Transcript Highlights:

• In the event of a testifier's end.
• </c><00:43:23.359><c> and</c> we have series of focused events and we have series of focused events and
• 13.120><c> your</c><01:09:13.279><c> written</c> event, please note that your written event, please note
• &gt;&gt; Except<02:05:47.599><c> social</c><02:05:48.000><c> gambling,</c> &gt;&gt; Except social gambling
• </c> new amendments made in this bill except new amendments made in this bill except for<03:04:47.520

Bills: HB2118 , HB2473

Committee: House Economic Development & Technology

Summary: The committee heard several bills related to permitting and economic development. On HB 2603, relating to permits, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development said it supported the measure with comments. Committee discussion focused on the fact that the state’s facilitated permit process appears to have been rarely or never used, the need to identify specific projects that would use it, and whether DBEDT would need dedicated staffing to administer it. DBEDT said it had found no projects under the current process, had no capacity to run the program as structured, and estimated it would need about 7 to 9 FTEs, including permitting, coordination, data, systems, and possibly legal support. The chair suggested exploring a staff assignment and comparing the concept to federal FAST-41-style expedited permitting. On HB 2140, relating to essential permitting positions, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development again supported the bill with comments. Testimony and questioning centered on a pilot program to help counties pay competitively for permitting staff. A DBEDT representative said the issue of competitive pay affected both county and state permitting offices and that the bill was intended as a temporary pilot, though a more permanent solution would be preferable. When asked how counties would fund the salary support, the witness said that was not yet discussed with the counties and agreed to follow up. The committee also noted the bill applies to participating counties. On HB 2598, relating to the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation, the State Procurement Office and HTDC offered comments, and the Department of the Attorney General raised constitutional concerns. The AG said the bill’s residency-based certification requirements, when tied to procurement, could implicate the dormant Commerce Clause, and that the required 1% contribution tied to state contracts raised unconstitutional-conditions concerns. In questioning, the AG characterized these as legal risks rather than automatic lawsuits. The committee did not take a vote. The committee then heard HB 2141, relating to state enterprise zones. Taxation, DBEDT, HCDA, the University of Hawaii Cancer Center, and HTDC testified in support, while the Tax Foundation noted the program was intended to help economically depressed areas create jobs. HTDC said the bill would help preserve the Maui Research and Technology Center’s enterprise-zone status after rezoning. Committee discussion focused on whether the enterprise zone program is being used effectively, how the bill might attract businesses to areas where the state is investing, and whether the program’s labor requirements are too burdensome for new businesses. DBEDT explained that the program requires a 10% workforce increase in the first year, which must be sustained, and said it promotes the program through county coordinators and in-person outreach. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's allowing tech companies to carve out exceptions.
• Tens of millions of our constituents experience these events and want to experience these events.
• For decades, fans could access events in a very simple way.
• Notably, Coachella is not a Ticketmaster-Live Nation event.
• while simultaneously selling tools at these events to rip off consumers.

Committee: House Privacy and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:45:53.040><c> when</c> which is legal on all lakes except when which is legal on all lakes except
• We can't stop those events or totally prevent them, but we've got to take some measures.
• </c> of community engagement so events of community engagement so events regarding<03:12:20.239><c> the
• </c><03:18:03.199><c> youth</c> Outreach of community events youth Outreach of community events youth
• It may not be an exception regarding the growth of the national trend in dam failures.

