Transcript Highlights:

• We have our draft plan ready to go.
• So as part of the consent decree, there is a work plan that needs to be attached, a draft work plan that
• We just need a plan.
• Pescher-Savitt says he has a plan.
• We deliver in-school bike and pedestrian safety education in third through eighth grade PE classes and

Bills: HB2495

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: vehicles, streetcar operation, public safety, urban regulation, transportation, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It was a deliberate decision to prioritize engagement over safety. Thank you.
• It was a deliberate decision to prioritize engagement over safety.
• I'm a born and raised Washingtonian and the mother of three school-age children.
• Many of these notifications come from social media during the school day.
• Notifications from social media come during the school day.

Bills: SB5928

Committee: Senate Business, Trade & Economic Development

Keywords: wildfire risk, disclosure, safety, environmental policy, risk assessment, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For their use, such as a sidewalk, a bike lane, a crosswalk, or a school zone.
• And the legal framework that applies to our roadways fuels that lack of safety.
• We have safety programs.
• And sometimes kids, you know, get distracted. 10-year-old or 12-year-old walking home from school.
• So we need crosswalks, you know, that are safe for everyone, especially school kids. Thank you.

Bills: HB2095

Committee: House Civil Rights & Judiciary

Keywords: public safety, vulnerable users, pedestrians, protected classes, transportation, 904, all

Bills: HB 2217

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Keywords: law enforcement, bullet-resistant, grant program, safety equipment, peace officers

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2021, the legislature passed SB 2022, equipping all Texas Department of Public Safety Highway Patrol
• vehicles with bullet-resistant glass and front door panels to increase officer safety.
• The grant program would be administered by the Governor's Office of Public Safety Criminal Justice Division
• This legislation aims to enhance officer safety and reduce fatalities caused by gunfire through patrol

Bills: HB2217

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Keywords: law enforcement, bullet-resistant, grant program, safety equipment, peace officers

Summary: The Senate Committee on Criminal Justice met and considered two House bills. HB 2217 would create a grant program to help local law enforcement agencies equip patrol vehicles with bullet-resistant components such as windshields, side doors, and windows. Senator Hagenbuch explained that the measure is intended to improve officer safety in light of shootings through patrol car glass, and no invited or public testimony was offered. The committee voted 6-0 to report HB 2217 favorably to the full Senate and also recommended it for the open uncontested calendar. The committee then took up HB 2594, with Senator Creighton explaining that it updates venue rules for cybercrime and related theft cases involving intangible property such as cryptocurrency, online fraud, and intellectual property theft. The bill would allow prosecution in the county where the victim resides, where the defendant is apprehended, or where the defendant is extradited to, giving prosecutors more flexibility when crimes cross county lines. No questions or testimony were offered. The committee voted 6-0 to report HB 2594 favorably to the full Senate. It was also recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. After completing its business, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Bills: HCR3025

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Keywords: law enforcement, first responders, heroism, community safety, condolences, 908, all

Summary: The State and Local Government Committee first heard House Concurrent Resolution 3025, a resolution honoring the police and first responders of Fargo. Representative Hendricks presented it as a straightforward tribute tied to a tragic incident, and several members and a representative of the Chiefs of Police Association and North Dakota League of Cities spoke in support. There was no opposition, and the committee closed the hearing and later gave the resolution a 6-0 do pass recommendation, with Senator Braunberger volunteering to carry it. The committee then heard House Concurrent Resolution 3010, which would direct Legislative Management to study legislative responsibility to review existing law before proposing new law. Representative Kempinock said the idea was to reduce repetitive or duplicative bills and improve legislative education, but also noted that current efforts by Legislative Council and leadership had made the resolution largely unnecessary. Members generally agreed with the premise but questioned whether a study was needed, and the committee ultimately gave it a 4-2 do pass recommendation, with Senator Lee volunteering to carry it. Next, the committee heard House Concurrent Resolution 3003, which would raise the threshold for approving constitutional amendments from 50% to 60%. Speaker Wise argued constitutional changes should be difficult and cited other states’ higher thresholds, while Eric Spencer of the Greater North Dakota Chamber supported the measure and emphasized how often North Dakota’s Constitution has been amended. Members discussed the irony of asking voters to raise the threshold by a simple majority and the broader issue of an overused constitution, but the committee still recommended it do pass on a 6-0 vote. The committee then spent considerable time on House Bill 1297 and related House Bill 1307 amendments dealing with approval voting, ranked-choice voting, and a Fargo-specific exemption. Members and witnesses from the Secretary of State’s office and the League of Cities debated whether Fargo should be exempted and how to avoid conflicts between the two bills. An amendment to strip approval voting from 1297 failed on a 3-3 tie, after which the committee gave 1297 a 4-2 do pass recommendation so the floor could decide the issue, with plans to reconcile 1307 afterward based on that outcome.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, the business must comply with all regs that protect health and safety and ensure the business is
• possibly allow, uh, barbers, but they would still be subject to the same self and, uh, health and safety
• somebody's running a business where they're teaching people how to play the drums every day from the time school
• allows us to, Uh, negotiate, meeting and confer contracts so that, uh, just like all other public safety

