Transcript Highlights:

• Whereas Article 3, Section 3(c)(1) of the Florida Constitution permits the Governor to convene the Legislature
• the Governor, or as introduced by consent of two-thirds of the membership of each house of the Legislature
• the Governor, or as introduced by consent of two-thirds of the membership of each house of the Legislature
• The proclamation of January 7, 2026, calling the Legislature of the State of Florida for a special session
• The call of the Legislature of the State of Florida for this special session is further amended to commence

Summary: The House convened in special session with prayer, a moment of silence for former Coral Springs Vice Mayor Nancy Mettier Bowen, the Pledge of Allegiance, and confirmation of a quorum. The clerk read the Governor’s amended special session proclamation, which added two subjects to the call: legislation protecting Floridians from artificial intelligence harms, including an AI Bill of Rights and possible public-records exemptions during early investigations, and legislation on medical freedoms similar to Senate Bill 1756. The special session was set to run from April 28 to May 1, 2026. The chamber then seated and swore in three new members: Representatives Hillary Holley, Samantha Scott, and Emily Gregory. The House adopted motions accepting their certifications as prima facie evidence of election and declaring them duly elected and qualified members. Guests of the new members were recognized in the chamber. Speaker Pro Tem Duggan outlined the House’s approach to the special session, saying the House had received the Governor’s proposed redistricting maps and intended to bring them to the floor for consideration the next day. He also said that, because no bills had been filed on the other topics in the call before the special session began, those issues would not be taken up. The House then adopted a motion to adjourn and reconvene on April 29, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. or upon call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:40:33.599><c> and</c> been done by both the legislature and been done by both the legislature
• </c><01:40:47.840><c> passed</c> measures that the legislature passed measures that the legislature passed
• before the Legislature, if the Legislature grants them a hearing on the re-entry report.
• The second deliverable was a report to the Legislature, which was submitted.
• The second deliverable was a report to the Legislature, which was submitted.

Summary: The Committee on Finance held its first informational briefing for 2025, beginning with member introductions and then hearing an economic outlook presentation from Dr. Eugene Tian of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Dr. Tian said Hawaii’s economy was in relatively good shape in several areas, especially construction, which he described as at a historical high, with construction employment above 40,000 monthly and building permit values and contracting tax base both up sharply. He also noted real estate sales had rebounded in 2024, the labor market had stabilized with unemployment around 2.9%, and initial unemployment claims were below 2019 levels. At the same time, he highlighted challenges including inflation running above the national rate, a shrinking labor force, lower employment compared with 2023, and continued weakness in visitor spending and arrivals. He said future growth would likely come from health care, professional services, construction, tourism recovery, and diversified sectors such as renewable energy, aquaculture, creative industries, and technology. Dr. Tian also discussed Hawaii’s economic structure and recovery, saying the state remains more concentrated in a few industries than the U.S. overall, with government and hospitality making up larger shares of the economy. He said non-tourism sectors had recovered, but tourism-related jobs and output were still below pre-pandemic levels, with Maui and the visitor industry still affected by the wildfire and COVID-19 impacts. He projected tourism and non-agricultural wage and salary jobs would not fully recover until 2027, and said population trends remain a concern because of aging, the likelihood of deaths outpacing births in coming years, and reliance on in-migration. After his presentation, the chair said questions would be taken later and the committee took a short break. After the break, Dr. Carano of the Hawaii Executive Director’s office presented a second outlook, saying Hawaii’s economy in 2025 looked better than 2024 overall, though he emphasized substantial uncertainty tied to the incoming federal administration. He said possible changes to tariffs, tax policy, immigration, and federal spending could raise inflation and keep interest rates higher than previously expected, which would affect housing, consumer debt, the dollar, and Hawaii’s visitor industry. He noted that U.S. visitors account for roughly three-quarters of visitor spending in the state, making federal policy especially important. He also said deregulation could be a long-term positive but would not likely have much effect in 2025 or 2026. As an additional risk, he pointed to bird flu and its effect on livestock, poultry, and egg prices. No votes or formal actions were taken during the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• If that is not completed within five years of the time that the legislature authorizes this new turnpike
• to go in, there is, they have to come back for reauthorization through the legislature Because y'all
• I think they serve an area that just didn't develop the way maybe the legislature thought it would 60
• What we were talking about there on the five years is just between the time That legislature, if we wanted
• to put a turnpike down there, it would just be brought forth by the legislature for the OTA to build

