without the governor’s permission; the author and supporters framed it as a state sovereignty and constitutional authority measure, and the committee discussed an amendment removing a criminal penalty and leaving enforcement to the Attorney General. SB 926 would provide funding for implementation of Proposition 36; supporters said counties need resources for treatment, probation, and related services, while opponents called it fiscally reckless and said the budget process was the proper place to address funding. The chair summarized amendments removing a specific appropriation and limiting eligible recipients, and members emphasized that the voters approved Prop. 36 but it remains underfunded. SB 874 would require background checks and clearer oversight for Medi-Cal behavioral health treatment providers, especially ABA providers serving children; it drew support from health plans and behavior analysis groups and no opposition. SB 1210 would extend CalGang oversight and due process protections to all gang databases, including local ones; supporters described privacy harms and racial disparities, while police chiefs opposed applying CalGang rules to informal local investigative files. SB 1019 would create a DOJ cargo theft task force; supporters from BNSF, trucking, shipping, and port interests described organized theft, rail sabotage, and supply-chain losses, and there was no opposition. SB 1217, on non-consensual intimate image removal, was introduced with privacy and public safety amendments and framed as a survivor-driven effort to create a DOJ clearinghouse for rapid takedown requests; the author said it would help end ongoing digital harm from exploitation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Let it remind us that the measure of our time in public office, in service to the public, is not only
• Assembly Bill 1838 by Assembly Member Berman and relating to public contracts.
• Diversion programs are an important public safety tool.
• This elected official was someone who held public office, who walked halls not unlike these.
• Volume at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach last May, resulting in price hikes and lost jobs.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would suggest that maybe making it more accessible for Floridians to go and vote, more accessible for
• Public service is never a solo... Public service is never a solo journey.
• And in this situation, when we are talking literally about public safety and public safety officers,
• If it's defective, if it malfunctions, the public has a right to know, and especially the public safety
• And the fact that many of our constituents don't have access, they don't have the money to gain access

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for two service members killed in the Middle East, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present. Members adopted the special order report and then began taking up the special order calendar. The first major measure was HB 7031, the annual tax package, which included a hunting, fishing, and camping sales tax holiday, a back-to-school holiday moved earlier in the summer, property tax changes for mobile home parks and other exemptions, reductions in pari-mutuel taxes and fees, extensions and expansions of several tax credit programs, vacation-rental tax collection changes, and a full decoupling from federal tax changes in the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” The bill drew questions about the fiscal impact of decoupling and the firearm-accessories holiday; supporters emphasized fiscal caution, housing and home-hardening provisions, and family tax relief, while opponents objected to the firearm-related tax break. HB 7031 passed 105-2. The House then passed CS/CS/CS HB 1177 on Space Florida and spaceport operations, which updates business development rules, board membership, and creates a strategic spaceport hub designation. CS/CS HB 639/CS SB 246 on specialty license plates also passed after a strike-all amendment that added several new plates, revised the Fraternal Order of Police plate, and tightened financial and nonprofit requirements for plate sponsors. CS HB 697 on drug prices and coverage passed after debate on pharmacy benefit manager reforms requiring equal reimbursement, prohibiting forced losses on drugs, and allowing consolidated appeals. CS/CS HB 1263 on the Office of Insurance Regulation passed with an amendment clarifying fingerprinting provisions, and CS/CS HB 527 passed with a human-review requirement for insurance claim denials so AI cannot be the sole basis for denying or reducing claims. Additional bills approved included CS HB 1449, which limits use of the statewide provider and health plan claim dispute resolution program when a claim is already in the federal process and, by amendment, narrows the bill to out-of-network emergency services and claims of $50,000 or less; CS HB 93, requiring surgical smoke evacuation systems in hospitals and surgical centers, which passed overwhelmingly after emotional bipartisan praise for the sponsor’s multi-session effort; and CS HB 1217, which prohibits governmental entities from adopting net-zero greenhouse gas policies, after Democrats argued it would preempt local climate and resilience efforts and Republicans argued it protects energy reliability and affordability. The House also passed CS/CS HB 1461 establishing a framework for licensing and regulating advanced nuclear reactors, with supporters framing it as a step toward reliable, affordable, cleaner energy. Later, CS HB 1229 on residential homes for medically or technologically dependent children was explained as creating a licensure program for medically complex children’s homes and was rolled over for final passage as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• For more than 25 years, the cyber tip line has served as the online mechanism for members of the public
• The child was thankfully rescued by HSI and the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office.
• He rapidly posted the hundreds of images and videos of me, making public pages and user accounts for
• While I no longer have content circulating the public web or any public platforms, my images could continue
• From victims, from the public. At this point, we don't know.