Summary: The committee first discussed scheduling and notice for upcoming executive sessions on a larger slate of bills, including plans to take up eight bills in the morning and possibly the last three bills in the afternoon, with caucus time provided if needed. The chair emphasized advance notice, publication, and flexibility if more bills are added later. The hearing then opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and proceeded to HB 568, a bill allowing local planning boards to request water supply studies for subdivisions to ensure water adequacy as housing density increases. Representative Kat McGee, the prime sponsor, said HB 568 was developed after constituent concerns about private wells being affected by nearby development. She described the bill as narrowly tailored, non-mandatory, and intended to preserve local control while clarifying that planning boards may request studies under local regulations. She noted bipartisan support, an exclusion for community water systems and larger groundwater withdrawals regulated elsewhere, and said the bill would help prevent water shortages and related problems for new and existing homes. Questions from members focused on whether the bill should specify that it applies to subdivisions of four or more lots, since that language had been in an earlier version. Testimony on HB 568 was mixed. Bob Quinn of the New Hampshire Association of Realtors opposed the bill, arguing it lacked a definition of “water supply study,” could lead to expensive hydrology studies, and might raise housing costs; he suggested more work with DES or a study committee. DES administrator Brandon Kernin said the department had worked from a 2010 groundwater commission report, that such problems arise only intermittently in certain areas, and that the bill would make explicit local authority to adopt such ordinances. He also said DES data and homeowner surveys can help identify problem areas and that more robust wells could be considered in the long term. The committee noted 10 online submissions in favor and 3 opposed, plus blue-sheet testimony of 2 in favor and 1 neutral, and then closed the hearing on HB 568. The committee immediately opened HB 582, a bill on safety requirements for operation of personal watercraft. Representative Darby, the sponsor, said the bill responds to the speed and maneuverability of modern personal watercraft, which he described as more like motorcycles on water than traditional boats, and cited a fatal accident on Lake Monomonac as an example of the risks. He said the bill is not intended to restrict ordinary recreation or wake surfing, but to update safety standards for a newer class of larger, quieter three-person PWCs. The hearing began with Darby’s presentation, and no vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• These events do more than just disrupt traffic.
• Despite steps taken by cities and the state, enforcement has not kept pace with how these events operate
• Following these events, the San Jose Police Department told communities they couldn't perform large-scale
• These events are not simply traffic violations.
• The bill provides greater clarity regarding the types of vehicles commonly involved in these events.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Transportation heard testimony on a large agenda of transportation-related bills, with several measures discussed before a quorum was established. AB 1588 focused on sideshows and street takeovers, with the author, San Francisco Police Department, and Streets Are for Everyone arguing the bill would modernize enforcement, add motorbikes and dirt bikes to the sideshow framework, and improve public safety; there was no opposition testimony. AB 2015 would require Caltrans to study the effects of third-party navigation apps on congestion, local streets, infrastructure, and emergency response, and was supported by Streets for All, AAA, and local agencies, with no opposition. AB 2717 would extend a sunset for off-site advertising displays at large sports venues; the Dodgers supported it, the San Jose Sharks and others noted amendments, and no opposition was heard. AB 1608 would strengthen the independence and transparency of the High-Speed Rail Office of Inspector General by requiring public reports, adding confidentiality protections for sensitive security information, and granting staffing and purchasing authority; the First Amendment Coalition supported the amended bill, while the Vice Chair raised concerns about transparency and limiting confidential notices to committee chairs. The committee also heard AB 2346 on e-bike safety, which would require speedometers on Class 2 e-bikes, lights, a statewide sidewalk speed limit, local authority over bike-path speeds, and point-of-sale disclosures. Support came from medical, law enforcement, local government, and safety groups citing rising injuries and confusion over e-bike rules; PeopleForBikes remained opposed unless amended, mainly over lighting and disclosure requirements, though Streets for All withdrew its opposition after amendments. Members broadly supported the bill and discussed helmet use, youth safety, and the distinction between e-bikes and higher-powered e-motos. AB 1919 would let Santa Cruz Metro place a citizens’ initiative on the ballot to secure transit funding and protect service and jobs; the sponsor, bus operators, and labor supported it, with no opposition testimony. AB 2012 would streamline permits for moving manufactured homes under an annual permit, and AB 2024 would clarify Outdoor Advertising Act permitting and relocation procedures; both drew support from industry and housing groups and no opposition. After quorum was established, the committee adopted the consent calendar, which included items 13, 6, 8, 11, 14, 15, and 21, by roll call vote. The committee then heard AB 2484, which would allow San Diego voters to authorize a local transit tax initiative for MTS; the author and MTS argued it would preserve service and allow voters to decide future funding, and the bill advanced on a 5-2 roll call with the roll left open for absent members. The committee also heard AB 2560, which would codify the state transportation climate principles known as CAPTI; supporters said it would lock in goals for transit, rail, active transportation, equity, and greenhouse gas reduction, while Orange County Transportation Authority opposed. The author closed by asking for aye votes, and the committee proceeded toward roll-call action on the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so this essentially is exactly what's in the federal law, except it does not So this essentially
• is exactly what's in the federal law, except it does not include the Commerce Clause language that's
• I mean, rape is a traumatic event.
• I mean, rape is a traumatic event.
• So I'm curious, is this the only exception to that standard of care? Like, are there other things?

