Summary: The Committee on Appropriations took up SJR 2-F, a proposed constitutional amendment to reduce property taxes by lowering assessment caps on non-homestead property, expanding homestead exemptions over time, and allowing local governments to increase exemptions further. The sponsor argued the measure would provide broad property tax relief while requiring revenues to be directed to core services such as public safety, education, infrastructure, and natural resource projects, with a trust fund intended to help local governments transition. Senators raised concerns about the lack of a fiscal score, the effect on counties, cities, school districts, and special districts, and whether the proposal would shift costs to fees or other taxes. Several amendments were debated. Senator Polsky’s amendment to explicitly authorize user fees and non-ad valorem assessments to offset lost property tax revenue failed. Senator Avila’s amendment broadening permissible uses of ad valorem revenue to include county constitutional officers and other expenditures approved by local governing bodies was adopted after debate over whether the bill would otherwise underfund essential functions. Senator Smith’s sunset amendment, which would have made the constitutional changes expire after five years, failed. Senator Smith’s amendment to allow tourism development tax revenue to support public safety and education also failed. Senator Graal’s amendment removing the constitutional trust fund language was adopted, with supporters arguing the Constitution should not promise an unfunded account. Additional late-file amendments were considered. Senator Berman’s proposal to change the ballot title to more neutrally describe the measure as affecting property taxes and local community service reductions failed. Senator Trumbull’s amendment removing school board ad valorem taxes from the proposal was adopted, preserving school taxes. Senator Smith’s amendment narrowing the non-homestead assessment cap reduction to small businesses only failed. The committee then returned to the bill as amended and continued questioning the sponsor about eligibility, fiscal impacts, and whether the proposal could lead to local governments offsetting lost revenue through special assessments or other charges.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Rules Committee met and was called to order after roll call established a quorum. The committee considered a consent agenda, and one member requested that item 11 be removed for separate action. The remainder of the consent agenda was approved by roll call vote. Item 11 was then taken up separately: an urgency clause request for SB 762 by Senator Arreguín. After a motion and second, the committee voted on the request. The urgency clause request passed, with two no votes recorded. Following the vote on SB 762, the Rules Committee adjourned.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit Committee met to hear status updates from the state auditor and consider several new audit requests. The auditor reported 10 JALAC audits in progress, including a new 2026 audit on DMV license revocation, and noted other statutory audits on the State Bar exam rollout, CSU/UC Title IX implementation, tobacco tax, state financial statements, federal compliance, and high-risk issues such as late financial reporting, Medi-Cal eligibility, and water infrastructure safety. The committee approved a consent calendar covering audits on UC library resources, law enforcement information sharing, EDD unemployment insurance claims, and Housing and Community Development housing development monitoring. The committee then considered Assembly Member DeMaio’s request to audit SANDAG’s road project management and use of transportation funds. DeMaio argued the audit was needed to examine whether restricted funds, voter-approved revenues, and project commitments were properly used and documented, citing prior problems with tolling and financial oversight. SANDAG’s CEO and CFO said the agency already undergoes extensive oversight and audits, has improved internal controls, and believed its funding uses were appropriate. Several members questioned whether the audit duplicated existing reviews and whether the issues were already public, and the request ultimately failed on a roll call vote. Next, Senator Valadares presented an audit of the Board of State and Community Corrections’ administration of Proposition 47 grants. Supporters said the audit would assess whether grant recipients comply with requirements and whether outcome and recidivism data are reliable, while BSCC said the program already has oversight, including biennial State Controller audits, and pointed to reported reductions in homelessness, unemployment, and recidivism. The committee approved the audit. Senator Cortese’s request to audit CalHR’s dental benefits procurement and Delta Dental contract also passed, with supporters citing rising out-of-pocket costs, provider network problems, and the long-running contract’s lack of competition; CalHR responded that most members have nearby access, it recently ran an RFP, and it will add MetLife as a second carrier in 2027. The committee then approved the remaining consent items and adjourned.