Video & Transcript : 'celebration day' :
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FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
February 5, 2025 - 03:00 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- This is, as I stated, manned and operated 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Of those, 230 are active and ongoing to this day.
- And yet once again, within seven days, all that could be restored were restored.
- days a week.
- Pine Island, we restored access in three days.
Summary:
The Natural Resources and Disaster Subcommittee met to continue its review of hurricane impacts and state response. The committee first heard from the Florida Division of Emergency Management, which described its four core functions—preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation—and highlighted its 24/7 State Watch Office, regional training efforts, and disaster assistance work. Deputy Executive Director Keith Pruitt detailed the state’s 2024 storm response, including Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton, citing large-scale mission support, flood-control deployments, meal and water distribution, power restoration, debris removal, and billions in disaster funding and mitigation dollars. He also discussed debris management challenges and recommended that local governments update and exercise debris plans and maintain contingency contracts.
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> first 65 calendar days for 1 day. first 65 calendar days for 1 day.
- Delaying this with another process, another day is a day too much.
- Every day we live it. During we live it. Every day we live it.
- </c> up until election day. up until election day.
- And somewhat historically ironic that on the day before the Jew Bill celebration.
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
Select Committee on School Finance Recalibration, June 24, 2026 - AM
Select Committee on School Finance Recalibration
Transcript Highlights:
- I mean, literally the things you're going to talk about over the course of the next day or day and a
- Many districts, mine included, are under the charge that we do not use our savings account to pay for day-to-day
- ... savings account to pay for day-to-day operational accounts.
- Our teachers did not celebrate. Just be honest with you.
- So it put a little damper on their celebration, which I told them you should celebrate.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Chair would like to acknowledge the work of the 250th Special Commission on the 250th anniversary celebration
- the USS Hudner and its crew will be making their way to Boston, to the Port of Boston, in the coming days
- to participate in this year's Evacuation Day ceremonies next week.
Summary:
The Senate convened briefly with the Pledge of Allegiance, then recessed to recognize guests in the chamber. Senator O’Connor welcomed two young people connected to his office: Luke Donlin, a Situate High School junior who had been shadowing and previously served as a State House tour guide, and Oliver Hobson, a Cohasset intern who had been accepted to law school. The chair also noted the work of the 250th Special Commission, upcoming USS Hudner participation in Evacuation Day ceremonies, and the Commonwealth’s observance of Women’s History Month and Irish American Heritage Month.
The Senate adopted an order to adjourn and reconvene on Monday at 11:00 a.m. Senator Tarr then moved that the Senate adjourn in memory of former Gloucester Chief of Police James Amar Sr. The motion was adopted after a brief tribute highlighting his long service to the Gloucester Police Department, his tenure as chief from 1989 to 2003, and his community involvement and honors.
A moment of silence was observed for Chief Amar, and the Senate then adjourned in his memory.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Governmental Oversight and Accountability Mar 18th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- I think it will affect the neighbors we serve every day and our food banks.
- Sarasota days use find it so I can. Deborah, his great you're recognized. Thank you.
- It doesn't say that we don't celebrate diversity.
- And we live in a world where 2 little babies, one of him never got to celebrate their first birthday
- And if the group of people who took them celebrated not a party when they gave their coffins away, I've
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, July 22, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><01:38:32.560><c> But</c> these days. I think it's around 90. But these days.
- </c> that Democrats go fight for every day. that Democrats go fight for every day.
- Speaker, is this Groundhog Day? We Mr. Speaker, is this Groundhog Day?
- </c> 20th, two weeks before election day. 20th, two weeks before election day.
- Most of them are not day traders. job. Most of them are not day traders.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- God gets me through long days.
- Son, I love you so much, and I miss you every single day.
- you were born until the day that he passed.
- The portrait before you is Speaker Lacey Day Edge.
- The portrait before you is Speaker Lacey Day Edge.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for former Lee County Judge John Carlin, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of FSU Police Officer Cody Popple for stopping the April campus shooter. The Speaker then outlined the final week of session, noting the House had passed 253 House bills and 149 Senate bills to date, but that the 2026-27 budget would not be completed this week. The chamber also adopted the Rules and Ethics Committee’s special order report for the day.
The House took up several Senate bills on special order, largely technical or open-government measures, and passed them with little or no opposition. These included SB 100, SB 104, and SB 102 on the Florida Statutes and revisor’s changes; SB 7006, SB 7014, SB 7002, SB 7012, SB 7024, SB 7016, SB 7026, SB 7008, SB 7000, and SB 7004, which extended or preserved various public-records and meeting exemptions for matters such as Public Service Commission proprietary information, social media investigations, military affairs, highway safety records, cybersecurity, emergency shelter contact information, conviction integrity units, and trade secrets. Most passed overwhelmingly, though SB 7006 drew 99-8, SB 7022 on public records for exam integrity passed 101-8 after questions about testing materials and scoring rubrics, and SB 7026 on trade secrets passed 106-3.
The most substantive floor debate centered on SB 7040, which recreates the emergency preparedness and response trust fund in the Executive Office of the Governor. Rep. Eskamani offered an amendment to let the fund expire, arguing the money had become a “slush fund” and had been used for the Everglades detention facility rather than emergencies; several members supported her on fiscal and separation-of-powers grounds, while others said the fund is needed for rapid disaster response. The House rejected Eskamani’s amendment and then adopted a Griffiths strike-all amendment adding accountability measures, including spending limits, quarterly reporting, asset tracking, and a sunset/review provision. SB 7040 then passed 82-25. The chamber also passed CS/CS SB 302 on coastal resiliency, CS/CS SB 984 on firefighter cancer benefits, CS SB 474 on military affairs, and SB 488 on Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, which prompted extended questions about vehicle registration requirements, license plate frames, and foreign passport/I-94 documentation; the bill was still under amendment and debate when the transcript ended.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Appropriations and Finance Jan 21st, 2026 at 01:58 pm
House Appropriations & Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- That's something we can all celebrate.
- That's something we can all celebrate.
- Is an additional five hours a day between pre-before school?
- Good evening, my My question is: is this convening how many days is this convening held?
- We strongly are encouraged by and celebrate the expansion of child care.
Bills:
SB2
Committee:
House House Appropriations & Finance
Keywords:
SB 2, State Highway Project Bonds, highway funding, transportation bonds, state road fund, motor vehicle fees, vehicle registration fees, electric vehicle fee, EV surcharge, plug-in hybrid fee, weight distance tax, road construction, infrastructure financing, Department of Transportation, State Transportation Commission, bonding authority, county road funds, municipal road funds, transportation improvement program, state highways
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Mar 26th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Collins on Tampa Bay Day. It's all kind of coincidental. You get to be confirmed on day like today.
- And what we talk about is both commemoration and celebration.
- And what we talk about is both commemoration and celebration.
- Most importantly, my favourite day graduation.
- And when we identify what was written thought out and sometimes as we looking in our day-to-day, it's
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-03-09 (1:00PM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- God gets me through long days.
- And it is the reason I fought so hard in these halls every day.
- you were born to the day that he passed.
- The portrait before you is Speaker Lacey Day Edge.
- The portrait before you is Speaker Lacey Day Edge.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for former Judge John Carlin, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a recognition of FSU Police Officer Cody Popple for his actions during the April campus shooting. The Speaker also outlined the final week of session, noting the House would focus on Senate bills and returning messages, and that the 2026-27 budget would not be completed by the end of the week. The chamber then adopted the special order calendar for the day.
The House passed several technical and open-government bills, mostly on strong bipartisan votes. These included SB 100, SB 104, and SB 102 on the Florida Statutes and reviser changes; SB 7006, SB 7014, SB 7002, SB 7012, SB 7024, SB 7016, SB 7026, SB 7008, SB 7000, and SB 7004, which extended or preserved various public records or meeting exemptions involving the Public Service Commission, social media investigations, military affairs, highway safety investigations, cybersecurity, small business loan records, trade secrets, emergency shelter locations, and conviction integrity units. Members asked questions on several of these bills, especially about the scope and purpose of the exemptions, but the bills generally advanced with little opposition.
The chamber also took up more substantive measures. SB 7040 recreated the emergency preparedness and response trust fund and drew extended debate over whether the fund had been misused for the Everglades detention facility; an Escamani amendment to let the fund expire failed, while a Griffiths amendment adding limits and oversight was adopted, and the bill ultimately passed 82-25. CS/CS/SB 302 on coastal resiliency passed unanimously after supporters highlighted nature-based shoreline protection and a Biscayne Bay provision. CS/CS/SB 984 on firefighter cancer benefits passed after a House amendment aligned it with the House version. CS/SB 474 on military affairs passed unanimously after an amendment allowing local governments to extend Guard leave. SB 488 on the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles was debated extensively over vehicle registration requirements, license plate frames, and I-94 documentation, with amendments including one for disabled veterans and another on dealer allocation; the transcript cuts off before final disposition of that bill.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- God gets me through long days.
- Son, I love you so much, and I miss you every single day.
- And he’s walking with you every single day.
- you were born until the day that he passed.
- Because of the character that he put in you from the day you were born until the day that he passed,
Summary:
The House convened with a prayer, pledge, quorum call, and recognition of Officer Cody Popple of the FSU Police Department for his actions during the April campus shooting. Members also observed a moment of silence for former Lee County Judge John Carlin. The Rules and Ethics Committee report setting the special order calendar was adopted, and the Speaker outlined the final week of session, noting that budget negotiations were still ongoing and that the House would continue taking up Senate bills and returning messages.
The chamber then considered a series of mostly technical or sunset-review bills, including SB 100, SB 104, and SB 102 on the Florida Statutes, all of which passed unanimously. Several Open Government Sunset Review bills were also approved, extending or preserving public records and meeting exemptions for the Public Service Commission, the Department of Military Affairs, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, cybersecurity records, emergency shelter information, conviction integrity units, the Florida Gaming Control Commission, and school testing materials; most passed with little opposition, though SB 7006, SB 7026, and SB 7022 drew some dissenting votes. The House also passed SB 7016 on small business loan records, SB 7008 on gaming commission records, SB 7000 on emergency shelter information, and SB 7004 on conviction integrity unit records.
Members then moved into farewell remarks and recognitions, including an extended farewell speech by Representative Hart-Lowman reflecting on her service, family, district, and policy priorities such as criminal justice, housing, health care, and labor issues. The House also recognized visiting students from Osceola County and other guests in the galleries.
Later, the House took up more substantive measures. SB 7040 recreated the emergency preparedness and response trust fund; after a lengthy debate over an amendment to let the fund expire and a strike-all restoring the House position, the bill passed 82-25. The chamber then passed CS/CS/SB 302 on coastal resiliency, CS/CS/SB 984 on firefighter cancer benefits, and CS/SB 474 on military affairs, all with broad support. The final portion of the transcript shifted to SB 488 on Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, where members debated vehicle registration requirements, license plate frames, and related amendments, including provisions for disabled veterans and dealer allocation rules, before the transcript ended mid-debate.
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado Senate 2026 Legislative Day 100 Apr 24th, 2026
Colorado Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:49:22.160><c> The</c> Sportsmen's Day at the Capitol. The Sportsmen's Day at the Capitol.
- Happy Sportsmen's Day.
- Happy Sportsmen's Day.
- Um if you look exciting day for us.
- </c> Senator Ball Day in Local Government. Senator Ball Day in Local Government.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Finance Oct 14th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Look at how they're training their folks to use them and how they're supporting the actual day-to-day
- More five-day school districts and charters have moved to four days; we have an additional eight districts
- and eight charter schools have shifted from five days to four days.
- And then just again to celebrate.
- How we're creating our school days matters, where we're loading our extra days.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Tobacco Settlement Agreement Fund Oversight committee (9-18-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:03:50.560><c> that</c> So, that's just a celebrating that So, that's just a celebrating that
- The sacrifice and dedication they do day in, day out really moves this program forward, and I'm truly
- The sacrifice and dedication they do day in, day out really moves this program forward, and I'm truly
- The sacrifice and dedication they do day in, day out really moves this program forward, and I'm truly
- dedication they do day in day out uh dedication they do day in day out uh really<00:08:33.200><c> moves
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00
Attendance Roll Call 00:08
Approval of Minutes 00:43
KOAP Report 00:59
KY Office of Drug Control Policy 23:04, 958, all
Summary:
The committee met on September 18, 2025, approved the July 10 minutes, and received Brandon Reid’s monthly report on Kentucky agriculture development and finance activity for July and August. Reid emphasized the long-running structure created under House Bill 611 and Senate Bill 28, the role of county agriculture development councils in all 120 counties, and the importance of the program as a national model for supporting Kentucky agriculture. He also introduced new staff and interns, including a new loan programs manager, Rachel Coward, and project manager Kylie Davis.
For July, the development board reported $3.4 million invested in agriculture and the finance corporation reported $3.1 million in loans. Highlights included 11 county council meetings, site visits, program reviews, and 18 project reports. July approvals included county agriculture incentive programs, deceased farm animal removal programs, youth incentive programs, county/state projects, infrastructure loans, an agriculture processing loan, and beginning farmer loans. Staff also noted that all 120 counties had submitted their required five-year comprehensive plans on schedule.
Bill McCloskey then highlighted several funded projects, including Dino’s Farm LLC in Jefferson County, which received support to purchase a meat processing facility and equipment, with the goal of creating market opportunities for goat, sheep, and cattle producers and establishing Kentucky’s first halal meat processing facility. Other projects included a veterinarian facility project to address large animal vet shortages and Grow Appalachia at Berea College, which provides technical assistance and market support for small-scale and eastern Kentucky producers. Members discussed the need for programs such as high tunnels and other small-scale opportunities in rural areas, and staff noted related resources such as CAPE and NRCS funding.
For August, the board reported $500,000 in development board investments and just over $3 million in finance corporation loans, along with fewer staff activities than July but continued county council, site visit, and project review work. August approvals included county agriculture incentive programs, deceased animal removal programs, youth incentive programs, county/state projects, agriculture infrastructure loans, beginning farmer loans, and a horticulture incentives loan. Additional project updates included another veterinary equipment purchase, emergency safety equipment in Graves County, and a food safety and efficiency incentive for Jared Cornet.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Oliveira, resolutions celebrating the 150th anniversary of St. Paul's Church of Palmer.
- inserting in place thereof the text contained in Senate Document 3041, shall be placed in the Orders of the Day
- inserting in place thereof the text contained in Senate Document 3041, shall be placed in the Orders of the Day
- Shall be placed in the Orders of the Day for a second reading on Thursday, April 9, 2026, for immediate
Summary:
The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and a recognition by Senator Driscoll of a Milton team that won its first Division II state championship, finishing 25-1-1 and defeating King Philip 2-1 at TD Garden. He thanked the players, captains Sabrina Stone and Marin Hart, and the coaching staff for the achievement.
The chamber then took up several local bills on final passage, including firefighter and police age exemptions for individuals in Haverhill, a memorial overpass designation in Sandwich, a name change for the Williamsburg Board of Selectmen to Select Board, and a gender-neutral charter change for Chicopee. The Senate passed these bills to be enacted, and they were sent to the Governor. The Senate also adopted a resolution celebrating the 150th anniversary of St. Paul’s Church of Palmer.
In committee and procedural business, the Public Health Committee reported a bill related to protecting Massachusetts public health from PFAS substances and referred it to Ways and Means. The Ways and Means Committee reported a fiscal year 2026 supplemental appropriations bill with a substitute text, and the Senate adopted an order placing it on the Orders of the Day for second reading on April 9, 2026, with amendment rules specified. The Senate also suspended Joint Rule 12 to refer a House petition naming the American lobster the official crustacean of the Commonwealth to the Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.
The Senate adopted an order to reconvene on Monday at 11:00 a.m., dispensed with printing a calendar, and then adjourned.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- But there's also a lot of conservative Republican bills that have died, and today is the day that we're
- And the bills we're going to speak about are bills that Republican voters would celebrate as huge wins
- There are only a few days remaining for us to pass Senate bills.
- I want to thank each and every one of my colleagues for standing with us, working every single day this
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Ethics Board Jun 9th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- In September of 2023, I had an event called Freedom Day.
- And he wanted to talk about the project, the day.
- I’m used to 30 days. Within 90 days, in accordance with RCW 34.05.461 subsection 8A.
- So they would issue a final order within 90 days.
- Thank you very much, everyone, and have a good day."
Summary:
The hearing resumed in the Legislative Ethics Board matter involving Tara Simmons after the board confirmed no ex parte communications had occurred overnight. Respondent’s counsel moved to dismiss two allegations at the close of the board staff’s case: that Simmons pressured the Administrative Office of the Courts to alter a contract in favor of her employer, and that she violated ethics rules by combining legislative support for AEJG with a personal donation to the organization. Board staff opposed the motion, arguing the evidence showed Simmons’s legislative and personal dealings were intertwined. After a recess for deliberation, the board denied the motion to dismiss, and the hearing moved into the defense case.
The first defense witness was Sharon Navas, executive director of the Equity and Education Coalition (EEC). Navas testified that she met Simmons in 2018, later hired her, and took steps to separate Simmons’s legislative duties from her work for EEC. She said Simmons was never paid for lobbying or legislative acts, that her compensation came from unrestricted funds, and that the organization used written ethics-compliance language and a formal scope of work. Navas also described the proviso-funded dashboard project involving Anthony Powers and Chris Stanley, testifying that Simmons was not involved in the project’s day-to-day work, did not attend the meetings about the dispute, and was not part of the alleged contract disagreement. On cross-examination, staff focused on the contract documents, the dashboard work, and whether the scope of work matched the parties’ understanding.
Tara Simmons then testified in her own defense. She described her background, legislative career, disability accommodations, and extensive efforts to seek ethics guidance from House counsel and board-related materials before taking outside employment or supporting provisos. She said she relied on prior ethics advice when separating her legislative role from outside work and when seeking provisos for AEJG and EEC. Simmons also addressed her relationship with Anthony Powers, describing it as a friendship rooted in criminal justice reform work and prior collaboration. The hearing was still in the middle of Simmons’s direct testimony when the transcript excerpt ended, with no final ruling on the merits or disposition of the allegations.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- I rise to introduce the Doctor of the Day. Let's hear it. Yes, Mr. Pro Tem, yes.
- LD 17 has the Doctor of the Day, and let me introduce her.
- She is proud to be here again for her fifth year in a row as Doctor of the Day.
- Recipients to show that their children are learning five days a week.
- Happy President's Day.
Summary:
The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, a roll call showing 29 present, and several guest introductions, including Scout groups from Phoenix/Levine, Dr. John Galgiani for Valley Fever Awareness, and Dr. Sarah Lee Davidson as Doctor of the Day. Senator Kavanagh read a proclamation recognizing Valley Fever Awareness and the work of the University of Arizona’s Valley Fever Center for Excellence. The chamber also adopted a death resolution for Victor E. Hardy and observed a moment of silence.
The Committee of the Whole considered SB 1036 on unemployment insurance, SB 1056 on reporting vacant state positions, SB 1236 on AHCCCS enrollment verification and presumptive eligibility, and SB 1238 on the physician assistant licensure compact. SB 1036, SB 1056, and SB 1238 were approved in Committee of the Whole, with SB 1036 and SB 1238 amended. During floor debate, SB 1036 drew criticism from Democrats as adding burdens and reducing benefits for unemployed workers, while supporters said it was aimed at preventing fraud; it later passed the Senate 17-12. SB 1056 also passed 17-12 after debate over whether automatic elimination of long-vacant positions would improve efficiency or harm agency staffing. SB 1238 passed with a conforming amendment and later the House version HB 2190 was substituted and passed.
The Senate then took up several third-reading bills. SB 1126 on educational records passed 29-0. SB 1189 on campaign expenditures passed 27-2 after debate about political violence and campaign-related expenses. SB 1211 on sentencing passed 29-0. The chamber also reconsidered and substituted House bills for identical Senate bills: HB 2206 for SB 1333 and HB 2396 for SB 1368, both related to SNAP. HB 2206 passed 17-12 after debate over a proposed SNAP error-rate penalty and its impact on food access, and HB 2396 passed 17-12 after debate over restricting SNAP purchases. Finally, HB 2796 was substituted for SB 1236 and passed after debate over AHCCCS enrollment barriers. The Senate adjourned until Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- So we just celebrated our 30-year anniversary back in October as an agency.
- How are our kids doing on any given day in education?
- That gave us seven months to the first day of school.
- But are we focused on continuous improvement each and every day? Absolutely.
- , and then they could do another 21 days rolling after that.
Committee:
Senate Criminal Justice
Summary:
The committee heard a presentation from Department of Juvenile Justice Secretary Eric Hall on the Florida Scholars Academy, a new unified education model for youth in residential commitment programs. He explained that the academy replaced the prior decentralized district-run system with a contracted model through Florida Virtual School, allowing individualized blended learning, real-time progress monitoring, expanded special education services, and a broader course catalog including dual enrollment, CTE, GED testing, and postsecondary pathways through the Florida Youth College partnership with Tallahassee State College. Hall said the department is using data to focus on academic achievement, workforce credentials, and peer-group change as strategies to reduce recidivism, and reported early results including 60 diplomas or GEDs, a 5.5% teacher vacancy rate, and progress-monitoring gains for most students.
Hall also reviewed implementation of House Bill 1181 on swift accountability and juvenile justice reforms. He said the law strengthened pre-arrest delinquency citation use, raised the target for eligible citations to 70%, required written justification for releasing youth charged with certain felony firearm offenses, and directed the department to develop a firearm-offending curriculum focused on avoidance and consequences. He described a new statewide graduated sanctions matrix for probation technical violations, intended to provide quicker and more consistent responses without overburdening courts. He said early data showed reductions in weapons/firearm offenses and auto theft, and that the department had conducted circuit-level outreach to law enforcement, courts, and providers to support implementation.
Members asked about the number of unauthorized alien children in detention or residential care, teacher vacancies and whether instruction continues when staff are absent, screen-time and supervision concerns with laptops, and whether students are reentering local schools with improved academic performance. Hall said he did not have data on immigration status, that FLVS and classroom staff provide continuity when teachers are absent, that devices are checked in and out and security has been tightened, and that the department is still early in implementation but is hearing positive anecdotal feedback from parents. Vice Chair Smith asked for more detail on the firearm curriculum, and Hall offered to provide it. The committee took no formal votes and adjourned after no public testimony was offered.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Feb 25th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I recognize the clear distinction between governance and day-to-day management, and that operational
- I think the days of having kids pay hundreds of thousands, I think the days of having kids pay hundreds
- I think those days are over.
- But that's a conversation for another day.
- It should celebrate all ideas.
Summary:
The committee on Higher Education Appropriations heard and favorably reported two bills: SB 1570, which revives the former Project Leo program to help locate missing persons with special needs through voluntary tracking devices and coordination with sheriff’s offices, and CS/SB 1376, which creates a grant program to support genetic counseling education in response to a statewide shortage of genetic counselors. Both bills drew supportive comments, with the genetic counseling bill also receiving public support from a university representative.
The committee then took up a large slate of confirmations. It first approved a block of reappointments to various university and college boards of trustees, including institutions such as UWF, Broward College, Chipola College, FIU, Pasco-Hernando, Polk State, St. Petersburg College, Valencia, FAMU, FAU, UCF, FSU, New College, UNF, USF, and Broward College. It then heard from numerous new appointees and some requested reappointments, many of whom emphasized workforce training, nursing, military and veteran support, dual enrollment, and local economic development as priorities for their institutions.
Several nominees highlighted their personal ties to the schools and communities they would serve, including appointees to Pensacola State, Polk State, St. Petersburg College, UNF, UWF, FIU, the College of the Florida Keys, Valencia College, and Chipola College. Committee members repeatedly asked about nursing NCLEX pass rates, workforce alignment, and institutional growth. One reappointment, Thomas Zachary Smith to the UWF board, was pulled from the block for separate questioning about his past public comments and his role in Project 2025; he said he would serve in his personal capacity and treat all students equally. The committee also separately heard from a Florida Poly reappointment, I. Shapiro, who was questioned about prior remarks regarding race and Supreme Court nominations, and from a New College reappointment, Mark Bowerlaine, who described campus improvements and enrollment growth. The meeting ended amid ongoing confirmation processing and separate votes on the remaining nominees.