Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Burgess, here. Senator Calatayud, here. Senator Davis. Senator Leek, here.
• Senator Burgess. Senator Calatayud? Yes. Senator Davis? Yes. Senator Leek? Yes. Senator Smith?
• Senator Calatayud, Senator Davis, Senator Leek, Senator Smith, Senator Trumbull, Vice Chair Bradley,
• Senator Burgess? No. Senator Calatayud? Senator Davis? No. Senator Leek? No. Senator Smith? No.
• Senator Burgess? Senator Burgess? Yes. Senator Calatayud? Yes. Senator Davis? No. Senator Leek?

Summary: The committee heard and voted on two higher education bills before moving to a long series of university and college board appointment confirmations. CS/SB 742 would let charter schools directly access the Workforce Development Capitalization Incentive Grant Program for career and technical education programs tied to industry certifications, and would expand the money-back guarantee requirement from three to six programs at career centers and Florida College System institutions. A question was raised about whether the charter school access could reduce district funding or grant availability; the sponsor said it could, depending on available funds. The bill was supported by one appearance form and was reported favorably. The committee also heard SB 892, which codifies the Florida State University Election Law Center so it can continue and receive recurring funding. The sponsor and FSU witnesses said the center is nonpartisan and focused on evidence-based research, especially on election administration issues related to natural disasters and public confidence in elections. After testimony and questions, including about the center’s scope and funding, the bill was reported favorably. The remainder of the meeting consisted of testimony from numerous appointees to boards of trustees for state colleges and universities, including Tallahassee State College, Valencia College, New College, Pensacola State College, Florida Gulf Coast University, University of North Florida, St. Johns River State College, Palm Beach State College, Santa Fe College, Daytona State College, and Florida Atlantic University. Most nominees emphasized their personal ties to the institutions, support for workforce education, student success, and local economic development. Several highlighted priorities such as keeping tuition affordable, expanding internships and career pathways, strengthening nursing and other workforce programs, and improving graduation and retention rates. Some appointees also described campus-specific goals, including research growth at FAU and Harbor Branch, community engagement at New College, and continued support for health care workforce partnerships at FGCU. The most notable exchange came during testimony from Dr. Joel Rudman for the Pensacola State College board, where Senator Leek questioned him extensively about prior public comments that appeared to reference threats and drug testing legislators. Rudman said his remarks were aimed at Florida House members and not the Senate, denied any knowledge of illicit drug use by current or former senators, and said he was speaking candidly as a private citizen. Public testimony on his nomination included both support and strong opposition, with one speaker praising his community service and another warning about his alleged disruptive behavior and social media posts. The committee also heard from several supporters and appointees who were not questioned further, and the meeting ended with plans to vote on the appointments after all testimony was completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Senator Smith. >> Senator Wheeler. >> Here. >> Representative Gu. >> Here. >> Representative King
• morning, Chairman Nun and and senators morning, Chairman Nun and and senators and<00:30:36.000><
• <00:51:48.640> staff working with Senator McConnell's staff working with Senator McConnell's
• Senator Smith, please. Yes, I'll keep my brief.
• Senator Smith, please. Yes, I'll keep my brief.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Economic Development and Tourism met to hear presentations on a proposed downtown Lexington Arts Center. Visit Lex opened by framing the projects as regional economic development efforts that could support tourism, quality of life, and workforce attraction and retention. NextStage Development Corp. and ATG Entertainment then described a proposed $120 million project featuring a 2,500-seat performing arts center and a 20,000-square-foot visual arts gallery, with plans for up to 180 events a year, over 300,000 annual visitors, and an opening target of 2029. The presenters said the project would be funded through a $30 million state request, $30 million from ATG Entertainment, and $60 million raised by the nonprofit through philanthropy and other financing sources. They cited a feasibility study by Sound Diplomacy and compared the proposal to the Durham Performing Arts Center, arguing that similar venues have driven downtown revitalization, tourism, and economic activity in other cities. They also said the venue would include community access, school partnerships, subsidized tickets, and revenue returned to the nonprofit for grants and arts programming. Members asked about the total cost, the funding mix, whether the city of Lexington would contribute, and the building’s design. The presenters said they are in contact with city officials and are seeking city support, but have not yet hired an architect or begun conceptual design. They said the design process will involve community input and should fit Lexington’s historic downtown character. Representative Whitten asked whether the project would compete with Louisville; the presenters responded that their market analysis suggests the venue would serve audiences from Lexington, eastern Kentucky, and surrounding areas who are unlikely to travel to Louisville or Cincinnati, making the project complementary rather than competitive.