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly convened with a quorum call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then handled routine procedural business including approval of the previous day’s journal, several consent motions, and re-referral or removal actions on a few bills. Members also introduced guests, including a high school hydrogen car team, family visitors, and former legislator George Runner. The main floor action focused on several heritage and awareness resolutions. ACR 185 recognized June as Portuguese Heritage Month; members spoke about the contributions of Portuguese Californians, and the resolution was adopted with 51 coauthors. ACR 197 declared October as Italian American Heritage Month and was adopted with 54 coauthors. ACR 205 designated June as Congenital Cytomegalovirus Awareness Month and was adopted with 55 coauthors. SCR 177 proclaimed May 31, 2026 as World No Tobacco Day, highlighting tobacco-related harms and California’s flavored tobacco restrictions; it was adopted with 49 coauthors. The Assembly also heard adjournments in memory for John Wesley Finney, Jr., a longtime educator and community leader, and Deputy Levi Vargas of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, with brief tributes from members and a moment of silence for Finney. The session concluded with announcements of upcoming committee and floor schedules and adjournment until Thursday, June 4, 2026, at 9 a.m.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee met without a quorum at first and began hearing bills as a subcommittee. The chair outlined procedures, noted several consent items, and the committee heard presentations on AB 277, AB 1382, and ACR 173 before quorum was established. AB 277 would require background checks for unlicensed employees providing behavioral health treatment; the author and CalABA argued it would protect children and people with disabilities, and the bill later passed 6-0. AB 1382, the “Ethics Over Aesthetics Act,” would prohibit the sale of genetically modified animals for cosmetic purposes, with supporters citing animal welfare, shelter overcrowding, and the need to avoid novelty pet breeding; it also passed 6-0 after amendments removed opposition concerns about glowfish. ACR 173 would recommend formalizing a sister-state relationship between California and Jalisco, Mexico, emphasizing cultural, economic, and educational ties and calling for immigration protections. One senator objected to language referencing “recent mass deportations,” saying it was unnecessarily political and inaccurate in context, and said he would abstain rather than vote no. After quorum was reached, the committee approved the consent calendar, including AB 2085, AB 1733, ACR 129, ACR 164, and ACR 166, by a 6-0 vote. Once quorum was established, the committee voted 6-0 to pass AB 277 to the Senate Public Safety Committee and AB 1382 to the Senate Judiciary Committee. ACR 173 was adopted on a 4-0 vote, and the committee granted reconsideration so the author could potentially address the concern raised about the resolution’s language.

Summary: The House convened in special session after opening with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the reading of Governor DeSantis’s proclamation calling the Legislature into special session from June 1 to June 3, 2026. A quorum was established with 96 members voting. No bills, resolutions, messages, or committee reports were on the desk at the time of the floor session. The Speaker announced the schedule for the special session, saying the State Affairs Committee would meet later that afternoon to consider the property tax bill and related policy, followed by the Rules and Ethics Committee that evening. The House then adopted a motion to receive reports, adjourn for committee and other House business, and reconvene Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at 9 a.m. or upon call of the Chair.

Summary: The Rules Committee met in the afternoon, called the meeting to order, and confirmed a quorum. The committee considered a consent agenda and a request to remove item 11 for separate action. The remainder of the consent agenda was approved by roll call vote. Item 11 was then taken up separately: an urgency clause request for SB 762 by Senator Arreguín. After a motion and second, the committee voted on the request by roll call. The motion passed, with two members voting no and the rest voting aye. Following the vote on SB 762’s urgency clause request, the Rules Committee adjourned.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with a quorum, prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several floor recognitions, including a birthday acknowledgment for Senator Archuleta and introductions of former Senator George Runner and a Portuguese delegation tied to ACR 185 recognizing Portuguese Heritage Month. The body then approved the Senate journals and moved to confirmations of five Board of Parole Hearings appointees: William Muniz, Michael Ruff, Rosalind Sargent Burns, Mary Thornton, and Jack Weiss. Each confirmation drew extended debate centered on parole decisions, public safety, transparency, and the Board’s handling of elderly parole and sexually violent predator cases. Supporters argued the commissioners were applying existing law, using evidence-based risk assessments, and were not the decision-makers in the controversial cases cited. Opponents criticized the board for releasing dangerous offenders, questioned the commissioners’ judgment, and objected to the board’s closed-door in-bank votes. Roll calls followed each item, and all five appointees were confirmed, with vote totals including 25-9, 24-9, 24-9, 25-9, and 29-9. The Senate then took up Senate Concurrent Resolution 179 by Senator Niello, recognizing May as Celiac Disease Awareness Month. The resolution described celiac disease as a serious autoimmune disorder, highlighted symptoms and challenges with gluten exposure, and emphasized the need for awareness, labeling, and education. SCR 179 passed unanimously, 31-0. The session concluded with committee announcements and several adjournments in memory, including tributes to Marty Arnold, Jim McAulian, and Pat Gagoscos, followed by remarks from the President pro tempore about ongoing bipartisan legislation to improve transparency and public safety in parole decisions before adjournment until June 4, 2026.