Bills: HB303

Committee: House Intergovernmental Affairs

Keywords: jail standards, living conditions, Harris County jail, safety, inmate welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, my capital plan, I did request additional funds for school buildings, um, another $60 million for
• /c><00:15:23.600><c> children</c> schools our schools for our children schools our schools for our children
• Uh, one is what we call A1 schools, which are your elementary, high school, middle schools.
• School.
• Middle<00:24:31.840><c> School.

Keywords: Meeting start 00:00:00 Discussion of Nickels and School Facility Funding 00:02:13 Economic Development Projects in Elizabethtown and Hopkinsville 00:29:33 Correspondence and Reports Received 01:09:25, 958, all

Summary: The committee received an informational presentation from the Kentucky Department of Education and the School Facilities Construction Commission on school facilities funding. Staff explained the main funding sources used for school construction and renovation, including the mandatory “nickel” property tax levy, growth and equalized growth nickels, the equalized facility funding nickel, the Fort Knox/BRAC-related nickel for Hardin County, and the recallable nickel that districts can adopt locally. They also described the state equalization formula, noting that local construction costs have risen and that state support is formula-driven rather than a dollar-for-dollar match. The SFCC outlined how unmet facility need is calculated through district facility plans, which are developed locally with community, staff, and board input and then reviewed by KDE staff for consistency and reasonableness. The commission said it will update the statewide unmet need report this fall, adopt it in December, and provide the figure to the committee in January 2026. It reported that the statewide unmet facility need was about $7 billion in 2023, with about $951 million in local revenue available, and said its offers of assistance are paid as debt service over eight years. The commission also said the most recent legislative offer of assistance was its smallest since SFCC’s creation in 1985, and requested an additional $60 million for the next biennium. Members asked about how districts use nickel tax levies, who determines facility need, whether the process includes physical inspections, and how bonding capacity affects offers of assistance. Staff said nickel levies are generally adopted with regular tax rates, that facility need is locally developed but reviewed by KDE, and that KDE project managers and district-hired architects review plans on paper rather than through in-person inspections. They also explained that bonding capacity can affect a district’s ability to use or receive assistance. Questions were also raised about federal funds tied to earlier KIX grants and about districts with zero remaining offers of assistance; staff said most grant-funded projects are underway or complete, and that a zero balance means a district has spent its available assistance. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• school systems.
• You go past a city school system in G Shores and have to go all the way to Fing.
• and drive on into FO to go to a county school, which is about an hour drive.
• school system. ...your city school system, right?
• You're driving past a city school in Gulf Shores or Orange Beach to get to a county school, and it puts

Bills: HB402 , HB402

Committee: House Urban and Rural Development

Keywords: rural impact, legislation, agriculture, school funding, transparency, data assessment, rural communities, land bank authority, property acquisition, tax-delinquent properties, real estate management, local government revenue, floodplain management, stormwater drainage, emergency powers, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So essentially, how many students were in school on the 40th day of school?
• public schools.
• the school year.
• the school year.
• school. language starting at line 14, page 20, a school district or charter school that offers a full-time

Bills: HB253 , HB153 , HB255 , HB287 , HB371 , SB151 , HB8 , SB177

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: distance learning, virtual instruction, public education, student enrollment, school funding, education standards, pandemic education response, low-carbon construction, construction materials, rebate, environmental product declaration, EPD, embodied carbon, carbon intensity, greenhouse gas emissions, decarbonization, industrial incentives, clean manufacturing, cement, concrete

Transcript Highlights:

• So we'll plan on coming in about 10. We'll have a few more bills on the agenda.

