Transcript Highlights:

• point system that gives them the advantage over other applicants that can be equal to up to 160 more SAT
• With enough money hoarded to buy 160 SAT points or to hire someone to take the SATs for a prospective
• mentoring, tutoring, or coaching to help their child with the skills needed to get admitted on their SATs

Transcript Highlights:

• I ran this bill because I sat on Chair Robinson's Civil Justice Committee and I voted on claims bills
• I ran this bill because I sat on Chair Robinson's Civil Justice Committee and I voted on claims bills
• Committee and I voted on claims bills, and you all will understand this is the Budget Committee, but I sat
• And I felt, as I sat there, that I was comparing money for a park versus money for someone's soul, and

Summary: The Budget Committee met with a quorum and took up several bills. HB 677, relating to state-covered fertility preservation for employees undergoing cancer treatment, was introduced as coverage for egg and sperm preservation for up to three years, with an estimated fiscal impact of about $813,000. After brief questions and no public testimony or amendments, the bill passed unanimously and was reported favorably. The committee then considered CS/HB 59, which would reform Florida’s wrongful incarceration compensation process by extending the filing deadline from 90 days to two years, removing the clean-hands requirement, and allowing exonerees to choose between the state compensation process and a civil lawsuit; it was supported by the City of Flagler Beach and passed unanimously. CS/HB 1313, which recreates the Resilient Florida Trust Fund in the Department of Environmental Protection before its scheduled termination in 2025, also passed unanimously after supportive testimony from advocacy groups. The committee received a lengthy presentation from the Department of Management Services on the State Group Insurance Program and the recent Revenue Estimating Conference. The presentation covered enrollment, revenues and expenditures, rising medical and pharmacy costs, emergency room utilization, GLP-1 drug spending, and options for tighter formulary and utilization management. Members asked about ER cost growth, GLP-1 coverage and copays, PBM oversight and potential conflicts, avoidable ER visits, cancer screening claims, dental and vision costs, specialty drug biosimilars, and possible savings from more restrictive pharmacy models. DMS said it would follow up on several questions and noted ongoing work on cancer coordination, preventive screening, biomarker testing, and a proposed member-facing benefits platform. The committee also heard extensive testimony on HB 301, which would raise sovereign immunity caps from $200,000 per person and $300,000 per incident to $1 million and $3 million, align limitations periods with private claims, and allow government entities to settle above the caps without a claims bill. Local governments, school-related entities, and county and city associations opposed the bill, warning of major fiscal impacts, higher insurance costs, and pressure on services; several speakers urged smaller increases or a tiered approach. Proponents, including families affected by catastrophic injury or death, argued the current caps are too low and the claims bill process is inefficient and unfair. After debate, the bill passed on a recorded vote, with some members voting no, and was reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• and there's some stuff that follows through it, but it's made a must because a long time ago someone sat
• c><00:23:15.799> time<00:23:16.039> ago<00:23:16.360> someone<00:23:16.720> sat
• <00:23:17.240> probably<00:23:17.520> in a long time ago someone sat probably in a
• long time ago someone sat probably in this<00:23:18.120> room<00:23:19.120> went<00:23:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, I haven't sat down, I should probably do this at some point, figure out how many years of law enforcement
• streets<00:04:35.639> uh<00:04:35.800> I<00:04:35.880> haven't<00:04:36.280> sat
• ><00:04:36.600> down<00:04:36.919> I<00:04:37.000> should streets uh I haven't sat
• down I should streets uh I haven't sat down I should probably<00:04:37.440> do<00:04:37.720><

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: House Public Safety Chair Paul Nney and several colleagues held a press-style discussion promoting a Republican public safety package, described as House File 7 and a set of 13 proposals. The members said the plan is aimed at helping law enforcement, keeping violent offenders off the streets, and increasing accountability in the criminal justice system. Specific proposals mentioned included a 10-year mandatory minimum for first-degree sex trafficking, requiring sex-offense registration even when a court imposes a stayed sentence, new offenses for freeway blocking, reckless fleeing, and conspiring to damage critical infrastructure, and making assault on a peace officer a felony rather than a gross misdemeanor. The group also emphasized transparency measures, including searchable public websites for charging decisions by judges and prosecutors, disclosure of who pays bail for offenders, and legislative approval for sentencing changes proposed by the Sentencing Guidelines Commission. They said the package was previously introduced but not heard by House DFL leadership, and that they plan to resubmit it. They also said they had met with Senate partners and a County Attorneys Association representative, and argued the information sought is already collected and should simply be made publicly searchable. In response to questions, the chair said the package does not directly address staffing, though members discussed broader law enforcement staffing shortages and training needs. He said academy applications have improved somewhat but will not fully offset retirements, and noted concerns about budget cuts to training funding. On costs, he said a fiscal note had been requested and estimated a separate searchable database could cost about $500,000 to build and maintain. The members also discussed public safety funding, Capitol security, and assaults on officers, saying they want protections expanded to corrections and EMS personnel as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• A past where I sat at a workbench at a camp by a deep Adirondack lake, learning how to braid thin plastic
• A past where I sat at a workbench at a A past where I sat at a workbench at a camp<00:01:46.440> by

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House convened with a devotional led by former Representative Carolyn Partridge, accompanied by bagpiper Ben Partridge. Partridge read Billy Collins’s poem “The Lanyard,” and the chamber then observed music and applause. Members also honored two former House members who had recently died: Representative Jason A. Barney of Highgate and Representative Noel E. Neely of Pomfret, followed by a moment of silence. The Speaker recognized the final group of legislative pages for their service and thanked them for their work during the busy end of the biennium. The House also read two concurrent resolutions adopted on the consent calendar: H.C.R. 273 recognizing May 2026 as National Tennis Month in Vermont, and H.C.R. 289 congratulating the 2026 Brattleboro Union High School championship mock trial team. The mock trial resolution noted the team’s first-place finish at the Vermont Law and Graduate School competition in South Royalton and identified the student advocates, witnesses, coaches, and advisor. Several members made announcements and introductions. A member from Jericho spoke in support of tennis and welcomed USTA Vermont representatives in the gallery. A member from Westminster introduced Carolyn Partridge and Ben Partridge, and a member from Brattleboro welcomed the mock trial students, noting they would visit committees later in the morning. A member from Winooski introduced family members in the balcony. House Democrats and House Republicans announced caucuses at 11:15. No floor votes were taken on legislation during this segment. The Speaker said the House would return to address bills on the calendar at 1:00 p.m., and the chamber stood in recess until then.

Transcript Highlights:

• Last week, you and I sat at that table together to present a similar version of the bill.
• Just like two years ago, we sat at that same table in 2024 and presented this legislature with a bill
• I believe that the gentleman who sat before me and the members of this committee have expounded on every

Summary: The Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee met on May 12, 2026, and focused primarily on Senate Bill 407, a congressional redistricting proposal, with Senate Bill 121 also scheduled for later. The chair explained the committee would first take up SB 407, consider amendments, then hear public testimony, and would not take up SB 116 or SB 130. Two amendment sets were adopted on SB 407: one technical set adjusting dates to align with the upcoming election cycle, and another updating the map in the bill. Committee members and the bill sponsor described the proposal as a 4-2 congressional map intended to comply with the Supreme Court’s CalA ruling, preserve traditional redistricting criteria, and avoid using race as the basis for district lines. Supporters of SB 407 argued the map was compact, contiguous, kept parishes and cities together, and created two opportunity districts without racial predominance. Several senators said the map better reflected Louisiana’s political and demographic realities and could withstand legal challenge under the Equal Protection Clause and First Amendment. Testimony in support also emphasized fairness, representation, and the idea that the state should not move to a 5-1 map. Some speakers, including former legislators and community advocates, said the state should maintain or preserve two districts where Black voters and Democratic voters could elect candidates of choice. Opponents of the broader redistricting effort criticized the process as rushed and confusing, especially because early voting had already begun and the Secretary of State was not present to answer questions. Some speakers said the legislature had not been properly involved in the election suspension process and raised concerns about whether votes already cast would count if maps changed. Others argued the proposed changes were an attempt to dilute political power and disenfranchise voters, particularly Black, poor, and queer communities. The committee heard extensive public testimony on both sides, but no final vote on the bill was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• of applicants and the certificate type that they're going for, the program admission criteria, GPA, SAT
• admission criteria GPA SAT ACT scores admission criteria GPA SAT ACT scores the<00:10:55.760> pass

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• SECOND I WANT TO THANK THE PRESIDENT, LAST YEAR WHEN YOU AND I SAT DOWN WHEN SECRETARY ROLLINS THE USDA
• LIKE I SAID, WE HAD THESE COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS AND FORESIGHT, SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES AND I WHEN WE SAT
• WHEN WE PASSED THE UNIVERSAL SCHOOL CHOICE BILL I SAT ON THE PANEL DISCUSSION SHORTLY THEREAFTER AND

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• by the BoG and to maintain not only high GPA scores from an admission standpoint, but high ACT and SAT
• GPA scores from an admission standpoint, but high ACT and SAT scores.
• In addition to that, she sat on the board of Hope Florida, which you've mentioned when DeSantis used

Summary: The Committee on Ethics and Elections met to consider several executive appointments, beginning with Matthew Walsh, Secretary of the Department of Juvenile Justice, for confirmation. Walsh outlined his long law-enforcement career, social work background, and priorities at DJJ, including staff wellness, reclassifying juvenile detention and probation officers as officers under statute, adding beds to move youth from detention into residential programs, and increasing per diem funding. Members asked about detention “dead time” and the need to get adjudicated youth into programming sooner. Public testimony included support from Barney Bishop and Christian Minor, and the committee voted unanimously to approve Walsh’s nomination and forward it to the full Senate. The committee then heard from Tina Vidal-Duarte, nominee for the Florida Atlantic University Board of Trustees. She described her business background as CEO of CDR Health, her education, and extensive nonprofit and board service, including leadership roles with the Florida Grand Opera, the Homeless Trust of Miami-Dade County, FAU, and the Hope Florida Foundation. Senators questioned her about free speech issues involving FAU faculty, her relationship with the new FAU president, student diversity, AI and workforce planning, and her prior role on Hope Florida. She also answered questions about her company’s work at the Everglades detention center and the bidding process for state contracts. Public testimony opposed her nomination, citing concerns about her business ties, Hope Florida, and detention-center contracts. Debate split largely along partisan lines, and the committee approved her nomination on a recorded vote. Afterward, the committee took up the remaining nominations in Tabs 2 through 15, excluding Tab 10, and approved them as a group by voice/recorded vote for forwarding to the full Senate. The meeting then concluded with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so I look at, as I sat there and watched the verdict come back for the shooter in the Douglas.
• And so I look at, as I sat there and watched the verdict come back for the shooter in the Douglas.
• I sat there and watched the verdict come back for the shooter in the Douglas case, count after count.

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met and considered nine bills, with members hearing brief presentations, limited debate, and mostly unanimous support. Early measures included CS/HB 421, which expands peer support access for first responders to include support personnel, and HB 205, which creates a new offense for abandoning a restrained dog during a natural disaster (“Troopers’ Law”). Both bills drew support from law enforcement and animal welfare-related witnesses, and both were reported favorably; HB 205 was adopted with a technical amendment. The committee also approved CS/HB 157 on service of process, which clarifies that a prior statutory change applies to all causes of action, creates a safe harbor for compliance, tightens substituted service requirements, and allows individual registered agents to be served anywhere in the state. HB 693, which adds an aggravating factor for capital felonies committed where people are gathered for school, religious, or public government activities, drew both support and opposition; the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops opposed expanding the death penalty, while supporters argued juries should have more tools in capital cases. The bill was reported favorably after debate. Members then approved CS/HB 113, increasing penalties for fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement, after discussion about marked versus unmarked vehicles and an amendment that restored current penalties for two related offenses. Rep. Bracey Davis voted no, citing concerns about unmarked cars and public safety perceptions. The committee also passed HB 91 on misdemeanor probation, PCS/CS/HB 383 allowing certain officers and service members to purchase firearms without the three-day waiting period, and CS/HB 195 to let correctional education count toward professional licensure requirements for incarcerated people. Finally, CS/HB 479 was approved to allow judges to order restitution in hit-and-run property-damage cases. All bills were reported favorably, most by unanimous or near-unanimous votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• THEY ARE A PUBLIC AGENCY AND WE SAT AND WORKED WITH THE PROBLEMS AND SAID OKAY HOW DO WE DESIGN THIS
• WE DID NOT JUST SIT STILL WHEN WE SAT THROUGH AND WORK THROUGH THESE STRATEGIES AND I AM WE DID NOT JUST
• SIT STILL WHEN WE SAT THROUGH AND WORK THROUGH THESE STRATEGIES AND I AM PROUD TO SAY I KEEP SEEING

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And instead, you know, we've sat with.
• I sat through Mr. Antz, and then so it was a long day. We went from about 11:00 to 2:00.
• I sat through Mr. Antz, I did mine. I had court in federal court when Ms.
• And before my 10 seconds is up, I want to say that having sat here as a former judge, I want to thank
• I apologize for butchering your name. to say that having sat here as a former to say that having sat

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee held a hearing on the confirmation of Kursha Kauahi Kani Mililani Durrant to the District Court of the First Circuit, but announced it would not vote until April 2. The chair also noted a backup plan if Zoom failed. Testimony was limited to two minutes per speaker. The hearing focused on Durrant’s qualifications, judicial temperament, and readiness for the bench, with no opposition presented. Support came from the Office of the Public Defender, Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation, Native Hawaiian Bar Association, Hawaii State Bar Association, Hawaii Women’s Lawyers, and numerous individuals. Witnesses described Durrant as highly experienced in both criminal and civil practice, including district, family, circuit, appellate, ICA, and Supreme Court work. Several speakers emphasized her legal reasoning, mentorship, civility, cultural grounding, and ability to listen and treat litigants with dignity. Personal supporters also highlighted her public service, hula background, and character. Committee members questioned Durrant about how she would approach district court cases involving repeat offenders, mental illness, substance abuse, houselessness, and diversion. Durrant said she would follow the law, consider the full range of sentencing factors, and use available probation, diversion, and treatment options where appropriate. She said she would be committed to using legislative tools such as Act 26 and other diversion powers, and to looking beyond advocacy toward practical justice and reducing recidivism. She also said her clerkship with Judge Marsha Waldorf, including exposure to drug court and mental health court, shaped her approach to problem-solving on the bench.

Transcript Highlights:

• He sat on his hands for four days. Mr.
• He sat on his hands for four days. Mr.
• He said he gets calls all the time, and if you've sat in committee with me, you've heard me say this.
• I get calls all the time, and if you've<01:23:11.280> sat<01:23:11.440> in<01:23:11.600
• in committee with me, you've you've sat in committee with me, you've heard<01:23:12.560> me<01

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, having sat on TRW through the gaming conversations, I think one of the concerns that I have, and
• Um, because I've sat there and watched it bounce in the six years I've been in the legislature from committee
• Um<00:22:40.040> because<00:22:40.360> I've<00:22:40.520> sat<00:22:40.800> there
• <00:22:40.960> and<00:22:41.120> watched<00:22:41.480> it Um because I've sat
• there and watched it Um because I've sat there and watched it bounce<00:22:42.040> in<00:22:42.120

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Like I said, I've sat eye to eye and face to face with lots of these people, and I feel very, very, very
• I sat out in the parking lot, just watching to see if Mr. Smith came back.
• Our staff were very uncomfortable with his presence as he sat in his car staring into the front doors
• One of our nuns, Sister Virginia, literally sat outside monitoring the situation, and when he...
• Weapons in the vehicle, or did you just know he was in the vehicle during the days that he sat there?

Bills: HB316, HB353, HB 1160, HB1414, HB1422, HB1443, HB1713, HB1789, HB1902, HB2073, HB2666, HB2695, HB316

Keywords: motor fuel, criminal offense, metering device, organized crime, Texas Penal Code, trespassing, school safety, day-care centers, education, trespass, public safety, utility employees, criminal penalties, assault, harassment, public duties, safety, law enforcement, driving offenses, license regulations

Transcript Highlights:

• He sat in his car for three minutes, and at 8:26, he exited his vehicle.
• Uh,<00:10:08.080> he<00:10:08.320> sat<00:10:08.560> in<00:10:08.720> his
• in his car for three minutes Uh, he sat in his car for three minutes and<00:10:11.120> at<00:
• We sat in that room and hearing.
• We sat in that room and listened<00:21:41.600> carefully<00:21:41.919> to<00:21:42.080>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Each year we sat down together and just assessed where I was at, where he felt I was at.
• And when I sat down with him, he had rated me a five as excellent. ...of my job, and when I sat down

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Transportation heard testimony on a range of bills focused on transportation funding, governance, and equity. Supporters backed proposals to create a North Central Massachusetts intercity passenger rail fund tied to a possible new gaming license (H. 3680/S. 2363), local parking assessments (H. 3756), third-party delivery fees (S. 2356/H. 3774), broader roadway pricing and congestion management measures (S. 2353/S. 2354), tolling equity and regional transit authority advisory boards (S. 2400/S. 2401), and Steamship Authority oversight reforms including board term limits (S. 2395). Testimony in favor emphasized new dedicated revenue sources, commuter rail expansion, regional equity, improved oversight, and better transit access for riders and communities that rely on public transportation. There was also testimony in opposition to the third-party delivery fee bills from Chamber of Progress, which argued the fee would raise costs for consumers, small businesses, and delivery workers, could reduce demand and jobs, and might not achieve the intended environmental benefits. Associated Builders and Contractors of Massachusetts opposed H. 3633, a transit expansion, electrification, and resiliency bill, specifically objecting to its mandatory project labor agreement requirement and saying it would limit competition and disadvantage non-union contractors and workers. Several witnesses spoke in favor of the Steamship Authority bill, saying term limits would improve transparency, accountability, and board turnover. The committee also heard detailed support for the North Central rail proposal from a legislator, the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, and a transportation advocate, who described the bill as a way to generate long-term bonded revenue for rail infrastructure. After testimony concluded and no questions remained, the chairs entertained and received a motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• As someone who has been a victim of domestic violence, I have sat in a courtroom during such proceedings
• As someone who has been a victim of domestic violence, I have sat in a courtroom during such proceedings
• I have sat in a courtroom during such proceedings.

Bills: SB1290, SB1332, SB1369, SB1379, SB1381, SB1386, SB1390, SB1428, SB1584, SB1696, SB175, SB1778, SB1794, SB1806, SB1836, SB201

Keywords: 2-1-1 services, revolving fund, Department of Human Services, crisis pregnancy, abortion, legal funding, housing, infrastructure, water projects, Oklahoma Water Resources Board, economic development, zero-interest loans, clawback provision, local contractors, mental health, crisis services, 988 Lifeline, suicide prevention, behavioral health, human trafficking

Transcript Highlights:

• An IB student got admitted from out of state with 1,400 on the SAT, 4, 5... ...the SAT.
• This bill sends a very clear message. the SAT.

Summary: The committee first took up PCS for HB 1503, which would require general education courses that use technology to provide students opportunities to build digital literacy, including instruction on applications of artificial intelligence and related topics such as software engineering, computer networks, database systems, and cybersecurity as applicable to the course. It would also require high school computer science courses offered by school districts to include instruction on AI. There was no public testimony or debate, and the bill was reported favorably on a unanimous roll call vote. The committee then considered PCS for HB 1279, an education bill that the sponsor said was intended to improve consistency, oversight, and transparency while putting Florida students first. The bill drew extensive questioning and opposition over provisions affecting university admissions and funding, including a 95% Florida-resident first-time-in-college enrollment target tied to preeminent funding, a cap on nonresident students from any one country, standardized GPA weighting, limits on institution-wide graduation requirements, and changes related to accreditation references and other education programs. The sponsor argued these changes would open more seats for Florida students, preserve academic rigor, and align statutes with existing regulations and court action, while opponents said the bill would harm university competitiveness, research, revenue, faculty recruitment, and access for international and nontraditional students. Public testimony on HB 1279 was largely opposed. Speakers included a student advocate, a dental hygiene representative concerned about dual regulation of expanded-function dental programs, and faculty representatives from FSU and FAMU who warned the bill would politicize admissions and curriculum, reduce competitiveness, and create negative fiscal impacts. During debate, supporters emphasized taxpayer investment in Florida students and the need to prioritize in-state applicants, while opponents argued the bill would weaken the state university system and undermine its national standing. The committee reported PCS for HB 1279 favorably by a 12-5 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• We then had a meeting at the school where we sat down with the teachers and explained in great detail
• We then had a meeting at the school where we sat down with the teachers and explained in great detail
• Where we sat down with the teachers and explained in great detail his epilepsy and how to handle any
• I sat in the back seat, staring out the window, contemplating my own death.
• Two years ago, I sat in this very room, at this very seat, to appeal to this committee to do more for

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education held a public hearing on a large slate of bills, with the chairs emphasizing time limits, written testimony, and grouping similar measures together. Early testimony focused on opioid use disorder education in schools (S.382), with Senator Keenan arguing that students should be taught about the risks of substance use disorder and naloxone use as part of health curricula. Representative DeCost also briefly introduced H.551, a narrow bill concerning parent rights for children in third grade and younger. Several bills were then closed without testimony, including measures on type 1 diabetes informational materials and other diabetes-related proposals. A major portion of the hearing centered on school health and emergency response bills. Supporters of H.652/S.342 on diabetes management in schools described inconsistent district practices and urged clearer standards so students can receive care in classrooms rather than being sent out of instruction. Bills on epinephrine access and seizure disorders drew extensive testimony: advocates for stock epinephrine in schools argued that unassigned epinephrine can save lives and should be funded in a cost-neutral way, while a pediatrician opposed one version as an unfunded mandate. For seizure-safe schools (S.422/H.635), students, parents, educators, and advocates described missed or delayed responses to seizures, stigma, and the need for staff training, seizure action plans, and emergency medication protocols. A separate bill, H.645, allowing anti-seizure medication on school buses, was supported by a parent and student who said current law forces costly and restrictive transportation arrangements. The committee also heard testimony on youth skin health bills (S.334/H.600/H.619), which would let students carry and apply sunscreen at school and camp without a physician’s note. Supporters from melanoma prevention, dermatology, and industry groups said the bills would remove unnecessary barriers and promote sun-safe habits, while one witness cautioned about drafting details and unintended consequences. The hearing then moved to CPR/AED education for graduation (S.456), where Senator Tarr, a student advocate, and the Red Cross all supported requiring hands-on CPR certification for high school students. Finally, the committee took testimony on healthy school lunches (H.539/S.401): supporters from the Healthy School Lunch Coalition and school food directors backed stronger nutrition standards and a standing advisory council, while Consumer Brands Association witnesses opposed the bill as too vague and potentially disruptive. A nutrition scientist also warned about unintended restrictions on medically necessary or innovative foods. The chairs closed the hearing on the healthy lunch bills and then opened testimony on universal school meals for virtual schools (H.700), with Superintendent Patrick Latuka supporting access for students in Commonwealth virtual schools who currently receive no meal support.