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit Committee met to consider new audit requests and received a status update from the State Auditor, who reported 10 JALAC audits in progress, several statutory audits underway, and that all audits approved in 2025 are moving forward. The committee first approved a consent calendar covering audits on University of California library resources, law enforcement information sharing, EDD unemployment insurance claims, and Housing and Community Development housing development monitoring. One requested audit on local law enforcement and human trafficking had been withdrawn before the hearing. The committee then debated and approved an audit request from Assembly Member DeMaio on the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) and its road project management and use of transportation funds. DeMaio argued the audit was needed to examine whether restricted funds, voter-approved revenues, and project commitments were properly used, while SANDAG officials said the agency already undergoes extensive oversight and that its funding sources and project uses are governed by multiple existing audits and reporting requirements. Several members questioned whether the audit would duplicate existing reviews, but the motion passed after roll call. Next, the committee approved Senator Valadares’s audit request on Board of State and Community Corrections Proposition 47 grant administration. Supporters said the audit would assess whether grant recipients and BSCC oversight are producing reliable outcome and recidivism data and whether the funds are achieving public safety goals; BSCC responded that it already has internal controls, that the State Controller conducts biennial audits, and that its reported outcomes show reductions in homelessness, unemployment, and recidivism among participants. The committee also approved Senator Cortese’s audit of CalHR’s dental benefits procurement and contract oversight, prompted by concerns about stagnant annual maximums, provider network losses, and out-of-pocket costs for employees and retirees. CalHR said its current dental network remains strong, that it recently completed an RFP adding MetLife as a second carrier beginning in 2027, and that it maintains performance guarantees in its contracts. All three regular-calendar audit requests were approved, and the committee then completed add-on votes approving the earlier consent calendar items before adjournment.

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit Committee met to hear new audit requests and receive a status update from the State Auditor. The auditor reported 10 JALAC audits in progress, noted that all 2025-approved audits are underway, said the first 2026 audit is focused on DMV license revocations, and described several statutory and high-risk audits already in progress. The committee also approved a consent calendar of four audit requests: UC library resources, law enforcement information sharing, EDD unemployment insurance claims, and Housing and Community Development housing development monitoring. The committee then considered Assembly Member DeMaio’s audit request on SANDAG road project management. DeMaio argued the audit was needed to examine whether transportation funds, including voter-approved and restricted revenues, were used for allowable purposes and whether past management failures warranted outside review. SANDAG’s CEO and CFO said the agency already undergoes extensive oversight and audits, that funds are tracked by multiple “colors of money,” and that internal controls have improved. Several members questioned whether the issues were already addressed in public records or existing audits, and the request failed on a roll call vote. Next, Senator Valadares presented an audit of the Board of State and Community Corrections’ Proposition 47 grant administration, arguing that more transparency is needed on outcomes, recidivism data, and oversight of grantees. The BSCC said it already has oversight mechanisms, that the State Controller conducts biennial audits, and that program data shows positive outcomes. The committee approved the audit unanimously. Senator Cortese then presented an audit of CalHR’s dental benefits procurement and Delta Dental contract, citing long-standing benefit caps, provider network concerns, and retiree out-of-pocket costs. CalHR said its network remains strong, that it recently completed an RFP adding MetLife as a second carrier starting in 2027, and that contracts include performance guarantees. Members from both parties expressed concern about access and competition, and the audit was approved unanimously. The committee then completed add-on votes on the consent calendar and adjourned.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Human Services Committee met in Room 2200 of the O Street Building, established a quorum, and took up a consent calendar containing three bills, including SR 104. After a motion by Senator Laird, the committee voted unanimously to adopt the consent calendar. The roll call votes were recorded as members voting aye, and the final vote was 5-0. No substantive testimony or debate on the individual bills is included in the transcript. The meeting was brief, with the chair noting the quick pace, briefly recessing to await an absent member, and then closing the vote. After the final vote, the committee adjourned.

Bills: HB410, HR310, HR314, HR316, HR317, HR321, HR275, HR276, HR279, HR282, HR286, HR289, HR292, HR295, HR302, HR319, HR307, HR273, SCR59, SCR61, SCR62, SCR68, SCR69, SCR70, SCR54, SCR55, SCR64, SCR75, HCR32, HB776, HB42, HB119, HB159, HB302, HB1017, HB1028, SB217, SB283, HB953, SB208, HR74, HB998, HB901, HR20, HCR65, HCR71, HCR98, HB284, HB306, HB341, HB366, HB393, HB458, HB577, HB603, HB605, HB614, HB625, HB646, HB733, HB752, HB773, HB798, HB911, HB955, HB996, HB1035, HB1069, HB1113, HB1140, HB1180, HB1191, HB1240, HB1255, SB82, SB89, SB97, SB123, SB237, HB36, HB74, HB75, HB258, HB259, HB414, HB459, HB784, HB848, HB956, HB1095, HB1220, HB1252, SB469, SB479

Keywords: recording, privacy, notification, direct conversation, law enforcement, first responder, penalties, oil and gas, orphan wells, inactive wells, shut-in wells, marginal wells, plugging and abandonment, well decommissioning, site remediation, site restoration, Oilfield Site Restoration, OSR program, financial security, bonding

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, opened with prayer, the pledge, and a national anthem performance, then moved through several personal privileges and recognitions. Members welcomed a student cancer survivor and entrepreneur, Bella of Brave Bella Bead Company, and also recognized a new legislative assistant, a page leaving for college, and a resolution honoring National Mississippi River Day. The chamber also received conference committee reports and enrollment reports, and returned some previously failed measures to the calendar, including H.R. 119 and H.B. 410. The main floor action centered on a series of Senate concurrent resolutions, most of which were adopted overwhelmingly. These included SCR 59 on re-evaluating flood maps and insurance rates tied to the Comite River Diversion Canal, SCR 61 urging higher reimbursement for behavioral health crisis centers, SCR 62 calling for review of school-zone safety and speed limits, SCR 68 creating a blockchain and digital innovation task force, SCR 69 encouraging continued research to reduce sugarcane burning, SCR 70 supporting the Major Richard Star Act for medically retired combat-wounded veterans, SCR 54 supporting the Mississippi River Basin Fishery Commission Act, SCR 55 designating the Peggy Martin Rose as the official state rose, SCR 64 creating a construction manager-at-risk task force, SCR 75 studying a Louisiana maneuvers museum and trail, and SCR 80 creating a task force on the minimum foundation program and long-term teacher pay funding. Most passed with little or no opposition, with SCR 84 on earthquake seismic activity in several parishes amended to adjust task force membership before final adoption. The House also heard a personal privilege statement honoring the late Ponder P.C. Clinton Jr., a noted Black farmer, cattleman, and community leader in Shreveport’s Cedar Grove neighborhood, and expressed condolences to his family. Later, members received a hurricane-season reminder from Rep. Jay Galle about disaster response procedures and the need to work through parish emergency offices. The transcript ends as the House moves into additional concurrent resolutions returned from the Senate with amendments.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a roll call, then approved the journal and spent much of the early session on personal privilege remarks, guest introductions, and proclamations. Recognitions included Arcadia High School’s 2026 state championship boys basketball team, the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, Diné College and Navajo sovereignty/Indigenous higher education, Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month, and Route 66’s centennial. The chamber also honored Senator Lela Alston for her long legislative career and retirement, with remarks from colleagues and a musical tribute after recess. The Senate then moved into Committee of the Whole and considered three House bills. HB 2048, dealing with orders of protection and process service, was amended and recommended do pass. HB 2398, concerning watercraft insurance requirements and penalties, was amended after debate over a floor amendment exempting some infrequent boat rentals; the amendment was adopted over opposition from Senator Epstein, and the bill was recommended do pass as amended. HB 2611, relating to child welfare and group home safety, was amended with changes requiring DCS reporting and standards for group foster homes, and was also recommended do pass as amended. On third reading, the Senate passed HB 2198, HB 2434, HB 2764, HB 2772, HB 2837, HB 2868, HB 2906, and HB 2996, with HB 2772 drawing a 17-9 vote after Senator Gonzales objected that it could affect emergency responders seeking driver’s licenses from patients. HB 2868 passed 25-1, HB 1668 passed 25-1, and the rest passed unanimously or near-unanimously. The Senate also concurred in House amendments to SB 1168, SB 1254, and SB 1668, then passed SB 1168 and SB 1254 on final reading and sent them to the Governor; SB 1668 also passed final reading and was sent to the Governor. The chamber then recessed.

