Transcript Highlights:

• I also serve in Faith in Florida, protecting democracy.
• Generations from now, it will be said that when the moment came to write a grave injustice, this body
• Specifically, this bill expands eligibility for certain military service leave protections to include
• It expands eligibility for certain leave protections to include public officials... Guard.
• We protect emergency rooms.

Bills: S0330 , S0474 , S0694 , S1120 , S1216 , S1366 , S1442 , S7018

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Keywords: firefighter disability, law enforcement disability, correctional officer disability, correctional probation officer, presumptive disability, workers' compensation, line of duty presumption, heart disease presumption, hypertension presumption, tuberculosis presumption, public safety employees, first responders, physical examination, preemployment exam, medical specialist, Medicare reimbursement, employing agency, Florida Statutes 112.18, Florida Statutes 943.13, occupational disease

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think that when someone is gravely injured like that, they shouldn't have that penalty, so I hope
• </c> like carbon fee and dividend to protect like carbon fee and dividend to protect New<04:42:09.840
• </c><04:56:29.680><c> and</c><04:56:29.840><c> building</c> fire protection and building fire protection
• They're taking what they can find, so it ends up being consumer protection, especially for residents,
• They're taking what they can find, so it ends up being consumer protection, especially for residents,

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 216, which Representative Carol Maguire described as a fix to a workers’ compensation/retirement “glitch.” The bill would remove the current limit that only one year of workers’ compensation time can be credited as retirement service time. Maguire argued the limit is arbitrary and affects only a very small number of grievously injured workers, while committee members asked about the fiscal impact, available data, and whether the change could affect workers’ compensation rates or incentives. Mark Kavar of the New Hampshire Retirement System said Labor could not provide data on how many people exceed a year on weekly indemnity benefits, so the fiscal note used a conservative estimate that could be scaled down; he also explained that workers’ comp is not earnable compensation, which is why service credit stops after a year, and noted that many long-term cases move into disability retirement or lump-sum settlements. The committee closed the hearing, entered executive session, and voted ought to pass on HB 216 by a 13-0 roll call, sending it to consent and noting it would also go to Finance. The committee then acted on House Bill 85, adopting Amendment 0037 and then voting ought to pass as amended by another 13-0 roll call. The bill was described as allowing second-year respiratory therapy students to work under supervision using the skills they have already learned, with support from the Hospital Association and no opposition noted. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 267, the animal chiropractors bill. Members said the bill had been approved previously but was vetoed because of a defect; the problem has now been corrected, and the bill is intended to reduce delays caused by requiring veterinary referrals before chiropractors can treat animals. The committee voted ought to pass 13-0 and placed the bill on consent.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill also contains protections from biases in evaluations, as the identities of bidders are not revealed
• Good afternoon, Alex Graves, on behalf of the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities
• I think that comes from us both being concerned with protecting Prop 98 funds.
• budget conversation here, and this is a policy space, but of course I am always concerned about protecting

Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee heard several Senate measures focused on community college procurement, higher education access, and student support. SB 1154 by Senator Reyes would allow community college districts to use best-value procurement for public works projects over $1 million. Supporters, including San Bernardino Valley College, the San Bernardino Community College District, labor groups, and several districts, said it would improve delivery of complex facilities and align community colleges with other education systems. Opponents, including the Associated General Contractors, argued the bill’s skilled-and-trained workforce requirements and labor-compliance scoring would narrow the bidder pool and raise costs. The committee passed the bill to the Assembly Floor on a due-pass vote, with some members voting no or not recorded. SB 1255, also by Senator Reyes, would create a California Hispanic-serving institution designation. Supporters from HACU, the CSU Chancellor’s Office, UC, community colleges, and other education organizations said the designation would recognize campuses that serve large numbers of Latino and low-income students and strengthen accountability and student success. The committee approved the bill as amended and re-referred it to Appropriations, with one no vote. SB 1328, presented on behalf of Senator Cervantes, would require LGBTQ+ points of contact at satellite or branch campuses of CSU and community colleges, either through designated staff or regular office hours. Testimony emphasized gaps in access at remote centers and the need for confidential support; one member raised concerns about staffing, costs, and whether existing systems could meet the need remotely. The bill was passed as amended and sent to Appropriations. The committee also considered SB 960 by Senator Cabaldon, which would expand the circumstances under which community colleges could offer bachelor’s degrees in response to unmet workforce needs, especially where CSU programs are impacted or not realistically accessible locally. Supporters said the bill would help meet workforce demand and expand access for place-bound and adult learners. CSU and faculty representatives opposed unless amended, urging stronger partnership requirements, clearer workforce-need standards, and safeguards around duplication and Prop 98 funding. Members discussed impaction, regional access, and the role of partnerships; the bill was passed as amended and re-referred to Appropriations. Finally, SB 632 by Senator Otagan would extend the California College Promise fee waiver to part-time community college students enrolled in nine units. Supporters said many students cannot attend full time because of work, caregiving, and living costs, and the bill would better reflect student realities; the transcript ends during testimony on this measure, before any vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill also contains protections from biases in evaluations, as the identities of bidders are not revealed
• Good afternoon, Alex Graves, on behalf of the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities
• I think that comes from us both being concerned with protecting Prop 98 funds.
• budget conversation here, and this is a policy space, but of course I am always concerned about protecting

Committee: House Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:

• investments ensure resilient supply chains, boost exports, lower consumer costs, and most importantly, protect
• I have grave concerns about China's global infrastructure investments and any cyber threats to the U.S
• because I thought you had a really poignant point in your written testimony, where you said, "We must protect
• follow-up: If the U.S. took control back of the canal, that territory would be completely controlled and protected

Committee: Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you value the lives that they... protect?
• Last year, we realized that we could no longer protect him.
• For context, we know that this is what puts people in an early grave.
• We are asking for parity protections for their residents.
• Graves. Thanks for being here. And what is your name?

Bills: SB1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:42:33.359><c> our</c> together in this body to protect our together in this body to protect our
• And please to protect our residents.
• ><c> American</c> process exists to protect American process exists to protect American citizens,<01:
• :05:11.119><c> us</c><01:05:11.520><c> from</c> citizens, to protect all of us from citizens, to protect
• </c><02:11:51.840><c> our</c> for to save libraries, protected our for to save libraries, protected our

Bills: HCR39 , HR275 , HR875

Keywords: social work, mental health, community health, social justice, addiction support, veteran assistance, child welfare, disability rights, intellectual disabilities, inclusion, The Arc, community support

Transcript Highlights:

• Snyder in 1957, after we lost over 500 lives that perished in Hurricane Audrey, penned a prayer for protection
• I want to thank Representative Cox for working with me and ensuring that he gave adequate protection
• And what can we start doing upstream that would protect children from coming into the river?
• I just guess there is a concern, there's a grave concern that I have.
• And I think it protects us. On this, I think, again, I've talked to the secretary.

Bills: HB410 , HR310 , HR314 , HR316 , HR317 , HR321 , HR275 , HR276 , HR279 , HR282 , HR286 , HR289 , HR292 , HR295 , HR302 , HR319 , HR307 , HR273 , SCR59 , SCR61 , SCR62 , SCR68 , SCR69 , SCR70 , SCR54 , SCR55 , SCR64 , SCR75 , HCR32 , HB776 , HB42 , HB119 , HB159 , HB302 , HB1017 , HB1028 , SB217 , SB283 , HB953 , SB208 , HR74 , HB998 , HB901 , HR20 , 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 , SB82 , SB89 , SB97 , SB123 , SB237 , HB36 , HB74 , HB75 , HB258 , HB259 , HB414 , HB459 , HB784 , HB848 , HB956 , HB1095 , HB1220 , HB1252 , SB469 , SB479

Keywords: oil and gas, orphan wells, inactive wells, shut-in wells, marginal wells, plugging and abandonment, well decommissioning, site remediation, site restoration, Oilfield Site Restoration, OSR program, financial security, bonding, taxpayer liability, public liability, offshore wells, onshore wells, coastal erosion, Department of Conservation and Energy, natural resources

Transcript Highlights:

• We have grave concerns that this vision is now being undermined by several different dimensions of poor
• I think that there’s a grave concern about engagement and accountability in rulemaking and in various
• I think that waiting for this second I think that there's<01:35:04.119><c> a</c><01:35:04.360><c> grave
• <01:35:04.840><c> concern</c><01:35:05.719><c> about</c><01:35:06.040><c> engagement</c> there's a grave
• concern about engagement there's a grave concern about engagement and<01:35:07.000><c> accountability

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• I also serve in Faith in Florida, protecting democracy.
• Generations from now, it will be said that when the moment came to write a grave injustice, this body
• Specifically, this bill expands eligibility for certain military service leave protections to include
• It expands eligibility for certain leave protections to include public officials, Guard.
• We protect emergency rooms.

Bills: S0330 , S0474 , S0694 , S1120 , S1216 , S1366 , S1442 , S7018

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several bills, beginning with SB 694 on compensation for the descendants of the Groveland Four. Senator Bracey Davis described the wrongful accusations, convictions, deaths, and long-term harm to the families, and an amendment added a $4 million appropriation and updated the recipient for Ernest Thomas’s family. Multiple family members, advocates, clergy, and supporters testified in favor, emphasizing the decades-long delay in justice and the need for accountability and repair. Senators from both parties spoke in support, and the committee reported the bill favorably after a roll call vote. The committee then approved SB 330 on disability provisions for firefighters, law enforcement, and correctional officers; SB 474 on military affairs leave and related benefits; and SB 96 on the Veterans Dental Care Grant Program. SB 96 drew the most discussion, with Senator Sharief explaining that the bill raises eligibility to 400% of the federal poverty level and moves $500,000 in recurring funding to the General Appropriations Act. Senator Wright and Senator Harrell raised concerns about whether expanding eligibility could worsen the existing waitlist, while supporters argued the change would help more veterans access needed dental care. The bill was ultimately reported favorably. The committee also passed SB 7018 on child welfare, making the Step Into Success pilot program permanent and statewide, adjusting visitor/background-check rules for foster homes, and creating a best-practices program through the Florida Institute for Child Welfare. SB 480 on information technology was reported favorably after amendments creating a central IT governance structure under the Governor’s office, adding vendor performance metrics and a preferred vendor list, and restoring criminal justice information security provisions. SB 1066 on the Ocklawaha River and Rodman Dam also advanced after extensive testimony from supporters and historians about partial restoration, recreation, and economic benefits; the sponsor said he would continue working through permitting questions before floor consideration. Later, the committee approved SB 1216 on educator compensation, which gives districts more flexibility on cost-of-living adjustments, advanced degrees, and performance pay caps, and SB 1120 on water management district oversight and reporting. The committee also reported favorably SB 1366 on sovereign immunity and claims against government, which would raise damages caps, index them to CPI, shorten claim deadlines, and cap attorney fees at 25%. That bill drew testimony from hospitals, cities, counties, school districts, and others, with some supporting the Senate’s compromise approach and others raising concerns about impacts on self-insured law enforcement agencies and attorney incentives. The meeting concluded with the favorable report on the bill after debate continued over those issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Green Amendment is a tool to protect it.
• That constitutional provision protects the environment and protects human health.
• Yet if the protections associated with protecting these horses and our environments were not in place
• They have the fundamental right to execute their protections and to ensure that they're being protected
• And again, it would really protect the county or whoever permitted it. protect the county or whoever

Committee: House House Energy, Environment & Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> protect children in schools, to protect protect children in schools, to protect violence<01:08:36.880
• </c> extreme risk protection orders. extreme risk protection orders.
• </c> protecting our public. protecting our public.
• How do we protect those our families? How do we protect those kids? kids? kids?
• </c> of other people protect our kids. of other people protect our kids.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're trying to protect kids, another bill to protect kids. What's happening to our kids?
• And we're calling it child protection, but there's there is no child protection for those kids.
• It's going to protect some kids, but this is not going to protect all kids.
• And I think that's how we protect kids: the parents will protect them.
• And I think that's how we protect kids is the parents will protect them.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think, again, all of the environmental protections are already in place to me.
• </c><00:47:52.920><c> the</c> permitting again to protect the permitting again to protect the environment
• So there are lots of protections that are in place.
• So there are lots of protections that are in place.
• There are lots of protections that are in place.

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Transcript Highlights:

• I understand the good Representative Kaler's wanting to protect parental rights, wanting to protect parental
• We're protecting children here.
• They protect children going through cancer treatment.
• Removing those protections does not expand freedom.
• For the safety of all Idaho children and to protect those who cannot protect themselves, we respectfully

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• Under this bill, we would be repealing felony protections that exist today to protect Hawaii’s keiki.
• today to protect Hawaii’s keiki.
• Those protections already programs. Those protections already exist. exist. exist.
• </c> and not much and we're not protecting and not much and we're not protecting our<01:45:28.760><c>
• </c> case process that typically protects case process that typically protects consumers. consumers.

Transcript Highlights:

• And there are safety protections.
• There are protections against that, but there are not protections in place for what we consider in the
• There is a need for protective measures in these communities.
• Texas, of course, has a long history of protecting such exemptions.
• So, I mean, there's lots of protections on that piece.

Bills: SB227 , SB269 , SB407 , SB463 , SB527 , SB547 , SB1283 , SB1380 , SB1383 , SB1511 , SB1640 , SB1784 , SB2069

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Evaluating the proposed and actual performance of projects using a cradle-to-grave life cycle analysis
• We're a coalition of local governments in King County working to protect people and the environment from
• day and sees firsthand what works, what doesn't, and what rural communities need to successfully protect
• Yet protecting human and environmental health is equally critical for us.
• And it's going to protect the consumer's health.

Summary: The committee held an interim work session focused first on carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration (CCUS), then on hazardous waste and extended producer responsibility (EPR). On the CCUS topic, industry and nonprofit presenters described point-source capture, direct air capture, mineralization, and geologic sequestration, emphasizing Washington’s basalt formations and state trust lands as strong candidates for storage. They argued that CCUS can help hard-to-abate industrial sectors, support jobs and investment, and provide a pathway for compliance, while also noting the need for clearer permitting, subsurface rights, pipeline authority, and storage infrastructure. Ecology and Commerce staff explained current state policy touchpoints, including Cap-and-Invest offsets and exemptions for permanently stored CO2, the public comment process underway to define “thousand-year” permanence, and how CCUS might fit within the Clean Energy Transformation Act without counting emitting generation as non-emitting. Some presenters supported more state action and primacy over federal permitting, while others warned about costs, energy use, uncertain capture performance, and the need to ensure real net greenhouse gas reductions and long-term liability protections. Members asked about public meetings, whether mineralized carbon would qualify as exempt under the Climate Commitment Act, the timeline for Ecology guidance, aquifer and water-quality concerns, energy intensity of capture systems, and liability if storage later proves problematic. Responses said Ecology’s guidance process is already underway, public meetings will be virtual, mineralized carbon would likely qualify if it meets the permanence standard, and EPA rules require storage in deep saline formations below drinking water aquifers. Industry speakers said capture energy use varies by source and concentration, and one presenter noted that some states use trust funds funded by injectors to address long-term liability. The second half of the session shifted to hazardous waste and EPR. Ecology staff reviewed existing product stewardship programs for electronics, paint, batteries, and mercury lights, and described moderate risk waste and household hazardous waste management in Washington. They highlighted that E-Cycle and PaintCare are producer-funded, that the battery stewardship program will begin in 2027, and that the mercury lamp program is in transition after its prior stewardship organization exited, prompting enforcement notices and a pending replacement plan. Ecology recommended best practices for future EPR programs, including clear producer and product definitions, full producer funding, convenience standards, annual reporting, and strong agency enforcement and plan approval authority. Local government speakers from King County and Douglas County described rising collection costs, equity and access barriers, rural travel distances, and the need for stable funding and flexible local implementation. King County said it collected over 3 million pounds of hazardous products in 2025 and supports EPR as a way to shift costs from ratepayers to producers, while Douglas County emphasized that rural residents will participate when services are accessible and that future systems should account for geography and local infrastructure.

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't believe that they will actually really do enough to protect the children. Yeah.
• </c><00:50:04.160><c> the</c> actually really do enough to protect the actually really do enough to protect
• Do you know if there are protect us.
• </c><00:55:31.680><c> to</c> protecting against these harms. Dr. to protecting against these harms.
• :52.880><c> 13</c><04:05:53.600><c> through</c> grave concerns in line 13 through grave concerns in line

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:35:50.880><c> Graves.
• Graves. Please state your name for the record and begin your testimony.
• My name is Bentley Graves. I'm with the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.
• </c><00:37:16.560><c> Minnesota</c> urged quick action to protect Minnesota urged quick action to protect
• has been to protect patient and doctor<00:49:34.240><c> freedom.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services