Transcript Highlights:

• Colorado was the first state to add a veterinary professional associate to their practice act, despite
• He's honored through Space Center in Houston. When we think of New York, we think of JFK Airport.

Committee: House Commerce Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Hunter Burgess here with Representative Hunt, 3 from Valiant. Mr. Talley. My apology. Ms.
• remembrance this session with the passage of the Tech Sergeant Marshall Dakota Roberts Gold Star Survivor Act
• Senate amendments to House Bill 1370 by Bowles of the House and Green of the Senate, and act related
• House Bill 1370 by Bowles of the House and Green of the Senate, an act relating to the Corporation Commission
• House Bill 1370 by Bowls of the House and Green of the Senate, an act relating to the Corporation Commission

Bills: HCR1030 , HB1370 , SB893 , SB2 , SB1589

Summary: The House convened, completed roll call, and heard an invocation and pledge before moving through several ceremonial presentations. Members recognized Monty Smith for 43 years of service with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, honored the Marlow Lady Outlaws girls golf team for winning the Class 3A state and academic state championships, and acknowledged the final group of pages for the 60th Legislature. The House also adopted HCR 1030, which sets the legislative procedure schedule and deadlines for the 61st Oklahoma Legislature. The chamber then met in a joint session with the Senate to observe Veterans Awareness Day. Speakers from both chambers and the Oklahoma Veterans Council delivered remarks honoring veterans, Gold Star families, and military service, and highlighted recent policy achievements for veterans, including the full tax exemption for 100% disabled veterans, the exemption of military retirement pay from state income tax, improved funding for veterans’ homes, and restructuring of the Oklahoma Veterans Commission. The Veterans Council also presented its annual awards, naming Sen. Kerry Hicks as Outstanding Senator of the Year, Rep. Andy Menz as Outstanding Representative of the Year, Aaron Higgins as Veteran of the Year, and the Speed family as Veteran Family of the Year, and recognized Scott Howell for his service to the council. The joint session then adjourned. Back in the House, members took up Senate amendments to House Bill 1370, which concerns the Corporation Commission plugging fund and a repealer tied to a state fuel-tax offset provision. The bill’s author explained that the amendment would prevent the state from capturing savings if the federal fuel excise tax is reduced, so any reduction would benefit consumers rather than state revenue. After questions about fiscal impact and the well-plugging fund, the House adopted the Senate amendments without objection and passed HB 1370 on final passage by a vote of 89-1; the emergency clause also passed 89-1. The House then recessed, later returned for a staff appreciation and sine die-style recognition, including a tribute to long-serving bill drafter Mark Carter, and recessed again while awaiting any additional legislation from the Senate.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1182 is a needed step forward to modernizing our Board of Vehicles Act for today's vehicle
• Senate Bill 1182 is a needed step forward to modernizing our Board of Vehicles Act for today's vehicle
• So you can only act.
• When municipalities fail to act, residents are too often left without options.
• This legislation provides communities with the Act, residents are too often left without options.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then received committee reports from Banking and Insurance and Judiciary. Several leaves of absence were granted, and the chamber took up calendar and procedural motions, including re-referrals and tabling actions on multiple bills. House Bill 1102 and Senate Bill 911 were re-referred to Appropriations, House Bill 96 and Senate Bill 599 were briefly laid on the table and then returned to the calendar, and House Bill 2400 and Senate Bill 746 were also sent to Appropriations. The Senate later agreed to consider a discharge-related motion on minimum wage, but the motion to make it a special order of business failed by a vote of 23-27. On final passage, Senate Bill 1182 passed 50-0 after Senator Boscola described it as a modernization of the Board of Vehicles Act to address software-based vehicle features, warranty reimbursement, data protections, loaner vehicles, and related dealer/manufacturer issues; she noted amendments had been adopted to address stakeholder concerns. Senate Bill 1334 also passed, 29-21, after the Senate rejected Amendment A44049, which would have exempted certain cardiology technicians from licensing requirements if credentialed and supervised; supporters argued the exemption reflected existing practice and credentialing, while opponents said the bill was needed for patient safety and consistent oversight. Senate Bill 1372 passed 50-0, and House Bill 2426 was re-referred to Appropriations. The latter part of the session focused heavily on minimum wage and budget timing. Senators Tartaglione, Hughes, and Costa argued Pennsylvania had gone 20 years without raising the minimum wage and urged action on a House-passed minimum wage measure, while Senator Pittman said Republicans were willing to “meet in the middle” but opposed the House proposal as written. Members also discussed the state budget, the rainy day fund, and whether the Senate should remain in session; after debate, Senator Pittman’s motion to recess to the call of the President pro tempore was adopted 27-23, and the Senate stood in recess.

Transcript Highlights:

• and uh that the problem conservation Act and uh that the problem the<00:19:31.120><c> programs</c><00
• If you're a duck hunter and you have to buy a duck stamp, those duck stamp funds are used to acquire
• and you have to buy a duck a duck hunter and you have to buy a duck stamp<00:26:09.279><c> those</c>
• </c><00:27:16.399><c> like</c> but it's um those trees kind of act like but it's um those trees kind
• dollars are leveraged uh to a a WMA act dollars are leveraged uh to a a WMA to<01:03:31.319><c> a</c

Bills: HF1250

Committee: House Legacy Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• It will be known as the Freedom in the Workplace Act.
• The 1964 Civil Rights Act does not include those categories.
• The 1964 Civil Rights Act does not include those categories.
• So you acted properly there.
• William Houston, arrived in North Carolina from Ireland.

Bills: S0330 , S0526 , S0862 , S1072 , S1078 , S1192 , S1250 , S1296 , S1298 , S1642 , S1698 , S7022

Committee: Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability

Summary: The committee heard several bills and confirmations, with most measures reported favorably. Senate Bill 330 clarified the heart disease presumption for firefighters, law enforcement, and correctional officers, codifying the medical definition of heart disease and allowing transferring law enforcement officers to rely on a prior physical if a new agency does not provide one. Support was waived in by the Florida Smart Justice Alliance and the Fraternal Order of Police, and the bill passed unanimously. Senate Bill 526, as amended by a delete-all amendment, addressed commercial construction contracts, permit standards, fee reductions when private providers are used, floodproofing, product approval categories, and adoption of certain electrical code standards; it drew support from several construction and business groups and one opposing appearance, then was reported favorably. Senate Bill 1192 created a pilot program for callback queues at the Department of Commerce and Department of Children and Families to reduce hold times for callers seeking re-employment assistance and public benefits, and it also passed favorably. Senate Bill 1078 established transition procedures for a governor-elect, including agency liaisons, briefing materials, office space, and access to records; an amendment shifted IT support to the Department of Management Services, narrowed access to confidential records, and increased penalties for unauthorized disclosure, after which the bill was approved. Senate Bill 7022 extended a public records exemption for classroom examinations and assessment instruments through 2031 and expanded coverage to school district boards and public schools; it was also reported favorably. Senate Bill 862, as amended, set a $60,000 salary goal by 2030 for state correctional officers, probation officers, and institutional security specialists, with annual raises subject to appropriations; members and witnesses emphasized recruitment, retention, and safety, and the bill passed. Senate Bill 1250 removed the requirement that the Commission on Human Relations use registered mail for certain notices under the Florida Civil Rights Act, allowing less expensive notice methods, and it was reported favorably. Senate Bill 1698 allowed certain employers to post required workplace notices electronically instead of physically, and it passed without opposition. The committee also recommended confirmation of 10 appointees to the Florida Commission on Human Relations and the State Retirement Commission. The most extensive debate centered on Senate Bill 1072, which created an anti-Semitism task force within the Department of Legal Affairs to review anti-Semitism in Florida, improve community relations, advise on law enforcement training, assess digital media literacy efforts, evaluate hate crime statutes, and recommend policy changes. The sponsor said the bill was intended to address a growing problem and noted that Florida already uses the Holocaust Remembrance definition of anti-Semitism in statute. Numerous speakers opposed the bill, arguing it could chill protected speech, especially criticism of Israel, and could be used selectively against students, activists, Muslims, Arabs, and Jewish anti-Zionists; several also said existing hate-crime and civil-rights laws were sufficient and that the task force should include protections against Islamophobia and anti-Arab hate. One member raised concerns about the constitutionality of creating such task forces in light of prior actions by the Attorney General. Despite the opposition, the bill was reported favorably on a party-line style vote with Senator Bracey Davis voting yes along with the majority. Senate Bill 1642, the Freedom in the Workplace Act, was also heard and drew significant questioning. The bill would bar public employers and contractors from requiring pronoun use, certain gender-identity-related training, or non-binary sex options on forms, and would protect employees and contractors from adverse action based on religious, moral, conscience-based, or biology-based beliefs. Senator Polsky questioned whether the bill could interfere with anti-harassment training and workplace discipline, while the sponsor said the measure was meant to prevent government coercion and extend protections similar to those in school settings. The transcript cuts off before the final disposition of this bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• And now, Senator Massullo, welcome to the committee, and he will be acting as the Vice Chair for the
• amendment just provides the clarification or the statement that the legislature finds and declares that the act
• When local governments start acting out, it should be addressed at that local government.
• The Community Planning Act was The Community Planning Act was passed in the legislature in 2011.
• Gary Hunter, Florida Chamber, waves in support. Emanine Safik waves against.

Committee: Senate Community Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Graham, and others to introduce a bill to sunset Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act
• fought for whistleblowers. my whole congressional career as authors of updates to the False Claims Act
• The American people ought to be asking, has Facebook done anything to clean up its act?
• I think the first bill we did that I remember was the Honest Ads Act with Senator McCain at which we
• Senator Cruz and I lead the Take It Down Act that has gotten support from a number of the platforms.

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice and Counterterrorism Subcommittee

Keywords: Meta, Facebook, whistleblower, regulation, China, user data, artificial intelligence, testimony, Congress

Summary: The meeting of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism focused on oversight of Meta's foreign relations and representations to Congress. An essential witness, Sarah Wynne-Williams, a former executive at Facebook, provided testimony outlining significant concerns about the company's practices and its complicity in aiding oppressive regimes. The atmosphere was charged, with ongoing debates about the regulation of big tech companies and the ethical implications of their policies. The committee explored topics such as user data management, whistleblower retaliation, and the need for legislative measures to protect users and enhance accountability in the tech sector. A notable point of contention was Facebook's alleged cooperation with the Chinese government regarding the dissemination of user data and AI tools, leading to serious ethical implications.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do these cabaret acts that really bring in diverse groups of people.
• Her name is Isabel Dumas, and she was booked to be the opening act. I just love that we were so.
• Her name isabel Dumas, and she was booked to be the opening act. I just love that we were so.
• Her name is Isabel Dumas, and she was booked to be the opening act.
• Chicago, Houston, San Diego, and San Francisco.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Greg Davids, District 26B, Fillmore, Houston, and part of Mower County.
• 05.439><c> District</c><00:04:05.879><c> 26B,</c><00:04:06.879><c> Fillmore,</c><00:04:07.680><c> Houston
• ,</c> Davids, District 26B, Fillmore, Houston, Davids, District 26B, Fillmore, Houston, and<00:04:08.319
• </c><01:21:58.639><c> Um</c><01:21:59.040><c> we</c> property acts property tax aids.
• Um we property acts property tax aids.

Transcript Highlights:

• She's an alum of the UT Medical School in Houston and completed her residency at Memorial Southwest.

Bills: SR1 , SR2

Summary: The Senate reconvened from recess, received a message from the House that it was organized and ready to transact business, and exchanged brief welcomes between the chambers. The House also reported passage of SCR 7, which directs the State Preservation Board to begin steps to replace the Children of the Confederacy plaque with a plaque honoring victims of the state’s convict leasing system. The Senate then took up and adopted Senate Resolution 1, the caucus resolution offered by Senator Zaffirini, which sets recommendations for Senate operations. Officers of the Senate were sworn in, and the chamber adopted Senate Resolution 2, the Rules Resolution, offered by Senator Hughes; he said it largely carried forward prior rules with only slight committee-structure changes. The Senate also authorized a committee to notify the House that the Senate was organized and ready for business, and named Senators Creighton, Alvarado, Huffman, Hughes, and Parker to that committee. The Doctor of the Day, Dr. Liu, was introduced, and the Senate then recessed until 1 p.m. Wednesday, January 22.

Transcript Highlights:

• 1st the act 27 so &gt;&gt; you'll<00:35:41.839><c> have</c><00:35:42.720><c> you'll</c><00:35:43.040
• When we looked at the dates, if you look on page 8, in section 8, it does say that the act shall take
• </c> um in section 8, it does say that act um in section 8, it does say that act shall<00:40:06.720><
• say the act shall take effect<00:40:37.280><c> January</c><00:40:37.760><c> 1st,</c><00:40:38.320><c
• the impact of the act 90, you know,<01:16:40.800><c> when</c><01:16:41.040><c> we're</c><01:16:41.360

Bills: SB2603 , SB2083 , SB2341 , SB2306 , SB2782 , SB2756 , SB2161 , SB2477

Committee: Senate Water, Land, Culture and the Arts

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 2603, which would designate the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra as the state orchestra of Hawaii. Testimony was uniformly supportive from the Attorney General’s office, the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, Retail Merchants of Hawaii, Hawaii Youth Symphony, the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, the Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association, and others. Supporters emphasized the bill’s value to arts education, cultural vitality, and the visitor economy. The chair noted there were also many written testimonies submitted, and the bill was left without questions or action in the excerpt. The committee then took up Senate Bill 2083, which would create a state-owned historic properties preservation plan working group within DNR. The State Historic Preservation Division supported the bill and said it would help create a statewide database and better planning for state-owned historic properties, while noting its current review work is reactive and project-by-project. The committee asked about duplication and existing consultation processes; SHPD said it already reviews state projects under existing law and has in-house architectural staff. The measure was then set aside after brief discussion, with no vote shown in the excerpt. Next was Senate Bill 2341, which would authorize phased review of certain private-property projects and change SHPD’s review deadlines. SHPD and the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development supported the bill, saying it could encourage more proactive, programmatic review and that the current average review time for simple projects is about 56 days. Several opponents, including Sierra Club of Hawaii, Bianca Isaki, Malama Kane Lua, and Tara Roas, argued phased review would delay projects, create conflict, and weaken historic preservation protections, especially for iwi kūpuna and burial sites. Committee members raised concerns about whether the bill conflicted with prior court decisions and asked SHPD for its view; SHPD said it was not a legal question for them and suggested a programmatic alternative. The bill was not voted on in the excerpt. Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 2306 on administrative fees for the Bureau of Conveyances. HGEA opposed the measure, focusing on a provision allowing the special fund to be used for qualified contractors, while the Bureau of Conveyances supported the bill as a fee correction that would equalize recording fees between systems. The bureau said specialized technical work sometimes requires outside contracting and that it could consider a contract period; the chair and members discussed the HGEA concern and asked whether the issue could be addressed. No final action was shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Critically, this act will protect people and property.
• Since 1936, the Federation has worked to unite all Floridians, from boaters to kayakers, to hunters,
• We wholeheartedly support the Northeast Florida River Springs and Community Investment Act.

Summary: The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources heard and advanced several bills. SB 958, by Senator Bradley, would require local straw and stirrer ordinances to allow renewable, certified compostable, and marine-biodegradable products, with supporters arguing it creates standards and avoids patchwork local rules; it was reported favorably. SB 1066, by Senator Brodeur, proposed a phased restoration of the Ocklawaha/Rodman Dam area, including partial dam restoration, recreation and economic development planning, and a local advisory council; testimony was strongly divided between restoration supporters and local officials concerned about water supply, reservoir value, and community impacts. The committee adopted an amendment adding a Naval Air Station Jacksonville representative to the advisory council, then reported the bill favorably as amended. The committee also approved CS/SB 698 by Senator Martin, which would let builders proceed with home construction after applying for septic permits rather than waiting for the permit to be issued first. Testimony from builders and industry representatives focused on permitting delays, contract pricing, and the need for a glide path if DEP rules change; some senators raised concerns about the 120-day transition period, but the bill passed favorably with a technical amendment. CS/SB 1230, by Senator Harrell, would phase out PFAS-containing firefighting foam for non-emergency use, require inventory and disposal reporting, create DEP rules and a registry of alternatives, and establish grant/cost-savings support for local agencies; it was reported favorably after an amendment clarifying DEP references and penalty language. Finally, the committee approved CS/SB 1288, also by Senator Harrell, to designate a water body feature in the Jupiter Narrows area as the Andrew Red Harris Shoal in honor of a local environmental advocate who died rescuing a friend. The bill was amended to clarify the shoal identification and then reported favorably. At the end of the meeting, senators requested the record reflect additional affirmative votes on certain bills, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Critically, this act will protect people and property.
• Since 1936, the Federation has worked to unite all Floridians, from boaters to kayakers, to hunters,
• We wholeheartedly support the Northeast Florida River Springs and Community Investment Act.

Bills: S0698 , S0958 , S1066 , S1230 , S1288

Committee: Senate Environment and Natural Resources

Summary: The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources heard and advanced several bills. SB 958, by Senator Bradley, would require local straw and stirrer ordinances to allow renewable, certified compostable, marine-biodegradable products; supporters said it would reduce reliance on paper straws that may contain PFAS and create more uniform standards. The bill was reported favorably after brief supportive testimony and no opposition. The committee also approved SB 1066, by Senator Broder, a major Ocklawaha/Rodman Dam restoration proposal. The bill would direct DEP to implement a phased restoration plan, create an advisory council with local and military representation, fund recreation and economic development projects, and address safety concerns tied to the dam’s age and high-hazard status. Supporters from conservation groups, river advocates, and some local residents praised the restoration and planning framework, while several Putnam County officials opposed the bill, arguing the reservoir supports recreation, water supply, and local interests. The committee adopted a late-filed amendment adding a Naval Air Station Jacksonville representative to the advisory council, then reported the committee substitute favorably. SB 698, by Senator Martin, was also reported favorably. It would let builders proceed with local building permits while septic permits are pending, rather than waiting for sequential approval, and includes a 120-day glide path related to new DEP rules; builders supported the bill as a way to reduce delays, while some senators questioned whether the transition period was too long. The committee then approved CS/SB 1230, by Senator Harrell, which phases out PFAS-containing firefighting foam, restricts non-emergency training use, requires inventory and disposal reporting, creates DEP rulemaking and a grant program, and exempts certain federal, military, and emergency uses. Finally, the committee favorably reported CS/SB 1288, also by Senator Harrell, to designate a water body in the Jupiter Narrows area in honor of Andrew Red Harris, with a technical amendment clarifying the shoal designation. Several members later asked to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on selected bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Critically, this act will protect people and property.
• Since 1936, the Federation has worked to unite all Floridians, from boaters to kayakers, to hunters,
• We wholeheartedly support the Northeast Florida River Springs and Community Investment Act.

Committee: Senate Environment and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• seeing Florida as an example of what can be done nationally for land conservation, inspiring others to act
• on corridors within their state. ...inspiring others to act on corridors within their state and programs
• Tripp Hunter with Florida Farm Bureau, waving in support.

Committee: Senate Agriculture

Summary: The Committee on Agriculture heard two informational presentations before taking up legislation. Tracy Dean of Conservation Florida described the organization’s work protecting wild and working lands, especially ranch and timber lands within the Florida Wildlife Corridor, and argued that agricultural conservation easements are essential to preserving habitat, water resources, family farms, and the corridor itself. Senators discussed how conservation easements can help family operations remain viable across generations, and Dean emphasized strong demand for the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program and Florida Forever funding. Dr. Jamie Ellis of the University of Florida then gave a detailed presentation on honeybees, their role in pollination and Florida agriculture, and major threats such as Varroa mites, queen quality, nutrition issues, hurricanes, and the yellow-legged hornet; senators asked about colony losses, pollination alternatives, and the economic importance of beekeeping in Florida. The committee then considered SB 210 on animal cremation, sponsored by Senator Harrell. The bill was described as a response to a case involving mishandled pet cremation and would require crematories to provide clear disclosures about services, prohibit false or misleading information, and authorize civil penalties enforced by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The bill was reported favorably after a roll call vote. Next, the committee took up SJR 318, a joint resolution by Chair Truenow creating a proposed ad valorem tax exemption for tangible personal property used in agricultural production or agritourism on agricultural land and owned by the landowner or leaseholder. Several industry and agency representatives appeared in support, and the resolution was also reported favorably by unanimous vote. The meeting concluded with no further business and adjournment motioned by Senator Rouson.

Transcript Highlights:

• GARY HUNTER WAIVES IN SUPPORT. ARE YOU GOOD? THANK YOU.

Transcript Highlights:

• The federal government, the Congress, has already passed a Genius Act. There's a Clarity Act.
• You know, you have to follow the Genius Act.
• The Genius Act has established the foundation.
• and USA PATRIOT Act obligations.
• My name is Anna Grace Houston.

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• There are some riders in the General Appropriations Act that are at 90% in the introduced basis. bill
• I call it part of the Food Freedom Act.
• This is the tool for those folks who are acting with knowledge.
• I have a 240 building, 240 beds, and a 400. of one that is way in West Texas, one in Houston.
• We deter future bad acts by other similarly situated participants. of the program.

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• concerning an exemption for auctioneers from certain requirements of the Colorado Charitable Solicitations Act
• Hunters and anglers stood alongside conservation groups.
• Hunters and anglers stood alongside conservation groups.
• Hunters and anglers stood alongside conservation groups.

Transcript Highlights:

• Houston, rockets on the pad. We'll get it to launch, but might take a minute. There we are.
• When the Affordable Care Act was passed in 2010, states could form a state-based marketplace, or they
• So docket 18-04-13 is our rule regarding the Individual Health Insurance Availability Act.
• We just spoke about the Small Group Insurance Availability Act.
• The purpose of this rule is to implement and administer provisions of the Managing General Agent Act.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Human Resources