Transcript Highlights:

• we're having another meeting with Tim we're having another meeting with Tim and<00:10:19.279>
• What is your reasoning for not including any members from the Senate or the House in the task force?
• Next up, we have Kristen Scott and then on deck is Valerie Dosland.
• Next up, we have Kristen Scott and then on deck is Valerie Dosland.
• Go look at the fact that a group of senators broke off and called themselves blue dogs.

Bills: HF1048, HF1049, HF745, HF2210

Keywords: charter schools, education funding, revenue calculation, general education revenue, special education, school library aid, education finance, school districts, funding eligibility, compensatory revenue, task force, free meals, school funding, education equity, HF2210, school unemployment aid, Minnesota Department of Education, general fund appropriation, unemployment insurance, unemployment claims

Transcript Highlights:

• Andrea referenced Senate Bill 5.
• My name is Tim Dunlevy.
• My name is Tim Dunlevy. I committee. My name is Tim Dunlevy.
• >> I do and in fact he spoke earlier Scott >> I do and in fact he spoke earlier Scott
• Scott Reneer had spoken about that.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Boudreaux is here. Senator... Thank you. Thank you. Senator Boudreaux is here.
• Senator McMath is here. Senator McGuire is here. Senator Foil is here. Senator Seabaugh is here.
• Senator Harris is here. Senator Jackson-Andrews, yes. Senator McMath, yes. Senator Harris, yes.
• But they certainly could, just like Senator Tim Scott.
• But they certainly could, just like Senator Tim Scott in Florida is a United States Senator statewide

Bills: SR122, SR123, SR124, SCR12, HB940, HB221, HCR109, HCR58, HB27, HB143, HB205, HB259, HB267, HB288, HB308, HB403, HB405, HB414, HB417, HB478, HB546, HB548, HB555, HB557, HB609, HB670, HB672, HB740, HB779, HB786, HB796, HB812, HB848, HB909, HB915, HB917, HB921, HB930, HB933, HB938, HB971, HB1095, HB1096, HB1103, HB1129, HB1154, HB1166, HB1187, HB1195, HB1230, SB121, SCR22, SCR24, SB29, SB30, SB32, SB41, SB42, SB43, SB47, SB84, SB93, SB113, SB192, SB199, SB219, SB220, SB221, SB222, SB241, SB253, SB255, SB289, SB292, SB306, SB314, SB351, SB399, SB404, SB14, SB102, SB133, SB151, SB165, SB169, SB170, SB200, SB217, SB280, SB291, SB300, SB303, SB330, SB449, SB489, SB521, SB45, SB156, SB181, SB203, SB274, SB304, SB379, SB396, SB410, SB425, SB427, SB436, SB424, SCR61, SCR9, SB35, SB65, SB215, SB246, SB249, SB269, SB282, SB296, SB323, SB363, SB369, SB474, SB490, SB492, SB500, HCR31, HB296, HB299, HB322, HB364, HB519, HB535, HB538, HB568, HB571, HB622, HB635, HB676, HB772, HB784, HB1006, HB1018, HB1043, HB1070, HB1134, HB1239, HB62, HB193, HB203, HB210, HB220, HB228, HB246, HB420, HB475, HB486, HB574, HB584, HB750, HB813, HB815, HB826, HB870, HB949, HB953, HB1045, HB1092, HB1151, HB1162, HB1176, HB1177, HB1196, HB1214, HB1241, HB22, HB28, HB33, HB41, HB47, HB87, HB115, HB162, HB195, HB214, HB217, HB233, HB283, HB290, HB319, HB324, HB345, HB362, HB363, HB368, HB377, HB380, HB382, HB386, HB392, HB406, HB431, HB441, HB466, HB503, HB533, HB559, HB575, HB590, HB593, HB618, HB636, HB655, HB664, HB685, HB692, HB707, HB715, HB732, HB738, HB741, HB748, HB776, HB807, HB822, HB856, HB860, HB868, HB887, HB888, HB905, HB908, HB961, HB980, HB990, HB992, HB999, HB1000, HB1010, HB1146, HB1157, HB1233, HB1236, HB1243, HB17, HB36, HB73, HB119, HB126, HB129, HB133, HB140, HB159, HB166, HB211, HB226, HB245, HB271, HB280, HB337, HB351, HB354, HB399, HB677, HB712, HB723, HB726, HB728, HB759, HB789, HB844, HB850, HB966, HB1036, SB149, SB382, SB441, HB134, HB258, HB359, HB782