Bills: SB1475 , SB2049 , SB1966 , SB1531 , SB80

Committee: House Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• The agreements, combined with the lack of funding authority from the legislature, make these SAGs appear
• The reason we're sent here to the legislature is to put forward laws that protect and help the people
• I appreciate the value of oversight in the legislature, and I certainly was prepared to participate in
• And that is not what I think we should be spending our time and resources on as a legislature.
• What the legislature has provided through the powers of the purse can just have any activist group do

Committee: Senate Senate Special Committee on Oversight of the Department of Justice

Transcript Highlights:

• of course sets April 27th as State Sheriff's Day, and I just want to say, you know, been in the legislature
• </c><00:04:33.199><c> the</c><00:04:33.520><c> in</c><00:04:33.759><c> the</c><00:04:33.919><c> legislature
• </c> you know, been in the in the legislature you know, been in the in the legislature 20<00:04:34.639
• ><c> years,</c><00:04:35.360><c> legislature</c><00:04:36.080><c> 20</c><00:04:36.400><c> years,</c><
• 00:04:36.639><c> and</c><00:04:36.880><c> the</c> 20 years, legislature 20 years, and the 20 years, legislature

Bills: SB2169 , SB2263 , SB2360 , SB2359 , SB2031 , SB2796 , SB3090 , SB3091 , SB3092 , SB2120 , SB2593 , SB2751 , SB2135 , SB2024 , SB2872 , SB3179 , SB2308 , SB2392 , SB2470 , SB2398 , SB2902 , SB2841 , SB2436 , SB2806 , SB2691 , SB2824 , SB2645 , SB2384 , SB2697 , SB3153 , SB3156 , SB888 , SB2423 , SB2746

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, colleagues, on Friday, the chair of the Department of Agriculture, Sharon Herd, provided the legislature
• of invasive species, including coconut rhinoceros beetle, little fire ant, and brown tree snake. legislature
• in a joint legislative legislature in a joint legislative briefing<00:03:09.879><c> with</c><00:03:10.040
• is that the public and this body deserve to have confidence that what is being presented to the legislature
• and the public in our legislature and the public in our official<00:05:20.720><c> proceedings</c><00

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> response to that, the legislature response to that, the legislature enacted<00:12:33.360><c> the
• What penalties can the state department or the legislature, but primarily I suppose the legislature,
• Um, the legislature foresaw that.
• Um the legislature apply and transfer. Um the legislature foresaw<01:45:07.240><c> that.
• </c> the legislature. the legislature.

Committee: Joint Education

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:09:19.880><c> changed</c> 1995 when the legislature changed 1995 when the legislature changed
• The Spar City formula was legislature The Spar City formula was increased<00:09:43.360><c> from</c>
• </c><00:35:55.880><c> have</c> these committees in the legislature have these committees in the legislature
• provided historic funding in legislature provided historic funding in some<00:41:59.800><c> very</c>
• We oppose House File 6, which permits districts to use dedicated revenue approved by this legislature

Bills: HF6 , HF52 , HF53

Committee: House Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:46:51.760><c> here</c> intent I think of the legislature here intent I think of the legislature
• </c><01:02:54.319><c> fully</c> to keeping the legislature fully to keeping the legislature fully informed
• 18.800><c> what</c><01:14:19.040><c> if</c> legislature to determine what if legislature to determine
• So the legislature authorizes that.
• </c><01:47:16.880><c> And</c> the legislature authorizes that. And the legislature authorizes that.

Committee: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:27:22.600><c> made</c> Investments that the 23 legislature made Investments that the 23 legislature
• </c><01:24:57.320><c> has</c> in debt that the legislature has in debt that the legislature has authorized
• </c> exceptions to this that the legislature exceptions to this that the legislature can<01:38:11.440
• Authorized is when the legislature passes the bill.
• </c> authorized is when the legislature authorized is when the legislature passes<01:43:33.599><c> the

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• When I'm not in the Legislature, I have had titles of engineer, scientist, and technical program manager
• </c><00:09:44.440><c> and</c> my 42nd year here at the legislature and my 42nd year here at the legislature
• will be budgeting for the 26 legislature will be budgeting for the 26 and<00:18:44.520><c> 27</c><00
• passed a law um 2023 the legislature passed a law um stating<00:33:41.840><c> that</c><00:33:42.960>
• </c><01:42:02.800><c> set</c> essentially set up a the legislature set essentially set up a the legislature

Committee: House Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> money as prescribed by this legislature money as prescribed by this legislature within<00:14:37.440
• The legislature makes those requests.
• The legislature makes those requests. What we're going to do is very similar.
• We're talking about what, like, we the legislature are compelling the district court.
• </c><01:42:29.320><c> is</c> demands it and what the legislature is demands it and what the legislature

Bills: HF25 , HF1 , HF428

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Transcript Highlights:

• It engages the legislature fairly.
• It engages the legislature fairly.
• It engages the legislature fairly.
• It engages the legislature fairly.
• </c> statement current law is the legislature statement current law is the legislature does<00:16:28.079

Bills: HF390 , HF1202 , HF550

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Transcript Highlights:

• Last year, the Legislature passed a bill to...
• I think, yes, so there are effects by actions that the Legislature...
• In January of this year, it was a report that was released to the Legislature.
• We are, if we are going to successfully launch... ...of the Legislature.
• We look forward to working with the Legislature We look forward to working with the Legislature to improve

Summary: The committee heard a lengthy budget hearing focused on child care, child welfare, and immigration-related services, with most of the discussion centered on child care funding, slot utilization, and rate reform. Department of Social Services officials said the Governor’s budget would provide $6.8 billion for child care programs in 2026-27, including $11.5 million in Prop. 64 funds for mini-grants to licensed facilities affected by 2025 disasters. They also described federal CCDF and Prop. 64 revenue reductions that would reduce general child care funding by about 4,176 slots, while emphasizing that the cuts should not affect currently enrolled children. The LAO supported aligning spending with lower revenues and asked for more detail on the disaster grant program. Members questioned why so many awarded slots remain uncontracted or unfilled, and DSS said delays are largely due to providers building new infrastructure, licensing, staffing, and enrollment work. One senator criticized the repeated explanation, argued unspent funds revert to the General Fund instead of being redirected to child care, and urged shifting more funding from contract slots to vouchers and increasing flexibility for infrastructure and expansion costs. DSS said it is exploring more flexibility, better readiness screening, and quicker redistribution of relinquished slots. The committee also discussed the Emergency Child Care Bridge program, with DSS saying it can redistribute funds among counties to avoid disenrolling children. A second panel addressed the state’s broader commitment to expand child care and move toward a single rate structure. DSS reported that since 2021-22 nearly 125,000 new slots have been awarded across CCTR, CAPP, CMAP, and the Emergency Child Care Bridge program, bringing monthly service levels to more than 366,700 children. The department and CDE described progress on rate reform, including completion of the alternative methodology and joint recommendations from the labor-management committee on a single-rate framework. County and provider testimony emphasized persistent unmet need, especially for infant and toddler care, and argued that current reimbursement disparities between CDSS-funded programs and state preschool create inequities and discourage expansion. Stanislaus County Office of Education said rate differences can materially affect local program revenue and staffing, while Parent Voices California described the child care system as difficult to navigate and inequitable, especially for Black families and survivors of domestic violence. The California Budget and Policy Center argued that only a small share of eligible children are served, that Universal TK has concentrated investment in school-based settings, and that providers are still paid far below the cost of care. Members pressed the administration for deadlines on automation and implementation of the single-rate structure, and DSS said some work can proceed before collective bargaining concludes, though policy decisions are still needed. The committee also reviewed several trailer bill proposals. For the COLA, DSS proposed applying the 2026-27 increase through cost-of-care-plus payments, but acknowledged it had inadvertently excluded CalWORKs Child Care and the Emergency Child Care Bridge from the initial calculation; the LAO recommended making the COLA increase uniform across child care and state preschool programs. On the alternative methodology survey, DSS proposed replacing the market rate survey with the federally approved alternative methodology and aligning the timing with the federal CCDF state plan cycle. On licensed family child care homes, DSS proposed limiting temporary absences to 20% of monthly care hours and allowing more flexibility for medical appointments, jury duty, training, and union activities. On excessive unexplained absences, DSS proposed a statutory definition to align state policy with federal rules allowing disenrollment after 30 days of unexplained absences. The committee also discussed a proposal to require contractors to collect family fees directly so the full voucher value reaches providers, with DSS saying it is working with Riverside County on implementation and CDE asking that the same policy apply to state preschool. Finally, the committee reviewed an Early Childhood Policy Council reappropriation and reporting proposal, with DSS explaining that prior funds were underused because participation costs are hard to estimate and that additional staffing and contractor support would be needed for the expanded annual report requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislature increased benefits at that point in time.
• But here we are because when we make corrections at the legislature, ...been able to agree on much.
• If they change their current policy, they shall notify the legislature and seek approval.
• Now our state legislature is trying to do the same.
• Now our state legislature is trying to do the same.

Bills: SB1041 , SB1050 , SB1131 , SB1138 , SB1249 , SB1267 , SB1272 , SB1317 , SB1461 , SB1488 , SB1504 , SB1517 , SB1523 , SB1580 , SB1582 , SB1584 , SB1585 , SB1602 , SB1630 , SB1654 , SB1672 , SB1673 , SB1718 , SB1761 , SB1819 , SB1826 , SB1827

Committee: Senate Appropriations, Transportation and Technology

Transcript Highlights:

• The legislature would reject that immediately. So why does abortion get special exemption?
• The Legislature just passed SB 306, which institutes a regulatory process for prior authorization.
• California is facing..." "...this study and will share its findings with the Legislature.
• The Legislature has asked hospitals how it can help, and this is an important first step.
• That's not a unique experience for me or for others here on this committee and in the Legislature.

Committee: House Health

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, the select committee worked on the two bills that were before the legislature last session
• It's going to reduce fragmentation and protect the investments already made by this legislature.
• So we urge the legislature to pass this bill. Thank you so much for your time today. Thank you.
• That strategic plan was submitted to the Legislature in December of 2025.
• That strategic plan was submitted to the Legislature in December of 2025.

Bills: HB1069 , HB2091 , SB6355 , HB2104 , SB6003 , HB2441 , HB2124 , HB2610 , HB2338

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: collective bargaining, retirement benefits, employee rights, public sector, supplemental benefits, public employers, employee information, bargaining representatives, labor relations, union representation, electric transmission, energy policies, infrastructure, regulatory framework, transmission systems, aviation, wildland fires, funding, disaster relief, emergency response

Transcript Highlights:

• So the Legislature may consider requiring something like a 30-day notice and review period.
• So the legislature may consider requiring something like a 30-day notice and review period.
• We also urge the legislature to consider funding pressures on counties.
• Cal Cities urges the Legislature to reject the proposed elimination of the mobile crisis benefit.
• We urge the Legislature to reject the proposal to eliminate the statewide mobile crisis benefit.

Summary: The subcommittee heard presentations from the Department of State Hospitals (DSH), the Commission for Behavioral Health, and the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) on budget proposals and implementation updates. DSH outlined its proposed 2026-27 budget, including funding for patient operating expenses, IST solutions savings, conditional release program costs, LPS bed allocation changes, electrical infrastructure projects at Napa and Patton, SB 380 transitional housing feasibility work, and expanded dental services at Metropolitan and Patton. DSH also reported that it has met court-ordered IST treatment benchmarks in the Stiavedi v. Clinton case, with average time to initiate treatment down to about five days and pending placements reduced to roughly 250, while noting that Proposition 36 could increase referrals and SB 1323 may divert some individuals earlier into community-based treatment. Members asked about rising outside hospitalization costs, Medicare enrollment, the timing and structure of capital projects, and whether IST solution funds are being fully used; DSH said the savings reflect slower-than-expected ramp-up of community programs and that the Central California FACT replacement program is still on track for January 2027 activation. The Commission for Behavioral Health described its role under the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA), including data, evaluation, grantmaking, technical assistance, and transparency work. It highlighted the new statewide Innovation Partnership Fund, a five-year, $20 million-per-year program with small and large grant categories; the first RFA drew strong interest, with more than 400 questions and over 1,000 bidders’ conference participants. The Commission also discussed a proposed extension to spend down about $4.1 million remaining for the Alcove Youth Drop-in Center grants so sites can finish implementation and Stanford can complete the final evaluation. Members asked about grant duration, whether projects can be renewed, what qualifies as innovation, and whether the fund could support service delivery rather than awareness campaigns or training; the Commission said awards are expected to be three-year contracts and that proposals must be new or meaningfully expanded approaches that support BHSA priority populations. DHCS reviewed major behavioral health changes under CalAIM and BH Connect, including peer support, mobile crisis, contingency management, traditional health care practices for tribal members, updated specialty mental health access criteria, and new substance use treatment standards based on ASAM’s fourth edition. DHCS reported strong contingency management results, with more than 13,000 members served and 95% testing negative for stimulant use during treatment, and said 21 Indian health care providers have been approved to offer traditional health care practices. It also described BH Connect initiatives such as the $1.9 billion access reform and outcomes incentive program, workforce investments, evidence-based practice expansion, IMD participation by four counties, and transitional rent services. On BHSA implementation, DHCS said it is not tracking individual county contract cuts but is monitoring county plans and statewide outcomes, while stakeholders raised concerns about local prevention and service gaps. DHCS also outlined its H.R. 1 implementation strategy, including outreach, streamlined renewals, exemptions for disabled, substance use, and medically frail individuals, and proposed clinic navigator and outreach funding; it said it has not yet produced a focused estimate of H.R. 1 impacts on behavioral health populations. The discussion ended with DHCS noting that B-CHIP bond funding has supported 437 infrastructure projects, creating 546 new or expanded facilities and more than 9,500 residential beds across the state.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, these are, as I mentioned, one-time appropriations of the legislature.
• The speaker said that would have to occur between the school and the legislature.
• We were founded by Sarah Broom and championed in the legislature by the late Steve Carter.
• . $850 million price tag, which I know this legislature does not have.
• I didn't leave the legislature yet. I know we only have problems with those people.