Bills: HB253 , HB153 , HB255 , HB287 , HB371 , SB151 , HB8 , SB177

Committee: Senate House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: distance learning, virtual instruction, public education, student enrollment, school funding, education standards, pandemic education response, low-carbon construction, construction materials, rebate, environmental product declaration, EPD, embodied carbon, carbon intensity, greenhouse gas emissions, decarbonization, industrial incentives, clean manufacturing, cement, concrete

Summary: The committee first corrected its action on Senate Bill 151, noting that the earlier motion had been made incorrectly after the committee substitute was amended. Members then moved to do not pass the Senate Finance Committee substitute and do pass the same committee substitute so it could be sent to the floor. The only change identified in the substitute was an adjustment to the sunset date. A roll call vote followed, with several members voting yes and a few voting no or being excused, and the motion to report the committee substitute out with a due pass recommendation carried. After the SB 151 vote, the chair said the committee was essentially finished and expected to meet on the floor the next day, likely around noon, with a plan to come in earlier and handle a few more bills. The discussion then shifted to House Bill 2 and the broader issue of state employee compensation. One member argued that over the past several years the state had already provided substantial pay raises and benefits, citing roughly $1.3 billion in raises, about $184 million annually for health care costs, and $116 million annually for employer pension costs, for a total of about $1.6 billion over four years. That member said the state had done enough on employee compensation and that a proposed 1% increase did not make sense given competing priorities such as child care and other needs. The committee then adjourned, and there was a brief question about when the university fund bill would be heard, but no firm timing was given.

Bills: HR113 , HCR121 , HR152 , HCR162 , SB2835 , HR61 , HCR67 , HR94 , HCR102 , HR20 , HCR19 , HR98 , HCR106 , HR57 , HCR63 , HR96 , HCR104 , HR132 , HCR140 , HR133 , HCR141 , HR77 , HCR85 , HR90 , HCR98 , HR155 , HCR165 , HR156 , HCR166 , HR74 , HCR82 , HR190 , HCR200 , HR15 , HCR13 , HR83 , HCR91 , HR117 , HCR125 , HR193 , HCR203 , HR119 , HCR127 , HR114 , HCR122 , HR116 , HCR124 , HR22 , HCR22 , HR120 , HCR128 , HR32 , HCR32 , HR115 , HCR123 , HR138 , HCR146 , HR182 , HCR192 , HR88 , HCR96 , HR50 , HCR54 , HR169 , HCR179 , HR170 , HCR180 , HR31 , HCR31 , HR86 , HCR94 , HR23 , HCR24 , HR7 , HCR8 , HR12 , HCR10 , HR136 , HCR144 , HR108 , HCR116 , HR33 , HCR33 , HR175 , HCR185 , HR129 , HCR137 , HR192 , HCR202 , HR194 , HCR204 , HR19 , HCR18 , HR131 , HCR139 , HR163 , HCR173 , HR109 , HCR117 , HR56

Keywords: Hawaii, House Resolution, HR113, Mermaid Caves, Nanakuli, coastal hazards, sea caves, shoreline safety, public safety, digital maps, navigation apps, Google Maps, Apple Maps, point of interest, recreational destination, emergency response, drownings, rescues, cave safety, DLNR

Bills: HR113 , HCR121 , HR152 , HCR162 , SB2835 , HR61 , HCR67 , HR94 , HCR102 , HR20 , HCR19 , HR98 , HCR106 , HR57 , HCR63 , HR96 , HCR104 , HR132 , HCR140 , HR133 , HCR141 , HR77 , HCR85 , HR90 , HCR98 , HR155 , HCR165 , HR156 , HCR166 , HR74 , HCR82 , HR190 , HCR200 , HR15 , HCR13 , HR83 , HCR91 , HR117 , HCR125 , HR193 , HCR203 , HR119 , HCR127 , HR114 , HCR122 , HR116 , HCR124 , HR22 , HCR22 , HR120 , HCR128 , HR32 , HCR32 , HR115 , HCR123 , HR138 , HCR146 , HR182 , HCR192 , HR88 , HCR96 , HR50 , HCR54 , HR169 , HCR179 , HR170 , HCR180 , HR31 , HCR31 , HR86 , HCR94 , HR23 , HCR24 , HR7 , HCR8 , HR12 , HCR10 , HR136 , HCR144 , HR108 , HCR116 , HR33 , HCR33 , HR175 , HCR185 , HR129 , HCR137 , HR192 , HCR202 , HR194 , HCR204 , HR19 , HCR18 , HR131 , HCR139 , HR163 , HCR173 , HR109 , HCR117 , HR56

Keywords: Hawaii, House Resolution, HR113, Mermaid Caves, Nanakuli, coastal hazards, sea caves, shoreline safety, public safety, digital maps, navigation apps, Google Maps, Apple Maps, point of interest, recreational destination, emergency response, drownings, rescues, cave safety, DLNR

Transcript Highlights:

• Task Force, and to provide relative to advising students on career and academic pathways in K-12 schools

Bills: HR320 , HR321 , HR308 , HR309 , HR310 , HR311 , HR312 , HR313 , HR314 , HR315 , HR316 , HR317 , HR318 , HR319 , SCR65 , SCR74 , SCR76 , HR245 , SCR30 , SCR40 , HB1259 , SB4 , SB52 , SB57 , SB83 , SB145 , SB152 , SB194 , SB276 , SB319 , SB333 , SB448 , SB450 , SB465 , SB484 , SB501 , SB509 , HR73 , HR118 , HR144 , HR196 , HR237 , HR249 , HR260 , HR267 , HR272 , HR278 , HCR85 , HCR100 , HCR105 , HCR107 , HCR114 , SCR5 , SCR29 , SCR33 , SCR37 , SCR63 , HB62 , HB193 , HB210 , HB220 , HB246 , HB364 , HB420 , HB475 , HB584 , HB622 , HB772 , HB784 , HB949 , HB953 , HB1043 , HB1070 , HB1092 , HB1134 , HB1162 , HB1176 , HB1196 , HB1214 , HB119 , HB129 , HB233 , HB283 , HB538 , HB789 , HB850 , HB870 , HB1236 , HB1241 , HB378 , HB509 , HB1090 , SB80 , SB131 , SB143 , SB251 , SB254 , SB279 , SB367 , SB384 , SB388 , SB389 , SB398 , SB408 , SB431 , SB468 , SB469 , SB496 , SB149 , HB463 , HB998 , SB123 , SB353 , SB479 , SB495 , SB82 , SB97 , SB283 , SB326 , SB518 , SB197 , SB268 , HB901 , HR20 , HR74 , HR168 , 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 , SB89 , HB74 , HB134 , HB258 , HB359 , HB468 , HB956 , HB1117 , SB29 , SB42 , SB43 , SB78 , SB217 , SB274 , SB300 , SB379 , SB382 , SB441 , SB449

Keywords: Arsenal, Arsenal F.C., Premier League, English football, soccer, football club, Mikel Arteta, Emirates Stadium, North London, Tottenham Hotspur, Gunners, sports resolution, commendation, celebration, championship, silverware, Louisiana House Resolution, ceremonial resolution, domestic violence, forensic medical examinations

Summary: The House met with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then received a series of Senate messages, conference committee appointments, and enrolled bill reports. The chamber also noted Senate concurrence in several House concurrent resolutions and the adoption of conference reports, while multiple Senate bills and resolutions were signed by the Senate President. Senate Bill 480, dealing with butterfly bottom nets and vessel use/anchorage, was referred to the Natural Resources Committee without objection. Members introduced several House resolutions, including measures to commend Arsenal Football Club, recognize Pope Leo XIV and 4-H honoree Margaret Mimi Stoker, study forensic medical exam protocols for domestic violence survivors, create a task force on second-degree murder sentencing, review miscarriage and pregnancy-loss terminology, commemorate the 250th anniversary of New Orleans, and support the National Guard Youth Challenge Program. Committee reports also moved forward bills on child welfare, water quality, scenic rivers, orphan wells, gravel mining reclamation, groundwater conservation, agricultural production, railroad hazards, and retirement system merger feasibility, along with resolutions on Pope Leo XIV and the LaMelle family. The House took up numerous Senate bills returned from the Legislative Bureau, adopting amendments and advancing many to third reading, including bills on health and welfare, education, insurance, and criminal justice. The chamber also reported favorably on resolutions condemning political violence and honoring public figures and organizations, and it scheduled several committee meetings for the following day, including Health and Welfare, Appropriations, Natural Resources, Civil Law, Transportation, and Ways and Means. The session ended with announcements about upcoming committee agendas and delegation meetings, and the House adjourned on motion to reconvene at 1:00 p.m. the next day.

Bills: HR320 , HR321 , HR308 , HR309 , HR310 , HR311 , HR312 , HR313 , HR314 , HR315 , HR316 , HR317 , HR318 , HR319 , SCR65 , SCR74 , SCR76 , HR245 , SCR30 , SCR40 , HB1259 , SB4 , SB52 , SB57 , SB83 , SB145 , SB152 , SB194 , SB276 , SB319 , SB333 , SB448 , SB450 , SB465 , SB484 , SB501 , SB509 , HR73 , HR118 , HR144 , HR196 , HR237 , HR249 , HR260 , HR267 , HR272 , HR278 , HCR85 , HCR100 , HCR105 , HCR107 , HCR114 , SCR5 , SCR29 , SCR33 , SCR37 , SCR63 , HB62 , HB193 , HB210 , HB220 , HB246 , HB364 , HB420 , HB475 , HB584 , HB622 , HB772 , HB784 , HB949 , HB953 , HB1043 , HB1070 , HB1092 , HB1134 , HB1162 , HB1176 , HB1196 , HB1214 , HB119 , HB129 , HB233 , HB283 , HB538 , HB789 , HB850 , HB870 , HB1236 , HB1241 , HB378 , HB509 , HB1090 , SB80 , SB131 , SB143 , SB251 , SB254 , SB279 , SB367 , SB384 , SB388 , SB389 , SB398 , SB408 , SB431 , SB468 , SB469 , SB496 , SB149 , HB463 , HB998 , SB123 , SB353 , SB479 , SB495 , SB82 , SB97 , SB283 , SB326 , SB518 , SB197 , SB268 , HB901 , HR20 , HR74 , HR168 , 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 , SB89 , HB74 , HB134 , HB258 , HB359 , HB468 , HB956 , HB1117 , SB29 , SB42 , SB43 , SB78 , SB217 , SB274 , SB300 , SB379 , SB382 , SB441 , SB449

Keywords: Arsenal, Arsenal F.C., Premier League, English football, soccer, football club, Mikel Arteta, Emirates Stadium, North London, Tottenham Hotspur, Gunners, sports resolution, commendation, celebration, championship, silverware, Louisiana House Resolution, ceremonial resolution, domestic violence, forensic medical examinations

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have an executive session planned to consider moving bills for passage out of committee.
• you have before you is a proposal that actually is very similar to SCAB that we do for our rural school
• versus my husband's plan.
• The bill ensures that health plans in Washington, including commercial plans, state employee coverage
• Testifying opposed on SB 5916 on behalf of the Association of Washington Health Care Plans.

Bills: SB5845 , SB5916 , SB6102 , SB6071 , SB6103 , SB6159 , SB5877 , SB5967 , SB5904 , SB5915 , SB6025

Committee: Senate Health & Long-Term Care

Keywords: health insurance, health carrier, insurance carrier, prompt pay, timely payment, claims processing, clean claim, remittance advice, provider reimbursement, hospital billing, medical billing, prior authorization, claims denial, interest on late claims, administrative penalty, Washington insurance commissioner, RCW 48, public employees benefits board, school employees benefits board, Medicaid managed care

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2282 is about fairness, fiscal responsibility, and public safety.
• Our out-of-county individuals have 100% recidivism rate, making this a public safety issue.
• safety of the victim, ensuring that there is enough advance notice so they can adjust accordingly.
• It's a problem in our schools as well.
• are aware of one of these images. being circulated in their school.