Keywords: SR122, Senate Resolution 122, Metairie Park Country Day School, Country Day Cajuns, Cajuns basketball, LHSAA, Louisiana High School Athletic Association, Division III Select, boys basketball, state championship, high school sports, athletic commendation, sports resolution, Lake Charles, Marsh Madness, Mike McGuire, Brennan White, Kellen Brewer, Calvary Baptist Academy, school recognition

Transcript Highlights:

• Not necessarily a follow-up, but just for more information, it was the Orlando Sentinel, Scott Maxwell
• Tim Forson, the superintendent of St. Johns County School District; and Dr.
• So I'm Tim Forson, St. Johns County. And if you compare size-wise, us and St.
• Tim Forson will stay with us from St. Johns County School District. Mr.
• Superintendent Foresum's comment on mental health, because one of the greatest things I think came out of Senate

Summary: The subcommittee first heard an overview from Department of Education Chancellor Paul Burns on Florida’s K-12 governance structure and major divisions, including early learning, public schools, safe schools, school choice, and accountability. He highlighted school readiness and VPK, teacher preparation and licensure, school safety functions, scholarship and virtual/home education programs, and FAST progress monitoring. Burns also cited statewide gains such as higher mid-year reading performance, a record graduation rate of 89.7%, and record CTE enrollment, while members questioned the meaning of Florida’s “number one” education rankings, teacher pay, post-COVID learning loss, vacancies, and chronic absenteeism. St. Lucie County Superintendent John Prince then described the scale and responsibilities of a mid-sized district, emphasizing student safety, transportation, meals, hurricane shelter operations, career and technical education, teacher recruitment and retention, progress monitoring, remediation, and mental health supports. Members asked about school shelter construction standards, remediation funding, late school start times, attendance, and concordance scores; Prince argued for more flexibility for CTE pathways and noted that local districts use a mix of state and federal funds to support remediation and staffing. The committee then moved to an early warning systems panel. Burns explained that Florida law requires districts to use attendance, behavior/suspensions, course performance, FAST results, and other academic indicators to identify students needing support, with districts and families developing intervention plans. Superintendents from Putnam, St. Johns, and St. Lucie counties said chronic absenteeism is tied to achievement and NAEP decline, but causes vary by district, including poverty, transportation, daycare, family instability, travel, and student athletics. They described MTSS, PBIS, home visits, attendance letters, and community partnerships as responses. Members also discussed VPK access, full-day VPK funding, excused versus unexcused absences, and the need for earlier intervention in pre-K and K-2. Finally, Vice Chancellor Darren Norris outlined Florida’s post-Parkland school safety measures, including armed school officers, anonymous reporting, behavioral threat assessment teams, mental health training, panic alert systems, emergency drills, active assailant response policies, and firearm detection canines. Superintendents said compliance is costly and often requires shifting local funds, but they praised state grants for mental health, hardening, and mapping. They noted ongoing challenges with new mandates, capital costs, manual reporting burdens, and the need to balance safety requirements with classroom resources.