Committee: House Appropriations

Summary: The committee met on March 17 to review the FY27 budgets for the Department of Education and several special schools and commissions. Fiscal staff outlined the Department of Education’s roughly $6.4 billion budget, noting that most funding goes to the Minimum Foundation Program and subgrantee assistance. Major changes discussed included the removal of one-time teacher pay stipends, increases for the LA GATOR scholarship program, and projected adjustments in early childhood funding. Members also reviewed the constitutional amendment proposal tied to using about $2 billion to pay down teacher retirement obligations and provide future teacher pay raises. Dr. Cade Brumley testified that Louisiana’s education outcomes have improved and answered questions on math performance, charter school funding, the LA GATOR scholarship, and the special education Choice program. Members pressed the department on the sustainability and balance of funding between LA GATOR and Choice, the number of applicants and current recipients, and outreach efforts. Brumley said charter schools are funded through the MFP like other public schools, that LA GATOR currently serves about 5,500 students with applications recently reaching about 17,000, and that the Choice program serves about 500 students with a waiting list of about 700 applicants. He also said the department would implement whatever funding levels the legislature approves. The committee then heard the special schools and commissions budget, including the Special School District, Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts, Thrive Academy, École Pointe-au-Chien, Louisiana Public Broadcasting, and BESE. Testimony focused on facility needs, enrollment, and program outcomes. LSU? No—LSM leaders described urgent roof and ceiling repairs estimated at about $800,000, while Thrive Academy highlighted student achievement, community service requirements, and economic impact. LPB said it is facing a federal funding loss of about $2.5 million and is responding with higher Passport fees, underwriting, and private fundraising. BESE’s small staff and administrative role were also explained, with members asking about board operations and the use of statutory dedication funds.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we offer the legislature a few questions.
• So we offer the legislature a few questions.
• So we offer the legislature a few questions.
• </c><00:43:05.079><c> uh</c> will and so we offer the legislature uh will and so we offer the legislature
• We do yield to the legislature.

Committee: House Housing

Summary: The House Committee on Housing held a public hearing on a wide range of housing-related bills. HB 295 on Hawaiian homelands drew support from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and individual testifiers who described long waits for DHHL housing, while the Department of Hawaiian Homelands offered comments noting that lowering the Native Hawaiian blood quantum from 50% to 25% would require multiple legal and federal review steps. The committee also heard testimony on several Hawaii Public Housing Authority measures, including HB 99, HB 1096, HB 1097, HB 1095, HB 1093, and HB 1094, which generally received agency support and little or no public opposition during the hearing. HB 1094 prompted questions about the handling and sale or donation of seized property, and the agency said it lacked capacity to manage that work directly and would need to consult the Attorney General on liability concerns. The committee then heard HB 1056 and HB 1467, both related to a proposed Hawaii Homes or housing resiliency program. DCCA, the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority, the Climate Advisory Team, and Hawaii Realtors supported HB 1056, while the Attorney General requested clarification on fund language. The Insurance Commissioner said DCCA was willing to run the program and that strengthening homes would help keep insurance available in Hawaii. For HB 1467, the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority and Climate Advisory Team also supported the measure, with the Attorney General raising concerns about delegation, the special fund, and extension authority. Testimony on both bills emphasized hurricane retrofits, with some witnesses urging harmonization of the two similar proposals and one witness warning that the bills could conflict with efforts to reduce building-code minimum standards. Other measures included HB 1013 on important agricultural lands, which received support from HHFDC, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, DBEDT, the Agri-Business Development Corporation, and Purple Maiʻa Foundation, with some agencies offering comments. HB 1294 on agricultural workforce housing drew comments from the Attorney General, who said commissions may be established by law rather than by the department itself, along with support from OHA, a council member, and the Democratic Party of Hawaii Education Caucus. HB 89 on teacher housing received support from OHA and education groups, while the Attorney General said the bill may have constitutional issues and suggested amendments to set standards for voucher applications. HB 276 on condominiums and HB 528 on residential leases also drew support, with no testimony in opposition. HB 415 on public safety and fire sprinklers generated the most clear split in testimony: the State Fire Council, a fire department representative, and an individual supported the bill, arguing sprinklers improve safety and can prevent major losses, while BIA Hawaii, Pacific Home and Appliance Distribution, NAAP Hawaii, Gentry Holmes, and DR Horton Hawaii opposed it, saying the added cost would worsen housing affordability and that existing codes already address safety. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing; the chair repeatedly closed each bill after testimony and questions, and the hearing moved through the agenda without recorded committee votes.