The Senate Committee on Governmental Oversight and Accountability on an informal calendar reported a package of bills favorably and advanced several others after brief explanations, limited debate and a handful of amendments.

Senators first approved measures to retain public‑records exemptions that protect sensitive information, moved forward proposed reforms to the state administrative procedure act and cleared a bill that would require the state group insurance plan to cover standard fertility‑preservation services for people undergoing medically necessary treatments.

Why it matters: The bills affect access to public records for security‑sensitive infrastructure and species location data, change rulemaking oversight and cost analyses for state agencies, and expand health benefits for state employees — decisions with implications for public safety, administrative operations and a narrowly defined patient population.

The committee reported Senate Bill 7,000, which would repeal the sunset date for a public‑records exemption that shields site‑specific location data for certain threatened or endangered species from public records requests. Senator Rodriguez explained the measure: “This bill repeals the sunset date for the public records exemption that protects information on the site specific location of certain threatened or endangered species,” and said it preserves protections for data held by state agencies and federal partners.

The panel also reported Senate Bill 7,006, which preserves exemptions for building plans, maps and related documents that depict 9‑1‑1, NG9‑1‑1 or public‑safety radio communications infrastructure; Senator Grahl said the bill “saves from repeal the public records exemption for building plans and similar documents depicting 9‑1‑1, E911 or public safety radio communications system infrastructure.” The bill also retains a public‑meeting exemption for portions of meetings and recordings that would reveal that information.

Senate Bill 7,004 — an Open Government Sunset Review concerning property photographs and personal identifying information of applicants or participants in disaster‑related housing assistance programs — was also reported favorably after its sponsor, Senator MacLean, said the bill removes the exemption’s sunset date for records held by the Department of Commerce, the Florida Housing Finance Corporation, counties, municipalities and local housing agencies.

On administrative procedure, the committee advanced CS for Senate Bill 448, a broader package of reforms to Florida’s Administrative Procedure Act. Sponsor Senator Burgess described the measure as seeking “comprehensive reforms” including enhanced oversight of agency rulemaking and expanded cost‑benefit analysis requirements; Burgess offered and the committee adopted an amendment that removed an eight‑year sunset provision from the bill. Louise Saint Laurent, chair of the Administrative Law Section of The Florida Bar, urged further refinement, warning that parts of the bill could “have a chilling effect on agencies’ ability to effectively assist their regulated industries” and that some provisions might conflict with existing Chapter 120 standing requirements.

The committee also cleared CS for SB 1058 with an adopted strike‑all amendment offered by Senator Gruters that would change certain geographic references in educational materials — including replacing references to the Gulf of Mexico with the phrasing “Gulf Of America” in future purchases of instructional materials, and removing the Tamiami Trail road designation from specified materials. Gruters said the amendment “defines what a SAGE agency is” and “allows the school district, board or charter school to purchase materials featuring any Gulf Of America references beginning 07/01/2025.” Senator Polsky spoke against the policy change on principle, saying she opposed devoting legislative time to renaming natural features; during the roll call she registered a “no.”

Finally, the committee reported CS for Senate Bill 924, which would mandate coverage under the state group insurance program for standard fertility‑preservation services for people undergoing medically necessary treatments that may cause infertility. Sponsor Senator Kalatiuh said the bill addresses the financial barrier for fertility preservation — citing in committee remarks that egg freezing can cost up to $15,000 and sperm freezing about $1,000, plus storage fees — and that the amendment adopted in committee broadens coverage beyond cancer and limits storage coverage to three years or until the individual leaves the state plan. Senator Polsky, speaking in support, described the measure as “a really important step” and noted personal connection as a cancer survivor; other senators expressed support while one raised caution about adding benefits to the state group plan and possible cost implications.

Votes at a glance: the committee reported these bills favorably after roll calls. Recorded “yes” votes include Senators Arrington, Broder, Grahl, McLean (MacLean), Polsky, Rodriguez, Fine and DeSigley unless otherwise noted on the record; Senator Polsky recorded a “no” vote on CS for SB 1058 during the committee call of the roll.

The committee had limited public testimony. Louise Saint Laurent testified on SB 448 on behalf of administrative law practitioners; representatives of Americans for Prosperity and the James Madison Institute waved in support of the APA reforms. No public testimony was recorded for the OGSR bills or SB 924 during the committee hearing.

The committee adjourned after adopting the listed committee substitutes and amendments and reported the measures out for further consideration.

What’s next: Each bill will proceed along the legislative calendar to the next committee or the floor as provided by Senate rules and scheduling; this committee’s action was a procedural step to report the measures favorably out of Governmental Oversight and Accountability.