Transcript Highlights:

• Sabrina, please call the roll. Chair Mello, here. Representative Basavi, here. Robinson, here.
• By combining the two, you eliminated some burdensome court process.
• By combining the two, you eliminated some burdensome court processes.
• protections throughout the Baker Act process.
• The goal is within seven days, well within 48 hours, to address the complaint.

Summary: The Human Services Subcommittee met to receive an update from the Florida Department of Children and Families on implementation of House Bill 7021, which revised the Baker Act and Marchman Act and was funded with a $50 million appropriation. Deputy Assistant Secretary Bill Hardin reported that the department has updated reference guides, training, administrative rules, and forms; launched regional behavioral health collaboratives; and created the Office of Children’s Behavioral Health Ombudsman. He said early data show continued declines in Baker Act use, high diversion rates from involuntary examinations through 988, mobile response teams, and care coordination, along with generally positive provider feedback on changes such as allowing psychiatric nurses to initiate emergency treatment orders and clarifying the 72-hour examination period. Hardin also described Marchman Act changes, including a streamlined petition process, remote testimony, improved discharge planning, and a new annual data report. He said the department has completed or is completing multiple training courses for providers and law enforcement, and has adopted or is finalizing numerous rules and forms. He reported that the regional collaboratives are identifying common statewide needs such as service capacity, resource sharing, funding flexibility, and peer support, while the ombudsman office is handling complaints and helping families navigate services. Members asked about whether the current funding is sufficient, future budget needs, outreach for the new ombudsman office, and services for juveniles. Hardin said DCF has posted legislative budget requests for additional forensic FACT services and short-term residential treatment beds, including children’s beds, and noted the ombudsman office is staffed with two FTEs and supported through existing complaint-management and regional systems. He said outreach is being done through regional collaboratives and coordination with other agencies, especially the Department of Education, and that juvenile transport and placement issues have improved with the new law. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the presentation and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, let's go ahead and call roll. Good morning, Rep. Okay, let's go ahead and call roll.
• We are calling in support of the request in House Bill 95.
• And so any money you can appropriate will go to that goal.
• Today, it's called permanency planning. Thank you.
• Please call in a second. Please call roll. Representative Anyanonu: No to table.

Bills: HB70, HB93, HB95, HB139, HB140, HJR4

Keywords: Public Regulation Commission, PRC, utility oversight fund, public utilities, utility regulation, commissioners, commission staff, chief of staff, ethics, Gift Act, revolving door, post-employment restrictions, consumer complaints, telecommunications, pipeline safety, natural gas pipelines, oil pipelines, license fees, regulatory oversight, administrative cleanup

Transcript Highlights:

• Members will hold off on calling the roll, as we have members in different committees and those coming
• However, I think the goal of this legislation is to push for excellence.
• Well, I agree 100% with your goals.
• We'll call on you again. Thank you for coming forward. Thank you.
• We will leave this bill pending, members, and subject to the call of the chair.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 heard several bills and took no final votes, leaving each measure pending. The first major item, SB 1322 by Senator Hagenbuch, would create a Texas Higher Education Accrediting Commission to evaluate and approve accrediting agencies for public colleges and universities using outcome-based metrics such as retention, graduation, employment, debt, and repayment. Supporters, including Kate Byerley of the Texas Public Policy Foundation, argued the bill would add competition and align accreditation with Texas workforce needs; Senator Menendez questioned the need for a new bureaucracy and noted the $3.6 million fiscal note, suggesting existing reporting and oversight structures could serve the same purpose. The committee then heard SB 1998, which would establish a pediatric subspecialty preceptorship program to encourage medical students to enter pediatric subspecialties. Dr. Lauren Gamble testified in strong support, saying the program would help address shortages and improve access for children, especially in rural and underserved areas. SB 2788, authored by Senator Menendez, would add the PSAT as an accepted assessment for dual credit and Texas Success Initiative purposes; Priscilla Camacho of Alamo Colleges supported the bill, citing strong student outcomes and widespread use of the PSAT as a readiness indicator. Senator Creighton laid out SB 2076, which would remove or modify certain Capitol view corridor restrictions affecting the UT Austin Academic Medical Center project, including the planned specialty hospital and MD Anderson Cancer Center expansion. He said the existing corridors are outdated and limit development. The committee also heard SB 1418, a cleanup bill replacing outdated references to ACT Plan with Pre-ACT and removing obsolete SAT subject test language. After brief testimony and no opposition on the later bills, the committee closed public testimony and left SB 1322, SB 1998, SB 2788, SB 2076, and SB 1418 pending before recessing for the floor session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Alicia, please call the roll.
• Alicia, please call the roll. Alicia, please call the roll. Representative Bojanowski, yes.
• parameters that they get due process parameters that they get due process that<00:16:11.759>
• <00:48:26.960> way Callaway representative Josh call way Callaway representative Josh call
• No roll call.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 669, sponsored by Representative Smith, which was presented as a response to a September shooting incident in his district that led to school closures and missed instructional days. Smith said the bill was intended to help school districts recover lost days caused by extraordinary emergencies and not to set a broad precedent. Members asked whether districts had adjusted calendars to make up time, and Smith said many had already extended days or moved calendars into June. The committee then voted to pass House Bill 669, with all members present voting yes. The committee next heard House Bill 621, as amended by a committee substitute that removed a homeschooling-related section and left only the school-threat provisions. The bill would allow courts to impose a fine on parents when a child is adjudicated for terroristic threatening if law enforcement incurred excessive costs, and it would require a mental health assessment for the child. Representative Duvall and Officer Steve Chappelle supported the measure, arguing that online school threats spread fear, disrupt attendance, pull law-enforcement resources from other schools, and should create more parental accountability. Representative Riley also supported the accountability goal, citing lost instructional time and a recent student suicide tied to online issues. Several members raised concerns about the bill’s scope and due process. Representative Josh Callaway questioned why this offense should be the starting point for parental fines and warned about a slippery slope in holding parents liable for children’s crimes. Representative Willner said the bill seemed more like a judiciary issue, questioned whether punishment can make parents better parents, and asked about diversion programs and the meaning of the detention language. Representative Tipton pointed to existing statutes on mental health assessments and terroristic threatening penalties, and said the committee substitute would alleviate many concerns. Scott West, speaking for Kentucky Policy and the Kentucky Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, argued that the mandatory detention language would remove judicial discretion and that the parental fine provision could conflict with existing due process protections requiring notice, a hearing, and a finding that lack of supervision was a substantial factor in the child’s delinquency. The transcript does not show a final vote on House Bill 621 in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, we're going to call the meeting to order: the Task Force on Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment
• The goals that we have in this year's report pretty much... ...have been cumulative.
• and what they think about how we might achieve those goals.
• And so that's the process we've gone through.
• So that is the process we've gone through, and it has worked.

Summary: The Task Force on Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment met to confirm quorum, review its recent work, and reorganize leadership. The chair explained that the task force’s prior reports had been cumulative: the first surveyed Missouri’s substance use disorder system and spending, the second identified objectives, and the third focused on transportation and housing. For the coming year, the chair suggested revisiting the task force’s existing goals and asking state departments how successful those efforts have been, with possible summer hearings and a meeting with the governor’s office to align priorities. Members then considered nominations for chair. Senator Joe Nicola and Representative Del Taylor were nominated, and after roll call Senator Nicola was elected chair for the remainder of the year by a 6-4 vote. Representative Taylor was then nominated and selected by acclamation as vice chair. During discussion, members noted the work involved in collecting data and drafting reports, thanked staff and policy support teams, and emphasized that the state still has significant substance abuse challenges despite progress. Before adjournment, members suggested improving public notice for meetings so more community members and people working on the ground can participate in hearings. The new chair said he would work with staff to schedule summer hearings and gather input from departments and the governor’s office. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Communications and Conveyance Committee is now called to order.
• reach our common goal to keep schools and other eligible entities connected.
• Will the secretary please call the roll?
• Seeing Assembly Member Bonta, committee secretary, please call the roll.
• Committee Secretary, please call the roll. This is for AB 2790. Colosa: Aye.

Summary: The Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee met with Chair Tasha Berner presiding and reviewed one item, AB 2790, a committee bill concerning the California Teleconnect Fund. The chair opened with extensive ground rules on orderly conduct and public comment, then the committee secretary called the roll and established a quorum. The bill was described as updating eligibility and administrative procedures for the CTF, clarifying treatment of non-instructional facilities, and revising how applicants coordinate CTF applications with the federal E-Rate program. Supporters said the measure responds to concerns raised in a prior oversight hearing about CPUC rulemaking that could make the program harder for schools and other eligible entities to use. Kim Lewis of CENIC said the bill would preserve continuity, stability, and fairness for broadband support to educational and research institutions, while Christina DeCaro of the California Library Association and Kimberly Rosenberger on behalf of Superintendent Tony Thurmond also voiced support. No opposition testimony was presented. The committee then voted to pass AB 2790 and refer it to the Assembly Committee on Appropriations. The roll was left open briefly for additional votes, and the bill ultimately passed 9-0 before the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> [laughter] And they call me often.
• Thank you for your attention today. that process for priority registration that process for priority
• to begin the registration process. to begin the registration process.
• We can't employ the people who goal.
• or the legislative process.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• historically not uh made the process historically not uh made the process quicker<00:15:42.959><
• Moving on to section 3, this change from a combined process to a separated process would require a major
• <00:26:57.320> also state's owner permitting process also state's owner permitting process
• quote Minnesota typically processes quote Minnesota typically processes Wetland<00:53:16.359>
• What is the current process that I guess we don't have this process yet?

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I will call a brief recess of the committee, to the call of the Chair.
• That's the goal.
• That's the goal.
• That's the goal.
• That's the goal.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Minnesota Senate Energy Committee heard Senate File 426, authored by Senator Icorn, which would remove the 100-megawatt cap on hydropower for purposes of qualifying as an eligible energy technology under Minnesota law. Supporters said hydropower is carbon-free, reliable, flexible baseload power that can help Minnesota meet its 100% carbon-free electricity goal by 2040. Testifiers from Missouri River Energy Services and Minnesota Power described existing hydropower resources, including allocations from federal Missouri River dams, Minnesota hydro stations, and Manitoba Hydro, and argued that the bill would preserve and expand options for clean energy development. Several members raised concerns about the bill’s purpose and potential environmental impacts. Senator McEwen questioned why the size limit should be removed without specific proposed projects or more information about the need for larger dams, citing concerns about fisheries, water resources, and land use. Senator Port and others asked about costs, environmental effects, and where new projects might be built. In response, supporters said the bill is intended to open the door to future projects and allow agencies to review proposals through existing permitting and environmental processes, rather than approving any specific dam. Committee members offered mixed reactions. Senator Frentz said he supported the concept but recommended laying the bill over for further discussion and possibly sending it to the Environment Committee, noting environmental concerns and the need for more conversation. Senator Gruenhagen strongly supported the bill, arguing that it merely lifts a cap while leaving permitting and review requirements in place. Senator Hoffman also supported the bill, saying current policy blocks consideration of new projects and that the change would allow regulators to evaluate proposals on their merits. No vote was taken during the hearing, and the bill was left open for further consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• This PAL process.
• Our goal is to make this smooth.
• So I understand that the goal and the scope.
• It's a very bumpy process. process, and so my concern is that this has not gone through the, I guess,
• That process took longer than anticipated.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the to house messages secretary call the to house messages secretary call the first house message message
• the guest of Senator Carnell when I call the guest of Senator Carnell when I call your name if y'all
• committee on rul using short roll call committee on rul using short roll call all right secretary call
• any objection all right secretary call any objection all right secretary call the long the long the
• process sometimes we come legislative process sometimes we come legislative process sometimes we come

Bills: SJR 36, SJR 2, SB 4, SR 45, SR 47, SR 63, SR 66, SR 70, SR 85, SCR 14, SB 10, SB 11, SB 10, SB 11

Keywords: SJR 2, Senate Joint Resolution 2, constitutional amendment, homestead exemption, property tax relief, school property tax, ad valorem tax, residence homestead, school district taxes, Texas Constitution Article VIII, public school finance, homeowner exemption, elderly exemption, senior tax relief, disabled exemption, tax year 2025, voter approval, November 2025 ballot, local government, Ways & Means

Transcript Highlights:

• The centerpiece of this strategy is called Global Mass.
• I agree with the goal. I just want to make sure we achieve it.
• It's a very complicated process and all the clinical hours, all the process to get a foreign nurse to
• This is a really important goal.
• Community media directly advances all of these goals.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held a hearing on Governor Healey’s economic development proposal, H. 5386, also referred to as the Mass Winds Act, focused on global investment, talent, innovation, housing, and business competitiveness. Governor Healey, Secretary of Economic Development Eric Paley, and Secretary of Administration and Finance Matt Gorzkowicz described the bill as a response to federal uncertainty and global competition, building on the 2024 Mass Leads Act. They highlighted proposed investments in a Global Mass initiative, including a $50 million innovation access fund and $20 million for sites to help international companies locate or expand in Massachusetts, along with support for AI, quantum, robotics, defense innovation, climate tech, downtown revitalization, and creative/cultural economy projects. They also emphasized measures to lower business costs, including reducing the LLC filing fee, expanding the small business energy tax exemption, and streamlining housing and development rules. Committee members questioned the administration about non-compete reform, AI and data-center infrastructure, housing affordability, and whether the bill would help retain workers and companies in Massachusetts. The governor and secretaries argued that the non-compete changes would restore the original compromise by requiring any alternative to garden leave to be negotiated at separation, and they said the bill’s housing and workforce provisions are intended to help young workers stay in the state. They also said Massachusetts is already investing in AI training, an AI hub, and energy-related planning, while acknowledging that data-center growth will require careful attention to water, electricity, and ratepayer impacts. Several witnesses testified on specific sections. Northeastern University supported the internship tax credit, saying experiential learning helps students gain jobs and remain in Massachusetts. The Latino Empowerment Advisory Council supported the waiver of redundant English testing for internationally trained nurses, saying it would speed entry into the workforce without lowering clinical standards. Russell Beck opposed the non-compete changes, arguing they would undermine the 2018 compromise and could reduce other forms of employee compensation. The Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office opposed the LLC fee reduction, citing revenue loss and fraud concerns. Municipal and regional groups, including the MMA and the Metro Mayors Coalition, supported site plan review codification and downtown/arts investments, while urging continued municipal input. The AFL-CIO asked for trigger language to preserve labor protections if federal law changes, and business and industry witnesses generally supported the bill’s competitiveness and global investment provisions. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational, with written testimony invited after the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2018, it was called Energy and Utilities.
• In 2018, it was called Energy and Utilities.
• And the goal is to achieve that balance.
• There is a process in place to do that.
• This process starts with our local communities.

Summary: The committee heard introductory remarks from Chair LaMarca and members, then received presentations on electric utility planning, transportation infrastructure, and broadband deployment. Public Service Commission staff explained how Florida’s utilities plan for reliability and cost through 10-year site plans, demand forecasting, and economic dispatch. The presentation emphasized Florida’s residential-heavy load, growing EV demand, expanding solar and battery storage, continued reliance on natural gas combined-cycle plants, and the role of nuclear power. Members asked about energy efficiency, rates, renewable options beyond solar, cybersecurity, grid resilience, data centers, and small modular nuclear reactors; the witness said efficiency programs are reviewed every five years, utilities must balance reliability and affordability, and large new loads like data centers generally must pay for their own infrastructure needs. Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue described FDOT’s five-year work program, decentralized district structure, and funding mix, noting that the agency is predominantly state-funded and prioritizes maintenance and preservation before expansion. He highlighted record investment levels, major congestion-relief projects, toll-road revenues, seaport and airport partnerships, spaceport investments, workforce and equipment needs, and emerging technology such as advanced air mobility. Members asked about project timing, MPO planning, rail and ferry funding, airport governance, winter storm preparedness, and flooding/sea-level rise; Perdue said faster delivery depends on resources, local governments lead transit operations with FDOT as a capital partner, and coastal and drainage projects are designed around storm surge and resiliency. The Office of Broadband reported on six grant programs supporting infrastructure, community facilities, digital connectivity, and future digital capacity and broadband expansion. Director Leo Garcia said the office has awarded hundreds of millions of dollars across most counties, leveraged significant private investment, and focused heavily on rural areas. He noted that broadband efforts are intended to support telehealth, education, workforce development, and economic growth, and said the state has reduced the number of unserved locations from more than 400,000 to a projected 170,000 after current awards are completed. He also said the office needs additional budget authority for the upcoming digital capacity program and that the larger federal/state broadband deployment program will be used to reach remaining unserved and underserved areas.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please call the roll. Senator Brodeur: Here. Senator Berman: Here. Senator Arrington: Here.
• Senator Martin: This is a process. It's my second year running a bill.
• That is not the goal of this.
• But the goal of this bill is to make sure there is no external...
• The goal was to protect the Santa Fe River and its basin.

Bills: S0598, S0934, S1260, S1300, S1452, S1510, S1566, S1580, S1668, S7034

Keywords: funeral homes, cemetery law, cremation, embalmer, funeral director, preneed contract, preneed funeral, human remains, unclaimed cremated remains, disposition of remains, hospice, palliative care, end-of-life care, direct disposal, mortuary science, funeral service arts, licensure by endorsement, cemetery license, contiguous acres, consumer services

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:45:37.040> of almost identical process of almost identical process of reconsidering<00
• Um, what is the goal? Is the goal to pass legislation?
• Or is the goal to engage in processes that may not be necessary but satisfy some mysterious, ethereal
• Is the goal to pass Um what is the goal? Is the goal to pass legislation?
• Is the goal to reach legislation?

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Another person's lack of due process.
• All of those resources are part of the planning process.
• Again, it's that competitive, least-cost process.
• So that's the process.
• Yeah, so actually, similar in thought process.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Chair calls Kirk Fry.
• And so this is. is a compute process. We super nerds call it the triple P, but go ahead.
• I support the goal of reducing costs that customers pay from the regulatory process.
• process.
• The Chair calls Jeffrey Yarbrough. Time to call the bill.

Bills: HB1951, HB2715, HB3092, HB3237, HB3278, HB3511, HB3592, HB3675, HB3778, HB3782, HB3826, HB3970, HB4016, HB4049, HB4341, HB4344, HB4406, HB4427

Keywords: collective bargaining, public works, government contracts, labor agreements, state funding, removal from office, political subdivisions, local government, judicial proceedings, administrative judicial region, electric transmission, public convenience, landowner consent, utility regulation, energy infrastructure, energy consumption, higher education, governmental entities, sustainability, electricity reduction

Transcript Highlights:

• The process of upgrading is too slow. We need somehow to break through.
• Policy goals that may not be necessary and that may divert from those central, important goals of safety
• I think that's a healthy process.
• of certification or a process of testing.
• So I believe there is a conflicts check process that goes through...

Keywords: transportation, air traffic control, safety regulations, Boeing 737 MAX, Department of Transportation, infrastructure funding, public safety, legislative oversight

Summary: The committee meeting addressed several pressing issues concerning transportation, particularly focusing on the need for improved safety standards and efficient management at the Department of Transportation. Specific discussions revolved around air traffic control, with members highlighting the urgency for a significant upgrade in systems and personnel. Notably, concerns were raised regarding past practices, especially the handling of safety regulations during the Boeing 737 MAX incidents. The committee expressed a clear intent to ensure rigorous safety oversight moving forward, emphasizing that the health and safety of the public must remain the top priority in all legislative and funding decisions.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll call one other person in in just a moment. Thank you. Chair calls Walter Trejo Rios.
• The goals of the law were clear.
• I mean, the goal line has been set. It's 10, 10, you know, it's goal to goal.
• You're inside the goal line, and then you move the goal line and triple the prize.
• And what this bill is doing is that it is forcing them. a process and it is starting an enforcement process

Bills: HB232

Keywords: disaster recovery, natural disaster, weather disaster, emergency relief, flood relief, hurricane relief, storm damage, wildfire, tornado, hail, windstorm, extreme heat, ice storm, snowstorm, property damage, personal injury, temporary housing, relocation assistance, lost wages, state emergency management

Transcript Highlights:

• And Florida now I'll see. ...goal.
• So there were a few issues in that process.
• Those included an assessment process called a QSI.
• And those included an assessment process called a QSI.
• If the goal of managed care was to make disability services so difficult, If the goal of managed care

Summary: The Health and Human Services Committee received an overview of Florida’s intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) managed care pilot, created by legislation in 2023 to test whether a managed care model could integrate Medicaid medical services with iBudget waiver home- and community-based services for adults in pre-enrollment categories. AHCA explained the existing system, the pilot’s scope in Regions D and I, and the rollout timeline, including federal approval, contract execution with Florida Community Care, and the October 2024 go-live. Officials reported that, as of early February, 370 individuals had been sent for onboarding and 168 more were in queue, with about $35.8 million of the appropriation remaining. APD also clarified the difference between the pre-enrollment categories and the waiver waitlist, and noted that crisis cases can be enrolled more quickly depending on eligibility and funding. Florida Community Care described the pilot as a comprehensive managed care model offering medical, long-term care, and iBudget services, plus enhanced benefits such as bed-hold days, caregiver transportation, and help with legal guardianship costs. The plan said it uses one care coordinator, a 1:18 coordinator ratio, a face-to-face assessment within five days of enrollment, and 180 days of continuity of care for existing providers. The company emphasized that it is recruiting providers by offering higher rates than some iBudget rates, lower administrative burden, and network adequacy incentives, while APD said it continues to monitor provider supply and demand and recruit across service types and regions. Members repeatedly questioned whether the pilot’s costs, provider rates, and service levels were truly comparable to the iBudget system, and AHCA and APD said it was too early to draw firm conclusions because claims data are still lagging. Committee members also raised concerns about communication, enrollment delays, provider shortages, and whether the pilot could scale statewide. APD said it has used letters, phone calls, texts, emails, and community meetings to reach eligible individuals, and that some delays stem from required assessments, Medicaid eligibility checks, and level-of-care determinations. Several members asked for more detailed comparisons of costs and provider reimbursement between the pilot and iBudget, and APD said it would provide additional data. Public testimony at the end was strongly critical of managed care, with a participant and his mother describing poor service, transportation failures, and loss of control under prior managed care arrangements, and urging the committee not to expand such a model without safeguards. No votes or formal committee action were taken before adjournment.