Transcript Highlights:

• Safety De-escalation and Life Safety Fund and repeals the Peace Officer Training Equipment Fund Advisory
• We had two public safety equipment funds.
• The public safety equipment fund is a fund that's housed in DPS, and, Mr.
• That goes into a list with the public safety chair, and then it gets funded out of the fund.
• Senate Bill 1673, and this funding strengthens public safety, supports victims... ...and this funding

Committee: House House Appropriations Committee of Reference

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee met on March 25 for what was described as its last regular meeting, with a possible special meeting the following week. The committee first took up Senate Bill 1112, adopting a Livingston strike-everything amendment that appropriates $1 million from the special services fund in fiscal year 2027 to the Department of Corrections for holistic, studio-based rehabilitative programming and requires a report on spending, self-harm, discipline, and recidivism by June 30, 2028. Supporters from Art of Our Soul testified that the trauma-informed art and music therapy program has reduced disciplinary violations, self-harm, and mental health watches, and members described it as a rehabilitation effort with documented benefits. The bill, as amended, received a due pass recommendation by a 16-2 vote. The committee then considered Senate Bill 1776, which would expand AHCCCS coverage for traditional healing services to include urban Indian organizations. AHCCCS testified neutrally but said the change would require a waiver amendment, would not qualify for 100% federal match, and would carry an estimated $1.3 million general fund impact. The sponsor argued the bill would align Arizona with federal policy and correct an omission of urban Indian organizations from the existing waiver. After discussion about costs and whether the bill should proceed with a committee of the whole amendment, the committee gave SB 1776 a do pass recommendation by a 9-6-2-1 vote, with several members expressing concern about AHCCCS growth and the funding source. Senate Bill 1537, which would rename the Peace Officer Training Equipment Fund as the Public Safety De-escalation and Life Safety Fund and repeal its advisory commission, failed. Testimony explained that the commission has not met in years and that the bill was largely a cleanup measure, but the Arizona Police Association opposed the change and some members wanted the commission reformed rather than repealed. The committee voted it down 6-9, with members split over whether the fund should remain tied to its current structure. The committee next adopted an amendment to Senate Bill 1584 that shifted a $1 million appropriation for Department of Corrections recruitment and training from the general fund to the Peace Officer Training Equipment Fund. Supporters said DOC remains understaffed and that the training/recruitment program has worked elsewhere; some members questioned whether the fund could legally be used for that purpose, but the amendment passed and the bill received a do pass recommendation by a 10-5-2-2 vote. Finally, Senate Bill 1673, which funds the law enforcement crime victim notification system, was amended to reduce the appropriation from $5 million general fund to about $2.595 million from the victim compensation fund. Testimony from the Arizona Sheriffs Association, victim notification vendors, and Phoenix officials emphasized the program’s importance, while others argued the amendment would raid victim compensation resources. The amendment and the bill as amended both passed, and the committee adjourned after noting the next calendar had not yet been posted.

Transcript Highlights:

• Anyway, the safety and security bill and Anyway, the safety and security bill and some<00:04:14.280><
• in the special revenue fund for a public education campaign related to electric-assisted bicycle safety
• </c> special revenue fund. special revenue fund.
• </c> electric-assisted bicycle safety. electric-assisted bicycle safety.
• </c><00:14:59.680><c> That</c> Office of Traffic Safety. That Office of Traffic Safety.

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Just like our school safety allotment, funding wasn't the same in terms of The per-pupil allotment isn't
• The Ship Channel Improvement Fund is a non-dedicated fund account in the General Revenue Fund.
• to the fund, to be used for purposes of the fund.
• Development Fund to a separate account within the State Highway Fund.
• to remain in the fund and not be deposited into the General Revenue Fund.

Bills: SB249 , SB546 , SB744 , SB927 , SB1227 , SB1229 , SB1353 , SB1365 , SB1366 , SB1394 , SB1464 , SB1709 , SB1729 , SB1733 , SB1744 , SB1745 , SB1746 , SB1772 , SB1816 , SB1841 , SB1939

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• The program definitely needs to be funded more.
• funding plan.
• funding plan.
• So we use the alternate funding plan that's in 718; it says that the DBPR can approve an alternate funding
• It does not compromise safety.

Committee: Senate Regulated Industries

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries heard and advanced several bills, with the most extensive discussion centered on condominium issues, gambling enforcement, and public safety. CS/SB 592 on the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program was amended to clarify the three-story eligibility threshold and to add sliding glass door wind-driven rain mitigation devices as an eligible improvement. A late-filed amendment to appropriate $500 million for the program failed on a 3-4 roll call vote, and the bill was then reported favorably. Members also took up CS/SB 1742, a broad condominium and cooperative association reform bill, which would give associations more flexibility on reserves after milestone inspections, require substitute budgets over certain spending increases, improve disclosure and conflict-of-interest rules, expand data collection, and extend some disclosure rescission periods; the committee adopted an amendment and reported the bill favorably. The committee also approved CS/SB 622 on pari-mutuel permit leasing, as amended to allow leasing to same-class permit holders or Hialeah permit holders and to make related wagering licenses discretionary rather than automatic. SB 1404 on illegal gambling was reported favorably after amendments allowing veterans organizations to seek declaratory rulings on machine compliance and adding ethics/revolving-door restrictions for Gaming Commission personnel; a late amendment concerning a Miami casino property was withdrawn. Testimony on that bill came from prosecutors, the Gaming Control Commission, veterans groups, and amusement machine operators, with supporters emphasizing organized crime enforcement and opponents seeking clearer definitions and compliance guidance. On public safety and infrastructure, SB 1682 to include 911 dispatchers in the definition of first responder was reported favorably with strong support from dispatchers and committee members. SB 818 on utility relocation and SB 1228 on spring restoration were also reported favorably, with counties opposing the utility bill as a taxpayer cost shift. SB 948 on flood disclosures for rental properties and condominium sales/rentals was reported favorably after support from environmental and flood advocacy groups. The committee also heard SB 604 on residential pool safety requirements, but the chair temporarily postponed it after concerns were raised about how the inspection requirement would work in cash transactions and whether it would require permits or delay closings.

Transcript Highlights:

• c> funding.
• ><c> fund.
• </c> from the highway fund. from the highway fund.
• </c> funded by that money? funded by that money?
• </c> either out of safety or within safety. either out of safety or within safety. that<02:01:37.920>

Committee: Senate Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• And we also support the ongoing funding for the traffic safety data analytics center.
• </c> funding across the finish line in 2023. funding across the finish line in 2023.
• </c> funding cuts for NLX and passenger rail. funding cuts for NLX and passenger rail.
• fund.
• So what this does just clarifies some of the items which the advisory council on traffic safety can fund

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and I appreciate the funding piece, but I also think the safety and security of our members here
• Um, and I appreciate the funding piece, but I also think the safety and security of our members here
• Um, and I appreciate the funding piece, but I also think the safety and security of our members here
• Um, and I appreciate the funding piece, but I also think the safety and security of our members here
• Um, and I appreciate the funding piece, but I also think the safety and security of our members here

Bills: HF3418 , HF3739 , HF3791 , HF3356 , HF3695 , HF3430

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• on</c> fund is funded through assessments on fund is funded through assessments on insurers<00:13:53.480
• </c><00:15:38.720><c> goes</c> compensation fund is the fund that goes compensation fund is the fund
• just</c> compensation fund funds more than just compensation fund funds more than just the<00:42:46.720
• </c><00:45:45.960><c> it</c> it's funded by the work comp fund it it's funded by the work comp fund it
• fund.

Committee: Senate Labor

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, in addition to that, we put $1 million each year to fund local public safety radio equipment called
• Uh, in addition to that, we put $1 million each year to fund local public safety radio equipment called
• Uh, in addition to that, we put $1 million each year to fund local public safety radio equipment called
• We heard in for us to fund those costs.
• </c> thank you for maintaining the funding thank you for maintaining the funding for<00:09:37.920><c>

Summary: The committee took up House File 2432, the public safety finance bill, and first confirmed that the public safety finance committee had met its budget target: an additional $50 million over the February forecast base for fiscal years 2026-27 and another $50 million in the tails. Chair Noatne and Chair Mhler described the bill as a compromise that tried to balance major operating pressures, especially at the Department of Corrections, with public safety priorities. The bill includes funding for peace officer training and recruitment, including the Philando Castile training fund, duty-to-intercede training, and the intensive police officer training program, as well as money for local public safety radio equipment. It also contains penalty and public safety changes such as increased penalties for certain offenses, a longer statute of limitations for first-degree arson, a mandatory minimum for first-degree criminal sexual trafficking, fentanyl-related provisions, and a requirement that the Department of Corrections maintain Narcan in prisons. Members also discussed victim services funding, including the creation of a special revenue account to help stabilize support for domestic violence shelters, sexual assault advocates, child abuse centers, and crime victim services. During discussion, members raised concerns that the target was too small to cover DOC operating costs and could affect evidence processing, corrections staffing, and rehabilitation programming. Questions focused on prison phone-call funding, which was described as about $3 million per year, and cable television costs, estimated at about $1 million per year. Supporters argued that phone access and programming help rehabilitation, maintain family connections, and improve safety for staff and incarcerated people. No amendments were offered. The committee then adopted motions to incorporate House File 2300 and House File 2432 into the public safety and judiciary omnibus as separate articles, and finally approved House File 2432 as amended for placement on the general register, with technical corrections authorized. The motions prevailed without opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> safety work.
• I want our public safety safety work.
• </c> to to solving public safety issues. to to solving public safety issues.
• fund.
• </c> and bridge fund. and bridge fund.

Bills: HF3919 , HF1335 , HF3864 , HF3916 , HF3728

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> safety, uh healthcare uh farm safety safety, uh healthcare uh farm safety health<00:02:43.599><c
• He also appreciated the inclusion of funding for farmer mental health and farm safety grants. this bill
• They also very much appreciate the inclusion of funding for farmer mental health and farm safety grants
• So, thank you. ...new base funding for farm safety and rural mental health.
• And and I I understand the safety<00:40:25.119><c> part.</c> safety part. safety part.

Bills: HF2446

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Still funded that way today.
• Federal funds stay with federal, funds.
• </c> the school safety and resiliency act. the school safety and resiliency act.
• </c> children in the school safety realm. children in the school safety realm.
• We're independently funded. So on that. We're independently funded.

Summary: The committee opened its sixth meeting of the 2025 Interim Joint Committee on Education, confirmed a quorum, recorded attendance votes, and approved the minutes. Chair Lewis reminded presenters to keep remarks brief because of the full agenda and limited time. The first presentation was from United Way of Southern Kentucky, with Anne Puckett, Craig Browning, and Warren County Schools Superintendent Rob Clayton introducing a regional early childhood initiative. The presenters argued that kindergarten readiness and early childhood support are critical to later academic and life outcomes. They cited research and statistics about brain development in the first five years, the effects of unprepared kindergarten entry, and links between low literacy, school discipline, dropout rates, and incarceration. They said their region’s readiness scores fell during COVID and after a tornado, and that the most effective response was in-home parent education to help families support children from birth to age five. They described the model as voluntary, community-based, and not requiring new buildings, and said similar programs have been successful in Missouri. The group said it had already raised more than $1 million in private donations and committed three years of funding for four additional staff, expanding service in Allen, Logan, and Warren counties. They requested $600,000 per year for the next two-year budget cycle to add 12 more educators, serve about 360 families and 660 additional children, and build evidence for a possible statewide model. Members generally expressed support for the concept, with Representative Tipton and Representative Jackson discussing a prior home-based preschool pilot and the importance of starting early. Representative Calloway questioned whether increased family chaos and government involvement justified the approach; presenters responded that the program uses community educators, not a government-run organization, and is aimed at helping overwhelmed families. Representative Stalker asked about eligibility and early intervention, and presenters said the program serves children from birth to age five and can help identify needs early enough to connect families with services such as First Steps.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is supported by the Facilities Partnership Fund, which is fund balances, set-aside funds, and transfers
• from the Public School Fund.
• It's supported by the State Central Services Fund. Item G is a letter from Public Safety.
• It's supported by the Public Safety Trust Fund, which is fees on phone lines and wireless services.
• I know that those are essential funds that have been used for safety measures.

Committee: All ALC-PEER

Transcript Highlights:

• I would like to address the matter of funding for school safety.
• I would like to address the matter of funding for school safety.
• All our applicable funding has been directly applied to ensure their safety.
• Some of the work that we were able to do with ESSER funds, when we did get school safety aid funds, was
• Some of the work that we were able to do with ESSER funds, when we did get school safety aid funds, was

Bills: HF827 , HF1258 , HF2387 , HF2388 , HF2534 , HF2016

Committee: House Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• to those funds.
• So we urge expanded and continuing funding to stabilize our safety net.
• So we urge expanded and continuing funding to stabilize our safety net.
• funding.
• However, we are disappointed to not see the reinvestment of seed funding that has acted as a safety net

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee met to consider the 2026 Budget Act, which leaders said was the negotiated compromise with the Senate and was expected to move to the floor that evening. Opening remarks emphasized that the plan balances the budget over two years, reduces the structural deficit, and builds reserves, while also protecting core services in the face of federal cuts. Jason Sisney outlined the legislative budget framework and the likely floor bills, including AB 109, SB 110, SB 122, and SB 125. Department of Finance representative Eric Khali said the administration appreciated the two-year balanced approach and supported the modification in SB 122, while noting the package uses additional revenues and new spending to soften or reject some proposed cuts. Most of the discussion focused on major spending areas. Members and subcommittee chairs highlighted protections and additions for health care and human services, including rejecting the proposed Medi-Cal asset limit change, delaying premium increases, restoring clinic and dental funding, supporting distressed hospitals and county indigent care, and expanding county eligibility staffing to handle H.R. 1-related workload. Education members described record or expanded support for TK-12 schools, child care, special education, community colleges, teacher recruitment, and higher education, including a change to extend Cal Grant eligibility to age 30 for some community college students. Housing and homelessness funding was increased for HAP, multifamily housing, and the low-income housing tax credit, while public safety members pointed to investments in victims’ services, restorative justice, and prison closure savings. Several members also raised concerns or priorities tied to the budget deal. Some praised the package as a moral document that protects vulnerable Californians, immigrant communities, LGBTQ residents, seniors, and people with disabilities. Others noted unresolved issues, including the MCO tax’s impact on districts, the need for more support for local journalism, arts, biotech R&D incentives, transit and GGRF-related concerns, and the need for continued work on Prop. 98 and long-term fiscal resilience. The vice chair cautioned that despite the current progress, the state remains vulnerable to revenue volatility and warned that the budget should build more resilience against a possible downturn. No formal vote was taken in the portion provided, but the committee was preparing the budget package for floor action and final negotiations.

Transcript Highlights:

• The next set of funds are the rural infrastructure funds.
• The next bucket of funding is rural workforce program funding.
• Visit Florida funding. This is level funding for Visit Florida.
• The next bucket of funding is rural workforce program funding.
• Visit Florida funding. This is level funding for Visit Florida.

Bills: S0048

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development heard the Governor’s proposed FY 2026-27 budget for the TED silo and presentations from Commerce, Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Military Affairs, the State Guard, State, Transportation, and Emergency Management. The Governor’s office outlined a $117.4 billion overall budget, including $18.3 billion for TED agencies, with major allocations for FDOT, Commerce, emergency management, tourism, military affairs, and state operations. Agency heads emphasized priorities such as housing and disaster recovery, workforce and rural infrastructure, law enforcement recruitment, defense support, tourism marketing, aerospace and spaceport investment, election audits, historic preservation, road and bridge maintenance, aviation safety, and emergency preparedness systems. Members asked several questions about the use and effectiveness of funding. Visit Florida officials said the public-private match is essential and that they exceeded the required match last year. Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles discussed trooper pay, vehicle replacement, aviation support, and transparency tools such as vehicle camera systems, with senators praising the department’s recruitment efforts. Military Affairs and the State Guard described readiness, recruiting, facility construction, and support for domestic missions, including hurricane response and perimeter security at the Everglades detention site; questions focused on deployment tempo, staffing, and costs. The Department of State explained funding for automated election audits, a conservation lab, and historic preservation, and said its arts grant changes were intended to standardize scoring rather than cut programs. Transportation highlighted a $15.4 billion total budget, major work program funding, safety initiatives, seaport and aviation investments, and the elimination of Florida Rail Enterprise funding due to reduced documentary stamp revenues. The committee also heard and passed CS/SB 48 by Senator Gates, which requires local governments to allow accessory dwelling units on a voluntary basis, while preserving local authority over setbacks, construction, and permitting. An amendment removed reusable tenant screening reports and clarified that conforming ADUs are allowed by right without separate hearings. The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association and several industry and business groups supported the bill, citing the need for long-term rental housing for workers. After debate, the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably by roll call vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Safety Council.
• Funds for tribal traffic safety grants would also be part of the program.
• traffic safety grants, with funding programs through FY 2027 and 2029 for tribal coordinator and grant
• funding.
• Okay, so the funding source for this in the Senate budget is from what fund?

Committee: House Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• shall be funds transferred from the Alcohol and Drug Driving Safety Program, created in section 42-4-
• These amounts shall be from various sources of cash funds, including the Alcohol and Drug Driving Safety
• ><c> in</c> driving safety program fund created in driving safety program fund created in section<02:
• shall be from the Conveyance Safety Fund created in section 9-5.5-112B, C.R.S. 15. $550,522 shall be
• from various sources of cash funds. 20,000<03:08:26.399><c> prevention</c><03:08:26.720><c> safety</

Transcript Highlights:

• So we urge expanded and continuing funding to stabilize our safety net.
• funding.
• funding.
• However, we are disappointed not to see the reinvestment of seed funding that has acted as a safety net
• However, we are disappointed not to see the reinvestment of seed funding that has acted as a safety net

Committee: House Budget

Transcript Highlights:

• Service may include auto-carrying capacity and may be funded from the general fund and general county
• Without advancing safety.
• in the Washington Traffic Safety Commission to recommend programs and projects that improve the safety
• WTA members are proponents of safety and feel safety doesn't cost; it actually ultimately pays in multiple
• It's a massive, thick green book of safety regulations.

Summary: The committee first held an executive session on several transportation measures heard earlier in the session, including bills on rounding cash transactions to eliminate pennies, vehicle title transfers to insurers, a memorial bridge naming, BAT lane access for private employer transportation services, oil tanker escort requirements, Traffic Safety Commission authority, fifth-wheel trailer length, electric vehicle sales and funding, and vehicle loads on public highways. Most of the measures were advanced with due pass recommendations to the Rules Committee, and the committee adopted amendments on the penny-rounding bill, the EV funding bill, and the vehicle-loads bill. Members noted some opposition or reservations on a few items, including the penny-rounding proposal and the vehicle-loads amendment, but the motions carried. The committee then returned to public hearing on several bills. Substitute House Bill 2323 would create a blue envelope program for neurodiverse drivers to help communicate with law enforcement during traffic stops; the Department of Licensing and State Patrol fiscal notes were described, and the bill drew strong support in signed-in testimony. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2588 would expand county ferry district authority to include vehicle ferries and require voter approval for new taxes after the effective date; testimony was mixed, with Whatcom County officials and ferry users supporting the bill as a funding tool, while one opponent criticized the tax and timing provisions. The committee also heard public testimony on Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2172, which would change the route jurisdiction transfer and abandonment process for state highways by requiring agreements or legislative review for longer abandonments or bridge transfers; cities, counties, the Transportation Commission, and the TIB supported the bill as a more transparent process. Additional public hearings covered Substitute House Bill 2203, creating reckless interference with emergency operations for drivers who bypass emergency road closures; a defense-lawyer witness opposed the mandatory license suspension, while the sponsor described the bill as a response to flood and fire rescues. Substitute House Bill 2410 would create a Commercial Truck Safety and Education Council and raise the commercial vehicle safety enforcement fee from $16 to $32 per vehicle; the trucking industry and business groups supported it as a safety and training investment. The committee also heard a staff briefing and sponsor testimony on Second Substitute House Bill 1923, the Mosquito Fleet Act, which would expand passenger-only ferry district options and was presented as a local tool to improve ferry access and relieve Washington State Ferries congestion.