Video & Transcript Research : 'war declaration'
Page 137 of 318
AL
Alabama 2026 1st Special Session
Alabama Senate Banking and Insurance Committee Feb 25th, 2026
Banking and Insurance
Transcript Highlights:
- And right now, you know, I don't know if I'm ready to declare that you all are the expert in telling
- And right now, you know, I don't know if I'm ready to declare that you all are the expert in telling
- And right now, you know, I don't know if I'm ready to declare that you all are the expert in telling
- you know I I don't know if I'm ready now you know I I don't know if I'm ready to<00:14:31.839>
declare - that you all are the expert to declare that you all are the expert in<00:14:34.720>
telling <00
Keywords:
public officers, bonding, risk management, notification, delinquency, consumer protection, rental home, marketplace guarantees, insurance, commissioner of insurance, healthcare, breast cancer screening, insurance coverage, deductible, copayment, emergency medical services, ambulance reimbursement, health care insurers, balance billing, provider networks
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on State Government.(1-29-26)
State Government
Transcript Highlights:
- their members have to come in electronically due to something, unless there's a state of emergency declared
- 48.240>
emergency unless there's a state of emergency unless there's a state of emergency declared - 49.519>
to <00:08:49.600>say <00:08:49.760>we're <00:08:49.920>going declared - , we're going to say we're going declared, we're going to say we're going to<00:08:50.560>
have - House Bill 314 is an act relating to the Kentucky Communications Network Authority and declaring an emergency
Keywords:
HB 66 (discussion only) -- 00:05:33
Consideration of HB 213 -- 00:12:16
Consideration of HB 314 -- 00:22:11, 958, all
Summary:
The House State Government Committee opened its first meeting of the year with prayer, the pledge, a roll call, and a reminder of committee procedures, including sign-up rules for public testimony, decorum expectations, and recognition of staff. The chair noted the committee had a quorum and outlined the day’s agenda, which included three bills. Representative Hodgson presented House Bill 66 for discussion only, explaining that it would distinguish between boards and commissions that can meet entirely electronically and larger public agencies that should have a quorum physically present unless there is an emergency. He said the bill also aimed to require agencies to post member information and contact details online so the public can provide feedback. Representative Tipton asked whether the bill would apply to state and local bodies, and Hodgson said it would; no vote was taken on HB 66.
The committee then considered House Bill 213, sponsored by Representative Emily Callaway, on reemployment of retired police officers. A committee substitute was adopted unanimously. Callaway said the bill would reduce barriers to rehiring retired law enforcement officers, allow local agencies and universities to offer health benefits in lieu of retirement benefits, lower the service threshold for this specific rehiring from 20 years to 15 years, and give agencies flexibility on retirement contributions. She emphasized that the bill would not allow double dipping and had no quantified fiscal impact. Members raised a question about review by the Public Pension Oversight Board; Callaway said that had not yet occurred, and the chair noted the committee’s practice that pension-related bills are typically reviewed by that board first. Despite that concern, the committee voted 16-2 to report HB 213 favorably, with two members passing.
Finally, the committee took up House Bill 314, relating to the Kentucky Communications Network Authority and declaring an emergency. After adopting a committee substitute, Representative Matt Lockett said the bill was intended to reorganize oversight of Kentucky Wired by moving KCNA into the Finance and Administration Cabinet under the Commonwealth Office of Technology, abolishing KCNA’s separate executive director, transferring KCNA functions and records to COOT, and restructuring the board with new members and two governor appointments from lists submitted by KACo and KLC. He said the measure was meant to provide stronger oversight and more direct control over the project, and that the emergency clause was needed because of budget implications. Members asked for clarification on the differences between committee substitutes, and Lockett said one prior substitute removed the attorney general from the board at his request, while the current one added the governor’s appointments. He also said a floor amendment would strike language related to a nonprofit board associated with Kentucky Wired. The transcript ends during discussion of HB 314, before any final vote is shown.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Minnesota House Taxes Committee debates proposed one-time, $4 billion property tax refund 4/14/26
Transcript Highlights:
- I mean, gas prices are rising because of Trump's war in Iran.
- <00:20:56.560>
because <00:20:56.800>of <00:20:57.080>Trump's <00:20:57.400>war - <00:20:57.600>
in are rising because of Trump's war in are rising because of Trump's war in
Summary:
The committee took up House File 4906, adopted the H4906A1 amendment, and heard a staff explanation that the bill would create a one-time property tax refund in calendar year 2026 for residential homesteads and the house/garage/1-acre portion of agricultural homesteads. As amended, the bill would appropriate $4 billion in fiscal year 2027, distribute payments based on 2026 property tax due, include a clawback for delinquent taxpayers, and coordinate with existing property tax refund programs so recipients would not receive more than they paid in taxes. House Research also discussed a disagreement with the Department of Revenue over whether the refund would be taxable federally, with House Research suggesting it would likely be treated as a non-taxable recovery of prior taxes.
Public testimony was largely opposed. Eric Bernstein of We Make Minnesota argued the proposal was too large, would create a deficit and force future service cuts, and would disproportionately benefit higher-income homeowners. Nan Madden of the Minnesota Budget Project said the bill would create a major budget hole, threaten funding for health care, food support, schools, and other services, and exclude renters and lower-income Minnesotans. Members echoed those concerns, citing impacts on public safety, rural EMS, hospitals, education funding, and equity, while noting that renters and many seniors would receive nothing. Representative Howard questioned whether the bill was a cautious use of state resources, and Representative Norris said it missed the mark for struggling renters.
Chair Davids defended the concept as a way to put money back in people’s pockets and said the proposal was scalable and intended to start a discussion. Representative Wiener strongly supported the bill, saying many homeowners and farmers in his district are not wealthy and need relief from property taxes; he said the bill should be even bigger. No vote on final passage was taken in the portion of the meeting provided, and the committee moved on after testimony and member discussion.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection (3-10-26)
Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection
AL
Alabama 2026 1st Special Session
Alabama Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development Committee Feb 11th, 2026
Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- What if we set up a meeting in what we call the Star Wars room?
- <00:40:33.920>
call <00:40:34.000>the <00:40:34.240>Star <00:40:34.480>Wars - meeting in what we call the Star Wars meeting in what we call the Star Wars room?
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
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- Seeing none, will the clerk declare the vote. With a self-vote, we will report your bill out.
- Seeing none, declare the vote. 11 iy nay.
Keywords:
SB1365, Oklahoma Central Purchasing Act, procurement exemption, competitive bidding, state purchasing, Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, tourism department, merchandise for resale, gift shops, lodges, golf pro shops, state parks, restaurant contracting, retail outlets, public procurement, purchasing flexibility, Title 74, emergency clause, restrictive covenants, discriminatory covenants
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Government Modernization and Technology Apr 6th, 2026 at 03:00 pm
Government Modernization and Technology
Transcript Highlights:
- Declare the vote.
- Representative Maynard, with seven 'ayes' and zero 'nays', I declare your bill to have passed.
Bills:
SB1521
Keywords:
artificial intelligence, AI, generative AI, chatbot, conversational AI, companion AI, AI companion, virtual companion, chatbot regulation, minor safety, child online safety, parental controls, content moderation, self-harm, suicidal ideation, crisis intervention, mental health claims, romantic AI, emotional dependence, app store
SC
Transcript Highlights:
- Hoping for repentance, Hosea declared to his people, come.
- Hosea declared to his people, Come, let us return to the Lord, from the book of Hosea, chapter 6, verse
Summary:
The Senate convened briefly with a devotional prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. No legislation or substantive policy matters were discussed.
A senator from Cherokee moved that, upon adjournment, the Senate stand adjourned to meet at the call of the President. The motion was adopted by voice vote.
The Senate then voted to adjourn, and the body stood adjourned to the call of the President.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- I declare your bill to have passed. And I recognize you for HCR1099. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
- I declare your bill is amended to have passed. I recognize you for HCR1100. Thank you, sir.
Keywords:
Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority, OMMA, medical marijuana, cannabis, marijuana regulation, administrative rules, major rule changes, joint resolution, legislative rule approval, Title 75, Oklahoma Administrative Code, OAC, licensing, compliance, enforcement, dispensary, grower, processor, patient access, health care authority
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Disaster Prevention and Resiliency Task Force (8-20-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- disaster declarations disaster declarations And<00:09:11.040>
this <00:09:11.200>just< - <01:20:56.080>
And <01:20:56.239>so declarations in 20 23 and 2024. - And so declarations in 20 23 and 2024.
- As Rebecca said, on the next slide, if we look at a heat map of the major disaster declarations that
- in 2023 and 2024 that had public assistance declarations.
Summary:
The committee met to adopt the minutes of the second meeting by voice vote, then heard an update focused on disaster preparedness, resiliency, response, and coordination among state agencies and partners. The chair emphasized avoiding duplication of resources and highlighted the importance of agriculture-related response issues, including animal evacuation, feed distribution, and the role of extension services during disasters. The Department for Public Health was invited to explain its role in emergency planning and response.
Public Health described its Emergency Preparedness and Response Branch as the lead coordinating agency for Emergency Support Function 8, covering health and medical services under Kentucky’s emergency operations framework. Testimony outlined its broad responsibilities, including support for hospitals, morgues, local health departments, behavioral health, crisis counseling, suspicious package testing, disease outbreaks, and coordination with emergency management, EMS, transportation, and nonprofit and private partners. Officials also described the agency’s risk-assessment process, training and exercise programs, and deployed assets such as PPE caches, deployable communications, a federal medical station, a mobile treatment center, and alternate care support used in events like the eastern Kentucky floods and COVID-19.
The agency also discussed funding through federal cooperative agreements for public health emergency preparedness and hospital preparedness, noting that these programs have evolved since 9/11 and have been shaped by major disasters and emerging threats. Officials said Kentucky’s funding has declined over time and that current awards are partially funded for the first time in the program’s history. They expressed support for efficiency if federal programs are consolidated, but cautioned that combining programs could risk further funding losses.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Housing Finance and Policy Committee 3/4/25
Housing Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Section two deals with the construction and validity of declarations and bylaws and talks about what
- Section five amends part of the statute related to the board of directors, officers, and declarant control
- and bylaws um and talks declarations and bylaws um and talks about<00:07:22.360>
what <00:07:22.440 - directors um officers and declarant directors um officers and declarant control<00:07:52.080>
- related to the uh from the declarant related to the uh giving<00:09:53.040>
information <00:09
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Senate Executive Departments and Administration (02/18/2026)
Executive Departments and Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- It’s not a culture war. It’s about human beings who are trying to rebuild their lives.
- They flee because of war, violence, and persecution.”
- “They flee because of war, violence, and persecution.
- And World War II is 80 years ago, but that's not very long ago.
- War II is 80 of World War II and World War II is 80 years<02:26:15.439>
ago, <02:26:15.760>
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
New York State Senate Session - 05/26/2026
New York Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- If they were in World War II veterans, someone as old as 104—just think about the amount of history that
- BIOGRAPHIES, SEE THE HISTORY, IF THEY WERE IN -- WE HAD WORLD WAR II VETERANS IN TODAY.
- We're not dependent upon geopolitical events and wars, either in Ukraine or the Persian Gulf.
- GEOPOLITICAL EVENTS AND WARS, EITHER IN UKRAINE OR THE PERSIAN GULF AND THE MORE RENEWABLES THAT WE CAN
- to talk about — not to not talk about it, let's talk about the fact that Trump started this illegal war
Summary:
The Senate convened, approved the prior journal, and then moved through a series of budget-related and ceremonial items. The chamber accepted Rules and Finance Committee reports and took up several budget extender and budget implementation bills, including the main appropriations extender and later a transportation, economic development, and environmental conservation budget bill. Senators questioned the sponsor extensively about the status of the remaining budget bills, the use of messages of necessity, and the absence of joint budget conference committees. The extender bill passed 59-2, and later budget-related measures were advanced after reconsideration and amendment.
A major portion of the session focused on the environmental and energy provisions in the budget bill, especially changes to the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. Senators debated extending emissions targets, the role of cap-and-invest, utility affordability, ratepayer impacts, and the structure of a proposed blue-ribbon commission. Supporters said the changes were needed to give the state more time to implement the law and to protect affordability, while opponents argued the bill was a political delay that would not lower energy costs and relied too heavily on subsidies and future planning. The bill also drew questions about electric vehicle rebates, thermostat control programs, emergency diesel generation for Micron, and how imported electricity and out-of-state emissions would be treated.
The Senate also adopted several previously adopted resolutions honoring the 50th anniversary of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators, India Independence Day, the New York State Veterans Hall of Fame, and the 50th anniversary of Interfaith Works of Central New York. Senators spoke in support of each resolution, highlighting the contributions of Black legislators, Indian-American communities, veterans, and refugee and interfaith service organizations. The Veterans Hall of Fame ceremony was specifically noted as a chamber event, and guests were recognized from the floor and gallery.
In addition, the Senate restored recalled bills to the third reading calendar through reconsideration votes and amendments, including a highway law bill and another recalled bill, and then stood at ease for scheduled conferences and a Veterans Hall of Fame ceremony before resuming session. The transcript ended with discussion of a separate bill affecting automobile insurance serious-injury standards, with questions about what claims would remain available and whether the change would improve affordability.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
State Committee Meeting - 2026-04-09
State Government Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- And so it's, you know, to work with this community, work with our refugees and people fleeing war, displacement
- You probably recall Balkan wars, current Ukrainian wars.
- “You probably recall Balkan wars, current Ukrainian wars.
Keywords:
Central and Eastern European Affairs, ethnic council, advisory council, Minnesota state government, immigrant communities, refugees, humanitarian parolees, Ukraine, Poland, Croatia, Hungary, Moldova, Romania, Serbia, Czech Republic, Baltic states, Slovakia, Slovenia, Kosovo, Russia
Summary:
The committee first approved the April 7, 2026 minutes and then held an informal hearing on House File 4364, which would establish a Central and Eastern European Ethnic Council in Minnesota. Representative Jordan and testifiers Mykola Mager and Julia Miller described the large Central and Eastern European community in Minnesota, its contributions to the state, and the need for a formal advisory body to help address barriers to government services, support refugees, workforce development, entrepreneurship, and cultural understanding. Members expressed general support and noted the bill’s importance, but no formal action was taken on the bill during the hearing.
The committee then took up House File 4543, a bill to create a centralized payroll reporting portal for prevailing wage projects. Representative Frazier said the bill would reduce administrative burden on project owners, improve transparency and accountability, and help prevent wage theft, misclassification, tax fraud, and insurance fraud. Testifiers from county, city, and contractor groups largely supported the idea of streamlining reporting, but contractor representatives raised concerns about employee data privacy, public access to sensitive payroll information, duplication of existing systems, interoperability with contractor software, and the need for stakeholder engagement. Members echoed both support and caution, and the bill was laid over as amended rather than advanced.
Finally, the committee considered House File 4821, described by Chair Klevorn as addressing the “penny problem” and a related change to high-deductible insurance plans. The bill would authorize state agencies to round cash transactions because of the penny shortage and would change MMB’s obligation to offer certain high-deductible health plans from “must” to “may,” producing modest administrative savings. Members questioned the drafting of the rounding language and asked about cash transactions at state agencies and the handling of cannabis tax payments. The chair noted the bill had missed the deadline and would be caught by the chief clerk’s office; the discussion ended with the bill being laid over as amended.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- also in our state is that they are consistently ranking economic and basic needs issues above culture-war-based
- also in our state is that they are consistently ranking economic and basic needs issues above culture war
- Representative LaGoree: consistently ranking economic and basic needs issues above culture-war debates
- And nearly half of Americans in a recent poll say politicians shouldn't be focusing on these culture-war
- continued: nearly half of Americans in a recent poll say politicians shouldn't be focusing on these culture-war
Bills:
SB1095, SB1114, SB1116, SB1162, SB1164, SB1178, SB1179, SB1249, SB1253, SB1346, SB1347, SB1446, SB1561, SB1813
Keywords:
gender transition, minors, irreversible surgery, health professionals, puberty-blocking drugs, medical procedures, prohibition, Arizona Revised Statutes, behavioral health, patient brokering, appropriation, state funds, Maricopa County, claims review, medical necessity, American Indian health program, healthcare regulations, healthcare compliance, behavioral health technicians, licensing
Summary:
The committee first heard Senate Bill 1114, which would appropriate $1 million to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office to investigate behavioral health patient brokering statewide. Sponsor Sen. Karen Werner described the bill as a response to fraud involving vulnerable Native Americans and said the county attorney would investigate the whole state. Some members questioned why the Attorney General was not handling the work and whether the funding should go to a county office, while others supported the effort. The committee voted 10-1 with one present to give SB 1114 a due pass recommendation.
The committee then considered Senate Bill 1116, which would require that denials or adverse appeal decisions on behavioral health claims for the American Indian Health Program be reviewed by someone with at least two years of relevant clinical experience. Access testified neutral but said the bill’s language was too broad and could increase appeals and staffing needs, estimating about $490,000 for eight FTEs. Sen. Werner said the bill was meant to prevent inappropriate denials by reviewers without relevant expertise. Members raised concerns about definitions and staffing, and the committee approved the bill 7-4 with one present.
Senate Bill 1346 would require Access to notify providers of claim deficiencies within 72 hours and decide corrected claims within 10 business days. Supporters said the measure would reduce long delays and help providers stay afloat; Access said it was working on process improvements but warned the bill would require more staff and system changes, estimating about $580,000. The committee passed SB 1346 7-5. Senate Bill 1347, requiring insurance coverage for fertility preservation services for cancer patients at risk of infertility, drew strong support from cancer survivors and advocates, with insurers neutral; the committee passed it unanimously 12-0.
The committee also heard Senate Bill 1813, which would require Arizona State Hospital admissions to be based on clinical need rather than county of residence. Supporters argued the Maricopa County cap unfairly delays treatment and is not required by the underlying court ruling, while ADHS warned the bill could conflict with the Arnold v. Sarn settlement and could shift access away from rural counties. After extensive discussion, the committee passed SB 1813 9-2 with one present. Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 1178, which would allow naturopathic physicians to administer IV antibiotics, antivirals, and antifungals; the initial testimony was largely opposed by medical associations on patient-safety and training grounds, with supporters yet to testify in the excerpt provided.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Education Committee Sep 12th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Association, Jewish Long Beach, Jewish Partisan Education Foundation, Jewish Silicon Valley, Jewish War
- Association, Jewish Long Beach, Jewish Partisan Education Foundation, Jewish Silicon Valley, Jewish War
- I am also a niece who lost her uncle in the Gaza war.
- hate, all kinds of things due to geopolitical and federal-level strife that we're all going through, wars
- that we're kinds of things due to geopolitical and federal level strife that we're all going through, wars
Summary:
The Assembly Education Committee held an informational hearing on AB 715, followed by discussion of SB 48. AB 715 was presented by Assembly Members Zbur and Addis as a response to rising anti-Semitism in California schools. They described incidents involving harassment, swastikas, biased classroom materials, and students feeling unsafe, and said the bill would create an Office of Civil Rights with coordinators to address anti-Semitism and other forms of discrimination, provide prevention resources, and support school districts. Witnesses in support, including a rabbi and a student who described personal experiences with anti-Semitic harassment, urged immediate action to protect Jewish students.
Opposition testimony came from the California Teachers Association, county superintendents, school board groups, labor organizations, civil liberties advocates, ethnic studies educators, and many community members. Their main concerns were that the bill was rushed, had not been fully vetted in the Assembly Education Committee, and could chill classroom speech or create constitutional problems, especially around language requiring instruction and materials to be “factually accurate” and not based on advocacy, bias, or partisanship. Several opponents argued that anti-Semitism should be addressed through education, training, and restorative practices rather than new statutory restrictions. Some witnesses also raised concerns about the bill’s impact on ethnic studies and free speech.
Committee members then debated the bill’s process and substance at length. The authors said the bill had been narrowed through negotiations with education stakeholders and the Senate, that some disputed provisions would be revisited in cleanup language, and that the urgency of anti-Semitic incidents required action now. Several members expressed support for the bill’s goal but criticized the late release of the final language and the lack of consultation with the Assembly committee. Others emphasized the need to protect Jewish students immediately and argued the bill was a necessary response to a real crisis. The transcript does not show a final vote on AB 715 in the portion provided.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- From the iron that built our cities and won our wars to the timber that framed our homes and schools
- From the iron that built our cities and won our wars to the timber that framed our homes and schools
- cities<00:23:47.440>
and <00:23:47.600>won <00:23:47.760>our <00:23:47.919>wars - that built our cities and won our wars that built our cities and won our wars to<00:23:48.400>
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House military and veterans division approves bill to remove e-pull tab restrictions 2/19/25
Transcript Highlights:
- don't have that understanding, but if you look throughout history, when individuals came home from war
- don't have that understanding, but if you look throughout history, when individuals came home from war
- individuals came throughout history when individuals came home<00:02:07.960>
from <00:02:08.160>war - only<00:02:09.200>
people <00:02:09.440>that <00:02:09.560>they home from war - the only people that they home from war the only people that they really<00:02:09.920>
found <
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on House File 733, which would restore electronic pull-tab features such as open-all, free play, bonus games, and similar functions that were restricted in 2023. The bill’s supporters, including representatives of Allied Charities of Minnesota, the American Legion, and a Bloomington school activities foundation, argued that the 2023 changes reduced revenue for charitable gambling operations and, in turn, cut funding for veterans programs, youth sports, food shelves, school needs, and other local community services. Several supporters cited early revenue declines since the new rules took effect, including double-digit drops and one example of a Bloomington site reporting a 29% year-over-year decline overall and a 44% drop in e-tab revenue. They also argued that restoring the features would help charities without meaningfully increasing casino play.
Opponents, including Citizens Against Gambling Expansion and the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association, said the bill would expand slot-machine-like gambling in neighborhood bars and restaurants and increase problem gambling and related social harms. They argued the features in question mimic slot machines, are especially concerning in non-age-restricted locations, and would amount to a major expansion of gambling. The tribal representative also said the 2023 clarification was appropriate, that charitable gambling revenues do not translate efficiently into mission funding, and that tax relief or other policy changes would be better ways to help charities than restoring the disputed features.
The chair reminded testifiers to keep comments neutral and not partisan. After testimony, a member discussion began, with Representative Ray Rower thanking the testifiers and expressing support for their work. The transcript excerpt does not show a final vote or disposition beyond the bill being recommended to be re-referred to the Commerce Finance and Policy Committee.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Jan 15th, 2025
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education
Transcript Highlights:
- a complete county's internet system, functioning internet system, you can bring it in, and you can war
- a complete county's internet system, functioning internet system, you can bring it in, and you can war
- And the role that you play as that center, whether it is in the cybersecurity war games that you're doing
- And the role that you play as that center, whether it is in the cyber security war games that you're
- doing with, as that center, whether it is in the cyber security war games that you're doing with counties
Summary:
The committee held its first meeting of the session and received an overview of the Higher Education Appropriations budget from staff director Tim Elwell. He explained the committee’s broad jurisdiction over universities, state colleges, district workforce programs, vocational rehabilitation, blind services, student financial aid, private colleges, and the Board of Governors, and reviewed key budget concepts such as local funds, funds per FTE, performance funding, and the distinction between the total appropriation and the recurring base budget. He noted that higher education is funded largely through state and local sources, with substantial flexibility compared with other state budgets, and that the base budget is heavily weighted toward lump-sum allocations to the public systems.
The committee then heard a presentation from the University of South Florida’s Florida Center for Cybersecurity (Cyber Florida), led by retired Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie and USF representative Mark Walsh. They described Cyber Florida as a statewide cybersecurity platform created by the Legislature in 2014 to support education, research, workforce development, public policy, and community engagement. McKenzie emphasized the growing cyber threat environment, Florida’s leadership role, and several funded initiatives, including K-12 outreach, workforce training, a cyber range for county governments, critical infrastructure assessments, grant development, and public conferences and outreach. Members asked about public cyber awareness, the lack of a national cyber defense strategy, school district participation in Cyber Launch, and which counties are most at risk; McKenzie said smaller counties with limited cybersecurity staffing are generally more vulnerable and offered to provide follow-up information.
Finally, the committee heard from the Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities at the University of Central Florida, led by Dr. Drew Andrews, along with program and parent representatives from participating institutions. Andrews explained the center’s role in coordinating Florida’s postsecondary comprehensive transition programs for students with intellectual disabilities, supporting program development, distributing grants and scholarships, and monitoring outcomes. He reported that the state now has 33 approved programs at 35 institutions, including universities, state colleges, and technical colleges, and that scholarship and grant funding has grown significantly. He said student retention is about 88 percent, many graduates are employed, and median hourly earnings have increased over time. A representative from Southeastern University described how the center’s support helped build and sustain SEU Link, including a new third-year employment-focused option for students.
WV
West Virginia 2026 Regular Session
WV Senate Confirmations Committee in Session Mar 14th, 2026 at 02:49 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- I declare the motion adopted. Is there any other business to come before the committee?
- I declare the motion adopted. The meeting is adjourned. Thank you. Thank you.
Summary:
The Committee on Confirmations met with a quorum present to consider Senate Executive Message No. 4, which contained multiple nominations. A motion was made to recommend Senate consent to all nominations in the message except nomination number 54, and the committee adopted that motion by voice vote.
Afterward, the senator from Taylor moved to separately recommend nomination number 54 to the full Senate for confirmation. That motion was also adopted by voice vote, meaning the committee advanced all nominations in the executive message, including number 54, through separate actions.
With no further business, the committee voted to adjourn.