Transcript Highlights:

• We had a lot of meetings, a lot of feedback back and forth. We had several drafts.
• So that's the feedback that we got.
• So that’s the feedback that we got.
• So that’s the feedback that we got.
• </c> lot of meetings had a lot of feedback lot of meetings had a lot of feedback back<00:09:11.279><c

Keywords: Reuploaded to restore full meeting 00:00 – Meeting Start 00:37 – Attendance Roll Call 02:20 -Discussion on SB 69 18:10- Roll Call Vote, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Agriculture Committee met to reconsider a committee substitute for a bill dealing with equine dental care and the regulation of non-veterinarian dental practitioners. The chair reopened the bill after prior testimony, and members focused on how the bill would set standards for training, testing, insurance, continuing education, and a registry for practitioners. Discussion also centered on whether the measure would affect veterinary practice or create a precedent for other animal care areas; supporters said it was meant to preserve access and affordability for horse owners, especially in rural areas where veterinarians are scarce or unavailable for routine work. A major topic was the bill’s grandfathering or “legacy candidate” provision. Senators asked how existing practitioners would qualify, whether they would need to apply, and what documentation would be required. Committee witnesses, including a Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association representative and the Board of Veterinary Examiners executive director, said the board could set licensing terms by regulation, including an application process, background/history checks, and letters of recommendation from licensed veterinarians. They also said the process would include an application window to allow current practitioners time to comply. Several members explained their votes in favor, while noting lingering concerns they wanted addressed on the floor. Supporters emphasized that the bill was the product of years of work, surveys, stakeholder meetings, and multiple drafts, and that it was intended to legitimize existing practitioners while protecting animal welfare. The committee substitute was approved, the bill passed the committee unanimously, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've received some feedback that the regulations were adopted and need some clarity to them.
• They've given us feedback. We've heard similar things.
• And could you give us just a specific case or a specific example where maybe you got feedback?
• And thank you for your feedback. With that, we will go ahead and conclude the hearing.
• Thank you for your feedback. With that, we will go ahead and conclude the hearing.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules met with quorum and first approved several governor’s appointments not required to appear, including Courtney Welsh to the California Housing Partnership Corporation Board, Janessa Goldbeck to the California Veterans Board, and Tom Huntington to the State Parks and Recreation Commission, each by 3-0 vote. The committee also approved reference of bills to committees, the 2026 committee chair and membership appointments, the 2026 session schedule, the 2026 Senate holiday schedule, and floor acknowledgments, all by 4-0 votes. The committee then heard from Dr. Hernando Garzon, nominated as Chief Medical Officer for the Emergency Medical Services Authority. Members questioned him about EMSA’s strategic plan, statewide standards versus local flexibility, ambulance patient offload time regulations, stakeholder engagement, disaster response, and alternatives to emergency department transport. Garzon emphasized data-driven planning, technical assistance to local EMS agencies, collaboration with hospitals and other stakeholders, and the need for safe alternatives such as community paramedicine, telehealth, and triage programs. He was confirmed by the committee on a 4-0 vote and sent to the full Senate. The committee next heard from Stephanie Weldon, nominated as Deputy Director of the Office of Health Equity at the Department of Public Health. Weldon described her tribal background, rural experience, and prior public service, and said her work would focus on equity, community partnership, and serving underserved populations. Senators asked about measuring outcomes, tribal consultation, behavioral health, youth mental health, rural technical assistance, and how the office would continue its work amid federal opposition to DEI language. Public commenters strongly supported her nomination, citing her leadership on the California Reducing Disparities Project and related programs. The committee approved her appointment 4-0 and adjourned after concluding the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've received some feedback that the regulations were adopted and need some clarity to them.
• They've given us feedback. We've heard similar things.
• And could you give us just a specific case or a specific example where maybe you got feedback?
• Thank you for your feedback. With that, we will go ahead and conclude the hearing.
• Thank you for your feedback. With that, we will go ahead and conclude the hearing.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules established quorum and approved several routine items on the agenda, including governor’s appointments not required to appear: Courtney Welsh to the California Housing Partnership Corporation Board, Janessa Goldbeck to the California Veterans Board, and Tom Huntington to the State Parks and Recreation Commission, each by 3-0 vote. The committee also approved reference of bills to committees, the 2026 committee chair/member assignments, the 2026 session schedule, the 2026 holiday schedule, and floor acknowledgments, all by unanimous votes. The committee noted that some 2026 committee changes would take effect February 1, 2026, and that new committees would depend on adoption of a Senate resolution. The committee then heard from Dr. Hernando Garson, nominated as chief medical officer of the Emergency Medical Services Authority. He described his background in emergency medicine, disaster response, and EMS leadership, and members questioned him about EMSA’s strategic plan, data integration, statewide standards versus local flexibility, ambulance patient offload time regulations, stakeholder engagement, and emergency response coordination. Dr. Garson emphasized data-driven decision-making, technical assistance to local agencies, collaboration with hospitals and EMS stakeholders, and the need for safer alternatives to routine ambulance transport such as community paramedicine, telehealth, and nurse triage. He also discussed disaster preparedness for vulnerable and rural communities and the use of regional and state assets, including ambulance strike teams, during fires and floods. The committee approved his appointment 4-0. The final item was Stephanie Weldon’s nomination as Deputy Director of the Office of Health Equity at the Department of Public Health. Weldon, who identified as Yurok-Tolowa and Karuk, spoke about her tribal, county, nonprofit, and state experience, her role as the first Native American woman in the position, and her commitment to health equity, rural communities, and culturally responsive public health work. Senators asked about how the office sets priorities, measures outcomes, addresses behavioral health, tribal consultation, youth mental health, and how it responds to political pressure around DEI language; Weldon said the office focuses on community-driven, data-informed work and transparency. Public commenters strongly supported her confirmation, citing her leadership on the California Reducing Disparities Project and related equity efforts. The committee approved her appointment 4-0, sending it to the full Senate for confirmation.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've received some feedback that the regulations Off-load time.
• I've received some feedback that the regulations were adopted and need some clarity to them.
• They've given us feedback. We've heard similar things.
• And thank you for your feedback. With that, we will go ahead and conclude the hearing.
• Thank you for your feedback. With that, we will go ahead and conclude the hearing.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules convened, established quorum, and first approved several governor’s appointments not required to appear: Courtney Welsh to the California Housing Partnership Corporation Board, Janessa Goldbeck to the California Veterans Board, and Tom Huntington to the State Parks and Recreation Commission, each by 3-0 vote. The committee also approved reference of bills to committees, the 2026 committee chair/member assignments, the 2026 session schedule, the 2026 holiday schedule, and floor acknowledgments, all by unanimous votes. The committee then heard and advanced two appointments requiring testimony. Dr. Hernando Garzon, nominated as chief medical officer for the Emergency Medical Services Authority, discussed his background in emergency medicine, disaster response, EMS data modernization, local flexibility within statewide standards, ambulance offload time regulations, stakeholder engagement, and alternatives to emergency transport such as community paramedicine and telehealth. Members pressed him on strategic planning, rural and climate-related disaster response, ambulance rate reporting, and how EMSA can better protect vulnerable people during evacuations; his appointment was approved 4-0 and sent to the Senate floor. Stephanie Weldon, nominated as Deputy Director of the Office of Health Equity at the Department of Public Health, described her tribal background, prior public service, and focus on health equity, behavioral health, tribal consultation, data, and community-led programs. Senators asked about measuring outcomes, serving rural communities, balancing equity work amid federal DEI opposition, youth mental health, and preventing fraud or waste through transparency. Public commenters, including tribal, health, and community advocates, strongly supported her nomination. Her appointment was also approved 4-0 and forwarded to the full Senate.

Transcript Highlights:

• really, really hard, the State Board of Education as well, on refining what those are, and that feedback
• Teachers want that feedback.
• So it's also for teachers your feedback to know what do I need to improve on.
• And we have this system that has been provided a nearly immediate feedback from the beginning of the
• We have the opportunity to move carefully, listen to feedback, and make adjustments along the way, as

Bills: HB8

Keywords: HB 8, Texas public school accountability, school accountability, public school transparency, STAAR, state assessments, instructionally supportive assessment program, Student Success Tool, Texas Education Agency, TEA, accountability ratings, A-F ratings, through-year assessment, benchmark testing, norm-referenced assessment, college career military readiness, CCMR, local accountability plan, school district performance, campus turnaround

Transcript Highlights:

• The DOE must create a report based on the feedback from the school districts. And that is the bill.
• Chair, because I appreciate everybody's feedback, and I think that's an indication of how important we
• The DOE must create a report based on the feedback from the school districts. And that is the bill.
• Chair, because I appreciate everybody's feedback.
• Chair, because I appreciate everybody's feedback, and I think that's an indication of how important we

Summary: The Senate Education Pre-K-12 Committee heard and advanced a series of education-related bills, beginning with SB 540, the Evan B. Hartzell Act, which would require age-appropriate disability history and awareness instruction across grade bands. The committee adopted a delete-all amendment, heard emotional testimony from Melissa Hartzell about her son Evan’s experience with disability and inclusion, and reported the bill favorably. The committee also passed SB 1296, creating a pilot study on school cellphone bans; SB 1590, creating a task force to review educator preparation, certification, and professional learning; SB 1702, a broad education bill with provisions on private school facilities, marching band credit, school readiness reimbursements, and charter school monitoring tools; SB 1150, exempting school social workers from certain certification testing requirements; SB 1708, revising School of Hope rules and adding a Miami-Dade co-location framework; SB 822, updating charter school governance and operations; SB 444, requiring annual human trafficking awareness training for school personnel; and SB 742, expanding workforce development and money-back guarantee programs. Most of these bills were amended before being reported favorably by committee vote. The committee also considered and reported favorably SB 8, a claims bill providing a $1.2 million settlement for Marcus Button and his family arising from a 2006 Pasco County school bus crash that caused severe lifelong injuries. Senator Gaetz opposed claims bills in general, arguing the sovereign immunity cap should be raised so such cases can be resolved locally. Several bills drew questions and debate over implementation details, including concerns about charter school dress and hair policies under SB 822, the scope of human trafficking training under SB 444, and the zoning implications of private school facility provisions in SB 1702. Sponsor responses generally emphasized that the bills were intended to clarify existing policy or improve student safety, access, or educational outcomes. The committee also took up confirmation appointments. It recommended confirmation of the slate of appointees on Tabs 12 and 14 through 21 by voice vote, and separately recommended confirmation of Daniel Fogunoli to the State Board of Education after debate in which Senator Davis and Senator Osgood opposed the appointment. The meeting concluded with members recording additional votes, including Senator Burgess’s affirmative vote on SB 1150, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm interested in the Grant Marsh Bridge and the construction of it, and I like to give feedback.
• Providers not only offered feedback on pain points.
• Again, the appendix that's available online will give you the summary of that feedback.
• So what other states are doing this, and what are their success ratio and feedback?
• And so what other states are doing this and what are their success ratio and feedbacks?

Summary: The committee first approved the February 11, 2026 minutes and then received an update from the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency on the interagency council on homelessness and continuum of care funding. Testimony described rising homelessness tied to tight housing markets, low incomes, aging homelessness, barriers to rental assistance and public benefits, and limited shelter and case-management capacity. Members discussed the need for more affordable housing, continued one-time funding for the North Dakota Homeless Grant and Housing Incentive Fund, better coordination with Health and Human Services on economic assistance and human service zones, landlord engagement, recovery housing, and reentry housing. The committee also heard that federal continuum of care funding remains uncertain, with possible shifts away from permanent supportive housing and housing-first models; members asked for a future update on the impact if federal rules reduce the share available for permanent housing. The committee then took testimony on accessibility of government services for people who are blind or visually impaired. Paul Olson of North Dakota Vision Services School for the Blind described current screening and service delivery, including infant referrals, regional staff, short-term programs, and collaboration with vocational rehabilitation. He said the targeted screening system is working, recommended maintaining the current model, and noted ongoing challenges with staffing, public awareness, and accessible state websites and documents. Public testimony from a visually impaired resident and a deaf resident emphasized barriers such as CAPTCHAs, inaccessible PDFs, employment forms that screen out applicants based on driver’s license status, shortages of interpreters, and the need for video remote interpreting and video relay services, along with training for users and agencies. Finally, the committee heard a final report on the study of child care provider licensing from HHS Early Childhood Director Kay Larson. The report summarized provider input and committee discussion on simplifying North Dakota’s child care licensing structure, reducing administrative burden, and balancing that with health and safety standards. Key topics included licensing categories, child care assistance eligibility, food program sponsorship, staff qualifications, training requirements, ratios and group size, age bands, and preschool exemptions. The committee’s recommendations included streamlining to three provider types plus a preschool designation, revising ratio and age-band rules, and carrying forward certain preschool outdoor-space exemptions. Larson noted that any changes would require statutory changes, rulemaking, and a transition period before new licensing rules could take effect.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I was going to ask her, is there anything, you know, any feedback you have or other ideas?
• Is there anything, you know, any feedback you have or other ideas or whatever, because, you know.
• I don't have any strong feedback. I thought the document looked good.
• I just wanted to give just a little bit of feedback that as part of the discussion, Eman had the opportunity
• so they really urge the Division of Apprenticeship Standards to bring this back and also get some feedback

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Workforce Support Subcommittee met with ASL and CART interpretation, took roll call, and approved the prior meeting minutes by motion and second. The main discussion focused on a proposed apprenticeship-related presentation and outreach to the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD), including a draft letter and follow-up communication with Undersecretary Josh Cutler and Amara Ram. Members said the draft looked good and discussed keeping trade partners informed, as well as the need to coordinate with the broader commission before moving forward. A substantial portion of the meeting centered on apprenticeship opportunities for people with disabilities and how to frame the topic. Members discussed a recent Apprenticeship Week event, noting employer interest, Governor Healey’s goal of expanding apprenticeships to 100,000, and concerns raised by employers about a $250 annual fee and the complexity of the registration process. Participants also discussed the need to include people with disabilities in apprenticeship conversations, challenge stereotypes about suitable jobs, and possibly involve the Commission for the Blind, higher education partners, and behavioral health apprenticeship models. The subcommittee generally agreed to focus first on child care and home health as initial apprenticeship fields, with direct support, house managers, and program managers also identified as important workforce roles. Members discussed inviting trade representatives and state liaisons, but emphasized that scheduling should not become overly complicated. They leaned toward a Zoom-only format, likely around 90 minutes, and agreed to continue coordinating offline on dates, format, and outreach before the next step.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I was going to ask her, is there anything, you know, any feedback you have or other ideas?
• Is there anything, you know, any feedback you have or other ideas or whatever because, you know.
• I don't have any strong feedback. I thought the document looked good.
• I just wanted to give just a little bit of feedback that as part of the discussion, Eman had the opportunity
• so they really urge the Division of Apprenticeship Standards to bring this back and also get some feedback

Keywords: 1212, all

Summary: The subcommittee opened with roll call, introductions, and approval of the prior meeting minutes. Members then discussed a draft letter and planning for an apprenticeship-focused presentation or panel, noting outreach to the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development and interest in coordinating with the Division of Apprenticeship Standards. Chair Garlick and others said the draft looked good, and members agreed to keep trades and provider groups informed as the work moves forward. A major topic was how to make apprenticeships more accessible to people with disabilities and to the agencies that serve them. Members discussed recent Apprenticeship Week conversations, including employer concerns that the state’s process may not be as simple as advertised and that the $250 fee could be a barrier for small and mid-sized businesses. They also talked about the need to avoid stereotypes about which jobs people with disabilities can do and to focus on awareness, internships as a pathway to apprenticeships, and possible workforce gaps in fields such as direct support, home health, and child care. The group agreed that the proposed event should likely focus first on child care and home health, with possible inclusion of behavioral health as a related workforce area. Members also discussed inviting state officials, liaisons, and employer representatives, while keeping the panel manageable and relevant to the commission’s work. No final date was set, but members leaned toward proposing several options, likely in late May or June, and favored a Zoom format over hybrid for ease of scheduling and logistics.

Transcript Highlights:

• We definitely appreciate your feedback, Senator Yates.
• We definitely appreciate your feedback, Senator Yates.
• We definitely appreciate your feedback, Senator Yates.
• We definitely appreciate your feedback, Senator Yates.
• We definitely appreciate your feedback, Senator Yates.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the minutes, and then took up several administrative regulations. The first was an Office of the Attorney General regulation creating an online submission process for an annual certification report to replace prior quarterly notarized certification forms; there were no amendments or questions. The main discussion centered on Personnel Cabinet regulations 101 KAR 2:034, 2:102, 3:015, and 3:045, which include staff-suggested technical amendments and address state employee compensation and leave. The compensation provisions clarify salary and rehiring/demotion rules, increase critical position premiums from one to three, and update weekend premium and ACE award practices. The leave provisions would provide up to six weeks of paid leave per 10-year interval for birth, adoption, foster placement, or a serious health condition, and allow one paid adverse-weather day per year with supervisor approval. Staff explained that annual and sick leave already accrue and roll over, and that the new six-week benefit was intended as an additional enhancement tied to the 10-year and 20-year sick-leave milestones.

Transcript Highlights:

• In addition to that, I've gotten a lot of feedback from schools who actually are the ones that asked
• But I think the feedback from.
• Yes, what I think happens is there's no feedback loop. I really think it's that simple.
• My recommendation though to those educators, because this is feedback actually from educators.
• So, we're doing this because this is the feedback that we got.

Bills: SB1778, SB1570, SB134, SB1966, SB1636, SB1725, SB1726, SB259, SB504, SB592, SB2030, SB1572, SB843, SB1242, SB1255, SB1262, SB1264, SB1286, SB1581, SB1290, SB1316, SB1319, SB1369, SB1379, SB1381, SB1400, SB1427, SB1436, SB1461, SB1496, SB1509, SB1534, SB1553, SB904, SB1592, SB1645, SB1684, SB1767, SB1772, SB1813, SB1894, SB1928, SB1946, SB1980, SB2040, SB2060, SB2061

Keywords: reading instruction, literacy, educational equity, intervention services, third grade retention, Strong Readers Act, child welfare, child safety, administrative transition, Department of Child Safety and Well-being, Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth, juvenile justice, foster care, retirement, public employees, reemployment, benefit adjustment, Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System, memorial highways, bridge designations

Transcript Highlights:

• So the staff proposal puts forward both a framework that we are soliciting feedback on.
• We look forward to additional feedback and engagement on that piece. All right. Thank you for that.
• of feedback that we've been hearing from stakeholders.
• This is a primary area of feedback that we've been hearing from stakeholders.
• SEAB is in the process of gathering feedback from members, but would like to highlight a few...

Summary: The committee heard an overview and discussion of CARB’s proposed amendments to California’s Cap-and-Invest program, implemented under AB 1207 and SB 840. Chairs and members emphasized the program’s role in meeting climate targets while balancing affordability, and CARB described the proposal as intended to preserve market certainty, strengthen cost containment, address utility affordability, and support the state’s 2045 carbon-neutrality goal. CARB also noted the public comment period, the planned board hearing, and the goal of an effective date of September 1, 2026. Members questioned CARB on several implementation issues, including whether the rulemaking would be completed on time, the treatment of carbon capture and sequestration, the timing of the transfer of allowances from natural gas utilities to electric utilities, and the impact on ratepayers. CARB said it was on track to meet the May deadline, that CCUS/CDR could be further refined in the proposal and would also be addressed in a separate SB 905 rulemaking later in the year, and that it was seeking to protect ratepayers while inviting more utility data during the comment period. The committee also discussed refining-sector leakage risk, gasoline imports, and how imported fuel is accounted for under cap-and-invest versus the low-carbon fuel standard. A second panel of outside experts and stakeholders then testified. The Legislative Analyst’s Office and IEMAC representatives explained the major statutory changes, including putting offsets under the cap, shifting allowances from natural gas to electric utilities over time, and changing how allowance value is divided among utilities, industry, and the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. They stressed that CARB has significant discretion in setting the allowance “pie,” and that more free allocations to utilities or industry reduce GGRF revenues. EDF’s representative argued the proposal should be adopted this spring, said the utility transition should happen faster, and urged a tighter near-term emissions cap. SCAPA, representing publicly owned utilities, opposed the proposed utility allocation changes, saying they would reduce expected allowances, undermine long-term planning, and could force higher rates or reduced decarbonization investments.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I think the feedback that I've heard the most about...
• So the staff proposal puts forward both a framework that we are soliciting feedback on...
• of... ...feedback that we've been getting on the utility allocation.
• This is a primary area of feedback that we've been hearing from stakeholders.
• I mean, this is, I guess, feedback we'd love to get going forward.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We get that information, that feedback.
• We get that information, that feedback.
• A lot of landowner feedback goes into these.
• And anytime we can get that type of feedback, we really do appreciate that.
• I don't have really good feedback in South Dakota.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Energy Development and Transmission Committee met in interim session and approved the November 6 minutes. Chair Novak outlined the committee’s study agenda, including large energy users such as data centers, geothermal, landowner relations, wind and solar, and other energy topics across the state. The meeting was framed as informational only, with no bills or formal legislative action taken beyond the minutes approval. Testimony focused first on landowner relations. Oliver County Commissioner Dave Berger described the county’s energy history and local support for coal and related development. North Dakota Farmers Union President Matt Perdue emphasized proactive, face-to-face communication with landowners, respect for property rights, and the need for developers to be transparent about tradeoffs; he also discussed insurance and liability concerns tied to easements. Committee members asked about eminent domain, local versus state authority, and how communities can better understand the revenue and infrastructure implications of energy development. Department of Agriculture Deputy Commissioner Tom Bodine then described the department’s ombudsman programs for pipeline restoration and reclamation, wind restoration, and royalty oversight. He said the programs provide confidential, third-party assistance on reclamation and royalty disputes, but do not provide legal advice. Senators raised concerns about post-production deductions in royalty leases and whether the ombudsman can explain them; Bodine said the program can clarify statements and deductions but cannot resolve legal disputes. He also said the department has not received requests related to fiber lines. Representatives from Grid United and One Oak described their project development and landowner engagement practices. Grid United’s Brent Johnson discussed the North Plains Connector transmission project, its route selection process, voluntary acquisition approach, and efforts to avoid eminent domain by working closely with regulators, counties, townships, and landowners. One Oak’s Danette Welsh and Tom Giltner described the company’s midstream operations, extensive North Dakota footprint, and emphasis on direct landowner communication, consistent local regulation, careful construction practices, and post-construction reclamation. Members asked about setbacks, zoning consistency, invasive species prevention, outside advocacy groups, and eminent domain use; One Oak said it has not used eminent domain on its North Dakota projects, largely because most gathering lines are negotiated easements.

Transcript Highlights:

• passed legislation to give more insight into legislative spending, with the time needed to provide feedback
• Needed to provide feedback.
• publicly available for at least 45 days, providing people time to review the proposals and offer feedback
• The proposals and offer feedback.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Appropriations met with a quorum present, adopted the April 23, 2026 minutes, and then held a discussion focused on eligible legislatively directed spending items (LDSIs) for the FY 2027 budget. The chair explained that the committee was part of a new transparency process requiring legislators to publicly disclose LDSI requests, including the recipient, amount, and purpose, and noted that the forms must be posted publicly for at least 45 days before inclusion in the budget. He said Senate members submitted more than 500 eligible LDSI forms and House members submitted 750, for over 1,250 total proposals made available online. The chair emphasized that the process is intended to increase accountability and public awareness of how tax dollars are spent, and encouraged the public to review the posted forms on the Senate and House websites. During the meeting, four cards of support were read into the record: Wendy Fallow supported the Literacy Center of West Michigan project; Graham Filler supported the H.H.W. request on behalf of Kalamazoo County; and Mayor David LaGrand and Rob Verhulen both supported the aquarium request. No committee questions were raised, no substantive votes were taken on the LDSI items, and the committee moved through routine procedural actions. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, supported and adopted without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing no other feedback, all those in favor of adoption of the minutes from March 18, 2025, please signify
• I know there's been a lot of feedback, but we haven't had a chance to really talk about this.
• from uh our changes and hear feedback from uh our constituents<00:34:58.720><c> and</c><00:34:58.920
• since, is having electronic means of collecting feedback from people across the state as well.
• Um, do you incorporate the Cy's feedback in choosing those people?

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The capture devices is certainly an example of feedback we continue to receive.
• What's been their feedback? Senator Burgess. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• We're willing to get additional feedback, but no feedback at this point has been negative to my knowledge
• Thank you all very much for the feedback. This is seriously, this is new territory for me.
• Thank you all very much for the feedback.

Summary: The committee first took up SB 702, as amended by a strike-all amendment on digital content provenance and authenticity. Senator Burgess said the bill would require generative AI providers to add provenance data to content wholly generated by AI, allow provenance tags on AI-modified images, require social media platforms to retain and display provenance data in an accessible format, and apply content credentials to online election advertisements. He also described a two-year pilot program for the Division of Emergency Management to test provenance data in emergency communications, and said the bill would be enforced only by the Attorney General with no private right of action. Supporters from Microsoft and Adobe waived in support, while TechNet and the James Madison Institute raised concerns about broad definitions, implementation burdens, and the possibility that the rules could be easily circumvented. The committee adopted the amendment and then reported CS for SB 702 favorably. The committee next considered CS for SB 282 on home and service warranty association financial requirements, which would allow extended warranty companies to use multiple insurance policies to back obligations and let companies with a $100 million net worth satisfy proof requirements through SEC filings or an audited financial statement. The Florida Service Agreement Association supported the bill, and the committee reported it favorably. The committee also passed CS for SB 678, which allows pawnbroker transaction forms to be printed or digital; the Florida Pawnbrokers Association and a business representative supported the change, the amendment was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then heard SB 1132, the Portable Wireless Device Repair Act, which would require manufacturers to provide diagnostic tools, repair information, and parts to owners and independent repair providers, and would also extend right-to-repair concepts to agricultural equipment through an amendment. Supporters argued the bill would expand consumer choice and repair access, while opponents including TechNet, the Repair Done Right Coalition, the James Madison Institute, and the Taxpayers Protection Alliance warned about privacy, cybersecurity, trade secret, safety, and compliance concerns. After debate, the committee reported CS for SB 1132 favorably. Finally, the committee took up SB 676, which would create a framework for employees to knowingly and voluntarily waive the Florida minimum wage in certain internship, apprenticeship, and work-study settings, with a parent or guardian sign-off for minors. The sponsor said the bill was intended to expand job training and first-job opportunities for young people and others seeking experience, but multiple speakers and senators argued it conflicted with the Florida Constitution and existing case law, could be exploited by employers, and would undermine the voter-approved minimum wage. The committee continued extensive debate on the bill, with strong opposition testimony and questions about constitutionality, definitions, and enforcement.

Transcript Highlights:

• Then, we provided robust feedback back to them, the department.
• We actually did provide feedback on all five of the plans that were submitted.
• Even though they are not required to, they did respond to all of our feedback.
• They were very receptive to our feedback. That would be great, and thank you.
• I ask that you send it out to your constituents. ...Ask them to also provide feedback.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that was all based on feedback that we had heard from the counties.
• I think we provided them with some good feedback that hopefully, once the stakeholder group convenes,
• and materials, and we've been adjusting in real time as we hear this feedback.
• Yeah, so I really appreciate the feedback from the co-panelists.
• Is there a process set up to get that feedback back other than this committee hearing? No?

Summary: The committee heard a budget oversight hearing on the Department of Health Care Services, focusing first on the overall Medi-Cal budget and a March General Fund loan to cover a current-year shortfall. DHCS said the 2025-26 budget proposal totals $193.4 billion, with Medi-Cal projected at $188.1 billion total funds and $42.1 billion General Fund, driven by higher enrollment, pharmacy costs, managed care growth, and costs tied to eligibility expansions and the COVID-era redetermination unwinding. The department said the $3.44 billion loan was needed to manage cash flow and ensure timely payments to providers and plans, while the LAO noted Medi-Cal’s cash-basis budgeting creates volatility and that more detailed estimates would come with the May Revision. Members discussed federal Medicaid threats, the need for transparency on cost drivers, and the impact of pharmacy spending, long-term care, and immigration-related coverage expansions. The second major topic was family health programs, including California Children’s Services, the continuous coverage unwinding, and opioid settlement fund spending. DHCS described CCS funding methodology changes, ongoing county stakeholder work, and a delayed rollout of CCS monitoring and oversight until July 1, 2025, while county representatives and advocates argued the program is underfunded and asked for more technical assistance and a delay in implementation. On the unwinding, the department explained that federal redetermination flexibilities helped maintain coverage after the pandemic, but the Governor’s budget proposes ending them at the end of June 2025; advocates urged making the flexibilities permanent to avoid coverage losses. For opioid settlement funds, DHCS and Finance said the budget increases funding for naloxone distribution while reducing other harm-reduction spending based on updated settlement revenues, prompting criticism from members and public commenters who argued the change would weaken effective harm-reduction programs. The hearing also included an update on Proposition 35 implementation. DHCS said the voter-approved measure continuously appropriates MCO tax revenues beginning in 2025, with up to $4.6 billion annually available for specified Medi-Cal and provider investments in 2025 and 2026, but implementation depends on consultation with the required stakeholder advisory committee. The department and LAO noted uncertainty about future federal rules affecting the MCO tax after 2026. Public testimony largely supported maintaining Medi-Cal expansions, protecting immigrant coverage, preserving harm-reduction funding, and increasing support for community health workers, pediatric dental care, and CCS county administration. No votes were taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Do we have any information or feedback on whether or not it's worked?
• Do we have any information or feedback on whether or not it's worked?
• McBride mentioned, we are able to convene these groups regularly regardless to ensure we're obtaining feedback
• . ...to ensure we're obtaining feedback from municipalities, tire generators, tire processors, etc.,
• So from this body, we want to know exactly how that feedback is going. But thank you.

Summary: The House Committee on Appropriations met on March 30, 2026, and first approved House Bill 27, a constitutional amendment by Rep. McMakin that would let non-recurring state monies be used to pay down state retirement system unfunded accrued liabilities without being limited to the oldest debt. McMakin said the change would allow the state to choose the most actuarially beneficial debt to retire. The committee also favorably reported House Bill 755 by Chairman Turner, which creates indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity professional services contracting for design work tied to deferred maintenance projects, and House Bill 308 by Rep. Bayham, which requires cash acceptance at certain state-owned stadium facilities unless a cash-conversion kiosk is available. The committee then approved House Bill 311 by Rep. Kerner, which increases the dedication of insurance premium assessment revenue to the municipal fire and police civil service operating fund. Kerner said the Office of State Examiners now serves far more jurisdictions than when it was created and needs more funding to keep up with technology and workload. House Bill 417 by Rep. Zeringue was also reported favorably; it raises the cap on the hazardous waste site cleanup fund from $6 million to $8 million so DEQ can keep more dedicated revenue available for cleanup contracts instead of having excess amounts flow into the Environmental Trust Fund. Members questioned DEQ about the end of the Waste Tire Task Force and about how cleanup and tire-program stakeholder input would continue, but the bill itself was advanced. House Bill 980 by Rep. Zeringue, which would expand and alter the membership of the Fireman Supplemental Pay Board, was favorably reported after discussion about ensuring board members are tied to supplemental pay and about possible further changes on the floor. House Bill 575 by Rep. Carver, which gives youth in extended foster care priority to buy surplus state vehicles, was also approved after Carver described the transportation barriers facing former foster youth; an amendment that would have moved them from first to second priority was withdrawn after committee concern. The committee then favorably reported House Bill 290 to reauthorize the Department of Treasury through July 1, 2031, and House Bill 382, which shifts review of certain matters from an oversight committee to the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget to avoid a duplicative approval process. Several bills were adopted without objection, and the meeting adjourned after the final motions.