Video & Transcript Research : 'program owning'

Page 129 of 500
VA

Virginia 2026 Regular Session

April 22, 2026 - Reconvened Session

Virginia House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • The Governor's recommendation adds service-disabled, veteran-owned, and military-family-owned businesses
  • Another change simply inserts the word programming instead of the word program, and the final change.
  • Another change simply inserts the word programming instead of the word program, and the final change
  • You can call it a great program. It's a wonderful program. It's a very broad program.
  • It's a very broad program.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • . >> We don't own either. UK doesn't own either facility.
  • own either.
  • UK doesn't own >> We don't own either. UK doesn't own either<00:04:58.880> facility.
  • This is not an own.
  • This is not an own. So, Is this a lease? This is not an own.
Summary: The committee first handled routine business, including roll call, approval of the July minutes, and several informational reports. Those reports included a University of Kentucky restricted-fund medical equipment purchase for Chandler Hospital, debt issues for five school districts, Eastern Kentucky University’s planned model laboratory school using construction management risk delivery, a Division of Real Properties lease advertisement, Kentucky Communications Network Authority quarterly project reports, and EKU asset preservation revisions. Members then heard and approved a new UK St. Clair Urgent Care Clinic lease in Morehead and an amendment expanding space for the UK Family and Community Medicine Clinic at Turflin Clinic. Testimony explained that both properties are privately owned, the Morehead lease predated the UK/St. Clair arrangement, and the Turflin Clinic is tight on space. The committee also approved three new projects and an appropriation increase: two Department of Military Affairs projects, a Window Ford Training Center underground electric project and a Williamsburg Readiness Center interior repair project, a Fish and Wildlife property acquisition adjoining Veterans Memorial Wildlife Management Area, and an $8.113 million increase for the Department of Revenue integrated tax system (DORIS). The DORIS increase was described as needed for change orders tied to legislation and to complete the unified tax system. The committee next reviewed no-action items, including a $3 million emergency flood-damage repair project for the Bush Building and Vest-Lindsay House in Frankfort, and three pool projects over $1 million: a Kentucky Correctional Institute for Women window replacement phase 2 project, a Department of Criminal Justice Training interior refurbishment at Thompson Hall, and the Muddy Gut Branch stream mitigation project in Johnson County. The flood project was confirmed to be fully reimbursed by insurance proceeds. Finally, the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority presented six loans and nine grants. Action items included water and sewer financing for Cumberland County, Lebanon, Northern Kentucky Water District, Lewisport, and Providence, plus a major Taylor Mill treatment plant project and several cleaner water grants and reallocations. Members asked about loan rates, local rate increases needed to repay debt, and the Providence emergency water interconnect; staff explained that Lewisport had begun a rate increase process, and that the Providence project would connect Webster County Water District and the city of Providence to stabilize pressure after a systemwide failure. All action items were approved.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Science, Technology and Energy (04/14/2025)

Science, Technology and Energy

Transcript Highlights:
  • :50:49.280> programs incentives, tax programs, grant programs incentives, tax programs, grant
  • So, you really want to take care of your own needs above all, and the net metering program suits the
  • So, you really want to take care of your own needs above all, and the net metering program suits the
  • net metering program. net metering program.
  • The main program or the New Hampshire program?
Keywords: 1189, house, all
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am

Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • state in both developmental disability and mental health programs.
  • For decades, retention and staffing in these programs has been a real struggle.
  • If they can't make a living on their own for their own families, most of us run short by 25% of our workforce
  • I'm an educated woman that owns my own home here in Burdenston, Mass., which is in the upper northwest
  • Yet tens of thousands of them are struggling to meet their own basic needs.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development held a hybrid hearing on legislation concerning unemployment insurance, non-compete agreements, prevailing wage, and minimum wage issues. Committee leaders outlined the hearing process, asked witnesses to keep oral testimony to three minutes, and invited written testimony through November 20. No votes were taken during the hearing; it ended with a motion to adjourn and notice of the next hearing on November 20. Much of the testimony focused on bills to expand unemployment insurance for striking workers, including H. 2168 and S. 1319. Labor leaders, union members, and legal advocates argued that workers who are out on strike for more than 30 days should be able to receive UI benefits, saying the policy would help workers and families meet basic expenses, reduce employers’ ability to “wait out” strikes, and encourage good-faith bargaining. Speakers cited recent strikes, including the Republic Services strike, and said the proposal would not meaningfully increase strike activity or strain the UI trust fund. Another major topic was minimum wage legislation, especially H. 2107/S. 1349 to raise the minimum wage to $20 by 2029 and index it to inflation, and H. 2191 to create a $25 enhanced care worker minimum wage. Supporters said current wages are not keeping pace with housing, food, and childcare costs, and that care workers, direct support staff, and human service employees face chronic vacancies, burnout, and turnover. Testimony also supported H. 2126 on prevailing wage by adding apprenticeship and training contributions to the wage calculation, and H. 2159 and S. 1363 on prevailing wage-related issues. One witness, Russell Beck, testified against S. 1336, which would ban non-competes, and against H. 2118, arguing Massachusetts’ current non-compete law is a balanced compromise that should not be disrupted.
FL

Florida 2026 5th Special Session

FL House Floor Session - 2025-04-25 (10:00AM Session)

Florida House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • We're talking about commercial enhancement programs, business incentive programs.
  • We're talking about home rehabilitation programs. ...incentive programs.
  • We're talking about home rehabilitation programs, first-time homebuyer programs, and for an area like
  • HB 1095 creates a pilot program.
  • The program and the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office will manage the program. That is the bill.
Summary: The House opened with prayer, a moment of silence for fallen Oviedo Officer Jimmy Serrano-Torres, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of Chief Joseph Tuminelli as law enforcement officer of the day. The Rules and Ethics Committee report setting the special order calendar was adopted, and the Speaker announced schedule changes for the following week, including canceling the floor session on Monday and starting Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. The main floor action centered on CS/HB 7033, the House tax package. Sponsor Rep. Duggan described broad tax changes, including reducing the state sales tax rate from 6% to 5.25%, exempting certain bullion sales, repealing the aviation fuel tax, delaying the natural gas fuel tax, changing corporate income tax treatment for charitable trusts, reducing the pari-mutuel tax on card rooms, and major changes to tourist development tax (TDT) use. The bill would redirect most TDT revenue toward property tax relief, dissolve tourist development councils, and include related property tax and local tax administration changes. Several amendments were debated: a Driscoll amendment to preserve local TDT flexibility failed; Duggan’s amendment giving local governments 25% discretion over TDT revenues was adopted; Eskamani’s combined-reporting amendment failed; and a Duggan amendment requiring audit certification of compliance with the TDT/property tax relief provisions was adopted. After debate, CS/HB 7033 passed 78-29. The House then took up CS/CS/HB 1221 on local option taxes, which was presented as a companion-style measure to give local governments more flexibility while redirecting TDT revenues toward property tax relief. Supporters argued the bill would provide immediate relief to property owners and restore accountability in local tax use, while opponents warned it would undermine tourism funding, infrastructure, and local services. An amendment allowing local governments to retain 25% of TDT revenues for general purposes was adopted, and the bill passed 62-45 after floor debate. The final item shown was the reading of CS/CS/HJR 1257, a proposed constitutional amendment related to property tax exemptions and assessment limits, but the transcript cuts off before debate or action on that measure.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Capital Investment - 02/19/26

Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:
  • betterment of buildings program. betterment of buildings program.
  • Uh the governor's Grant Program.
  • And TED is a statewide program. infrastructure program or TED we're also infrastructure program or TED
  • uh on this program. uh on this program.
  • . program. program.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
FL
Transcript Highlights:
  • How do we monitor what they do with their own internal training?
  • So they want to do it with their own private money.
  • They want to do it with their own private money.
  • Number one, the Lieutenant Governor is not elected on their own.
  • Some states, the Lieutenant Governor is its own job.
Summary: The committee first confirmed Heather L. Turnbull to the Florida Commission on Community Service without debate. It then took up SPB 7022, which sets Florida Retirement System employer contribution rates beginning July 1, 2025, updates rates to address unfunded liability, and preserves the 3% employee contribution rate. Senator Fine said the bill would increase FRS Trust Fund revenue by about $310 million annually and also gives certain elected officers an option related to DROP accumulations. An amendment was adopted, the bill was submitted as a committee bill, and it was reported favorably. The committee then heard SB 1710, a bill by Senator DeSantis/DeSigley to prohibit state agencies, vendors, and grant recipients from using state funds for DEI-related policies, trainings, and programs, and to impose related restrictions on medical institutions of higher education. Senator Polsky and others questioned the bill’s broad and vague language, its effect on health-related work, public-facing agency positions, private contractors, and medical school admissions. The sponsor said the bill was intended to stop DEI from influencing state agencies and that the medical-school portion would likely be amended out later. Public testimony was overwhelmingly opposed, with speakers arguing the bill would harm health care, education, access, and minority communities; a few supporters said DEI is ideological and should be removed from government and public institutions. After debate, the bill was reported favorably on a party-line style vote, with Senator Errington voting no. The committee then began SB 1678, relating to entities that boycott Israel, with a delete-all amendment. Senator Leak said the bill would expand Florida’s anti-BDS framework to cover nonprofits, foreign educational institutions, foreign government funds, academic boycotts, political subdivisions, and certain grants, while the amendment aligned the bill with existing law and clarified procurement and divestment provisions. Testimony included support from proponents who said Florida should not do business with entities engaged in boycotts of Israel, and opposition from speakers who argued the bill would restrict academic freedom and conscience. Debate continued as the transcript ended, with no final vote shown in the excerpt.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • These are in very intensive programs.
  • to open the doors for a lot of programs like my own to be able to really coincide with what y'all are
  • And that's going to open the doors for a lot of programs like my own to be able to really coincide with
  • program.
  • Excuse me, the home and community-based adult mental health program is actually a Medicaid program.
Keywords: 1185, senate, all
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Agriculture Dec 2nd, 2025

Agriculture

Transcript Highlights:
  • We have a drone program.
  • We currently have 44 drones that we own.
  • And we utilize them in our prescribed burn program.
  • This is a loan program for repayment. This is a loan program for repayment.
  • This is a loan program for repayment. This is a loan program for repayment.
Summary: The Senate Committee on Agriculture received a presentation from Florida Forest Service Director Rick Dolan on the agency’s wildfire response, forest management, and emergency support roles. He described the service’s four regions and 14 districts, its year-round wildfire response, use of bulldozers, helicopters, and drones, and the current high fire danger due to drought conditions. Dolan also highlighted prescribed burning, fuels mitigation, state forest management, the pine seedling nursery, and the agency’s role in hurricane response and incident management. Members asked about equipment loans and whether more prescribed burning could reduce wildfire impacts; Dolan said Florida already leads the nation in prescribed fire and emphasized public education and fuels reduction. The committee then considered and unanimously reported favorably Senate Bill 386, which creates a farm-equipment consumer protection process similar to a lemon law, allowing purchasers to seek repair or replacement of defective major farm equipment at no cost. The committee also took up Senate Bill 290, the Agriculture and Consumer Services omnibus bill. The bill would modernize fair association rules, preempt local bans on gas- and diesel-powered farm and landscape equipment, allow surplus of certain state-owned lands for bona fide agricultural use while excluding parks, forests, and wildlife lands, create a veterinary loan repayment program, make Farmers Feeding Florida permanent, expand Forest Service training opportunities, criminalize signal-jamming devices, increase penalties for CDL and English-proficiency exam cheating, restrict certain door-to-door solicitation, protect food safety inspectors, clarify biosolids rules, and add criminal and vendor-list penalties for contractors who fail to pay subcontractors. The committee adopted three amendments to align dates and technical language and to authorize native seed research and marketing through the Florida Wildlife Foundation. Testimony on SB 290 included support from several industry groups, concerns from the Home Builders Association about the new contractor-payment criminal penalties, and opposition from a citizen worried about the new surplus-land process for conservation lands. Despite concerns, CS/SB 290 was reported favorably. Finally, the committee unanimously recommended confirmation of the appointees listed on tabs 4 and 5, and then adjourned.
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Task Force Jun 24th, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Task Force

Transcript Highlights:
  • So that in addition to the substance use treatment programs, of course.
  • There's a Dots mobile program that is run by DMH, not my department. It is an exemplary program.
  • Now, also imagine that you're, you know, manage your own, your own small business.
  • Now, also imagine that you own a small business.
  • About gambling later in my own personal life.
Keywords: 959, house, all
WI

Wisconsin 2026 1st Special Session

Joint Committee on Finance May 12th, 2026

Joint Committee on Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • Open Enrollment Program indexing.
  • So it's just current programs with this bill going forward.
  • So, taking those programs... And that's the base year going forward.
  • But was that because we didn't give the amount of dollars to the program, or was that because the program
  • And they could educate those children in their own school district.
Keywords: 970, all
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

JDC-AEN Informational Briefing 10-16-2025

Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • We have federal gaps for key programs. I have my own clicker. Let's try that. Oh, all right.
  • We have federal gaps for key programs. I have my own clicker. Let's try that. Oh, all right.
  • We have federal gaps for key programs. I have my own clicker. Let's try that. Oh, all right.
  • We have federal gaps for key programs. I have my own clicker. Let's try that. Oh, all right.
  • We have federal gaps for key programs. I have my own clicker. Let's try that. Oh, all right.
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The joint informational briefing focused on how federal policy changes, tariffs, funding cuts, the federal shutdown, and delays in the farm bill are affecting Hawaii agriculture and food access. Opening remarks emphasized Hawaii’s heavy dependence on imported food and farm inputs, the state’s vulnerability to disruptions in USDA services, and the need for stronger state, county, and community coordination. Speakers also noted that immigration enforcement and broader global supply-chain pressures can affect local farm labor, production, and food availability. Sharon Herd, chair of the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, described both positive and negative federal impacts. She said Hawaii has benefited from some recurring grants and a large new $8.8 million federal grant, but also reported about $22 million in losses from suspended or terminated grants, including farm-to-school and water-related projects. She said some USDA programs, such as microgrants for food security and FISMIP, are currently suspended, while the specialty crop block grant remains active. She also said Hawaii farms declined from 7,328 to 6,569 between the 2017 and 2022 censuses and argued the state cannot rely on imports alone to feed its people. Amanda Shaw of Agriculture Stewardship Hawaii presented findings from federal funding cut reports. She said the first report, in March, identified about $88 million in potential cuts, and the newer report found $64.7 million in confirmed cuts and about $175 million in potential cuts. She said federal shifts are creating uncertainty for farmers, food-system organizations, and school and community food programs, and noted that 4,000 to 5,000 Hawaii farmers could receive less money because of changes to payment-factor provisions for socially disadvantaged farmers. She also said Hawaii has lost 18% of local USDA staff since September 2024, with possible further national reductions expected. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational only, and the chair noted that any legal questions, including the reported SNAP changes, would be for the Judiciary Committee to assess later.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Taxes - 04/15/26

Taxes

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:41:51.200> programs including housing programs including housing programs um<00:41:53.120
  • underpayment from government programs underpayment from government programs over<01:06:06.160>
  • our own health insurance for our own our own health insurance for our own employees<01:07:34.720
  • you well know for government programs you well know for government programs has<01:07:43.359>
  • less of their own income. less of their own income.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

HHS Informational Briefing 01-10-2025

Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:02:16.720> and collaboration innovated programs and collaboration innovated programs and
  • We're a statewide program.
  • DEH habilitation program DEH habilitation program personal<00:30:29.080> assistance<00:30
  • our um subance use treatment U programs our um subance use treatment U programs and<00:48:09.240
  • up participants and provide Day program up participants and provide Day program as<00:59:47.000>
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The Committee on Health and Human Services held an informational briefing on the Developmental Disabilities Council and related agencies. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities outlined its 2025 legislative priorities, including a pilot project for guardian ad litem and capacity evaluations in guardianship/conservatorship cases, a supported decision-making bill, a health disparities study for people with disabilities, an ABLE savings outreach/staffing measure, a Medicaid buy-in proposal, an adult changing tables equity bill, and a resolution on fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Council representatives emphasized that supported decision-making would complement tools like powers of attorney and medical releases, and that the health disparities study would help identify unmet needs by ZIP code and improve state data on the intellectual and developmental disability population. The Center on Disability Studies at the University of Hawaii described its role as the research and training arm within the DD system, working with the DD Council and the Hawaii Disability Rights Center. It reported activities such as interdisciplinary training, community education, technical assistance, research collaborations, the Pacific Rim International Conference on Disability and Diversity, publications, telehealth, ECHO Autism, and counseling for Maui fire survivors. The center said it leveraged about $16 million in outside funding last year and highlighted goals focused on workforce development, community capacity, research with direct participation from people with disabilities, and accessible dissemination of information. The Hawaii Disability Rights Center, the state’s protection and advocacy agency, supported the Council’s priorities, especially supported decision-making, which it said could help some people avoid guardianship while preserving liberty and reducing state resource use. The center also raised concerns about the DD system budget and urged legislators to review whether the Developmental Disabilities Division is requesting enough funding, noting possible backsliding in services and eligibility. The Developmental Disabilities Division of the Department of Health then outlined its statewide waiver program serving just over 3,500 people, its service array, and its budget request for increased waiver funding, a federal initiatives coordinator, and IT upgrades to comply with the new HCBS access rule; no votes or formal actions were taken during the briefing.
MD

Maryland 2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session, 4/13/2026 #2

Maryland Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • program.
  • program.
  • this program.
  • . program. program.
  • do they bring their own conference do they bring their own power?
Summary: The Senate reconvened with a quorum and first honored Nancy Crawford with a resolution recognizing her 46 years of state service, including 20 years as Senator Pam Beidle’s chief of staff. Senator Beidle then spoke at length about her own retirement plans and public service, reflecting on her career in the House and Senate, her work on the Finance Committee, and thanking her staff and colleagues. The chamber unanimously journalized the remarks. The Senate then moved into business on House and Senate messages, including House Bill 139 and Senate Bill 311, and adopted a conference committee report on House Bill 1532, the Utility Relief/Reducing Energy Load for Inflation measure. The report was described as a broad energy and utility package that had already passed the Senate 38-4 and was said to address short-, medium-, and long-term issues, including rate relief, in-state generation, data center policy, consumer transparency, and low-income utility assistance. During debate on the conference report, the majority leader explained several changes from prior versions: no legislative ban on forecast test years, instead deferring to the Public Service Commission; removal of gas programs from Empower to avoid inequities across service territories; modest opening of the retail supply market with guardrails; and rejection of some floor amendments, including a gas line extension provision and a study amendment. The minority leader argued the bill offered only limited relief, focused too much on talking points and short-term savings, and said many bipartisan amendments were not retained. The majority leader responded that the bill would save ratepayers real dollars through provisions on utility adders, executive bonuses, FERC-related returns, and new generation, and urged adoption of the conference report.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Natural Resources and Environment Apr 28th, 2026

Natural Resources & Environment

Transcript Highlights:
  • This is a voluntary program.
  • staff that program.
  • mud boats, and I didn't own...
  • There's a part about it being on your own personal property that you have to own.
  • You have to own it.
Keywords: 965, house, all
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy

Transcript Highlights:
  • Programs that include priority consideration for community economic development programs, requiring projects
  • why we Well, and, you know, further, you might wonder: we have the Clean Peak program, why another program
  • And this is just one option the program gives DOER the discretion to create a program that they see fit
  • , should they choose to do a program.
  • And so we just... ...to create a program that they see fit, should they choose to do a program.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The committee heard testimony on a wide range of energy bills, with much of the discussion focused on offshore wind, battery storage, solar, nuclear study proposals, and a bill to redefine clean energy. Several Barnstable-area legislators and witnesses raised concerns about offshore wind transmission infrastructure near neighborhoods, beaches, and drinking water supplies, and supported bills to create a special commission and increase local input and oversight. In contrast, environmental, consumer, labor, and clean energy groups strongly backed offshore wind expansion bills, arguing that offshore wind lowers long-term costs, improves winter reliability, reduces fossil fuel dependence, supports jobs and local supply chains, and should include wildlife protections, labor standards, and community benefits. Some witnesses and committee members noted that parts of the offshore wind legislation overlap with the Governor’s energy affordability bill, and asked for clarification on which provisions were new versus duplicative. The committee also heard testimony on battery storage and solar legislation. Two student witnesses and several industry representatives supported a bill to study grid battery storage, saying storage can reduce outages, lower peak prices, and improve grid resilience during extreme weather. Witnesses from solar and storage companies supported a broader clean energy transition bill that would expand storage procurement, create a retail-style storage program for distributed batteries, set a 10-gigawatt solar target by 2035, and streamline siting and interconnection. Committee members pressed witnesses on whether these provisions were already included in the Governor’s affordability bill and asked for a section-by-section breakdown of what was new. One witness also urged allowing developers to bond interconnection payments to reduce financing costs. Another major topic was a bill defining clean energy, especially whether existing pumped-storage hydropower should qualify for subsidies or be excluded. Supporters of the bill argued that existing pumped storage should not receive additional ratepayer subsidies because it is already built, can have environmental impacts on rivers and ecosystems, and could cost ratepayers hundreds of millions of dollars. Opponents said pumped storage is an important reliability resource and should remain eligible. The committee also heard testimony on nuclear-energy study bills: some witnesses supported creating a commission to examine nuclear power as a reliable, carbon-free option, while others opposed nuclear study bills and argued that nuclear is costly, unsafe, and inconsistent with the state’s clean energy goals. No votes were taken during the hearing.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Public Education Feb 25th, 2025

Public Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • can't worse people into those programs.
  • I use the resources that y'all have given us to invest and grow your own programs. certainly favor an
  • Schools themselves do their own attendance.
  • Richard Rosser's comments on programs of study.
  • So you have a K-12 program of study really, a high school program of study, and. college program of study
Keywords: 1184, house, all
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Ethics and Elections Mar 2nd, 2026

Ethics and Elections

Transcript Highlights:
  • , commonly known as SNAP, which is a program that Department administers.
  • And we had two agencies in the pilot program, including yours.
  • Senator Polsky: How many Floridians have participated in the HOPE Florida program.
  • with the program or anything like that?
  • His own bones are basically abnormal and he had vitamin D deficiency.
Keywords: 999, senate, all
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Governmental Oversight and Accountability Mar 18th, 2025

Governmental Oversight and Accountability

Transcript Highlights:
  • sets of diversity, equity, and inclusion training at their own facilities?
  • How do we monitor what they do with their own internal training?
  • They want to do it with their own private money.
  • Number one, the lieutenant governor is not elected on their own.
  • Some states, the lieutenant governor is its own job.
Summary: The committee first confirmed Heather L. Turnbull to the Florida Commission on Community Service, with the motion adopted and the confirmation recommended favorably. Members then took up SPB 7022, which sets Florida Retirement System employer contribution rates beginning July 1, 2025, updates rates to address unfunded actuarial liability, and allows certain elected officers to elect a DROP accumulation; a technical title amendment was adopted, the bill was submitted as a committee bill, and it was reported favorably as a committee bill. The committee then heard extensive debate and public testimony on SB 1710, which would restrict diversity, equity, and inclusion-related policies, trainings, and activities in state agencies, state-funded contractors and grantees, and medical institutions of higher education. Sponsor Senator DiCeglie said the bill is intended to prevent state agencies and contractors from using state funds for DEI programs and to limit state agencies from adopting DEI-related official positions; he also said the medical-school portion would likely be amended out later. Senator Polsky and others questioned the bill’s breadth and how it would affect health-related grants, public universities, historically Black institutions, recruitment, and contractor training. Public testimony was overwhelmingly opposed, with speakers arguing the bill would harm health care, education, access, and inclusion; a few supporters said DEI is ideological, can undermine merit, and should not be used by state agencies or publicly funded institutions. After debate, Senator Polsky argued the bill was confusing, overbroad, and harmful to serving diverse communities, while Senator Arrington said it was an overreach into private business and could have significant fiscal impacts. Chair Fine closed by saying DEI is political ideology and that the bill is meant to ensure government focuses on talent rather than identity. SB 1710 was then reported favorably on a roll call vote, with Senator Arrington voting no and the remaining members voting yes. The committee then began SB 1678, relating to entities that boycott Israel, and heard the sponsor’s explanation of a delete-all amendment that would expand and clarify state restrictions on dealings with entities engaged in boycotts of Israel, including certain nonprofits, foreign educational institutions, and grants; the amendment was adopted, and the sponsor and a witness began answering questions when the transcript cuts off.