Summary: The committee first heard an update on Topok Elementary School District’s long-running noncompliance with Arizona’s Uniform System of Financial Records. The Auditor General’s office explained the USFR noncompliance process and reported that Topok had made substantial progress, correcting many deficiencies in areas such as open meeting law, procurement, payroll, attendance reporting, property control, and information technology. The district’s superintendent and staff described the corrective actions they had taken, the use of outside consultants, and their plan to maintain compliance through stronger leadership, training, and consistent procedures. Members praised the district’s progress and asked about the remaining deficiencies and the status of the 3% state-aid withholding, which the Auditor General said would be addressed by the State Board of Education. The committee then considered a request for a fourth school safety special audit, tied to concerns raised by Representative Martinez about Phoenix Union High School District and school violence response practices. The Auditor General said the proposed audit would be a new topic focused on policies and procedures for responding to credible threats of violence and allegations of staff misconduct affecting student safety, and could include Phoenix Union in the sample. Representative Martinez described a fatal 2024 shooting, weapons incidents, and concerns about district oversight. The committee approved the motion 10-0. Next, staff presented the fiscal years 2027-2028 school district performance audit schedule, describing 26 randomly selected school districts and career and technical education districts, plus 84 planned follow-ups. The Auditor General said the schedule is intended to shorten the average time between audits and that the school audits division is now fully staffed. Members asked about county coverage and the inclusion of ESA accountability, but the schedule was ultimately presented for review rather than approval. The committee also heard a detailed federal compliance audit presentation on the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) administered by DES. The Auditor General reported repeated findings involving missing provider documentation, questioned costs, and FFATA reporting errors, including a 2024 sample that led to questioning $2.88 million in costs. The office recommended stronger documentation, record retention, reporting procedures, and staff training; DES concurred and said it would correct the findings in 2026. Members discussed the limits of the single-audit scope, the possibility of a broader special audit, and the federal government’s recent actions on CCDF oversight in other states. Finally, the committee considered and discussed a special audit request for CCDF that would broaden review to provider oversight, licensing, site visits, and billing accuracy across multiple state agencies, with estimated costs of $547,000 to $625,000 and a projected report date of July 31, 2027.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the journal, guest introductions, and routine communications from the governor and Senate. Members then moved into multiple Committee of the Whole sessions to consider a large number of Senate bills and later House bills on final reading. Several measures were retained on the calendar, while many others advanced with or without amendments. The House also adopted a group concurrence motion on numerous Senate amendments to House bills and later took up third-reading votes on a series of House bills. Among the main committee actions, SB 1049, SB 1315, SB 1401, SB 1418, and SB 1540 were amended and recommended do pass; SB 1332 and SB 1538 also advanced, while SB 1016, SB 1519, SB 1624, SB 1627, SB 1723, and SB 1725 were retained. Debate centered on school safety and interoperability equipment in SB 1315, housing and zoning issues in SB 1118, and school discipline/bullying transparency in SB 1684. Members also discussed SB 1074 on student discipline notifications, SB 1275 on diversion program wording, and SB 1684 on bullying reporting and school liability, with supporters emphasizing safety, accountability, and clarity and opponents warning about unfunded mandates, litigation, and impacts on public schools. On final reading, the House passed a long list of bills, including HB 2032, HB 2035, HB 2109, HB 2120, HB 2176, HB 2189, HB 2195, HB 2203, HB 2342, HB 2383, HB 2423, HB 2428, HB 2439, HB 2440, HB 2573, HB 2594, HB 2621, HB 2641, HB 2673, HB 2693, HB 2752, HB 2756, HB 2875, HB 2895, HB 2916, HB 2923, HB 2946, and HB 2999, with recorded votes ranging from narrow to unanimous. HB 1118, dealing with municipal zoning and historic properties, failed on the floor after debate over housing policy and charter/public school issues, though a motion to reconsider was later made. The session ended with personal announcements, including recognition of Child Help, a memorial reading for Major General W. Bill Van Dyke, caucus meeting notices, a retirement reception reminder, an anniversary acknowledgment, and a Pride Month statement.