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice and Counterterrorism Subcommittee

Keywords: Stop CSAM Act, child exploitation, online safety, reporting requirements, tech accountability, NCMEC, survivor support, legislative testimony

Summary: The committee meeting centered around the urgent need to address child sexual abuse material (CSAM) online, focusing primarily on the testimony and discussions surrounding the Stop CSAM Act. Several witnesses, including representatives from law enforcement and advocacy organizations, highlighted the significant drop in reports of child exploitation cases despite an alarming increase in actual incidents. Concerns were raised about tech companies' reporting practices, with calls for more stringent requirements to ensure timely and accurate reporting of suspected abuse. The legislation aims to fortify protections for child victims by imposing stricter obligations on tech platforms to report incidents and support law enforcement in investigations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Tina Polsky, representing District 30, Palm Beach and Broward counties.
• Senator MacBinard representing Palm Beach County. Thank you.
• Representative Debra Tendrich, and I represent Palm Beach County.
• We discuss things in the public.
• Any members of the public would like to speak?

Summary: The Joint Administrative Procedures Committee met for its first meeting of the year, with roll call and member introductions followed by an orientation on the committee’s role in reviewing agency rulemaking. Staff explained that JAPAC/JAPSI oversees whether agency rules stay within statutory authority, reviews proposed and existing rules under Chapter 120, and can recommend objections when rules enlarge, modify, or contravene enabling statutes. The committee also adopted its biennial rules of procedure by motion and roll-call vote. The main substantive item was staff’s recommended objections to 32 existing Agency for Health Care Administration rules. Staff said the common issue was a sunset provision added to rules, which they argued is not authorized by Chapter 120 because rules may be amended or repealed only through formal rulemaking, not allowed to expire automatically. Staff noted the sunset language could create confusion and affect interrelated rules, and recommended formal objections. The chair reported that he and the vice chair had met with the agency, which agreed to work on compliance and amend the language. No public testimony was offered. After brief committee discussion, including questions about timing, the chair said the agency would return with a compliance proposal at the next scheduled meeting, likely in February. The committee deferred further action on the 32 recommended objections until that meeting, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Kowalski for over 40 years of distinguished public service to the town of Whitman, ought to be adopted
• 3735; the House bill relative to the maintenance of pre-employment physical examination records for public
• The House bill relative to the maintenance of pre-employment physical examination records for public
• And an act creating parity among Massachusetts beaches, House No. 5140.
• And an act creating parity among Massachusetts beaches, House No. 5140.

Summary: The House opened with ceremonial recognitions, including championship girls swim and indoor track teams and visiting students from Quincy. It then adopted a resolution honoring Carl F. Kowalski for more than 40 years of public service to Whitman after suspending the rules. The chamber took up House No. 528, a fiscal year 2026 supplemental appropriations bill, which came back from the Senate with a full substitute amendment. The House suspended the rules, rejected concurrence, and voted to appoint a conference committee, naming Representatives Michaelowitz of Boston, Diggs of Barnstable, and Sweezy of Duxbury. The Steering, Policy and Scheduling Committee then recommended several bills for consideration, including measures on Milton’s school deadline, tolling reform, LIHEAP automatic re-enrollment, Massachusetts ID cards, Quincy public safety records, and parity among Massachusetts beaches. The House suspended Rule 7A, ordered these bills to a third reading, concurred in a Senate amendment to House No. 4259 renaming the Weeder Park tennis courts, and passed to be engrossed bills on Haverhill election procedures, Dalton Fire District interim chief employment, and Conway election regulations. Later, the House scheduled House No. 5500, the fiscal year 2027 budget bill, but on motion it postponed consideration until Monday, April 27. The House also adopted an order to adjourn to Tuesday at 11 a.m. and then adjourned to meet then in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• But the public health threat is only part of the picture.
• Isn't that adequate to have cleaned up the public health concern?
• We will protect our public infrastructure, our taxpayers, and each other.
• It is a public health concern and a consumer protection issue.
• More importantly... it preserves access to responsible breeders and rescues.

