Transcript Highlights:

• Would you have been able to move on that timeline without expedited rulemaking, or was expedited rulemaking
• or is expedited expedited rulemaking or is expedited rulemaking<00:15:02.880> was<00:15:03.120
• If if you would expedited rulemaking?
• is the only rulemaking that I personally have worked with.
• go through the normal rulemaking go through the normal rulemaking process.<00:56:11.760> And<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, so it doesn't say that they're going to do a rulemaking.
• If you don't want that involved in the rulemaking, you probably did it wisely.
• If you don't want that involved in the rulemaking, you probably did it wisely.
• Was I supposed to do a rulemaking? Am I supposed to just have a motion?
• These would be raised through rulemaking if they're successful.

Bills: SB47, SB110, SB122, SB143, SB168

Keywords: food recovery, composting, waste management, solid waste surcharge, organic waste reduction, environment, grants, advisory group, bosque management, Rio Grande, environmental protection, water resources, fiscal appropriation, drinking water, well owners, water testing, water treatment, public health, agriculture, New Mexico Department of Agriculture

Transcript Highlights:

• notice of intended agency action within 90 days of the effective date of the legislation granting rulemaking
• notice of intended agency action within 90 days of the effective date of the legislation granting rulemaking
• Must reiterate rulemaking, but if there is not a mandatory delegation, the agency may reiterate rulemaking
• There could be general or specific rulemaking given for definitions in the law that we passed, but what
• There could be general or specific rulemaking given for definitions in the law that we passed, but what

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules met with a quorum present and took up a series of bills, beginning with SB 108 on administrative procedures. That bill, as amended, would require agencies to review all rules on a five-year cycle, submit regulatory plans and annual reports, publish intended agency action within 90 days of new rulemaking authority, improve public access to incorporated materials, and streamline rule publication and correction procedures. After brief testimony from the Florida Bar’s Administrative Law Section and support from Americans for Prosperity and the James Madison Institute, the committee adopted two amendments and reported CS for SB 108 favorably. The committee then approved several other measures, including the Senate veterans package (CS for CS for SB 116), which made technical changes and was supported by veterans and advocacy groups; SB 118 on presidential libraries, which preempts local barriers while preserving state and federal law and building codes; CS for SB 126 allowing mail distribution of prescription hearing aids after a Florida-licensed professional examination; CS for SB 150, “Trooper’s Law,” making it a third-degree felony to abandon restrained animals during declared disasters; SB 294 limiting collaborative pharmacy practice expansion for complex cardiac conditions; SM 314 urging Congress to increase Florida National Guard force structure; CS for SB 322 creating a nonjudicial process to remove unauthorized persons from commercial property; CS for SB 348 on ethics, addressing false military rank claims and delinquent ethics fines; SB 356 designating January 27 as Holocaust Remembrance Day; CS for SB 160 expanding CPA licensure pathways and clarifying administrative outsourcing; and CS for SB 50 promoting nature-based coastal resilience measures. Most of these bills received supportive testimony and were reported favorably. The committee also considered and reported favorably the annual reviser bills SB 36, SB 38, SB 40, and SB 42, which adopt the 2025 Florida Statutes, conform statutory names, remove expired provisions, and clean up obsolete language and cross-references. Throughout the meeting, members asked questions on a few bills, but no roll-call votes were recorded as opposed; each measure was approved and reported favorably. At the end of the meeting, senators requested that a few missed affirmative votes be recorded, and the committee adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, our rulemaker, Miss Wheeler, has—she's been there since February of 2024.
• <00:10:07.120> Um,<00:10:07.440> our<00:10:07.680> rulemaker,<00:10:08.320><
• Um, our rulemaker, our since about 2021.
• Um, our rulemaker, our current<00:10:08.640> rulemaker,<00:10:09.200> Miss<00:10:09.440
• uh current rulemaker, Miss Wheeler, has uh she's<00:10:10.800> been<00:10:10.880> there