Committee: House Crime and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• agree that this sensible legislation addresses potential uncertain situations that might arise in the event
• There's a company called Eventive Technologies where they passed out a tablet to individuals who are
• them with these petitions to seal, we help them with expungements, we help them with good cause exceptions
• So we will help with the petitions to seal, the expungements, the good cause exceptions.
• So we will help with the petitions to seal, the expungements, the good cause exceptions.

Committee: House House Government Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee opened with a lengthy chair’s statement about Department of Child Safety oversight, saying prior hearings had revealed systemic failures in communication, child placement oversight, response times, transparency, and accountability. The chair said the committee would continue pursuing reforms through legislation and ongoing reporting requirements. Members then discussed allegations involving child trafficking in congregate care settings and the need for separate legal representation for children who are victims of crimes, with one member saying the state and AG’s office were aware of trafficking issues and that outside representation was necessary. The committee then heard and voted on several bills. SB 1141, dealing with presidential electors if a candidate dies, withdraws, or becomes incapacitated before the Electoral College meets, received support from the sponsor and outside groups and passed 4-3. SB 1186, requiring disclosure of certain things of value by companies seeking government contracts or grants, also passed. SB 1808, concerning display of certain flags in HOA and planned community settings, passed after the sponsor said it was intended to protect the ability to fly the Israeli flag. SB 1050, providing a lifetime state parks pass for certain veterans, passed after adoption of an amendment expanding eligibility to some disabled veterans; Arizona State Parks testified neutral but warned of revenue impacts, while members debated the fiscal note and support for veterans. The committee also passed SB 1140, which creates a misdemeanor expungement process for certain people, including trafficking survivors, after testimony from anti-trafficking advocates and service providers who said it would help survivors rebuild their lives while excluding serious offenses. SB 1437, requiring public records to be provided in the least expensive electronic form when possible, passed over opposition from some local government groups. SB 1246, raising the delinquency threshold before a condominium lien foreclosure can occur, passed unanimously. SB 1664, lowering signature requirements for constable candidates in large counties, passed unanimously. Finally, SB 1338, making certain noncitizens ineligible for state or local public benefits, passed 4-3. The meeting ended with members offering farewells and thanks to one another and staff, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Caitlin's story is not an exception. Caitlin's story is not an exception.
• Every state where we operate the Excel Center provides funding to support the school except for the state
• just, again, it's concerning to me that we talk about these things without recognizing the critical events
• So we are... to me that we talk about these things without recognizing the critical events that are happening
• With a few exceptions, individual line amounts haven't changed That much over time, but there has been

Summary: The House and Senate Education Committee first approved minutes from February 2 and 3, then took up an interim study proposal on adult education and the Excel Center model. Representatives from Goodwill Industries of Arkansas, the Excel Center network, and the University of Notre Dame’s Lab for Economic Opportunities testified that roughly 300,000 Arkansans over age 19 lack a high school diploma or GED, and argued that the Excel Center provides a supported diploma pathway for adults who struggle with GED testing. Witnesses highlighted wraparound services such as free child care, transportation assistance, tutoring, life coaching, and career services, and cited outcomes including high retention, growing enrollment, and research showing higher employment and earnings and lower criminal justice involvement for graduates. Committee members raised questions about the state’s role, existing adult education programs, and how the study would be structured; the motion to adopt the ISP passed, though there was some procedural disagreement about when questions should have been taken. The committee then heard a detailed adequacy funding overview from BLR staff Katie Walden and Adrian Beck on Arkansas K-12 education finance. They reviewed national funding principles and explained Arkansas’s system, including state and local revenue sources, the Public School Fund, the Educational Excellence Trust Fund, the Educational Adequacy Fund, and the Facilities Partnership Program. Staff said K-12 state and local revenues totaled $6.6 billion in 2025, with foundation funding making up the largest share of district and charter funding, followed by additional, categorical, and supplemental funds. They also explained the matrix-based foundation formula, the role of the uniform rate of tax, and how categorical and supplemental funds support areas such as alternative learning, English learners, special education high-cost cases, teacher salary equalization, declining enrollment, and student growth. Members asked several follow-up questions about how specific funding categories are defined and used, including student support staff, instructional aides, special education high-cost occurrences, ALE funding, teacher salary equalization, and the inclusion of Excel Center amounts in state-local funding totals. Staff said some of those details would be addressed in a later presentation and offered to provide additional records, including district lists and historical information. The meeting ended after the funding overview, with no additional votes or actions beyond the ISP adoption and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• audit tested 10% of students who participated in the program for scholarship eligibility and noted exceptions
• As shown on the slide, these exceptions include scholarships awarded in excess of the maximum award of
• Of 147 disbursements tested, totaling $1.9 million, we noted 124 exceptions as shown on the slide.
• These exceptions include lack of proper authorization for payment, lack of proper documentation, and
• Students participating in the program attended cultural and social activities and events that were funded

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING

Transcript Highlights:

• as a fundraiser, serving both as a committee member and a sponsor for one of their key fundraising events
• , which is their annual Sporting Clays benefit shoot. ...one of their key fundraising events, which is
• The opportunity that the state university system provides—access to an exceptional, nationally ranked
• The opportunity that the state university system provides, access to an exceptional nationally ranked
• Even though I'm a Gator, I got to say go Noles too, except one time a year, one time a year.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met to hear confirmation testimony for a large slate of university and state college trustees. Most of the discussion centered on the nominees’ backgrounds, ties to their institutions, and priorities such as student success, workforce development, financial sustainability, research growth, housing, and maintaining or improving university rankings. Several University of Florida trustees emphasized campus improvements, “One UF” integration, institutional neutrality, and ambitions to move UF into the top tier nationally. Other nominees highlighted goals for Florida A&M, Florida Atlantic, UCF, Florida State, Florida Poly, the Florida Prepaid College Board, and several state colleges, with recurring themes of affordability, economic mobility, cybersecurity, and keeping Florida students in-state for college and careers. Public testimony was heard on the Florida A&M appointment, where Elijah Hooks spoke in opposition to the current administration and described his expulsion, arrest, and trespass from the university after protesting the selection of President Marva Johnson. During questioning of FAU nominee Tina Vidal-Duart, senators asked about her prior service on the Hope Florida Foundation board and about reports concerning CDR Health’s contracting practices; she said she was not aware of the foundation issues at the time and noted that CDR’s state contract was a flat daily rate, so subcontractor pricing affected only the company’s internal margins. Other nominees received little or no questioning. At the end of the meeting, the committee voted to confirm all nominees except Tina Vidal-Duart separately. Senator Bracy Davis requested the separate vote and opposed her confirmation, citing concerns related to her Hope Florida Foundation board service. Despite that objection, the committee ultimately voted to report Vidal-Duart favorably as well. The committee also noted that one University of West Florida nominee would be taken up at a later hearing because he was unable to attend.