Committee: House Business and Professions

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the Deputy Secretary for Student Support Services in the Public Education Department.
• I mean, I'm sitting here as a parent who raised kids through the public schools.
• This is really what's wrong with public education.
• to the premises. ...but are not allowed full access to the premises.
• I had a massage was actually on a beach.

Bills: SB23 , SB221 , SB261 , SB264 , HB294 , SB40 , SB43 , SB35

Committees: Senate Senate Judiciary , Senate House Judiciary

Keywords: student use, wireless devices, public schools, policy implementation, education technology funding, misappropriation, petroleum products, oil and gas equipment, racketeering, criminal penalties, New Mexico, public safety, health regulations, community welfare, peace promotion, legislative reforms, election integrity, voter coercion, emergency procedures, polling place security

Transcript Highlights:

• I've been on, uh, House Transportation and Public Works since 2001, and it is a great committee.
• Everything from roofs that leak, bottled water, tying into public utility systems, real dire needs.
• issue an RFP, a call for proposals, um, those private and public entities can apply for funding.
• There may be some private public facing chargers.
• Those are all going to have impacts on our ability to or access to federal funding for projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• It connects Okaloosa Island with the city of Fort Walton Beach.
• That's a $122 million project in Palm Beach County.
• We actually have 128 public-use airports in the state of Florida.
• Obviously, there's a lot of stuff going on in Palm Beach these days.
• /Long Beach, New York, and Savannah.

Summary: The Transportation and Economic Development Budget Subcommittee heard an overview from FDOT Secretary Jared Perdue on the state’s transportation work program, with emphasis on the Moving Florida Forward initiative, major roadway projects, workforce needs, seaports, airports, spaceport infrastructure, and the role of MPOs/TPOs in planning. He said the $4 billion general revenue investment in Moving Florida Forward has been leveraged into a roughly $7 billion-plus program, with 20 projects underway and about 70% of the initiative expected to be under construction by year’s end. He highlighted I-4 as the centerpiece, describing a new procurement approach, phased delivery, and added lanes intended to provide congestion relief during construction. He also discussed a projected 38% growth in transportation workforce needs and proposed a Florida Transportation Academy and a research institute to support training and innovation. Tiffany King of the Florida Airports Council said Florida’s 128 public-use airports have about $5.7 billion in unfunded projects through 2029, and stressed that airport priorities include not only terminals and passenger capacity but also safety, security, gates, and environmental work. Michael Rubin of the Florida Ports Council said Florida’s 16 deepwater seaports now have a $195.9 billion economic impact, support about 1.2 million jobs, and generate $7.4 billion in state and local taxes; he noted that ports still have about $4 billion in project needs, including dredging and intermodal connections. Jeff Sheffield of the North Florida TPO described the value of regional, community-based planning and said his four-county TPO has helped align local priorities with FDOT funding. Members asked about whether the state is planning for advanced air mobility and “flying cars,” whether Moving Florida Forward bypassed MPOs, how long major projects take, cost escalation, regionalization of MPOs, port governance, airport governance, and the contractor qualification system. FDOT and the witnesses said the state is working on policy and planning for advanced air mobility, that Moving Florida Forward did not bypass MPOs because the projects were already locally prioritized, and that the main delay is funding rather than the planning process. They said long-range plans are updated regularly and can be amended when priorities change, and that regional MPO structures can improve coordination. The committee took no formal vote; the meeting concluded after questions and comments, including discussion of workforce training opportunities for incarcerated individuals and a motion to adjourn by the ranking member.

Transcript Highlights:

• on the development and the need for space for people to live and have their businesses versus Palm Beach
• When we have engaged with the public, we want it to be a pleasant experience.
• thing, which happens less frequently but is important: if you are having to use your weapon in a public
• So you are also welcome to reach out external to the committee meeting, but we are on public record,
• Second thing, you talked a lot about AI coming from Ormond Beach, Daytona Beach area, northeast Volusia