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: JCAR convened with a quorum, approved the minutes, and approved the consent agenda after removing two items for separate review: Board of Podiatry rule 2025-25 and Guardian ad Litem Board rule 2025-36. The Podiatry item concerned organizational rules deleting language on subcommittees. Committee members and OPLC counsel discussed whether the board still had statutory authority to create investigative or other subcommittees. OPLC said the prior authority had been repealed and no current statute appeared to support subcommittees for that board; members noted the issue may require a broader legislative fix. The committee then approved the Podiatry rule. The committee next considered rule 2025-36 involving CASA advocate training. Staff said the rule requires CASA individuals to follow certification, continued-status, and ethics provisions, and noted a dispute between CASA and the board over applicability. OPLC explained the rulemaking had been delayed for years due to quorum issues and substantive discussions, and acknowledged it should have been done sooner. The committee approved the rule after brief discussion. Finally, the committee reviewed Department of Health and Human Services rule 2560 on home visits for postpartum and newborn assessment. Staff noted the rules had expired in 2023 but the department continued reimbursement under statutory authority and the Medicaid state plan. Concerns about broad language were addressed through a conditional approval and revisions, and DHHS said it had no further comments. The committee expressed appreciation for the changes and approved the item before the meeting ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, to establish a pretty broad rulemaking with regard to Chapter 4, stemming from the previous cha uh
• This included a robust new rulemaking of about 300 pages that the commission adopted, which I'm sure
• Regarded this rulemaking, and I purposely understand the point that Represent Morales Shaw is making.
• I don't know that the rulemaking was perfect.
• There's obviously parts of the rulemaking we didn't agree with, and we offered comments on those that

Transcript Highlights:

• During the rulemaking process, we also posted... ...on our website.
• During the rulemaking process, we also posted a tremendous amount of supplemental information for the
• And so I've been saying since 2022... ...a Band-Aid on in the next major rulemaking.
• I know that nobody is exactly raring to go on another LCFS rulemaking right now.
• And then we started this conversation, especially when the rulemaking was coming to a close.

Summary: The hearing was a select committee discussion on the transportation costs and impacts of California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS), with opening remarks from the co-chairs and members emphasizing affordability, climate goals, and the need to explain the program’s benefits to the public. The first panel from CARB and the California Energy Commission described how LCFS works as a market-based, declining carbon-intensity program that rewards lower-carbon fuels, supports zero-emission vehicle infrastructure, and is intended to reduce greenhouse gases and local air pollution. They argued the program has driven billions in private investment, increased alternative fuel use, and that LCFS credit prices are not the main driver of retail gasoline prices, which they said are dominated by crude oil, refining, and distribution costs. Members questioned the panel on the gap between the regulatory target and actual carbon-intensity performance, the role of credit banking, which fuels are generating the most credits, how the 2025 amendments affected the program, and whether LCFS credits are truly additional. CARB explained that banking helps cost-effectiveness and investment certainty, that ethanol, renewable diesel, and biodiesel currently provide the largest volumes while electricity is expected to grow, and that the updated targets were informed by the state’s 2045 carbon-neutrality goals and the 2030 scoping plan. The Energy Commission said its data show environmental programs add some cost to gasoline but do not drive price volatility, which is mainly tied to crude oil and refinery margins. The second panel, featuring academic and research experts, focused on program design, out-of-state credit generation, and broader economic effects. Speakers said LCFS is successful because it ties incentives to emissions benefit, uses life-cycle analysis, and allows flexible compliance that lowers costs compared with more direct regulation. They also said the program’s benefits generally outweigh costs, that it can reduce air pollution disparities and support equity, but that some issues—especially indirect land use change, additionality, and older program assumptions—need more research and may warrant future rulemaking. One researcher noted that while LCFS likely raises gasoline prices somewhat, the effect is uncertain by design and usually smaller than normal market fluctuations, and another warned that limiting credit generation too narrowly could create legal and efficiency problems.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, we are committed to following the rulemaking process.
• Um, we are committed to following the rulemaking process.
• It had its same kind of thing<00:46:56.720> rulemaking.
• It has that public thing rulemaking.
• Um, just for this future rulemaking and for other agencies in the room too, interim rulemaking can begin

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee convened after briefly waiting for a quorum, approved the minutes and consent agenda, and then moved through several agency rule items. The Department of Transportation’s outdoor advertising rule filing was approved after staff noted the department had addressed substantive comments, though the rules had been expired since 2021 and the agency said it had been operating under statute. Members asked about a denied digital sign proposal, and DOT said that decision was based on statute rather than the rule. The Department of Safety’s administrative license suspension item was postponed with a waiver so the agency could submit conditional approval materials and resolve issues between its forms and rules. The Board of Architects item was conditionally approved, with the condition that the board later approve updated incorporation-by-reference materials at its April 3 meeting or the matter would return as a preliminary objection. The Department of Agriculture’s expired rules prompted extended discussion. Staff and committee members questioned why the department was seeking to adopt rules that had been expired for many years and whether the statutes already provided enough authority to operate without them. Agriculture officials said they were working through a broader modernization effort, focusing on statutes that use mandatory language and updating outdated rules to match current practices, federal standards, and current products such as apples, cider, eggs, and other agricultural commodities. They said the rules before the committee were part of that effort and recommended approval, but members remained concerned about whether some rules were unnecessary. The committee ultimately granted a waiver and postponed the agriculture item for one month so staff could review the underlying statutes and determine whether rulemaking is actually required. Under other business, the committee took up an emergency Department of Safety rule to update DMV forms to reflect statutory fee changes enacted in the 2025 budget. DMV officials said the new fees were already in effect, but the corresponding forms still showed old amounts, causing confusion for customers and elected officials who were fielding complaints. They argued the forms needed immediate updating because the affected forms are widely used, and they said the department had already tried to treat the changes as editorial before being told full rulemaking was required. The department emphasized it was trying to follow the process while avoiding continued use of incorrect fee forms, and asked the committee to allow the emergency rule to proceed.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:54:53.599> authority<01:54:54.000> regarding rulemaking authority regarding rulemaking
• subject of the bill, which is rulemaking subject of the bill, which is rulemaking uh<02:10:19.360
• position would be that the rulemaking position would be that the rulemaking process<02:27:40.080
• <02:40:09.280> still questions about would rulemaking still questions about would rulemaking
• /c> very quickly, rulemaking essentially very quickly, rulemaking essentially enables<02:42:38.960>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As a result, the department initiated rulemaking to repeal the rules that were based on that now-repealed
• We're here today to request an exclusion from the reporting requirement on rulemaking.
• These are agency updates on the status of outstanding rulemaking from the 2023 regular session.
• This is our monthly written updates by agencies concerning rulemaking resulting from the 2025 regular
• This is our monthly written updates by agencies concerning rulemaking resulting from the 2025 regular

Summary: The Administrative Rules Subcommittee reviewed several agency rules and most were approved without objection. The Department of Agriculture repealed rules tied to the now-repealed Arkansas Catfish Processors Fair Practice Act. The Department of Human Services updated Medicaid policy to clarify child support enforcement treatment for pregnant women, remove the word “forcible” from rape/incest good-cause language, and eliminate a 90-day waiting period for ARKids B after loss of group coverage; members highlighted the significance of the language change and asked for a quick-reference eligibility chart. DHS Medical Services also received approval for a CMS cell and gene therapy model rule for sickle cell drugs and a technical Medicaid-assisted medication-assisted treatment update that was described as cost-neutral and non-substantive. The Department of Labor and Licensing presented several rules implementing recent acts and internal cleanup changes. These included procedures for local construction plan disputes under Act 591, Contractors Licensing Board amendments raising the restricted commercial license threshold from $750,000 to $1.5 million and allowing deferral of owner-complaint investigations during civil litigation, and a similar residential contractors change. The HVACR Licensing Board presented broader revisions under Act 746, including grammar and cleanup changes, elimination of the Class C license with transfer of existing holders to Class B, expansion of allowable work limits, a change to continuing education from four hours annually to eight hours per three-year code cycle, and clarification on training, child labor, and licensing issues. Several members questioned the practical impact of the HVAC changes, but the rule was approved. The committee also granted the Department of Inspector General’s request for exclusion from rulemaking reporting under Act 473, concluding that no rule was necessary because the act already defines the key terms and review process for foreign-adversary cultural exchange agreements. In addition, the Arkansas State Library’s report recommending continuation of its existing rules was accepted. During the status updates on outstanding 2023-session rulemaking, Education explained delays were due to overlapping 2025 amendments and the large volume of rules, while members expressed concern about the length of time since enactment; staff noted only a small number of 2023 rules remain outstanding. The meeting ended after written 2025-session updates were received with no further questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:06:55.840> This<00:06:56.000> bill into formal rulemaking.
• This bill into formal rulemaking.
• We feel that rulemaking for We feel that rulemaking for this is unnecessary.
• Let's create a rulemaking. Let's get the agency's input.
• Let's have a rulemaking to do that. But we want you to obtain landowner permission.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um we have always used regular rulemaking<00:19:03.760> standards.
• So I I can't say rulemaking standards.
• our academic standards rulemaking our academic standards rulemaking process<00:19:40.559> to<
• so we take out that piece where we got an expedited rulemaking.
• It's something that gives them discretion to not use the expedited rulemaking.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As a result, the department initiated rulemaking to repeal the rules that were based on that now-repealed
• We're here today to request an exclusion from the reporting requirement on rulemaking.
• These are agency updates on the status of outstanding rulemaking from the 2023 regular session.
• This is our monthly written updates by agencies concerning rulemaking resulting from the 2025 regular
• This is our monthly written updates by agencies concerning rulemaking resulting from the 2025 regular

Summary: The Administrative Rules Subcommittee reviewed several agency rules and most were approved without objection. The Department of Agriculture moved to repeal rules tied to the now-repealed Arkansas Catfish Processors Fair Practice Act. The Department of Human Services updated Medicaid policy to clarify that pregnant women may still be referred to child support enforcement but will not be sanctioned during pregnancy and the 60-day postpartum period, removed the word “forcible” from rape/incest good-cause language, and eliminated a 90-day waiting period for ARKids B when group health coverage ends. DHS also received approval for a CMS cell and gene therapy model for sickle cell disease and a technical Medicaid medication-assisted treatment update that does not change coverage. The Department of Labor and Licensing presented several rules. One created procedures for the department to issue interpretations in local construction plan disputes under Act 591 of 2025. The Contractors Licensing Board and Residential Contractors Committee amended rules to raise the restricted commercial license threshold and light building project limit from $750,000 to $1.5 million, and to allow deferral of owner-complaint investigations while related civil litigation is pending. The HVACR Licensing Board presented broader cleanup and policy changes under Act 746 of 2025, including eliminating the Class C license by moving those holders into Class B, expanding work limits for Class A and B licensees, changing continuing education to eight hours per three-year code cycle, and keeping annual license renewal. Members asked detailed questions about impacts on businesses, training, youth working with parents, and whether any unintended burdens were created; the board said it had notified licensees and had received little pushback. The committee also granted the Department of Inspector General’s request for exclusion from rulemaking reporting for Act 473 of 2025, concluding that the statute was sufficiently detailed and did not require additional rules. In addition, the Arkansas State Library’s report was accepted, with the Department of Education stating that the library’s three existing rules should remain in effect. During the update on outstanding 2023-session rulemaking, Education explained that many delayed rules were held back because they were likely to be amended again in 2025, and members expressed concern about the length of time some rules have remained unfinished. The meeting ended after written 2025 rulemaking updates were noted, with no further action taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• adopt the required rule and requesting that it be excluded from the agency's monthly updates on rulemaking
• There are two provisions in Act 772 regarding rulemaking.
• Next, we move to item H, the agency updates on the status of outstanding rulemaking from the 2023 regular
• Next, we move to the item H, the agency updates on the status of outstanding rulemaking from the 2023
• from the 2020. written updates pursuant to Act 595 of 2021 concerning rulemaking from the 2025 regular

Summary: The Arkansas Administrative Rules Subcommittee met to review a large set of agency rules and reports. Early items were routine filings: emergency-rule reports, subcommittee review reports, and administrative directive reports were filed without objection. One rule from the Department of Agriculture on maternal health providers and remote monitoring was noted as pulled by the agency and not considered. The committee then reviewed and approved several Agriculture rules, including repeal of equine ID-chip rules after Act 703 of 2025, updates to finance rules adding a new water and sewer treatment facilities grant and consolidating revolving-fund rules, and a pesticide rule creating a Class J pesticide category for feral hog toxicant use. It also approved a Commerce/Insurance rule removing duplicative workers’ compensation plan provisions, and a Corrections rule creating a unified visitation rule for correctional facilities and community correction centers. A member asked about prison visitation hours during COVID, and staff said they would check on that. The committee next approved multiple Department of Human Services rules. These included marketing rules for provider-led organizations under Act 301 of 2025, a comprehensive revision of the DCFS policy manual, changes to Medicaid eligibility to include fictive kin placements and to expand ABLE account eligibility under Act 875, presumptive eligibility changes for pregnant women to align with federal rules, and a follow-up SNAP/TEA/Work Pays rule with updated work requirements, mandatory employment and training, alien eligibility changes, and job-search requirements for certain applicants. DHS also presented a rule implementing federal coverage for certain incarcerated youth before and after release, and the committee approved it. Another DHS rule updated nurse aide training requirements to match federal CNA hour standards and moved criminal-records-check procedures to the agency website. The most extended discussion involved DHS Division of Medical Services’ dental rate rule under Act 1025. The agency explained that it was increasing pediatric dental rates and certain oral-surgery-related rates, but not orthodontic rates or a broader special-needs benefit limit because CMS would not approve a diagnosis-based limit. Members debated whether the statutory language was intended to cover general dentists performing oral surgery procedures, with legislators, the Dental Association, and DHS discussing legislative intent, fiscal impact, and whether a future fix or emergency rule might be needed. Despite the disagreement, the committee approved the rule. The committee also approved other DHS medical rules: adverse-decision appeal changes and prior-authorization posting requirements, an increased RSV administration fee for children, expanded emergency treat/triage/transport ambulance authority, and clinic-based physical and occupational therapy coverage. Later, the committee approved permanent rules for the new state insurance program under Shared Administrative Services, procurement rule revisions recommended after an ACASO review, and commodity-management rule updates including a new revenue distribution model. Under Act 595 of 2021, the committee granted two Department of Commerce/Insurance requests to be excluded from rulemaking requirements: one for Act 772 on forced organ harvesting, and one for restorative reproductive medicine, with the department saying it would promulgate rules later when clinical guidelines are available. Finally, the committee accepted a recommendation to keep and extend the Department of Education, Division of Career and Technical Education rules, filed outstanding rulemaking updates, and adjourned without further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, the first one, Madam Chair, uh, there, there is currently a rulemaking taking place through the EIB
• I know some of this too can be changed through rulemaking, and that was the other part of the rulemaking
• I think we, uh, in addition, ought to be looking at some of the rulemaking in PE around distribution
• In reference to what Senator Solis just brought up in terms of the rulemaking, um, the, the point I'd
• So I would just like to see what their rulemaking process was like and how they informed people because

Transcript Highlights:

• But I see the benefits, so I just hope that you'll follow up in rulemaking and that it doesn't become
• I just hope that you'll follow up in rulemaking and that it doesn't become something predatory on Florida
• And so in the rulemaking process, maybe this is Gives a boost to those actors.
• And so in the rulemaking process, maybe this is future legislation: what do we do to hone that down?
• Obviously, the Department of Revenue will be granted emergency rulemaking powers to implement rules to

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met on April 2, 2025, with a quorum present and took up four bills. The committee first heard HB 4041, which would create the Corkscrew Grove Stewardship District in Collier County to finance and maintain infrastructure such as transportation, utilities, and stormwater systems without changing county regulatory authority. The bill drew no opposition, was reported favorably, and passed 14-0. The committee then considered HB 1485, which repeals Florida’s aviation fuel tax provisions. The sponsor argued the change would simplify the tax code, attract airline investment, and support lower fares and more routes. Members raised concerns about the estimated recurring $22.8 million impact on the State Transportation Trust Fund and $2 million on general revenue, and airport representatives warned of reduced grant and development funding, especially for general aviation and municipal airports. Supporters said the change would increase competition and fuel sales in Florida. The bill was reported favorably on a 12-5 vote. Next, the committee heard HB 999, which would recognize gold and silver as legal tender, allow electronic debit access to bullion accounts, and remove tax burdens on transactions involving precious metals. The sponsor and supporters described the bill as a way to protect purchasing power and provide an alternative parallel to the dollar, while opponents and some members raised concerns about consumer protections, predatory practices, privacy, and the role of the Office of Financial Regulation in rulemaking. After extensive testimony, the bill was reported favorably 19-0. Finally, the committee considered PCB WMC 25-01, which would reduce the state sales tax rate from 6% to 5.25% and also lower several related taxes, including the business rent tax, nonresidential electricity tax, mobile home sales tax, and coin-operated amusement machine tax. The proposal was estimated to reduce revenue by about $5.5 billion annually. Members discussed impacts on the budget, education funding, and whether savings would reach consumers, while supporters emphasized relief for Floridians and business competitiveness. The bill passed unanimously 19-0 and was reported favorably. The chair then noted a prior procedural apology on the record, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are rulemakings going on at the PUC right now.
• The rulemaking on interconnection for a DER.
• We still don't have a rulemaking at the commission.
• I think there's good willingness at the commission to work with stakeholders on that rulemaking, but
• That is a rulemaking that we support right now. We would like to see that continue to go forward.

Bills: SB75, SB715, SB776, SB1299, SB1405, SB1968, SB2021, SB2077, SB2148, SB2321, SB2330, SB2411

Keywords: electric generation, reliability, ERCOT, Public Utility Commission, penalties, performance requirements, energy policy, construction contracts, compensatory damages, government delays, contractor, legislation, nonprofit donor privacy, membership lists, supporter confidentiality, volunteer privacy, association rights, public records exemption, Texas Public Information Act, government transparency

Transcript Highlights:

• So after the rule has gone through the rulemaking process and been approved by the governor, before Thursday's
• Under the circuit court’s ruling, after the rule goes through the rulemaking process and gets approved
• by the governor, it can be... ...through the rulemaking process and gets approved by the governor, it
• It would be like modifying it by way of a new rulemaking to make those changes. Thank you.
• If there can also be a hearing on the scope statement beforehand, but if not, then during the rulemaking

Keywords: 970, all

Transcript Highlights:

• community partners in our rulemaking community partners in our rulemaking process.
• That translates over to rulemaking. And last fiscal year, we had two active rulemaking projects.
• You'll hear a rulemaking projects.
• open the formal rulemaking process. open the formal rulemaking process.
• c> project<00:42:57.520> that a current rulemaking project that a current rulemaking project

Bills: HF3635, HF3638

Keywords: teacher mobility, interstate compact, licensure, military spouses, education, teacher regulation, teacher qualifications, state sovereignty, educator licensing, paraprofessional credentials, mental health, professional development, data sharing, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I do think Vice Chairman Keith Lee, you had some very good comments to make on rulemaking.
• And as an APR in the state of Missouri, trust me, I'm very frustrated by the rulemaking situations in
• So, do we continue with the operational authority of rulemaking to expand this as these fields become
• This type of expansion should not be done in a rulemaking process.
• Part of the idea of the rulemaking process is that we have a review of rules and we can be expedient

Summary: The Joint Committee on Administrative Rules met to consider a Missouri Prescription Drug Monitoring Program rule proposal after the Department of Natural Resources withdrew its items. The hearing focused on 1 CSR 60-1.010, which would expand delegate-level PDMP access to additional licensed behavioral health professionals, including licensed clinical social workers, licensed master social workers, marital and family therapists, professional counselors, and psychologists, while also correcting prior rule language involving medical assistants and clinical nurse specialists. Testimony from the PDMP executive director and supporters from Compass Health and the Department of Mental Health argued the change would improve care coordination, medication reconciliation, and safety in multidisciplinary behavioral health settings, especially CCBHCs. They said access would remain limited to licensed professionals working under a prescriber/dispenser relationship, with individual logins and penalties for misuse. Opponents and some committee members raised concerns that the rule would expand access beyond the original statutory framework without legislative change, could be used beyond treatment purposes, and should instead be addressed through statute rather than rulemaking. After public testimony, the committee debated whether the proposal exceeded statutory authority and whether the expansion was too substantive for rulemaking alone. A motion was made to disapprove the rule on grounds including lack of statutory authority, conflict with state law, and arbitrariness. The motion passed by a roll call vote of 7-1, and the committee disapproved Rule 1 CSR 60-1.010 before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• In Florida, both the Department of Health and boards have rulemaking authority, depending on the implementing
• Other states, however, authorize more direct legislative oversight of agency and board rulemaking.
• For example, in Vermont, the director of Beyond rulemaking.
• What we looked at in terms of rulemaking is the implementing statute.
• It provides rulemaking authority for some topics to the board, and then rulemaking authority for some

Summary: The Senate Health Policy Committee met with a quorum and considered several health-related bills, most of them focused on drowning prevention and public safety. SB 428, by Senator Yarborough, would expand Florida’s swim lesson voucher program from children ages 0-4 to ages 1-7. The sponsor and supporting testimony from a pediatric emergency physician and YMCA representatives emphasized Florida’s high drowning rates, especially among very young children, and argued that swim lessons can significantly reduce risk. Senator Harrell noted the need to revisit the funding allocation as eligibility expands. The bill was reported favorably. The committee also heard SB 606, by Senator Smith, which adds drowning prevention and safe bathing practices to postpartum education provided by hospitals, birthing centers, and, after amendment, no longer requires home birth providers to maintain proof of compliance. A parent who lost a child to drowning and Senator Berman spoke in strong support, stressing that the bill would educate new parents at a critical time. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably as a committee substitute. SB 162, by Senator Davis, would require hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to adopt policies using smoke evacuation systems during procedures that generate surgical smoke. The sponsor said the equipment is relatively low-cost and already used in many facilities, while several witnesses supported the bill as a worker-safety measure. Other senators raised concerns about the lack of data, possible rural hospital impacts, and whether the mandate could add costs without clear evidence of harm. Despite those concerns, the bill was reported favorably. The committee also passed SB 340, by Senator Harrell, requiring nursing students to complete a two-hour human trafficking course before licensure, after amending the bill to shift the requirement from nursing programs to the students themselves. Testimony from a trafficking survivor and nursing advocates supported the measure, and it was reported favorably as a committee substitute. Finally, SB 192, presented by Senator Trumbull on behalf of Senator Martin, removed the $1,500 cap on advances chiropractic physicians may collect for examinations or treatment; chiropractic industry representatives supported the change, and the bill was reported favorably.