Transcript Highlights:

• Would exempt you from having to pay this fee.
• Well, if my car wasn't blocking the driveway, now I've got to pay a tow fee, I've got to pay storage
• I pay a subscription... I pay a subscription on that particular format, and I listen to music.
• Um, this is the pay raise for ...the pay raise for the SAOs. They will be a $5,000 pay raise.
• I've looked at The pay ranges, I've looked at the pay ranges.

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 1 April, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This would enable the MA program to pay for traditional healing as part of the MA landscape.
• on the front end. on the front end.
• them for in the claim differs from what the hospital and what we’re paying in that claim.
• what the hospital and what we’re paying in that claim.
• department in front of this committee. department in front of this committee.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:08:56.320> of to testify today especially in front of to testify today especially in front
• We pay that person to work, and then we pay the person to be off.
• that person to work and then uh we pay that person to work and then uh we<00:21:04.840> pay<00
• burden I I take a little bit of a front burden I I take a little bit of a front to<01:23:50.440>
• agreement on the allocation of the pay agreement on the allocation of the pay uh<01:42:02.800>

Bills: HF1976

Keywords: paid leave, family leave, employment law, Minnesota statute, benefit eligibility, seasonal employment, workforce, labor rights, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• If you could join us up front, please. And shall we start with House Bill 13?
• I don't have that information in front of me. Oh, I. I can look it up.
• Yes, we've been having them in front of our committee.
• But I will continue to always vote on the bill that's in front of me and not What could be fixed later
• You would join us up front, please.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So that would be if you had some sort of clip or mounting in front of your vehicle, that would be the
• They leave large gaps in front of them to accommodate slower reaction times.
• Before it wasn't an offense, but now they would pay a hefty fine. Through the chair, please.
• Distracted driving is a current problem, and it will continue to be a problem as long as we don't pay
• Distracted driving is a current problem, and it will continue to be a problem, as long as we don't pay

Summary: The committee first reviewed the fiscal year 2025-2026 budget proposal for transportation, tourism, and economic development, which totals about $18 billion and includes major funding for the Department of Transportation work program, Visit Florida, affordable housing, library/cultural/historical initiatives, National Guard tuition assistance, and Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles needs. Members approved staff technical adjustments and then adopted the budget proposal as a recommendation to the full Senate Appropriations Committee. The committee then heard and approved CS/SB 666, which creates a specialty license plate for the Miami Northwestern Alumni Association, with proceeds supporting scholarships and school academic, athletic, and arts programs. CS/SB 1318, the hands-free driving bill, drew extensive testimony from the sponsor, law enforcement, advocates, and victims’ families. Supporters argued it would create a clearer, easier-to-enforce prohibition on holding a wireless device while driving and help reduce crashes and deaths; some senators raised concerns about enforcement, privacy, and impacts on drivers with older vehicles, but the bill was reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 1408, designating memorial highways for Tampa Police Officer Jesse Madsen and Charlotte County Sergeant Elio Diaz, and SB 1516, which would create the International Aerospace Innovation Fund administered by Space Florida to support partnerships between Florida and international aerospace companies. Both bills had supportive testimony and no opposition noted. The meeting ended with adjournment after the final votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• So what does the grant pay for? These are all in statute.
• Unfortunately, they all show up at our front door all on the same day.
• Because the reason for the question is, does that mean the homeowner has to front the entire job until
• We currently only reimburse homeowners, and yes, they are paying for the work up front.
• We awarded that contract to them in July, because that's when I had money to pay them.

Summary: The State Administration Budget Subcommittee heard presentations from the Department of Financial Services on the My Safe Florida Home program, the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot, and the Florida PALM financial system replacement project. For My Safe Florida Home, Stephen Fielder explained the wind-mitigation grant program, including its inspection-first process, two-to-one matching grants for most homeowners, low-income exemptions from the match, and eligible improvements such as roofs, clips/straps, water barriers, and opening protection. He reported roughly 109,000 initial inspections, nearly 59,000 grants approved, 31,000 final inspections, 25,000 reimbursements, and about $240 million paid out through the end of 2024. Members asked about premium savings, contractor pricing, fraud, owner-builder eligibility, reimbursement timing, and whether the program should have a dedicated funding source; Fielder said the program is currently closed, more than 40,000 people have signed up for updates, and the office has seen some price-gouging and impersonation issues but no major fraud trend. The committee also discussed the new prioritization rules that took effect July 1, 2024, which direct grant awards by age and income. Fielder said the program used a survey of existing applicants to implement the new priority groups and that the first group was over age 60 and low-income. Members raised questions about how premium reductions are measured, whether insurance company changes or rising insured values affect the data, and whether the program can track long-term outcomes after reimbursement. Fielder said the office reports raw premium changes based on declarations pages, knows the insurer for participants, and has validated results with multiple insurers, but does not track homeowners after they leave the program or enforce continued insurance coverage. For the My Safe Florida Condo Pilot, Fielder said the program is modeled on the home program but uses association-level applications, a maximum grant of $175,000 per association, and a similar two-to-one match. He said the application window opened briefly in November and was closed quickly because available funding could be exhausted and the department is prohibited from creating a waiting list. He identified several needed statutory changes, including better distinguishing condos from single-family homes, adjusting roof requirements for flat concrete roofs, and revisiting the unanimous unit-owner vote requirement, which he said has been a major obstacle. Chair Lopez noted the pilot is intended to be a learning process and thanked DFS staff for identifying implementation issues. The final presentation covered Florida PALM, the state’s effort to replace the 40-year-old FLAIR accounting system with a PeopleSoft-based financial management system. Fielder and PALM Director Jimmy Cox said the project began in 2014, the state contracted with Accenture in 2018, cash management went live in 2021, and the project was paused in 2022 for legislative review and remediation. They said the system is expected to go live in 2026, possibly in July rather than January, and that the project has spent about $225 million to date, with a current-year budget of about $60.9 million and a projected next-year request of about $64 million. Members asked about cybersecurity, cloud hosting, project scope, and whether the system is unique to Florida; staff said the system is not Florida-specific, access is credentialed through agency identity management, and the cloud host location is confidential. After the presentations, Chair Lopez assigned members to work with specific agencies on budget review meetings, asked them to discuss agency structure, priorities, staffing, waste reduction, and other budget issues, and set a deadline to report findings in the first week of regular session. The meeting then adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Places where states pay service basis.
• <01:03:19.599> of house and using the R-word in front of house and using the R-word in front
• And now I'm going to turn on that front.
• We have an economy are paying the price.
• it down on the front end? it down on the front end?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If the taxpayer does not pay taxes timely, they are not eligible for a refund.
• have been very, very busy in their districts, handling some of these cases and really being on the front
• have been very, very busy in their districts, handling some of these cases and really being on the front
• As people are coming in and paying property taxes, they are making sure that they’re aware that there
• We kind of did this reverse in terms of property tax relief here on the front end.

Summary: The Committee on Finance and Tax met with a quorum present and heard a presentation from Lissette Kelly of the Department of Revenue’s Property Tax Oversight Office on property tax relief for catastrophic events. Kelly reviewed existing statutory relief for homestead, non-homestead, commercial, and agricultural property owners, including extended rebuild timelines, preservation of homestead exemption during rehabilitation, agricultural classification protections, and the catastrophic event refund program for residential property that becomes uninhabitable. She also explained the refund process, the roles of property appraisers and tax collectors, and prior legislative reimbursements to local governments after storms such as Ian, Nicole, and Idalia. Members asked about how portability works if a homeowner chooses not to rebuild, and Kelly said she would follow up with more detail. Senator Bernard also asked how residents learn about the refund application, and Kelly said property appraisers and tax collectors actively notify affected owners, including through mailings, FEMA and Red Cross sites, public service announcements, and outreach at community events. She said the property appraisers take the lead in promoting the program, with tax collectors also helping direct taxpayers to apply. The chair noted that staff will distribute the department’s guide to offices before hurricane season and said the committee’s next meeting, during the first week of session, will focus on property taxes more broadly. Kelly said the department would be willing to review the process further and bring suggestions if needed. No votes were taken on legislation, and the committee adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Basically, the certification fees pay for all of the work that we do, and we pay back the general fund
• Basically, the certification fees pays Basically, the certification fees pays for<00:32:23.039><
• Um, but who lives life has to pay more.
• know, we're just paying our our bills. know, we're just paying our our bills.
• we can increase teacher pay we can increase teacher pay this<01:45:06.960> next<01:45:07.280

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, who's paying to keep those animals healthy? Who's paying for their shelter?
• So, who's paying to keep those animals healthy? Who's paying for their shelter?
• So, who's paying to keep those animals healthy? Who's paying for their shelter?
• So, who's paying to keep those animals healthy? Who's paying for their shelter?
• So, who's paying to keep those animals healthy? Who's paying for their shelter?

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:24:06.799> of alcohol is they go up to the front of alcohol is they go up to the front
• charge of who pays the board?
• <00:48:51.920> the not in charge of who pays the board the not in charge of who pays the board
• They'll pay a quarter of what bank board will pay. Good morning. We always do.
• <01:05:21.720> in transactions when um they're paying in transactions when um they're paying

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• on the Senate file 3704 that's in front on the Senate file 3704 that's in front of<00:04:29.640>
• . dollars up front.
• So, this just gets the matter in front of a judge quicker.
• So, this just gets the matter in front of a judge quicker.
• He's upset the front of the building.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:30:59.399> for deserve to choose between paying for deserve to choose between paying for
• <00:32:07.679> of people many of the stories in front of people many of the stories in front
• <02:03:40.320> their homes because they can't pay their homes because they can't pay their
• They can't afford to pay that.
• They can't afford to pay that.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The hearing focused on House Bill 115-FN, which would remove the income cap from New Hampshire’s Education Freedom Account eligibility rules. Representative Valerie McDonnell, the bill’s sponsor, said the measure is intended to fund students rather than systems and to expand educational choice regardless of income or zip code. She described the change as a small statutory edit but argued it would have significant benefits, including helping families afford alternative education settings and testing costs such as AP exams. She also cited testimony from families who said EFAs helped children with special needs or difficult circumstances, and she argued the program is popular and cost-effective. Committee members questioned McDonnell about the bill’s fiscal impact and administration. One member asked whether removing the income cap would extend vouchers to families above the statewide median income and whether the change could cost more than $100 million annually; McDonnell said she did not agree with that estimate and pointed to Arizona as a comparison. Representative Wendy Thomas asked whether the bill should require stronger data-sharing from the Children’s Scholarship Fund, which administers the program, so the Department of Education and taxpayers could better track spending; McDonnell said the program already uses ClassWallet and regulated expenditures, and that the question was better directed to the administrator. Several members testified in opposition. Representative Wendy Thomas said the bill would increase costs for public schools, raise local property taxes, and worsen oversight problems. Representative Heath Howard argued the proposal would function as a subsidy for wealthy families already paying private tuition and said public education and special education should be funded first. Representative Megan Murray also opposed the bill, emphasizing the lack of a legal reporting requirement for EFA spending and the need for transparency, accountability, and attention to special education needs. Representative Sam Farrington supported expansion, sharing a constituent story about a student who left public school after harassment and benefited from private school placement. No vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• think you're ever going to pay them enough compared to what commercial pilots airlines will pay them
• I appreciate that because this is a serious problem and ultimately these are investments that will pay
• I remember coming in front of this panel under Chairman Levin to do a panel conference.
• We are on the front lines of great. power competition, and so I want to ask a few questions on that.
• We need to take a look at pay and compensation packages.

Keywords: Air Force modernization, fighter aircraft, autonomous systems, air superiority, national security, recapitalization

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on military procurement and modernization, with significant discussions surrounding the Air Force's capabilities and strategic needs. Key topics included the urgent need for recapitalization of the Air Force's fighter squadrons, as well as the importance of integrating new technologies like autonomous systems to bolster military effectiveness. Several senators raised concerns about the current resources available to the Air National Guard and the potential loss of skilled service members if recapitalization plans are not swiftly developed. There were also discussions on the importance of maintaining air superiority in light of evolving threats, particularly from adversaries like China.

Transcript Highlights:

• So your handout, my handout should be in front of you, and I will try to.
• , you appropriated the same dollars to agencies to pay us to collect that money.
• Not every agency pays for our bills. We're not pulling general funds.
• Not every agency pays for our bills from general funds.
• But we're moving well on that front. We have one attorney opening.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• their fines and paying their court costs.
• One that pays closer attention and holds the defendants more accountable than if they went through the
• So just very simple preliminary questioning from the front-line supervisors.
• Tell him you need to get closer to the front so I can see him. All right.
• a that distill less than 100 gallons can receive a permit by paying a permit fee of $100.

Bills: HR2, HR37, HR61, HCR11, HCR64, HB89, HB183, HB341, HB371, HB451, HB480, HB520, HB541, HB579, HB597, HB816, HB1004, HB1064, HB1165, SB44

Keywords: transparency, accountability, Justice Department, FBI, Jeffrey Epstein, victim protection, investigation, public trust, HR37, House Resolution 37, Honduras veterans, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, military medal, veteran recognition, Congress memorialization, U.S. veterans, foreign deployment, 1981 to 1992, military service awards, combat support

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and took up a long agenda of judiciary-related bills and resolutions. It first considered HB 1165, which was substantially rewritten by substitute to create the City Courts of Marksville and Bunkie and expand their jurisdiction parishwide in Avoyelles Parish, including small claims and certain misdemeanor, civil, and juvenile matters. Supporters, including judges, said the change would improve access to justice and better use existing courts; the district attorney opposed it, arguing it would not help the criminal docket and raised constitutional, staffing, and election concerns. After questions about voting districts, appeals, and minority vote dilution, the substitute was reported favorably. The committee also reported favorably HB 1064, creating a domestic violence intervention court pilot program in the 19th JDC, and HB 341, clarifying that law-enforcement officer interrogations under the bill of rights are administrative rather than criminal matters; both drew supportive testimony from court, advocacy, and law-enforcement representatives. The committee then approved HCR 64, as amended, to study behavioral health courts and expand the study to Ouachita, East Baton Rouge, and Orleans parishes, with a report due by January 1, 2027. It also reported favorably HB 579, which strengthens the sexual assault survivor bill of rights and related protections, with testimony emphasizing survivor services and access to funding. HB 1004, which would have raised the jurisdictional limit for justice of the peace courts from $5,000 to $7,500, drew substantial opposition from city court judges and others who warned of unintended consequences, including inconsistent procedures, possible attorney-representation requirements for entities, and more appeals; after debate the bill failed on a roll call vote, 5 yeas to 11 nays. Later, the committee reported favorably HB 451, allowing the Alcohol and Tobacco Control commissioner to send hearing notices electronically and removing the 30-day mailing constraint; HB 541, as a substitute, allowing in-state microdistillers producing under 100 gallons to obtain a permit for a $100 fee; HB 183, prohibiting courthouse cellphone bans in areas where fines, fees, or court costs are paid, though it faced concerns about legislative authority over local courthouses and ultimately failed on a 7-8 vote; SB 44, requiring agency approval for firearms and ammunition carried by tactical medical professionals; HR 37, memorializing Congress to award the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal to veterans who served in Honduras from 1981 to 1992; and HB 89, requiring the Third Judicial District DA’s office to pay health insurance premiums for eligible retired employees from its own funds. Several other items were voluntarily deferred, and the meeting ended after the committee completed its agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• property appraisers, simply permits property appraisers, in addition to tax collectors, to budget for and pay
• the Department of Revenue. ...property appraisers, in addition to tax collectors, to budget for and pay
• I applaud this bill and the initiative to give the power back to voters over the taxes that they pay,
• If they're using this pay-as-you-go model...
• We should be making corporations pay what they owe.

Summary: The Finance and Tax Committee considered several tax-related measures. SB 674, allowing county property appraisers to budget for and pay hiring or retention bonuses with Department of Revenue approval, was supported by property appraisers and reported favorably. C.S. for SJR 318, as amended, would create a tangible personal property exemption for agricultural land used in agricultural production or agritourism; the amendment clarified the property’s location and allowed the Legislature to define conditions, and the resolution was reported favorably with support from Farm Bureau and the Florida Chamber. The committee also advanced C.S. for SB 1664, as amended, which requires locally approved discretionary taxes to be reauthorized by voters when they expire and sets rules for taxes tied to revenue bonds. Local government and tourism-related groups raised concerns about impacts on tourist development taxes, beach funding, transportation surtaxes, and long-term planning, while supporters argued voters should periodically reaffirm taxes; the bill was reported favorably. C.S. for SJR 1510 and its implementing bill, SB 1512, were both amended to sharply narrow a proposed long-term lease property tax exemption to one qualifying property and to single-family homes, mobile homes, and condominiums; counties and cities opposed the measures as tax shifts, but both were reported favorably. The committee then took up SPB 7034, the Senate tax package, which includes permanent sales tax exemptions for certain clothing and bullion, multiple tax holidays, a temporary motor vehicle fee reduction, a property tax study, corporate and insurance tax credit changes, a communications services tax freeze, and other tax provisions, with staff estimating $2.1 billion in total revenue reduction. Testimony included support for studying property taxes and strong opposition to the firearm and ammunition tax holiday from students and advocacy groups, who argued it was unsafe and inappropriate; others urged adding combined reporting or removing tourist development tax changes. After debate, the committee reported the package favorably and also approved a motion to submit it as a committee bill. The meeting ended after Senator Bernard recorded an affirmative vote on tab 5 and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't have that in front of me today. Leader Pizzo.
• I'm still trying to understand how that relates to the bill in front of us.
• I'm still trying to understand how that relates to the bill in front of us.
• The bill that is in front of us, number one, doesn't create any new positions.
• She had to pay an $85 ticket. That's it.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions, including guests from Miami Northwestern Senior High School, Clay County, and a moment of silence for Pope Francis. Members then moved to the special order calendar after adopting a motion to reconsider the earlier failed vote on CS/SB 1080, which was temporarily postponed. The chamber also temporarily postponed several bills during the day, including measures on social media use by minors, veterans’ nursing homes, Parkinson’s disease, mental health and substance use disorders, education, educator preparation, benefits for certain officers injured in the line of duty, Brownfields, and school social workers. The Senate passed a series of bills with little or no opposition, often substituting House companions for Senate bills. These included expedited DNA testing grants for law enforcement; additional aggravating factors in capital felony sentencing; fertility preservation coverage for cancer patients; commuter rail indemnification; disposition of migrant vessels; specialty license plates; an Alzheimer’s and dementia awareness campaign; relocation of the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys to Florida Memorial University; charter school changes; registration rules for sexual predators and offenders; assault and battery penalties for utility workers; juvenile justice revisions; reporting of student mental health outcomes; foster home licensure transfers; water access facilities and boating-related funding; Florida Virtual School changes; school readiness program improvements; protections against lewd sexual images of children; age-related criminal offense provisions; tampering with electronic monitoring devices; certified recovery residences; and codification of the FSU Election Law Center. Most of these bills passed overwhelmingly, though the charter school bill and the aggravating factors bill drew more divided votes. One of the most debated measures was SB 820, codifying the Office of Faith and Community. Senator Polsky offered an amendment to bar political activity by office employees while on duty and using government resources, citing alleged election-related emails and concerns about mixing government and religious influence. Supporters argued the amendment was needed as a guardrail; opponents said existing law already covered the conduct and that the amendment could be confusing or overly broad. The amendment failed 13-23, and the underlying bill passed 27-9 after extended debate about faith, politics, and the office’s role. Another notable debate involved SB 954 on certified recovery residences, where senators emphasized the need for stable housing in addiction recovery and the bill passed unanimously after supportive remarks from members who had personal experience with recovery. The Senate also passed SB 674 on bonuses for county tax collector and property appraiser employees after questions about safeguards and the purpose of the bonuses.

Transcript Highlights:

• the cash price or their co-pay.
• You know, so when they pay us that claim, they're not paying us that.
• What would they pay me?
• If it was cash, you would pay me the $23.
• Just putting these papers in front of me.

Bills: SB95, SB268, SB493, SB619, SB660, SB922, SB984, SB1098, SB1188, SB1307, SB1332, SB1822

Keywords: immunization, written informed consent, civil liability, health care provider, vaccine compensation, administrative penalty, health care, licensing, complaint procedure, disciplinary action, law enforcement, pharmacy benefit manager, PBM, gag clause, prescription drug pricing, out-of-pocket cost, cash price, pharmacist, pharmacy, prescription drug benefit

Transcript Highlights:

• First, you pay for insurance premiums, then you pay a deductible when you use your insurance.
• You probably also have co-pays.
• When you pay a deductible when you use your insurance, you probably also have co-pays, and you also have
• to pay for drugs, which are not fully covered.
• Paying high co-pays and deductibles on top of increasing premiums.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing held a public hearing on 16 bills, with the chairs noting a busy legislative day and asking speakers to keep testimony brief. The committee first heard testimony on Senate 860/House 1405, the Medicare for All bill, with Sen. Jamie Eldridge and many advocates, clinicians, municipal officials, and patients arguing that a single-payer system would make care a right, reduce administrative waste, lower costs, and protect residents from rising premiums, medical debt, and hospital closures. Several speakers cited the Steward hospital crisis, affordability problems, and polling or ballot questions showing public support for single-payer coverage. No vote was taken during the hearing. The committee then took testimony on S. 863, a bill on non-opioid options for chronic pain. Pain specialists, patients, and advocates said the bill would improve care coordination for MassHealth members, expand access to non-opioid medications, require provider education, and collect data on chronic pain. Testifiers described long delays in diagnosis and treatment, stigma toward pain patients, and the need for multidisciplinary care and transportation support. Again, the committee heard testimony only and took no action. A large portion of the hearing focused on H. 1360/S. 869, which would prevent discrimination against people with disabilities in health care. Disability advocates, clinicians, and patients described being denied or delayed care, pressured into DNR orders, or treated based on assumptions about quality of life rather than medical facts. Speakers referenced COVID-era crisis standards of care, discriminatory metrics, and personal stories involving canceled procedures, inadequate accommodations, and poor treatment in hospitals. Committee members thanked speakers for their testimony and said they would review the bill and its implications, but no vote was announced. The committee also heard testimony on H. 1399, an individual Medicare marketplace option for municipal retirees, where supporters said it would give cities and towns a lower-cost alternative for retiree health benefits through HRAs and individual Medicare plans. The hearing then returned to Medicare for All testimony, with additional supporters repeating arguments about cost, access, municipal budget pressure, and the need for global budgeting and universal coverage. The transcript ends with continued testimony and no recorded committee vote or final action on any bill.