Summary: The committee received an overview from Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson on the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, including staffing, licensing, forestry, law enforcement, and consumer services. He emphasized agriculture as a major economic driver and a national security issue, arguing that Florida should protect farmland, aquifer recharge areas, and the wildlife corridor through the Rural and Family Lands program. He said the program is cost-effective because the state buys development rights rather than land outright, keeps land on local tax rolls, and helps preserve farmland in perpetuity. He also highlighted the Fresh From Florida marketing program, increased social media reach, and the department’s efforts to reduce vacancies and improve pay and efficiency. Members asked about nutrient management, citrus disease, housing, disaster recovery, wildfire prevention, interdiction stations, and concealed carry permitting. Simpson said SB 1000 and updated best management practice manuals, informed by University of Florida research, are helping agriculture use less water and fertilizer, and he described citrus greening as having devastated the industry while noting research, replanting programs, and CUPS as possible paths to recovery. On housing, he argued that allowing H-2A farmworker housing on farms would ease pressure on the broader housing market, and on disasters he described a zero-interest loan program for farmers affected by hurricanes and other events. He also detailed wildfire preparedness improvements, including upgraded helicopters, dozers, drones, and prescribed burns. The commissioner said ag interdiction stations are catching stolen semis, drugs, human trafficking, and other illegal activity, and that the department wants more technology, including X-ray scanning, to inspect more trucks. He also discussed concealed carry administration, saying the department cleared a large backlog and that constitutional carry reduced but did not eliminate permit demand because permits still provide reciprocity and other benefits. Members generally praised the department’s work, expressed support for rural land protection, Fresh From Florida, water-quality improvements, and foreign-interference concerns, and the meeting ended with no formal votes or other committee action beyond adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• And all this is held in the public.
• Where there's a will, there's a way to access our poles.
• Public counsel for the state of Florida.
• We are really accessible.
• You just have a public, you know, the plan is adopted with a public interest standard, and then once

Committee: Senate Regulated Industries

Summary: The committee met to hear invited presentations on storm recovery and storm protection from the Florida Public Service Commission, Florida Power & Light, Duke Energy, Tampa Electric, Chesapeake Utilities, and the Office of Public Counsel. The PSC reviewed the history of storm restoration financing and utility hardening efforts after major storms such as Hurricane Andrew, the 2004-05 hurricane seasons, Irma, and Michael, explaining storm reserve funds, storm recovery bonds, and the current three-year storm protection plan process. The commission’s role in approving plans and later reviewing prudence of actual costs was emphasized, along with the types of work included in the plans such as vegetation management, pole replacement, undergrounding, feeder hardening, and substation flood protection. The utilities described their own storm-hardening investments and recent storm performance. FPL said it has spent about $4.9 billion on storm protection and recovery-related efforts, highlighted improved restoration times during Helene and Milton, and said it is expanding undergrounding, feeder hardening, and smart-grid technology. Duke Energy reported more than 40,000 hardened poles and structures since 2021, major gains from self-healing grid technology, and faster restoration during recent storms. Tampa Electric described a roughly $200 million annual storm protection effort, including vegetation management, undergrounding, substation hardening, and new storm surge protections, and Chesapeake Utilities discussed its smaller-scale hardening program, vegetation work, pole replacement, and rapid restoration after Helene in Nassau County. Committee members asked about how utilities prioritize neighborhoods for lateral hardening, whether maps of planned projects could be shared, how much each utility has spent on undergrounding and hardening, and how reliability comparisons are normalized against the national average. Public Counsel Walt Trierweiler argued that storm recovery and hardening costs fall too heavily on investor-owned utility customers, said the current framework lacks a meaningful cost-benefit or prudence check at the planning stage, and urged broader sharing of storm costs because the benefits extend to the whole state. Senators also discussed whether the commission can review the reasonableness of approved programs and whether future reports or recommendations from Public Counsel would be helpful. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Schools and Norfolk Public Schools.
• Schools and Norfolk Public Schools.
• Schools and Norfolk Public Schools.
• and Norfolk Public Schools.
• Okay, I think that is it for the public testimony around more laughter from kids.

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• to access this program.
• access to coastal resources.
• They also impact the environment and public access to the coast, potentially, especially places like
• access policies.
• access policies.

