Transcript Highlights:

• And I did some analysis of the recent U assess statewide assessment, charters versus district, and they're
• And I did some analysis of the recent U assess statewide assessment, charters versus district, and they're
• And I did some analysis of the recent U assess statewide assessment, charters versus district, and they're
• And I did some analysis of the recent U assess statewide assessment, charters versus district, and they're
• ,</c> current formula, if you're assessing, current formula, if you're assessing, um,<04:09:12.399><c

Committee: House Education Policy and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:09:52.680><c> and</c> rules to develop an assessment and rules to develop an assessment and approval
• </c><01:08:35.440><c> fund</c> animal industry special fund animal industry special fund appropriates
• special fund from the animal industry special fund<01:14:42.920><c> and</c><01:14:43.159><c> rather</
• </c> fund and rather establish a new special fund and rather establish a new special fund<01:14:46.040
• </c> don't want to create any new special don't want to create any new special fund<01:15:07.320><c>

Committee: House Agriculture & Food Systems

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, and it would be basically to possibly allow for a future loan or future special assessment with some
• Uh, and it would be basically to possibly allow for a future loan or future special assessment with some
• </c><00:20:46.960><c> assessment</c><00:20:47.360><c> with</c> loan or future special assessment with
• loan or future special assessment with some<00:20:47.840><c> guard</c><00:20:48.159><c> rails</c><00
• ,</c> paid through common expense assessments, paid through common expense assessments, forcing<00:35

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 2294, which would require condominium associations, boards, and managing agents to comply with declarations, bylaws, county ordinances, and state and federal laws, including mortgage lending requirements. The Community Associations Institute opposed the bill as redundant, arguing existing law already requires compliance and provides penalties. Supporters, including condominium owners and board members, said the measure would clarify that associations are not “self-governing” in a way that exempts them from outside laws, and cited examples where local officials or police told residents to take issues back to their boards. Several supporters said the bill would reinforce board responsibility for permits, safety, and legal compliance. The committee noted 27 pieces of testimony, with 10 in support and 17 in opposition, and then moved on without taking a vote on the measure in the transcript provided. The committee also took up SB 2298, which would require common interest community proxy forms to include additional language explaining proxy selection options. The Community Associations Institute opposed the bill, saying the proposed language was inaccurate and would not improve consumer clarity unless significantly revised. Supporters argued that proxy forms are confusing and that clearer instructions would help homeowners understand how their votes are being used. Opponents said the added language would make the forms longer and more confusing, and suggested a separate instruction sheet or other educational material instead. Testimony also raised broader concerns about proxy voting being misused in some associations, with one witness urging that proxy voting be eliminated altogether. The committee reported 29 written testimonies, including seven in support, 19 in opposition, and three with comments, and again did not record a final vote in the excerpt. For SB 2300, which would shorten condominium reserve cash-flow projections from 30 years to 25 years, the Community Associations Institute opposed the bill, saying it would not make housing more affordable, would reduce transparency, and would increase the annual burden by giving associations less time to save for long-life components. The group suggested that if affordability is the goal, lawmakers should consider allowing future loans or special assessments with guardrails. Supporters of the bill said the shorter projection period would better reflect practical budgeting and help associations plan more realistically, though some supporters also warned against relying too heavily on loans and emphasized accountability and fiduciary responsibility. Other testimony stressed that the impact of changing the projection period would vary by association and that many owners are already struggling with rising fees. The discussion remained focused on testimony and policy concerns, with no final action on SB 2300 shown in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Clem specializes in family medicine. Welcome to the Florida Senate.
• Take up the special order calendar and read the first bill: Senate Bill 100, a bill to be entitled...
• Take up the special order calendar and read the first bill: Senate Bill 100, a bill to be entitled, an
• Senate Bill 320 removes unnecessary district requirements across assessments, personnel, facilities,
• It improves assessments and accountability processes by simplifying local testing calendars, specifying

Summary: The Senate opened with a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and introductions recognizing the YMCA’s 175th anniversary, Youth and Government participants, and Dr. Thomas Clem as Doctor of the Day. Senators also noted the presence of guests from the YMCA and Lakeland Regional, and the chamber received a birthday acknowledgment for President Gates. The chamber then took up several bills on the special order calendar. Senate Bill 100 adopted the 2026 Florida Statutes and the 2025 session’s enacted statute materials; Senate Bill 102 removed statutory provisions that had already been repealed or expired; and Senate Bill 104, the general reviser’s bill, deleted obsolete language and corrected cross-references and errors. Each of these bills passed 36-0. Senate Bill 320, relating to administrative efficiency in public schools, was explained as reducing district-level requirements, expanding teacher apprenticeship and certification flexibility, adjusting assessment and budgeting rules, and increasing district flexibility in VPK and facility planning; it also passed 36-0. The Senate also passed Senate Bill 7010, which authorizes Roth post-tax contributions in state and local deferred compensation plans, by a 36-0 vote. Senate Bill 1720 on public school personnel compensation was withdrawn from further consideration. At the end of the session, the Senate waived rules to immediately certify the passed bills to the House and then adjourned until the next scheduled meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• But my question is: what is special education? Special education.
• But what my question is: what is special education?
• And there's multiple categories of special needs.
• There's the protected services, special need.
• On page 162 is the court-appointed special advocate, On page 162 is the Court-Appointed Special Advocate

Committee: House Budget

Summary: The committee first heard the Office of the Governor’s FY 2027 budget request from Adam Gresham. He explained the office’s staffing and noted a $500,000 core reduction, along with a reallocation of three positions and about $168,000 from the governor’s office to the mansion operating fund to better reflect where those employees work. Members asked about the National Guard emergency line, which Gresham said had already spent about $63,457 in FY 2026 and could be used again for disaster activations, though he did not expect to use the full $4 million. He also said the agricultural resiliency transfer fund had not been used and had no current transfer plans. Several members commented on the size of the governor’s cut and whether the judiciary and other offices were also being asked to reduce budgets. No votes were taken. The committee then moved to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Office of Childhood and early childhood-related budget items. DESE staff described funding for the Office of Childhood, MoQPK child care provider grants, LEA pre-K grants, early childhood special education, Parents as Teachers, First Steps, preschool coordination, after-school programs, and child care subsidy. Members asked extensively about the MoQPK grants, including why Head Start providers were eligible, how curriculum approval works, and what safeguards exist against fraud or improper payments. DESE said it conducts physical inspections, desk reviews, payment-system checks, and investigations as needed, and that it had not had findings in this area. Some members questioned whether DESE or DSS was the right home for early childhood programs, while others defended the partnership and the role of early educators in identifying child needs. A major portion of the discussion focused on early childhood special education and the child care subsidy program. DESE explained that First Steps serves children birth to age three, while early childhood special education covers ages three to five and is driven by IEP eligibility; members asked for more data on diagnoses, trends, and how many children come off IEPs. The committee also discussed the child care subsidy budget and the governor’s proposed shift to paying providers based on authorization and at the beginning of the month. DESE said the change is being piloted, that a wait list is expected to begin around March 1, and that a May rollout is being considered, but only if software testing and fiscal projections show the system is sustainable. Members expressed frustration that promised changes had been delayed and that providers had been told different timelines, while DESE said the delay was driven by software issues, fiscal caution, and the need to avoid repeating prior payment problems. The hearing ended with the committee in recess before later resuming discussion of the subsidy program; no final votes or actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the intake assessment won't necessarily happen immediately.
• And so the goal is to have them invited to that initial assessment so that they're able to contribute
• The intention is solely for the assessment piece that they would have them present.
• Going into treatment, being assessed, being released overnight, and that guardian not even being told
• We may have a special meeting at the end of March.

Bills: SB1195 , SB1245 , SB1379 , SB1420 , SB1473 , SB1534 , SB1743 , SB1769 , SB1945

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The Senate Judiciary Committee met and advanced a series of bills covering charitable organizations, mental health guardianship, human trafficking funding, CareerTech legal counsel, short-term rentals, racetrack protections, DUI penalties, public comment procedures, and eminent domain rights. SB 1534 clarified charity registration and fundraising rules and passed 7-0. SB 1473, the Courtney Smith Act, was amended to require a guardian’s presence at a ward’s intake assessment at an inpatient mental health center, but members raised concerns that the language could delay treatment; the sponsor agreed to keep working on it, and the bill advanced 6-2. SB 1379 would create a two-year AG pilot program to directly fund certified human trafficking agencies; despite budget concerns and questions about the $10 million cost, it advanced 8-0. SB 1743 would let CareerTech hire outside counsel with education-law experience and passed 7-1. The committee also approved SB 1769, which would allow short-term rental owners or their designated managers to require identification from renters and cancel bookings for discrepancies without penalty; members questioned discrimination concerns and platform penalties, but the bill advanced 8-0. SB 1195, protecting racetracks that were established before nearby development, passed 8-0. SB 1245, removing the 10-year look-back for repeat DUI-related offenses, advanced 5-3 after questions about lifetime felony exposure for a second offense. SB 1420, requiring public comment periods to occur before a public body votes or transacts business when public comment is offered, advanced 5-3 after discussion about whether public comment should be mandatory. Finally, SB 1945, as amended, would require agencies seeking eminent domain to provide the landowner’s bill of rights at the first offer, give the owner the appraisal or damage assessment used, remove a transfer-to-another-agency provision that could bypass the owner’s right of first refusal, and require the Attorney General to update the landowners’ bill of rights every two years. It advanced 6-2 after questions about impacts on transportation and other agencies. The committee then adjourned after noting possible future meetings, including a statutory review of child support standards.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a special order of business today, and the order of business will follow our regular order of
• We have a special order of business today, and the order of business will follow our regular order of
• We'd like to encourage them to continue assessing that amendment.
• We'd like to encourage them to continue assessing that amendment. Thank you.
• We'd like to encourage them to continue assessing that amendment. Thank you.

Summary: The Assembly Insurance Committee heard several bills, with most of the discussion focused on insurance transparency, claims handling, privacy, and regulatory enforcement. SB 877 and SB 878 by Senator Pérez addressed post-disaster claims practices: SB 877 would require insurers to disclose original and revised loss estimates and related claim materials to policyholders, while SB 878 would add automatic interest penalties for delayed claim decisions or payments and require written identification of disputed items. Fire survivors, consumer groups, AARP, the Department of Insurance, and other advocates supported both bills, while insurer groups moved to neutral after amendments. Both bills were voted out on roll call and reported to the Committee on Appropriations. The committee also considered SB 1054 by Senator Cabaldon, which would expand data sharing and reporting to improve workforce program evaluation and help counties verify work requirements for Medi-Cal and CalFresh using employer-reported hours worked. County officials, workforce advocates, and the Department of Insurance supported the measure, and no opposition was heard. The bill passed on a due-pass-as-amended motion to the Committee on Labor and Employment. SB 1209 by Senator Allen, presented with Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, would give the commissioner stronger enforcement tools to require insurers to carry out corrective actions identified in market conduct examinations, including fines and hearings for noncompliance. The commissioner and author said the bill would close an enforcement gap and improve accountability; there was no opposition testimony, but the bill was left on call after the roll. The committee also heard SB 354 on insurance privacy, presented by Senator Padilla on behalf of Pro Tem Limón, which would modernize insurance privacy rules by expanding consumer rights over personal data, limiting sale and use of sensitive information, and increasing disclosure requirements. Supporters said the bill updates outdated 1980s-era rules, while insurers, agents, and business groups raised concerns about scope, compliance burdens, and small-business impacts. Members indicated the bill was still being negotiated and would return in a revised form in the Privacy Committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• We did not put those in here specifically, but they've got guidelines that will allow you to assess the
• </c> guidelines that will allow you to assess guidelines that will allow you to assess the<00:14:54.959
• Existing<00:20:45.840><c> 1%</c><00:20:46.480><c> sales</c><00:20:47.440><c> special</c><00:20:47.760
• </c> Existing 1% sales special sales tax.
• Existing 1% sales special sales tax. state<00:20:49.360><c> legislation</c><00:20:50.000><c> to</c><00

Committee: Joint Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• And if I could just take a moment to take personal privilege: Members, we have some special guests that's
• And if I could just take a moment to take personal privilege: Members, we have some special guests that's
• And if I could just take a moment to take personal privilege: Members, we have some special guests that's
• That’s House Bill 1187, which provides for emergency assessments of Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance
• Senators, just real simply, this bill, HB 1187, provides for the usage of excess emergency assessment

Bills: SB511 , SB512 , HB591 , HB909 , HB938 , HB1154 , HB1187

Committee: Senate Insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• This system will do staff evaluation statewide, and appropriation will also provide for a skills assessment
• It's supported by special revenue: criminal fees and damage settlements.
• This is to cover costs associated with the UAMS juvenile sex offender assessments.
• It's supported by fees from the sex offender community notification assessment.
• Special language allows appropriation transfers between refund line items.

Committee: All ALC-PEER

Summary: The committee considered a series of appropriation, fund transfer, and reserve requests across multiple agencies. Section B temporary appropriations included funding for state technology upgrades, personnel management staffing and IT skills assessment, court reporters and interpreters, crime victim claims, juvenile sex offender assessments, radiation lab testing, and higher education workforce grants and credentialing pathways. Additional items covered an ARPA grant for the University of Arkansas Fort Smith LPN program, an IIJA grant for the Oil and Gas Commission’s critical minerals work, a restricted reserve transfer for State Police vehicle purchases, a transfer to the Arkansas Heroes Program, and cash fund requests for the Real Estate Commission’s AV system and HVAC work. Most of these items were approved by voice vote. One budget classification transfer request from the Commissioner of State Lands drew extended questioning and was ultimately not approved. Members questioned the $250,000 transfer to operating expenses tied to the purchase of a West Little Rock office building, the ongoing lease costs at the prior location, and whether the agency had adequately planned for building-related expenses. After discussion, the motion failed, and members told the agency to tighten spending and return if needed. The committee then took up 15 pay plan appropriation requests totaling $25.7 million and approved them after discussion with DFA, DHS, Corrections, and the State Board of Election Commissioners. Members focused heavily on DHS staffing shortages at human development centers, where officials said vacancies and turnover were driven by overtime and burnout rather than pay alone; one member asked DHS to submit a written plan to address the issue. Corrections reported the pay plan had improved hiring and retention. The committee also approved overtime appropriations for Emergency Management and Military. Reports on reserve funds, the Budget Stabilization Trust Fund, tobacco settlement, State Central Services, Education Adequacy, Medicaid Trust, IIJA, and revenue transfer activity were received. The Medicaid Trust Fund report prompted significant concern about February’s $90 million draw; DHS said the month was unusually high because of cash-flow timing and that the fund should end the year with a balance between $150 million and $200 million, while lawmakers noted a second $100 million set-aside is planned for FY27. The final discussion centered on DHS’s state hospital damage claim and reconstruction funding, where members expressed disappointment that insurance reimbursement would likely return only about $1.8 million now and possibly about $97,000 more later, far less than the roughly $5 million initially expected. DHS explained the policy was based on actual cash value and depreciation for old buildings, and said the work would proceed on Unit 3 for secured restoration because it was the most cost-effective option.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm respectfully submitting for your request and extension to implement rules from the special session
• There were two bills that affected the to implement rules from the special session that was held in January
• No takings assessment was required because the rule does not limit the use of real property.
• No constitutional takings assessments were required or prepared.
• A constitutional takings assessment was not required.

Committee: Joint Administrative Rules Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, Senate Bill 1594 just ensures Oklahoma principles are explicitly trained on special education
• Yes, members, this is so important for principles to be trained in special education law.
• Virtual instruction if the high school site is completing statewide assessments.
• There are nonprofits that specialize in leadership development.
• My other line of question is really on screeners versus diagnostic assessments.

Bills: SB1632 , SB1594 , SB2045 , SB1251 , SB1884 , SB1250 , SB1630 , SB1262 , SB1374 , SB1292 , SB1432 , SB1199 , SB1790 , SB1481 , SB1614 , SB1734 , SB1437 , SB1489 , SB1718 , SB1778

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Third, the bill provides for security assessments by a sergeant at arms, as back...
• The bill provides for security assessments by a sergeant at arms.
• LARC's assessment. Houseville 2120 eliminates this review and the public hearing requirement.
• This creates a class of people, perhaps journalists, who have special access to addresses.
• This creates a class of people, perhaps journalists, who have special access to addresses.

Bills: HB2176 , HB2244 , HB2120 , HB2333

Committee: House State Government & Tribal Relations

Keywords: drug therapy, public records, confidentiality, healthcare, collaborative practice, transparency, accountability, exemptions, government accountability, audit, legislative review, resource efficiency, committee work, political violence, elected officials, election officials, criminal justice, protection, safety, threats

Transcript Highlights:

• The statutes' broad wording could be weaponized by special interest groups to litigate against co-op
• co-ops' authority to choose generation and purchase power based on cost and reliability, prevents special
• So, well, these are assessing, literally, I mean, President Gates is asking for a CPA and a financial
• The commission has to weigh in every proceeding where it assesses return on equity.
• The commission has to weigh in every proceeding where it assesses return on equity.

Committee: Senate Regulated Industries

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries met with a quorum and considered four bills, all of which were reported favorably. SB 288 on rural electric cooperatives was presented as a negotiated “glitch bill” to narrow statutory language so co-ops can choose generation and power purchases based on cost and reliability without exposure to lawsuits aimed at banning fuel sources; it was supported by the Florida Electric Cooperatives Association and passed without debate. SB 364 on public accountancy was described as a modernization and licensure-efficiency bill to increase the supply of CPAs; an amendment correcting a drafting error and restoring automatic mobility language was adopted without objection, and the bill as amended was reported favorably. A public comment on the bill was briefly redirected after it appeared to address a different subject. The committee then took up SB 200 on utilities, which addresses solar decommissioning and storm protection plans. Chair Bradley said the bill would authorize counties to require decommissioning plans for utility-scale solar facilities at the end of their useful life, direct DEP to develop best management practices, and require the Public Service Commission to consider whether storm protection plan costs are reasonable relative to expected customer benefits. County and consumer groups spoke in support, and the Small County Coalition said the bill was a needed step that did not restrict solar development; the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee considered SB 126 on the Florida Public Service Commission, which was presented as a reform and “glitch” bill and amended to add CPA and financial analyst expertise, require stronger PSC order explanations, tighten intervention requirements, cap returns on equity at the national average for comparable utilities, set periodic ROE review schedules, and require affordability to be considered in rate-related proceedings. The PSC staff deputy executive director answered extensive questions about storm hardening, cost recovery, risk, and affordability. Several members and public speakers supported the bill’s goals but raised concerns about the affordability standard, the ROE cap, and comparisons to other states; others said the bill would improve transparency and accountability. The amendment was adopted, and CS for SB 126 was reported favorably. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• What this bill does is give special status to a social status. records.
• What this bill does is give special status to a subset of consumers at the expense of others who may
• They have to use the doctor's assessment of that risk, not the genetic test itself. Okay.
• We're looking to accurately assess the risk.
• We're looking to accurately assess the risk.

Committee: House Privacy and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• the recommendations that came out of your assessment: one, training and education.
• </c> Now in Kentucky um you did an assessment Now in Kentucky um you did an assessment in<00:21:24.080
• </c> know is that spe you need specialized know is that spe you need specialized supervision<00:35:16.880
• /c><00:35:22.880><c> supervision</c> places do have specialized supervision places do have specialized
• Family law, domestic violence law is one of those areas that I don't really specialize in.

Summary: The Interim Joint Committee on Judiciary approved the minutes from its July 24, 2025 meeting and heard an announcement about a lunch sponsored by the Kentucky State Buildings and Trades Council on forming a blue-collar caucus. The main presentation came from the Council of State Governments’ Justice Center on the Kentucky Justice Reinvestment Initiative’s domestic violence work, which was described as a multi-year effort begun in 2023 to analyze data and interview stakeholders across the state. Presenters reported that domestic violence is widespread in Kentucky, with about half of adults experiencing some form of violence or stalking in their lifetimes, and that an average of about 22,000 IPV incidents occurred annually from 2018 to 2022. They said domestic violence is a major driver of violent crime, accounting for about 48% of person offenses over a six-year period, and is linked to significant shares of homicides, sex crimes, kidnapping, aggravated assault, and simple assault. They also said reported incidents and arrests have risen in recent years, that protective-order violations and convictions have increased, and that Kentucky ranks near the bottom among surrounding states in the share of victim compensation for domestic-violence-related claims. Law enforcement survey results showed strong adoption of model policies and guidance, but limited use of screening tools for serious injury risk. The presenters emphasized that domestic violence also places heavy demands on law enforcement, courts, and corrections, citing roughly 30,000 law-enforcement responses in 2022 and noting that more than a third of people entering DOC custody and nearly a third under supervision had DV-related histories. They said a small group of repeat offenders drives ongoing harm and that targeted interventions could reduce recidivism. They highlighted a North Carolina example in which focused intervention reduced IPV-related homicides and calls for service, and they referenced Kentucky’s 2020 assessment recommendations on training, language access, protective-order service, and coordination with victim services and batterer intervention providers. They estimated that a 25% reduction in reported DV incidents could prevent nearly 5,000 victimizations annually and reduce DOC commitments and costs substantially. Committee members asked about the relationship between civil domestic violence petitions and companion criminal cases, and the presenters said they would check whether the data could answer that question. Members also discussed recent Kentucky legislation, including Senate Bill 319 on crime victims compensation and House Bill 38, which made a third domestic violence offense a Class D felony. Several members thanked the presenters and advocates, and one member raised concerns about service of process and recent violent incidents involving domestic violence-related warrants, prompting discussion of dedicated service units in larger jurisdictions and the resource limits faced by smaller agencies.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:08:51.800><c> and</c> BCA for threat assessment and BCA for threat assessment and investigation
• Assessment and Management Team in 2026. Assessment and Management Team in 2026.
• So, I see the daily assessments or the weekly assessments, incident reports.
• So, I see the daily assessments or the weekly assessments, incident reports.
• </c> Assessment and Management work. Assessment and Management work.

Summary: The Safety and Security Conference Committee met on May 13, 2026, with a quorum present and no immediate vote taken. Chairs explained the committee was working ahead of a possible target so it could act quickly later if needed, then proceeded with member introductions and a reminder about committee decorum. Staff noted a microphone delay and said the meeting would include a side-by-side walk-through of the House and Senate policy language and a review of the fiscal spreadsheet. Fiscal staff summarized major differences in court, public safety, and legislative security funding. The House and Senate proposals differed on safety and security funding for the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and District Courts, as well as on courthouse grants, capital security enhancements, and a new legislative/protective services unit. Staff also reviewed Senate-only and House-only items, including a Senate proposal to require removal of insignia from public safety vehicles sold to the public, and House provisions for a security services task force and member security costs. Total general fund impacts were reviewed, with the House total corrected to include an open appropriation that had been omitted from the spreadsheet totals. Nonpartisan staff then walked through the policy differences. The Senate language focused on a Protective Services Unit and security for principal state officials, while the House language focused on a Legislative Services Unit and security for legislators. Both bills included provisions on Capitol Complex Security, reporting requirements, and reimbursement arrangements with local law enforcement, but differed on details such as whether elected officials must provide contact information to DPS and how requests for personal protective services are handled. The House-only amendment A8 was presented for discussion; it would revise emergency contact provisions, replace the House’s personal protective services request language with a more detailed threat assessment and mitigation framework, direct implementation of the new unit, and make related reimbursement and technical changes. Judge Richard Kyle, president of the Minnesota District Judges Association, testified in support of stronger judicial and court safety measures. He described rising threats against judges, citing survey results showing high rates of judges limiting personal information, receiving inappropriate communications, changing personal behavior, and experiencing threats to themselves and family members. He said the association supports legislative authorization and funding for home security and personal data protections for judicial officers, and emphasized that safety concerns for judges and court staff have become more serious in recent years.

Transcript Highlights:

• and the environment where they occur, but ongoing research is required to help the FWC refine and assess
• Risk screenings help our staff assess the likelihood that a species will cause harm to Florida.
• efforts and to develop and use the most effective techniques, including the use of risk screenings to assess
• Well, first I have a question about the giant manta ray, which was under the special marine licensing
• Well, at first I have a question about the giant mantaray, which was under the special marine licensing

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government convened with a quorum present and excused Senators Arrington and Pizzo. The committee first took up confirmation hearings for appointments on tabs 1 through 4, and Senator DiCeglie moved to recommend confirmation of all appointees together. The motion passed unanimously, and the appointees were favorably recommended. The main presentation was from FWC Chief Conservation Officer George Wharton on invasive species management in Florida. He described the scale of the problem, including more than 500 non-native species reported in the state, and outlined FWC’s prevention, containment, removal, outreach, and research efforts. He highlighted risk screenings, the conditional/prohibited species framework, enforcement actions against illegal wildlife trafficking, and public programs such as the Florida Python Challenge, lionfish outreach, the Exotic Pet Amnesty Program, and the “I’ve Got One” reporting app. He also noted ongoing removal efforts for pythons, tegus, lionfish, and iguanas, and discussed new technologies and partnerships aimed at improving control efforts. Members asked follow-up questions about FWC issues beyond invasive species, including the status of special activity licenses for threatened species and giant manta rays, the upcoming bear hunt, and whether the committee could help reduce barriers to invasive species removal on federal lands. Wharton said all SAL permits for threatened species are currently suspended pending Commission review, that Florida is on track for a bear hunt this December with 172 permits issued across four subpopulations, and that bear management is based on scientific data while urban bear conflicts still require separate management. He also said federal partners are increasingly cooperative on python control, including commercialization of hides, and that drones, sentinel snakes, robotic lures, and AI-based traps may improve future invasive species removal. Senator Sharief and Senator Burton later requested to be recorded as voting affirmatively on tabs 1 through 4, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And Senators, if we can have your attention during the reading of this very special certificate of one
• And it just was indicative to me that this was a very special chamber.
• President, you know, what Senator Hardin did with us here in this chamber was very special.
• An act relating to public education, enacting the Special Education Act, creating the Office of Special
• providing powers and duties, removing gifted students from special education, recompiling current special

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a parent of a special needs child.
• I spent over 20 years teaching in special education and English learner education.
• I'm here today to present AB 560, the Supporting Special Educators Act.
• Recommended class size ratios for special day classes.
• Michelle Redfoot, a TK–K special day class teacher, in support of this bill.

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee heard AB 84, a charter school accountability measure focused on non-classroom-based charter schools and fraud prevention. The author and supporters said the bill was intended to respond to the A3 charter fraud case and related scandals by strengthening audits, transparency, authorizer oversight, and funding determination rules, while ensuring public education dollars are used for public education. Supporters included FCMAT, CSEA, CTA, and CSBA, who argued the bill would improve oversight and protect taxpayers. Opponents, including the California Charter Schools Association, Green Dot, many charter parents, educators, and charter operators, said the bill was too broad, would impose major new costs and bureaucracy on all charter schools, and could reduce options for families, especially those using flexible, homeschool, or special-needs charter programs. After extensive testimony and committee discussion, the bill passed on a 5-1 vote and was sent to Appropriations, with the item left open for additional votes. The committee then approved a consent calendar of 11 education bills, including AB 542, AB 563, AB 731, AB 753, AB 784, AB 964, AB 988, AB 1034, AB 1233, AB 1255, and AB 1381, all moving to Appropriations. The consent calendar passed unanimously. Later, the committee heard AB 1454, a literacy and reading instruction bill authored by Assembly Members Rubio and Revis. The bill would require the state to create professional development resources for evidence-based literacy instruction, update English language arts and English language development instructional materials, and revise administrator preparation standards to include literacy training. The authors and a broad coalition of supporters, including CTA, EdVoice, Families in Schools, Decoding Dyslexia, school administrators, and parent advocates, described the measure as a compromise aimed at improving reading outcomes and addressing California’s literacy crisis. There was no opposition testimony at the hearing, and members voiced strong support for the bill and its collaborative approach.