Bills: HB4138, HB4139, HB4140, HB4141, HB4142, HB4143, HB4144, HB4145, HB4146, HB4147, HB4148, HB4149, HB4150, HB4151, HB4152, HB4153, SB1831, SB1832, SB1833, SB1834, SB1835, SB1836, SB1837, SB1838, SB1839, SB1840, SB1841, SB1842, SB1843, SB1844, SB1845, SB1846

Keywords: appropriations, education funding, health care, general fund, state budget, local funding, gaming, pari-mutuel, horse racing, regulatory assessment, first-time starters, budget implementation, federal funds, government services, budget stabilization, financial reporting, capital outlay, infrastructure, veterans services, highway construction

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, we also are uh changing one aspect where an itinerary uh with respect to uh amusement or amusement
• </c><00:04:39.680><c> or</c> uh with respect to uh amusement or uh with respect to uh amusement or amusement
• How are we defining amusement rides? >> Amusement rides has a specific definition in the statute.
• The other thing I think is amusing is that we talked about amusement rides in the last bill, and anybody
• The other thing I think is amusing is that we talked about amusement rides in the last bill, and anybody

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:01 Legislator Comments 00:42 HB 56 Discussion 02:27 HB 56 Roll Call Vote 12:52 HB 258 Discussion 14:03 HB 258 Roll Call Vote 26:15 HB 281 Discussion 27:41 HB 281 Roll Call Vote 30:14, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's nothing that really tells what is a place of amusement or recreation.
• Yeah, gentlemen, that amusement and recreation in Pulaski County would get our amusement and recreation
• Are they amusement and recreation?
• Are they amusement or recreation?
• I mean, when I go, it's probably amusing for people, but it's certainly not a place of amusement to me

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's nothing that really tells what is a place of amusement or recreation.
• Yeah, gentlemen, that amusement and recreation in Pulaski County would get our amusement and recreation
• Are they amusement and recreation? I mean, when I...
• Are they amusement or recreation?
• I mean, when I go, it's probably amusing for people, but it's certainly not a place of amusement to me

Summary: The Committee on Government Efficiency held a public hearing on House Bill 2809, sponsored by Representative Knight, which would exempt long-term RV campground stays of 30 consecutive days or more from state and local sales tax. Knight explained that the bill is intended to address a Department of Revenue ruling that treated RV site rentals differently from other long-term lodging, and he said the measure would help full-time RV residents and long-term campers facing housing costs. Committee members asked about the tax treatment, the fiscal impact, and the practical differences between RV sites and other rented land. Supporters, including the Missouri Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds and Associated Industries in Missouri, said the bill would fix confusion created by Department of Revenue rulings and make Missouri more competitive with other states. They argued that campground operators are being treated inconsistently through “place of amusement or recreation” interpretations, leading to audits and unexpected tax bills, sometimes based on amenities like cornhole, karaoke, or nearby trails. Witnesses said the bill would clarify the law, reduce compliance problems, and help campgrounds and nearby businesses by leaving more discretionary spending with visitors. Committee members generally expressed support and frustration with the Department of Revenue’s interpretation, with several saying the issue should be corrected in statute. Questions focused on monthly and overnight campground rates, the timing of the DOR ruling, and whether the tax would affect camping demand. No one testified in opposition. The hearing on HB 2809 was then concluded for the day, with no vote taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• And some of the ways that you can immediately tell that this is not an amusement machine is that amusement
• Those are the lawful types of amusement machine.
• “Are the lawful types of amusement machines.
• If it does, by law, it is not an amusement game.
• being considered an amusement game.

Summary: The Industries and Professional Activities Subcommittee met to hear a panel on the prosecution and enforcement of illegal gaming in Florida. The chair opened with a video showing seized machines at a Florida Gaming Control Commission warehouse and described the scale of illegal operations. Panelists included the commission’s executive director, local sheriffs and police officials, and state attorneys from several counties, who described widespread illegal slot-machine locations, often in strip malls or convenience-store-type settings, and said the machines are typically used in organized criminal activity rather than legitimate amusement gaming. Witnesses repeatedly said the current penalty structure is ineffective because possession and operation of illegal slot machines are generally second-degree misdemeanors, which they described as too minor to deter operators who can quickly reopen after paying fines or completing diversion. They said enforcement is resource-intensive, requiring undercover work, search warrants, machine seizure, storage, forensic review, and long prosecutions, often while the same operators reopen elsewhere. Several panelists cited associated crimes such as robberies, firearms offenses, prostitution, drug activity, human trafficking, and at least some homicides tied to illegal gaming locations. Members also asked about the difference between legal amusement devices and illegal slot machines, online gambling, illegal horse racing, local licensing and ordinances, and whether manufacturers or distributors could be pursued. The commission and prosecutors said legal slot machines are limited to specific regulated locations and that lawful amusement machines lack a material element of chance. They said many illegal machines are imported or reworked versions of gaming devices and that upstream accountability is difficult under current law. Panelists also discussed cooperation with licensed casinos, tribal gaming entities, and local governments, noting that some local ordinances have tried to permit or limit these businesses. The main policy takeaway from the panel was a call to increase penalties, likely to felony-level offenses, and to consider stronger forfeiture and enforcement tools. No vote or formal action was taken at the meeting, and the chair adjourned after thanking the panelists.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 4155 and Senate Bill 1848 are the amusement verbs.

Bills: HB4154, HB4155, HB4156, HB4157, HB4158, HB4159, HB4160, HB4161, HB4162, HB4163, HB4164, HB4165, HB4166, HB4167, HB4168, HB4169, SB1847, SB1848, SB1849, SB1850, SB1851, SB1852, SB1853, SB1854, SB1855, SB1856, SB1857, SB1858, SB1859, SB1860, SB1861, SB1862

Keywords: general appropriations act, budget, biennial budget, state spending, state finances, fiscal year 2026, fiscal year 2027, appropriations, operating budget, agency funding, public services, state agencies, capital budget, budget bill, must-pass legislation, HB4155, amusements, amusement industry, entertainment, recreation

Transcript Highlights:

• skill-based amusement games, licensed liquor<00:43:13.440><c> establishments.
• :36.480><c> amusement</c> skillbased amuse skillbased amusement skillbased amuse skillbased amusement
• </c><01:32:32.880><c> So,</c> play a skill-based amusement game."
• So, play a skill-based amusement game."
• </c><01:32:50.480><c> games</c> a couple of skillbased amusement games a couple of skillbased amusement

Bills: SF0044, SF0046

Keywords: gambling, lotteries, raffles, social relationships, charitable gaming, gaming, liquor establishments, skill based amusement games, regulations, age restrictions, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The commission does have resources on its website to help explain the difference between an amusement
• The commission does have resources on its website to help explain the difference between an amusement
• That is the distinction between the 54610 amusement games and the slot machine, 849-16.
• That is the distinction between the 54610 amusement games and the slot machine, 849-16.
• the following are specifically not amusement machines.

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries heard a presentation from the Florida Gaming Control Commission on illegal gambling in Florida. Executive Director Ross Marchman described the commission’s role, the limited number of legal slot-machine locations in the state, and the prevalence of illegal casinos, including “fish tables” and other machines found in strip malls, gas stations, and back rooms. He said the commission has received thousands of complaints, conducted 88 operations, seized thousands of machines and millions in cash and other property, and is currently storing large amounts of seized evidence at significant cost because the cases and appeals are still pending. Marchman argued that illegal casinos are tied to broader criminal activity, including robberies, drug trafficking, human trafficking, firearms offenses, and even murders, and said the current penalties are too weak because most gaming offenses are second-degree misdemeanors. He and members discussed the need for stronger deterrents, better resources, and possible changes to the law, including whether evidence could be reduced to samples rather than retained in full. Senators also asked about cease-and-desist letters to online gaming operators, the role of manufacturers and landlords, and how the commission distinguishes legal amusement machines from illegal slot machines. Daniel McGinn, speaking as an individual, supported the commission’s concerns and said prior enforcement efforts were limited by the statutory scheme. He referenced the Gator Coin case and explained that operators often use licensing agreements and repeated cash-split arrangements to keep machines in circulation. He urged legislative action, noted a gap in the statute regarding private rights of action, and warned against creating carve-outs that could raise constitutional or compact issues. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after the presentation and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're just amusement game operators, our members.
• Again, our members supply amusement games throughout Florida. They have to transport those.
• We're just amusement game operators, our members.
• Senator Pizzo, for your amusement games, does it take cash? I'm sorry.
• Does cash go into these machines that you're saying are for amusement purposes only?

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries heard and advanced several bills, with the most extensive discussion centered on condominium issues, gambling enforcement, and public safety. CS/SB 592 on the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program was amended to clarify the three-story eligibility threshold and to add sliding glass door wind-driven rain mitigation devices as an eligible improvement. A late-filed amendment to appropriate $500 million for the program failed on a 3-4 roll call vote, and the bill was then reported favorably. Members also took up CS/SB 1742, a broad condominium and cooperative association reform bill, which would give associations more flexibility on reserves after milestone inspections, require substitute budgets over certain spending increases, improve disclosure and conflict-of-interest rules, expand data collection, and extend some disclosure rescission periods; the committee adopted an amendment and reported the bill favorably. The committee also approved CS/SB 622 on pari-mutuel permit leasing, as amended to allow leasing to same-class permit holders or Hialeah permit holders and to make related wagering licenses discretionary rather than automatic. SB 1404 on illegal gambling was reported favorably after amendments allowing veterans organizations to seek declaratory rulings on machine compliance and adding ethics/revolving-door restrictions for Gaming Commission personnel; a late amendment concerning a Miami casino property was withdrawn. Testimony on that bill came from prosecutors, the Gaming Control Commission, veterans groups, and amusement machine operators, with supporters emphasizing organized crime enforcement and opponents seeking clearer definitions and compliance guidance. On public safety and infrastructure, SB 1682 to include 911 dispatchers in the definition of first responder was reported favorably with strong support from dispatchers and committee members. SB 818 on utility relocation and SB 1228 on spring restoration were also reported favorably, with counties opposing the utility bill as a taxpayer cost shift. SB 948 on flood disclosures for rental properties and condominium sales/rentals was reported favorably after support from environmental and flood advocacy groups. The committee also heard SB 604 on residential pool safety requirements, but the chair temporarily postponed it after concerns were raised about how the inspection requirement would work in cash transactions and whether it would require permits or delay closings.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're just amusement. To individuals as they come forward with different types of games.
• We're just amusement game operators, our members.
• Again, our members supply amusement games throughout Florida. They have to transport those.
• Senator Pizzo, for your amusement games, does it take cash? I'm sorry.
• Does cash go into these machines that you're saying are for amusement purposes only?

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries met with a quorum and took up several bills, beginning with CS for SB 592, the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program. The bill was explained as revising condominium eligibility and grant rules, lowering the approval threshold to 75%, changing roof project rules, capping reimbursement at $175,000 per association, and excluding detached units. Two amendments were adopted, including one clarifying the three-story threshold and another adding wind-driven rain mitigation devices for sliding glass doors as an eligible improvement. A late-filed amendment to appropriate $500 million for the program was adopted on a roll call vote, but the bill itself was then reported favorably. Testimony generally supported the program, with members noting strong demand and the need for more funding, though one amendment drew concern from a window manufacturer and some members about product approval and fairness. The committee then approved CS for SB 622 on pari-mutuel permit holders, which would allow certain facilities to be leased to Hialeah permit holders and other same-class permit holders, with an amendment making the lessee eligible to apply for, rather than automatically receive, a license for inter-track wagering or Hialeah games. CS for SB 1404 on illegal gambling was also reported favorably after amendments added a declaratory judgment process for veterans organizations, strengthened ethics/revolving-door restrictions for Gaming Commission personnel, and then withdrew a late amendment concerning a Miami casino property. Prosecutors and the Gaming Control Commission supported the bill as a tool to target criminal gambling operations, while amusement machine operators and veterans groups raised concerns about overbreadth and uncertainty for lawful operators. SB 604 on residential swimming pool requirements was temporarily postponed after questions about how the new sale/transfer disclosure and safety-feature requirement would work in practice, especially for cash transactions and whether home inspectors would be involved. SB 1682, adding 911 dispatchers to the definition of first responder, was reported favorably with support from dispatchers and members who emphasized the trauma and public safety role of telecommunicators. SB 818 on utility relocation and SB 1228 on spring restoration were both reported favorably, with counties opposing the utility bill as a cost shift to taxpayers and the spring bill drawing support from JEA. The committee also approved CS for SB 948 on flood disclosures for tenants and condo buyers, and CS for SB 1742, a major condominium and cooperative association reform bill that would adjust reserve funding rules, allow temporary reserve pauses after milestone inspections, require substitute budgets over a certain threshold, permit lines of credit in lieu of reserves through 2028, expand disclosure and data reporting, and add conflict-of-interest and governance changes. The condo bill drew extensive discussion and testimony, with supporters praising the flexibility and transparency provisions and some owners urging additional relief for inland, lower-rise buildings; it was ultimately reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair. >> So the skill-based amusement games, the total tax collected on skill-based amusement games
• This is the total cash played on skill-based amusement games.
• </c> played on skill-based amusement games. played on skill-based amusement games.
• I know uh skill-based amusement games.
• Um skill-based amusement gaming page 16.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're dealing with amusement park ride safety.
• companies that come in and set up basically amusement park rides.
• We have sat in lengthy meetings with the Amusement Ride Association of Louisiana.
• Thank you, Brian, and Jeremy, for working with the amusement park.
• So the amusement ride company calls us for a set-up inspection, yeah.

Summary: The committee met on April 7, 2026, and first handled several fire marshal-related bills. HB 917, a licensing and regulatory cleanup for life safety and property protection work, was amended with technical changes and reported favorably. HB 565 clarified that the State Fire Marshal, rather than local authorities, would handle fire safety inspections for early learning and child daycare centers; members adopted an amendment limiting the standards to state or federal codes and addressing ventilation and suppression requirements for small facilities, and the bill was reported favorably with amendments. The committee then took up HB 937, which would shift amusement ride setup inspections back to the State Fire Marshal, require licensing and insurance for rides and inspectors, and repeal provisions related to inflatable amusement devices. The author and fire marshal cited a serious festival ride accident in Pointe Coupee Parish as the impetus, and members discussed inspection timing, insurance costs, and whether background checks or public inspection certificates should be required. After technical and agreed-upon amendments, the bill was reported favorably. HB 799, a boiler inspection consolidation bill, was presented as a cleanup measure that would centralize boiler regulation under the fire marshal and rely on licensed inspectors meeting national standards. Stakeholders from industry and the fire marshal’s office described it as an efficiency and safety measure, and the committee adopted a substantive amendment on shutdown procedures and licensing details before reporting the bill favorably. HB 461, which would have allowed parishes and municipalities to adopt fortified roof standards, drew extensive testimony both for and against; supporters argued it could improve resilience and lower insurance costs, while opponents warned it would undermine Louisiana’s uniform building code, add cost, and create inconsistency. The author ultimately moved to voluntarily defer the bill. Finally, the committee began HB 977, a bill on minors’ use of applications that would require age verification, parental consent, and app store/developer safeguards. An amendment clarified definitions, consent rules, data-sharing limits, and a good-faith compliance defense. Members raised concerns about the 45-day cure period, the lack of a private right of action, and whether app stores would become gatekeepers, but the bill remained pending at the end of the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're dealing with amusement park safety rides.
• companies that come in and set up basically amusement park rides.
• We have sat in lengthy meetings with the Amusement Ride Association of Louisiana.
• Thank you, Brian, and Jeremy, for working with the amusement park.
• So the amusement ride company calls us for a set-up inspection? Yeah.

Bills: HB461, HB467, HB522, HB565, HB673, HB799, HB917, HB937, HB956, HB977

Keywords: building codes, construction standards, state uniform construction code, local option, municipal ordinance, parish ordinance, resilient construction, FORTIFIED Home, IBHS, Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety, hurricane resistance, storm resilience, roof replacement, residential construction, certificate of occupancy, code enforcement, building resilience, home hardening, wind mitigation, residential roof

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, it's mostly to provide some cleanup language regarding amusement rides and to make it clear that
• So, under current law right now, anytime an amusement ride is about to be used, they have to give us
• So, under current law right now, anytime<00:03:42.720><c> an</c><00:03:42.879><c> amusement</c><00:03
• <c> is</c><00:03:43.840><c> about</c><00:03:44.000><c> to</c><00:03:44.159><c> be</c> anytime an amusement
• ride is about to be anytime an amusement ride is about to be used,<00:03:44.560><c> they</c><00:03:44.720

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• BUT THERE ARE RESOURCES ON THE WEBSITE TO HELP UNDERSTAND AN AMUSEMENT MACHINE BY 4610 OR SLOT MACHINE
• THAT IS THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN 54610 AMUSEMENT GAMES AND SLOT MACHINES A 4916.
• AND, AGAIN, IN THE DEFINITION OF AN AMUSEMENT GAME, A LAWFUL ONE, THERE IS A UNIQUE PROVISION THAT SAYS
• THE FOLLOWING ARE SPECIFICALLY NOT AMUSEMENT MACHINES.
• IF YOU SEE MECHANICAL REELS OR VIDEO POKER THOSE ARE BY LAW EXCLUDED FROM THE DEFINITION OF AMUSEMENT

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's really amusing to talk about all this stuff.
• Representative Blackman, I do appreciate where you're going, but we are on the amusement bill.
• This disposable income on amusement is going to definitely help rural Arizona.
• This disposable income on amusement is going to definitely help rural Arizona.
• And so until I see that in the Amusements Bill, discussing online gaming, I vote no.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But the moment that you stop building new amusement parks or new roller coasters at the amusement park
• is the moment that the product kind of stagnates and folks stop coming to your amusement park.
• ><c> the</c> coasters at the amusement park is the coasters at the amusement park is the moment<00:23
• And so I would close by amusement park.
• </c> new roller coasters to the amusement new roller coasters to the amusement park<00:58:36.559><c>

Bills: HB1952, HB1951, HB1929, HB2497, HB2208, HB2572, HB1953, HB2551, HB2549, HB1737, HB1628, HB1769, HB2493, HB2264, HB1997, HB2168, HB2427, HB1805, HB2180, HB2184, HB2219, HB2469, HB2233, HB2519, HB2141, HB1904, HB2201, HB2410, HB2007, HB2385, HB2444, HB2349, HB2235, HB1872, HB2416, HB2291, HB2292, HB2263, HB2359, HB2455, HB1509, HB1514, HB1515, HB1648, HB2164, HB2323, HB1825, HB2172, HB1888, HB2005, HB2387, HB2358, HB2119, HB2276, HB2472, HB1714, HB2325, HB1541, HB1960, HB2140, HB2315, HB2367, HB2388, HB1696, HB2333, HB2138, HB2332, HB2283, HB2059, HB2057, HB2589, HB2417, HB2337, HB1588, HB2217, HB2020, HB1915, HB1742, HB2026, HB1965, HB1546, HB2360, HB1563, HB1749, HB2614, HB1511, HB1753, HB1849, HB1641, HB2161, HB2194, HB1721, HB2284, HB2188, HB1897, HB1880, HB1573, HB1876, HB20, HB2137

Keywords: HB1952, Hawaii agriculture, University of Hawaii, CTAHR, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience, Kauai, agricultural research station, extension station, capital improvements, general obligation bonds, GO bonds, appropriation, ADA compliance, Americans with Disabilities Act, certified kitchen, greenhouse, laboratory, field research, cesspool decommissioning, invasive species

Transcript Highlights:

• be able to go to the commission and ask for a declaratory statement to say whether it is a legal amusement
• You're talking about machines that might be at Dave and Busters, that's an amusement type machine that
• Chair Alvarez: Amusement Machine Association of Florida is an opponent.
• I work for the Amusement Machine Association of Florida.
• License pari-mutuel readers and regulated amusement games. That is concerning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sections 2 through 5 relate to an amusement device...
• Sections 2 through 5 relate to an amusement device...
• Sections 2 through 5 relate to an amusement device...
• Sections 2 through 5 relate to an amusement device...
• Sections 2 through 5 relate to an amusement device...

Bills: HF2274, HF1932

Keywords: taxation, income tax, property tax, corporate tax, homestead credit, local government aid, tax credits, economic development, taxpayer assistance, tax credit outreach, tax preparation, free tax help, IRS, Department of Revenue, general fund appropriation, earned income tax credit, child tax credit, volunteer income tax assistance, VITA, low-income taxpayers

Transcript Highlights:

• It's really amusing to talk about all this stuff.
• Representative Blackman: I do appreciate where you're going, but we are on the amusement bill.
• This disposable income on amusement is going to definitely help rural Arizona.
• This disposable income on amusement is going to definitely help rural Arizona.
• So I would encourage my members to support HB 4139, the amusement bill, today.

Summary: The House convened, approved the journal, and spent much of the opening portion recognizing guests and interns from both parties, along with former lawmakers and a newly seated member, Representative Sylvia Allen. The chamber then took up House Concurrent Resolution 2065 honoring the late Alfredo Gutierrez. Members from both parties gave extended remarks about his life as a civil rights advocate, student activist, legislator, and mentor, and the resolution was unanimously adopted and transmitted to the Senate. Family members of Gutierrez were recognized in the gallery during the memorial tribute. The House then moved into Committee of the Whole on the first budget-related measures. On House Bill 4138, the “feed bill”/budget operations measure, Democrats argued the budget favored corporations and data centers over seniors, health care, housing, universities, and vulnerable families, while Republicans defended it as a continuation of prior policy and said it preserved tax conformity and modest agency cuts. After debate and questions, the committee recommended the bill do pass and the House adopted that report, sending HB 4138 to engrossing. The chamber next considered House Bill 4139, the amusement/gaming-related budget bill. Members debated whether it was essentially unchanged from last year’s budget language, with Republicans saying it was a continuation bill and that gaming-related provisions would support rural economies and tourism, while Democrats questioned the broader budget context and its effects on working families. The committee recommended HB 4139 do pass, and the House adopted that recommendation. The House then began debate on House Bill 4140, the state budget implementation bill, focusing on the budget stabilization fund and a proposed government efficiency initiative; discussion was still underway at the end of the transcript.