Committee: Senate Natural Resources and Water

Summary: The committee heard SB 872, which would direct $300 million annually for 20 years to repair Central Valley subsidence damage and Delta levees to protect State Water Project deliveries. The author and supporters said the bill is needed to safeguard water for 27 million Californians, prevent threats to life and billions in infrastructure, and address long-standing levee and canal vulnerabilities. Testimony in support came from Restore the Delta, the Central Coast Water Authority, and a broad coalition of water agencies, environmental groups, local governments, and business interests; one organization, the California Chamber of Commerce, supported if amended to include federal conveyance infrastructure. No opposition witnesses appeared. Members from both parties praised the bipartisan coalition and discussed funding, beneficiary-pays concerns, and the need to prioritize water infrastructure. The committee voted 5-0 to pass SB 872 as amended to Appropriations, with the bill placed on call. The committee then heard SB 1305, a study bill on the feasibility of reintroducing the California grizzly bear. The author and tribal co-sponsors framed the measure as a science-based, consultation-driven roadmap that would not authorize reintroduction but would evaluate habitat, impacts, and implementation. Supporters, including tribal representatives, conservation groups, and animal welfare organizations, emphasized the grizzly’s cultural significance, ecological role, and the value of planning for coexistence. Opposition came from retired and current law enforcement, county officials, ranching and hunting groups, and rural representatives, who raised public safety, staffing, livestock, and wildlife-management concerns, arguing the Department of Fish and Wildlife lacks resources for another apex predator. Committee members debated whether risk, public safety, local control, and potential reintroduction areas should be addressed earlier in the process. The author agreed to consider amendments on those points and on funding and local authority. The committee voted 4-1 to pass SB 1305 as amended to Appropriations, with the bill held on call. The committee also heard SB 1079, which would create a Cal Fire Fire Innovation Unit to identify firefighter needs, test new technologies, and speed deployment of successful wildfire tools. The author said the bill would formalize a pipeline from pilot projects to statewide use and build on existing Cal Fire technology efforts. Support came from Megafire Action, Fireworks, Aurora Tech, and the Orange County Fire Authority; the California Association of Realtors supported if amended to allow nonprofits to administer grants directly to homeowners. With no opposition testimony, the bill was moved on a 2-0 vote and held on call pending additional members. The committee later took up SB 997, a district bill for the North Fork Kings Groundwater Sustainability Agency that would grant lien authority so it can enforce groundwater fees and sustainability plan requirements without relying on civil litigation. Support came from water contractors, rural counties, and county associations; members discussed whether similar authority should be extended to other GSAs. The bill was moved on a 2-0 vote to Judiciary and held on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• The intent of our requested amendments is just to allow for these homes to be accessible.
• I mean, the accessibility standpoint.
• Uh, Rick Eggert, Waikiki Beach Special Improvement District Association, in support.
• </c><00:39:12.960><c> Special</c> Eggert, Waikiki Beach Special Eggert, Waikiki Beach Special Improvement
• , without lighting, access However, without lighting, access remains<00:41:22.480><c> limited,</c><00

Bills: SB2405 , HCR19 , HCR63 , HCR85 , HCR140 , HCR166 , HCR82 , HCR98 , HCR104 , HCR106 , HCR141 , HCR165 , HR20 , HR57 , HR77 , HR132 , HR156 , HR74 , HR90 , HR96 , HR98 , HR133 , HR155

Committee: House Water & Land

Summary: The Water and Land Committee met on April 7 and heard testimony on several resolutions and one bill. SB 2405 SD1 HD2, relating to agricultural workforce housing, received support from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, HFTC, and the Hawaii Farmers Union, and the committee later recommended passage as is; one member voted with reservations citing department cost and staffing concerns. The committee also heard HCR 19/HR 20 designating March as March for Water Month, HCR 63/HR 57 urging DLNR and DOT to clarify jurisdiction over Honouliuli Bridge, HCR 85/HR 77 on transferring parcels for the East Kapolei TOD project, HCR 140/HR 132 on vegetation management and fuel reduction in West Maui, HCR 166/HR 156 on identifying East Oahu lands for native Hawaiian tree planting, HCR 82/HR 74 on basic shelter standards for rapid deployment housing, HCR 98/HR 90 on a Honolulu housing pattern book, HCR 104/HR 96 on North Shore coastal trails, HCR 106/HR 98 on endorsing Waikiki as a world surfing reserve, HCR 141/HR 133 on Maui fire code enforcement, and HCR 165/HR 155 on permanent pickleball nets and lighting at Kamiloiki Community Park. Testimony was generally supportive on most measures, with several agencies and organizations submitting written comments or appearing in support. HCR 82/HR 74 drew the most discussion: the State Council on Developmental Disabilities supported the intent but asked that accessibility be considered on the front end, while another testifier opposed the resolution, arguing it could turn temporary emergency shelters into permanent substandard housing and should be deferred. Committee members discussed temporary versus permanent housing standards and accessibility, and the chair later said the measure would be amended to require permanent units to meet appropriate code standards and to note accessibility concerns in the committee report. On HCR 140/HR 132, DLNR testified that firebreak maintenance on its Waianae lands would be costly, and members noted funding and staffing implications. At the end of the meeting, the committee adopted the chair’s recommendations on the measures it voted on. SB 2405 was passed with a reservation from one member; HCR 19/HR 20, HCR 63/HR 57, HCR 85/HR 77, HCR 98/HR 90, HCR 104/HR 96, HCR 106/HR 98, HCR 141/HR 133, and HCR 165/HR 155 were passed unamended, while HCR 140/HR 132 was passed with reservations and HCR 166/HR 156 and HCR 82/HR 74 were passed with amendments. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing none, is there public testimony? Seeing none, is there public testimony?
• Water access. Senate Bill 1162 by Senator Leak. Water access facilities.
• Seeing none, we have public testimony. Lisa Lloyd. Seeing none, we have public testimony.
• Public testimony. Questions? Public testimony. Debate. Waive close.
• Seeing none, is there public testimony?