Transcript Highlights:

• , which is their annual sporting clays. ...one of their key fundraising events, which is their annual
• The opportunity that the state university system provides—access to an exceptional, nationally ranked
• The opportunity that the state university system provides, access to an exceptional nationally ranked
• Even though I'm a Gator, I got to say go Noles too, except one time a year, one time a year.
• And by your vote, all members that we have heard from today except for Tab 7 will be reported favorably

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met to hear confirmations for 19 appointees and reappointees to university and state college boards, with most of the agenda focused on the University of Florida, Florida A&M University, Florida Atlantic University, University of Central Florida, Florida State University, Florida Polytechnic University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Pensacola State College, State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota, North Florida College, South Florida State College, and the Florida Prepaid College Board. Testimony from the nominees generally emphasized their educational backgrounds, professional experience, and priorities such as student success, workforce development, financial sustainability, research growth, housing, and maintaining or improving institutional rankings. Several UF trustees highlighted the university’s “One UF” vision, institutional neutrality, and goals of reaching top-three or top-one national status. Other nominees stressed the role of state colleges in workforce pipelines, and Florida Poly witnesses focused on STEM growth, housing, and strong graduate outcomes. One in-person public testimony came from Elijah Hooks, who spoke in opposition to the current FAMU administration and described his expulsion, arrest, and trespass from campus after protesting the appointment of President Marva Johnson. For FAMU, Jocelyn Dobson Rodriguez testified in support of her appointment, emphasizing her legal background, alumni ties, and goals of strengthening leadership, alumni engagement, and the connection between the main campus and the College of Law in Orlando. For Florida Atlantic University, Tina Vidal-Duart was questioned closely about her prior service on the Hope Florida Foundation board and about CDR Health’s involvement in state contracts; she said she was not aware of the foundation’s governance problems at the time and that CDR’s state contract was a flat daily rate. The committee then voted to report all appointees favorably except for Tina Vidal-Duart, whose confirmation was held for a separate vote at the request of Senator Bracy Davis. After discussion, the committee voted 5-1 to report her confirmation favorably as well. The meeting concluded with no further business and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• as we try to make laws that cover one-size-fits-all for every hurricane or every natural disaster event
• I want to emphasize that point: in Florida, we rely on paper ballots marked by the voter, except for
• have a firm deadline of all ballots to be received by 7 p.m. local time on election night, with an exception
• have a firm deadline of all ballots to be received by 7 p.m. local time on election night, with an exception
• for 10-day military. ...to be received by 7 p.m. local time on election night, with an exception for

Summary: The Government Operations Subcommittee met to hear a lengthy presentation from Secretary of State Cord Byrd on Florida election administration, with a focus on how elections are handled during natural disasters, election security, and preparations for the 2026 cycle. Byrd described Florida’s response to hurricanes in 2022 and 2024, saying the state works directly with county supervisors of elections to tailor executive orders to local conditions, add or relocate polling sites, extend deadlines, and help displaced voters and emergency workers cast ballots. Members from affected areas echoed that local supervisors had managed storm disruptions well and that turnout remained strong despite major damage. A large portion of the meeting covered election integrity and security. Byrd emphasized Florida’s use of paper ballots, pre-election logic and accuracy testing, post-election audits, public canvassing, standardized voter-intent rules, and strict vote-by-mail request and signature-match requirements. He said the Department of State’s Office of Election Crimes and Security investigates complaints and refers matters to law enforcement, and that Florida has expanded access to the federal SAVE database to verify citizenship. Members asked about threats to election workers, staffing vacancies, cybersecurity, ballot design, vote-by-mail address changes, and how the state coordinates with county supervisors, emergency management, and other agencies. Several members raised questions about voter eligibility and returning citizens, and Byrd said the department provides free information to help people determine whether their rights have been restored, while noting that court and clerk reporting practices still create challenges. He also said the department is considering additional legislative proposals, including more safeguards tied to driver’s license and citizenship verification and a possible statewide 100% audit of races before certification. The meeting ended with the chair encouraging members to visit supervisors of elections offices and submit specific ideas for future elections legislation; no votes were taken and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• to the House amendment makes the following changes: it removes the homestead assessment provisions except
• They started talking about a moratorium within their comprehensive plan, which is nothing except just
• It provides an exception to the preemption to ensure local governments can continue to regulate the use
• So my concern is all of the huge events that we now have in Miami-Dade County, Formula One coming up
• and all of the hundreds of huge events that we have, that we don't get caught once again having to clean