Transcript Highlights:

• As you know, Chancellor Scott Olen could not be here today, and he sends his regrets.
• 00:01:10.520> you<00:01:10.680> know<00:01:11.119> Chancellor<00:01:11.640> Scott
• University as you know Chancellor Scott University as you know Chancellor Scott Olen<00:01:12.479
• I welcome my fellow trustee Tim Hips, who's attending today's hearing.
• by the Senate there's one trustee<00:02:13.680> from<00:02:13.959> each<00:02:14.160><

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Minnesota State Colleges and Universities presented an overview of the system and several budget riders. Board Chair George Soul described the system’s structure, noting 26 colleges and seven universities governed by a 15-member board, and emphasized that Minnesota State serves about 270,000 students annually, including many students of color, adult learners, Pell-eligible students, first-generation students, and veterans. He highlighted the system’s workforce role, saying it offers more than 4,000 programs, extensive employer partnerships, and that 86% of graduates find jobs in their field or a related field. He then turned the presentation over to system staff to discuss specific funding requests. Associate Vice Chancellor Kim Lynch focused on the Z-degree textbook program, which supports zero-textbook-cost courses and degrees. She said prior legislative support has produced about $3.1 million in savings in academic year 2024 and more than $12.6 million in aggregate savings, with 10 colleges now offering Z degrees and 12 more on track or exploring implementation. She described the program’s use of open educational resources, instructional design support, and library resources to fill gaps where free materials are not available, and said students save roughly $7 to $10 for every $1 invested. Members praised the program and asked about its expansion. Associate Vice Chancellor Paul Shepard discussed student support funding, including a centralized basic needs resource hub, the Mantra Health mental health platform, and the emergency grant program. He said student surveys showed significant food, housing, and homelessness insecurity, and that the basic needs hub has served over 2,400 students with a 97% positive response rate. He said Mantra provides telecounseling, peer support, self-paced courses, and crisis support, and clarified in response to questions that it is not AI-driven and does not sell student data; general usage data is collected, and follow-up with campus counselors occurs only at the student’s request. He also said the emergency grant program has distributed over $3 million to more than 4,800 students, with grants averaging just under $700, and that campuses use application review and recordkeeping to manage repeat requests. Members asked about counselor staffing, data privacy, and grant safeguards. The final item addressed sexual assault reporting and prevention funding. System staff said the appropriation supports technology infrastructure for statutory reporting, case management for investigations, campus prevention training, and professional development for Title IX coordinators and related staff. They noted that the statutory student training requirement is funded by individual colleges and universities, not by this appropriation. No formal votes were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, messages from the Senate.
• Madam Secretary, I have been directed by the Senate to inform the House that the Senate has passed S.
• Speaker, messages from the Senate. Mr. Speaker, messages from the Senate. Mr. Speaker.
• And I especially want to thank Chairman Tim Walberg, as well as Ranking Member Bobby Scott of the House
• And I especially want to thank Chairman Tim Walberg, as well as Ranking Member Bobby Scott of the House

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Messages from the Senate.
• : Senate File Number One.
• Bodern, Secretary of the Senate. First reading of Senate files.
• <01:11:55.360> file<01:11:56.080> here Senate of the following Senate file here Senate
• Scott moves to amend Senate File 9. The amendment is coded A250097.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, a message from the Senate.
• Madam Secretary, I have been directed by the Senate to inform the House that the Senate has passed S.
• Tim Tuton.
• > was<02:29:34.000> an<02:29:34.200> admired Dr Tim Tuton Tim was an admired Dr
• Tim Tuton Tim was an admired journalist<02:29:35.200> having<02:29:35.439> spent<02:29:

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, February 13, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Burgess. Senator Collaudiud. Here. Senator Davis. Senator Leek. Senator Smith. Here.
• Senator Katala Yud? Yes. Senator Davis. Yes. Senator Leak. Senator Smith? Yes. Senator Trumbull?
• Senator Davis, no. Senator Leak, Senator Smith, no. Senator Trumbull? No. Senator Bradley?
• Senator Burgess? Yes. Senator Kalata-Yut? Yes. Senator Davis? No. Senator Leak? Senator Smith? No.
• Senator Burgess? Yes. Senator Kalata-Yut? Yes. Senator Davis? No. Senator Leak? Senator Smith? No.

Summary: The committee first took up a confirmation for UCF trustee reappointment candidate Mr. Christie, who described his long service on the board, his UCF business-school background, and his focus on strengthening UCF’s financial foundation, workforce alignment, and engineering and technology programs. Members praised his service and asked about UCF’s future direction, including its role in Florida’s space and engineering sectors. He was allowed to leave early for a meeting with the governor. The committee then heard the Higher Education Appropriations budget presentation for fiscal year 2025-26. The chair outlined a proposed $11.5 billion higher education budget emphasizing workforce education, Florida College System operations, career and technical education, the GATE program, nursing education through the Florida Center for Nursing, UF/IFAS agriculture technology, tutoring, autism and neurodevelopment services, student financial aid, and $250 million for state universities through the Board of Governors. Senator Davis asked about line grant flexibility, and the chair said a conforming bill would address details. The committee adopted a motion allowing technical corrections and then adopted the budget proposal as a recommendation to the full Appropriations Committee. The remainder of the meeting focused on confirmations for university boards, especially the University of West Florida, where several nominees were questioned about Title IX compliance, free speech, workforce readiness, military/veteran ties, and prior statements about privatization and higher education. Rebecca Matthews, Rachel Moyah, Ashley Ross, and Adam Kessel each described their backgrounds and goals for UWF; Kessel faced extensive questioning about his past writings on privatization, the GI Bill, and speech suppression, and said he would not recommend privatizing Florida universities and supported veterans’ education benefits. Public testimony on UWF was largely opposed, with speakers arguing the nominees lacked local ties and warning the slate would harm the university and community. The committee also heard from FAMU reappointment nominee Judge Belvin Perry, who emphasized student success, workforce quality, and FAMU’s continued rise, and from UCF nominee Mark Philburn and FSU nominee Peter Jones, both of whom highlighted their professional experience and commitment to student success and prudent stewardship. The meeting extended its time to 6:30 p.m. to continue hearing nominees and public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Burgess. Senator Calatayud. Here. Senator Davis. Senator Leek. Senator Smith. Here.
• Senator Davis, no. Senator Leek, Senator Smith, no. Senator Trumbull, no. Senator Bradley?
• Senator Burgess? Yes. Senator Calatayud? Yes. Senator Davis? No. Senator Leek? Senator Smith? No.
• Senator Burgess? Yes. Senator Calatayud? Yes. Senator Davis? No. Senator Leek? Senator Smith? No.
• Senator Burgess? Yes. Senator Calatayud? Yes. Senator Davis? No. Senator Leek? Senator Smith? No.

Summary: The committee first heard a confirmation from UCF trustee reappointee Mr. Christie, who described his background in medical devices and prior board service and said he wanted to help UCF strengthen its financial foundation, workforce alignment, and engineering and technology pipeline. Members asked about UCF’s direction, and he emphasized the university’s role in producing engineers and supporting Florida’s space and technology sectors. The committee then moved to the higher education budget for fiscal year 2025-26, which was presented as an $11.5 billion total budget including local funds and focused heavily on workforce education, nursing, agriculture technology, tutoring, student aid, and university initiatives. Chair Harrell highlighted increases for school district workforce education, Florida College System operations, career and technical education grants, the GATE program, nursing education through USF’s Florida Center for Nursing, UF/IFAS rural and agricultural programs, UCF’s Community School Grant Program, UF’s literacy and tutoring initiatives, autism and neurodevelopment services, full funding for major scholarship programs, and $250 million for state universities through the Board of Governors. Senator Davis asked about line grant flexibility, and Harrell said a conforming bill would address the details. The budget proposal was adopted as a recommendation to the full Appropriations Committee, with staff authorized to make technical corrections. The committee then took up a series of confirmations, beginning with Florida State University reappointee Peter Collins, who emphasized his long FSU ties, leadership on the board, and goal of keeping FSU on a path toward top-10 status and AAU membership. Rebecca Matthews, a new University of West Florida appointee, discussed her education-related volunteer work, Florida Education Foundation service, and interest in supporting UWF’s continued excellence; senators questioned her on Title IX and she said she would support student protections and compliance. Rachel Moyah, another UWF appointee, highlighted her education, school board experience, and priorities of student safety, fiscal discipline, and workforce readiness; she also said she would comply with Title IX and other applicable rules. Ashley Ross, also nominated to UWF, said she would focus on university advancement, military ties, cybersecurity, civil engineering, and strong governance, and agreed that Title IX protections should be preserved and advanced. The most extensive questioning came during the confirmation of Adam Kessel, a UWF appointee and Heritage Foundation fellow, who was asked about prior writings on privatizing public universities, his comments about the GI Bill, and his views on free speech and Project 2025. Kessel said he did not recommend privatizing Florida universities, clarified that his comments about the GI Bill and over-enrollment were about broader higher education policy, and said he supports veterans and the GI Bill. He described his higher education work as focused on civic education, accreditation, student success, tenure, and free speech, and said trustees should improve campus culture through policies, training, and institutional neutrality. Public testimony on UWF was sharply divided: former UWF leaders and community members warned that the new slate of trustees and their vote to make Scott Yenor chair had chilled donations, enrollment, and community trust, while a James Madison Institute representative praised Kessel’s scholarship and thoughtful approach. The committee also heard from FAMU reappointment Belvin Perry, who cited his judicial career and board service and said his goal is to support student success, retain strong faculty and staff, and help FAMU continue rising in national standing. Finally, the committee began hearing from remote appointees, including UCF nominee Mark Philburn, who emphasized his construction, affordable housing, and higher education board experience, and FSU nominee Peter Jones, who described his finance and investment background and long service to FSU boards and committees. The last nominee heard before the transcript ended was Florida Gulf Coast appointee Paul Applegarth, whose audio issues delayed his remarks; he began by noting his prior federal confirmation, military service, and GI Bill-supported education.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate.
• Senate Bill 801. Senate Bill 801.
• And so Senator Paxton, Senator Bettencourt, Senator Middleton, are our ayes on Senate Bill 30 without
• And so Senator Paxton, Senator Bettencourt, Senator Middleton, were our ayes on Senate Bill 30 without
• We'd like to thank Senator Tim Parker. Looking forward to working with you as well.

Bills: SB1540, SB2225, SB2284, SB2382, SB2487, SB2514, SB2595, SB2876, SB2877, SB3031, SB2753

Keywords: election officials, confidentiality, personal information, government transparency, public safety, spirit beverages, alcoholic beverages, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, distribution, taxation, firearms, local regulation, archery equipment, weapons, voter registration, statewide list, county requirements, election integrity, computer services contracts, mental health

Summary: The committee first adopted a committee substitute for Senate Bill 30 and then voted to report the substituted bill favorably to the full Senate; the roll call showed six ayes and one nay, with later unanimous-consent corrections noted for additional aye votes. The committee also reported Senate Bill 801 favorably to the full Senate by an eight-to-one vote. Both bills were left with no further action in the meeting after the votes. The committee then heard Senate Bill 2595 by Senator Middleton and Senate Bill 2876 by Chairman Hughes, both aimed at addressing masked harassment and riot-related conduct. Supporters said the bills would deter intimidation, protect public order, and respond to recent protests and anti-Semitic incidents, while opponents from civil rights, disability, and advocacy groups argued the measures were overly broad, could chill peaceful protest, and would burden people who wear masks for religious, medical, or disability-related reasons. Public testimony was taken on both bills, and both were left pending after testimony closed. Senate Bill 2753, by Senator Hall, proposed consolidating early voting and election day into a single continuous in-person voting period with common procedures and equipment, while preserving countywide voting and mail voting. The Secretary of State’s office said the bill could improve ballot secrecy and simplify administration, though witnesses raised concerns about ballot privacy, logistics, and access for disabled voters; some county election officials were neutral or supportive of the concept, while others opposed it as confusing or potentially burdensome. The bill was left pending after extensive testimony. The committee also heard Senate Bill 2225 on allowing spirit-based ready-to-drink beverages to be sold in grocery and convenience stores, with supporters arguing the law should focus on alcohol content rather than the source of the alcohol and that the bill would modernize an outdated code. Later, Senate Bill 1540, which would add election officials and related workers to confidentiality protections, drew support from county election officials who described threats and harassment, though one witness suggested the bill’s language may need technical adjustment to better match its intent. Finally, Senate Bill 2382, concerning statewide voter registration systems and offline counties, drew opposition from county election administrators and vendors who warned about capacity, cybersecurity, and single-point-of-failure risks, while others suggested a phased approach or API-based integration; the transcript ends with testimony still open on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Can someone grab Senator Neal? Open the hearing. Can someone grab Senator Neal?
• We will open the hearing on Senate Bill 119, and we'll welcome Senator Neal to the table.
• Thank you, Senator.
• Is someone here for Senate Bill 132 for Senator Wynn? Oh, perfect, perfect, perfect.
• My name is Scott Stevenson.

Bills: AB568, SB90, SB133, SB147, SB229, SB233, SB240, SB245, SB280, SB378, SB393, SB417, SB434, SB494, SB495, AB62, SB104, SB119, SB132, SB193, SB262, SB422, SB431, SB435, SB468, SB503

Keywords: higher education, Nevada System of Higher Education, operational expenses, instructional expenses, public funding, education funding, teacher grants, classroom supplies, instructional support, specialized personnel, civics education, Nevada Center for Civic Engagement, funding, youth programs, civic involvement, Southern Nevada, Clark County, Las Vegas Valley, regional planning, economic resiliency

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Bernard? Here. Senator Bradley? Here. Senator Garcia excused. Senator Pizzo excused.
• Senator Bernard? Yes. Senator Bradley? Senator Garcia? Senator Pizzo? Senator Simon? Yes.
• Senator Bernard? Yes. Senator Bradley? Senator Garcia? Senator Pizzo? Senator Simon? Yes.
• Senator Bernard, Senator Bradley, Senator Garcia, Senator Garcia, Senator Pizzo, Senator Simon, Senator
• Senator Bernard, Senator Bradley, Senator Garcia, Senator Garcia, Senator Pizzo, Senator Simon, Senator

Summary: The Senate Criminal Justice Committee met with a quorum present and took up several bills, beginning with SB 350 on public records for crime victims. Senator Graal explained that the bill clarifies victim privacy protections under the Florida Constitution and extends temporary confidentiality to the identity of an officer involved in a use-of-force incident for 72 hours, with a possible 60-day extension by written agency findings. Supporters including Marcy’s Law representatives and the Florida PBA said the measure protects victims and officers while preserving public access, and the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee then heard SB 296 and SB 298, both by Senator Berman. SB 296, as amended, directs a feasibility study for a secure web-based silent alert system for domestic violence victims and expands Florida’s address confidentiality program to dating violence victims. SB 298 similarly extends address confidentiality protections to dating violence victims. Both bills received supportive testimony from advocates, including survivors and organizations such as Florida NOW and the Alliance for Safety and Justice, and both were reported favorably. Members also approved SB 398, which replaces references to “child pornography” in Florida statutes with “child sexual abuse material,” and SB 168, which expands public nuisance law to include gambling houses and increases enforcement tools such as penalties, attorney fees, and foreclosure on unpaid fees. SB 54, as amended, was also reported favorably; the amendment broadened the bill’s scope from “mass shooter” to “violent offender,” clarified medical examiner duties, and added reporting requirements related to toxicology and psychotropic substances. The most debated measure was SB 156, the Jason Raynor Act, which would revise resistance-to-arrest provisions and add an automatic life sentence for manslaughter committed against a law enforcement officer. Law enforcement groups supported the bill, but the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and some senators raised concerns about removing judicial discretion and eliminating language about unlawful arrests. After debate, the committee reported SB 156 favorably, with Vice Chair Smith voting no. Several other members later asked to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on multiple bills before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Third reading of the bill, Senate Bill 1290 by Norwood of the House and Dosset of the Senate.
• Senate Bill 1377 by Kain of the House and Hall of the Senate, an act relating to foster care.
• Senate Bill 1377 by Cain of the House and Hall of the Senate, an act relating to foster care.
• Speaker, Senate.
• Present Senate Bill 1991. The clerk will read Senate Bill 1991 by Caldwell.

Bills: SB1290, SB1530, SB1847, HR1050, SB169, SB1377, SB1990, SB1991, SB1778, SB1579, SB1992, SB3, SB2028, SB1928, SB2127, SB2117, SB1439, SB1930, SB330, SB1191, SB2110, SB2134, SB2069, SB2095, SB1613, SB1246, SB1976, SB1346, SB1509, SB2071, SB259, SB1314

Keywords: 2-1-1 services, revolving fund, Department of Human Services, crisis pregnancy, abortion, legal funding, research funding, development rebate, Oklahoma Department of Commerce, tax incentives, higher education partnerships, Medicaid, ADvantage Waiver, home-based services, eligibility criteria, healthcare, senior services, Taiwan, Oklahoma, sister-state relationship

Transcript Highlights:

• It provides guidance, and you know Tim is real sensitive to that as well.
• It provides guidance, and you know Tim is real sensitive to that as well.
• It provides guidance, and you know Tim is real sensitive to that as well.
• It provides guidance, and you know Tim is real sensitive to that as well.
• <02:12:38.880> is provides guidance and you know Tim is provides guidance and you know Tim

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, we have Senator Reyes.
• Senator Reyes.
• Senator Patel. Thank you, Senator Reyes, for bringing this bill forward. It's very interesting.
• Thank you, Senator. Dr. Patel.
• With that, we do have Senator Cortesi next.

Summary: The committee heard several measures focused on economic development, procurement, workforce equity, federal infrastructure funding, and food security. SB 1044 by Senator Reyes would raise and then index to inflation the cap for streamlined state contracts awarded to certified small businesses, microbusinesses, and disabled veteran business enterprises for services and IT work; supporters said the current cap is outdated and limits access, while opponents representing goods suppliers and some small business groups argued the bill could disadvantage goods contractors and should preserve lower thresholds for those contracts. After discussion about the ceiling versus floor effect of the cap and the impact on different types of businesses, the bill was approved as amended and sent to Appropriations. SB 247 by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas would create a bid preference for projects that hire workers from disadvantaged communities; supporters framed it as a way to connect public infrastructure spending to family-sustaining jobs, while union construction employers opposed it because they said they cannot control worker dispatch through hiring halls and the bill would be difficult to implement. The committee advanced the measure to Appropriations despite those concerns. The committee also approved SJR 6 by Senator Cortese, which urges the federal government to honor commitments under the bipartisan infrastructure law, CHIPS and Science Act, and Inflation Reduction Act, with supporters emphasizing the importance of certainty for California infrastructure, clean energy, and semiconductor investments. SB 1025 by Senator Hurtado would establish an Office of Food Security and Affordability to coordinate food assistance efforts and develop a statewide food security strategy; supporters from a Kern County food bank and the University of California said the state’s response to hunger is fragmented and needs better coordination, while committee members asked about deliverables and timelines. The bill was sent to Appropriations. The committee also took up consent items SB 700 and SB 1340, which were moved on consent to Appropriations, and the hearing ended with the remaining votes recorded and the bills advanced. Throughout the hearing, members repeatedly discussed the need for clearer implementation details, data on program impacts, and how to balance equity goals with operational realities for state agencies, contractors, and small businesses.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Crayton? Here. Senator Campbell? Here. Senator Bettencourt? Present. Senator Higginbough?
• Senator Hinojosa? Present. Senator- Senator King? Here. Senator Menendez? Present.
• Senator- Senator Parker, Senator Paxton, Senator West, a quorum is present.
• Senator Rubio. Aye. Senator libous. Aye. Senator Klum. Aye. Senator Nielsen. Aye. Senator Parker.
• Senator Bettencourt. Aye. Senator Middleton. Senator King. Aye. Senator Paxton. Aye. Senator West.

Bills: SB 10, SB 11

Keywords: human trafficking, trafficking victim, compelling prostitution, affirmative defense, criminal defense, coercion, force fraud or coercion, sexual exploitation, victim protection, Penal Code, Texas criminal law, prosecution, party liability, affirmative defense statute, survivor rights, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senator, Senate's office has passed it a couple of times.
• Unfortunately, Senate Bill 1113 does not address challenges made by registered voters.
• I show you registered as Scott Turner.
• Senate Bill 175 earlier this month passed out of the Senate to ban ranked choice voting.
• I'm happy to check that offline, but I don't think got it March 4th, it left the Senate.