Summary: The committee first approved the May 18 meeting minutes and then received a presentation from Legislative Audit on Arkansas Department of Education grant distributions. Auditors explained that the fiscal year 2025 report summarizes $4.6 billion in grants from state, federal, and miscellaneous sources, across school districts, charter schools, education cooperatives, and other entities, and that the report only shows amounts distributed, not how recipients ultimately used the money. Members asked about specific recipients and programs, including ClassWallet, Economics Arkansas, and CDC surveillance funding; department staff clarified that the Economics Arkansas grant is written into special language and that the CDC-related funding supports student surveys used by state agencies. Questions also focused on bonus and incentive programs such as master principal and National Board Certified teacher bonuses, with department staff saying the bonuses are generally tied to completion of the program or certification rather than classroom performance, though they would follow up on details. The committee then heard a Bureau of Legislative Research update on Consumer Price Index projections from Moody’s Analytics and S&P Global. Dr. Carlos Silva explained the difference between CPI-U and core CPI and said the estimates show inflation slowing over the forecast period, with some near-term variation between the two data providers. Members asked about the historical accuracy of prior projections, and he said the forecasts generally tend to move toward about 2 percent over time, though recent shocks have caused earlier estimates to understate actual inflation. The bulk of the meeting was devoted to the final adequacy report on teacher recruitment, retention, and salaries. BLR staff reviewed Arkansas teacher demographics, shortage areas, educator preparation pipelines, licensure exceptions, survey results from teachers and principals, and teacher support programs. They reported that Arkansas had about 32,800 teachers and 473,000 students in 2025, with an average of 11.9 years of experience and a slight increase in National Board Certified teachers. The report found shortages in multiple subject areas, especially special education, math, science, foreign language, and social studies, and identified 65 districts as high-need geographically. Survey results showed school leadership as the strongest positive factor in recruitment and retention, while workload and salary were the biggest negatives; 30 percent of responding teachers said they were considering leaving the profession. The committee also reviewed teacher salary data showing a statewide average salary of $60,254 in 2025, Arkansas ranking 45th nationally by NEA methodology, and a long-term inflation-adjusted decline in district salaries, though LEARNS Act increases improved the trend. Members asked for additional follow-up information on survey methodology, alternative licensure costs, coursework, incentives for ESL and special education endorsements, exit data, and how salary comparisons are calculated.

Summary: The Senate convened in special session with a quorum present, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then read the governor’s proclamation calling the session. The proclamation said the special session was for property tax relief measures, including a proposed constitutional amendment affecting assessment caps, homestead exemptions, and local ad valorem tax limits, along with related implementing legislation on ballot language, taxpayer notices, supermajority voting requirements for tax increases, and a public website showing estimated savings. The secretary read the bills filed within the call: Senate Joint Resolution 2F by Senator Avila, proposing constitutional amendments to Article 7 and Article 12 to revise annual assessment limits, increase the homestead exemption, limit county and municipal ad valorem taxes, and create a trust fund; and Senate Bill 4F by Senator Avila, relating to property tax administration. Both were referred to Appropriations. The Rules Chair announced the Appropriations Committee would meet later that day, and the Senate adopted motions to waive rules, place SJR 2F and SB 4F on the special order calendar for June 2 with an amendment deadline one hour before convening, establish the special order calendar for the rest of special session by website publication and announcement, and send any bills filed outside the call to Rules for review. The chamber then heard farewell remarks from Senators Hooper and Polsky, who were leaving the Senate. Hooper reflected on his long public service and said he hoped to be remembered for treating others with respect and kindness. Polsky thanked constituents, staff, colleagues, and family, and spoke about his years representing communities in South Florida. The Senate then adjourned until 9:00 a.m. the next day, or upon the President’s call, for committee meetings and other business.

Summary: The Committee on Appropriations took up SJR 2-F, the proposed constitutional amendment on property tax relief, which would reduce assessment growth on non-homestead property, expand homestead exemptions, create a new exemption for new homesteaders, and direct counties, cities, and school districts to use property tax revenues for specified core services. Senator Avila presented the measure as the governor’s plan to provide historic relief and argued that local governments should tighten budgets and prioritize core functions. Senators raised concerns about the lack of fiscal scoring, the breadth and ambiguity of the permitted uses, the effect on special districts and local services, and whether the proposal would shift costs to fees or other taxes. The committee adopted several amendments, including Avila’s amendment clarifying that ad valorem revenues could be used for county and municipal operations and administration and other expenditures not prohibited by law, and Trumbull’s amendment removing school board ad valorem taxes from the proposal. Other amendments failed, including proposals to allow user fees and non-ad valorem assessments, add a sunset, redirect tourism development taxes, narrow the small-business provision, and change the ballot title to reference local service reductions. Grall’s amendment removing the constitutional trust fund requirement was adopted, while the committee also rejected Berman’s title-change amendment and Smith’s sunset and tourism-tax amendments. The committee then returned to the bill as amended for questions, including extended debate over whether the proposal would affect noncitizen residents, the impact on local government finances, and whether local governments would respond with higher fees or special assessments. The meeting ended with the bill still under discussion after the final round of questions, with Avila saying he would continue working with the governor’s office on the language before the next vote.