Transcript Highlights:

• , that said that we're better off in terms of the violent crime rate than our surrounding states, except
• our of the violent crime rate um than our surrounding<00:09:08.079><c> states</c><00:09:08.440><c> except
• </c><00:09:08.680><c> for</c><00:09:08.839><c> North</c> surrounding states except for North surrounding
• states except for North Dakota<00:09:09.480><c> is</c><00:09:09.600><c> slightly</c><00:09:09.959><c
• The next event, which was actually a fundraiser for Jamal Mitchell in St.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is categorically New Mexico's event.
• One of the greatest events in our state is, I want to thank Derek.
• Recently, we had a big, huge Muay Thai event, which is a mixed martial arts type event that is really
• And we have to look at our events and what the future holds.
• How much does the State Fair rate from that event?

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 878 continues: it amends Section 67-5309D, Idaho Code, to provide an exception to the wildland
• However, during that day, if they want to do faculty professional development, student athletic events
• There is also... ...events or any of the like, that can happen at the facility as well.
• We have Energy, Environment, and Technology has passed the rules except for the exceptions you can see
• Now, no one got a CEC increase this year except for the military aspect, and that's a whole different

Transcript Highlights:

• We were always at the Memorial Day events and the Veterans Day events in his Jeep.
• and the Veterans the Memorial Day events and the Veterans Day<00:48:56.720><c> events</c><00:48:57.119
• And you know, Day events uh in his Jeep.
• There were a few exceptions. Being from Aurora, we didn't always see eye to eye on water issues.
• I mean, he knew that I would always follow his lead except for a few exceptions. experts in the areas

Transcript Highlights:

• So that is your ad committee for the next four months, uh, one with one notable exception.
• c> we</c><00:04:53.800><c> are</c><00:04:54.000><c> suffering</c><00:04:54.360><c> a</c> notable exception
• we are suffering a notable exception we are suffering a deficit<00:04:54.919><c> of</c><00:04:55.320
• Senator Westrom said that on the way to an event there was a party or hunting on the side of the road
• This was a unique spillover event.

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Transcript Highlights:

• Of events, the Roswell Chavez County Economic Development Corporation legislative reception is tonight
• On Monday, a couple of events: Monday morning, the New Mexico Chamber of Commerce business day breakfast
• In any event. Yes, please join us.
• He was probably at Holloman and did an exceptional job in economic development.

Transcript Highlights:

• But in no event shall five minutes.
• Joseph Castro, an exceptional leader who...
• Children's Masonic and this event.
• This event it takes on them is real.
• The US News and World no exception.

Bills: HB4553 , HJR105 , HJR106 , HJR104 , HR539 , HR672

Keywords: energy, water development, appropriations, fiscal year 2026, flood control, infrastructure, Bureau of Land Management, North Dakota, resource management plan, congression disapproval, public lands policy, HJR106, H.J.Res. 106, Congressional Review Act, CRA, BLM, Central Yukon, Alaska, public lands, land management

Transcript Highlights:

• hunger-free awareness, so making sure students know that they have a food pantry, doing types of events
• and and for other types of events and and activities<00:29:32.440><c> that</c><00:29:32.679><c> happen
• </c><00:29:41.679><c> around</c> pantry um doing types of events around pantry um doing types of events
• I just wondered: all of them seem to have a service obligation except the teacher shortage.
• I just wondered: all of them seem to have a service obligation except the teacher shortage.

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy