Transcript Highlights:

• Hello, my name is Jason Tashay, and I'm a public school teacher from Palm Beach County.
• I have the largest amount of Jewish people who live in Palm Beach County. I represent them.
• I have the largest amount of Jewish people who live in Palm Beach County. I represent them.
• And so when I go home to Palm Beach County, where the average income is $11,000 and the average house

Committee: House Education & Employment Committee

Summary: The committee first took up CS for CS for HB 1471, which would bar Florida courts from enforcing foreign or religious law that conflicts with the U.S. or Florida Constitution, create a process for designating domestic terrorist organizations, and prohibit public funds from supporting such organizations. The sponsor said the bill protects constitutional supremacy, due process, and taxpayer dollars, while opponents argued it was vague, targeted religion, and could be used to suppress dissent and protected speech. Members debated whether a conviction was required, who would make designations, and what consequences would follow; an amendment changing student expulsion language from “may” to “shall” was adopted. After extensive public testimony both for and against, the bill passed 16-4 and was reported favorably with amendment. The committee then heard CS for CS for HB 1071, an education bill covering parental opt-outs for certain health instruction, required instruction on embryology, fetal development, and HIV/AIDS, math plan requirements, student-led organizations, epinephrine access, instructional material review, safe-school officer options, and chronic absenteeism reporting. The sponsor framed it as a parental rights, academics, accountability, and safety measure, while opponents said parts of the bill would restrict sex education, chill student organizations, and undermine DEI-related activities and LGBTQ student groups. Several amendments were offered by the ranking member to remove or soften the provisions restricting funding for DEI and social/political activism, but those amendments failed. The committee adopted a Trabulsy amendment requiring districts to publicize virtual instruction options, and another amendment clarifying reading-coach language and safe-school officer options, as well as an amendment giving publishers an appeals process if removed for noncompliant materials. A final Trabulsy amendment requiring annual reporting of chronic absenteeism by grade level was also adopted. Public testimony on the bill remained sharply divided, with supporters emphasizing embryology, parental rights, and school safety, and opponents warning about censorship, reduced reproductive health education, and harm to student expression. The transcript ends during continued public testimony on HB 1071, before final committee action on the bill is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Protection include $598 million for wastewater and drinking water revolving loan programs, $53 million for beach
• Also 17 new county judges: 7 in Miami-Dade County, 2 each in Duval and Palm Beach counties, and one each
• Also 17 new county judges, 7 in Miami-Dade County, 2, each in Duval and Palm Beach counties, and one
• It allows the division to waive or reduce the match requirements for beach renourishment projects in

Summary: The Appropriations Committee met for Budget Day and heard presentations on the Senate’s proposed 2025-2026 budget, SPB 25-200, totaling $117.4 billion. Chair Hooper said the plan reduces overall spending from the prior year, keeps strong reserves, includes a 4% pay raise for state employees, maintains employee health care contributions, and makes major investments in water quality, transportation, and education infrastructure. Committee chairs then summarized their budget silos, including K-12 education, higher education, health and human services, criminal and civil justice, transportation/tourism/economic development, and agriculture/environment/general government. Members asked questions mainly about school funding, AP and dual enrollment support, voucher and scholarship impacts, and the My Safe Florida Home program. The committee adopted a large consent package of amendments and then approved three late-file amendments: funding virtual college tours for high school students, funding the FSU Sunshine Genetics program, and providing money for the Port of Fernandina customs facility. The committee then voted to report SPB 2500, the General Appropriations Bill, as a committee bill. It also favorably reported SPB 2502 (implementing bill), SPB 2504 (state employees placeholder), SB 7022 (Florida Retirement System contribution rates and DROP changes), CS/SB 1320 (recreating the Resilient Florida Trust Fund), SPB 2506 (gaming compact revenue distributions, including water projects and rural lands), SPB 2508 (29 new judgeships), SB 7014 (ending the court mediation and arbitration trust fund), SPB 2510 (K-12 conforming bill), SPB 2512 (higher education conforming bill), and SPB 2514 (health and human services conforming bill). The committee also took up several policy bills. It approved SB 7028 on cancer research, creating grant parameters, reporting requirements, a five-year pediatric cancer research incubator, and the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute VisionGen Initiative. It approved CS/CS/SB 170 on nursing home quality, adding resident satisfaction surveys, medical director standards, safety culture reviews, electronic health record requirements, financial reporting penalties, and a study of best practices. It approved CS/CS/SB 168, the Tristan Murphy Act, which expands mental health diversion options, adds Hillsborough County to a forensic hospital diversion pilot, expands grant uses, and creates a behavioral health data repository. It also approved SB 114 creating the Florida Center for Excellence in Insurance and Risk Management at FSU and moving the public hurricane loss model there. The committee then began considering SB 180 on emergency preparedness and response, including a late-file amendment, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Protection: $598 million for wastewater and drinking water revolving loan programs, $53 million for beach
• restoration. ...$53 million for beach restoration, $20 million for the Florida Keys, and $195 million
• Also, 17 new county judges: 7 in Miami-Dade County, 2 each in Duval and Palm Beach counties, and one
• It allows the division to waive or reduce the match requirements for beach renourishment projects in

