Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the meeting of the Consumer Protection and Business Committee of Wednesday, January 28, 2026
• Welcome to Consumer Protection and Business. Go ahead when you're ready.
• More importantly, I'm a small business owner and have been for the last 20 years or so.
• Good afternoon, Chair Wayland and members of the Consumer Protection and Business Committee.
• I think this is important for small businesses, small wineries, to expand their business and draw more

Summary: The Consumer Protection and Business Committee heard public hearings on several bills related to real estate, self-storage, and consumer disclosures. House Bill 2477 would shorten the time to bring claims against appraisers arising from appraisal reports to two years from discovery or five years from signing, except fraud claims, and would limit liability to specified clients and intended users. The sponsor and appraiser witnesses said the bill would reduce long-tail liability, lower insurance and recordkeeping burdens, and help attract new appraisers; no opposition testimony was heard in the excerpt. House Bill 2512 would prohibit real estate brokers from marketing residential properties to exclusive groups unless the property is also publicly marketed. Supporters, including Washington Realtors, Zillow, Habitat for Humanity, Windermere, and others, said it would promote transparency, competition, and fair housing; opponents argued it could limit homeowner privacy and autonomy, and the Attorney General’s office said the Washington Law Against Discrimination already covers discrimination concerns and objected to placing enforcement in that statute. House Bill 2240 would modernize self-storage rental agreements by allowing electronic execution, deeming continued use after notice as acceptance, and setting notice and disposal rules after termination or nonrenewal; storage industry witnesses supported the bill as clarifying safety and notice procedures, while an advocacy witness opposed it as harmful to unhoused people and others who rely on storage units. House Bill 2465 would require a water recreation safety guide for short-term rentals with pools or similar facilities; the sponsor and hospitality industry supported it as a low-cost safety measure, while cities raised implementation concerns and asked for an amendment on where the guide would be posted. House Bill 2501 would update a seller disclosure notice to reflect the Pollution Liability Insurance Agency’s shift from a no-cost insurance program to a loan-and-grant remediation program, and it drew support as a technical correction. House Bill 2624 would exempt public entities, tribes, and nonprofit land conservancies from the 2025 “solicited real estate transactions” appraisal and notice requirements; conservation groups and the Department of Natural Resources supported it as necessary to preserve land acquisition and grant funding, and the sponsor described it as a cleanup bill. The committee then moved into executive session and took action on two liquor-related bills. House Bill 2536, allowing wineries to hold a spirits, beer, and wine restaurant license or beer/wine restaurant license at one location, was moved out of committee with a due pass recommendation by a 14-1 vote. House Bill 2476, modifying the spirits, beer, and wine theater license, was amended via a proposed substitute that restored the 120-seat-per-screen limit except for theaters admitting only patrons 21 and older; the substitute was reported out with a due pass recommendation by a 13-2 vote. Members discussed the balance between business flexibility and concerns about alcohol access in family settings and recovery communities.

Transcript Highlights:

• In addition to the applicable business and occupation tax rates, advanced computing businesses with worldwide
• Think of how a business could benefit...
• We're hearing from businesses that are not, by any definition, in advanced computing business, that are
• Well, there's a lot... ...and we're going to see more businesses leave Washington State?
• I mean, I would say that the tax package from last year was really hard on business.

Bills: HB2286 , HB2324 , HB2363 , HB2098

Committee: House Postsecondary Education & Workforce

Keywords: social work, licensure, alternative routes, education requirements, professional regulation, tuition waivers, veterans, education, children of veterans, higher education, military families, music therapy, temporary exemptions, healthcare, therapy practice, funding, tuition, financial aid, state budget

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, I move we go to that order of business: Announcements and Miscellaneous Business.
• Speaker, I move we go to that order of business: announcements and miscellaneous business.
• They're either in business or they're out of business in New Mexico. Where, Mr.
• They're in business in New Mexico and everywhere else, or they're just in business everywhere else.
• You know, for me, business—I think, you know, I'm just a regular business guy, you know.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill does not ask businesses to solve domestic violence.
• "We have brick-and-mortar businesses that are here in New York State.
• BRICK AND MORE TAR BUSINESSES, THAT EMPLOY PEOPLE RIGHT HERE IN NEW YORK STATE.
• >> IS THERE ANY FURTHER BUSINESS AT THE DESK?
• >> THERE IS NO FURTHER BUSINESS AT THE DESK.

