Transcript Highlights:

• It delivers multiple benefits at once: healthier ecosystems, safer roads, more efficient use of public
• When we build roads through these natural corridors, we don't just get animal-vehicle collisions, we
• Wildlife-vehicle collisions are a preventable safety problem on California's roads.
• The issue was around local roads.
• The Building Industry Association predominantly is going to be showing up around local roads.

Summary: The committee heard SB 1393, an omnibus update to the Fish and Game Code covering steelhead trout and Dungeness crab management. Supporters from The Nature Conservancy, Trout Unlimited, CalTrout, and the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations said the bill would strengthen the steelhead report card program, refine crab fishery rules, and clarify vessel transit through closed crab areas. There was no opposition, and the bill was accepted with amendments and moved on a 4-0 vote to the Appropriations Committee. The committee also heard SB 1250, which would require Caltrans to incorporate wildlife connectivity into transportation planning and asset management, with performance targets and coordination with wildlife agencies. The author and supporters argued it would improve ecosystem connectivity, reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions, and save money by integrating crossings, culverts, and fencing into planned projects. The California Building Industry Association moved to neutral after amendments clarifying the bill would apply to transportation rights-of-way and not create exactions on private property. The bill passed 4-0 to Appropriations. Members then considered SB 1212, which would repeal California’s ban on importing and selling kangaroo products. The author argued kangaroo harvest in Australia is tightly regulated and that California’s ban is outdated, while opponents from Humane World for Animals, Animal Legal Defense Fund, and others said the bill would reopen the market to products from a cruel commercial slaughter industry and undermine long-standing wildlife protections. No motion was taken at that point. The committee also heard SB 1268, codifying the Outdoors for All initiative, which supporters said would protect and expand equitable access to parks and outdoor recreation; it advanced 3-0. Finally, the committee heard three Western Joshua Tree bills from Senator Arreguín: SB 1061, SB 1062, and SB 1063. Supporters from water agencies, local governments, and industry said the bills would reduce fees and streamline permitting for tree relocation, public infrastructure, and basic utility hookups in desert communities. Opponents withdrew or softened opposition on the first two bills after amendments, but objected to SB 1063 as too broad. SB 1061 and SB 1062 each passed 2-0 to Appropriations, while SB 1063 was still under discussion at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• It delivers multiple benefits at once: healthier ecosystems, safer roads, more efficient use of public
• When we build roads through these natural corridors, we don't just get animal-vehicle collisions; we
• Wildlife-vehicle collisions are a preventable safety problem on California's roads.
• The issue was around local roads.
• The Building Industry Association predominantly is going to be showing up around local roads.

Committee: Senate Natural Resources and Water

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• bill or let the other bill that came out of another committee go forward. ...roads.
• There's a half-cent sales tax intended to pay for some road projects.
• There's a half-cent sales tax intended to pay for some road projects.
• Is there an income cap to use public roads? Mr. Palomino: Chair, Representative Keper, no.
• Is there an income cap to use public roads? Mr. Palmino. Chair, Representative Keper, no.

Committee: House House Ways & Means Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 2290, which would clarify transaction privilege tax sourcing rules for tangible personal property by specifying that servers are not used to determine where an order is received and by defining business location. The sponsor and supporters argued the bill simply codifies existing origin-based treatment for Arizona businesses and provides certainty, while the League of Arizona Cities and Towns and ATRA warned it would shift revenue, create compliance problems, and potentially subject businesses to multiple tax rates depending on distribution or pickup locations. The Department of Revenue said it was neutral, noted a 2023 draft ruling had reflected a legal analysis of the issue but was never finalized, and said the bill would address a real need for clarity. After extensive debate over examples involving feed stores, Target, pizza delivery, and online orders, the committee voted 5-3 with one absent to return HB 2290 with a do pass recommendation. The committee then heard House Bill 2373, which would add a space on the individual income tax return for taxpayers to voluntarily contribute part of a refund to the Veterans Donations Fund or Veterans Service Organization Fund. The sponsor and a veterans policy advocate said the measure would give taxpayers a simple way to support veterans organizations, with examples from Colorado and local veterans projects. The bill passed unanimously, 8-0 with one absent, and was returned with a do pass recommendation. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 2143, a technical PSPRS measure that would limit the 5% ownership cap to publicly traded corporations. PSPRS representatives said the change would align the statute with its intended purpose, reduce unnecessary workarounds and legal costs, and preserve broader investment flexibility while maintaining other risk controls. Members discussed how the cap compares with ASRS and other retirement systems, and the bill was still under discussion at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• On his return, he drove on the wrong side of the road.
• I've stood on the side of the road and witnessed the devastation firsthand.
• Mills Road safer, Jefferson County safer.
• Ignition interlock devices make the road safer for everyone.
• We ended up going down many, many dirt roads. I ended up getting dusted out.

Committee: House Crime and Public Safety

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we have a one-lane road going up from St. Louis to Minneapolis.
• And these are the type of things that I'm looking down the road.
• So for transport, that's the holy trinity: road, river, rail.
• We have 12 communities along that stretch of road who are already sitting there.
• The bad roads, well, that's MoDOT, different day, different conversation.

Summary: The House Budget Committee heard the Department of Economic Development’s fiscal year 2027 budget presentation, beginning with Director Michelle Hadaway and division leaders. The department emphasized that most of its budget is federally funded and walked through requests for regional engagement, international trade and investment offices, business recruitment and marketing, Delta Regional Authority dues, business and community solutions, tax increment financing, MODESA, DRPP, CDBG, disaster recovery, Missouri Main Street, AmeriCorps, Missouri One Start, the Missouri Technology Corporation, semiconductor and API reshoring efforts, SSBCI, and other economic development items. Members repeatedly asked about lapses, one-time appropriations, whether general revenue could be reduced or replaced with other funds, and how the department prioritizes federal and other non-GR sources. Several members also praised regional engagement, Missouri Partnership, and rural economic development efforts. A major portion of the discussion focused on specific one-time or performance-based projects. Members questioned the large GR transfer for TIFs and MODESA, the use of funds for the Urban League plaza renovation, the Northeast Missouri housing fund, the Highway MM corridor, and the Missouri Technology Corporation. Department witnesses explained that many of these amounts are based on projected performance or are tied to multi-year obligations, and that some unspent balances reflect project timing, federal reimbursement timing, or delayed construction. The committee also discussed the Missouri Main Street program, with staff explaining it supports both new and existing Main Street communities and can be adapted for county-wide models. The committee spent significant time on workforce and innovation programs. Missouri One Start described its customized training and upskilling programs, including a statutory fund switch to align with existing law, while members asked for more data on participation and impact. Missouri Technology Corporation explained that reduced funding last year limited some entrepreneur-support programs, and that its venture fund has leveraged state dollars into private capital and jobs. Members also discussed the API reshoring item and semiconductor funding, asking what the money would do, what companies would benefit, and how much federal leverage the state could expect. Witnesses said the API request supports a nonprofit center working with existing Missouri companies to reshore pharmaceutical production, while the semiconductor item is tied to federal matching opportunities that have moved slowly. The committee did not take final action on the budget during the portion of the hearing provided. The chair recessed the committee to go to session, stating that the hearing would resume afterward and that public testimony on House Bill 2007 would follow completion of the department presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Unless it was a county road. Well, the county road is public.
• Like, if I'm going to run out on the side of the road, even then, they come back late sometimes.
• at Nameless on Nameless Road at the low water crossing but never went to work.
• We are still sitting with debris on the side of the road for over two weeks now, sir.
• They were on the road to recovery the same day, largely because of that extended network.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What I'm sharing with you today is our 2024-25 road map.
• </c> sharing with you today is our 2425 road sharing with you today is our 2425 road map<00:13:26.279
• </c> um I'll stop there before I go into road um I'll stop there before I go into road mapap<00:18:50.000
• This is a 2024-25 road map.
• </c><00:24:57.120><c> map</c> uh two years this is a 2425 road map uh two years this is a 2425 road map

Committee: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There are a few bills that come across my desk that take me down some of the dirt roads where I've met
• Your car is now in a salvage yard, and you live down one of those dirt roads.
• And regardless of whether you live down that dirt road or you're in a city, we know, Mr.
• Having to get yourself, whether, again, you're in a city or you live down a dirt road, to that salvage
• Again, whether you're in a city or you live down a dirt road, getting yourself to that salvage yard to

Bills: HB1160 , HB1289 , HB1339 , HB1798 , HB1065 , HB1795 , HB2107 , HB2113 , HB2124 , HB2125 , HB2133 , HB2134 , HB2140 , HB2185 , HB2191 , HB2205 , HB2211 , HB2219 , HB2245 , HB2253 , HB2283 , HB2343 , HB2406 , HB2501 , HB2531 , HB2574 , HB1170 , HB1544 , HB1834 , HB2156 , HB2188 , HB2206 , HB2360 , HB2471 , HB2478 , HB2525 , HB2605 , HJM4012 , HB1104 , HB1152 , HB1254 , HB1443 , HB1710 , HB1750 , HB1903 , HB1941 , HB1974 , HB1982 , HB1983 , HB2006 , HB2034 , HB2105 , HB2179 , HB2203 , HB2215 , HB2223 , HB2239 , HB2247 , HB2297 , HB2303 , HB2322 , HB2329 , HB2334 , HB2338 , HB2345 , HB2348 , HB2350 , HB2353 , HB2355 , HB2363 , HB2367 , HB2379 , HB2388 , HB2399 , HB2418 , HB2420 , HB2428 , HB2441 , HB2462 , HB2464 , HB2467 , HB2495 , HB2505 , HB2534 , HB2539 , HB2544 , HB2551 , HB2554 , HB2557 , HB2575 , HB2577 , HB2588 , HB2594 , HB2604 , HB2636 , HB2714

Keywords: design review, local government, land use, zoning, project permits, housing density, middle housing, affordable housing, parking minimums, single-family zoning, infill development, growth management, comprehensive plan, permit streamlining, objective development regulations, architectural review, administrative review, transit-oriented development, accessory dwelling units, ADU

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, recited the Pledge of Allegiance, and heard a prayer before approving the previous day’s minutes and taking caucus breaks. Members were reminded that the three-minute rule for debate had begun and would remain in effect through House of Origin cutoff. The chamber then moved through second- and third-reading action on a series of bills, mostly on capital, consumer, labor, and professional licensure topics. Several bills were advanced and passed with broad or unanimous support. House Bill 2338 would expand low-income weatherization work to community-scale and multifamily projects; House Bill 2353 raises the threshold for requiring pre-design on public projects; Substitute House Bill 2363 allows music therapy students to practice under supervision while exam scores are pending; Substitute House Bill 2525 creates a Heritage Orchard Program to preserve rare apple varieties; Substitute House Bill 2420 increases small works roster thresholds; Substitute House Bill 2428 prevents unintended lapses in life insurance by allowing a third-party designee to help maintain coverage; House Bill 2604 allows electronic signatures for transferring a vehicle to an insurer; and Substitute House Bill 2107 makes permanent a requirement that L&I provide written notice to employers/contractors when hazards are identified. Each of these bills passed by large margins, generally 94 yeas and no nays, except HB 2338, which passed 93-1. The House also adopted Amendment 1517 to Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2247, a striker that revised the veterinary client-patient relationship bill to require annual veterinarian visits for certain animal production, commercial, and breeding operations and to align the measure with federal law. Supporters said it would allow veterinarians to use telehealth between physical exam visits and improve access for rural and agricultural communities. After the amendment, the bill passed 94-0. The session ended with more caucus announcements and the House at ease.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, I do want to highlight the board's road shifting.
• Highlight the board's road shifting from Decision Road to an oversight, and also with the veterans assistance
• That's the road he was given while he was on the Navy hospital ship.
• The road he was given while he was on that Navy ship recuperating led him to donate a fantastic helmet

Bills: SB67 , HB295 , SB104

Committee: House Military and Veterans Affairs

Keywords: veterans affairs, Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs, State Board of Veterans Affairs, commissioner, Governor appointment, oversight board, veterans services, veterans benefits, state veterans homes, veterans cemeteries, Alabama Veterans Home Trust Fund, veteran service officers, district managers, assistant commissioners, county veterans offices, military veterans, disabled veterans, elderly veterans, veterans organizations, American Legion

Transcript Highlights:

• have a woman get the multiplier and have to go to prison because she was afraid to stop on a dirt road
• House Bill 113 will make our roads safer, We'll make sure that that's there. So thank you.
• House Bill 113 will make our roads safer, House Bill 113 will make our roads safer, not only for our
• I believe the time now is to pass this bill and increase road safety for all Floridians, and I hope that

Summary: The Criminal Justice Subcommittee met with a quorum and considered three bills. HB 91, by Reps. Rayner and Jacques, would align probation rules for certain misdemeanor reckless driving cases involving controlled substances with existing DUI law, allowing up to 12 months of probation in those cases. The bill was described as a technical “glitch” fix and as supporting both accountability and treatment; it drew one supportive public appearance and passed 17-0, reported favorably. HB 113, by Rep. Chamberlin, sought to increase penalties for fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement. Members raised concerns about unmarked vehicles, jurisdictional markings, and whether the bill could apply to drivers who slow down or stop for safety reasons when unsure a vehicle is police. Chamberlin said he was open to clarifying language and other amendments. A strike-all amendment was adopted that increased the penalty for fleeing in a patrol vehicle with lights and sirens from a third-degree to a second-degree felony, revised offense severity rankings, and added a 1.5 sentencing multiplier for second or subsequent offenses. The amended bill received supportive public testimony and passed 16-1, with Rep. Hart voting no, and was reported favorably as amended. HB 195, by Rep. Chambliss, would require the Department of Corrections to coordinate with professional boards under DBPR so inmates completing classes tied to licensure can receive credit toward those licenses after release. Supporters said the bill would help rehabilitation, reduce recidivism, and give returning citizens a better path to employment. The bill had no amendments, received supportive public testimony, and passed unanimously 17-0, reported favorably. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> restricted funds, federal funds, road restricted funds, federal funds, road funds,<00:15:59.800>
• And the prioritization... years down the road. But we also look at years down the road.
• US 60, two-lane road, it's pretty tight through there.
• They can't build roads.
• Um so, that's where, you know, roads.

Committee: Joint Appropriations & Revenue

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Budget Process 00:02:28 Allotment Process 00:10:30 School Facilities Construction Commission 00:29:10 Role of KDE in School Facilities Funding 00:47:00 Kentucky School Boards Association 01:13:25 Elementary and Secondary School Construction 01:20:40 Perkins V Funding 01:35:32, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> counties and we have some road counties and we have some road authorities<01:39:11.040><c> that<
• And then moving down to local roads.
• </c> authorization for state road authorization for state road construction.<01:50:07.199><c> That's<
• Uh let's see under county state roads.
• </c> fund to the new local government road fund to the new local government road funding<01:57:40.239

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If you think about a road, there are lots of components of the road that contain aggregate, but most
• a road there's three components<00:57:40.839><c> of</c><00:57:41.000><c> the</c><00:57:41.160><c> road
• 43.960><c> that</c> lots of components of the road that lots of components of the road that contain<00
• </c> Aggregates a foundation of our roads Aggregates a foundation of our roads without<01:04:13.599><
• </c> reinvested where they're needed on roads reinvested where they're needed on roads highways<01:04

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Drivers like this don't belong on our roads. Driving is a privilege, not a right.
• </c> let's work together to make our roads let's work together to make our roads safer<01:05:54.119><
• The state laws should be stricter and get these people off the roads and keep them off the roads.
• Stricter and get these people off the roads and keep them off the roads.
• </c> who are habitually a menace on the roads who are habitually a menace on the roads knowingly<01:28

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Fiscal Bureau, the next item on the agenda is the DOA request for the Rimrock Road parcel.
• requesting to purchase the portion of the parcel for $35,400, which it intends to use as part of a road
• ... ...the portion of the parcel for $35,400, which it intends to use as part of a road safety and improvement
• project from Rimrock Road to John Nolan Drive.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Finance

Keywords: 970, all

Transcript Highlights:

• clearly and vividly on a hot summer day without one single cloud in the sky, driving down a gravel road
• by the City of Rocks, and all of a sudden I saw about a thousand inches of water crossing the road,
• It's up there about three miles from the end of the road, and they dozed that.
• It's up there about three miles from the end of the road, and they dozed that.

Committee: House Resources and Conservation

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You put in on Chinden, you had a new Costco, and down there they needed expanded roads.
• They needed to expand the roads. They needed to put in traffic lights.
• Say we need to put in overpasses, we need to put in expanding the roads, we need to put in more, and
• It puts the roads in for us that we need. All this does is increase that limit there.

Summary: The House Revenue and Taxation Committee met on January 20, 2026, approved the minutes from its January 14 meeting, and noted some members had trouble accessing materials on OneDrive, with hard copies to be distributed. The committee then heard RS 32920, sponsored by Representative Jason Monks, which would raise the minimum and maximum project sizes under the STARS program from $6 million to $10 million and from $35 million to $100 million. Monks described STARS as a voluntary program that lets developers front infrastructure costs for retail projects and recover part of the resulting new sales tax revenue, arguing the change reflects inflation and larger modern projects. Members asked about the existing rebate cap, how much has been rebated to date, and the fiscal impact of potentially reducing future tax revenue. Monks said the cap and repayment structure already exist in current law, that the bill only changes the project-size limits, and that the rebates apply to new revenue generated by the development rather than existing tax collections. He also said he would follow up with more information on rebate totals and on how the program interacts with highway districts and ITD, including whether engineering or related agency costs are covered. Representative Birch said he would support the motion but wanted to better understand the long-term consequences and fiscal effects. After brief debate, the committee voted by voice vote to introduce RS 32920. The chair also noted quorum was present, the secretary served silently, and there would be no Revenue and Taxation meeting the next day, with a possible meeting on Thursday pending House announcements.

Transcript Highlights:

• You put in on Chinden, you had a new Costco down there, they needed expanded roads.
• They needed to expand the roads. They needed to put in traffic lights.
• Say we need to put in overpasses, we need to put in expanding the roads, we need to put in more, and
• It puts the roads in for us that we need. All this does is increase that limit there.

Committee: House Revenue and Taxation

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so when that dam failed, the town road also failed as well.
• </c><01:20:43.520><c> minor</c> might be a loss of a town road minor might be a loss of a town road minor
• And so when that tied into a town road.
• And so um the town actually end road.
• Um and down the road it will be a it.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard testimony on House Bill 1042, which would increase the BFA contingent credit limit. State Treasurer Monica Misipelli explained that under RSA 66, state debt capacity is tied to unrestricted revenue and that guaranteed debt counts in the calculation even though it is contingent rather than direct debt. She said the state currently has about 4.2% to 4.3% debt-to-revenue ratio, about $120 million in additional capacity, and that approving the bill’s proposed increase would reduce available capacity for future state borrowing, including capital budgets. She noted the BFA has a long history of using guarantees without a state payout, but said the legislature should consider whether the full additional $250 million is needed and whether unused guarantee authorizations, such as one for the Pease Development Authority, should be reviewed in the future. Committee members asked whether guarantees have the same effect as actual debt for bonding capacity, and the treasurer confirmed that they do for purposes of the formula. Members also asked about the usual level of debt relative to the statutory 10% cap, and she said the state generally stays well below that limit. BFA Executive Director James Key Wallace then testified that the request was driven by rising project costs, inflation, and the need for more runway so the agency does not have to return to the legislature in an emergency. He said the BFA is self-supported, has never had a guarantee paid out by the state, requires collateral and reserves, and believes the appropriate range is closer to $400 million to $450 million; he also said a Senate bill would raise the limit to $400 million. He added that the BFA’s pipeline includes projects from about $15 million to $100 million and that housing availability is an important factor in business location decisions. After closing the work session on House Bill 1042, the committee opened House Bill 241, a bill on health insurance coverage for pain management services for chronic pain. Representative Dave Nagel, the prime sponsor, gave extensive background on his long career in pain medicine and said the bill is intended to improve access to non-opioid therapies and evidence-based pain management. He described the broad population affected by chronic pain and opioid use disorder, and said the proposal has long had bipartisan and stakeholder support. No vote or final action was taken on House Bill 241 in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, this is going to be down the road.
• Our roads and streets will be safer.
• People are being killed on the roads.
• So we don't have to regulate it, but we can keep the road safe. I'm all for keeping the road safe.
• Senator Graal is all for keeping the road safe.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, doctor and guest introductions, and then took up Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 168, the Tristan Murphy Act, on mental health. Senator Bradley described the bill as a major criminal justice and behavioral health reform measure that would expand pretrial mental health diversion, strengthen treatment-based probation conditions, broaden grant uses for mental health and substance abuse programs, add Hillsborough County to a forensic hospital diversion pilot, require certain DOC mental health evaluations, and create a Florida Behavioral Health Data Repository. Senators from both parties spoke in strong support, emphasizing treatment over incarceration, public safety, data collection, and the Murphy family’s role in advancing the bill. The Senate passed the bill 37-0 and then approved 37 co-sponsors. The chamber then received the Senate’s 2025-26 General Appropriations Bill, SB 2500, with Chair Hooper outlining a $117.4 billion budget that he said reduces spending, preserves reserves, and includes major investments in water quality, transportation, education infrastructure, and reporting requirements. Committee chairs summarized their portions: K-12 funding at $34.7 billion with increases for FEFP, scholarships, VPK, school hardening, and school safety; higher education at $11.5 billion with workforce, nursing, reading, autism, and student aid investments; health and human services with a $1.8 billion increase for Medicaid, mental health, opioid response, disability services, and veterans programs; criminal and civil justice at $7.6 billion for corrections, juvenile justice, law enforcement, courts, and judgeships; transportation/tourism/economic development at about $18 billion including roads, housing, Visit Florida, and cultural grants; and agriculture/environment/general government with major Everglades, water quality, citrus, food bank, and agency IT funding. Members then questioned several budget items, especially education funding formulas, the shift of scholarship dollars below the line, the impact on public school districts, AP/IB and other accelerated program funding, the APD wait list, opioid settlement spending, arts grants, and the My Safe Florida Home and condo pilot programs. Chairs generally said scholarship and accelerated-program dollars were being restructured for transparency and flexibility rather than cut, that school districts would still receive funding based on enrollment, and that APD and other human services issues would continue to be worked out in conference. The budget discussion concluded with remarks praising staff and noting a 4% across-the-board pay raise for state employees and targeted increases for law enforcement and firefighters, followed by a recognition for FAMU Day at the Capitol.