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government heard a presentation on its 2025-2026 budget recommendations and adopted the proposal as a recommendation to the full Senate Appropriations Committee. The chair highlighted major funding items including more than $1.2 billion for water quality and Everglades work, citrus recovery, food bank and pantry grants, wastewater and drinking water loans, beach restoration, flood and sea level rise projects, rural land protection, disaster loans, state facilities repairs, SLERS, accounting system replacement, and continued funding for My Safe Florida Home. Staff were authorized to make technical adjustments, and members were told final proviso project lists would be printed later in the week. The committee then considered several bills and reported them favorably, including SB 796 on DEP general permits for distributed wastewater treatment systems to help local governments address failing septic-related water quality problems; SB 1162 expanding boating improvement and water access facilities programs; SB 466 implementing the Florida Museum of Black History task force’s selection of West Augustine as the museum site; SB 178 creating a FAMU agronomic study on viable crops for land taken out of production; CS/SB 678 allowing pawnbroker transaction forms to be printed or digital; and CS/SB 736 updating the Brownfields program, with a technical amendment adopted. Testimony on these bills was generally supportive, with speakers from affected industries, local governments, and advocacy groups. The committee also took up CS/CS/SB 700, the comprehensive Florida Farm Bill, which included technical agency changes and major policy provisions such as restrictions on additives to public water supplies, labeling requirements for meat, milk, poultry, and eggs, drone-related protections for farmland, disaster recovery loan updates, an honest services registry for charities, FFA scholarship and school infrastructure provisions, and a mechanism for state purchase of former solar-converted agricultural land. The water-additive provisions drew extensive debate and testimony from supporters and opponents, including dental professionals, public health advocates, and groups arguing for medical freedom and local control. Despite the controversy and a no vote from Senator Arrington, the bill was reported favorably. Finally, SB 1226 creating a regulatory framework for pet insurance was also reported favorably, and the committee adjourned after members recorded additional votes on several bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so we're going to start today by opening up the public hearing in just a minute.
• I'm the Vice Chair of the Washington State Public Works Board. My name is Gary Rowe.
• to the public.
• Works Assistance Account, commonly referred to as the Public Works Trust Fund.
• Cities rely on the Public Works Assistance account to meet those needs.

Bills: HB2295

Committee: House Capital Budget

Keywords: Washington capital budget, supplemental capital budget, capital appropriations, state building construction account, taxable building construction account, climate commitment account, natural climate solutions, housing trust fund, affordable housing, supportive housing, homelessness, manufactured home communities, mobile home parks, school construction, school modernization, school seismic safety, healthy schools, school electrification, SCAP, behavioral health facilities

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a CSU Long Beach professor.
• This is a CSU Long Beach professor. had to say, this is a CSU Long Beach professor.
• I was a public school teacher prior.
• We're not saying get rid of public schools. Public schools are wonderful.
• My wife's a fourth grade public school teacher. We support them. All my kids are in public school.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 1067, which would require annual early math screening for K-2 students beginning in 2028-29 to identify learning gaps and connect students to evidence-based support. Senator Weber and supporters, including EdVoice and UC Davis researcher Dr. Charles Wilkes, argued that California’s low math performance and persistent achievement gaps justify early identification and intervention. Opponents, including the California Mathematics Council, county superintendents, and CTA, said the bill could create a new mandate, encourage narrow skill-based instruction, and divert attention from implementing the California Mathematics Framework and investing in teacher training and coaching. Committee members discussed how the screener would work, whether it would identify disabilities or simply flag students needing further evaluation, and cited examples of districts already using early screening tools. No vote was taken because quorum had not yet been established at that point. SB 1110, a child care subsidy administration bill, was presented next. Senator Becker and co-sponsors from the Child Care Resource Center and EveryChild California said the measure would stabilize the child care system as the state moves to enrollment-based funding by clarifying funding for administrative and family-service functions and helping providers maintain staffing, payment timelines, and compliance. There was support from several child care and education organizations and no opposition testimony. The bill was not voted on because the committee still lacked quorum. After recess, the committee heard SB 1374, which would allow public higher education institutions to seek temporary restraining orders on their own behalf when they face credible threats of violence. The CSU Chancellor’s Office and San Diego State police described incidents where threats were directed at campuses broadly rather than specific individuals, leaving institutions without a legal remedy under current law. UC and independent colleges supported the bill, and there was no opposition. The bill was held on call pending quorum. The committee then took up SB 1321, which would direct the State Auditor to review remedial course use and student preparedness at selected UC and CSU campuses. Senator Nila and supporters argued that recent UC San Diego data show severe gaps in incoming students’ math preparation and that the audit would help assess admissions and placement practices; there was no opposition testimony. Members raised concerns about the scope and timing of the audit request, and the bill was held on call. The committee also heard SB 1086 on microschools, which would define microschools in statute and direct model ordinances for local land use regulation. Supporters said microschools are growing but face inconsistent zoning treatment, while some members questioned whether the Legislature had enough information to define the model or direct state guidance without more study. After quorum was established, the committee voted SB 1086 out on a 4-1 vote to the Senate Appropriations Committee, with Senator Perez voting aye, Senator Ochoa Bogh aye, and Senator Cabaldon no; the remaining votes were not fully recorded in the transcript. Finally, SB 1181 was presented as a voluntary pilot program in Central Valley counties to allow schools to share credible safety concerns with regional threat assessment centers. Senator Hurtado and supporters, including the mother of a student killed in a shooting and Corcoran High School students, said the bill would improve early intervention and communication around threats. Members expressed support while also raising privacy and federal-sharing concerns about fusion centers; the bill was discussed but no vote was taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Any other members of the public wishing to express support for SB 1091?
• public funds involved.
• Are there any other members of the public wishing to express support?
• to expand access to consumer protections.
• What they have access to is a 23-year personal property loan.

Summary: The committee heard presentations on several bills. SB 1091, by Senator Kavayetal, would create the Community Anti-Displacement and Preservation (CAP) program within HCD to provide financing and technical support for nonprofit and local efforts to acquire unsubsidized rental housing and preserve it as affordable housing or homeownership opportunities. Supporters, including Enterprise Community Partners, the Unity Council, and several housing and tenant groups, said preservation is a fast, cost-effective way to prevent displacement and homelessness. Members discussed funding, with the author and chair noting the program is intended to be funded through housing bond legislation and would be implemented upon appropriation. The bill was moved on a due-pass motion to Judiciary and passed out of committee. SB 904, by Senator Seyarto, would codify and expand the state’s coordinated wildfire recovery response by requiring HCD and other agencies to identify permitting and code barriers after future state-of-emergency wildfires and report on ways to speed rebuilding. The author cited the faster permitting response after the Los Angeles fires compared with the Camp Fire. Some members supported the goal but raised concerns about repeated reports and the burden on smaller jurisdictions; the author said the bill is meant to avoid reinventing the wheel and to streamline recovery. The committee noted the bill is fiscal and would go to Appropriations, and it was reported out with sufficient votes. SB 1007, by Senator Menjivar, would increase transparency and limit assessment growth in homeowners associations by requiring clearer disclosure of HOA finances and violation evidence, and by replacing the current 20% annual assessment increase ceiling with a cap tied to inflation, with possible amendments still under discussion. Supporters, including consumer and homeowner advocates, said the bill would help protect homeowners from steep fee hikes and opaque budgeting. Opponents from HOA management and industry groups argued the bill could undermine reserve funding, delay maintenance, and create more special assessments, while also adding duplicative disclosure requirements. Members debated whether the bill would protect homeowners without harming HOA finances; the author said he would continue negotiations and that the bill would look different in the next committee.