Video & Transcript Research : 'First Amendment rights'
Page 115 of 500
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session-Day 14, February 25, 2026-AM
Wyoming House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We have amendments. First amendment, second reading amendment to Senate File 45.
- the members for your first time on the amendment?
- Opposed to the amendment. All right. Sorry about that. Any other members for their first time?
- First time on the amendment. Okay, we're moving to second time on the amendment.
- First time on the amendment. Okay, we're moving to second time on the amendment.
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- So, we're going to amendments first.
- There are two amendments. The first amendment is technical.
- The The first amendment is technical.
- amendments. The first is technical. amendments. The first is technical.
- All right, adoption of this amendment.
Summary:
The Senate reconvened with a quorum and began by reading House messages and first-reading bills, including SB 8 on identity fraud and deepfakes and HB 145 on election misinformation and deepfakes, which was referred to Rules. The chamber then handled several concurrence and conference matters. On HB 154, the Open Meetings Act bill for county boards of education, the Senate initially moved to recede from its amendments and accept the House version, but debate centered on a Senate transparency amendment limiting school boards’ ability to censor recordings. A motion to reconsider the amendments was laid over for 15 minutes. On SB 514, a third-degree assault bill, the House refused to recede and a conference committee was appointed. A guest introduction also welcomed a 10-month-old visitor to the gallery.
In second-reader business, the Senate adopted committee amendments and advanced SB 504, which strengthens data privacy protections and limits use of personal data for immigration enforcement, and SB 790, the Public Health Reform Act, which revises the Commission on Public Health, updates the Maryland Medical Reserve Corps, adds health equity review processes, and makes related administrative changes. Both bills were reported favorably with technical and conforming amendments and ordered printed for third reading. The chamber then took up HB 191, which would require merchants to accept cash for essential consumer goods and set related rules and exceptions; members questioned its scope, exemptions, and enforcement, and the bill was laid over pending clarification about whether stadiums are covered. Finally, HB 564 on pet cremation and burial services added consumer protection and disclosure requirements for pet cremation providers; its technical amendment was adopted and the bill was ordered passed for third reading.
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- It's just the way your amendment is right inserted in there. amendment is right inserted in there. amendment
- got started with this amendment first got started with this amendment first got started with this amendment
- That's the amendment we're act, right? That's the amendment we're act, right?
- All right. Thanks. That's first Really? All right. Thanks. That's first Really? All right. Thanks.
- Right. was a constitutional amendment. Right. was a constitutional amendment. Right.
Keywords:
appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, state budget, mental health funding, education funding, infrastructure improvements, public safety, groundwater, water conservation, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, innovation fund, local conservation districts, transportation protection agreement, funeral services, insurance exemption
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Not aware of an amendment. One second. Okay. All right.
- Any other amendments to HCR 2050 analysis? All right.
- Do we have any other amendments? All right, Mr.
- It’s the text of the amendment. This is the amendment she’s offering. Right, this is the amendment.
- All right. There is a fifth amendment.
Summary:
The committee met to review and adopt Legislative Council ballot measure analyses, with members repeatedly reminded that the hearing was limited to the accuracy, clarity, and impartiality of the summaries and not the merits of the underlying proposals. Steve Premack explained the statutory role of the analyses in the publicity pamphlet, and staff presented draft language for several measures. The committee considered and voted on multiple amendments, often debating whether proposed wording was clearer or instead crossed into advocacy or added unnecessary legal detail.
For SCR 1004, members debated amendments to more closely mirror the measure’s text and to add language about electric vehicles and mileage, but several proposed changes were rejected. The analysis was ultimately adopted by an 8-6 roll call. HCR 2021 was then adopted without amendment by the same 8-6 margin. For HCR 2055, members debated whether the summary should say the Department of Homeland Security must “do everything” or “use all lawful means available,” and whether to add language about cartels acting “individually or collectively”; both amendments were rejected and the analysis was adopted 8-6.
The committee next took up SCR 1004 on photo enforcement systems, where members proposed amendments to clarify that the measure would apply to red light cameras, to add “thereafter” regarding recurring voter approval, and to specify that approval would occur at the general election; those amendments failed, and the analysis was adopted 8-6. On SCR 1032, dealing with instructional expenses and classroom site fund reductions, members debated adding a definition of the Classroom Site Fund and spelling out the waiver process in more detail; both amendments failed, and the analysis was adopted 8-6. Finally, on HCR 2001 regarding citizenship identification and early voting, members rejected amendments that would have added background on current law, clarified that mail voting would be affected, added severability and revenue-source language, and struck the measure’s short title; the discussion was lengthy and at times contentious, but the transcript ends before a final roll-call vote on that measure is shown.
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session-Day 11, February 21, 2026-PM
Wyoming House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- for their first time on the amendment? for their first time on the amendment?
- Any other members for your first time? First time on the amendment. Second time on the amendment.
- for first time on the amendment? for first time on the amendment?
- Any members for their first time on the amendment? For their first time on the amendment?
- Further changes. for their first time on the amendment? for their first time on the amendment?
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session-Day 12, February 23, 2026-PM
Wyoming House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- for the first time on the amendment? for the first time on the amendment?
- to their Fifth Amendment rights. to their Fifth Amendment rights.
- your Fifth Amendment rights. your Fifth Amendment rights.
- All right. Any other members for their first time on the amendment?
- first time on the amendment? first time on the amendment?
NJ
New Jersey 2026-2027 Regular Session
Senate Budget and Appropriations Jun 4th, 2026
Senate Budget and Appropriations
Transcript Highlights:
- There are amendments to Senate Bill 149 and Assembly Bill 2391, both first reprints.
- Senate Bill 149, first reprint, as amended, is favorably released.
- There are amendments to Senate Bill 312 and Assembly Bill 2401, both first reprints.
- Thank you. amended an assembly bill number 2391 first reprint as amended are favorably released and are
- We'll go from my right, your left. Triple A first. We'll go from my right, your left. AAA first.
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session-Day 8, February 18, 2026-AM
Wyoming House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Any other members for their first time on the amendment? Amendment number 44. Representative Lai.
- Any others for the first time? First time on the amendment.
- Any others for the first time? First time on the amendment. And get things going.
- Any others for the first time? First time on the amendment. Individually, we can do more.
- Any others for the first time? First time on the amendment.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Rules Feb 10th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- So thank you for protecting our First Amendment rights. Thank you.
- So I just wanted to express my gratitude for the ability for us to maintain our First Amendment right
- I hear what people are saying to us about protecting their First Amendment rights.
- It would never be his intention to limit anybody's First Amendment right.
- We’re going to be dealing with First Amendment rights, and we’ve got to make sure that we’re on point
Summary:
The committee heard several bills and took favorable action on a number of them. CS/CS/SB 54 by Senator Sharif would require district medical examiners to perform toxicology screening for psychotropic drugs and intoxicating substances in autopsies of identified violent offenders, consult treating providers when available, document findings, and report results to state agencies; it passed after brief questions and one opponent waived against. CS/SB 176 by Senator Polsky would require public colleges and universities to publish clearer campus safety reporting and response procedures for threats to students, faculty, or staff; it also passed favorably with no opposition. CS/CS/CS/SB 290, the Florida Farm Bill by Senator Trumbull, was the longest item and drew extensive testimony. The bill covers fair association rules, preemption of local limits on gas- and diesel-powered farm equipment, surplus of certain state-owned lands for agricultural use, a food animal veterinarian loan repayment program, permanent funding for Farmers Feeding Florida, forest service training, signal jammer penalties, CDL exam cheating penalties, no-solicitation protections, inspector protections, biosolids rules, and contractor payment enforcement. Members adopted multiple amendments, including changes to contractor payment language, expanding vet loan repayment to equine vets, merging citrus research entities, technical updates to fair statutes and nonprofit definitions, and a late amendment removing the bill’s disparagement/free-speech section after significant public testimony and debate. A separate late amendment on biosolids delayed compliance timelines for Broward County, and the bill then passed favorably as amended.
The committee also approved CS/CS/SB 834 on nonprofit religious organizations, which repeals a restriction on health care sharing ministries partnering with licensed insurance agents, while adding a disclaimer requirement through amendment; the bill passed with support from some faith-based and consumer groups and one waiver against. SB 936 on temporary door locking devices passed without opposition. CS/SB 50 would expand veterans’ courts statewide as an option in all judicial circuits for service-related issues such as PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and substance abuse; it received broad support from veterans and advocacy groups and passed favorably. CS/SB 1004, in strike-all form, would regulate dog and cat sales by requiring disclosure of medical records and financing terms, adding a three-day waiting period for financed purchases, and treating violations as unfair trade practices; an amendment removed an appropriation section, and the bill passed after questions about financing and pet retention.
The committee then approved CS/CS/SB 178, which directs the Florida High School Athletic Association to adopt rules allowing coaches to provide good-faith support to student-athletes for basic needs like food, transportation, and recovery services, while requiring reporting and preserving anti-recruiting enforcement; members discussed possible parental-consent language, and the bill passed favorably. Finally, the committee began hearing CS/SB 198 on virtual currency kiosks, with Senator Rouson explaining that it would regulate crypto kiosks to combat fraud, require operator registration, fraud warnings, blockchain analytics policies, and transaction limits, but the transcript cuts off before further action on that bill.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- That is a First Amendment right.
- We're not taking away somebody's First Amendment right to express opinion.
- This certainly is true how precious our First Amendment right is to free speech.
- This certainly is true how precious our First Amendment right is to free speech.
- Amendment right in this country.
Summary:
The House met, opened with prayer and the Pledge, approved the prior journal, and first took up a motion to request Senate consent for an extended adjournment. Representative Volk opposed the motion, arguing members should keep working on unfinished business, while Speaker Montenegro said the House had completed its current budget work and was waiting on the governor to return to negotiations. The motion passed 31-20, and the House also agreed to a related Senate adjournment request and to return HB 2415 to the Senate for reconsideration.
The chamber then went into Committee of the Whole and considered several Senate bills. SB 1199, concerning the Salt River wild horse herd, was amended to pause removals for a genetic diversity study and received a do-pass recommendation. SB 1399 on Medicaid spending transparency, SB 1496, SB 1497, SB 1582, SB 1713, and SB 1798 were also amended and advanced. SB 1713 drew the most debate, with supporters saying it would expand pharmacist access to basic care and improve rural and veteran access, while opponents warned it expanded scope of practice beyond pharmacists’ training. The House later adopted the Committee of the Whole report, ordered several bills engrossed, and sent SB 1399 to third reading.
In a second Committee of the Whole, SB 1214 and SB 1670 were further amended and advanced. The House then moved to third reading and voted on multiple bills. SB 1006, SB 1037, SB 1171, SB 1242, SB 1270, SB 1419, SB 1429, SB 1445, SB 1452, SB 1478, and SB 1566 passed, while SB 1099 and SB 1635 failed on the initial vote. Members then used reconsideration motions to place SB 1006 and SB 1635 back on the third-reading calendar. The session ended with personal privilege remarks recognizing correctional officers, Cinco de Mayo guests, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples Awareness Day, and other tributes, followed by adjournment until June 1, 2026.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- All right, members, any discussion on the floor amendment?
- All right, you've heard that motion on the committee amendment as amended. Is there any...
- All right, you've heard that motion on the committee amendment as amended. Is there any discussion?
- It's going to hit First Amendment problems, and this bill also certainly runs into First Amendment problems
- Amendment rights.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
HOU-WLA Public Hearing 02-17-2026
Transcript Highlights:
- of—Senator Rhodess, there's a right of first refusal built in, and this right of first refusal is at
- of—Senator Rhodess, there's a right of first refusal built in, and this right of first refusal is at
- <00:20:36.000>
of <00:20:36.240>first So one of So there is a a right of first So one - of So there is a a right of first refusal<00:20:36.960>
Senator <00:20:37.440>Rhodess < - right of first refusal is at a a<00:20:41.840>
prescribed <00:20:43.039>formula <00:20:
Summary:
The joint hearing covered several housing-related measures. On SB 2068, which would create an affordable housing land inventory task force within the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to study how to maximize housing on transit-oriented development and other state and county lands, testimony was mostly supportive from agencies and housing groups, with one opposition witness. In response to questions, OPSD said it was already working on a list of potential parcels but could not yet identify unit counts or a timeline, and estimated about $250,000 would be needed for staffing and contractual support.
The committees also heard SB 2227 on rental assistance, which would require HPHA to make monthly rent supplement payments, prioritize certain tenants including kupuna, allow agreements with counties and nonprofits, and create a special fund supported by a transaction fee on recordings. HPHA supported the bill, and the Department of the Attorney General said it recommended amending the measure to describe the fee as a tax. Additional testimony included support from elder and community organizations and one opposition witness.
For SB 2061, relating to residential condominiums and the 99-year leasehold program, HCDA and the project developer testified in support of amendments intended to preserve owner-occupant requirements while making the project more marketable and financially feasible. Members focused heavily on parking, affordability, and financing. HCDA and the developer said the parking stalls would be unbundled from the units, that the project would be a 99-year leasehold with 60% of units reserved for buyers at or below 140% AMI and 40% market-rate, and that the state’s $15 million equity contribution would cover only part of the parking garage and commercial component. The hearing then moved on to SB 3327, relating to HCDA and complete communities, but the transcript cuts off before that measure was fully discussed.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee (1-13-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- Okay, so right now we're just talking about the agency amendment.
- Okay, so right now we're just talking about the agency amendment.
- Okay, so right now we're just talking about the agency amendment.
- Okay, so right now we're just talking about the agency amendment.
- Right now we're just talking about the agency amendment.
Keywords:
0:01– Meeting start/roll call
0:34 – Approval of minutes
0:48 – Welcome of new committee members
1:34 – Council on Postsecondary Education
25:17 – Teachers’ Retirement System
27:00 – Kentucky Public Pension Authority
29:04 – Board of Veterinary Examiners
31:40 – Board of Nursing
34:01 – Board of Emergency Medical Services
36:15 – Fish & Wildlife Resources
40:34 – Department of Corrections
56:00 – Department of State Police
58:05 – Department of Criminal Justice Training
59:22 – Transportation Cabinet
1:00:18 – Department of Education
1:01:23 – Department of Employment Services
1:04:17 – Department of Workplace Standards
1:05:25 – Department of Housing, Buildings & Construction
1:06:59 – Cabinet for Health & Family Services, Dept. for Public Health (Sanitation)
1:13:50 – Cabinet for Health & Family Services, Dept. for Public Health (Trauma System)
1:17:46 – Cabinet for Health & Family Services, Dept. for Public Health (Radon)
1:18:30 – Cabinet for Health & Family Services, Dept. for Medicaid Services
1:19:15 – Cabinet for Health & Family Services, Dept. of Aging Services
1:20:36 – Other Business/Adjournment, 958, all
Summary:
The subcommittee met with a quorum, approved the minutes, and welcomed new members before taking up Council on Postsecondary Education regulations 13 KAR 2:120 and 13 KAR 2:130. The regulations, as amended by staff and agency amendments, update public university and KCTCS performance funding models to conform to 2024 Senate Bill 191 and the performance funding work group’s recommendations. Changes discussed included replacing the underrepresented minority metric with an underrepresented students metric defined as first-generation students, adding an adult learner metric, increasing the low-income degree premium, adjusting small-school and nonresident credit-hour weights, revising data aging and progression metrics, and adding STEM+H criteria in 13 KAR 2:120.
Travis Pal of the Council on Postsecondary Education explained that the changes reflect the work group’s three-year review process and that the work group ultimately voted to define underrepresented students as first-generation students and to apply half-weighting between research and comprehensive universities for the new metric. Michael Frasier of the Kentucky Student Rights Coalition and Eastern Kentucky University student government opposed 13 KAR 2:120, arguing that the regulation improperly applies weights where the statute does not clearly authorize them and that the funding changes disadvantage comprehensive universities and vulnerable students. He asked the committee to find the regulation deficient or, alternatively, recommend legislative clarification and a revised fiscal analysis. Pal responded that weighting has been part of the model since 2017, that CPE was following the statute and work group recommendations, and that the model could be changed by future legislation.
Members asked about the timing of the broader performance funding review, and Pal said the full model is reviewed every three years, with the next work group cycle beginning in 2026. No motion to find the regulation deficient was made, and the committee allowed the regulations to proceed to the committee of jurisdiction. The committee then approved a staff amendment to Teachers’ Retirement System regulations 102 KAR 1:195 and 102 KAR 1:340, which require annual reporting of accumulated sick leave, leave policies, and salary schedules to TRS and make technical changes to the final average salary calculation and related definitions.
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session-Day 11, February 21, 2026-AM
Wyoming House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- House Amendment Number 44, first reading amendment. Any others for their first time?
- House amendment still on first time.
- Any others for first reading amendment.
- All right. Next amendment for our 35. All right.
- that other amendment first, talk about that other amendment first, but<03:22:21.840>
this <03:
VA
Transcript Highlights:
- So if we can do that, that's the first amendment.
- The second amendment says we've tried the first amendment and the cost is still going up.
- So the first amendment is simple. It just gives us the So the first amendment is simple.
- So if we can do that, that's the first amendment.
- So the first amendment is simple. It just gives us the So the First Amendment is simple.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-02-19 (10:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And there is an amendment. Please read the first amendment.
- Please read the first amendment. Late filed amendment barcode. Mr.
- President, please read the first amendment.
- Please read the first amendment. Amendment barcode 458-674 by Senator Mazzulo.
- Please read the first amendment.
Summary:
The Senate convened with an opening prayer, pledge, and a series of gallery introductions recognizing visitors, local officials, students, and public safety personnel. The chamber first took up a report from the Ethics and Elections Committee on 42 executive appointments; after Senator Gaetz explained that the committee had reviewed the appointees’ qualifications and suitability, the Senate adopted the report and confirmed the appointments by a 36-0 vote.
The Senate then moved through a long special-order calendar focused largely on open-government sunset reviews and other policy bills. It passed measures to continue or consolidate public records and meeting exemptions for aquaculture records, agency-held trade secrets, and cybersecurity information, with one technical amendment adopted on the cybersecurity bill. The chamber also approved bills extending the statute of limitations for failure to report child abuse, strengthening regulation of commercial driving schools, requiring human trafficking education for nursing graduates, creating a new injunction for protection against serious violence by a known person, and making the related public-records exemption. Additional bills passed included a nature-based coastal resiliency measure with an amendment restricting dredge-and-fill in Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve, a chiropractic trust-funds bill, specialty license plates, a one-time waiver of late financial disclosure fines, public school personnel compensation changes, the annual Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services “Farm Bill,” homestead exemption clarification for long-term leaseholders, disability-presumption clarifications for first responders, reinsurance intermediary manager changes, patriotic displays in public schools, ADS-B fee restrictions, autism-related law enforcement training and a Blue Envelope program, campus safety policy transparency at public colleges and universities, and veterinary prescription disclosure. Several bills were temporarily postponed, including local vessel restrictions, temporary certificates for practice, and domestic animals.
The Senate also debated and passed a bill allowing licensed insurance agents to market health care sharing ministries, despite concerns raised by Senator Polsky about consumer confusion, commissions, and the sale of non-insurance products; supporters argued it restored free speech, religious liberty, and consumer choice. The chamber approved the bill 32-5 after debate. Most other measures passed with strong bipartisan support, often by unanimous or near-unanimous votes, and several companion House bills were substituted in place of Senate bills before final passage.
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- Like this is the first part of this, right?
- <00:15:08.240>
And <00:15:08.399>if the first part of this, right? - And if the first part of this, right?
- The amendment fails. >> How many were up? I didn't see it. >> No problem. >> All right.
- The amendment fails. >> How many were up? I didn't see it. >> No problem. >> All right.
Summary:
The House convened with 130 members present, approved the previous day’s journal, and read several groups of introductory House bills and a bond initiative, referring them to the appropriate committees. Senate bills were also introduced in the House and assigned to committees. The chamber then took up House Bill 1, concerning limits on cost recovery for investor-owned electric and gas utilities, with debate focused on whether the bill would reduce ratepayer costs or interfere with utility compensation and grid reliability.
Two amendments to HB 1 were debated and both failed by roll call after floor leaders argued they would undermine the bill’s purpose of protecting ratepayers. One amendment would have allowed utilities to seek approval from the Public Service Commission to exceed pay or bonus limits for vital workers; supporters said it would preserve flexibility to retain critical employees and maintain reliability, while opponents said any extra compensation should come from shareholders, not ratepayers. A second amendment sought to exempt frontline workers involved in system reliability, emergency response, and storm restoration; supporters said it would protect the grid and allow quick response in emergencies, while opponents again said it would shift costs back onto ratepayers. The House also heard extended questioning about utility rates, PSC approval, and broader energy costs, including references to Empower charges and infrastructure expenses.
After the amendment debate, the House voted to special order HB 1 for a later time, allowing additional amendment opportunities, and the bill was set aside. The session then moved to committee announcements, including briefings and bill hearings for Appropriations, Economic Matters, Environment and Transportation, Government, Labor, and Elections, Health, Judiciary, and Ways and Means, along with several subcommittee meetings later in the day.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- And there is an amendment. Please read the first amendment.
- Please read the first amendment. Late filed amendment barcode. Mr.
- President, please read the first amendment.
- Please read the first amendment. Amendment barcode 458-674 by Senator Mazzulo.
- Please read the first amendment.
Summary:
The Senate convened with an opening prayer, pledge, and a series of introductions recognizing guests, visiting groups, and special honorees in the galleries. The chamber then took up committee and executive appointment business, adopting a report confirming 42 gubernatorial appointments by a vote of 36-0.
The Senate next considered a long special-order calendar of bills, most of them passing with little or no opposition. Measures included public-records sunset reviews and trade secret/cybersecurity exemptions; a child-abuse reporting statute of limitations bill; commercial driving school oversight; human trafficking training for nurses; a new injunction for protection against serious violence and its related public-records exemption; nature-based coastal resiliency and mangrove protection; a chiropractic trust-funds cap repeal; specialty license plates; a waiver of late financial disclosure fines; public school personnel compensation; the Florida Farm Bill with multiple agriculture, biosolids, and enforcement provisions; homestead exemption clarification for long-term leases; disability presumption clarifications for first responders; reinsurance intermediary manager conformity; patriotic displays in public schools; ADS-B aviation fee restrictions; autism-related law enforcement training and the Blue Envelope program; campus safety reporting procedures for public postsecondary institutions; and veterinary prescription disclosure. Several bills were temporarily postponed, including local vessel restrictions, temporary critical-need practice certificates, and domestic animals.
The floor debate featured the most discussion on the farm bill, the HCSM/nonprofit religious organizations bill, the autism law-enforcement bill, and the school athletics bill. The HCSM bill drew extended debate over whether licensed insurance agents should be allowed to market faith-based health care sharing ministries, with supporters emphasizing consumer choice, free speech, and religious liberty, and opponents warning about unregulated products and commissions; it passed 32-5. The athletics bill, prompted by the Teddy Bridgewater/Miami Northwestern situation, would let coaches provide good-faith support to student-athletes while requiring reporting and FHSAA oversight; it passed 38-0. Most other measures passed overwhelmingly, including the autism bill 38-0, the campus safety bill 37-0, the public school patriotic displays bill 36-2, and the farm bill 38-0 after amendments addressing Everglades lands and biosolids timing were adopted.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- And there is an amendment. Please read the first amendment.
- Are there amendments? On the desk, Mr. President. Please read the first amendment.
- Are there amendments? On the desk, Mr. President. Please read the first amendment.
- Please read the first amendment. Amendment barcode 458674 by Senator Massullo.
- Please read the first amendment.
Summary:
The Senate convened with an opening prayer, pledge, and several introductions recognizing visitors, students, local officials, and professional groups in the gallery. The chamber then took up a report from the Ethics and Elections Committee confirming 42 executive appointments; the report was adopted by a vote of 36-0. The Senate also adopted a resolution honoring the Ripple Project for childhood cancer awareness and funding.
The bulk of the meeting was spent on special-order bills, many of them open-government sunset review measures and policy bills. The Senate passed bills preserving or updating public records exemptions for aquaculture records, trade secrets, and cybersecurity information; a child-abuse reporting statute of limitations bill; a commercial driving schools bill; a human trafficking training requirement for nursing graduates; a new injunction for protection against serious violence by a known person and its companion public-records bill; a nature-based coastal resiliency bill with an amendment restricting dredge-and-fill in Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve; a chiropractic patient-funds bill; specialty license plate legislation; a one-time waiver for late financial disclosure fines; public school personnel compensation changes; the Florida Farm Bill with amendments protecting Everglades lands and technical corrections; homestead exemption clarification for long-term leaseholders; disability presumption clarifications for firefighters and law enforcement; reinsurance intermediary manager conformity changes; patriotic displays in public schools; ADS-B aviation fee restrictions; autism-related law enforcement training and a blue envelope program; public post-secondary safety policy requirements; and a bill allowing licensed agents to market health care sharing ministries. Several bills were temporarily postponed, including local vessel restrictions, temporary certificates for practice, and domestic animals.
Members debated a number of measures, especially the health care sharing ministries bill, where opponents raised consumer-protection and commission concerns and supporters argued for free speech, religious liberty, and expanded consumer choice; it passed 32-5. Other debated bills included the autism law enforcement bill, the school athletics bill addressing coach support for student-athletes, and the Farm Bill, where senators discussed surplus land safeguards and biosolids timing. Most bills passed overwhelmingly, often 37-0 or 38-0, with a few closer votes such as the patriotic displays bill (36-2) and the health care sharing ministries bill (32-5).
NJ
New Jersey 2026-2027 Regular Session
Assembly Appropriations Jun 8th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- In Childs, she sued the state saying that it violated her First Amendment rights and the rights of her
- We all have rights. And as far as First Amendment rights are concerned, this bill protects those.
- The amendments that were made protect First Amendment rights. Thank you. Those.
- The amendments that were made protect First Amendment rights.
- It doesn't violate the First Amendment rights at all. So let's talk reality.