Summary: The Senate opened with routine business, approved the prior journal, and received several motions to discharge identical Assembly bills from committee and substitute corresponding Senate bills. Members also offered brief recognitions for visitors, including Yemeni American community advocates and Cheri Davis, who was honored for her Alzheimer’s advocacy and support work. The chamber then took up several previously adopted resolutions, including Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, Period Poverty Awareness Week, and Nurses Week, with senators speaking in support of each measure’s purpose and importance. The body then moved through a long calendar of bills, passing a wide range of measures on education, public health, correction law, environmental conservation, municipal law, agriculture, and consumer protection. Notable floor discussion included Senator Ramos explaining her support for a bill requiring salons and similar businesses to display multilingual domestic violence resource information, and Senator Gianaris and Senator Borrello debating a bill to prohibit electronic shelf labeling in stores over concerns about surveillance, dynamic pricing, and impacts on brick-and-mortar retailers. Senator May and Senator Skoufis also spoke on an environmental conservation bill concerning American eel management, with May supporting the species protections and Skoufis objecting to the bill’s structure. Most bills were adopted by wide margins, though several drew recorded negative votes. The Senate passed the domestic violence information bill, the electronic shelf-labeling bill, and multiple other measures, including bills on eviction notice procedures, surrogate court procedure, and environmental conservation. After completing the calendar, the Senate reported no further business and adjourned until the next day at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• and small business small businesses and small business development<00:29:10.960><c> in</c><00:29:11.200
• Uh, so you're going to have a busy rest of this week and busy next week.
• Uh, so you're going to have a busy rest of this week and busy next week.
• Uh, so you're going to have a busy rest of this week and busy next week.
• </c> busy rest of this week and busy next busy rest of this week and busy next week.<01:33:03.920><c>

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• I look at it as a business expense related to being in the paint manufacturing business, that you have
• I look at it as a business expense related to being in the paint manufacturing business, that you have
• </c> serve serve alcohol the general business serve serve alcohol the general business practice<01:10
• </c><01:28:04.000><c> but</c><01:28:04.159><c> they</c> in business but they in business but they did
• </c> unfinished business unfinished business so<01:44:01.159><c> anybody</c><01:44:01.480><c> else</c

Summary: The subcommittee first took up an amendment to a bill dealing with digital assets, zoning, utilities, and noise. Members discussed removing the “private key” language, clarifying that the bill would prohibit state or local governments from treating digital asset mining differently from other industrial uses, and narrowing several provisions based on feedback from the Municipal Association. There was also discussion about electricity use, rate schedules, and whether the bill would allow payment of electric bills in Bitcoin; members clarified that bills would still be paid in dollars and that discriminatory rates were not allowed. The amendment was approved on a straw vote, and the committee then voted 7-1 to adopt the amended bill. The committee then considered a separate bill related to a paint stewardship program. The sponsor explained that the amendment would remove references to a fee structure that had troubled him in public hearing, while still preserving the plan and oversight by the Department of Environmental Services. Members discussed whether the bill’s liability and disclosure language affected antitrust concerns, and a representative from the American Coatings Association testified that the program’s environmental management practices and liability provisions were intended to ensure responsible handling and cleanup. The committee ultimately voted 7-1 to adopt the amended bill. Later, the subcommittee moved to liquor-related business. It first voted unanimously, 7-0, to retain a cannabis-related item. It then discussed a tavern license bill that would create a 21-plus tavern category, with the Liquor Enforcement Division explaining that the restriction was tied to alcohol-only venues and the potential for late-night entertainment and nightclub-style operations. Members raised concerns about local control and public safety, and the discussion referenced existing cocktail lounge rules and the possibility of towns opting into such a license. The transcript cuts off before a final vote on that item is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the business. the business.
• Mr. president uh transfer businesses.
• </c> businesses and that's concerning to me. businesses and that's concerning to me.
• And so with that, I business owners.
• </c> they could continue to be in business. they could continue to be in business. but<01:44:43.679><

Transcript Highlights:

• the name of that business.
• So why wouldn't these people be in this business?
• The majority of these businesses will go out of business because the majority of their sales are illegal
• unlicensed marijuana businesses.
• My business is a small family business that myself and my nephew run, along with five other employees

Bills: SB5 , SB11 , SB12 , SB 5 , SB 11 , SB 12

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• First order of business: roll call.
• More than a majority being present, the House is now ready for business.
• The House will now advance to the third order of business: approval of the journal.
• The House will now advance to the fifth order of business: report of standing committees.
• Hearing none, the House Advance 16th, Florida Business. Tournament. House at 16th, business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Question 10: Should cities and counties be allowed to prohibit cannabis businesses in their community
• Minnesota's cannabis law allows businesses licensed by the state to produce, transport, deliver, and
• and can set standards in their zoning ordinances about where cannabis businesses can be located in a
• </c> businesses in their community? businesses in their community?
• licensed by the state to businesses licensed by the state to produce,<00:04:37.520><c> transport,</c

Summary: The segment presented the results of the 2025 Minnesota House legislative opinion poll, which asked fairgoers about a range of policy issues tied to recent or possible future legislative action. Topics included school calendar flexibility before Labor Day, state funding for sports stadiums and arenas, undocumented immigrants’ access to state programs, unemployment benefits for hourly school workers in the summer, banning guns in the Capitol, budget-balancing options for a projected 2028-29 deficit, removing party labels from legislative ballots, limiting free school meals by income, free fishing licenses for residents age 65 and older, local control over cannabis businesses, a post-employment lobbying ban for legislators, and a higher income tax rate for the highest earners. For several questions, the segment noted the underlying legislative context. It referenced the 2023 law making undocumented immigrants eligible for MinnesotaCare and the 2025 law ending adult eligibility at year’s end, the school meals program’s higher-than-expected costs, and a 2025 proposal to remove party designations from legislative ballots that did not receive a committee hearing. It also mentioned the projected nearly $6 billion budget shortfall for the 2028-29 biennium, the Xcel Energy Center renovation funding request, and the recent killings of House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband and the shooting of Senator John Hoffman and his wife as part of the discussion about Capitol gun restrictions. The poll itself was presented as a public opinion survey rather than a legislative vote, so no formal committee action or roll call occurred. The segment closed by thanking participants and saying the poll would return next year at the fair.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know you have a busy life, a busy schedule.
• Thank you. working in small business since uh working in small business since uh 1993<01:15:22.800><c
• It addresses the Hawaii startup business loan program and establishes the Hawaii startup business loan
• </c> up HP 4555 relating to small business up HP 4555 relating to small business loan<01:41:57.960><c
• business loan program white startup business loan program special<01:42:03.400><c> fund</c><01:42:04.040

Committee: Senate Economic Development and Tourism

Summary: The committee heard several bills, beginning with HB 934 on broadband and digital equity. Testifiers from the Lieutenant Governor’s office, the Office of Enterprise and Technology Services, DCCA, the University system, the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, and others generally supported the measure and emphasized the need to coordinate broadband efforts, fund operations, and expand access to high-speed internet, devices, and digital navigation services. The Chamber of Commerce and West Coast Comprehensive Health Center supported the bill but objected to HD1 language excluding broadband infrastructure for retail service, warning it could create unintended consequences and limit community-led or rural projects. The Lieutenant Governor explained the state expects roughly $400 million to $500 million in federal broadband funding, described the bill as consolidating efforts under a broadband office attached to the CIO, and said the office would focus on infrastructure, devices, and training. No vote was taken on HB 934 in the portion provided. The committee then took up HB 97 on travel insurance. The Insurance Division said it had no major problem with the product but requested technical changes to align with licensing requirements and noted the bill largely codifies practices already used in the industry. Industry witnesses from Allianz and the U.S. Travel Insurance Association said the measure would create a consistent framework, add consumer protections, and align Hawaii with the NAIC model adopted in many other states. Members questioned whether there was a specific problem the bill was solving, and the division responded that it was mainly a framework and form-review measure rather than a response to a known enforcement issue. The bill was discussed but no final action was reported in the excerpt. HB 448 on technology enablement drew broad support from the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation, the Chamber of Commerce, the Food Industry Association, and other business representatives. Supporters said the measure would help businesses use technology such as digital platforms, e-commerce, robotics, and AR/VR to improve competitiveness, especially in tourism and other sectors. Committee members pressed for clearer scope, cost estimates, and assurances that local companies would be used; the agency said it would prioritize local-first contracting, use federal NIST-related support where possible, and estimated an initial request of about $200,000, though it could not give a firm total. Members expressed concern that the plan was still too undefined. The committee then began HB 455 on small business loans, where the Attorney General suggested explaining why a special fund is needed, and a witness from H Collaborative said the bill would help startup businesses that struggle most to access capital.

Transcript Highlights:

• The chair lays out Senate Bill 478 as a matter of pending business.
• Chair lays out Senate Bill 1450 as a matter of pending business.
• Senate Bill 1502 is a matter of pending business.
• Chair lays out Senate Bill 1566 as a matter of pending business.
• Senate Bill 1566 is a matter of pending business.

Committee: Senate Local Government

Summary: The Senate Committee on Local Government met with a quorum and took up a series of pending bills, with no public testimony presented. The committee first reported SB 472 favorably to the full Senate on a 5-1 vote. It then adopted committee substitutes and advanced SB 414 and SB 578, with SB 414 reported with a recommendation to do not pass but with the substitute adopted, and SB 578 reported favorably; SB 578 and several other bills were also recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. The committee similarly advanced SB 710, SB 785, SB 973, SB 1062, SB 1352, SB 1547, SB 1450, SB 1502, and SB 1566, while SB 970 was held. Most of these measures were reported out with do pass recommendations, often after adopting committee substitutes, and several were placed on the local and uncontested calendar without objection. Votes were generally unanimous or near-unanimous, with the main recorded dissent on SB 472, SB 414, SB 785, and SB 1502. At the end of the meeting, Senator Middleton was noted as voting aye on all measures, and the committee recessed until the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> three business days. three business days. &gt;&gt; Yeah. &gt;&gt; Yeah. &gt;&gt; Yeah.
• </c><00:08:00.240><c> days,</c> &gt;&gt; and business days, &gt;&gt; and business days, &gt;&gt; that
• </c> went to 15 business days, that's fine. went to 15 business days, that's fine.
• </c> business here since 1997. business here since 1997.
• </c> And so we're going with 10 business And so we're going with 10 business days. days. days.

Committee: Senate Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• So through these experiences, I've seen firsthand the challenges that businesses in the spa industry
• And one of those businesses, a very common form of business, they help people create are food trucks.
• A business owner will be upset that Cooper's Wiener Wagon is parked out in front of their store.
• And with no further business in front of us, Thank you so much for your testimony.
• And with no further business in front of us, HB 3157.

Committee: House Joint Committee on Rural Economic Development

Summary: The Committee on Economic Development met with 13 members present and first went into executive session. It voted House Bill 3095 and House Bill 3249 do pass, both by 12-1 votes, and also adopted a House committee substitute for House Bill 2142 that rolled in House Bill 2058 before voting the combined measure do pass by 12-1. The transcript does not describe the substance of those bills in detail, but records the committee’s favorable action on each. The committee then held a public hearing on House Bill 3262, Representative Peters’ proposal to create an interstate massage compact. Supporters, including the sponsor, a massage business operator, a former state massage board regulator, and the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards, said the compact would improve workforce mobility, reduce duplicate licensing and background checks, and preserve state authority over standards and discipline. An opponent argued interstate compacts are unconstitutional, could supersede state law, and raise concerns about gifts and closed meetings. No vote was taken on HB 3262 during the hearing. The final hearing was on House Bill 3157, which would create a single statewide permit for mobile food vendors. The sponsor and supporters from the Institute for Justice and the food truck industry said the bill would reduce duplicative local permits and inspections, lower costs, and help food trucks operate across jurisdictions while keeping health and safety standards. Opponents, including Kansas City and Springfield-Greene County health officials, argued the bill would preempt local control, shift regulatory authority to the state, and create enforcement and fiscal concerns. Committee members raised questions about local inspection authority, fees, and a possible committee substitute, but no final action was taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Third order of business, message from the Senate. Clerk will read. Mr.
• Fourth order of business.
• Eighth order of business.
• Fifth order of business, committee reports.
• Fourth order of business.

Summary: The House convened, approved the previous day’s minutes, and adopted several honorary resolutions, including measures honoring Natalie Naomi Phelps, Navy personnel, Dr. Bernal Baca, the Iranian American community in Washington, and Billy Frank Jr. The chamber also received multiple messages from the Senate announcing passage of several bills, including Substitute Senate Bill 6603 and engrossed substitute Senate Bills 6, 6003, and 5998. The House handled routine procedural business by referring bills, memorials, and resolutions from the introduction sheet to the designated committees, and by moving House Bill 2711 on Transportation Resources and Senate Bill 6278 on Teacher and Principal Programs from the Rules Committee to the second reading calendar. Committee reports were also processed and referred as designated. The House additionally placed bills from the supplemental introduction sheet on the second reading calendar under suspension of the rules. No contested votes were recorded; actions were taken by unanimous consent. The House then adjourned until 9:00 a.m. Saturday, February 28th.

Transcript Highlights:

• Third order of business, message from the Senate. Clerk will read. Mr.
• Fourth order of business.
• Eighth order of business.
• Fifth order of business, committee reports.
• Fourth order of business.

Summary: The House opened by approving the previous day’s minutes and adopting several honorary resolutions, including measures honoring Natalie Naomi Phelps, Navy personnel, Dr. Bernal Baca, the Iranian American Community in Washington, and Billy Frank Jr. The chamber also received multiple messages from the Senate announcing passage of substitute or engrossed substitute bills, including Senate Bill 6603 and Senate Bill 5998, and a second engrossed substitute House bill. Members agreed to treat bills, memorials, and resolutions on the day’s introduction and supplemental introduction sheets as first reading items and refer them to the appropriate committees. The House also relieved the Rules Committee of House Bill 2711, concerning Transportation Resources, and Senate Bill 6278, concerning Teacher and Principal Programs, placing them on the second reading calendar. Committee reports were received and referred as designated. No objections were raised to the various consent actions, and the House adjourned until 9:00 a.m. Saturday, February 28th, the 48th legislative day.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know how busy you are, and I truly appreciate the opportunity to address you.
• This is to keep business in Arizona, to give folks an opportunity, small business owners, an opportunity
• to thrive and create businesses here in Arizona and to bring business here in Arizona.
• Some of you may or may not be aware of my business.
• Members, having no further business... Members, having no further...

Summary: The committee heard HB 2842, a deed-fraud prevention bill that would create an early alert system for property owners when escrow is opened on their property. The sponsor and several witnesses, including a victim, an Attorney General investigator, and the Department of Real Estate commissioner, described widespread deed fraud and said the bill would provide proactive notice before a fraudulent transfer is completed. The committee adopted the Blackman amendment shifting the reporting entity from DIFI to the State Real Estate Department, then passed the bill with a due pass recommendation by a 7-0 vote. Members then considered HB 2667, which would require recipients of state first-time homebuyer or down payment assistance programs to be Arizona residents for two years and to occupy the home as a primary residence for two years, while barring out-of-state investors from using the homes as rentals. The sponsor said the bill was intended to help younger Arizonans and keep assistance focused on residents invested in the state. Opponents and other members raised concerns that the bill could conflict with existing federal and lender requirements and could reduce participation in local down payment programs; after discussion, the committee passed the bill 4-3. HB 2020 was heard next and would reduce certain school-disruption offenses to a class 1 misdemeanor for minors and narrow the definition of interference with an educational institution. The sponsor and a parent described a case in which a student was charged too harshly after a school altercation, while a public commenter urged case-by-case discretion and warned against saddling children with felonies. The committee passed the bill 4-3. The committee also advanced HB 2793, which streamlines annexation procedures for single-owner annexations and updates notice rules, including electronic newspaper publication. After adopting two amendments, members passed it 4-3. HB 2327, which allows eligible individuals to restrict public access to certain identifying information held by county recorders, assessors, and treasurers, passed unanimously. HB 2858, creating a 1% Arizona-bidder preference in certain state procurement ties, also passed unanimously after amendment. HB 2660, which adds procedural protections and oversight for health profession licensing board actions, passed 4-2 after testimony from the sponsor and a physician who said board actions had chilled speech and due process. Finally, HB 2063, appropriating $1.5 million for the Independent Correctional Oversight Office, passed unanimously after strong support from oversight advocates and former corrections stakeholders, and HB 2681, extending civil-service appeal deadlines from 10 calendar days to 10 business days, also passed unanimously. The committee then discussed HB 2812, which would raise the sick-leave payout cap for retiring state employees from $30,000 to $57,000; witnesses supported the increase and members began discussing a possible amendment to allow retirees to transfer the payout into a health savings arrangement, but the transcript ends before final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• An Attorney General investigator may only serve a warrant for business records to a business that has
• An Attorney General investigator may only serve a warrant for business records to a business that has
• by the business owner.
• I don't understand enough how businesses are doing organized retail theft on other businesses, because
• I don't understand enough how businesses are doing organized retail theft on other businesses, because

Summary: The committee opened with a work session on effective interrogation techniques, hearing from two remote experts, retired homicide detective Matt Jones and former federal agent Mark Fallon. Both argued for science-based, information-gathering interviewing over confrontational or deception-based tactics, emphasizing rapport, open-ended questioning, corroboration, and avoiding coercion, especially with vulnerable interviewees. They said these methods improve reliability, reduce false confessions and wrongful convictions, and better withstand court scrutiny. Members asked for source materials and raised concerns about how friendly or minimization-style questioning could affect victims; the witnesses said they would provide research and noted that some common tactics can be problematic in sexual assault cases. No votes were taken in the work session. The committee then held a hearing on House Bill 1982, which would expand Washington’s existing process for vacating convictions tied to treaty rights. Staff explained that current law mainly covers pre-1975 fishing convictions, while the bill would extend relief to convictions involving treaty fishing, hunting, gathering, and pasturing rights, remove the date limit, include local ordinances, authorize the Office of Public Defense to provide direct representation and consultation, and create a tribal liaison position. The prime sponsor and tribal leaders testified in support, describing the bill as a way to correct historical wrongs and remove barriers to jobs, housing, and other opportunities. The Office of Public Defense said it supports the bill but needs statutory authority and a hub to identify and process cases; an Attorney General’s Office tribal liaison also supported the concept and suggested clarifying amendments. Some members questioned the scope of the affected population, costs, and whether the legislature could vacate the convictions directly, while others raised concerns about competing resource demands and the need for judicial action case by case. No final action was taken. Finally, the committee began hearing House Bill 2156, which would expand the Attorney General’s Office investigators’ authority in limited circumstances. Staff said the bill would let AGO investigators exercise only the authority of the entity granting concurrent jurisdiction, allow them to serve business search warrants only when authorized by a judicial officer, and clarify that they cannot detain, arrest, or carry weapons. The bill sponsor said it would reduce delays in economic-crime cases by allowing investigators to serve electronic warrants themselves instead of relying on local officers. Opponents from the sheriffs and police chiefs association and a retired veteran argued the bill blurs the line between investigation and prosecution, lacks sufficient oversight, and could create constitutional and training concerns. AGO representatives responded that the bill is narrowly focused, that most investigators are retired law enforcement, and that it would mainly streamline service of electronic warrants in cases such as organized retail theft and wage theft. The hearing was still in progress when the transcript ended, and no vote was recorded on this bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Coach Kenny has been busy in Coach Kenny has been busy in the transfer portal, but his newest addition
• Business on the Speaker’s desk.
• Business on the Speaker’s desk: standing committees.
• He's a local business owner in my district.
• He's a local business owner in my district.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would say my main thing is looking at the Department of Business and Professional Regulations.
• DMS is the primary business, workforce, and technology arm of Florida's government.
• DMS is the primary business, workforce, and technology arm of Florida's government.
• DMS has three main service areas: business operations, workforce operations...
• And if there's no further business, seeing none, Representative Miller moves that we rise.

Summary: The State Administration Budget Subcommittee met for an introductory overview of the agencies under its jurisdiction and their current-year budgets. Chair Vicki Lopez welcomed members and staff, and each member briefly introduced themselves and identified areas of interest, with recurring themes including fiscal restraint, insurance regulation, revenue administration, condominium issues, and government efficiency. The chair then outlined the subcommittee’s overall budget, about $3.1 billion, and noted major recent policy areas affecting the budget such as condominium legislation and emergency communications funding. Agency heads then presented high-level summaries of their missions and budgets. The Department of Revenue described property tax oversight, tax administration, and child support enforcement; the Department of Management Services reviewed state purchasing, telecommunications, fleet, state insurance, retirement, and digital services; DBPR highlighted licensing, enforcement, condominiums, and building code work; DFS covered insurance consumer services, risk management, unclaimed property, fire marshal functions, and criminal investigations; the Gaming Control Commission discussed pari-mutuel and tribal gaming oversight and enforcement; OIR explained insurer solvency and rate review; the Lottery emphasized education funding and record sales; OFR described regulation of banking, securities, lending, and money services; DOAH outlined administrative and workers’ compensation adjudication; PSC covered utility rate regulation and consumer complaints; PERC described labor relations and career service appeals; and FCHR summarized discrimination complaint investigations and outreach. Several members asked questions about utility returns, insurance regulation staffing, DMS’s state employee health plan deficit and prescription drug formulary management, agency recommendations for reducing regulatory burden, and state facilities usage. Responses generally emphasized that utility rates and insurer filings are determined through evidentiary and actuarial processes, that OIR has reduced vacancies but still seeks specialized staff and a Tampa office expansion, and that DMS acknowledged rising health plan costs and said the issue likely requires broader budget-level discussion. The chair also pressed multiple presenters to stay focused on agency operations and budgets rather than broader policy issues. No votes or formal actions were taken in the meeting.