The Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment and General Government on an unspecified date reported favorably on four bills and temporarily postponed a fifth after a multi‑item hearing that included public testimony and sponsor remarks.

Vice Chair Lauren Berman told the committee SB 932, a measure she described as eliminating out‑of‑pocket costs for medically necessary diagnostic and supplemental breast imaging for people covered by state insurance policies, “ensures that early detection of breast cancer takes place by eliminating out of pocket costs for medically necessary diagnostic and supplemental breast imaging.” Berman said the bill applies only to state insurance policies (about 25% of policies in Florida, she said) and does not create new services but changes patient cost‑sharing under Florida statutes. Public health and medical groups waved in support during the committee's public‑testimony period.

Why it matters: Sponsors and several senators said delaying recommended supplemental testing after an initial mammogram can worsen outcomes; proponents argued removing cost barriers for state‑covered patients will improve timely follow up and may save lives. The committee recorded the bill as reported favorably.

The committee also advanced a CPA licensure bill, CS/SB 160, sponsored by Senator Joe Gruters. Gruters said the measure “adds additional pathways to become licensed in Florida while not lowering standards” and noted similar changes are under consideration in other states. The Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants (FICPA) signaled support during public testimony. The bill was reported favorably on a committee roll call.

A comprehensive water‑management district bill, presented by Chair Broder and discussed by multiple senators, was described as increasing transparency and accountability for Florida's water management districts while making investments in Everglades restoration. Chair Broder said the legislation “is a comprehensive legislation that makes historic investments in the Everglades restoration and increases transparency in planning, funding, budgeting, reporting, and business practices of Florida's water management districts.” Senators asked whether the measure would affect Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual (LOSOM) provisions; the chair said it would not. The committee reported the water‑management bill favorably.

Senate Bill 50, by Senator Tina Garcia, would promote nature‑based coastal resilience — including use of mangroves, living seawalls and oyster reefs — and direct the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to establish coastal protection rules and study the relationship between nature‑based solutions and insurance/flood‑rating outcomes. The committee adopted an amendment that funds a statewide feasibility study ($250,000) from the Resilient Florida Trust Fund and described DEP oversight of the study. Multiple environmental organizations and local stakeholders waved in support. Garcia called SB 50 “a forward thinking, cost effective, and science backed solution” and urged favorable support; the committee reported the bill favorably.

Finally, CS/SB 56, a bill on geoengineering and weather modification that had been scheduled for consideration, was temporarily postponed (TP) at the sponsor's request. Committee leaders said members and the public were welcome to provide materials to committee offices; the bill will be considered at a later time.

Votes at a glance
- Diagnostic/supplemental breast imaging coverage (sponsor: Vice Chair Berman; identified in the transcript as “SB 932” during explanation and later called on the roll as “SB 158”; transcript contains inconsistent bill numbering). Outcome: reported favorably. Public testimony: Jason Wynn (Florida Osteopathic Medical Association; waived time, support), Susan Harbin (American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network; waived time, support), Carolyn Cassidy (waived time, support), Yvette Drucker (waived time, support), Fran Noklis (waived time, support), Mark Wigder (waived time, support).
- CS/SB 160 — Public accountancy (sponsor: Senator Joe Gruters). Outcome: reported favorably. Public testimony: Jason Harrell (FICPA; waved in support).
- Water management district bill (sponsor: Chair Broder; roll called as SB 7002 in transcript). Outcome: reported favorably. Key points: historic investments in Everglades restoration; added reporting and transparency requirements for water‑management districts; chair and senators discussed stakeholder negotiations and a forthcoming Monday meeting to resolve scope/funding authority concerns.
- CS for SB 50 — Coastal resiliency and nature‑based solutions (sponsor: Senator Tina Garcia). Outcome: amendment adopted (barcode amendment; funds $250,000 feasibility study from Resilient Florida Trust Fund); bill reported favorably. Public testimony included the Nature Conservancy, Florida Shore and Beach Preservation Association, Environmental Defense Fund, Resilience Florida and other individuals waving support.
- CS/SB 56 — Geoengineering and weather‑modification. Outcome: temporarily postponed (TP); not heard.

Discussion vs. decision: The record shows substantive sponsor explanations, senator questions, public testimony in support for multiple measures, and roll calls that the clerk recorded as reporting the bills favorably. The geoengineering measure was deliberately pulled for later consideration.

What to watch next: Sponsors noted additional stakeholder work remains on the water‑management bill (scope of oversight and treatment of funds raised locally) and DEP rulemaking or studies required under SB 50 include a July 1, 2026 reporting deadline.