Transcript Highlights:

• to meet the broader needs of their communities and often provide vital access to technology and internet

Summary: The Transportation and Economic Development Budget Subcommittee met to organize for the session, take roll, and hear introductory remarks from members and agency heads. Members briefly introduced themselves and their districts, with several noting transportation, economic development, emergency response, military, and hurricane recovery issues in their areas. Chair Shove then outlined the subcommittee’s jurisdiction and current-year budget, noting a total of about $20.3 billion, with most funding coming from trust funds and only a small share from general revenue. The committee also heard that upcoming meetings would include presentations from major agencies in the subcommittee’s purview. The first agency presentation was from the Department of Military Affairs and the Florida National Guard. Major General John Haas described the Guard’s three missions—supporting national security, responding to state emergencies, and adding value to the state—and highlighted deployments for hurricanes, border security support, and ongoing support to the Department of Corrections. He emphasized that the Guard is understrength relative to Florida’s size and demand, said recruiting is strong, and identified force structure growth as the main challenge. Members asked about aircraft, funding sources, and recruiting; Haas explained the Guard’s helicopter and fixed-wing fleet, said aircraft purchases are funded through legislative appropriations, and reported strong interest in the Florida State Guard’s recruiting pipeline. Executive Director Mark Thieme then described the Florida State Guard’s expansion into air, ground, and maritime capabilities, including Black Hawks, boats, drones, canine search-and-rescue teams, and ground support units. He said the agency supported immigration enforcement and hurricane response, and asked for continued legislative support to expand aviation, maritime, and medical capabilities. Members praised the Guard’s disaster response work and asked about aircraft, funding, and staffing. Secretary Cord Byrd of the Department of State followed, focusing on election administration, election security, the SunBiz and voter registration IT systems, arts and culture, corporations, libraries, and historical resources. He said Florida’s election system remains a national model, reported two prosecutions for non-citizen voting, and discussed modernization needs for legacy IT systems. The committee also asked about voter lookup tools, password privacy for SunBiz, and arts funding vetoes. Secretary Alex Kelly of the Department of Commerce described the agency’s broad portfolio, including workforce, economic, community, and international commerce functions, plus housing recovery, broadband, small business support, rural infrastructure, defense-community grants, and law enforcement recruitment bonuses. He said access to capital is the biggest barrier for small businesses and noted ongoing work with CareerSource, the Department of Corrections, and other partners on workforce and reentry. Secretary Jared Perdue of the Department of Transportation then outlined FDOT’s record budget and five-year work program, emphasizing emergency response, preservation and maintenance, safety, and major investments in roads, ports, airports, transit, and spaceport infrastructure. He said the department has removed millions of cubic yards of storm debris, is ahead of schedule on the Moving Florida Forward initiative, and faces a large unfunded project backlog. Members asked about supply chain issues, project priorities, and workforce needs, and Perdue said FDOT is open to collaboration on recruitment and retention.

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, MFN2 provides the internet connection being used at the Capitol here today.

Summary: The subcommittee held its first meeting to examine Florida’s information technology governance, budgeting, cybersecurity, data management, and telecommunications operations. Chair Schneider and other members framed the panel as a new joint policy-and-budget forum focused on reducing jargon, improving accountability, and asking whether technology investments are feasible, aligned with state goals, cost-controlled, and secure. State Affairs Chairman Will Robinson and members emphasized that the committee should avoid buying “shiny new objects” without clear business cases and should focus on long-term value, cybersecurity, and operational efficiency. Florida Digital Service and Department of Management Services leaders provided an overview of the state IT enterprise. Secretary Pedro Allende described DMS as the state’s business, workforce, and technology service provider, while State CIO Warren Spanholz outlined Florida Digital Service’s four core areas: cybersecurity, project success, data interoperability, and enterprise architecture. Chief Data Officer Ed Ryan said the state data catalog is about 400,000 elements and roughly half of agencies are participating, and he described efforts to identify authoritative data sources and improve interoperability. Chief Information Security Officer Jeremy Rogers discussed the state cybersecurity operations center, enterprise risk management, incident response exercises, and a recurring $35 million cybersecurity resiliency budget. Chief Technology Officer Leo Schoonover described oversight of major IT projects over $10 million, updated project management standards, and a shift toward smaller phased implementations and more flexible methodologies to reduce delays and overruns. Other presenters covered telecommunications, data center operations, and cybersecurity workforce development. Director Denise Atkins said the Division of Telecommunications manages Suncom and MyFloridaNet, with nearly $336.9 million appropriated for fiscal year 2024-25, and is procuring the next network contract while emphasizing security controls and vendor flexibility. Tim Brown said the Northwest Regional Data Center operates on a chargeback basis, serves state and local customers, and returned surpluses to customers in recent years. Cyber Florida Director Ernie Ferraroso described training, workforce pipelines, K-12 outreach, a cyber range, and research programs aimed at building Florida’s cyber workforce and improving public-sector readiness. Members asked about budget setting, project delays, change orders, cybersecurity reporting, data catalog participation, interoperability, and expanding cybersecurity operations centers. Officials said chargeback rates are based on actual direct and indirect costs, project delays often stem from unclear scope and insufficient upfront planning, and cybersecurity success is measured by mean time to detect, respond, and recover. They also said the state is moving toward more modular project delivery, broader agency participation in shared cybersecurity services, and expanded CSOC locations within existing staff and budget where feasible.

Transcript Highlights:

• electronic and physical formats, because we have a lot of our constituents who do not have access to the internet
• electronic and physical formats, because we have a lot of our constituents who do not have access to the internet
• c><00:30:32.080> access<00:30:32.399> to<00:30:32.559> the<00:30:32.799> internet
• <00:30:33.520> or<00:30:33.919> do not have access to the internet or do not have access
• to the internet or do not<00:30:34.320> have<00:30:34.480> access<00:30:34.720> to<

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• format for carriers to submit them, so they gave two options: submit them in JSON forms, which are internet-style
• format for carriers to submit them, so they gave two options: submit them in JSON forms, which are internet-style
• options submit them in Json forms which options submit them in Json forms which are<05:25:19.040> internet
• <05:25:19.638> style<05:25:20.160> JavaScript<05:25:21.120> not are internet
• style JavaScript not are internet style JavaScript not notation<05:25:22.480> or<05:25:22.718

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a non-germane amendment to HB 297 that would create the Granite State Home Mitigation and Resiliency Program. Insurance Commissioner DJ Beton, joined by department staff, explained that the proposal is intended to help homeowners afford insurance by funding proactive home improvements that reduce risk and improve insurability. He said the program would be funded by the first $1 million collected annually from the insurance premium tax, with grants of up to $10,000 available on a first-come, first-served basis. Beton described the problem as rising homeowners insurance premiums, hard-market underwriting, nonrenewals, and the resulting shift to more expensive surplus lines coverage. He said eligible projects could include roof fortification, exterior improvements, flood-related foundation work, and removal of hazardous trees or limbs. He cited similar programs in other states, especially Alabama, Louisiana, and North Carolina, as evidence the model can work and noted that industry representatives were present in support. He also said the program would use means testing aligned with the Department of Energy’s weatherization program to target lower-income applicants. Members asked about the non-germane process, who would administer the program, and how the bill would prevent misuse of grant funds. The commissioner said the department would administer the program using one repurposed existing position, with Treasury handling fund flow through an MOU. Staff explained that applicants would have to show completed work through a signed contract, itemized work, and a sworn contractor affidavit, with some upfront payment allowed for materials and the remainder paid after completion. The chair and members discussed that the amendment is being attached to a different bill only to move the proposal through committee and on to House Finance for further consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Section two requires an education component to inform students and parents about social media and the internet
• media<03:13:20.760> and<03:13:21.520> uh<03:13:21.680> the<03:13:21.840> internet
• ,<03:13:22.480> and social media and uh the internet, and social media and uh the internet

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 11 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with an invocation by Reverend Anthony Phillips, and dispensed with the reading of the journal and committee reports. The chamber also recognized several guests in the galleries, including family members of senators, medical professionals for Early Childhood Day, and advocates and local officials. After introductions, the Senate moved into the calendar and began considering bills and motions. Among the measures taken up, the Senate passed House Bill 1393 to create the Mississippi Energy Infrastructure Fund, with the sponsor explaining it would allow MDA to support energy projects and require compliance with state procurement laws. The Senate also passed House Bill 420, which provides a full homestead ad valorem tax exemption for honorably discharged veterans age 85 or older and allows an unremarried surviving spouse to keep the exemption; senators asked about eligibility, age limits, and safeguards against improper exemptions. Another bill passed was House Bill 1941 on the Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund, which would allow funding through bonds or other means in addition to direct appropriation and raise the DFA processing cap from 2% to 3%; several senators raised concerns about state debt and the funding mechanism. The Senate concurred in Senate Bill 2906, which gives the Secretary of State additional time to establish minimum cybersecurity standards for county election systems. It also adopted motions to table reconsideration on several House bills, including House Bill 908 on absentee ballot receipt dates, House Bill 525 on mandatory minimum penalties for sexual battery, and House Bill 538 on sanctuary policies and immigration enforcement. The chamber voted to reconsider and then again pass House Bill 1613, described as a bill on aggravated trafficking weight and pill counts that also included a chemical abortion ban, after some senators who were absent earlier asked to go on record. For House Bill 2409, dealing with a comprehensive mitigation program for retrofitting insurable homes, the Senate voted not to concur and invited conference. The Senate also passed and retained numerous other items as it worked through the calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• original Senate File 85, an act relating to the Division of Criminal Investigation, creating the Internet
• criminal investigation,<02:46:15.120> creating<02:46:15.520> the<02:46:15.760> internet
• investigation, creating the internet investigation, creating the internet crimes<02:46:16.560>

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• with regard to a committee hearing we had this week on the First Amendment and how it would affect internet
• <02:43:59.760> it<02:43:59.920> would<02:44:00.000> affect<02:44:00.399> internet
• how it would affect internet platforms. how it would affect internet platforms.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, February 12, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the signs that protesters had out front, and I'm reading from an image that you can find on the internet
• <04:40:00.958> find<04:40:01.120> on<04:40:01.280> the<04:40:01.440> internet
• <04:40:01.680> just that you can find on the internet just that you can find on the internet

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we heard that kids are already subject to this information on the internet and the TV.
• responsibility of the parents, and don't they have more control over what their children are seeing on the internet
• So, we heard that kids are already subject to this information on the internet and the TV.
• responsibility of the parents, and don't they have more control over what their children are seeing on the internet

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• you<02:22:30.720> go<02:22:30.800> on<02:22:31.040> the<02:22:31.200> internet
• /c><02:22:31.600> and<02:22:31.840> you<02:22:32.080> look if you go on the internet
• and you look if you go on the internet and you look up<02:22:33.040> um<02:22:33.680> drug
• 02:22:40.640> and And for that reason, oh, the other thing I should add, if you go on the internet

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• resources and buying power to achieve common goals in the areas of both broadband and high-speed internet
• in the areas of both broadband and in the areas of both broadband and highspeed<04:21:51.680> internet
• highspeed internet highspeed internet access<04:21:55.040> thank<04:21:55.239> you

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I went looking, and they talk unfortunately a lot on the internet, and when I was looking for the information
• they talk unfortunately a lot in<04:33:54.561> on<04:33:54.920> the<04:33:55.080> internet
• > and<04:33:55.799> when<04:33:55.959> I<04:33:56.039> was in on the internet
• and when I was in on the internet and when I was looking<04:33:56.400> for<04:33:56.600> the

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 119-FN, which would allow rental companies registering a rental fleet to choose New Hampshire as their base jurisdiction under the International Registration Plan. The DMV witness said the state already has this capability under the IRP and did not support the bill, adding that no additional staffing should be needed. Committee questions focused on whether the bill would change where registrations are done, what implementation would require, mileage tracking, decals, and inspection requirements. A representative of the Motor Transport Association also said the bill was unnecessary because the option already exists, while noting some related truck-registration and property-tax issues. The chair then closed the public hearing on HB 119-FN with no further speakers. The committee next heard House Bill 612, which would let youth operators renew up to 30 days before turning 21 and receive a temporary license so they can transition to a standard horizontal license without an extra DMV trip. The sponsor and DMV director strongly supported the bill, describing a long-standing problem where early online renewals can trigger another vertical youth license, forcing a duplicate transaction and fee after the birthday. The DMV said the change would reduce confusion and workload, and estimated a one-time system update cost of $48,000. Members asked about whether the proposal was effectively a 30-day extension, how law enforcement would view the temporary status, and whether the system could handle printing and mailing the new horizontal license; the director said the DMV could manage it and that the bill was the best approach. The chair closed the hearing after no one else testified. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 209, which would exempt new vehicles from inspection in the second year after purchase, effectively allowing two years before the next inspection. The sponsor argued the bill would save taxpayers money and reduce unnecessary trips for owners of new vehicles. Supporters said newer vehicles are already maintained through warranties and routine service. Opponents, including the New Hampshire Auto Dealers Association and a service manager from a dealership, argued the bill was not limited to truly new cars, would weaken safety by delaying inspections on vehicles that can still develop tire, brake, and other defects, and could raise costs for everyone else if inspection volume drops. The Motor Transport Association clarified that commercial motor vehicles remain subject to annual federal inspection requirements. No vote was taken in the transcript, and the hearing remained open with testimony continuing.

Transcript Highlights:

• opinion of people in Oregon, Utah, and Wyoming, because they had the ability to just pipe on the internet
• pipe<00:43:35.960> on<00:43:36.960> um<00:43:37.520> the<00:43:37.640> internet
• <00:43:38.280> and just pipe on um the internet and just pipe on um the internet and and<00

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held an orientation for new and returning members of the House committee on agencies and administration, with introductions from members and staff. Chair Carol Maguire outlined her expectations for hearings: keep questions focused on the bill, be respectful to witnesses, and use the committee’s orientation opportunities to learn about the jail staff, retirement system, and Office of Professional Licensure. Members also discussed related assignments on other bodies, including the Joint Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules and the Joint Committee on Employee Classification, and noted that some members already serve on those panels. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on the State Building Code and the committee’s upcoming workload. Members explained how the state code is intended to provide a common baseline while allowing limited local options, and why municipalities must formally adopt and publish any local amendments. They reviewed several anticipated bills: a consolidation bill to gather building-code enforcement materials in one place, a bill to update the state energy code, a bill to restrict municipal adoption of building-code changes, and a bill to update the electrical code. Members also discussed how building codes apply to older homes and commercial buildings, and why code updates are important for safety and clarity. The chair said the committee had 36 bills currently scheduled, including many early bills that must move by March 6 because they will be heard by two committees. She said the committee would use subcommittees for harder bills, with three subcommittees this year: pensions, licensing, and likely state building code. She also outlined the hearing schedule, including lighter bills on February 12 and the expectation of executive sessions later in the month. No votes were taken during the orientation, but members were told that public hearings do not require a quorum and that hard copies of bills would be distributed by committee staff.

Transcript Highlights:

• For over a year, we've had guidance documents on our internet page that talk about how to collect samples
• Do not tell me my constituents in my part of Texas, don't tell us to go to the Internet.
• They don't trust the Internet. Those aren't valuable answers for us in rural America.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And it ties into some of the other panels we'll hear with the internet and how that works, and what a
• I don't even like the internet still, and that probably isn't changing before I get out of this place
• integrate with a phone app tied to a radio, which is then tied to an interface that’s connected to the Internet

Keywords: flooding, emergency response, communication systems, first responders, disaster management, Texas Water Development Board, regional planning, public safety

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on discussions around the recent floods in Texas, specifically addressing emergency preparedness, response coordination, and recovery efforts. Officials from various agencies provided testimonies on the challenges faced during the emergency, including issues with communication systems among first responders. Notably, the need for improved inter-agency communication and technology integration was emphasized, with recommendations for establishing regional communications units for better coordination during disasters. The audience included local government representatives and emergency management partners, who shared insights and experiences from the recent flooding events.

Transcript Highlights:

• we're going to go... down this road, and it ties into some of the other panels we'll hear with the internet
• To your point, old guys like me, I don't even like the internet still.
• An interface that's then tied to the internet.

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to proceed down this road, it ties into some of the other panels we’ll hear about regarding the internet
• could only absorb so much technology, and to your point, old guys like me, I don't even like the internet
• integrate with a phone app tied to a radio that's then tied to an interface that's then tied to the internet

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You can't ban the internet. HB 28 makes no sense. Giving THC access only to beverage companies?
• You can't ban the internet. HB28 makes no sense. Giving T.C. access only to beverage companies?
• So I went home and looked on the internet and found that nicotine pen manufacturers had increased the

Bills: SB 3, HB28, SB3

Keywords: flash flood, flood warning, outdoor warning siren, emergency alert, disaster preparedness, flood mitigation, Hill Country floods, Texas Water Development Board, municipalities, counties, local government mandate, public safety, grant program, backup power, weather siren, emergency management, flood-prone area, warning system, hemp regulation, consumable products

Transcript Highlights:

• EI-ISAC has been funded by the federal government as a division of a nonprofit called the Center for Internet
• Security through CISA include things like cyber hygiene, vulnerability scanning of an organization's internet
• on election security, including cybersecurity—CISA has now ended its contract with the Center for Internet

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And as we all know, stuff on the internet is forever.
• And as we all know, stuff on the internet is forever.
• And as we all know, stuff on the internet is forever.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all