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Summary: The Appropriations Committee heard presentations on the Senate’s proposed 2025-2026 budget, SPB 25-200, totaling $117.4 billion. Chair Hooper and committee chairs highlighted major spending priorities including a 4% raise for state employees, continued health insurance contributions, investments in water quality, transportation, education infrastructure, and workforce development, along with reductions tied to long-vacant positions. Education funding was a major focus, with increases for K-12 public schools and scholarships, higher education workforce programs, nursing initiatives, tutoring, and university performance funding. Health and human services, criminal and civil justice, transportation/economic development, and agriculture/environment budgets were also outlined, including Medicaid, mental health, corrections staffing, affordable housing, beach restoration, citrus recovery, and water projects. Members then questioned several budget choices, especially K-12 funding. Senators Polsky and Smith raised concerns that the Senate’s AP and dual enrollment funding changes could disadvantage public schools, while Burgess argued the budget preserves the money in the FEFP and gives districts more flexibility rather than reducing support. Questions also addressed voucher availability, school stabilization funding, and the My Safe Florida Home program. The committee adopted 171 consent amendments and three late-file amendments, then approved SPB 2500 as a committee bill. It also favorably reported implementing and conforming bills for state employees, retirement, natural resources, judgeships, K-12 education, higher education, and health and human services, along with SB 7022 on Florida Retirement System contribution rates and elected-officer DROP options, CS/SB 1320 on the Resilient Florida Trust Fund, SB 7014 ending the Mediation and Arbitration Trust Fund, SB 7028 on cancer research, CS/CS/SB 170 on nursing home quality and oversight, CS/SB 168 on mental health diversion and behavioral health data, SB 114 creating an insurance and risk management research center at FSU, and SB 180 on emergency preparedness and post-storm recovery. Most bills were reported favorably with little or no opposition, though SB 180 drew discussion about local-government authority after storms and the need to balance recovery speed with local safety and planning concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• Several years ago I was teaching at a school in Long Beach and I taught physics and I used to teach physics
• That's a 12% drop in one school year, and that would be the equivalent to Long Beach Unified losing over
• I'm a fluent Spanish speaker and at that time in Long Beach Unified School District there was such a
• Thank you I would just echo my colleague from Long Beach I think for the sake of moving this conversation

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• George Fowler from Santa Rosa Beach At the invitation of Representative Abbott, Eloise Oglesby from Tallahassee
• Seven years ago, in my original district, Delray Beach, that was the epicenter of the sober home crisis
• of the Florida Sober Home Task Force, which is chaired by Al Johnson, Chief Assistant to the Palm Beach
• straight from the study, Over 70% of certified recovery homes are concentrated in Broward and Palm Beach
• The amendment also looks at having to establish that the operation, anchoring, mooring, beaching, or

Bills: HB24 , HB45 , HB15 , HB35 , HB38 , HB47 , HB318 , HB349 , HB554 , HB1359 , HB1373 , HB1647 , HB2254 , HB2259 , HB2853 , HB3073 , HB3088 , HB353 , HB355 , HB786 , HB762 , HB705 , HB932 , HB849 , HB 1160 , HB 1119 , HB1612 , HB3041 , HB713 , HB3104 , HB3970 , HB3962 , HB5061 , HB4042 , HB4115 , HB4490 , HB1731 , HB1705 , HB2607 , HB3556 , HB138 , HB3689 , HB1788 , HB1887 , HB1914 , HB2402 , HB2306 , HB1809 , HB2350 , HB3000 , HB3237 , HB3326 , HB3211 , HB 1056 , HB2081 , HB2187 , HB3092 , HB3308 , HB3526 , HB3750 , HB3527 , HB4219 , HB4230 , HB4290 , HB5238 , HB4804 , HB4749 , HCR6 , HCR12 , HCR34 , HCR50 , HCR55 , HCR58 , HCR70 , HCR71 , HCR72 , HCR74 , HCR75 , HCR78 , HCR80 , HCR93 , HCR100 , HCR107 , HCR116 , HCR117 , HCR90 , SB1806 , SB783 , SB1271 , SB326 , SB1637 , SB769 , SB897 , SB1035 , SB1706 , SB1185 , SB1194 , SB384 , SB1426 , SB1468 , SB1215 , SB1066 , SB599 , SB1930 , SB2065 , SB767 , SB1619 , SB1738 , HB1500 , HB718 , HB23 , HB34 , HB 119 , HB 128 , HB 130 , HB132 , HB2756 , HB166 , HB406 , HB186 , HB331 , HB380 , HB1583 , HB1584 , HB621 , HB303 , HB552 , HB366 , HB463 , HB 1211 , HB1327 , HB1461 , HB923 , HB1760 , HB2467 , HB5333 , HB1592 , HB1576 , HB1552 , HB2018 , HB3511 , HB1781 , HB2013 , HB2340 , HB2508 , HB2970 , HB865 , HB2851 , HB3385 , HB3336 , HB3309 , HB 1127 , HB 1232 , HB1397 , HB4236 , HB4041 , HB1965 , HB2730 , HB3698 , HB3699 , HB163 , HB201 , HB272 , HB405 , HB519 , HB654 , HB694 , HB791 , HB 1136 , HB 1240 , HB 1266 , HB 1275 , HB1437 , HB1532 , HB1675 , HB1842 , HB1868 , HB1894 , HB1943 , HB1990 , HB2029 , HB2061 , HB2286 , HB2523 , HB2622 , HB2652 , HB2692 , HB2842 , HB2885 , HB3016 , HB3096 , HB3248 , HB3255 , HB3479 , HB3611 , HB3623 , HB3803 , HB3804 , HB3805 , HB3806 , HB3810 , HB3816 , HB4129 , HB4163 , HB4187 , HB4238 , HB4454 , HB4588 , HB4643 , HB4738 , HB4739 , HB4945 , HB5015 , HB5616 , HB1749 , HB1775 , HB 118 , HB1762 , HB2520 , HB24 , HB45 , HB15 , HB35 , HB38 , HB47 , HB318 , HB349 , HB554 , HB1359 , HB1373 , HB1647 , HB2254 , HB2259 , HB2853 , HB3073 , HB3088 , HB353 , HB355 , HB786 , HB762 , HB705 , HB932 , HB849 , HB 1160 , HB 1119 , HB1612 , HB3041 , HB713 , HB3104 , HB3970 , HB3962 , HB5061 , HB4042 , HB4115 , HB4490 , HB1731 , HB1705 , HB2607 , HB3556 , HB138 , HB3689 , HB1788 , HB1887 , HB1914 , HB2402 , HB2306 , HB1809 , HB2350 , HB3000 , HB3237 , HB3326 , HB3211 , HB 1056 , HB2081 , HB2187 , HB3092 , HB3308 , HB3526 , HB3750 , HB3527 , HB4219 , HB4230 , HB4290 , HB5238 , HB4804 , HB4749 , HCR6 , HCR12 , HCR34 , HCR50 , HCR55 , HCR58 , HCR70 , HCR71 , HCR72 , HCR74 , HCR75 , HCR78 , HCR80 , HCR93 , HCR100 , HCR107 , HCR116 , HCR117 , HCR90

Keywords: zoning, public notice, local government, residential development, protests, peer support, first responders, mental health, confidentiality, emergency services, information network, health services, client referral, data privacy, disaster preparedness, accreditation, community services, sexual assault, victim rights, forensic examination

Summary: The Florida House conducted legislative business including prayer, pledge, and voting on multiple bills. Key legislation included land development and wetlands mitigation (SB 492), renewable natural gas infrastructure investment (SB 1574), local government regulation (SB 1080), housing and accessory dwelling units (SB 184), recovery residences (SB 954), and various health, education, and criminal justice measures. The session also addressed returning messages from the Senate with amendments, transportation facility designations, and claims bills for wrongfully convicted individuals. Several bills passed unanimously while others faced structured debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the Clean Water Act said where we are located in Eva Beach there is no concern contaminating the Clean
• So the Clean Water Act said where we are located in Eva Beach there is no concern contaminating the Clean
• So the Clean Water Act said where we are located in Eva Beach there is no concern contaminating the Clean
• So the Clean Water Act said where we are located in Eva Beach there is no concern contaminating the Clean
• So the Clean Water Act said where we are located in Eva Beach there is no concern contaminating the Clean

Summary: The joint committees heard House Bill 643, House Draft 2, which would create short-term management initiatives and appropriate funds for the coconut rhinoceros beetle response program. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive. Committee discussion focused on biocontrol efforts, including fungus and virus-based treatments, the need for a biosecure facility, and the timeline for testing and range studies. Department of Agriculture officials said initial testing is underway at the University of Hawaii, but full testing requires a higher-biosafety facility that is not yet available on island. Members also discussed funding levels, the possibility of a mobile facility, and whether the work could be accelerated. The committees later voted to pass HB 643 unamended. The committees also heard House Bill 736, House Draft 1, which would establish a three-year wastewater system and individual wastewater technology testing pilot program at the University of Hawaii Water Resources Research Center. Supporters said the bill could help certify new, lower-cost decentralized wastewater technologies and reduce the cost of cesspool upgrades while improving water quality. University of Hawaii witnesses explained that the center would test technologies, collect samples, analyze results, and provide reports to the Department of Health for certification. Members raised concerns about whether the program would help communities facing immediate wastewater issues, the length of the testing timeline, and whether technologies like the Genki ball could be included. The committee was told the pilot would likely test one technology at a time over about nine months each, though multiple tests could run in parallel later. The committees voted to pass HB 736 unamended. After those measures, the joint committee moved to an AEN-only agenda and began hearing STR 111 / SR 92, which declares a public health emergency relating to climate change and calls for statewide coordination on cross-sector solutions. Testimony in support came from the Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Public Health Institute, and others. Supporters said climate change affects public health through heat, wildfire risk, invasive mosquitoes, and other impacts, and argued that the response should involve agriculture, planning, transportation, and emergency management, not just the Department of Health.

Transcript Highlights:

• I also know, anecdotally, I live at Hampton Beach.
• I also know, anecdotally, I live at Hampton Beach.
• I also know anecdotally I live at grows I also know anecdotally I live at Hampton<00:24:28.799><c> Beach
• 29.559><c> have</c><00:24:29.720><c> two</c><00:24:29.919><c> of</c><00:24:30.080><c> these</c> Hampton Beach
• we have two of these Hampton Beach we have two of these facilities<00:24:31.200><c> and</c><00:24:31.360

Summary: The committee first held a public hearing on HB 660, which would require historic horse racing facilities to provide 10% of HHR winnings to host municipalities as mitigation. Representative Om said the bill was intended to offset local costs associated with large gaming facilities, noting that prior gaming measures included opt-in provisions and that this proposal would leave charities and the state whole while taking the 10% from the operator’s share. Members questioned why 10% was chosen and whether municipalities were currently experiencing added costs; Om said the amount was meant to address projected future impacts, not broader municipal budget issues, and cited a study on casino-related community costs. Opponents from the New Hampshire Charitable Gaming Operators Association argued the bill unfairly singled out one industry and said gaming facilities do not impose more municipal burden than other entertainment venues. The hearing closed without a vote, and a member clarified the bill would apply to existing and future casinos/facilities. The committee then opened a hearing on HB 658-FN, which raises the cap on reimbursements from the Oil Discharge and Disposal Cleanup Fund and makes related changes to the Oil Pollution Control Fund. Representative Malloy introduced the bill, and Representative Aly described the funds as an insurance backstop for oil spill cleanup and low-income tank replacement, saying the program helps prevent environmental hazards and satisfies financial responsibility requirements. Bob Scully of the Energy Marketers Association supported the bill but noted that fee changes are ultimately passed on to consumers. Department of Environmental Services officials Robert Bishop and Jennifer Marts explained that the bill would change reporting deadlines, raise the reimbursement cap for low-income homeowners, extend the fee collection period for 10 years, and adjust petroleum import fees based on an actuarial review. They said the funds cover spill response, prevention, and tank replacement, and that the fee structure was designed to keep the funds solvent while balancing costs across fuel categories. Committee members asked about the actuarial basis for the fee changes, why some fees would rise while others would fall, and how the funds are used. DES said the review used 10 years of claims and exposure data and that the fuel oil fee would otherwise need to rise sharply, so the board proposed a smaller increase and rebalanced other fees. Members also asked about the scope of covered oil imports, and DES explained that the fee applies to oil destined for use in New Hampshire, not merely passing through the state. The discussion also covered home heating oil spills, which DES said are often discovered by homeowners or fire departments and are usually caused by tank corrosion, piping, or overfills. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chair noted that the policy committee had already approved the bill before the finance-focused review.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today, he is a senior at Palm Beach Atlantic University, studying biology on the pre-medical track and
• Fire Rescue and currently serves as council member in Palm Beach Gardens.
• And Henry and Zach Crockett both came out of Blanche Ely High School in Pompano Beach.
• And Henry and Zach Crockett both came out of Blanche Ely High School in Pompano Beach.
• School in Ormond Beach, District 28, billed by its graduates as the Harvard of umpire schools.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present, then moved into returning messages from the Senate. Early action focused on CS/CS/HB 1503 on computer science education and certification, which would add computer science and artificial intelligence content in high school and create a K-12 teacher certificate program; after adopting a House amendment restoring certificate language and adjusting implementation timing, the House concurred in the Senate amendment and passed the bill 105-0. The chamber then took up CS/CS/HB 1085 on local government cybersecurity, adopting a House amendment to allow local governments to buy into the cyber grant program and add a five-year sunset, then concurring in the Senate amendment shifting grant administration back to the Florida Digital Service; the bill passed 104-1. The House refused to concur in Senate amendments to CS/HB 351 on concurrent legislative jurisdiction over U.S. military installations and HB 6011 on reporting gifts or honoraria, sending both back to the Senate. It also refused to concur in the Senate amendment to CS/HB 851 on professional learning for instructional and school administrative personnel, saying the Senate version expanded the bill beyond its original autism-focused scope. After a recess, the House unveiled Speaker Daniel Perez’s portrait and heard extended remarks praising his leadership, institutional reforms, and the work of House staff and members. In the second returning-message list, the House debated CS/CS/HB 1471 on systems of law and terrorist organizations. The Senate amendment clarified the definition of “promote,” refined notice and timeline provisions for terrorist organization designations, and kept references to Sharia law as an example in the foreign religious law section. Supporters argued the bill was aimed at conduct beyond speech and was intended to protect the Constitution and public safety; opponents warned it would chill free speech, target Muslim Floridians, and give the governor and cabinet unprecedented power without adequate due process. After lengthy debate, the House concurred and passed the bill 80-25. The House then took up CS/CS/HB 1473, a public records bill tied to HB 1471, and moved to concur in a technical Senate amendment aligning the records exemption with the revised structure of HB 1471.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today, he is a senior at Palm Beach Atlantic University, studying biology on the pre-medical track and
• John's father has dedicated three decades to public service, including 27 years with Palm Beach County
• Fire Rescue and currently serves as council member in Palm Beach Gardens.
• And Henry and Zach Crockett both came out of Blanche, the high school, and Pompano Beach.
• And Henry and Zach Crockett both came out of Blanche, the high school, and Pompano Beach.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, this is Senate Bill 241, relative to construction of a public pier on Hampton Beach.
• ><c> Hampton</c> construction of a public pier on Hampton construction of a public pier on Hampton Beach
• And I'll recognize Representative Beach.
• we</c><00:13:42.639><c> did</c><00:13:42.880><c> not</c><00:13:43.120><c> see</c> pier at Hampton Beach
• Uh we did not see pier at Hampton Beach.

Summary: The Finance Committee first took up Senate Bill 63, which Representative Maguire described as a straightforward bill setting funding for the Division of Travel and Tourism. He said it was not controversial. The committee voted to retain the bill by roll call, with one no vote and one member absent, and the motion passed 23-1-1. The committee then considered Senate Bill 74, dealing with annual reporting requirements for state departments that issue permits. Representative Maguire explained Amendment 2282 would shorten the reporting burden by requiring summary data on delayed permits rather than listing every permit, and would delay the first report until 2027 so agencies would not have to reconstruct old data. The amendment was adopted by voice vote, and the bill was then approved as amended by a 24-1 roll call vote. Next, the committee heard Senate Bill 241 on construction of a public pier at Hampton Beach. Representative Sweeney moved inexpedient to legislate, saying the project was ambitious and lacked public support. The motion passed unanimously 25-0, sending the bill to consent. Division Two then took up Senate Bill 145, a replace-all amendment to the education freedom account bill. Supporters said the amendment clarified the bill, kept the policy intact, removed a reimbursement program and an open-ended appropriation, and established a cap of 10,000 students with priority for current students and certain other groups. Opponents argued the measure was still a major expansion, would increase spending after crossover, and that the cap was not meaningful. After discussion, Amendment 2301H was adopted and the bill was approved as amended by a 25-0 vote, with members noting it could go on consent because no money remained in it.

Transcript Highlights:

• But what I'm going to ask about is the closure of Concord.
• So I guess when can we look to capitalize on some of that savings from the closure of a facility so we
• Saving from the closure of a facility so we can put it to better use.
• But the benefits of the closure of Concord... Yes, thank you.
• So all those factors came into play when we were looking at the closure of Concord.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The hearing was held in Clinton Town Hall as part of the Joint Committee on Ways and Means’ budget review, with local officials welcoming legislators and noting the long agenda of many panels. The main presentation was from Secretary Terrence Reedy of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, who outlined the Healey-Driscoll administration’s FY26 proposal for the secretariat, including a $1.7 billion budget and a 7% increase over FY25. He described investments in emergency preparedness, hate-crime prevention, reentry programming, technology modernization, internships, and public safety training, while also noting some reductions driven by resource constraints, including cuts to certain grant programs and administrative costs. Committee members also raised concerns about federal uncertainty and how it could affect state budgets and public safety planning. A major portion of the questioning focused on the Department of Correction. Secretary Reedy and Commissioner Sean Jenkins said the biggest challenges are staffing, officer wellness, facility safety, and contraband—especially K2. They described steps taken at MCI Souza and other facilities, including reducing population at the maximum-security unit, changing management, removing metal products and free weights, improving screening and roll calls, adding a rapid response team, and increasing investigative and technological efforts to combat K2. They also discussed the closure of MCI Concord, saying it was driven by high maintenance costs and staffing needs, and explained that savings are being used to improve staffing patterns and address deferred maintenance over time rather than producing immediate large budget reductions. Members also questioned the budget’s impact on police training and community policing. The administration defended the increase in police academy tuition from $3,200 to $6,000 as reflecting true training costs and said it would still be subsidized by the state, while acknowledging the burden on small municipalities. They said the MPTC is expanding regional training and considering proposals such as Greenfield Community College’s. On community policing, officials emphasized uniform statewide training, de-escalation, and communication skills. The State Police also announced an outside review of the academy by the International Association of Chiefs of Police and said the next class will be split into two smaller groups to improve oversight and allow quicker implementation of recommendations. Other topics included ICE and federal immigration enforcement, with Reedy saying state law prohibits Massachusetts law enforcement from acting in a civil immigration capacity and that no state dollars were used in the Tufts-related ICE operation mentioned by a member. Senators and representatives also raised the upcoming FIFA World Cup, warning that it will require significant public safety resources and likely federal funding. Additional discussion covered restorative justice and juvenile diversion, health care costs in DOC, electronic health records, and the need for more diverse and culturally competent public safety staffing. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• These funds would be secured savings projected from any future prison closure within the state.
• proactive responses instead of reactive, creating more funds for their programs to continue its closures
• task force recommendations that were made to make sure that we're using savings from our prison closures
• to repair harm in our in our state's community Using savings from our prison closures to repair harm
• And private equity investment and the quality of care and the closures of critical services is also an

Committee: House Health

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard a special order of bills focused largely on utilization management and prior authorization in health care. Chair Bonta opened by explaining the committee’s rules and noting several consent items, then moved into bills aimed at reducing delays and barriers in coverage decisions for mental health, substance use disorder treatment, chronic care, and rehabilitation services. The committee also noted AB 1429 had been pulled from the agenda. AB 384 by Assembly Member Connolly would prohibit prior authorization for inpatient mental health or substance use emergency admissions and for physician care delivered during those inpatient stays. Supporters, including behavioral health groups, hospitals, emergency physicians, and patient advocates, argued that prior authorization delays crisis care and can worsen outcomes. Opponents, including health plans and insurers, warned about fraud, waste, abuse, and ambiguity around residential treatment facilities and review processes. The bill passed the committee on a do pass as amended vote and was sent to Appropriations, though it was placed on call. AB 510 by Assembly Member Addis would require health plans to provide a peer of the same or similar specialty when a treating provider appeals a prior authorization decision. Supporters said this would make appeals fairer and more clinically informed; opponents said the specialty-matching requirement and timelines were unworkable and could strain the system. AB 539 by Assembly Member Schiavo would extend prior authorization approvals to one year or the duration of the prescribed treatment, with supporters citing chronic illness and cancer care delays and opponents arguing the bill was too broad. AB 669 by Assembly Member Haney would bar certain utilization reviews for the first 28 days of in-network substance use disorder treatment and limit prior authorization for related outpatient medications; it drew strong emotional support from a parent who lost her son after treatment was cut short, while insurers and health plans opposed it as too restrictive. AB 512 by Assembly Member Harabedian would shorten prior authorization turnaround times to 24 hours for urgent requests and 48 hours for non-urgent requests, and AB 574 by Assembly Member Mark González would allow up to 12 physical therapy sessions for a new episode of care without prior authorization. Across these bills, supporters emphasized timely access and patient harm from delays, while opponents repeatedly raised concerns about oversight, medical necessity review, and cost. Several measures were voted out on call or held on call for later action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Any cuts will force further service line closures.
• </c><01:37:57.760><c> In</c><01:37:58.000><c> the</c> pharmacy closures in America.
• In the pharmacy closures in America.
• There will be closures as a result of a billion-dollar impact of not being able to use facility fees.
• There will<01:52:54.000><c> be</c><01:52:54.159><c> closures</c><01:52:54.719><c> as</c><01:52:54.960

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• case</c><00:32:52.720><c> could</c><00:32:53.000><c> risk</c> The most dramatic case could risk closures
• Yeah, thank you. >> This isn't a 1% increase in the minimum wage leading to 1.5% closure.
• wage<00:41:20.800><c> leading</c><00:41:21.080><c> to</c><00:41:21.200><c> 1.5%</c><00:41:22.240><c> closure
• </c><00:41:23.160><c> Um</c><00:41:23.280><c> the</c> wage leading to 1.5% closure.
• Um the wage leading to 1.5% closure.

Committee: House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services

Transcript Highlights:

• This extends from the closure of Shuro.
• Um, with the impending closure of the third Shuro facility December 31st, 2030, we're a bit on the clock
• 00:04:44.960><c> with</c><00:04:45.280><c> the</c><00:04:45.440><c> impending</c><00:04:46.000><c> closure
• Um with the impending closure of today.
• Um with the impending closure of the<00:04:47.120><c> third</c><00:04:47.440><c> Shero</c><00:04:48.080

Bills: HF4770

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Summary: The committee approved the March 26 minutes and then took up House File 4770, as amended by an A1 technical amendment. The bill was presented as a proposal to help Liberty Diversified International and Liberty Paper in Becker plan for replacement steam and energy supply as the Shuro facility closure approaches in 2030. Testimony described Liberty Paper’s current closed-loop steam arrangement with Shuro, the need to study future fuel and technology options, and the potential use of anaerobic digestion, biomass, construction and demolition waste, and food waste to produce steam and possibly power. Members asked about feedstock availability, the need for a feasibility study, possible backup natural gas use, and whether waste heat or wastewater heat could be useful. The bill was laid over as amended. The committee then heard a presentation from CenterPoint Energy on Minnesota heating demand and electrification. CenterPoint staff said affordability and reliability are central concerns and outlined how the utility manages customer costs through energy efficiency, contracting, storage, peak shaving, and conservation. Dr. Joel Lynch presented research on peak heating with natural gas and the “missing piece” in Minnesota’s electrification puzzle, explaining that Minnesota’s cold climate makes winter heating demand especially challenging and that replacing natural gas would require substantial new electric capacity and renewable resources. He compared his work with prior national and state studies and said the analysis used Minnesota-specific gas throughput, COP assumptions across several electrification scenarios, and January renewable capacity data. Lynch summarized preliminary findings that Minnesota’s peak gas heating throughput could be up to 40 gigawatts, with electric resistance heating implying roughly 36 gigawatts of new demand, and lower but still substantial demand under heat-pump scenarios. The presentation was informational only; no vote was taken on the CenterPoint presentation. The meeting ended with House File 4770 laid over and the energy demand presentation continuing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, important academic programs and essential services are being cut, including a closure of the Yakima-based
• out-of-pocket costs, fewer pain management options, less secure health centers, and even clinic closures
• ask the legislature to provide $120 million in state contingency funding to prevent the immediate closure
• provide $6.3 million in general fund, plus $18 million in federal money. to prevent the immediate closure
• However, it only represents half of the $21 million necessary to stop program closures and elimination

Bills: SB5998

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: fiscal appropriations, budget, state funding, financial management, operating expenses

Transcript Highlights:

• 27.199><c> do</c> if we don't do if we don't do something<00:05:29.400><c> these</c><00:05:29.840><c> closures
• </c><00:05:30.759><c> and</c><00:05:30.880><c> shrinking</c> Something these closures and shrinking services
• expect diminished capacity<00:20:45.520><c> or</c><00:20:45.679><c> program</c><00:20:46.080><c> closures
• </c><00:20:46.520><c> within</c><00:20:46.760><c> the</c> capacity or program closures within the capacity
• or program closures within the next<00:20:47.080><c> 6</c><00:20:47.320><c> to</c><00:20:47.440><c>

Transcript Highlights:

• There was a Becker's report that came out yesterday, and it reported 743 small hospital closures around
• 19.200><c> country</c><01:07:19.359><c> in</c><01:07:19.520><c> the</c><01:07:19.680><c> last</c> closures
• around the country in the last closures around the country in the last year.<01:07:20.559><c> It</c>
• 07:28.480><c> immediate</c> that are under threat of immediate that are under threat of immediate closure
• We have hospitals that have closure.

Bills: SF0023 , SF0057

Committee: House Labor, Health & Social Services

Transcript Highlights:

• we're going to go on to the next bill, which is HB 2344, Independent Public School Realignment and Closure
• Independent Public School Realignment Independent Public School Realignment and<00:35:04.160><c> Closure
• </c> and Closure Commission. and Closure Commission.
• This is Independent School Realignment and Closure Commission.
• Commission recommends this and Closure Commission recommends this HD1 HD1 HD1 um<01:43:02.719><c> first

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1783, which would expand public-private partnership options for charter school facilities. The Department of Education offered comments, the Charter School Commission and SFA supported the bill, and Hawaii Technology Academy, Hawaii Kids, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, HGA, Aloha Project, and several individuals testified in support, while UPW opposed it. Supporters said charter schools need faster and more flexible ways to address severe facility shortages and high costs, and SFA described the bill as a pilot model that could leverage developer partnerships and state contributions, citing Maryland as an example. Members asked whether the bill was limited to charter schools; DOE said the language could be read to include other public school facilities, but if focused only on charter schools, DOE was less concerned. The Charter School Commission also described an existing public-private preschool model through Parkway Village Preschool and PACTED. The committee then took up HB 1778, which would establish a CIP database for school facilities. SFA supported the bill, saying it would create a more disciplined, transparent basis for funding decisions by documenting facility condition, needed repairs, classification, and timing. DOE initially said it rested on its comments, then responded to questions by saying it already maintains deferred maintenance lists, uses systems such as Maximo, CPT, GIS, and finance software, and sends legislators project-status letters twice a year. DOE said it is working on improving its outward-facing dashboard and integrating its systems, but questioned whether the bill would add value beyond existing tools. Members emphasized the need for a publicly accessible, real-time transparency tool, while DOE said it was still evaluating its current systems and was not yet seeking funding for a new IT program. For HB 2344, creating an Independent Public School Realignment and Closure Commission, DOE said it wants to remain part of any consolidation process to keep students and education central, while SFA said the bill is timely and framed it as a restructuring response to changing conditions and possible federal funding cuts. SFA compared the proposal to the federal BRAC process for military base closures and said Hawaii has the same enrollment as in 1961 but many more schools, arguing that the state needs a more deliberate approach to school closures and land reuse. The Attorney General’s office raised technical concerns about several sections, including unclear references to administrative support, a governor-approval sequence, a possible conflict with existing statutes governing closed-school disposition, and a missing section number. Testimony on HB 2345, which would establish a geographic CIP district, began with DOE in opposition; DOE said the bill would duplicate existing work, add confusion by creating two agencies doing the same thing, and spend money inefficiently because district project coordinators and project lists already exist.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, as a corollary to that, my abuser passed away last Thursday, so there's now a little bit of closure
• Thursday so there's now uh a little bit Thursday so there's now uh a little bit of<00:02:12.680><c> closure
• where</c><00:02:13.239><c> there</c><00:02:13.400><c> wasn't</c><00:02:14.200><c> previously</c> of closure
• where there wasn't previously of closure where there wasn't previously um<00:02:15.480><c> so</c><00
• </c> intake through the case closure intake through the case closure additionally<00:33:59.440><c> SSI

Bills: HF1346 , HF1169 , HF1276

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy