Transcript Highlights:

• technicians, or LVTs, to administer rabies vaccinations to dogs, cats, and ferrets under the direct supervision
• technicians, or LVTs, to administer rabies vaccinations to dogs, cats, and ferrets under the direct supervision
• technicians, or LVTs, to administer rabies vaccinations to dogs, cats, and ferrets under the direct supervision

Keywords: 00:00 – Introduction 00:20 – Attendance Roll Call 01:42 – Introduction of guests 09:15 – House Bill 278 18:16 – Roll Call Vote 19:33 – House Bill 527 23:03 – Roll Call Vote, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Agriculture met on March 5 and began with roll call, confirming a quorum. The committee spent much of the opening portion introducing guests, including FFA groups from Barren, Christian, and Pulaski counties, a fifth-grade student shadowing a member, and other visitors connected to agriculture and public service. The chair also recognized former Senator Joey Pendleton, who spoke briefly about his background and mentorship in Frankfort. The committee then heard House Bill 278, sponsored by Representative Josh Bray, which would allow Kentucky to use an existing USDA exemption for small poultry producers to process and sell poultry directly at farmers markets and similar venues. Testimony emphasized that the bill would not loosen food safety standards, but would instead require compliance with federal commercial food processing rules, sanitation requirements, HACCP plans, and labeling tied to the USDA exemption. Members raised questions about avian flu, traceability, refrigeration, and inspection; the sponsor and witnesses said the bill would preserve traceability by limiting sales to direct channels and that avian flu response would remain with the state veterinarian. The committee voted favorably on HB 278. The committee also considered House Bill 527, sponsored by Representative Susan Whitten, which would authorize licensed veterinary technicians to administer rabies vaccinations to dogs, cats, and ferrets under direct veterinarian supervision on the premises. Supporters said the measure would help free veterinarians for other work while maintaining safety, and noted rising rabies concerns in Kentucky. Members asked why ferrets were included, and witnesses explained that ferrets can contract rabies like other mammals and are routinely vaccinated along with cats and dogs. The committee then took a roll call vote and passed HB 527 with favorable expression. The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• And by that, that means our Auditor General is going to be paying a lot of people to visit that they
• I'll go through what our site visits and functionality observations found in more detail.
• As we began meeting with schools, with staff from Mutualink, and going to on-site visits, our primary
• Mutualink was providing project supervision and project managers, yes. We worked together on that.
• And they came and visited back in March of 2025, before your tenure. Okay, I'm just...

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The committee opened with remarks about moving JLAC to a more frequent monthly schedule and spending more time on each audit. Members also recognized Melanie Chesney of the Auditor General’s office for 32 years of service, with several members praising her work and her role in school safety and other audits. The meeting then turned to the JLAC-directed Arizona School Safety Special Audit on interoperable communication systems, with the Auditor General’s office presenting the December 2025 report. The audit found that the state had allocated nearly $26 million to interoperable communication efforts, but implementation varied widely. Auditors said all 14 law enforcement agencies used the money for interoperable systems, yet four agencies allowed private or tribal schools to participate contrary to statute, and several agencies failed to submit required expenditure reports. The report also found procurement problems: nine of 14 agencies did not follow procurement requirements or lacked documentation, many contracts lacked accountability provisions, and some agencies had not planned for ongoing costs. The audit estimated ongoing annual costs for an average rural county could range from about $16,000 to $382,000, and recommended that agencies document costs, follow procurement rules, monitor vendors, and plan for future funding. It also recommended the legislature clarify whether non-public schools may participate and revisit statutory system requirements that were vague or inconsistently interpreted. Members questioned the Auditor General about vendor licensing, whether systems could be built in-house, why some functions were not configured, and whether the systems were truly usable in emergencies. The presentation explained that some systems met requirements only in part, that Mutualink had a per-user licensing model affecting access to secure text and file sharing, and that some schools were unwilling or unable to install apps or keep devices logged in. The committee also discussed the difference between the separate school safety grant program administered by ADE and this interoperability fund, and several members expressed frustration with sole-source contracting and weak documentation. In the final portion of the presentation, auditors said only two of eight observed systems demonstrated all five critical emergency functions, while four agency systems could not be tested because they were reportedly not functioning. The committee then began hearing responses from county sheriffs, starting with the Arizona Sheriffs’ Association president, who emphasized county commitment to school safety and noted that some counties had implemented systems across multiple districts, including tribal and rural schools. No votes or formal actions were taken during the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• When this bill was filed and I visited with the chairman, it turns out there was a location in Catahoula
• She can be paid reasonable expenses, I believe, that would, you know, of course, like for doctor visits
• The front line visits our families.
• workers who are going out to the home, doing the assessments, doing the investigations, making the visits
• with the families for family services, making the visits for foster care for our foster children.

Bills: HR267, HCR105, HCR107, HCR110, HCR113, HCR114, SB4, SB52, SB57, SB145, SB152, SB194, SB237, SB333, SB433, SB483, SCR37

Keywords: diabetes, amputation, amputations, diabetic foot ulcer, peripheral artery disease, PAD, wound care, podiatry, vascular disease, endocrinology, limb salvage, health policy, public health, healthcare costs, insurance coverage, Louisiana Department of Health, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Louisiana Center for Health Innovation, patient education, screening

Transcript Highlights:

• When this bill was filed and I visited with the chairman, it turns out there was a location in Catahoula
• She can be paid reasonable expenses, I believe, that would, you know, of course, like for doctor visits
• The front line visits our families.
• workers who are going out to the home, doing the assessments, doing the investigations, making the visits
• with the families for family services, making the visits for foster care for our foster children and

Summary: The committee first heard SB 145, which would require adult residential care providers, especially assisted living centers, to have generators or other backup power arrangements and to submit preparedness plans to LDH. After technical amendments and testimony from the sponsor, LDH, and the assisted living industry clarifying the bill’s scope and cost concerns, the committee adopted the amendments and reported the bill favorably. It then took up SB 433, which would require Medicaid coverage of medically necessary FDA-approved weight loss drugs, including GLP-1 medications, subject to appropriations and fiscally sustainable coverage criteria; the bill was reported favorably after discussion of current Medicaid coverage and costs. The committee also approved SB 52, which requires better coordination between DCFS and LDH so SNAP and Medicaid benefits can follow children more quickly when they are removed from or returned to a home. Technical amendments changed reporting deadlines and required written notice, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 4 on public water fluoridation was amended to allow local governments or voters to opt out through a petition and election process, with support from the Louisiana Dental Association and others after compromise language was adopted; it was reported favorably with amendments. SB 152, which would prohibit the sale of cultured or lab-grown food products for human consumption, was also reported favorably with amendments after brief testimony in support and opposition. The committee next approved SCR 37, which asks the Surgeon General to review Louisiana’s informed consent laws and report back on any gaps, after discussion that the existing medical disclosure panel had not met since 2018. It then considered SB 194, a public assistance bill aligning Louisiana Medicaid and SNAP rules with recent federal changes on non-citizen eligibility and tightening Medicaid’s reasonable opportunity period for citizenship verification. After extensive debate over immigration, emergency care, and whether the bill could harm eligible applicants or rural hospitals, the committee adopted an amendment allowing LDH discretion for emergency health care services and reported the bill favorably by an 8-3 vote. Finally, HCR 113 created a task force to study gestational carrier agreements and assisted reproductive regulation; after debate over surrogacy, ethics, and referral to Civil Law, the committee rejected the referral motion and then reported the resolution favorably, and the meeting moved on to SB 333 on child-in-need-of-care proceedings and legal representation funding.

Transcript Highlights:

• Mint, on this return visit to Louisiana House of Representatives.
• Mint, on his return visit to the Louisiana House of Representatives.
• good job, but because of those issues, this bill would implement a code of conduct where they have to visit
• , because of those issues, we have, this bill would implement a code of conduct where they have to visit
• oversight or if you followed the BESE regulations already in Bulletin 741, which also requires a site visit

Bills: HR244, HR245, HR246, HR247, HR248, HR249, HR250, HR251, HCR101, HCR102, HR223, HR224, HR225, HR226, HR227, HR229, HR230, HR231, HR232, HR234, HR235, HR236, HR237, HR238, HR239, HR240, HR241, HR242, HR243, HCR94, HCR95, HCR96, HCR97, HCR98, HCR99, HCR100, SCR31, SCR33, SCR35, SCR37, SCR56, SCR57, SB171, SB251, SB252, SB353, SB367, SB433, SB461, HR170, HR191, HR206, HR207, HR208, HR217, HCR11, HCR53, HCR60, HCR66, HCR68, HB66, HB153, HB165, HB326, HB387, HB454, HB455, HB484, HB513, HB603, HB660, HB719, HB762, HB766, HB793, HB802, HB816, HB833, HB940, HB947, HB950, HB975, HB1028, HB1039, HB1051, HB1053, HB1080, HB1201, HB1215, HB1228, HB1251, HB1252, SCR2, SB26, SB28, SB29, SB30, SB41, SB44, SB64, SB84, SB87, SB93, SB98, SB107, SB118, SB142, SB192, SB195, SB199, SB219, SB222, SB234, SB241, SB255, SB275, SB277, SB292, SB294, SB306, SB314, SB482, SB233, SB326, HR171, HCR49, HCR65, HCR72, HR37, HCR64, SCR19, SCR3, SCR6, SCR18, SCR11, SCR22, HB64, HB68, HB92, HB130, HB258, HB633, HB801, HB89, HB341, HB451, HB456, HB579, HB595, HB621, HB818, HB841, HB1064, HB1101, HB1191, SB47, SB82, SB106, SB206, SB210, SB248, SB305, SB376, SB397, SB441, SB2, SB19, SB24, SB50, SB70, SB96, SB101, SB103, SB104, SB114, SB122, SB159, SB160, SB173, SB180, SB182, SB260, SB412, SB418, SB424, SB442, SB460, SB476, SB1, SB23, SB32, SB42, SB43, SB46, SB51, SB110, SB113, SB150, SB154, SB161, SB218, SB220, SB221, SB253, SB289, SB310, SB351, SB399, SB404, SB502, HCR32, HB955, HB284, HB617, HB730, HB926, HB1125, HB1194, HB1203, HB798, HB998, HB1084, HB1223, HB646, HB824, HB901, HB79, HR20, HR74, HB59, HB306, HB366, HB393, HB458, HB577, HB582, HB605, HB614, HB682, HB733, HB752, HB773, HB911, HB996, HB1035, HB1069, HB1113, HB1140, HB1180, HB1234, HB1240, SB89, SB68, SB149

Keywords: disclosure, local law, public notice, legislative transparency, Artists at the Capitol Day, art education, Louisiana Art Education Association, recognition, community engagement, House Resolution 247, HR247, Laura Lewis, birthday commendation, 104th birthday, centenarian, longevity, St. James Parish, Louisiana House of Representatives, Mount Calvary Baptist Church, ceremonial resolution

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I want to thank you for allowing me a few minutes to visit with you about the follow-up care that
• So for the a follow-up visit would allow me to, one, physically assess any existing, any injuries that
• Components make up why it would be important to be able to bring those patients back in to visit with
• Supervision for the unlawful carrying of a handgun.
• My staff and I have not had the privilege of visiting with those two individuals that you mentioned.

Bills: HB47

Keywords: HB 47, Texas Tax Code, ad valorem taxes, property tax, voter-approval tax rate, tax rate election, taxing unit, injunction, taxpayer rights, property owner, local government finance, tax refund, attorney's fees, court costs, voter-approved tax increase, tax reform, municipal taxes, county taxes, school district taxes, bond election

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to thank you for allowing me. minutes to visit with you about the follow-up care that is addressed
• So for the, a follow-up visit would allow. me to one, physically assess any existing, any injuries that
• those. components make up why it would be important to to be able to bring those patients back in. to visit
• and then they this is about Four or five hours later, the police officers were smart enough to then visit
• I have not, my staff and I have not had the privilege of visiting. with those two individuals that you

Bills: HB47, HB1552, HB1686, HB1953, HB2151, HB2355, HB2582, HB2697, HB2895, HB3073, HB3418, HB47

Keywords: sexual assault, victim rights, forensic examination, medical care, trauma-informed care, crime victims compensation, evidence retention, child sexual abuse material, child pornography, digital services, reporting requirements, children's protection, sex offender registration, indecent assault, educator-student relationship, criminal justice, legislation, crime victims, compensation fund, information disclosure

Transcript Highlights:

• And it quite simply says not that ICE agents, for example, can't come visit child care centers.
• But under 16, it just requires supervision and, of course, taking this course.
• We had an opportunity to visit across the state of California during the interim, and one of the things
• . ...they want for their county, one that will benefit you when you come visit Santa Cruz County.
• of you is moving forward from today, not only to educate myself further on the issue, including a visit

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly convened, first dealing with quorum and routine procedural matters before moving through a series of third-reading bills, many focused on immigration enforcement, worker protections, child care, and school or voting-site safety. Early measures included AB 2393, AB 1994, AB 1929, AB 1633, AB 1650, AB 1655, AB 1851, AB 1896, and AB 2230, with authors and supporters arguing these bills would provide accountability, protect immigrant communities, preserve access to benefits and services, and limit intimidation by immigration enforcement. Opponents repeatedly argued the bills were anti-law-enforcement, unconstitutional, or based on exaggerated or nonexistent threats. Several bills passed by recorded vote, including AB 2393 (41-15), AB 1994 (58-0), AB 1929 (41-17), AB 1650 (44-19), AB 1655 (50-14), AB 1851 (56-0), AB 1896 (41-19), and AB 2230 (42-15). AB 1633, a 54-vote bill imposing a tax on for-profit detention facilities, was debated at length but the roll was not completed in the excerpt and the item was moved on from temporarily. After a caucus break, the House returned and took up additional bills. AB 2379 would require child care providers to be informed of constitutional protections and receive multilingual training regarding immigration enforcement; it passed 59-10 on both the urgency and the measure. AB 2460 would direct the education department to update referral protocols so schools can better respond to students affected by immigration enforcement trauma and family deportation; it passed 52-8. AB 2495 would expand prohibitions on unfair immigration-related practices by employers, making immigration-related threats unlawful in workplace disputes; it passed 50-15. Throughout the day, debate was highly partisan and often heated, with repeated exchanges over whether the bills addressed real harms or were political messaging, but the Assembly ultimately advanced the measures that came to a vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it quite simply says not that ICE agents, for example, can't come visit child care centers.
• We know that the current law for minimum operation without supervision is 16, so we started with that
• But under 16, it just requires supervision and, of course, taking this course.
• We had an opportunity to visit across the state of California during the interim, and one of the things
• They want for their county, one that will benefit you when you come visit Santa Cruz County.

Summary: The Assembly met in session, established a quorum, approved dispensing with the previous day’s journal, and then took up a long third-reading file. Early procedural actions included moving AB 1589 to the inactive file and continuing reconsideration items. The chamber then considered a series of bills largely focused on immigration enforcement, detention, worker protections, child care, voting access, and related public services. Several immigration-related measures passed, including AB 2393 on damages for false imprisonment/arrest, AB 1994 on an immigrant victims’ rights and resources card, AB 1929 on health plan investment disclosures, AB 1633 imposing a tax on for-profit detention facilities, AB 1650 requiring decals on rental vehicles used for enforcement, AB 1655 protecting CalWORKs benefits when a child is detained, and AB 1896 disqualifying people who participated in immigration enforcement from certain public employment. AB 2230, which would bar immigration enforcement near polling places and child care facilities, also passed after extensive debate. Supporters framed these bills as accountability and protection for vulnerable communities; opponents argued they targeted federal law enforcement, were unnecessary, or raised constitutional concerns. AB 1851 on statewide school mental-health guidance also passed unanimously. After the midday recess, the Assembly returned and continued with more bills tied to immigration impacts and child welfare. AB 2379 passed with urgency, requiring child care providers to be informed of constitutional rights and trained on protections when confronted by immigration enforcement. AB 2460 passed to update school behavioral-health referral protocols for students affected by immigration enforcement trauma. AB 2495 passed to expand prohibitions on employer immigration-related threats, and AB 2662 was presented as a way for California to monitor and document federal enforcement actions and report on their community impacts. Throughout the day, the floor featured repeated exchanges over whether the bills addressed real problems or were political messaging, but the measures that came to a vote generally advanced with majority support.

Transcript Highlights:

• Before I even started training, I spent 10 years in training, including cadaver anatomy training and supervised
• Well, it's not just the dentist doing it, but it's also that there's no other oversight or supervision

Bills: SB1117, SB1373, SB672, SB1986, SB1098, SB626, SB1784, SB2480, SB2487, SB437, SB660

Keywords: dentistry, botulinum toxin, aesthetic treatments, dental regulation, training, medical staff privileges, hospital administration, healthcare regulation, Texas Health and Safety Code, consistency in privileges, SB 672, Texas hospital emergency operations plan, hospital diversion, emergency department, cyberattack, cyber security, power outage, electrical outage, patient diversion, hospital preparedness

Transcript Highlights:

• Paul's School of Baltimore, who are here visiting and shadowing.
• <00:04:05.560> I<00:04:05.600> think here visiting and shadowing.
• I think here visiting and shadowing.
• You know, we had in Senate Finance the opportunity to visit a farm. >> Mr.
• <00:37:25.480> a<00:37:25.880> farm opportunity to visit a farm opportunity to visit

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Friday, March 6, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with an invocation by Pastor Jermaine Turner, followed by welcoming remarks for visiting students and a quorum call confirming the chamber was in session. The body then moved through introductions and began considering bills and messages, including a supplemental budget message from the Governor that was journalized and referred to Budget and Taxation for incorporation into the FY27 budget. The chamber also handled several committee reports and amendments, with multiple measures ordered printed for third reading after no objections. Among the notable committee actions, the Senate adopted amendments and advanced Senate Bill 538 on Baltimore City raffles for organizations affiliated with professional baseball and football teams, Senate Bill 108 on water resources and wetlands enforcement, Senate Bill 328 on property tax credits for disabled or fallen public safety and judicial officers, Senate Bill 587 funding the Maryland Patient Safety Center Fund, Senate Bill 765 on property tax sales heir protection and tax credits, and Senate Bill 767 on property tax credits for commercial buildings rented to small businesses. The chamber also adopted favorable reports for Senate Bill 503 on the Growing Family Child Care Opportunities Program and Senate Bill 519 on delaying and studying the Earned Income Tax Credit Assistance Program. The Senate then took up third-reading votes on a series of bills, passing measures including Senate Bills 540, 544, 578, 581, 634, 638, 852, 897, 69, 177, 241, 323, 776, and 439. The final bill, Senate Bill 439 on employment discrimination related to fire and rescue public safety employees’ use of medical cannabis, prompted extended discussion about off-duty cannabis use, impairment, and the difference between prescribed opioids and medical cannabis recommendations. The bill sponsor and other senators debated whether cannabis can be prescribed, the role of physicians, and the lack of a measurable standard for impairment, but the transcript ends before a final vote on that bill is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• know that when someone is... ...when someone is placed on a GPS monitor, there is a real system of supervision
• ... ...to shine sunlight and sunshine on every part of the system, including provider failures, supervision
• Resolution 278 is a responsible step toward bringing sunlight, oversight, and transparency to the GPS supervision
• I mean, it makes no sense to put ankle monitors on people with no supervision and nobody being accountable

Summary: The committee heard a long agenda of criminal justice measures, with several bills and resolutions reported favorably and others rejected or deferred. Representative Baham’s HB 255, as substituted, would enhance penalties for certain felony or rioting offenses committed while wearing a mask to evade identification, with exceptions for religious, motorcycle, and medical coverings; it was reported favorably after opposition from the ACLU and support from law enforcement groups. His HB 378, as amended, narrowed a vehicle-obstruction offense to first responders and was also reported favorably. HB 1090, increasing penalties for arson of a religious building, was reported favorably with support from the Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops. HR 272, requesting a study of parental discipline, abuse allegations, and juvenile delinquency, was reported favorably after sponsor testimony about confusion over current law. HB 479, the “Fiscal Truth and Sentencing Act,” sought quarterly reporting on incarceration costs and sentencing impacts; despite support from the ACLU and opposition from clerks of court over an unfunded mandate, it failed on a 4-7 roll call. HR 278, asking the Attorney General to review electronic monitoring laws and make recommendations, was reported favorably after testimony from advocates and supporters of tighter oversight. HR 273, creating a task force to study work-release programs, was also reported favorably, while SB 278 was voluntarily deferred. The committee also considered several high-profile social policy measures. HB 261, by Representative Boyd, would create an exception to abortion restrictions for rape and certain sex offenses; the hearing featured extensive emotional testimony from survivors, clergy, and legislators on both sides, but the bill was rejected on a 2-10 vote. HCR 100, as amended, urged the Gaming Control Board to ensure due diligence in proposed casino acquisitions with attention to economic development, job creation, and community benefit; the amendment resolved industry concerns and the resolution was reported favorably. SB 448, concerning the Office of the State Public Defender, was amended to add procedures for expert-witness funding disputes, sealed contradictory hearings, and interlocutory review, then reported favorably. SB 135, which would redirect sports wagering revenue away from a capped sports fund and toward early childhood seats, drew opposition from university-related interests but no motion was made. Finally, HB 778 on kratom was presented as a narrower approach that would ban synthetic and semi-synthetic kratom while allowing regulated natural products; testimony included concerns about harm, business impacts, and claimed benefits for pain management and PTSD, and the discussion was still underway at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• this statute shall replace or remove an applicant's compliance with requirements for education, supervised
• compliance with requirements<00:08:01.199> for<00:08:01.520> education,<00:08:02.400> supervised
• requirements for education, supervised requirements for education, supervised training,<00:08:03.919

Keywords: Public Health and Welfare - Room 216, 24 February, 2026; 3:00 PM, 925, all

Summary: The committee first took House Bill 1637 off the table and adopted a committee substitute amendment narrowing Public Records Act exemptions to records of the child death review panel, maternal mortality review committee, and fetal and infant mortality review panel. Supporters said the exemption was intended to let providers and hospitals speak candidly in closed-door reviews to identify mistakes and prevent future deaths, while critics questioned how the public and legislature would learn the outcomes. The amendment and then the bill as amended were adopted by voice vote. House Bill 479, which would extend temporary licensing timeframes for the psychology board and the board of licensed marriage and family therapists from 30 to 60 days, was then considered. An amendment was adopted clarifying that the bill does not alter existing education, supervised training, or examination requirements. Senator Hill raised concerns that the bill’s language could allow a temporary license to last 365 days even if licensure requirements were not met, and the committee ultimately tabled the bill subject to call so the language could be clarified. The committee also heard House Bill 514, the Mississippi Veterinary Practice Act, which updates the vet-client-patient relationship definition, adds a public member and a certified veterinary technician to the board, removes some fees, and adds title protection for certified veterinary technicians. Witnesses said the changes were meant to support the profession and keep more graduates in-state. The bill passed after questions about the certification’s scope. House Bill 612, authorizing intergovernmental agreements and involving Coast Guard training and installation support services, was tabled subject to call after members said they needed more explanation. Finally, House Bill 1152, the Right to Try the Medical Cannabis Act, was considered. The bill creates a process for patients with chronic, progressive, severely disabling, or terminal illnesses not already covered by the medical cannabis statute to petition the Department of Health for access, with the treating physician initiating the request. An amendment was adopted to clarify that out-of-state patients receiving care in Mississippi are not excluded if they meet the same process and standards. Members then debated unclear language near the end of the bill about which provisions control in case of conflict; the sponsor said the new right-to-try provisions would govern for the covered patients. The discussion continued with examples of conditions that might qualify, such as non-malignant chronic pain syndromes, and the bill remained under consideration as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• when a district must count a student in attendance, and that's each day that the student receives supervision
• student<00:03:48.319> receives day that the student receives day that the student receives supervision
• ,<00:03:49.280> instruction<00:03:49.920> or<00:03:50.480> services supervision,
• instruction or services supervision, instruction or services from<00:03:51.200> the<00:03:51.440

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill ensures that misdemeanor offenders who are using controlled substances remain supervised a
• little bit longer than they're currently allowed to be supervised for second-degree misdemeanors.
• This bill ensures that misdemeanor offenders who are using controlled substances remain supervised a
• little bit longer than they're currently allowed to be supervised for second-degree misdemeanors.

Summary: The Committee on Rules met with a quorum and heard extensive debate on SB 734, which would repeal Florida’s wrongful-death medical malpractice exception that bars certain adult children and parents from recovering noneconomic damages. Senator Yarborough presented the bill as a fairness and accountability measure, while many family members testified in support, describing deaths they believed were caused by medical negligence and arguing the current law denies equal justice. Opponents, including physician and insurer representatives, warned the bill could increase malpractice exposure, premiums, defensive medicine, and physician shortages. The committee also considered two late-filed amendments: Senator Burton’s amendment would make Department of Health investigative findings admissible in court, and Senator Martin’s amendment to that amendment would broaden admissibility/discoverability to additional disciplinary and prior-adverse-incident records and insurance coverage facts. After debate, the Martin amendment was adopted, but the Burton amendment as amended failed on a roll call vote. The committee then reported SB 734 favorably without the amendment. The committee next unanimously reported CS for SB 86 favorably. That bill, by Senator Burgess, expands peer support protections for first responders to include support personnel; there was little debate and several law-enforcement-related organizations indicated support. The committee also took up SB 316 on series limited liability companies. Senator Berman explained that the bill creates rules for series LLCs in Florida, and a late-filed amendment, requested by the Secretary of State, delayed implementation by one year. The amendment was adopted and the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee considered CS for CS for SB 384, which requires municipalities seeking to annex state-owned land to notify the relevant county legislative delegation when the first public hearing is advertised. Senator Burton presented the bill briefly, there was no opposition or debate, and the committee proceeded to vote on the measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• unless the supervision is a primary job duty of that administrator.
• time for supervision of a lunchroom<00:51:40.839> can't<00:51:41.079> be<00:51:41.240>
• can't be tied to this supervision can't be tied to this account<00:51:44.319> unless<00:51:44.680
• > the<00:51:44.880> supervision<00:51:45.440> is<00:51:45.599> a account
• unless the supervision is a account unless the supervision is a primary<00:51:46.440> job<00:51

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• When providers are encouraged and supported to become licensed, children benefit from regulated supervision
• So I was a Deputy Attorney General for a period of time, and one of the departments I supervised was
• And one of the departments I supervised was a utility division of the Attorney General's Office.

Bills: HB303, SB96, HM6

Keywords: public utility, certificate of public convenience and necessity, certificate of need, Public Regulation Commission, PRC, utility regulation, ratemaking, energy storage, battery storage, grid reliability, renewable energy, transmission, distribution, generation plant, utility expansion, service territory, mutual domestic water consumer association, economic development department, clean energy, fossil fuel reduction

Transcript Highlights:

• concerns we heard about the lack of safety of having dangerous people in the community not properly supervised
• Um, and they sometimes go out without any supervision, but at most one person.
• of hard labor for the serious offenses and were confident in the abilities of the DOC to properly supervise

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• also usually include both individual and/or group therapy treatments, other types of programming, supervision
• that provides mental health services to the respondent, and a qualified professional who either supervises
• or treats the respondent for a mental disorder or has supervised or treated the person within the last

Transcript Highlights:

• In short, problem-solving courts combine intensive judicial supervision with evidence-based treatment
• So yes, there is judicial supervision.
• Yes, there are sanctions, So yes, there is judicial supervision.

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met with a quorum present and heard several Office of the State Courts Administrator presentations. Judge Mark Mahan discussed the impact of 2023’s HB 837 litigation reforms on court operations, explaining that the law’s changes to comparative negligence, filing deadlines, collateral source evidence, premises liability, bad faith claims, attorney’s fees, and offer-of-judgment rules triggered a major March 2023 civil filing surge. He described how filings tripled statewide, with especially large increases in auto negligence and premises liability cases, and outlined how circuits responded through active case management, added resources, and workflow changes. Members asked whether the bill’s immediate effective date contributed to the surge and whether clearance rates would normalize over time; Judge Mahan said the court system viewed its response as a success and expected rates to settle as the backlog is worked through. The committee then received a presentation on problem-solving courts from Jennifer Grandal and Judge Nina Richardson. Grandal reviewed Florida’s drug courts, mental health courts, veterans courts, dependency and early childhood courts, noting statewide best-practice standards, annual reporting requirements, funding sources, and data collection systems. Judge Richardson gave a local perspective on treatment courts, emphasizing that they address underlying mental health and substance use issues, rely on judicial supervision and sanctions as well as incentives, and help participants achieve recovery and avoid reoffending. She said the programs are accountable, transparent, and effective, and thanked the Legislature for continued support. Finally, Judge Rachel Nordby and Eric McClure outlined the judicial branch’s legislative agenda. Nordby summarized the Supreme Court workgroup’s recommendations to expand Florida’s vexatious litigant law, including broader coverage, fewer qualifying adverse cases, a longer lookback period, and a public records exemption for stricken defamatory or sham material. McClure then highlighted additional agenda items: modernizing the duty-judge statute, expanding senior management retirement eligibility, authorizing additional judgeships based on workload studies, removing the statutory cap on court-ordered nonbinding arbitration compensation, protecting appellate clerks’ personal information, allowing alternative authentication for certain judicial notarizations, and creating a hearsay exception for guardian ad litem reports and testimony. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after member introductions and staff introductions.