Bills: HB47 , HB171 , HB285 , HB305 , HB449 , HB908 , HB1024 , HB1306 , HB1443 , HB1445 , HB1741 , HB1866 , HB1902 , HB2001 , HB2282 , HB2355 , HB2492 , HB2637 , HB2697 , HB3464 , HB4263 , HB4996 , HB5667 , HB47 , HB171 , HB285 , HB305

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Keywords: sexual assault, victim rights, forensic examination, medical care, trauma-informed care, crime victims compensation, evidence retention, chemical dependency, court-ordered treatment, mental health, health care, treatment facility, juvenile justice, criminal justice reform, animal cruelty, nonlivestock, prosecution, veterinary defense, animal welfare, pretrial hearings

Transcript Highlights:

• And by the way, increased ridership is known to improve safety, so I'm excited about this.
• And off you go back to public safety just across the hall. Thanks for joining us and good luck.
• Even with one child in public school, we still have the same questions all the time.
• I think my kids have like eight days more off of school this year because of the Bloomington school district
• Certainly, the plan is also to lay over your bill, Representative Hanson.

Bills: HF1367 , HF2732 , HF1897 , HF1424 , HF1383 , HF2728 , HF2863 , HF1685 , HF2929

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Keywords: child maltreatment, child abuse, neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, sex trafficking, labor trafficking, human trafficking, child protection, local welfare agency, county social services, Minnesota Department of Human Services, judicial review, district court appeal, venue, out-of-state abuse, cross-border investigation, Minnesota child welfare, family assessment, maltreatment determination

Transcript Highlights:

• Increased ridership is known to improve safety, so I’m excited about this, happy to take any questions
• People feel more comfortable; there's less safety concerns.
• He added that his kids have like eight more days off of school this year because the Bloomington School
• Certainly, the plan is also to lay over your bill, Representative Hansen.
• </c> single time is doing better in school single time is doing better in school and<01:42:57.320><c>

Bills: HF1367 , HF2732 , HF1897 , HF1424 , HF1383 , HF2728 , HF2863 , HF1685 , HF2929

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Keywords: child maltreatment, child abuse, neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, sex trafficking, labor trafficking, human trafficking, child protection, local welfare agency, county social services, Minnesota Department of Human Services, judicial review, district court appeal, venue, out-of-state abuse, cross-border investigation, Minnesota child welfare, family assessment, maltreatment determination

Transcript Highlights:

• "Lawsuits will reduce these companies from prioritizing safety." "You're recognized?"
• Based on my read of the FDOT planning documents, these are what is being proposed at the vertiports.
• And that's the P-Triple-F goal: planning for Florida's future.
• Administration recommendation, a 2020 National Transportation Safety Board recommendation.
• That process has a long-range transportation plan established.

Bills: S0260 , S1220 , S1352 , S1362 , S1370

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: electric vehicle, EV, battery fire, lithium-ion battery, towing, wrecker service, vehicle storage, submerged vehicle, saltwater damage, fire marshal, fire safety, tow yard, impound, storage fee, administration fee, local ordinance, county ordinance, municipal ordinance, insurance coverage, motor vehicle insurer

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee heard several bills, beginning with SB 1362 on advanced air mobility. Senator Harrell described the bill as a framework for vertiports and eVTOL aircraft, but an amendment removed the sales tax exemptions and narrowed the sovereign immunity provisions to vertiports co-located at airports. Supporters said the bill would help Florida lead in emerging aviation technology, while opponents and some members raised concerns about safety, local control, and extending immunity to unproven facilities. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. The committee also considered SB 260 on storage of damaged electric vehicles. The bill, as amended, would allow local governments to set a daily administrative fee of up to three times the normal rate for storing EVs with visible battery damage or saltwater intrusion, reflecting fire-safety spacing requirements. Testimony from insurers, towing interests, and fleet operators focused on whether the fee was justified, whether cleanup language could lead to cost shifting, and whether more data reporting should be required. The amendment was adopted and the bill was reported favorably. Members then approved SB 1352, which creates a secure online portal for license plate seizures and related DMV functions, preserves disabled veterans’ plate designations, prohibits license plate covers that obscure plates, and routes online license and ID renewals through county tax collectors. SB 1370 was also reported favorably; it closes a loophole so drivers who never obtained a license can still face habitual traffic offender penalties after repeated offenses. Finally, the committee took up SB 1220, a broad FDOT transportation package. After amendment, it retained provisions on trails, SunTrail, seaports, airports, drone delivery, autonomous vehicle protections, and FDOT coordination on federal funding, while removing the digital driver’s license provision and the rapid rail compact language. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably.