Video & Transcript Research : 'Texas Transportation Code'
Page 127 of 500
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- The school was not responding to her request about my special education services and transportation.
- Transportation and bullying were also a problem.
- Texas is on the verge of investing $1 billion in education savings accounts, or ESAs.
- Texas has passed funding for strong school choice options for families.
- Texas has passed funding for strong school choice options for families.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Sixty Nine - Wednesday, May 13
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Junior Henry, originally from Red Oak, Texas, is a first-year letterman.
- Gentleman from Texas. Introduction of special guests, Madam Speaker.
- And I also wanted to bring up what happened in Uvalde, Texas.
- The Chair now recognizes the gentleman from Texas. Mr.
- Does the gentleman from Texas yield to an inquiry? Yes. Proceed.
Summary:
The House opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the House Journal for the prior day by a 123-0 roll call vote. Members then used points of personal privilege to recognize National Police Week and honor fallen law enforcement officers with a moment of silence, and several members gave farewell remarks for departing colleagues and interns. The chamber also introduced a number of special guests, including student groups, interns, a former representative, and the University of Missouri wheelchair basketball team.
The House then took up Senate messages and committee reports before acting on House Committee Substitute for House Bills 1839, 2921, and 3015. The sponsor explained the Senate amendment was a technical correction to an online age-verification provision related to pornography; the House concurred 104-30 and then finally passed the package 112-25. The chamber also considered the conference committee report on House Bill 2596, which was described as a small-business health plan measure that modernizes pooled-plan language and adds a 12-month contraception coverage provision while removing a Senate-added blood pressure cuff requirement. After debate on the conference report and a severability clause, the House adopted the report 120-26 and then third-read and passed the bill 119-27.
Finally, the House debated Senate Bill 905, which would create the Missouri Ranger training program allowing schools to optionally place specially trained personnel with narrow law-enforcement authority on campus. Debate focused heavily on school safety, local control, training standards, liability, funding, and whether the proposal would improve protection or instead increase the presence of guns in schools. Supporters argued it would give districts another optional safety tool, especially where school resource officers are unavailable, while opponents said schools need more mental health and educational resources rather than armed personnel and raised concerns about training, child development, and unintended harm. The House adopted an amendment clarifying the program after a 96-46 vote, but the transcript cuts off before final passage of the bill.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Trade, Workforce & Economic Development Mar 5th, 2025
Trade, Workforce & Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- Texas Texas' music office, Travel Texas, the Texas Workforce Investment Council, and the new Texas..
- Texas-Mexico office and the new state of Texas-Taiwan office, which I will speak about in a moment.
- trade with Taiwan, and assist Texas communities and Taiwan businesses in doing business in Texas.
- And in the State of the State, he talked about building a stronger Texas, the Texas of tomorrow.
- It's not in the insurance code. In Texas, there's...
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 19 Mar 4th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- 3882 by Cantrell of the House and Alvert of the Senate, an act relating to the Department of Transportation
- 3882 by Cantrell of the House and Albert of the Senate, an act relating to the Department of Transportation
Bills:
HB4358, HB2398, HB3557, HB3129, HB3312, HB2210, HB1937, HB3021, HB4246, HB4230, HB3617, HB3657, HB2976, HB3391, HB4459, HB4128, HB3989, HB2989, HB4060, HB3145, HB2992, HB3464, HB3552, HB2984, HB4124, HB3934, HB3448, HB3131, HB4200, HB4201, HB3011, HB1912, HB3380, HB3881, HB3538, HB3851, HB3907, HB4430, HB4431, HB4457, HB2947, HB2951, HB2980, HB3082, HB3519, HB3644, HB3882, HB3661, HB3996, HB4335
Keywords:
screen time, education, public schools, child development, digital learning, youth health, academic performance, credential of value, workforce development, labor market, government reporting, Oklahoma Agricultural Extension, local funding, financial institutions, county extension services, state funds, free expression, colleges, security fees, public forums
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Feb 16th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting
Bills:
SB1323, SB1863, SB1932, SB1950, SB1956, SB1970, SB1599, SB1312, SB1776, SB1858, SB1985, SB1302, SB1809, SB1401, SB2053, SB1503, SB1553, SB1427, SB1642, SB1421, SB1837, SB1566, SB1567, SB1794, SB1484, SB1557, SB1564, SB1591, SB1395, SB1456, SB1562, SB1613, SB1983, SB1550, SB2065, SB2152, SB2159, SB2172, SB2110, SB2111, SB2114
Keywords:
memorial designation, highway, Sheriff Marty Grisham, transportation, Oklahoma Statutes, memorial highway, road designation, John Skelley, motor carrier, administrative hearing, legal representation, corporate liability, aviation, aircraft, surveillance, regulations, fees, Oklahoma statutes, memorial, highway designation
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- In the fall of 1968, I was a sophomore in high school, growing up in a little West Texas town.
- A tall, slender young man from Dalhart, Texas, named Lowell Catlett, showed up to speak to our chapter
- President, your tax business. and Transportation Committee, to whom has been referred, Senate Bill 9,
- Tax, Business, and Transportation Committee, then to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
- Authority to enforce provisions of the Criminal Code, the Motor Vehicle Code, and the Boat Act.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
House & Governmental May 19th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- So somebody from Texas, say, couldn't come and trot in with an ID from Texas and say that they live here
- in and out of the voting booth with a Texas license plate on their car.
- Texas license is not good. It's not on the list, right?
- I'm on the Transportation Committee. Excuse me.
- The 2007 election code had 298 pages in it.” “This year we have 419.
Summary:
The committee first heard Senate Bill 319, which would tighten and standardize voter identification rules at polling places. Senator Presley and Secretary of State Nancy Landry said the bill replaces the current “generally recognized” photo ID standard with a specific list of acceptable IDs, removes the affidavit-only option, and allows voters without a photo ID to cast a conditional paper ballot at the registrar of voters office or during early voting if they later provide approved documentation within two days after the election. Supporters argued the bill improves consistency, election integrity, and poll-worker guidance while still preserving access through alternative documents and free state IDs; opponents warned it could create confusion and burden seniors, students, homeless voters, and others without easy access to the required documents. After debate, the committee reported SB 319 favorably by a 7-2 vote.
The committee then approved Senate Bill 202, which adds one day of compensated meeting time for parish boards of election supervisors in certain elections, and Senate Bill 25, which revises the compensation schedule for registrars of voters and related staff. SB 25 was amended to remove outdated step references and make conforming technical changes, and supporters said the pay structure has not been updated since 2007 despite increased duties and workload. The committee also adopted and reported favorably Senate Concurrent Resolution 29, creating a legislative study committee on water quality in the Chafalalaya Basin, and House Concurrent Resolution 85, creating a task force on illegal dumping, both with technical amendments.
In addition, the committee advanced Senate Concurrent Resolution 63, which asks the legislative auditor to review how fiscal notes are prepared during session, and Senate Concurrent Resolution 33, which creates a work-based learning coordination task force to improve alignment among education, workforce, and employer partners. SCR 33 was amended to change the appointing authority for two members. The committee also approved Senate Concurrent Resolution 5, establishing the Louisiana-Ireland Trade Commission, and House Resolution 196, which creates a study committee on the impact of fallen trees on residential property and insurance issues. Several of these measures were supported by agency representatives or outside groups, and the committee adopted technical amendments where needed before reporting the bills and resolutions favorably.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Texas makes $2.50 back. as an economic impact.
- Texas-Mexico border.
- Texas imports 11 billion of fresh produce from Mexico every year and according to Texas A&M these imports
- Texas, and across Arizona and New Mexico.
- Um, widespread across the state of Texas.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Appropriations - S/C on Articles I, IV, & V Feb 26th, 2025
Appropriations - S/C on Articles I, IV, & V
Transcript Highlights:
- with the Legislative Budget Board and I'll be presenting on the Summary of Recommendations. for the Texas
- In addition, recommendations include 10 million in general revenue for the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame
- So, really, a game-changer for Texas. We're very fortunate.
- So in Lubbock, Texas, we don't have a problem.
- Texas is REAL ID compliant. We're about 98, 99 percent.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- this is really a bill I passed either last year or the year before last, making sure that the exit codes
- Instead of saying changing an exit code assigned to a student in a school system, I'm putting assigning
- an exit code to a student that differs from the exit code assigned.
- I've had to deal with some exit code issues in the past.
- So can you give me an example of what kind of code someone may need to have reassigned or corrected?
Keywords:
TOPS, education funding, workforce development, postsecondary education, Louisiana Works, tech training, declining enrollment, public schools, school districts, Louisiana Department of Education, state superintendent, school closures, budget cuts, teacher layoffs, school consolidation, education policy, enrollment decline, birth rates, migration, private schools
Summary:
The House Education Committee met on May 6 and began with a presentation from LSU leadership, including LSU System President Wade Roos and Chancellor Jim Dalton. They outlined LSU’s goals of building an “elite” flagship university while maintaining accessibility through transfer pathways from regional campuses, increasing research expenditures toward top-tier status, and keeping more Louisiana students in-state for college and jobs. Members responded positively, praising LSU’s leadership, workforce focus, and efforts to retain the state’s best and brightest students.
The committee then considered several bills. SB 105, by Sen. Kathy, would reinstitute a TOPS Tech-related benefit for veterans using existing TOPS Tech funds, with no new money added; it was reported favorably. SB 374 would create a uniform framework for college economic development districts, allowing other institutions to establish districts with local government approval; Rep. Tarver offered and the committee adopted an amendment adding a legislator to each district board, and the bill was reported with amendments. SB 304 would let Louisiana institutions choose from a Board of Regents-approved list of accreditors recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, while preserving specialized accreditation; it was reported favorably.
The committee also took up SB 522, which would allow vocational and technical charter schools to apply directly to BESE as Type 2 charters when supported by the State Board of Commerce and Industry. Rep. Taylor objected that the bill should apply equally to public schools and charter schools, but the committee ultimately voted 9-1 to report the bill favorably. SB 290, a cleanup bill on student exit codes and school accountability data, was reported favorably. H.R. 175, which would have asked for a study of TOPS Tech, was voluntarily deferred by the author.
Finally, H.C.R. 81, by Rep. Freiberg, requested a Department of Education study on options for public school systems facing declining enrollment, including funding, staffing, closures, and consolidation. Caroline Romer of the Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools supported the study, and Rep. Taylor asked whether charter schools should be included in the review. The resolution was reported favorably. The meeting ended with several members recognizing visiting mayors and other guests before adjournment.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
House and Governmental Affairs Apr 29th, 2026
House and Governmental Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Is incompetence defined in the criminal code, or civil law, or something like that?
- I'm a small businessman, the business owner in Texas, for the past 54 years.
- I've had the great privilege the last 10 years to speak at Texas A&M University in the School of Business
- Almost every time I speak at Texas A&M, they ask me, how would you define success, Mr. Carter?
- Almost every time I speak at Texas A&M, they ask me, how would you define success, Mr. Carter?
Keywords:
tax credits, higher education, workforce development, brain drain, economic incentives, public meeting minutes, transparency, government accountability, publication deadlines, open meetings, SB49, Louisiana elections, party primary, primary elections, BESE, State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, school board elections, election law, candidate qualification, ballot access
Summary:
The House and Governmental Affairs Committee heard Senate Bill 123 by Sen. Morris, a proposed constitutional amendment to create a legislative-address process for removing certain judges for cause, with the governor certifying removal after a legislative vote and Senate trial. The bill was presented as a way to address perceived gaps and ambiguity in the current Constitution between impeachment provisions and the Judiciary Commission’s authority over judicial discipline. The committee also adopted a technical amendment (Amendment Set 4708) that renumbered paragraphs for clarity.
Sen. Morris and supporters argued the measure is needed because current mechanisms have not adequately held judges accountable in serious cases. They cited several criminal cases, especially involving juveniles and electronic monitoring failures, and said the bill would provide a last-resort remedy for gross misconduct, incompetence, or malfeasance. Multiple family members of murder victims testified in support, including Anna Carter, James Carter, and Tracy Carter, who described the death of Jacob Carter and said the case showed a failure of oversight and accountability. Reverend Rodney Wood also spoke in support, describing another case he believed reflected a grave injustice.
Committee members raised concerns about separation of powers, due process, political misuse, and whether the bill would reach beyond judges to district attorneys. Some questioned the mechanics of the proposed process, the role of the governor, the Senate trial, and whether the Judiciary Commission and existing impeachment provisions should instead be strengthened or clarified. The ACLU testified in opposition, saying the bill had technical inconsistencies in its vote threshold language, could be addressed by testing existing impeachment authority first, and should not single out judicial discretion while excluding DA discretion. No final vote on the bill was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government Feb 25th, 2026
Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government
Transcript Highlights:
- Chair: 1109, Building Code Inspections. You are recognized to explain the bill.
- Chair: Please explain amendment bar code 508894. Senator DiCeglie: Delete line 11 through 21...
- This bill works in concert with the Florida Department of Transportation Transportation Academy to extend
- Let's introduce the amendment bar code 427888. Amendment by Senator Truenow.
- Chair: Bar code 534942. You are recognized on the strike all.
Keywords:
funeral homes, cemetery law, cremation, embalmer, funeral director, preneed contract, preneed funeral, human remains, unclaimed cremated remains, disposition of remains, hospice, palliative care, end-of-life care, direct disposal, mortuary science, funeral service arts, licensure by endorsement, cemetery license, contiguous acres, consumer services
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government Feb 25th, 2026
Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government
Transcript Highlights:
- Senator DiCeglie, CS for Senate Bill 1260, building code inspections, you are recognized to explain the
- Obviously, it would be required training for them to understand the Florida Building Code.
- It clarifies that state term contracts can be used for plan examination, building code inspections, and
- This bill works in concert with the Florida Department of Transportation, Transportation Academy, to
- This bill works in concert with the Florida Department of Transportation, Transportation Academy, to
Keywords:
funeral homes, cemetery law, cremation, embalmer, funeral director, preneed contract, preneed funeral, human remains, unclaimed cremated remains, disposition of remains, hospice, palliative care, end-of-life care, direct disposal, mortuary science, funeral service arts, licensure by endorsement, cemetery license, contiguous acres, consumer services
Summary:
The committee first took up appointments, recommending confirmation of James Patrick Grambling and Brian J. Aungst on a single favorable vote. It then heard and approved several committee bills, including CS/CS/SB 1260 on building code inspections, which directs the Department of Management Services to contract with private providers for plan review and inspections; CS/SB 1668 on NICA, which updates benefits, oversight, funding, and immunity language; SB 1300 on a workforce/CDL training program for selected nonviolent inmates; CS/CS/SB 598 on funeral and cemetery services; CS/SB 1580 on illegal gaming enforcement; CS/SB 934 on Florida Keys affordable housing tax exemptions; and CS/CS/SB 1452, an agency bill updating DFS programs and licensing rules. Each of those bills was reported favorably after committee debate and, in several cases, amendments were adopted.
The committee spent substantial time on CS/CS/SB 1510, the DEP package, which reorganizes environmental rulemaking and land acquisition authority, expands septic-to-sewer and nutrient-reduction requirements in sensitive areas, updates stormwater and resilience provisions, and revises related permitting and grant programs. Two amendments were adopted, including one adding solar-energy and stormwater-related provisions and another removing septic disclosure reporting language. Testimony included support from DEP and concerns from environmental advocates about septic timelines and implementation. The bill was ultimately reported favorably.
The committee also considered CS/CS/SB 1566 on local government budget transparency, requiring counties and municipalities to post budgets and related materials online for extended periods in a standardized format. The League of Cities opposed the bill as an unfunded mandate, while the sponsor argued it would improve taxpayer access and accountability; the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard SB 7034, a rule ratification for minimum flows and levels for the lower Santa Fe and Ichetucknee rivers and priority springs, with testimony focused on the proposed Water First restoration strategy, conservation measures, and concerns about water quality, funding, and local opposition. The transcript ends during closing remarks on that ratification bill, before a final vote is shown.
OK
Bills:
HB4260, HB2981, HB3695, HB2960, HB3967, HB3968, HB4339, HB4341, HB4342, HB2940, HB4295, HB4196, HB3134, HB1016
Keywords:
workers' compensation, first responders, acute myocardial infarction, stroke, health presumption, emergency services, firefighters, peace officers, emergency medical technicians, open meetings, school boards, transparency, public access, education governance, HB3695, Oklahoma, motor vehicles, personal injury accident, traffic offense, DUI
AL
Alabama 2026 1st Special Session
Alabama Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development Committee Feb 11th, 2026
Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- subcategory of the unincorporated nonprofit associations in Alabama business and nonprofit entities code
- 22:54.880>
and <00:22:55.120>nonprofit <00:22:55.600>entities <00:22:56.080>code - <00:22:56.880>
and business and nonprofit entities code and business and nonprofit entities - code and securities<00:22:57.760>
commission <00:22:58.159>and <00:22:58.320>secretary
Keywords:
loitering, mask policies, school safety, crime prevention, public health, board appointments, governor authority, multi-member boards, state governance, legislative authority, Alabama Business and Nonprofit Entities Code, Title 10A, corporate governance, nonprofit governance, business corporations, nonprofit corporations, LLC, limited liability company, partnership, limited partnership
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Senate Floor Session Jan 23rd, 2026 at 08:30 am
North Dakota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The similar language is on page 5, lines 22 and 23, and it's in a different section of Century Code,
- Provide a transfer to amend and reenact Section 6-09-47 of the North Dakota Century Code relating to
- If we don't crack the code for EOR in short order Existential crisis.
- And so I learned on egg, I learned on transportation.
- And so I learned on egg, I learned on transportation.
Keywords:
SB 2401, North Dakota, Century Code, occupational therapy, occupational therapy board, criminal history record check, background check, licensee investigation, physician continuing education, medical license renewal, nutrition education, metabolic health, chronic disease prevention, health occupation boards, medical board, licensure fee, audit response, disciplinary action, Title 43, board of medicine
Summary:
The Senate convened with prayer, roll call, and a quorum present, then took up second reading and final passage of several House bills related to the Rural Health Transformation Program and other matters. House Bill 1621, requiring the presidential fitness test in school physical education with exceptions and a delayed effective date, passed 43-3. House Bill 1623, appropriating federal rural health transformation grant funds and creating a related loan program and reporting structure, passed 46-0 after extensive debate about using the federal money for community health, infrastructure, and sustainability. House Bill 1622, joining the physician assistant licensure compact, also passed unanimously 46-0. House Bill 1625, authorizing the Ray Richards Golf Course land sale to support a Grand Forks transportation project and golf course improvements, passed 46-0. House Bill 1626, clarifying that the primary residence credit is applied after the early payment discount so taxpayers receive the full $1,600 benefit, passed 40-6.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Senate Floor Session Jan 22nd, 2026 at 08:30 am
North Dakota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- an act to create a new subdivision to subsection 2 of Section 12-60-24 of the North Dakota Century Code
- Occupational Therapy Practice; to amend and reenact Section 43-17-27.1 of the North Dakota Century Code
- statement of legislative intent; and to provide an effective date. 24 of the North Dakota Century Code
- Occupational Therapy Practice; to amend and reenact Section 43-17-27.1 of the North Dakota Century Code
- new sections to Chapter 43-15 and a new subsection to Section 43-48-03 of the North Dakota Century Code
Keywords:
SB 2401, North Dakota, Century Code, occupational therapy, occupational therapy board, criminal history record check, background check, licensee investigation, physician continuing education, medical license renewal, nutrition education, metabolic health, chronic disease prevention, health occupation boards, medical board, licensure fee, audit response, disciplinary action, Title 43, board of medicine
Summary:
The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present. It adopted the procedural employment committee report naming Senate staff for the special session. The chamber then took up several health-care and appropriations measures, first adopting amendments to Senate Bills 2401, 2402, and 2403 before moving them to final passage.
Senate Bill 2401 passed 44-2 and requires physicians to complete at least one hour of continuing education in nutrition and metabolic health, part of a broader rural health care package. Senate Bill 2402 passed 46-0 after major amendments negotiated between the medical and pharmacy boards; as amended, it expands pharmacists’ prescriptive authority and therapeutic substitution in limited areas while excluding categories such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, chemotherapy agents, Schedule II drugs, biological products, and narrow therapeutic index drugs. Supporters said it would improve rural access and help secure rural health transformation funding, while questions focused on how pharmacist competence would be measured and enforced.
Senate Bill 2403, also passed 46-0, creates a short-term medical facility emergency operating loan program through the Bank of North Dakota, reduced by amendment from $10 million to $5 million, to help a financially distressed rural hospital. Senators discussed the hospital’s mismanagement, the need for a bridge loan, and safeguards including a limited application window and expiration in 2027. Senate Bill 2404 passed 46-0 and provides supplemental appropriations to the Information Technology Department for ADA-related website accessibility compliance and to the Public Service Commission for additional legal costs in federal energy-rate litigation. The Senate then made announcements about a Highway Patrol safety presentation and filing deadlines, excused an absent member, and adjourned until the next morning.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Senate Floor Session Jan 21st, 2026 at 08:30 am
North Dakota Senate Floor Meeting
Keywords:
SB 2401, North Dakota, Century Code, occupational therapy, occupational therapy board, criminal history record check, background check, licensee investigation, physician continuing education, medical license renewal, nutrition education, metabolic health, chronic disease prevention, health occupation boards, medical board, licensure fee, audit response, disciplinary action, Title 43, board of medicine
Summary:
The Senate convened in special session with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and roll call establishing a quorum of 45 members present and two absent. The chamber received certification from the Secretary of State and the governor’s executive order calling the special session to address funding for the Rural Health Transformation Program and to act quickly to accept and appropriate federal funds.
The main action was adoption of the procedural rules for the extraordinary session. Senator Klein explained the proposed rule changes, which were designed to speed up consideration of bills during the short session, including limits on bill introduction, same-day second reading and final passage, elimination of standing committees for the session, creation of a Joint Policy Committee and Joint Appropriations Committee, and authorization for remote testimony and limited remote participation. The procedural committee’s report on these rules was adopted without opposition.
The Senate also adopted reports naming members to the Joint Policy Committee and Joint Appropriations Committee. Announcements noted that the Senate Employment Committee, Joint Policy Committee, and Joint Appropriations Committee would meet later that morning, that the Senate would not reconvene at 4 p.m., and that a Highway Patrol presentation on legislator safety would be held. The Senate then moved through the listed orders of business and recessed, planning to meet in joint session with the House before adjourning until Thursday, January 22, 2026.
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama House Ways and Means General Fund Committee Feb 19th, 2025
Ways and Means General Fund
Keywords:
judicial compensation, salary increase, court system, Alabama legislation, judges, HB187, court fees, docket fee, sheriff's fund, sheriff's office, jail operations, law enforcement, county sheriff, court filing fees, Alabama Code 12-19-312, solicitor's fund, clerk's fund, forensic services trust fund, budget flexibility, public safety
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Community Affairs Mar 25th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Our transportation surtax and other surtax that we have throughout the state will fund transportation
- Our transportation surtax and other surtax that we have throughout the state will fund transportation
- Under the current code, if you're going to make a code change, you have to submit that to DFS.
- And that would be the current fire code.
- So, under the current code, if you're going to make a code change, you have to submit that to DFS.
Summary:
The committee took up several claims bills first and reported both favorably without debate. SB 20, relating to relief of J.N., a minor, would pay the remaining $400,000 of a $600,000 settlement after an 11-year-old was injured on a Hillsborough County sidewalk with a known defect; SB 14, relating to the estate of Pineal Januier, would authorize payment of the remaining $1.7 million of a $2 million settlement after a drowning at a Miami Beach youth center pool. Both bills were supported by the sponsors and the Senate Special Master’s favorable recommendations, and both passed on roll call votes.
The committee then considered SJR 1510 and its implementing bill, SB 1512, both by Senator Avila, which would create a new property tax benefit for owners who lease a non-homestead residential property for more than six months in order to encourage more affordable rental housing. Local governments, the Florida League of Cities, and the Florida Association of Counties opposed the proposal, warning of major revenue losses, impacts on public safety and services, and uncertainty for local budgets; several senators also questioned whether landlords would pass savings on to renters and whether the measure would worsen density and parking issues. Despite the opposition, both measures were reported favorably after the sponsor said the bills would be refined and revised.
SB 674, by Senator Wright, was reported favorably with support from property appraisers who said it would let them budget and pay hiring or retention bonuses, similar to authority already given to tax collectors, to help compete for specialized staff. CS for CS SB 268, by Senator Jones, also passed after an amendment adding congressional members; the bill would create a public-records exemption for certain home-address information for elected officials, and debate centered on balancing transparency with safety after members described death threats and harassment. The committee then approved SB 100, by Senator Fine, which would bar government buildings from displaying flags representing political viewpoints and allow active or retired military or National Guard members to use reasonable force to stop desecration of the U.S. flag; the bill drew extensive opposition from transparency, civil rights, and LGBTQ advocates who argued it was vague, unconstitutional, and aimed at pride flags, while supporters said government should not endorse political messages.
Finally, CS for SB 1664, by Senator Trumbull, was reported favorably after a strike-all amendment. The bill would require voter reapproval every eight years for certain local discretionary taxes, including tourist development taxes and some local option taxes, unless pledged to revenue bonds. Cities, counties, tourism groups, and the lodging industry opposed it, saying the measure would create uncertainty, threaten tourism marketing and beach restoration funding, and make long-term infrastructure and debt planning difficult. Senator Trumbull argued the proposal simply gives voters a recurring chance to decide whether they still support the taxes and the projects they fund.